So far, summer 2014 is proving to be another great season of movies - we really had been treated to some great films over the last few weeks.

July looks set to be another exciting month, and we take a look at some of the films that you cannot miss.

- Transformers: Age of Extinction - released 5th July

Transformers is one of the most successful franchises of recent years, and the fourth instalment looks set to follow that tradition.

The movie has already taken $100 million at the U.S. box office this weekend, and it looks set to be a mammoth hit in the UK as well.

Michael Bay may be back in the director's chair, but it is all change on the cast list as Mark Wahlberg introduces us to lead character Cade.

Wahlberg is joined on the cast list by Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, and Sophia Myles.

Transformers: Age Of Extinction begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history... while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs.

With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet.

The last two Transformers movies have not been that great, but Age of Extinction looks set to get this franchise back on course.

- Begin Again - released 11th July

Begin Again is one of the films I am really looking forward to this summer, as it is completely different to all of the blockbusters we are being treated to.

The movie sees Keira Knightley return to the big screen as she teams up with Mark Ruffalo for the first time.

The movie gives Knightley the chance to show off her singing skills in the film, as she plays singer/songwriter Gretta.

Begin Again follows Gretta who, after a chance meeting with a disgraced music executive, sets off on an unexpected musical journey.

The movie marks the return of John Carney to the director's chair for the first time since The Rafters; he has also penned the screenplay as well as being at the helm.

Knightley and Ruffalo are joined on the cast list by James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld, and Mos Def and is a film not to be missed this summer.

- How To Train Your Dragon 2 - released 11th July

No summer is complete without a great animation film, and How To Train Your Dragon 2 is one that will be setting the big screen alight.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 comes four years after the success of the first, and sees Dean DeBlois back in the director's chair.

Jay Baruchel once again voices the character of Hiccup, while Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wigg, and America Ferrera are some of the other familiar voices returning.

The big new addition to the cast list is Oscar winner Cate Blanchett: Kit Harington and Djimon Hounsou are also on board this time around.

When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the centre of a battle to protect the peace.

If you are looking for some family fun on the big screen this summer, then look no further than How To Train Your Dragon 2.

- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - released 17th July

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is one of the summer movies that I have been excited about ever since filming on it started.

I was such a huge fan of the first film - far more than I ever expected - and I cannot wait to see where director Matt Reeves takes the story next.

Reeves has taken over the director's chair from Rupert Wyatt, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes looks set to be darker and grittier this time around.

Andy Serkis is back as Caesar, and looks set to deliver another terrific motion capture performance: his role in the first film was the standout turn.

Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Jason Clarke, Toby Kebbell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee are some of the big new additions to watch out for.

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.

They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.

The more I see of this film, the more I cannot wait to see the rest. I think it is going to be one of the standout films of the summer!!!

- Hercules - released 25th July

If any actor was meant to play Hercules, then it was Dwayne Johnson... and that is exactly what he is going to do this summer.

This is the second Hercules film to hit the big screen this year, as Johnson teams up with Brett Ratner for the first time.

Ratner is back in the director's chair for the first time since Tower Heist, but he is no stranger to the blockbuster with the likes of X-Men: The Last Stand under his belt.

July is going to be a month of really great cast lists, and Hercules is no different as Johnson is joined by John Hurt, Ian McShane, Joseph Fiennes, and Rufus Sewell.

Having enduring his legendary twelve labours, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord.

We are big fans of Hercules here at FemaleFirst, and we cannot wait to see him in action as this iconic character.

- Guardians of the Galaxy - released 31st July

Guardians of the Galaxy is the second Marvel film to hit the big screen this year, as we are introduced to a brand new franchise.

It is always exciting when Marvel launch a new franchise, and this is their most adventurous project yet - I really can't wait to see how it turns out.

It promises to be as action packed as it is funny and will be the biggest film of James Gunn's directing career to date.

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, and Dave Bautista are on board as Peter Quill, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot & Drax - aka the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, and Glenn Close make up a very impressive cast list.

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.

The Marvel movies have been getting better and better in the last couple of years and I am super excited for this new addition to the universe.

Other films not to miss include Joe, Boyhood, and Earth To Echo.


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