It was hard to limit myself to a top 20 as this summer seems to be jam-packed with hits all around. This summer, as last was, will be sure to break box office records, although not packed with trilogies, comic book movies are taking a forefront in these records with Iron Man already having one of the highest opening weekends with close to $100 million. This summer there is a movie to fill your quota ever weekend, of every month, that the entire family can enjoy-from the ever popular anticipated The Dark Knight to the clever animation of Pixar. Enjoy!
-Blockbusters all in their own- Rounding out at 66 years old Harrison Ford returns almost 20 years later with new sidekick Shia LaBeouf to tag along with him. By the title alone, we find Indi back in action to discover the whereabouts of the mysterious artifact of the Crystal Skull. With excitement around every corner, Indiana Jones never seems to disappoint, and although it's a little late in coming, a fourth Indi film is better than never.
The Happening (June 13) Remember The Sixth Sense? And perhaps Signs? From the director and writer who was quickly forgotten after flop Lady in the Water, M. Night Shyamalan is back. From what the preview showcases, The Happening brings about a natural disaster of some sorts that takes over the human body, in turn, taking over the entire country. With Mark Wahlberg as the lead, we may see a comeback from Shyamalan. Or we might just have to forget it never happened.
Mamma Mia! (July 18) Based on the hit musical that has so far reached 30 million people and earned $2 billion, Mamma Mia will be sure to excite the marginal musical genre fans. It tells the story of a bride-to-be searching for her real father. The music is catchy, and always has been since ABBA emerged in the 70s, but can it couple with the voices of Meryl Steep and Pierce Brosnan? People will see it to see it, giving it its boost in sales, but it may not please as many people as ABBA once could.
The Mummy 3- Tomb of The Dragon Emperor (August 1) Brenden Fraiser is finally back…and in one of the most anticipated and long awaited movies to come. Getting back in the action, The Mummy 3 teams father/son duo in combat with the resurrected Han Emperor, played by Jet Li. Father and son, along with wife (Maria Bella) and her brother (John Hannah) as usual, must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse set out to rule the world. It's been seven years since the sequel came out and I'd say seven years since Fraiser has done anything worth watching on the big screen-minus Crash. All in all, I think this movie will be a great addition to the series.
Star Wars-The Clone Wars (August 15) Star Wars, Star Wars, Star Wars. It never seems to end, does it? The franchise will continue to make money even with this animated feature. According to Moviefone, "The Clone Wars are a conflict between the Galactic Republic, led by the Jedi Knights and their clone army, and the nefarious separatist movement of Chancellor Palpatine (who later becomes the emperor)." Whatever that means. While not being shown outright in any of the six films put out in the Star Wars saga, The Clone Wars takes place between the events of 2002's Episode II: Attack of the Clones and 2005's Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Wookies unite-George Lucas is back in the house.
-Movies based on a comic book-
The Incredible Hulk (June 13) Edward Norton is the only thing that can save this movie or the image of the Incredible Hulk on the big screen at all. The Hulk has got a bad name already due to Hulk (2003) staring Eric Bana, so hopefully Norton can bring his usual uniqueness, quirkiness, and great acting ability to save the Hulk at last. Plus, the graphics look pretty killer too-that may help in the long run.
Hancock (July 2) It's not based on a comic book, but it takes the image of a superhero to another level. Hancock is an out-of-sync guy with good intentions but always leaves the public with more damage and problem than before. It's a different role for Will Smith, with more edge to his character to combine with the usual humor. But Smith always seems to dominate the fourth of July weekend, Men and Black and Independence Day for instance, so I'm not seeing too much worry on his part, especially since it's the only July 4th weekend movie I see worth going too.
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (July 11) As a defender against the dark forces of Hell, Hellboy returns to save the Earth against a rebellion of mythical creatures, ready to take over the world. Hellboy wasn't a total hit in theaters when the first one debuted, but it has gotten more fame through DVD release. Director Guillermo del Toro turned down I Am Legend, One Missed Call, and Halo to work on this movie, so perhaps by putting all his effort into this sequel, it will pay off. Plus, a third and final chapter is already in the making.
The Dark Knight (July 18) You've been living under a rock…or should I say in a bat cave…if you don't know about The Dark Knight yet. Already anticipated before the tragic death of Heath Ledger, this movie will stand as a tribute as well as a kick ass movie to boot. Christian Bale has finally revoked the awful image that George Clooney and Val Kilmer showcased in their Batman suits and Heath Ledger takes off where Jack Nicholson left off. The Dark Knight will by far top all box office records for opening summer weekend movies, and perhaps bring itself close to the top 10 of top grossing movies off all time-you never know, maybe a movie will finally dethrone Titanic.
-Movies based on a TV Series-
Sex and the City (May 30) We'll never get rid of these four ladies, and they're back bigger and better on the big screen, starting right off where the hit HBO show left off. Fans are expecting loose ends to be tied up and hopefully do so in a sexy, stylish way as always.
Get Smart (June 20) Steve Carell is perfectly placed as lead Maxwell Smart. Anne Hathaway deviates from her normal princess image and stars as Agent 99 alongside Carell, and Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a. The Rock, plays Agent 23. Cleverly funny, this movie based on the 1960s TV series by Mel Brooks will attract all audiences.
The X-Files 2: I Want to Believe (July 25) This movie came out of nowhere. It's been 10 years since the previous and 6 since the show ended. Apparently Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny are both back to save their careers.
-Movies based on a book-
Kit Kittredge-An American Girl (July 4) Why didn't anyone ever think of this idea before-basing a movie on the ever-popular American Girl dolls series? Back in the day, as well as now, American Dolls have had a popular reign in a girl's life. Abigail Breslin, new fave child actress, is a wannabe nine-year-old journalist living in the Great Depression in the first theatrical release of the American Girl dolls, produced by the one-and-only Julia Roberts.
Journey to the Center of the Earth-3D (July 11) Brenden Fraiser stars in another hit movie for the summer, in 3D version. Based off the ever-popular book, by Jules Verne, we follow two explorers in the adventures as they journey to the depths of the planet and the center of the Earth. It should be a good, different take on the movie with the incorporation of 3D imagery and visual effects.
-Comedies-
You don't mess with the Zohan (June 6) You never know what will come out of Adam Sandler, and no matter how crazy the character is, such as a Israeli commando who fakes his own death to follow his dream as a hairdresser, he always seems to excite some laughs.
The Love Guru (June 20) Mike Myers is back…finally! Too busy with Shrek these days, Myers is back for his first on screen role since Austin Powers in Goldmember. Myers brings about the character of a man raised by India gurus, who moves to the States to seek fortune in helping people and spirituality. Sounds random…but look hilarious. Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake co-star.
Step Brothers (July 25) You have got to love Will Ferrell….and his acting like a 6-year-old…even better. Expected to equal Talledega Nights at the box office, we see Ferrell and John C. Reilly bond, achieve their long time goals, and team up again to bring their comic genius alive.
The Pineapple Express (August 8) From one comic genius to another, Judd Apatow takes the simple mishaps of the past and comes up with another movie that will, I'm sure, have us dealing with many one-liners to come. The Pineapple Express is simply about getting stoned and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Undeclared alums, Seth Rogan and James Franco reunite to team up for the dumbest, but easily the most hilarious comedy of the summer.
Tropic Thunder (August 15) Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. round out the summer with laughs, as actors making a war film soon find themselves in the midst of a reality war film. It's going be ridiculous-check out the trailer if you haven't yet because it's hard to explain the laughs accompanying this film without seeing Downey Jr. or Black in action.
-For the kids in us-
Wall-e (June 27) Pixar always does well, and overwhelms the box office, and Wall-e seems no different. It's a lovable robot, on his way to self-discovery. Everyone finds the kid at heart for Pixar films, so Wall-e will be sure to please all audiences and become one in the family with previous front runners in Pixar animation Ratatouille, Cars, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story.
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