Your ultimate winter movie guide: Leigh Paatsch previews the films worth seeing

IT’S a blockbuster movie season headed our way. Leigh Paatsch previews the monster hits and super successes about to hit our screens.

THE US blockbuster season promises plenty of sizzling films for our cooler months. Leigh Paatsch previews the monster hits and super successes coming our way.

MAY

Godzilla

May 15

Stars: Aaron Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston

They say: The world’s most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

We say: Enough time has passed for the world to just about forget that 1998 bore-fest starring Matthew Broderick (?!). Over to you, Hollywood.

Close Up: A pair of impeccably constructed trailers have whipped up the right kind of prerelease frenzy. Tracking strongly as the most anticipated title of the season at this point in time.

Wide Shot: The X-factor here is director Gareth Edwards, whose acclaimed 2010 low-budget creature feature Monsters made of a point of pointing its camera away from the main attraction(s).

News_Image_File: Breaking out ... Bryan Cranston searches for answers in a scene from film Godzilla.

News_Rich_Media: Bryan Cranston stars in the epic rebirth of the iconic movie monster, Godzilla. Check out the full trailer now!

X-Men: Days of Future Past

May 22

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender

They say: The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

We say: Now that The Avengers’ gang rule the box-office roost for the Marvel Comics stable, it is put-up or shut-up time for relative old-timers the X-Men.

Close Up: Adapted from a comic book storyline from 1981 that remains a venerated fan favourite to this day. Only worry is the original tale’s brevity: will 48 pages of plot be enough to fill 120 minutes of screen time?

Wide Shot: Biggest drawcard here will be the opportunity to catch casts from both X-Men movie series in the one movie. That means the likes of Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy and Anna Paquin are all aboard.

News_Image_File: All made up ... Jennifer Lawrence stars in X-Men: Days Of Future Past. News_Image_File: Buff and beastly ... Australian actor Hugh Jackman returns to the X-Men franchise.

Maleficent

May 29

Stars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley

They say: A vindictive fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to realise the child may be the only one who can restore peace.

We say: Disney remixing the famous Sleeping Beauty fairytale into a sinister thriller? No big news. Angelina Jolie’s first lead role in almost four years? Now that’s big news.

Close Up: While fairytale fare has been more bust than boom at the box-office in recent times, an unconventional narrative approach may hold the key here. The story unfolds from the perspective of Jolie’s villainess.

Wide Shot: Jolie’s daughter with Brad Pitt, Shiloh, bobs up in the supporting cast.

News_Rich_Media: Maleficent, the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty. Courtesy: Disney

ALSO OPENING IN MAY

Bad Neighbours (full release May 8): Surefire hit comedy. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play a married couple forced to live next door to a hard-partying college frat. Co-stars Zac Efron.

News_Rich_Media: Bad Neighbours, a comedy about a young couple who are forced to live next to a fraternity house after the birth of their newborn baby. Courtesy: Universal Pictures

News_Image_File: Expect some trouble ... Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen in a scene from Bad Neighbours.

A Million Ways to Die in the West (May 29): One-man comedy factory Seth MacFarlane (TV’s Family Guy) follows up his 2012 hit Ted by starring in a frontier farce about a cowardly, covetous farmer.

News_Rich_Media: Seth MacFarlane directs, produces, co-writes and plays the role of the cowardly sheep farmer Albert in A Million Ways to Die in the West.

News_Image_File: More comedy ... Neil Patrick Harris, Amanda Seyfried, Charlize Theron and Seth MacFarlane in a scene from A Million Ways to Die in the West, written and directed by MacFarlane.

The Trip to Italy (May 29): A classy comedy sequel. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon (as themselves) reunite for gastronomy and guffaws on the open road in Italy.

News_Image_File: Lots of laughs ... a scene from the upcoming film The Trip to Italy.

JUNE

Edge Of Tomorrow

June 5

Stars: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Jeremy Piven

They say: A soldier fighting in a war with aliens finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle, though he becomes better skilled along the way.

We say: Drill down deep inside the plotting and it shapes as Groundhog Day minus the rom-com plus some serious sci-fi. If handled right, could really be something.

Close Up: Warner Bros. paid big money in 2004 for the rights to Japanese author Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel All You Need is Kill. Script has been rewritten a zillion times since then. Will the wait have been worth it?

Wide Shot: Early footage has drawn highly positive reaction from around the traps. Even the anti-Cruise crowd have been pleasantly surprised by what’s in the offing.

News_Rich_Media: This trailer is the first look at the film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt under the direction of Doug Liman.

News_Image_File: Ready for invasion ... Tom Cruise in a scene from Edge of Tomorrow.

22 Jump Street

June 19

Stars: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Amber Stevens

They say: After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college.

We say: 21 Jump Street was way better than it had to be. In fact, it was just about the perfect modern big-dumb comedy. No need to mess with a winning formula, surely.

Close Up: Many of the principals involved took some persuading to reconvene. Co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are riding high after their slam dunk success with The Lego Movie.

Wide Shot: Tatum believes some last-minute rewrites that pumped up the action component of the movie will seal the deal here: “It’s bigger, but more importantly, it’s much more ridiculous!”

News_Image_File: Changes coming ... Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in 22 Jump Street. Picture: Supplied

News_Rich_Media: Officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) find their relationship put to the test when they go undercover in college. Can they reclaim their epic bromance?

Transformers: Age Of Extinction

June 26

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, T.J. Miller

They say: An car mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings down the Autobots and Decepticons — and a paranoid government official — on them.

We say: Four movies in, and it’s high time for a reboot. Former franchise frontman Shia LaBeouf has been shown the door. An older, wiser Mark Wahlberg takes his place.

Close Up: Transformers tragics who might have lost their enthusiasm will be excited by the news that some fights will feature those notorious mecha-lizards the Dinobots.

Wide Shot: With Hollywood keeping a close eye on the bottom line this year, this is one of the few films with a budget exceeding 200 million dollars.

News_Rich_Media: Transformers: Age of Extinction is the fourth instalment of the live-action Transformers film series, starring Mark Wahlberg.

News_Image_File: Big expectations ... Nicola Peltz and Mark Wahlberg in a dramatic scene from Transformers: Age of Extinction. News_Image_File: Promising no disappointment ... Mark Wahlberg has assured fans the next Transformers film will be a hit.

ALSO OPENING IN JUNE

Grace of Monaco (June 5): Nicole Kidman plays iconic movie star Grace Kelly in a biopic already famed for its behind-the-scenes turmoil. Will either be a folly or triumph. Opening night premiere at Cannes will tell the tale.

News_Rich_Media: Check out the first official trailer for 'Grace of Monaco', starring Nicole Kidman as the enigmatic movie star-turned-princess, Grace Kelly.

News_Image_File: A royal role ... for Nicole Kidman and Tim Roth in Grace of Monaco.

The Fault In Our Stars (June 5): Divergent poster girl Shailene Woodley turns down the intense action and turns up the romantic drama in this adaptation of the John Green teen-lit bestseller.

News_Rich_Media: Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on an unforgettable journey. Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

Blended (June 12): Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore reunite to see if they can recapture some of that 50 First Dates and The Wedding Singer magic.

News_Image_File: Classic Adam Sandler gags ... a scene from Blended which features Drew Barrymore alongside Sandler.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (June 19): The original featured some of the most spectacular 3D animation never to carry the Pixar brand. Sure to dominate the next school hols.

News_Rich_Media: A third 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' trailer shows off more story, more action and more dragons from Dreamworks animated sequel.

News_Image_File: Amazing 3D images ... in the upcoming film How To Train Your Dragon 2.

JULY — AUGUST

Dawn Of the Planet Of the Apes

July 10

Stars: Gary Oldman, Andy Serkis, Keri Russell

They say: Survivors of the simian plague trigger an all-out war between humanity and Caesar’s growing forces.

We say: Somewhat surprising a follow-up has taken so long to appear. With mankind on the brink of extinction, it’s doubtful we’ll have much of a hope against them all-conquering apes.

Close Up: James Franco is not returning for this one. Australian duo Jason Clarke and Kodi Smit-McPhee are the most notable newcomers. Plotting picks up 15 years after where the original left off.

Wide Shot: The king of motion-capture performance, Andy Serkis, promises that the technology used to power his killer character of Caesar has “gone to a whole new level this time around.”

News_Rich_Media: The trailer for 'Dawn of The Planet of the Apes' offers a glimpse at a world where human civilisation has collapsed and apes now rule.

News_Image_File: The apes are back ... Caesar, performed by Andy Serkis, in a scene from Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

Jupiter Ascending

July 17

Stars: Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Eddie Redmayne

They say: In the future, a young destitute human woman gets targeted for assassination by the Queen Of the Universe, and begins her destiny to finish the Queen’s reign.

We say: The wildest wildcard of the US summer. This is the brainchild of sibling creatives Andy and Lana Wachowski, who haven’t wowed the world since the days of The Matrix trilogy.

Close Up: The first trailer is giving off multiple signals: is it sci-fi, a superhero flick, a supernatural fantasy, a radical romantic drama, or all of the above?

Wide Shot: This marks the first time the Wachowskis have tried the 3D format, so a major spectacle can be expected. Tatum’s character is apparently an, err, albino half-man-half-wolf.

News_Rich_Media: Jupiter Ascending is an upcoming science fiction film written, produced and directed by The Wachowskis. Set in the distant future, the film centres on a lowly janitor who learns that she has a great genetic destiny

News_Image_File: A real wildcard ... a scene from the upcoming blockbuster Jupiter Ascending.

Guardians of the Galaxy

August 7

Stars: Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt and the voice of Bradley Cooper

They say: In the far reaches of space, an American pilot named Peter Quill finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan.

We say: Marvel’s second superhero entry for the season is also its freshest (and possibly riskiest) conceptual product in many years.

Close Up: Those familiar with the Guardians playbook will understand why certain characters (such as Vin Diesel as a talking tree!) have had to be rendered with the aid of motion-capture technology. Some viewers may take a while to warm to the effect.

Wide Shot: Hails from one of the more obscure corners of the Marvel stable, and features a slew of departures from the company’s usual film formula. However, it is reported one key aspect of the film will link strongly to next year’s much-anticipated Avengers: Age of Ultron.

News_Rich_Media: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster epics of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team; the Guardians of the Galaxy.

News_Image_File: Risky superhero venture ... Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy.

ALSO OPENING IN JULY-AUGUST

Tammy (July 3): Another crowdpleasing comedy vehicle for breakout star Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, The Heat). She plays an unemployed waitress on a road trip with her cranky grandma (Susan Sarandon).

News_Rich_Media: Watch the incredible trailer for Melissa Carthy's latest film, 'Tammy', about a woman who sets off on a cross-country road trip after her life falls apart. Courtesy: Warner Bros. Pictures

News_Image_File: Fresh comedy ... Susan Sarandon and Melissa McCarthy in a scene from the film Tammy.

Jersey Boys (July 24): Clint Eastwood directs a lavish adaptation of the hit Broadway musical which tells the true story of 60s pop icons Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

News_Rich_Media: A story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic '60s rock group The Four Seasons.

News_Image_File: A reboot ... of the classic musical, Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood.

The Expendables 3 (Aug. 14): Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Statham are back. Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford and Wesley Snipes are the latest new recruits to the fold.

News_Rich_Media: Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas and even Mel Gibson have joined the roster for Sly Stallone's latest mega action flick, 'The Expendables 3'.

News_Image_File: Back with avengeance ... Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and the cast of The Expendables 3.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Aug. 21): Nearly a decade later, co-directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller resurrect the once-game-changing Sin City effect. Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke and Jessica Alba all return, along with several new faces.

News_Rich_Media: The visually stunning 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For', weaves together two of Frank Miller's classic stories with new tales. The town's most hard boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more notorious inhabitants.

News_Image_File: American crime thriller ... Sin City: A Dame To Kill For.