Thursday, May 22, 2008

Summer Movies I'm Dying to See

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullCan you handle another movie post? I don't know what it is but I've been in a movie mood lately, we've seen a couple good ones and it's just whetted my appetite for the summer blockbusters that seem to be bigger and better than ever this year. At least from my humble perspective. I'm just a movie nerd, what can I say?

I've already seen Iron Man (loved it) and Prince Caspian has come out (I'd like to see that one too) but here are a few I'll be tempted to pay full price to see. Won't see all of them obviously---that would total something like $16,780 for two tickets--but I'll sure see a lot of them.

1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22, 2008) This one is absolutely number one on the list. It's out today and I've wanted to see this since I first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark when I was 13 years old. That's still on my favorite movie list and I'll watch it over and over. Don't worry, I'm not expecting this fourth installment to be anywhere near as good as the first but on the bright side it couldn't be as bad as the second, right? (It was so bad it was as if The Temple of Doom was written by a flock of cub scouts at summer camp giggling over infantile things like monkey brains, human sacrifice and busty Indian statues.) So I'm optimistic. Plus, I like Shia LaBeouf and Cate Blanchett which gives me hope.

Quantum of Solace2. Quantum of Solace (November 2008) Are you familiar with the newest James Bond movie? Technically not a summer release but after Casino Royale I'm so ready for another 2 hours of Bond that I'm already anticipating falling in love again. I'd never liked the Bond movies (with the possible exception of the anomaly Her Majesty's Secret Service--love Diana Rigg and James Bond saying "I do.") but Casino Royale (sigh) . . . All I can say is WOW! Loved the Blond Bond thing. Not Daniel Craig--though I'm sure he's nice enough--it's the Bond package and I'm very ready for more.

The Happening3. The Happening (June 13, 2008) M. Knight Shyamalan's latest movie isn't rated yet though I'm hearing rumors it's probably going to get an R rating (I really hope not). It's supposed to be a psychological thriller about a family that survives a natural disaster and I loved Unbreakable and The Sixth Sense enough to forgive The Lady in the Water and forget it ever happened. The Village was decent and Signs was good so I'm going to give this one a chance and cross my fingers. Go in with low expectations and you won't be disappointed, right?

The X Files: I Want to Believe4. The X Files: I Want to Believe (July 25, 2008) I want to believe this will be first-rate. I'm partial to thrillers so it's got at least more than a fighting chance of satisfying my cravings for suspense. David Duchovny has been tops on my list after Return to Me. Have you seen Gillian Anderson in the BBC version of Bleak House? She's fabulous--oh and she's good in The House of Mirth too as the famous Lily Bart though that's certainly not the same genre as X-files.

The Hulk5. The Incredible Hulk (June 13, 2008)* Now this one I'm including with a big ol' fat asterisk. What kid didn't love the 70s series with Bill Bixby? "Don't make me angry. You don't want to see me when I'm angry." But I watched all of ten minutes of Ang Lee's disaster from a few years ago and couldn't finish it. It was about as interesting as sitting in traffic--less, probably, because at least in my car I have a hope of change coming. BUT . . . I've seen the previews of the new version with Edward Norton and Arwen and I have to cautiously say it has potential--though after what I've seen of the CGI effects on the Hulk I may be in for some more pain. Not that I'm expecting a giant green man-monster to look real but somehow I didn't think it should look like this, do you? If they can make a t-rex look real why can't they make me believe in a giant green guy? Or at least bring back Lou Ferrigno. Don't you hate it when the effects are anything but special? Maybe as a matinee . . . You know what they need? An A-Team movie. THAT would be good. . .

Hancock6. Hancock (July 2, 2008) This makes my list out of my supreme fondness for Will Smith whom I would watch in nearly any situation. Not sure why, he's rather quirky and odd but he's a darn good actor and tends to be funny and entertaining. Plus I read years ago that he's got a closet fetish for proper English grammar. That alone wins my heart.

But at any rate he plays a seriously flawed superhero who helps/terrorizes L.A. with his uncontrolled super powers.

The Dark Knight7. The Dark Knight (July 18, 2008) Batman Begins is the greatest of all superhero movies. Period. No discussion. Even despite Katie Holmes. This latest sequel replaces Holmes with Maggie Gyllenhal (whom I loved in Stranger Than Fiction) is a must-see for me. I will be there no doubt--though how I'm going to work that during BlogHer will be tricky. July 18th . . . Hmmm . . . did they consult me when they set the release date?

It will be odd to see Heath Ledger on screen I think though with all his makeup and American gangster accent it's hard to tell it's him. I heard rumor Jack Nicholson threw a tantrum when he wasn't considered for the role and I can understand that a bit--he was perfect as the Joker though it didn't feel like it was much of a stretch for him as an actor if you know what I mean. Kind of playing himself nearly (Did I write that out loud? Oh my gosh. How rude!)

Wall E8. Wall E (June 27, 2008) I'm a Pixar fan and Finding Nemo is the greatest animated movie ever, I will laugh at Ellen Degeneres till my dying day and I'm looking forward to this latest movie from the masters of digital. Ratatouille was fine but I'm hoping this latest flick is more along the lines of A Bug's Life, The Incredibles and Monsters, Inc. That is to say, hilarious and perfectly entertaining. Let's hope it's more like Nemo and less like Robots. You know what they've slated to call the sequel? Wall Eye. Kidding.

9. Kung Fu Panda (June 6, 2008) I've kept the desire to see this movie rather quiet but every commercial I've seen is hysterical and I mean fun-ny. Jack Black is going to make one hilarious, karate-chopping panda my friend and it may be Angelina's best part yet.

Get Smart10. Get Smart (June 20, 2008) I thought this looked good from the first trailer I saw but then it's taken sooooooo long to come out I'm starting to get rather nervous. It's never good news when a movie gets pushed back and pushed back and pushed back. It could be a coincidence but I'm thinking they're maybe having some trouble with the whole thing. However . . . I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and hold Don Adams in my heart all the way to the ticket booth. Hey, Steve Carell is a funny guy and I've seen that part in the trailer where the Rock staples a memo to some guy's head and I laugh every time.

The Mummy Three and the Curse of the Dragon Emperor11. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (August 1, 2008) I have no delusions that this one will be anything but a lot of explosions, bullets, car chases, CGI effects and angry Chinese guy scenes but does that mean I'm above wanting to see it? Apparently not. I kind of like Brendan Fraser--he's likable and a no-think action flick is always kind of fun.

Tropic of Thunder12. Tropic of Thunder (August 15, 2008) Now this one I'm putting on the list with a great deal of "maybe." It's Ben Stiller's latest and he can be so funny--particularly with Owen Wilson in tow (think Night in the Museum). BUT . . . he can also be pretty stupid too. So the jury's still out on this one but the reviews I read so far were encouraging which said that it's a comedy about the Vietnam War. [Pause]. Because the Vietnam War is so darn funny, it's just a virtual field of comedy waiting to be harvested.

Full Metal Jacket . . . The Killing Fields . . . Born on the 4th of July . . . Platoon . . . yea lots of comedy material around that time. But it has Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. in it (did you see those guys on American Idol as Gladys Knight's original Pips? Hysterical) and the description I heard said that it had more "grown up" humor rather than the juvenile stuff Stiller's normally known for. I'm hoping that "grown up" here means more intelligent humor, not "adult." We'll see. The summer line up could use some good funny stuff, especially if Get Smart flops--I mean Jack Black as a panda can't carry the whole summer comedy schedule now can it? And I can't handle Mike Meyers as a karma sutra swami or Adam Sandler as an Israeli counter terrorist-turned gigolo. Not this summer.

13. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (November 21, 2008) Yea, I know it's cheating to list something that's not coming out until Thanksgiving but if I can sneak James Bond onto the list why not Harry? Besides, it's fun looking ahead. I'm always curious who they'll be adding to the cast and I have Fenrir Greyback and Horace Slughorn to look forward to. Besides, I know how it ends--I can wait.

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60 comments:

Daisy said...

I might actually spend money to see Indiana Jones, too. I still quote the third movie with Sean Connery -- "Choose Wisely."

Bunny B said...

Woohoo! I love movies :) You can blog all you want about it!! I saw Iron Man and Prince Caspian. Loved the former! I can't wait for Indy!!!! Might see it this weekend!! Woot!

Anonymous said...

I know someone who saw a sneak peek of the Indiana Jones movie. Supposed to be good! Even if it's not, staring at Harrison Ford is always worth the price of admission...

Tracey said...

I can't wait to see Get Smart...makes me think of my childhood!!!

Jennifer said...

The kids wanted to see the midnight showing of Indiana Jones but I felt a little irresponsible doing that on a school night.

I love movies also. I could go everyday and not think twice about it. The only thing stopping me is the need to pay for gas and food instead:)

Great reviews!!

I wondered what had happened to Get Smart.

Michelle Alley said...

Those looks like a lot of fun moives - I can't wait to see the M. Night movie - I've loved all of them - and this one looks even scarier!

Kelli said...

Midnight releases...my sister invites my 15 yr old. No wonder she thinks her aunt is the coolest! DH wasn't too thrilled with the idea (hard to believe he was more strict on this one than me!) so we put the breaks on. I was tempted to go in her place, but DH's work schedule put the breaks on for me. :( I remember waiting in line for 3 hours at the mall theater to see Return of the Jedi. Those were the days (and the daytime releases)!

Christie O. said...

What, no Sex and the City?

ames said...

Definitely all on my list too. Wasn't Iron Man surprisingly *awesome*? I'll admit I wasn't expecting much, but wow! Prince Caspian wasn't fantastically amazing, but it was very good, and some great fight scenes! Indiana Jones, Maxwell Smart, Fox Mulder, James Bond, and the amazing Edward Norton and Jet Li...'tis going to be a gooooood year for films!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Ok, blogger ate my comment. No Love Guru? : ) I'm totally going to see that. And I love M Night Shyamalan movies so The Happening is at the top of my list to see on opening night. And did you ever see Lady in the Water again? It deserves a second chance, as does The Village. Both are my favorites of his!

Steph

Darla said...

Oh, you're a woman after my own heart. My thoughts exactly, on almost all of them.

We're seeing Iron Man tonight; can't wait for more James Bond, Indiana Jones, The Mummy, Batman, Will Smith, X-Files & Harry Potter.

I'm cautiously hopeful about The Hulk (the last one was so bad) & Tropic of Thunder; hadn't even heard of the Get Smart movie, but now I'm excited--I loved the TV show.

But The Happening... I'll have to hear lots of raves before I consider seeing that. I loved Sixth Sense & Unbreakable, but loathed Signs and everything else he's done since. We'll see.

Kristen M. said...

I saw Iron Man last weekend and I already can't wait for the sequel. I'm not feeling the Hulk. I too loved the 70's series but this movie looks cheesy and unbelievable. Iron Man was unbelievable too but the actor's were so convincing that I was drawn into the story. The Hulk trailer, not so much.

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

I with you on 1, 2, 8, 10 and 13-although I probably will wait for most of them to come out on video :)

I also want to see the film version of "Mama Mia" which I believe is supposed to come out this summer. Yankee Bill and I saw it on broadway and really liked it. What can I say, I'm a closet ABBA fan.

Anonymous said...

what about twilight? that not summer but its still big.

Faith said...

I'm with you on most of those. And I think we're going to see Caspian tonight. We'll probably see Indy this weekend as well.

Unknown said...

About half the movies on this list is also on a running list I keep for future movies I want to see as well. I just recently wrote up a post about the movies a very close friend and I have watched together over the past few years. We call it our Sunday Movie Date and he lives in Alaska and I am in Florida! LOL

http://nikkynik.blogspot.com/2008/05/movies-bring-you-closer.html

Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry said...

I'm hoping we'll see a few more movies this summer now that we know the first matinee at our local theatre is always $5.00!

Looking forward to
Prince Caspian
Kung Fu Panda
Hancock
Wall E (hope it's as good as Monsters, Inc.)
Get Smart

and maybe even
Tropic of Thunder (loved those guys doing the Pips on AI!)
The Mummy
The Hulk
The Happening
Indiana Jones

Love your Thursday posts!

Pat said...

What about "Sex and the City"? That's the one I'm waiting for more than all the others! And I agree with "at home redesigns". Harrison Ford is worth 2 admission prices!!!

Unknown said...

hi M -- i have never liked bond movies (except for the very two that you mention, for the same reasons). i liked that old one where he actually cared enough about someone and married. and i liked the recent one where he really cared for the woman ... and i liked how he was blond and different, too. i like that the creators changed it so much because the typical bond was not someone i could stand to be in the same room with.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to see "Tropic of Thunder" but unfortunately it's R! :(

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, "The Happening" is too!

Anonymous said...

Um, you love James Bond but not Daniel Craig? Are you blind? You must watch Casino Royale again pronto.

An Ordinary Mom said...

Ever since my husband and I found out Indiana Jones was coming out we have wanted to see it. We just wish it came out last weekend when we already had sitters galore for our 10 year anniversary and for his birthday celebration :) !!

And of course, Harry should be on the list!

Janet said...

I agree with everything you said about Indiana Jones. I do not consider Temple of Doom as part of the canon. I LOVE that Karen Allen is reprising the role of Marian. We're trading babysitting with friends so we can all go see it. (It will be our first movie in a theatre since Kingdom of Heaven in 2005.) I could comment about the others, too, but I tend to blather on these, so I'm stopping at one.

Sarah Jewel said...

I am SOSOSO excited about Get Smart - but also SOSOSO worried it's going to suck. The TV is my ultimate favorite TV show EVER and so my expectations are beyond huge for this movie. I don't think they could have picked someone better than Steve Carrell, as I think he's got a GREAT chance at doing Max justice, but 99 is a roll that I do NOT see Anne doing well with. :(

Mean Mommy said...

Nice! I just got out my movie list to see if I missed anything. I'm pretty much lock-step with you all the down line. The only one I had to add was Hancock. How have I not heard of a new Will Smith movie? With superpowers!

Anonymous said...

Wow even seeing the Harry Potter movie on your list gives me goose bumps from excitement. I LOVE Harry Potter and miss his books. I could re-read them but they are all still to fresh in my mind.

Anonymous said...

The movie I can't wait to see is Sex in the City! I'm so excited!

J said...

I'm totally with you about the second Indiana Jones movie. God, that sucked. But 1 and 3 ROCKED. I hope this one is good, too.

Trish said...

We are going to see Indiana Jones tonight! It is just so exciting to get out of the house for once!!

AlaneM said...

Awesome list...we might actually see a couple of those at the theatre.

Unknown said...

i love steve carrell but the thought of the "slapstick" quality of get smart makes me cringe.

i saw prince caspian and loved it...

Gina said...

I'm looking forward to watching #s
1,2,7,10 and 13. No. 10, we'd probably wait out til it's available on DVD, but the others, methinks, only the big screen will do.

Stephanie said...

I think we share movie "tastes." I, too, want to see Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, and the Dark Knight. I also definitely want to watch The Happening. I really like M. Night Shyamalan's directing style. His movies are so "artistic." I enjoyed the Sixth Sense and I thought Lady in the Water had some redeeming qualities - and I actually was intrigued by The Village too.

I think I'll pass on Get Smart and The Mummy...

Melissa said...

we areprobably going to go see Indie tonight. But I can't wait for Get Smart... I loved that show when I was younger!

Anonymous said...

I've been looking forward to Indiana Jones cause I love Shia LeBeouf! But of course Harrison Ford still looks pretty fine, and that's hard to do when your 70+.

The movie I have been waiting for ever since I saw the final scene of Batman Begins, is The Dark Knight.

I. Can. Not. Wait.

Melanie Sheridan said...

My hubby took today and tomorrow off so he can have a 5-day weekend. We just got back from seeing the new Indy movie.

I won't give my opinion since from the comments, no one has seen it. But it was nice to go on an afternoon "date" and see a movie before everyone starts talking about it.

Anonymous said...

Great ideas! I like your taste. And, I am counting the days to the next Harry Potter movie! My girls really enjoyed Prince Caspian over the weekend but you do need to have seen the first one before seeing this one in the series! I just had breakfast in the little diner used for the Happening (called Filberts in the movie). I can't wait to see it just to see the local places they used.

Have a great weekend.

Alix said...

Great picks, I'm very excited about The X-files and yes Gillian Anderson was excellent in Bleak House.

I'm also looking forward to Brideshead Revisited and Twilight.

Flea said...

I read a fab review of Indy and am right there with ya on most of these. Saw some of the trailers before Caspian. I think I'd spend money to see Brendan Fraiser in just about anything. :)

Karen Olson said...

That picture you've posted of the Indiana Jones movie? Filmed it right here in New Haven last summer, and I recognize the brown bricks of Yale in the background and the fence in front. That's why I'll see this one, the way they transformed Chapel Street into 1950s Main Street, not for Harrison Ford, because he's getting a bit too long in the tooth to do this stuff anymore.

Mimi Lenox said...

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BlogBlast For Peace Meme ~Join The Revolution

Phyllis Sommer said...

all of those are good (altho i think i'm skipping that happening movie -- too scary for me) but i'm so psyched for harry potter 6 that it just sent all the others out of my head:-) no more books? i need a HP fix!

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Pencil Writer said...

Saw Iron Man tonight--on your recommendation--and my son's insistence. I really enjoyed it! I'm also looking forward to the next Indiana Jones flick--and Narnia #2 and the next Harry Potter.

What's not to love?

Anonymous said...

I think hancock is a great movie,looking forward.

kelly said...

we hardly see movies in the theater, even though i love it. but indiana is definitely one i'm going to see. i can't wait for all the blockbusters, hopefully we'll manage to see one or two.

Anonymous said...

In defense of "Temple of Doom", I recently read that the movie was so all over the place and grim because George Lucas was going through a similarly grim divorce proceeding during the filming. That would skew any movie a little, I think.

I'm right with you on most of these picks though. Ten of these are also on my list, though I'll only 'pay' to see at most three of them. The rest I'll be just fine waiting for DVD.

Megan Cobb said...

Is that whale ... cut in HALF?

Doesn't really matter, though. You had me at "Will Smith." I'm with you. I could sit and watch him read the phonebook and be content. Probably wouldn't even need popcorn.

Phoebe Jordan said...

Happy TT! I know that I want to see movie 1, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 13. I haven't heard of the other movies before except the Dark Knight (Batman) movie but I don't feel that movie is for me. Hope to see you at my 2nd edition about Nora Roberts at Talk About My Favorite Authors blog.

threesidesofcrazy said...

Great list! I want to see them all too!

John Painz said...

awesome list, all movies I can't wait to see. thank god florida has $7.00 tickets instead of Manhattan's $12.00 - means more popcorn!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh I can't wait for the days we can get to movies again...on a regular basis. It'll happen ;)

In the meantime, I'll be seeing most of these in the fall, on DVD.

Hope to sneak to a few though, with friends or a date night somehow.

Yes, that Will Smith movie looks strange, but there is just something about Will...

Damselfly said...

That's a lot of popcorn for one summer.

Anonymous said...

Awwwe come on, Temple of Doom rocked! It's supposed to be campy, Stephen Speilberg based Indiana on all those old 1930 and 1940 adventure serials on the radio.

Kind of the same reason why my husband and I love Dirk Pitt in all the Clive Cussler novels. I mean how could you not love a book that starts with the action tag ling "Dirk Pitt is a man of consumate action . . . "

Jen K.

LiteralDan said...

I agree with your whole list, long as it is, except I have no faith "The Happening" will be anything but laughably like a much worse version of all his other movies.

Melissa Markham said...

I want to go see movies with you! We want to see Prince Caspian and the new Indiana Jones movie. The Happening, Quantum of Solace, the new HP movie....Get Smart, the Mummy...it looks like it is going to be a good summer:)

Lei said...

Hancock, The Happening and HP are on my list, too! My husband and I have developped a 2 movie a weekend habit since we are cramped in this tiny apartment (waiting for the completion of our house).

Annie-Savor This Moment said...

I'm with Megan, love Will Smith and can watch him in anything. He's just so durn likeable!

I'm waiting for HP, of course, and I'm counting down the days to Twilight in December!

David said...

I watched " Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". It was great, really great movie.