Summer 2013 in Film

It may not seem like it, but summer is just around the corner and, unless you've got an immense round the world trip booked where you'll be lounging on some beautiful Thai beach and sipping a nice cold beer, the chances of guaranteed sun aren't great.

But what can be guaranteed is a great summer at the cinema. So go on - shun the sun, treat yourself to an extra large box of popcorn and head to the pictures and catch some of these exciting summer releases...

The Great Gatsby (Released 16^th May)

An adaptation of one of America's greatest novels, The Great Gatsby will hit our screens with an all-star cast headed up by Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire and directed by Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!). Set in the decadent 1920s, the story sees the rise and fall of Jay Gatsby, a man whose love for parties and success highlights the immorality and garish society of the Roaring Twenties. With a 3D release and a soundtrack featuring Jay-Z, Lana Del Ray and Florence + The Machine, the latest cinematic vision of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel promises to be an exhilarating ride.

Man of Steel (Released 14^th June)

Superman is the latest Marvel character to receive the 'Dark Knight' treatment: that is, a darker and grittier take on the tale of Clark Kent. You may have had enough of men prancing around in skin-tight jumpsuits but Hollywood certainly doesn't think so and, judging by the film's trailer, Man of Steel looks to be an exciting reboot of a comic book hero loved by so many. It is interesting to note that Superman is being played by Henry Cavill, a British actor and he continues the recent trend of Brit actors playing American superheroes (Andrew Garfield recently played Spiderman). Rule Britannia!

Despicable Me 2 (Released 28^th June)

Adored by children and students alike, Despicable Me hit screens back in 2010 and ever since then, has been a firm favourite in DVD collections. Its sequel sees the slightly creepy but loveable Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help combat a new super criminal. The trailers are funny, if rather random, and a whole army of minions are ready to make you cry with laughter and really, really wish you owned one. All together now: “It's so flufffffyyy!”

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Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (Released 16^th August)

A film. With Alan Partridge. What more is there to say? With a script written by Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci and Rob and Neil Gibbons, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa is to be set in Norfolk, although plot details are rather scarce at the moment. One thing's for sure, for Partridge fans it may just be the highlight of the summer.

Jurassic Park 3D (Released 23^rd August)  

Not strictly a new release, but still an important and gripping film, Jurassic Park has gone all modern and 3D to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Whether or not this retro-fitting will enhance the sight of a T-Rex eating everything that moves, any chance to see Spielberg’s classic on the big screen should be welcomed. Despite being a PG, Jurassic Park is a text book example of how great special effects, effective scares and a pinch of Spielberg magic can create a fantastic summer blockbuster.

Also released this summer: After Earth: 1000 AE, World War Z, This is the End, Monsters Inc. 2, Wadjda, 300: Rise of an Empire, The World's End.