This summer was filled with heavy anticipation for its movie slate, as hype machines such as “Man of Steel,” “Iron Man 3,” and “The Hangover Part III” all hit the box office. What seemed to be a deep movie class quickly separated itself as the summer progressed. Here are the five best and worst movies that made the list, along with their scheduled DVD release dates.
GOOD
5. “Despicable Me 2”
The world’s favorite Minions are back! According to Boxoffice.com, the sequel has been a major hit in the box office, ranking No. 2 in highest-grossing movies of the summer, according to Boxoffice.com. Although it has been widely seen as a disappointment compared to the first one, “Despicable Me 2” still shares the same laughs and charm, leading a weak class of summer children’s movies.
On DVD October 1
4. “Fruitvale Station”
“Fruitvale Station,” based on a true story, follows the last day of the main character, Oscar Grant, leading up to his tragic death on News Year’s Eve of 2008. With little advertising, “Fruitvale Station” hasn’t been a box office hit, as it has grossed nearly $15 million nationwide. However, boasting a 93 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from top movie critics shouldn’t go unnoticed.
DVD Release Date TBA
3. “Man of Steel”
Superman has arrived. The movie’s dark edge is what the “Superman” story needed, as it brought more intense and destructive action. Along with strong performances from lead actor Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Russell Crowe, “Man of Steel” has the potential to be the next great superhero movie series. With confirmation of a sequel involving Batman, there’s more incentive to see “Man of Steel.”
On DVD November 12
2. “Fast & Furious 6”
Brian and Dominic (played by Paul Walker and Vin Diesel) reassemble their savvy crew of drivers, at the request of CIA Agent Luke Hobbs (played by Dwayne Johnson), to track down a mercenary driver organization led by Owen Shaw. As it appears to be their biggest test yet, it comes with the biggest reward: a pardon for the crew’s crimes so they can stop living their lives on the run. The crew soon learns that nothing could prepare them for what happens next. Plot twists and high-powered action makes “Fast & Furious 6” a movie that you don’t want to miss.
On DVD October 1
1. “Iron Man 3”
Was it ever in doubt? The third installment in the “Iron Man” series received rave reviews to match its pre-release hype, led by Robert Downey Jr. as the arrogant and fast-talking, yet so attention-grabbing Tony Stark/Iron Man. The box office numbers speak volumes, too. “Iron Man 3” is ranked No. 13 on the list of all-time domestic gross at more than $408 million nationwide, in addition to over $1 billion in worldwide gross, according to Boxoffice.com. It’s a must-see, as it makes the list as best movie of the summer.
On DVD September 24
BAD
5. “Turbo”
DreamWork’s “Turbo” focuses on garden snail Turbo, who gains super speed after a freak accident and sets his eyes on winning the the Indy 500. With notable voices such as Ryan Reynolds, Ken Jeong, Snoop Dogg and Samuel L. Jackson, the animated action wasn’t enough to complement their voices. Even with the intended message for kids to dream big, “Turbo” didn’t get that message across in a very entertaining manner that will attract kids of all ages.
DVD Release Date TBA
4. “Grown Ups 2”
“Grown Ups 2,” with an all-star cast including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade and Chris Rock, is another victim of the unwritten rule about making sequels. Certain movies are good only once, and shouldn’t be attempted as a sequel. “Grown Ups 2” matches the description as it fell far short of the success of the prequel. It just simply wasn’t as funny as the original.
DVD Release Date TBA
3. “The Lone Ranger”
Disney’s “The Lone Ranger” follows John Reid, “The Lone Ranger,” (played by Armie Hammer) and Native American warrior Tonto (played by Johnny Depp) as they pursue notorious outlaw Butch Cavendish. The only thing to be appreciated in this movie is Depp’s deliverance of the quirkiness that you expect from him. Other than that, the movie lacks a captivating storyline. With its $250 million budget, “The Lone Ranger” only grossed $87 million nationally, according to IMDB.com.
DVD Release Date TBA
2. “After Earth”
This on-screen ensemble of Will and son Jaden Smith was a major flop. In “After Earth,” humans were forced to leave Earth and live on planet Nova Prime. A father and son, played by the Smiths, crash-lands back on Earth over a millenium after humanity’s escape. And the son must navigate the unfamiliar planet and find help for himself and his father. Not even the best father-son duo could save this movie, as director M. Night Shyamalan dropped the ball on molding another great science fiction hit.
On DVD October 8
1. “R.I.P.D.
In “R.I.P.D.,” Ryan Reynolds plays a murdered police officer who joins a team of other dead officers working for the “Rest in Peace Department.” Reynolds, with the help of his partner (played by Jeff Bridges), sets out to find the man who killed him. This film immediately draws comparisons to a poor man’s “Men in Black.” Where are Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones? Neither may have helped, as “R.I.P.D.” proves to be neither worth saving, nor seeing.
DVD Release Date TBA
