The grand age of digital streaming has brought blockbusters to our bedrooms, and for many of us it has replaced movie theaters altogether.
But there is something about the theater experience that the convenience of streaming will never be able to rival. The cushy red seats, the smell of popcorn, the air-conditioning that’s always on a bit too high, and, best of all, the intangible camaraderie of sharing a couple hours of honest entertainment with a crowd of strangers.
So, as the summer movie season approaches, take the time to visit your favorite theater. Take a date, take your best friends, or simply take yourself, and go enjoy a movie the way it was meant to be seen, not on some 12-inch laptop, but on the beauty of the big screen.
From comic based sci-fi to experimental coming-of-age tales, here’s a list of movies you may want to catch this summer.
Action
“Godzilla.” Everybody’s favorite monster is coming back in this remake of the classic kaiju story. As one of the most anticipated summer blockbusters, “Godzilla” seems a good choice for any action-junkie, boasting explosions and mayhem galore! (May 16)
“Guardians of the Galaxy.” 2014 has been a big year for comic based films, especially for Marvel, which is bringing its beloved gang of interstellar vigilantes to the screen in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Fans of the comics aren’t the only ones who should be looking forward to this film, which guarantees to provide both action and laughs. (August 1)
Comedy
“The Double.” This comedic thriller, based on the Dostoyevsky novel of the same name, “The Double,” starring Jesse Eisenberg, follows a lonely clerk who finds himself faced with the disturbing presence of a physical double whose personality is the exact opposite of his own. Those who enjoyed director Richard Ayoade’s first film, “Submarine,” might be interested in his latest offering. (Currently in theaters)
“A Million Ways to Die in the West.” Directed by Seth MacFarlane, this western comedy should be rife with irreverent laughs and dashing facial hair. “A Million Ways to Die” sports a cast with names like Neil Patrick Harris, Charlize Theron, and Liam Neeson, and is probably the best choice for anyone looking to see an honest-to-God comedy. (May 30)
Drama
“God’s Pocket.” Starring the late, great Phillip Seymore Hoffman, “God’s Pocket” promises to be a striking tale of small-town tragedy and penance set in a stark, blue-collar community. “God’s Pocket” is the first film by the “Mad Men” actor John Slattery and, if the trailer is anything to go by, it should be a memorable début. (Currently in theaters)
“Get on Up.” James Brown is such an American musical legend, it’s shocking no one has made a film about him until now. The biopic stars Chadwick Boseman as the Godfather of funk in this rags-to-riches story that should please music lovers and film buffs alike. (August 1)
Indie
“Boyhood.” “Boyhood” is a much-anticipated release from director Richard Linklater, it is touted as a coming-of-age story unlike any before, following the life of a boy named Mason from ages 5 to 18. After 12 years in the making, “Boyhood” is finally hitting the big screen and should not be missed. (July 8)
“The Sacrament.” Few stories are as haunting as that of Jim Jones and the People’s Temple. Ti West’s film is loosely based on this and other cults, following the fictional Eden Parish and its inhabitants in this truly creepy thriller that promises to please the horror and thriller crowds. (June 6)