May 7, 2012 

Other than cute dresses and fruity cocktails, there’s nothing I love more in the summertime than a summer blockbuster. Last year’s season brought us mega-hits like Bridesmaids and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but as crazy good as those films were, summer 2012 looks to be even better. There’s a slew of summer flicks on the horizon, but these have me the most excited.

Prometheus

There are plenty of movies in May to catch (The Avengers, Men in Black III, Battleship) but if your pockets are tight, save your cash for Prometheus, which hits theaters in June. The first time I saw this trailer I was struggling to figure out what was going on, but then I caught a glimpse of my favorite eye-candy, Idris Elba, and I didn’t even care. Turns out, Prometheus is another sci-fi/save the planet flick. Helmed by Black Hawk Down director, Ridley Scott, it looks to be a doozy.  

Magic Mike

Channing Tatum stars in two films this summer: G.I. Joe Retaliation and Magic Mike. Both are likely to show a lot of why we love Tatum – his abs – but if you want something easy on the eyes, plus a little romance and a good laugh, your best bet is Magic Mike.  Tatum plays at veteran stripper who takes a younger stripper under his wing.  Sound silly? Sure, but Tatum plays a stripper. I repeat. A stripper. 

Ted

When Seth MacFarlane’s uncensored Ted trailer was released last month the Internets went nuts, and rightly so. Anything starring a pot-smoking teddy bear and Mark Wahlberg looks hysterical. I’m a sucker for Wahlberg’s thick Boston accent, but the MacFarlane writer/director/producer credit just takes my excitement over the top.  

Dark Knight Rises

I’ve only been waiting for this film for four years but it seems like it’s been forever.  Christian Bale’s back with a voice that’s deeper than ever, but the real creeper in the Dark Knight series finale is villain Bane, played by Warrior star, Tom Hardy. In the sequel, Heath Ledger’s portrayal of Joker was terrifying, but Hardy’s take on Bane looks far more menacing, which is exactly what I want to see. 

The Campaign

Starring funnymen Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, upcoming comedy film, The Campaign, will likely be everything the real 2012 presidential campaign is not: raunchy, lowbrow, and hilarious. Ferrell and Galifiankis play two rival Southerners fighting for a seat in Congress. Written by the dudes who penned Eastbound & Down, I don’t expect President Obama or Mitt Romney to borrow anything from this film. 

Sparkle

The remake of the 1976 musical Sparkle was highly anticipated before the death of one of its stars, but the passing of the great Whitney Houston has pushed the buzz for this film into overdrive. News about Houston’s tragic death will likely overshadow the rest of the film’s stellar cast (Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Mike Epps), but early reviews of Sparkle say the late singer’s performance is worthy of the attention.  

As temperatures rise this summer, grab a loved one and head to the movies to see any one of these films. I doubt it’ll happen, but if they fall short of expectations, at the very least you’ll be cool.  And if a dark theater doesn’t cool you down, you can always put on a cute dress or grab a fruity cocktail!