The summer ahead appears heavy on sci-fi and action adventure movies that could actually be very good. Here we have some commentary.
1 May 2009
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Before we even talk about whether or not this movie is going to be any good, let me just say that this summer represents the fulfillment of not just one, but two, of my childhood fantasies for silver screen adaptations. One of my dreams was a movie about Wolverine, who has always been my favorite of the X-Men. The other was a movie that focused on the post-apocalyptic future alluded to in the first two Terminator movies. Check aaaaaaand check.
Now, having seen a couple of previews for this movie, I have to say this looks pretty lackluster. The X-Men trilogy was fairly unimpressive in terms of presenting any sort of compelling plot you'd ever want to revisit. What it did have was a lot of great special effects and nearly flawless casting (whoever had the vision to cast a Broadway actor as one of the most prototypically masculine comic book heroes of all time definitely earned his or her pay check).
I will go see this movie with extremely low expectations and most likely leave the theater saying that I had fun.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine on imdb
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8 May 2009
Star Trek
I've never loved Star Trek, but I have been known to make free with references to the Borg. I don't know if the Borg show up in this J.J. Abrams-directed resuscitation attempt, but if they do I will surely enjoy the movie at least ten times more. If you don't know what the Borg is, well, I feel bad for you son. I got ninety-nine problems but the Borg ain't one.
Star Trek on imdb
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21 May 2009
Terminator Salvation
People tell me they can't take this movie seriously following Christian Bale's now infamously viral vituperation against some member of the TS film crew. Let it also be said that these (two) people are not ardent Terminator fans. I, on the other hand, am very excited for this movie and will probably watch it on the day it comes out. Why? We get to find out more about the eerily familiar-sounding works of the SkyNet corporation and finally see the man Edward Furlong grew up to become thrash some murderous, skeletal automatons across desert highways and ruined metropolises. Post-apocalypse is in fact the finest milieu the action movie biz has ever presented.
Trailer
Terminator Salvation on imdb
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29 May 2009
Up
Visually, this movie is Pixar par excellence. Based on what I've seen in the trailers, it seems like this up-up-and-away adventure story which co-opts Dennis the Menace and James and the Giant Peach may be the summer's most enduring offering. I will see this with my family and it will be a super fun time.
Up on imdb
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29 May 2009
Drag Me to Hell
In the wake of the truly abysmal Spider-Man 3, Sam Raimi needs a cred boost more than most anyone in Hollywood. With a new Evil Dead movie in the works and this month's Drag Me to Hell set to be the summer's prime (only?) fantasy/horror flick, it could conceivably happen. I won't say that this movie looks great, because it really doesn't, but it could be entertaining. Major points lost for casting the Mac guy in anything but a remake of 1989's seminal Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Trailer
Drag Me to Hell on imdb
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26 June 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I hate Shia LaBeauf. That guy's career can just go jump off a bridge, as far as I'm concerned. Swinging from vines in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, anyone? Well that was this kid. Also, why has he not been called out for his lack of any talent whatsoever? What is Spielberg doing championing such a blithering idiot? On the other hand, how 'bout that Megan Fox?
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on imdb
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1 July 2009
Public Enemies
Johnny Depp is John Dillinger. Christian Bale is the diehard detective hunting him down. Gunfights. Lots and lots of gun fights.
Public Enemies on imdb
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10 July 2009
Brüno
What to say here... Borat was great: an unexpected success that legitimately had me in stitches. Still, for some reason I can't help but think that this movie will be a bit of a disappointment. Acting the stereotype may be good enough for one gag, but two? We'll just have to see.
Brüno on imdb
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15 July 2009
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
I've now dated two girls who have been completely obsessed with Harry Potter (the books, principally). One of them turned out to be a real bitch. Points added for being a fantasy story that involves bi-raciality.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on imdb
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7 August 2009
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Again, never was a huge fan but I loved Snake Eyes because he was an awesome ninja á la Deadpool minus the guns (I think). I'm also very intrigued by the fact that Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is rapidly becoming Ryan Gosling 2.0 (he's done the art films, and a rom-com's in the works), is going to play Cobra Commander. Points added if at the very end of the movie they do one of those "...And knowing is half the battle" educational messages. Even more points added if Bernie Madoff shows up in the last five seconds to wink into the camera.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra on imdb
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21 August 2009
Inglourious Basterds
This will probably be the best movie of the season. It's also the hardest to spell. Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) leads a crack commando unit of Jewish-American soldiers (that includes Office star and writer B.J. Novak) into Nazi-occupied France to wreak havoc amongst the German army. It's directed by Tarantino, so it's going to be bloody, lewd, and unapologetically American. I'm psyched.
Trailer
Inglourious Basterds on imdb
There you have it. Get ready to shell out, folks!
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