Summer Movies to See in 2013

The Great Gatsby (May 10)

The only current actor qualified to pull off the role of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jay Gatsby is obviously going to be Leo, so you better get to this one, as Mr. DiCaprio claims to be going on an indefinite movie-making hiatus after starring in the Baz Luhrmann adaptation of one of fiction's greatest novels (you should have already read). The only initial criticism to this colorful take on early '20s lavish living is having Tobey Maguire as the narrative character, Nick Carraway, but don't let that stop you from seeing an otherwise well-cast remake of the 1974 Robert Redford film.

The story follows a young Carraway in the summer of 1922 meeting the debaucherous Gatsby on a lake house village on the east coast. If you haven't read the book, be ready for lies, deceit and pretty girls all dressed to the nines.

Star Trek Into Darkness (May 17)

J.J. Abrams' follow-up to his 2009 "Star Trek" will feature the return of Chris Pine and most of its original cast members, including Zoe Saldana (woot!). The film focuses around an internal terrorist aboard the Starship Enterprise, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who forces Captain Kirk and the gang to track him down before he posts terrible things on their Facebook walls.

Okay, there's no Facebook in this film, but it's still just as intense. If you were a fan of the first "Star Trek" you'll definitely want to see J.J.'s new masterpiece.

The Hangover Part III (May 24)

If you're going to "Fast & Furious 6" on this weekend instead of the thrilling conclusion to a series of most epic road-trippers, then you're the reason why "Fast & Furious 7" is already slated for next summer. The third installment co-starring Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms will likely be a step up from the first sequel and a step further into the deep end, as director Todd Phillips has little reason to hold back on this deranged finale to all things ungodly and seemingly unforgettable.

Special appearances include the returns of Heather Graham and Mike Tyson, along with Melissa McCarthy, Jeffrey Tambor and John Goodman. So far, all we really know from released footage is that there's a funeral instead of a wedding to kick things off and a giraffe will likely be decapitated by a freeway overpass. From there, the story should write itself.

Before Midnight (May 24)

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star in one of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival's most talked about trilogy endings. No, there are no comic books involved in this trilogy, but anybody who has followed this couple down the path of "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset" know that finding out the conclusion to these two nine years later is worth the watch.

If your lady wants to see a good film, or if she simply does not want to go with you to see either "The Hangover Part III" or "Fast & Furious 6," then here's your solution.

Now You See Me (May 31)

A not-so-typical heist flick starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Woody Harrelson focuses on a group of illusionists who rob a foreign safe to the awe of the general public. It's kind of like "Ocean's Eleven" meets "The Prestige," only with better tempered actors. There's not much more that can be said, as any good magic trick is kept a pretty good secret.

After Earth (June 7)

M. Night Shyamalan's return with Will and Jaden Smith on his shoulders will feature a post-humanity Earth 1,000 years since their extinction. Will Smith is one of the last survivors of the planet (that seems like familiar territory for him), and this time his son is along to battle with him. Shyamalan's writing and crazy twists will hopefully make this a unique turning point for films with the last humans on Earth plot.

And even more hopefully Will Smith won't sing Bob Marley songs to a dog before snapping its neck. We can't handle that again.

The Internship (June 7)

The womanizing wedding crashers are now jobless, transient losers. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are back as the duo with the huggable teddy bear meets idiot man-child chemistry. This time around, Vaughn and Wilson play a duo failing to be analog guys in a tech-hungry modern world, forcing them into unemployment and starting fresh, fighting tooth and nail with kids half their age to get into the painful, loveless internship world at Google. We're not sure how this one ends, but Rose Bryne is in it, so there's probably a struggle of post-adolescent love and some growing pains for men who want to be forever young. They'll figure it all out, though.

This Is the End (June 12)

Calling all freaks and geeks. Here's a film of actors playing themselves while at a party before the apocalypse. Seriously, this could be one of summer's biggest comedies, as the cast of "Freaks and Geeks," along with the bulk of Judd Apatow's clan, are featured. Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel, along with all the other fat, skinny, and formerly fat funny guys who we love to laugh at will be in attendance.

In all likelihood, this is a typical stoner flick best served on a Sunday afternoon with the boys and lots of munchies. However, it's not recommended that you take your church group to this one, because it looks like "Project X" mixed with "Cloverfield" but with more talented people involved.

Man of Steel (June 14)

Say "hello" to the blockbuster superhero movie that really warrants your attention this summer. Considering the lack of solid up-to-date modern Superman movies, it's about bloody time, wouldn't you say? Anybody who saw "Superman Returns" probably wished the only thing returning was their money after that miscarriage of a comic book saga.

This film, however, is produced by Christopher Nolan with the same gritty idea as "Batman Begins," is directed by "300" mastermind Zack Snyder, and will feature possibly three major villains played by three major actors. So far, it's shaping up to be the best superhero film in years. And then, knowing Hollywood, there will probably be three to six of these films before it's mashed up with other superhero franchises into one big superhero orgy film.

World War Z (June 21)

Based off a rare successfully selling horror novel not written by Stephen King, "World War Z" isn't trying anything too new by joining the zombie apocalypse bandwagon, but it will likely do it better than anybody preceding it. With the help of Brad Pitt and a fast-paced version of a zombie epidemic, the film grips the suspenseful idea of a speedy race for humanity against its demise.

Expect Brad Pitt concoctions of "Fight Club," "Troy" and "Snatch" all rolled into one, except with a loving family he cares deeply and selflessly for, which is so Brad. Definitely check out the book first if you have time.

The Heat (June 28)

It's hard to argue that there is a more hilarious actress out there right now than Melissa McCarthy. She steals every scene she is in and doesn't apologize for it. And being paired with the versatile Sandra Bullock seems like a home run after watching the trailer for "The Heat," as the two play cops who have never had a partner, or a friend, before in their lives.

The Lone Ranger (July 3)

Johnny Depp in another dark Disney action film? Sure, why not. The rock 'n roll actor is in this summer's western adventure rendition of "The Lone Ranger," in which Depp is, for once, not the lead role in a Gore Verbinski-directed Disney movie.

However, this film has a similar style to Gore's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, with the dark, gritty cinematography and colorful, authentic costume designs, but somehow without anything too gruesome happening for the sake of the children watching. Depp was rumored to have been almost killed by one of the horses he was riding while filming, so you better like it, or there won't be four more "Pirates" films in as many years!

Grown Ups 2 (July 12)

How the hell did this get in here? We're not going to say don't worry about seeing this one, but just keep these facts in mind before you make a decision:

Adam Sandler's recent movies - "That's My Boy," "Jack and Jill," "Just Go With It."

Kevin James' recent movies - "Here Comes the Boom," "Zookeeper," "The Dilemma."

Pacific Rim (July 12)

An alien attack on Earth that is fought by humans controlling giant robots sounds a lot like an everyday episode of "Power Rangers," but since "Sons of Anarchy" lead men Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman are in the driver's seats, along with Idris Elba and Charlie Day, it should be a major step up. Regardless of how the movie does, having "Grown Ups 2" as your main competition during a summer release seems like a pretty good situation. As long as it's better than similar blockbuster movies that flopped, like "Battleship" and "Battle Los Angeles," which were supposed to be SO good but left a lot to be desired in storyline because of an over-emphasis on visual effects, it should be a fun watch.

Fruitvale (July 26)

Forget "The Wolverine," this is the film to see on July 26th. Winner of the highest awards at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, "Fruitvale" explores the true story of the final hours of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area kid, before his death. Starring "Friday Night Lights" quarterback Michael B. Jordan, the film is intense, suspenseful and moving. If you're looking for bad X-men plot lines, you know where to go, but this film is the ticket if you're looking for a strong true story of the ups and downs of real life.

300: Rise of an Empire (August 2)

The cinematic event to play prequel to 2007's "300" features Zack Snyder moving out of the directing chair in his screenplay adaptation of Frank Miller's follow-up graphic novel, an August release set to appear in IMAX 3D. The first installment is set in 480 B.C. featuring an alliance of historical fantasy between Greek and Persian cities. For Frank Miller fans, the backstory of Xerxes is touched upon, as well as a bit of potential bloodshed here and there.

Kick-Ass 2 (August 16)

The masked high school heroes with a curfew are back with McLovin as kid nemesis, Motherf***er, and Jim Carrey as some oddball colonel, all of which is rumored to be under an excellent script and is perfect for a late summer release. The first "Kick-Ass" was surprisingly funny and well written. Now, swapping Jim Carrey for Nicolas Cage is a real slam dunk move. But we swear, if Nic Cage makes a surprise cameo, we're just going to flip out and kick someone's ass ourselves.

Elysium (August 9)

Set in 2154, Elysium is a space station that exists with no sickness, war or poverty. It's a paradise away from Earth, which is now a human wasteland. The film, from "District 9" director Neill Blomkamp, sends Max De Costa (Matt Damon) from Earth to Elysium to order to bring about equality between the two. There will likely be a struggle for control between Damon and Secretary Rhodes, played by Jodi Foster, who is arguably more tough than most grown men. With plenty of fight scenes and robotic armor, expect to see a "Bourne Identity"-style Matt Damon meeting with "Robocop."