30 summer films you need to see

Sweat it out with TONY’s selection of soon-to-be blockbusters and arthouse stunners.

By David Fear, Joshua Rothkopf and Keith Uhlich Thu Apr 26 2012

Summer in New York 2012

Katy Perry: Part of Me
Savages
The Dark Knight Rises
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
Step Up Revolution

Katy Perry: Part of Me

We’ve got some fairly obvious predictions about which parts, specifically, Perry will be sharing—did we mention this is in 3-D? Meanwhile, the pop star’s meteoric rise—and public marriage collapse—might actually merit a smart documentary. Let’s hope this is it. (Jul 5)

Savages

Is this the revival of wacko, Natural Born Killers–era Oliver Stone? His South of the Border crime thriller suggests the answer is si, as a pair of pot growers take on a Mexican cartel after their hot-mama girlfriend is kidnapped. Relentless gunplay looks to follow, but we’re most excited to see the character turns by John Travolta as a duplicitous federal agent and Salma Hayek as the drug syndicate’s campily crazed boss. (Jul 6)

The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (2005) kicked off the most successful series reboot of all time; he now finishes what he started in the trilogy’s final chapter, in which Christian Bale’s caped crusader takes on Anne Hathaway’s kittenish Catwoman and Tom Hardy’s mush-mouthed muscleman Bane. (July 25)

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has wowed fans all over the world with his highly outspoken, critical works; he’s also gained a few enemies in the country’s repressive government. This doc charts how Ai’s political dissidence has turned him into a human-rights activist and a social-media celebrity. (Jul 27)

Step Up Revolution

The hip-hopping musical series heads to the Sunshine State for its fourth installment, in which a group of Miami hoofers go up against an evil land developer. Plot, schmott: More spectacular dance sequences, please. (Jul 27)

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30 summer films you need to see

Sweat it out with TONY’s selection of soon-to-be blockbusters and arthouse stunners.

Summer in New York 2012