Thoughts on the Summer Movie Schedule

While the weather outside is a bit dreary today, summer is just around the corner, and in fact the Summer Movie Season is even closer.  (The first day of summer is officially June 21st, but the Summer Movie Season begins a week from Friday (May 2nd).  So I thought we'd take a look at some of the films likely to generate some interest (including quite a few films based on former television shows).  You can click on the movie title to go to the film's IMDb page.

All dates are of course subject to change.

MAY 2ND

IRON MAN

The trailer is among the best I have ever seen and the hype for this film is high.  Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man is probably the best casting of an actor in the role of a superhero ever (although as much as I love Samuel L Jackson, I really don't see him as Nick Fury, you win some and lose some I guess).  Hopefully the Summer Season gets off to a great start.

MAY 9TH

SPEED RACER

The latest from the Wachowski brothers who of course brought us the genius of The Matrix.  When I heard about this film, I wasn't super excited (in fact I was a little disappointed.  They're following The Matrix Trilogy with a movie based on a cartoon?  On Speed Racer?  Really?)  I should admit that I wasn't a big fan of the cartoon.  However, the trailers are blowing me away, and I find myself wanting to see it despite myself.

MAY 16TH

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN

I don't know about you, but I'm pumped.  The first one was brilliant, and they did a much better job sticking to the story line of the book then most films based on beloved children's books do, and I have no doubt that the second will continue the trend.  It should be amazing as well.

MAY 22ND

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

The only way I could possibly be more excited for this movie would be if Sean Connery reprised his role as Dr. Henry Jones.  This is a no doubter, going to the midnight release showing, type of movie with a few days growth of beard and a fedora.  While I write this I'm singing the theme song.  Seriously.

MAY 29TH

SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE

The first of the films this summer based on a former television show.  (Although, I guess you could also count Speed Racer if you wanted, and then there was The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles also.  Then, there was the BBC Narnia miniseries, and the Iron Man cartoon, so maybe this is the year TV invades the Movies since last year was the year of the Three-quels).  Anyway, there is, of course, a lot of interest in the return of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda.  It was a smart and entertaining television series, and I'm interested to see how it fairs on the big screen.  This might be one I miss on opening weekend, however, to be perfectly honest.

The month of May, as you can see, offers a new big blockbuster hopeful each week, so you'll have to be on your movie going toes to keep up, let's see if June is any easier on your time and wallet.

JUNE 6TH

It has the Jack Black animated film KUNG-FU PANDA and the new Adam Sandler laugher (with a long name) YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN, but I would be surprised if I check out either of these in theater.  It would take them getting amazing reviews to probably get me to spend theater money on them. 

However, I am actually interested in

MONGOL

The Kazakhstan film about the rise of Ghengis Khan nominated for Best Foreign Film at last year's Oscars (no word on whether there is a deleted scene where Ghengis Khan attacks Borat).  If you'll recall, the scene shown during the Oscars prompted my thought about wanting to see the film.  That hasn't changed.

JUNE 13TH

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Sure, the fact that the first one got my hopes all high and then crushed them harder then the great big green guy could crush a trash can worries me a little bit, but it's starring Edward Norton.  He's the best actor of our generation.  That gives it some clout, right?  Right?  Please let that be right.  I don't think I can take the beating of a bad Hulk movie again.  Maybe I should just Netflix the dvds of the old television show.  Man that was a great show.

JUNE 20TH

If any of the movies from the previous 6 weeks were way awesome or if you missed one that everyone is telling you that you've GOT TO SEE, then this would be the week to either rewatch or catch up whichever the case may be.  I don't have extremely high hopes for the comedies releasing this week, the return of Mike Myers to the big screen in THE LOVE GURU, and a continuation of tv shows as movies in GET SMART.

JUNE 27TH

WALL-E

I felt like Cars and Ratatouille were both sub par based on Pixar's previous successes and I expect Wall-E to reassert Pixar's spot as greatest animation studio ever.  Even if it is sub par like Cars and Ratatouille, however, it'll still be better then a lot of movies.  Simply put, Pixar doesn't know how to make a bad movie, and when they're on (Finding Nemo, Incredibles, Toy Story, and more) there aren't many people who can make a better movie.



JULY 11TH

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

From the director of Pan's Labyrinth (as well as the first Hellboy), Guillermo Del Toro, this should be as much fun and as visually stimulating as the first film was.  If he ever does get to take on a big franchise (and it is rumored that he will be doing The Hobbit!!!!!!!) watch out.  And anyway, you can tell this one will be good because of the fact that it uses a Roman Numeral 2.  Classy.

JULY 18TH

THE DARK KNIGHT

As if this film wasn't going to be hyped enough, the death of Heath Ledger along with the rumors of his unbelievable performance in this film (not to mention the fact that the darkness of this character played a role in his need for the sleeping pills he overdosed on) has taken the hype of this film to unheard of heights.  The truth is, however, this movie is a must see ignoring all of that.  The strength of the first Batman film from Christopher Nolan starring Christian Bale is reason enough to be here on opening day.  (And although there was a Batman television show, my thoughts are that this movie will bear no resemblance other then sharing character names and setting names.)

JULY 25TH

THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE

The other big summer movie based on a television show (since only this one and Sex and the City: The Movie are appearing in theaters with the original cast reprising their roles).  Rumor has it that it will be similar in tone to a Season Three type, Monster of the Week type, episode.  It will be stand alone, hoping to appeal to long time fans of the show (we prefer the term X-Phile, thank you very much) as well as attract new ones.  Hopefully it will do well in order to get us a third film in the series (don't you remember 1998's X-Files: Fight the Future?)

AUGUST 1ST

CHOKE

It deserves mention, because the last movie based on a Chuck Palahniuc novel is one of the greatest movies of all time.  Of course that one was also directed by one of the best directors working today, David Fincher.  (If you don't know what movie I'm talking about, shame on you first of all, it is Fight Club.)  This one probably won't be able to live up to it's predecessor, but I figure that it will be worth checking out.

Otherwise you can always check out the new Mummy movie, THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR.  Although I have to admit, the first two were very watchable.  I won't blame you if you wait to catch it on DVD or free on tv however.

Speaking of tv, the greatness of Will Tippin of Alias (his real name is Bradley Cooper) will be starring in the poorly named THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN and Dwight from The Office (or Rainn Wilson if you must know) in THE ROCKER

AUGUST 8TH

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

The next from the Judd Apatow factory written and starring Seth Rogen.  That's really all I needed to know.  I'm there.

AUGUST 15TH

TROPIC THUNDER

Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr (in controversial black make up) star as three movie stars who think they're making a war movie but end up in the real thing.  It has the potential to be utterly ridiculous, but the trailer makes me think that they'll pull it off.

And finally, the last big Summer Movie, and the one that I'm super excited for (partly because unlike all of the other summer films, I had no idea about this one until a couple of months ago)....

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Messing around with our TV theme a little bit, this animated film will be released as a feature with a television series to follow on Cartoon Network starting in October.  But let's be honest, details don't really matter.  It's Star Wars, I'll be there for the midnight release with no questions asked.  It's just who I am and there is no way to change that now.

Until Next Time, hopefully this helps you plan out your summer a little bit.  How many are you excited about and are there others that you're excited about that I didn't list?