Summer Movie's 2011

The lucrative summer movie season is upon with some must-sees, and some must-nots...as usual. For some, the summer tentpoles are usually a gasp of fresh air after the torturous spring, which notoriously is when the studios drop all the crap they can't market or give a potential bomb zero competition at stretching for it's 5 million opening weekend (yawn). And, more power to them. This summer is filled with sequels, franchise films, and comic book adaptations (maybe one too many, this time) to get excited about it. Others see it only as time to brace themselves for the mindless entertainment until the artful oscar season picks up again in the fall. For most, it's a little of both, so here are my favorite thing - lists on both the goods and the bads.

THE GOOD:

10.Thor - Already upon us, and already raked in 66 million it's opening weekend. This was expected for Thor, who isn't as widely known in the Marvel canon (Spider-Man opened with a whopping 114 million in 2002, and Iron Man pulled a 96 million opening in 2008), but obviously has his loyal fan base. The gig Marvel has going to keep people intrigued is how all their films, since Iron Man, are happening within the same universe. So, even audiences who know nothing of Thor will enjoy it's tie-ins to Iron Man, Hulk and Captatin America. Although it got decent reviews, I don't predict this one will have the legs to go over the 200 million mark. It's definitely a well executed movie, but with Kenneth Brannagh at the helm, his Shakesperian persuasions are all over the movie, which might bog it down for those wanting fun Marvel entertainment.

9. The Help - Based on the ridiculously successfull best seller about an aspiring writer who spearheads racial segregation in Jackson, Mississipi, this film will draw from audiences looking for a quieter movie this summer without losing the quality. Another major draw should be newcomer Emma Stone, right off her breakthrough performance in the delightful Easy A, who already has a small throng of devoted fans who say they "love her." The film's antagonist is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, and, from the trailer, it seems she's finally found another role to sink her teeth into after fledgling in Spider Man and Terminator sequels after The Village.

8.Captain America - Marvel devotees will recognize the actor playing Steve Rogers as the Human Torch from the forgetful Fantastic Four movies. Chris Evans, as he's known by everyone else, is hoping to start again in one of these fancy Marvel reboot films fans have been jumping about. Expect him to return next summer in The Avengers alongside Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk. Comparing to the comics, he definitely looks the part, and there's no reason anyone won't see a movie called Captain America due to the stroke of nationalism sweeping the states after the death of you-know-who (not Voldemort for once).

7.Super 8 - With the enlisted help of producer Steven Spielberg, acclaimed director J.J Abrams, coming off Star Trek fame, has written an intriguing piece of sci-fi sensationalism. Based in the 70's, a group of kid filmmakers, working with super 8 film, accidentally catch footage of a train derailment carrying cargo to the legendary Area 51. Cool huh? The trailer purposely mirrors the feel of Close Encounters, so some nostalgic moviegoers will probably be drawn in in that regard. Looks to be one of those "you never see the monster" movies, which I've been excited to get back to for awhile.

6. Tree of Life - This is also not spectacular, hyped up, VFX typical summer movie fare, but for the auteur followers out there: you know Terrence Malick only makes a movie like once a decade. His last effort, was The New World, a three hour poem with moving pictures, and his track record proves that as his style. His latest, stars Sean Penn and Brad Pitt, and won't be at all dissapointing cinematography wise. Just be ready for a slow, pensieve story...but no less emotional.

5. Cowboys and Aliens - Director Jon Favreau's first film off his Iron Man adaptation looks to be a neat blend of classic western and sci-fi. If he keeps the same touch as before, even the potentially silly segments won't be too overblown or drawn out. Iron Man kept itself well rooted in reality and I think fans are hoping he does the same here. It stars Harrison Ford, in a rare non-Indiana Jones adventure role, as the Sheriff, and Daniel Craig as the mysterious drifter who possess the only power to fight the invading aliens. It looks like everything Will Smith's Wild Wild West wanted to be.

4. The Hangover: Part II - The wolfpack is back! It's the sequel to the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time! This time the wedding is in Thailand, and try as they will to keep everything low key, things go horribly wrong. Expectations are high for this one, possibly the highest of all films this summer, and it's being dropped right at Memorial Day weekend so it will safely make bank. But if it doesnt' stack up, the box office will drop off quickly. What was fun about the first one was the way it came out of nowhere. With that gone, the sequel will have to pack twice the laughs.

3. Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides - Come on, give it a chance. The franchise has switched directors, giving duties to Rob Marshall of Chicago. Other cast members ala Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley has opted not to return. It will either turn out to be a fresh new start for the Pirates films, or the death rattle. My prediction is favorable since fans voiced unhappiness with the last two sequels, and judging from the trailers they listened. It's simple: forget the sweeping scope and visuals, and put the main focus back on Jack Sparrow

2. Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Yet again, the last one was God awful, I think Michael Bay even issued a formal apology. However, like above, he's promised a more focused story, and gone back to the basics that made the first one such a fun time. If it's true, this could be good solid summer entertainment. They've got an intriguing tie in to the space race of the sixties, sort of one of those, "the public has never known what happened on the moon" sort of thing. Note the absence of the whiny Megahn Fox from the trailers...that's what you get when you call Michael Bay, Hitler.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II - One: it's the continuation of the first movie, which featured solid performances from the child actors, just the right amount of special effects, a story more devoted to the books, and a wildly addicting premise. Two: it's in 3D and Three: Oh yeah, it's the finale of the most successfull book series in HISTORY!!! It's been a long run since 2001 when the first one came out. I think Warner Bros. will weep terribly when this money machine is finally out of gas.


Some things to avoid:

Green Lantern - It's the summer for the comic book, but not this one. Although DC comics is desperately buying back the rights to all their stories in order to catch up to Marvel, Green Lantern doesn't bode well. Saturated in unbelievable CGI, a ridiculously child like story, terrible dialouge, this movie just looks plain silly. Down and out. If you wanna support DC, hold your cash for Batman next summer.

Cars 2 - Lovable Pixar has to have a down year, and it is alas upon us. Why they chose this one, their least successful, for a sequel is a real headscratcher. Nevertheless, moms will take their kids to see it and it will make a considerable amount of money, but you stand warned.. Paul Newman is dead, so there goes that, and Larry the Cable Guy isn't as popular anymore. From there, Owen Wilson can't carry te movie because he excels more in physical comedy - not animation. Avoid.

Friends with Benefits AND Love, Wedding, Marriage - Every summer needs the formulaic RomCom. If you're impressed by that then go see it. It's not my money. Does it bother you that Friends With Benefits is just No Strings Attached (the one with Natalie Portman) but with different actors. While you're checking your brain at the door, don't think to hard about what the other one mirrors.

X-Men: First Class - I guess since they had such luck with the Avenger build up, Marvel got a little greedy and thought they could squeeze a little more out of the tired X-Men franchise. The trailer looks desperate, un-original and poorly acted. Every good thing must come to an end...just not like this.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: I'd like to go back in time to find the producer at the moment he pitched this and remind him it is not a good idea to make a prequel to a classic piece of sci fi from the 60s. The original was timely, pertinent and beautifully allegorical. It doesn't need a hawdy, noisy un-inspired prequel. And also, James Franco what happened to you?


The End, now go to the movies and enjoy yourself!