Golden Tickets: Top10 Summer Movies

Other than the beach, short sleeves, barbecues and longer daylight hours, the summer is good for one more thing, movies, and lots of'em. Despite the damn good weather outside, you certainly shouldn't to miss the must-see movies heading your way. After all, it's not your fault they're being released during an inconvenient season. Read on to find out what the silver screen has in store over the next couple of months, and why it's worth skipping a golden tan for the golden tickets of the summer.





Transformers
Released 4th July
C'mon, who didn't watch Transformers as a kid? Based on the popular 80s cartoon about robot aliens battling it out on earth (all the while destroying cities and wreaking general havoc), the 2007 full-length movie version of Transformers is directed by Michael Bay and stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rachel Taylor and Jon Voight. Expect lots of explosions, noise and super-cool special effects as the Transformers choose their side, to protect, or to destroy.
www.transformersmovie.com

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Released 13th July
Based on the fifth Harry Potter novel by super-rich author JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will no doubt have kids (and adults!) queuing outside multiplexes from 1st July onwards. Although it's difficult to think of him as everyone's favourite teen wizard after his recent naked role in the West End's production of Equus, Daniel Radcliffe is indeed back to reprise the role of Harry (thankfully, with his clothes on). With the Ministry of Magic in denial about his encounter with Voldermort in the last movie, Harry must learn about the mysterious Order of the Phoenix and how they can be used in the battle against he-who-must-not-be-named.
www.harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com

Hairspray
Released 20th July
A classic never dies, and nobody knows this better than talented director Adam Shankman. 16 years after the first film was released, New Line Cinema is releasing a second Hairspray movie, starring Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Brittany Snow and Christopher Walken. Rather than rehash the original, however, the script, which is written by Leslie Dixon (Freaky Friday) - is as fresh as a daisy, even if it is still about star-struck teenagers in a Baltimore dance show. Look out for John Travolta as Tracy Turnblad's out-size mother, nobody worked a body suit better since Eddie Murphy in The Klumps.
www.hairspraymovie.com

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Released 20th July
Although gormless-faced Adam Sandler has a habit of getting on everyone's nerves, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry promises to be better than his last couple of efforts. With the help of Kevin James, the Brooklyn-born fire-fighter pretends to be in a gay relationship in order to receive domestic partner benefits. When they're both as straight as a die, it isn't going to be easy. Nevertheless, the comic pair tie the knot, move in together and spend the best part of their union convincing everyone around them that their relationship is for real. Also starring Justin Timberlake's new squeeze, Jessica Biel, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry should be easy viewing, if not only for the gags.
www.chuckandlarry.com

The Simpsons Movie
Released 27th July
After years of anticipation by their army of fans, The Simpsons are finally coming to the big screen in their very own full-length animated movie. As of yet, no details have been released about the Fox-produced, David Silverman-directed movie, but expect the same adult humour, wit and satire that have made The Simpsons America's favourite yellow family.
www.simpsonsmovie.com

Live Free or Die Hard
Released 27th July
We've only waited, like, ten or so years for this. Bruce Willis has finally crawled out of retirement long enough to film Live Free or Die Hard, or Die Hard 4.0, as it is otherwise known, where he reprises his role as wife-beater-wearing cop John McClane. This time round the world is threatened by a cyber terrorist organisation that has found a way to infiltrate America's infrastructure, form traffic light systems to the stock market. It's up to McClane to stop the tech-savvy group in its tracks, and rescue his kidnapped daughter, Lucy, in the process. Yippe-ki-yay!
www.livefreeordiehard.com

The Bourne Ultimatum
Released 3rd August
After his heavy-going United 93, director Paul Greengrass needed a little light relief. So he turned his attention to The Bourne Ultimatum, the third and final instalment of the Bourne trilogy, which, so far, has grossed over $500 million at the box office. Starring none other than Matt Damon as Jason Bourne (oh, how Ben Affleck must be cursing his best friend's success), The Bourne Ultimatum finally reveals all about amnesia-suffering Bourne's past, all the while dodging bullets, engaging in gratuitous car chases and bedding the obligatory hot woman. Shot in locations around Moscow, Paris, Madrid, Tangier and New York, The Bourne Ultimatum promises to be the best Bourne flick yet.
www.thebourneultimatum.com

Rush Hour 3
Released 10th August
While Jackie Chan may have made some serious crimes against movies in the past (who could forget the appallingly dubbed New Police Story?), he seems to have found his calling with the hilarious action-packed Rush Hour franchise. With the help of egomaniac Chris Tucker (apparently, he had more than a few diva demands on set), Chan is back with Rush Hour 3, this time to bring down a violent Triad crime ring in Paris. Directed by Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, X Men: The Last Stand, Red Dragon), the third, but not final, instalment of the franchise is set to be bigger and better than ever, with a reported budget of $180 million. Watch out for a cameo from exiled Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski, and the scene where Tucker battles it out with Sun Ming Ming, the seventh tallest person in the world.
www.rushhourmovie.com

Stardust
Released 10th August
Chan isn't the only one getting his big screen outing on 10th August. Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Claire Danes and Ricky Gervais will also be on the red carpet at the premiere of their romantic fantasy adventure flick, Stardust. Directed by Matthew Vaughan, Stardust tells the story of young man who ventures into a magical world to retrieve a fallen star for the love of his life. Think The Princess Bride meets Willow, and you're halfway there.
www.stardustmovie.com

Good Luck Chuck
Released 27th August
In this belly-achingly funny summer comedy Dane Cook takes on the role of Charlie Kagan, who has suffered a terrible curse ever since her refused to kiss a Goth-looking girl in a game of spin the bottle as a child. Having put a hex on him, the Goth-looking girl ensured that Charlie, now a successful dentist, would make every girl he slept with fall in love' with the guy after him. Having recently met Sin City beauty Jessica Alba, this could prove something of a problem. Fearing he'll lose the love of his life, Charlie sets about trying to break the curse, and resist hopping into bed with the woman who can make most grown men weep. Directed by Mark Helfrich, Good Luck Chuck appeals to both guys and girls, and certainly gives Employee of the Month a run for its money.
www.lionsgate.com/goodluckchuck/

About the author:

Nick studied at Sussex University and graduated with a degree in English Literature and Media Studies. When he's not writing, which isn't often, Nick enjoys spending time with friends and family, catching up with the latest releases at the cinema, eating out and travelling as much as he possibly can.

He has worked on a number of newspapers, magazines and websites, including Cach', Colures and AskMen.com - and specialises in popular culture and travel. He particularly enjoys writing about all that is beautiful in the world, including luxury hotels, trendy restaurants and the latest gadgetry for the home. If it's hip and gorgeous, Nick will have something to say about it.

He is currently working on his first children's book, which has generated interest from a number of London-based publishers, and runs his own luxury lifestyle blog at www.gilt-edged.com.