Summer 2009 So Far

This blog is just a quick update on my opinions of the movies of the summer of 2009 so far. Then, I will do my best to bring you at least one movie a week. I've categorized the movies into five different categories:

100% PURE JOY: Just like the name suggests, these movies were awesome. I wanted to see them again the moment I left the theater. The cream of the crop.

Star Trek - This movie worked for one reason and one reason only: strong characters. Despite the flaws, this reboot of Star Trek was one of the finest pieces of sci fi filmmaking. It didn't spend tons of time on effects but focused on building the characters and even supplying a decent story to root for them. J.J. Abrams should reboot every franchise.

Up - I cried during the first ten minutes of the movie. The opening is an emotional tour de force that does it all without uttering a single word. Then the rest of the movie gets going and never lets you down. Pixar remembers that movies are only about spectacle. Themes, characters, and storytelling are the important parts to a fine motion picture.

The Hangover - The funniest movie of the year so far. And it does it without having an idiot character scream lines at the top of his lungs (I'm looking at you, Jack Black and Adam Sandler). The comedy is smart, raunchy, and always hilarious. And Zach Galifinakis is one of the finest comedy performers out there. His character easily could've been botched in the wrong hands but he brings something human and funny to it.

MADE ME SMILE: I liked these movies. They weren't the best I've ever seen, but were entertaining, and I had a smile on my face.

The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3 - The first 80 minutes of this remake is solid filmmaking. Tony Scott can put a thriller together. And Denzel is always fun to watch. The tense moments between him and Travolta are sublime. Then, Denzel heads into the tunnel and (pardon the pun) the film derails. Another example of a solid movie ruined by a lackluster ending.

COULD'VE BEEN WORSE: These are the movies that were okay. They could've stunk up the theater, but someone realized that if you put it in an odor controlling trash bag, well, it's not too bad.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian - I didn't like the first one too much, but this one had more imagination and funnier moments than the first. Plus Amy Adams and Hank Azaria are wonderful. It's too bad Ben Stiller was in it, since he really landed his lines with a thud. Also, some jokes were a little too juvenile for my tastes.

Imagine That - Not a good movie, but it did offer something I hadn't seen in a while. It focused so much on imagination that it never showed you the wonderful world that the lead girl was dreaming of. It stayed grounded in reality and let us enjoy the visuals in our heads. Anything that speaks to children in the importance of imagination without flashy visuals is a solid effort in my book.

The Proposal - An example of an unoriginal, stupid script made better by the chemistry of the two leads. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds were great together. If only they weren't saddled with this script.

BITTER AFTER TASTE: Like drinking bad beer, these movies were not good. But they aren't the worse.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine - There were too many characters and too many special effects that eventually you forget what made the first two X-Men great. Any movie that removes the charm and fun from Wolverine is a failure in my book.

Angels and Demons - It was supposed to be more exciting than The Da Vinci Code, but I don't see how they did that. Dull, convoluted, and the twist ending felt tagged on (though it worked in the novel). Dan Brown's books are better read than seen.

Land of the Lost - I'm not sure what failed here. We had some great comic actors and a bit of nostalgia. I think they took a fun childhood memory and turned into crude adult gags that felt like it was in the wrong movie. Also Will Ferrell schtick is starting to get real old.

Year One - Surprised this one came from Harold Ramis. Intelligent satiric jokes are completely undone by silly gross out humor. You want funny religious comedy, see Life of Brian. You want funny gross out history jokes, see History of the World Part 1. Don't see this.

PROOF HOLLYWOOD IS TRYING TO KILL ME: The movies that made me angry when I left the theater.

Terminator Salvation - Towards the end of the movie, we get John Connor setting up a trap as You Could Be Mine by GNR plays. All it does is remind of us T2, and how much better a movie that was. The action is so mechanic, the characters so dead eyed, and at no time do you feel like this is the John Connor who is supposed to be our savior. The movie is dull despite the plethora of explosions and chases. McG forgot what made T2 great: characters we cared about. The effects were just window dressing.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Michael Bay shows us what he thinks of us. No need for strong characters or real human emotions. We just want robots transforming and fighting. But when we don't get that, we have to endure the uninteresting Megan Fox and the spastic "hero" Shia Lebouf. Also, the humor in this film made me feel like I was watching bad hacky open mic comedy. I want more than just effects. I want good storytelling.