My Top 10 Upcoming Summer Films

With the summer of movies raging on with more action, more comedy, and a whole lot more drama, I thought I would rank my top 10 films that I'm dying to see in the coming months. From ape fights to super sights, alien galaxies to sex tape travesties, and mask-wearing turtles to scientific hurdles, this summer is packed with great films from massive blockbusters to intriguing film festival projects.  

1. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Probably my most anticipated sequel of the summer, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes revisits the rebooted franchise that started with 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes, bringing back the CGI apes we know and love. After nearly a decade of fighting off a deadly simian virus, along with the rising threat of the massive ape army looming closer, the humans must keep both eyes open and prepare for the ultimate battle for superiority. With a great cast of both humans (Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke) and apes (the great Andy Serkis), along with some explosive horse-riding ape action, this sequel is sure to amaze, and sure to make this rebooted franchise once again popular to massive audiences.  

2. Guardians of the Galaxy

One word: Marvel. It can't be a great summer without an awesome Marvel superhero flick on the way, and that's exactly what this is...sort of. With Captain America and Spidey having their time in the spotlight in early April and May, and the X-Men exploding back into theaters once again, now it's time for something a little different. How does intergalactic mercenaries with a talking tree and raccoon kicking ass sound? Pretty good to me. That's what we have in store for Marvel's next big hit, Guardians of the Galaxy, a Star Wars-esque tale of a group of alien (and one human) mercenaries who must band together to save the galaxy from a growing threat. Already getting fans excited with its great one-liners and fan-favorite characters (like the bad-ass talking raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper), Guardians might just be the perfect summer blockbuster to end the season right. 

3. Lucy

Stepping away from her black clad suit and electromagnetic wristband weapons she used in The Avengers, Scarlett Johansson kicks ass once again in her new film, Lucy, where she plays a forced drug-mule who turns the tables on her captors and begins a life-changing journey into the realm of her own mind. Evolving effortlessly throughout the film, her brain capabilities alter the world around her, and eventually make her nearly unstoppable. Now, if that doesn't hook you, I don't know what will. While this film may not be award-worthy or even critically acclaimed by millions, this film is sure to be one of the many fun sci-fi summer flicks to enjoy.

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

While I may be boycotting this movie, simply because of Micheal Bay as the producer and the fact that the cast looks horrendous, there's no doubt in my mind that I will most likely end up seeing it...at some point. And while I may not be the biggest TMNT fan, I can't help but enjoy mutant turtles kicking ass and cracking jokes (no matter how corny they get). I grew up loving the cartoons and even sat through the puppeteered turtle adventures that first appeared in 1990. While this new reboot may not be the best thing that happened to the franchise, it certainly isn't the worst thing. Whether it was made to re-envision the franchise, or simply to wring out the series and its characters all they can, this new reboot may be worth a watch...but probably not in 3D...if you've seen those guys and how they look.  

5. Sex Tape

It wouldn't be the summer without a raunchy star-studded comedy. With Melissa McCarthy already taking over with her new film Tammy, other comedies are beginning to rise with even more sex jokes, nudity, and crude language. Among that list is the aptly-titled comedy Sex Tape, telling of a married couple who's sex tape ends up in the wrong hands. With comedy nomads Jason Segel, Cameron Diez, and Rob Corddry starring, this film looks both promising and also quite annoying, as many summer comedies are. Hopefully, this film will be the first great comedy of the summer, and won't just be a bunch of stars running around cracking jokes and being stupid.   

6. I Origins

Just like June's The Signal, another sci-fi drama has caught my attention, this time not dealing with aliens, robots, or high-tech weaponry, but eyes. Yes, eyes. Focusing on a molecular biologist (Micheal Pitt) who discovers evidence revolved around the eyes of two people that appear to be the same, I Origins spins a tantalizing tale of scientific and spiritual beliefs, while also telling a great love story between our protagonist and his "eye-opening" love interest (no pun intended). Starring Micheal Pitt, who has captivated me with his performance as the crazed Mason Verger on NBC's Hannibal, this outlandish film may be quite intriguing, and also enjoyable as a mild non-blockbuster film for the summer.  

7. The Equalizer

Denzel Washington is back, and with a vengeance. In his new film, The Equalizer, Washington plays a retired black ops commando who must reenter the field when Russian gangsters come knocking. With explosive action, signature Denzel hand-to-hand combat, and the director of Training Day at the center of it, The Equalizer could be the action guilty pleasure we need for the summer, without the star-studded, overly macho mayhem of the next Expendables film (which Denzel should have been in).    

8. Frank

From one of the many nearly unknown directors in the film industry, Lenny Abrahamson, comes this dark comedy about one man's unique experience when he joins an eccentric pop band, led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank, a man hidden beneath a massive head that acts as the symbol for the group. With the great Micheal Fassbender playing a role I've never seen him play before, and such an outlandish and weird plot, Frank seems like a film many wouldn't care to see. But for me, I think it might be one of the few interestingly odd films out this summer, and may end up surprising me. 

9. Get On Up

From the director of The Help, comes the summer's first major biopic, Get On Up, revolving around the life and legacy of James Brown. Playing Brown is the 42 star Chadwick Boseman, who last performed mildly as the legendary African-American baseball player, Jackie Robinson. Returning for another legendary role, Boseman rocks a new hairdo and a whole new persona as he brings Brown to life in this mild-mannered biopic. Of course it wouldn't be summer without another biopic, so I expected a film like this to show up sooner or later. While it may not be at the top of my list for must-see films, I tend to enjoy films like this, and I might end up seeing it.  

10. The Drop

From the author of Shutter Island and Mystic River, comes another crime-thriller film for the late summer, this one starring legendary actor Tom Hardy, who plays Bob Saginowski, who ends up intertwined in the middle of a robbery gone awry, within his New York neighborhood that holds a dark past and many darker secrets. This film already looks award-worthy for Tom Hardy (and his muddled New York accent) and the late James Gandolfini, and might just be great thriller to end the summer with a bang.  

So, those are my top 10 summer films to see in the coming months. Did I leave a film out? Head down to the comments to rate your top 10 upcoming films of the summer, and tell me what other future films you're excited for. Be sure to come back soon for more summer movie reviews, and don't forget to follow and share my blog for more!