2010 Summer Movie Preview
Here we are, this blog has lated a year and it’s time for my second annual summer movie preview. This is a list of some of the biggest releases of the summer, some quick thoughts, and a gauge for how pumped I am for each release. If things go like they did last year, I’ll probably see about three of these movies. I honestly do want to see each and every one of them though. Hopefully, I’ll get to at least half of them.
May 7th
IRON MAN 2
I think the original Iron Man was really overrated. That may make it sound as though I didn’t like it, but I did – a lot. It’s just that people made it out to be one of the greatest comic book movies ever created. It’s not The Dark Knight. It’s not even Batman Begins. That being said, Mickey Rourke alone gets me in the theater. There’s been nothing in any of the trailers that really has gotten me very pumped for it, but I’m hoping that this one can build off of some of the cool ideas of the first installment.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 8/10
May 14th
ROBIN HOOD
As probably many know, Gladiator is one of my favorite movies of all time. I love Russell Crowe and believe him to be one of the greatest actors of his generation. Director Ridley Scott, also having done Gladaitor, is already is a cinematic legend. And even though Robin Hood looks like a half baked version of Gladiator, even though it’s PG-13, even though the story doesn’t look all that interesting – the moment I saw Crowe all bloodied up, bow and arrow in hand, I was pumped. I hope they can recreate some of the magic that they did 10 years (!!!) ago.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 8/10
May 21st
MACGRUBER
I love the little sketches before and after commercials on SNL. I think they’re hilarious. I think Will Forte is one of the funniest guys going these days. Heck, I thought he was funny when he was doing Abe Lincoln in Clone High on MTV. And even though Saturday Night Live movies rarely pan out, I want to see it only to see what irreverent off-the-wall humor they come up with. Not a huge release, but I’m interested, and that’s more than I can say for 90% of what comes out most of the time. Well worth a Sunday matinée.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 6.5/10
June 11th
THE A-TEAM
I don’t know anything about the show except Mr. T was in it and they had a van. So, I’m not too familiar with the source material. With that being said, everything in the trailer except the last 20 seconds looked pretty cool. I’m not bursting at the seams to see it, but it’s the big beginning of June tentpole release, so there may be some redeeming qualities about it. Right?
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 6/10
June 25th
KNIGHT AND DAY
This movie looks ridiculous. Tom Cruise is about as unlikable and actor as there is anymore. I’ve never liked Cameron Diaz. But James Mangold has director some admirable films. There’s just something about this movies that feels like it should have been made three years ago. It’ll have good action though. You can take that to the bank.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 6.5/10
July 2nd
THE LAST AIRBENDER
I feel as if a trend is emerging. I’m not familiar with Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor do I want to be. I think the teaser trailer looked a little stupid, and I’m pretty sure the movie is based on a American anime cartoon on Nickelodeon. I’ve heard raves about how good it is and how it’s not a cartoon for kids, but having never had the pleasure of watching it, I can only go by what I see. I will say that I do love a good fantasy epic, and this one looks to be as grand as they come. Adding to my general distaste would be the fact that it’s an M. Night Shyamalan movie. It’s a big release, but I only have marginal interest. Sorry.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 7/10
July 16
INCEPTION
Now here’s a movie I can get excited about. Watch the trailer and you’ll understand. I really don’t know what it’s about, nor am I supposed to. I think the least amount of information I have about this movie, the better it will be. Christopher Nolan is a really interesting director and I can’t wait to delve into this one. Mark you calendars, this one will be good.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 9/10
July 23rd
SALT
I’m about exactly as pumped for this as I am for Knight and Day. This too feels like it should have been made in 2007. I don’t know, it just feels dated. Who is Salt? The factor to which I care about the answer to that question is directly related to how much of my ticket someone else pays for.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 6.5/10
August 13th
THE EXPENDABLES
Now, this movie feels like it should have been made in the 80′s – and that’s a good thing. I really liked the newest Rocky movie and I liked (although to a much lesser extent) the newest Rambo offering. So for me, Sly Stallone has been doing alright lately in my book. Add every other 80′s action star into the mix and create a plot out of thin air that allows these guys to go rampaging through a third world country and I say you’ve got about a $25 – $30 million opening weekend. Mindless gore and destruction is good when all you claim to be is mindless gore and destruction. I’ll be there for sure.
ANTICIPATION FACTOR: 8.5/10
ADDENDUM: As I did last year, the following is a list of movies that are coming out that I either a) didn’t feel like writing about but are still big releases, b) am not interested in at all, or c) have no knowledge of but feel that if I don’t mention them, I’ll look stupid when they make $350 million. On that note, also playing this summer: Shrek Forever After (May 21st), Sex and the City 2 (May 27th), The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (May 28th), Survival of the Dead (May 28th), Killers (June 4th), The Karate Kid (June 11th), Jonah Hex (June 18th), Toy Story 3 (June 18th), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (June 30th), Predators (July 9th), The Adjustments Bureau (July 30th), Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (August 13th).
