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Summer 2011 Films I'm Most Excited To See By Lons [150 more lists]
Was thinking about this earlier today while making up a Summer Movie calendar for work. Figured as long as it was in my head, I'd record it here and then check back at the end of the summer to see how well my expectations aligned with reality. "Hangover Part II" isn't on here, even though I really did like the first movie, because the trailer and marketing thus far have led me to the conclusion that it's basically a retread of the first film rather than a new take on the characters and/or material. "Pirates 4" isn't on here because I didn't like the third movie and I don't typically like Rob Marshall. "Transformers 3" isn't on here because I'm not 5 years old.
- 1
Super 8
Opens June 10BUY @ amazon
Even if the involvement of J.J. Abrams (whose TV work is largely excellent and whose ""Star Trek"" adaptation I very much enjoyed) weren't enough to earn my $10, the trailer for this one is truly phenomenal, evoking the grand '80s science-fiction fantasies of my youth. Seeing the name of Steven Spielberg - who directed many of those '80s films - on the poster feels like a natural passing of the torch.
J.J., I don't want to put undue pressure on you, and I'm sure you're reading this...but if this one isn't great, I'm going to be bummed the hell out. -
- 2
Opens May 27BUY @ amazon
New film from the mysterious and legendary Terrence Malick, starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and (allegedly) dinosaurs? Where do I sign up? I'd say more about why I really want to see this movie, but that's legitimately all I know about it. I think Pitt plays Penn's father in flashbacks...Now I'm completely tapped out. But if you need another reason to get excited, just go rent "Badlands." - 3
Opens July 29BUY @ amazon
I'm one of those rare, nerdy individuals who really enjoys the occasional collision of Westerns and science-fiction. I watched "Brisco County" when it was originally on TV, okay? Don't test me. Bringing Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford together on screen doesn't sound half-bad either. And though "Iron Man 2" can only be described as a sizable misstep, Jon Favreau has built up enough goodwill as the director of "Elf," the HUGELY underrated "Made" and the first "Iron Man" to earn at least one or two more chances. -
- 4 Opens July 15BUY @ amazon
Part I was pretty underwhelming, unless you were looking for a field guide to England's forests and woodlands, in which case it was AWESOME. But the teaser ending for "Part II" was pretty stylish, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in seeing how the whole thing wraps up. (I stopped reading after Book 4! No spoilers!) - 5 Opens June 17BUY @ amazon
2011 is the year we're finally getting to see how the more outlandish, cosmic, far-out comic book premises play on the big screen. To my mind, the two great comic book tropes that studios have thus far largely resisted from adapting to the big screen are Gods and Aliens. So far this summer, we've seen Marvel's "Thor" try with moderate success at introducing Asgard to mainstream audiences. Now we'll see if DC has similar success with the Green Lantern Corps.
That first trailer was...underwhelming to say the least, and I'm still not sold on Ryan Reynolds or what appears to be the film's sitcommy sense of humor. (At least, judging from the trailers.) But "Green Lantern" does have some stuff going for it, particularly in "Casino Royale" director Martin Campbell. The effects in the WonderCon footage also seem far more polished than those first glimpses several months ago. I've got my fingers crossed...
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The Tree of Life at 5/15/2011 2:13 PM