Hannah’s Top 7 Movies to See This Summer

Believe the hype. Or don’t believe the hype. I’m a firm believer that you need to let a movie speak to you on its own. Never judge a movie by its trailer, because now more than ever, trailers seem to tell us NOTHING about the movies they are representing. Summer movie season is upon us, and here are the films that have me flocking to the theaters along with the masses:

Hahahahahahaha.....no.

List is after the jump…

7. MacGruber (May 21)

I keep reading halfway-decent things about this one, but we all know how SNL-character spinoffs can be. I really want to like it. I will see it regardless of its merits, mostly because I have mad love for Kristen Wiig.

6. The Expendables (August 13)

This movie is a giant gimmick, and I am totally aware of this; however, will I be consuming a few drinks at the restaurant adjacent to the theater then stumbling in for a ridiculous popcorn and candy-fueled actionfest? Hell yes. Pass the Twizzlers–I will be watching Jet Li and Jason Statham do their thing alongside mothertrucking Mickey Rourke. YES. Bonus points: It’s my half-birthday on release day.

5. Salt (July 23)

I still can’t tell you if it’s feminist or not that Angelina Jolie gets to kick so much ass. I just love that someone who is considered one of the most glamorous women in Hollywood is constantly permitted to tote guns and perform death-defying stunts without anyone taking on that “Oh my gosh, you must have been so SCARED and it must have been so HARD FOR YOU” attitude that comes along with most pretty girls going tough. Of course, if you want tough, don’t forget that Angelina used to wear that vial of Billy Bob Thornton’s blood…

4. The Last Airbender (July 2)

Look, M. Night Shyamalan, I have been pulling for you all along. Unbreakable is one of my all-time favorite movies. I will admit to liking The Happening, but never seeing Lady in the Water. When I saw a trailer for this before Iron Man 2 over the weekend, my companion said, “Finally, a Shyamalan movie that isn’t going to suck!” I didn’t give a shit about the cartoon on Nickelodeon, but this trailer makes me interested in the movie, the story, the universe it takes place in. So come on, M. Night, please let’s prove the rest of the country wrong this time.

3. Get Him to the Greek

I’m sorry, I just adore Russell Brand. He’s brash; he’s crass; some may think he’s insane. I heard him on Fresh Air on NPR talking with Terri Gross, and I just kind of fell in love with his ridiculousness.

2. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Edgar Wright. Michael Cera. And Mary Elizabeth Winstead totally looks like Ramona Flowers come to life. I am in geek heaven, and this movie better deliver the goods. My only concern? How do you fit six books, albeit six quick reads, into one film?

1. Inception

Christopher Nolan’s newest may have me singing “Dream Police” before I even know it. Also starring a veritable cornucopia of my celeb crushes (Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page) along with Leo DiCaprio. I don’t see how this one could be wrong. I predict at least two viewings of this for me this summer.