Top 5 Worst Movies of the Summer

Worst Summer Movies
Earth to Echo

Release date Jul. 2: Domestic Total as of Jul. 8: $16,537,998, Box Office Mojo reports.

Director David Green's "Earth to Echo" is no "E.T." Not that the film tries to be, yet why create a movie with such a similar premise if you don't want to be compared to a classic?

"Earth to Echo" is a cute film for the under 12 set.

But looking at the film as a whole, I can't help but notice huge gaps in its story line. So while 12-year-olds may not notice these gaps (which is good), those who have more critical eyes do.

I'd recommend taking your kids to see "Earth to Echo," but if you're single or older than 12, I'd choose another movie.

America: Imagine the World without Her
Release date Jul. 2: Domestic Total as of Jul. 8: $4,880,357, according to Box Office Mojo.

Filmmakers John Sullivan and Dinesh D'Souza offer up more of a commercial than a riveting documentary. Its staleness and lack of real debate pose the question: What's the point?

Maybe Sullivan and D'Souza want to glorify American history. Its subtitle: "Imagine the World without Her" screams ego and, quite frankly, doesn't live up to its outspokenness (given that it fails to present any semblance of a real argument).

If you want a history lesson, then I recommend seeing "America," but, if you're looking for an inspiring 1 hour and 43 minutes, think again.
Third Person
Release date Jun. 20: Domestic Total as of Jul. 6: $278,305, according to Box Office Mojo.

Director Paul Haggis does not deliver anything nearly as riveting as his Oscar-winning "Crash."

"Third Person" tries to take on a similar model, focusing on various story lines that all take place in the same time frame, yet, even with its star-studded cast of Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, Olivia Wilde, and Adrien Brody, the film's stories are more of a puzzle than an entertaining whirlwind romance.

Puzzles can be good, but this one will leave you scratching your head, wondering "what in the world?" Haggis tries to connect the three story lines, but he does so to no avail.

After seeing "Crash," I don't think I want to ruin my opinion of Haggis with "Third Person."

Tammy
Release date Jul. 2: Domestic Total as of Jul. 8: $39,445,085, according to Box Office Mojo.

To be honest, I want to see "Tammy." I've based this decision solely on the fact that I really like Melissa McCarthy. This "like" for McCarthy started when I saw "Bridesmaids" with my mom. We were in hysterics.

Then, I saw "The Heat" and, again, I was laughing. But as I read reviews, prepping myself to see "Tammy," I'm not seeing the same feedback.

The hype this movie got/is getting is incredible. I see for commercials for it daily. Yet, McCarthy's problem is that she plays what she knows (her character's are pretty much the same). And yes this was funny the first time when I saw "Bridesmaids," but now it's now getting old.

So while I'll probably see "Tammy" (as a $1 RedBox rental), I won't be seeing it in theaters because, frankly, I don't need to spend the $12 to see another version of a movie I've already seen.
Words and Pictures
Release date May 23: Domestic Total as of Jul. 6: $1,893,160, according to <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wordsandpictures.htm". Box Office Mojo.

"Words and pictures. Pictures and words."

Be prepared to hear those words at least 100 times if you still choose (after reading this) to see this movie.

I'm not really sure who the director Fred Schepisi thinks his audience is, but I don't need to be hit upside the head with the movie's theme: "What's more important, words or pictures?" Well, I'm sure you can answer that yourself (spoiler alert: There're BOTH important).

But, now that I've even given you the answer to what seems like an obvious solution to the movie's debate, what's the point of even seeing (let alone making) the movie in the first place?

I can see how Clive Owen draws in my nana's age-set, but even his character is contrived. He's a struggling writer and English teacher at a Maine prep school with a drinking problem. Can anyone else say "cliche?" What a waste of a good actor -- making him play the goofball in a movie that hits home its message like a "Sesame Street" special.

Even the more peripheral roles were empty. The movie has a whole unnecessary story line that takes the film down a weird path and distracts the audience from the budding romance between Owen and Juliette Binoche's characters.

As harsh as it may seem, the movie wasn't worth the 1 hour and 41 minutes of my time.

(1/5)
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