Summer Movie List

Woohoo! It's that time when all the new summer blockbusters make their appearance on screens around the country :-) I look forward to it every year, and I have compiled my list of movies. Some are must-see and others just look interesting...Check it out:

May 22nd: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Seriously, who doesn't love a good Indiana Jones flick? Harrison Ford crackin' jokes and a whip all at the same time - it's greatness. And this sequel has the added bonus of that young sarcastic genius Shia LaBeouf. I can't wait for next weekend to get here!

June 13th: The Incredible Hulk
As silly as I think it is that they are making another Hulk movie while the disappointment of the last attempt is still somewhat fresh in people's memory, using a completely different actor as Bruce Banner, and yet still keeping the general look and feel of the last Hulk movie (this CGI Hulk looks only slightly less cartoonish compared to the last one), I am intrigued if only because Edward Norton is portraying Bruce Banner. As someone who can easily lead a film or seamlessly fit into the background as a minor character, I look forward to seeing what he brings to the character of Bruce Banner.

June 13: The Happening
I really hope this M. Night Shyamalan movie is better than last couple. Neither "The Village" nor "Lady in the Water" really did much to hold my attention or produce anxious suspense. This time we've got a whole new cast. No star power hold-overs from the last movie as was also becoming rather predictable. Although, we do have a sibling to one of Shyamalan's former actors...Spencer Breslin - brother to "Signs" Abigail Breslin.

June 20th: Get Smart
I have not seen the television show, nor do I know much about it. The only thing driving me to see this film is because I LOVE Steve Carrell and thoroughly enjoy Anne Hathaway. I figure it should be fairly amusing!

June 27th: Wanted
Have I mentioned that James McAvoy is one of my new favorite actors? Granted, this film has quite a star-worthy cast with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman also headlining. It looks like it should be a nice action thrill ride, but of course I'm most looking forward to seeing my beloved McAvoy up on the big screen again...sigh

July 2nd: Hancock
Yet another fun summer thrill ride of a movie. Will Smith in all his action star glory and Jason Bateman as comic relief, and then there's the "monster" herself Charlize Theron. Yeah, I'm not really a fan of her - kind grates on my nerves, but hopefully her role is minor even though she is billed above Jason Bateman.

July 2nd: Kit Kittredge - An American Girl
Didn't really know about this movie until I was compiling this list, but it has a cast of actors that I typically enjoy: Abigail Breslin, Julia Ormond (haven't seen her do much in a while, so glad to see her in the line-up), Chris O'Donnell, and Joan Cusak. It looks like it will be a cute family comedy. It'll probably end up on my Netflix list, but who knows I might get around to seeing it at the theater this summer.

July 18th: The Dark Knight
I have been waiting for this sequel since the moment Batman Begins ended! Even with all the crazy hub-bub surrounding it because of Heath Ledger's death, I am purely looking forward to it for the sake of seeing Christian Bale shirtless.....just kidding (kind of)... I love the darker look and seemingly plausible nature of the recent Batman movies. Can't wait to see Christopher Nolan's creepier rendition of The Joker.

July 18th: Mamma Mia
I've heard all the rave reviews of the Broadway version of this musical, and the trailer for this film makes it seem like it could at least be a fun, silly escape amidst all the summer action films. Plus, I'm intrigued by Meryl Streep being in this kind of kooky musical.

August 1st: The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
I enjoyed the first two films and the Universal roller-coaster patterned after the films, so I'm hoping this film will be at least an interesting adventure. However, I am thoroughly disappointed again because here is yet another movie with an annoying re-cast...the wife is no longer being played by Rachel Weisz but by Maria Bello. These kinds of re-casts undoubtedly make me think of soap operas who keep key characters but change out the actors that play them like they change the wardrobe.

August 8th: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
The first movie was poignant and displayed a great representation of strong female relationships. I look forward to seeing the progression of these relationships and how the girls continue to lean on one another.

August 22nd: The Accidental Husband
It seems this might be the only true romantic comedy coming out this summer in the midst of all the fun action flicks, and it's at the end of the summer. Oh well, the premise seems thin (per usual) but it has Jeffery Dean Morgan as the leading man, so it's at least worth adding to the list even if it just ends up in my Netflix queue.