3-2-1...The Summer Summation

Summer means a lot of different things to a lot of people.  Time off from school.  Days at the beaches.  Baseball.  And for those of us working here, it’s all about the stale popcorn and pertified “soft” pretzels. 

We spent a lot of time at the movies this summer.  In fact, this site went live with X-Men Origins:  Wolverine, the first film of the summer and our first film reviewed.   It only seems fitting that we sum up how our time was spent based on our likes and dislikes.   We’ve decided to go with a 3-2-1 format:  3 summer favorites, 2 summer disappointments, and 1 post-summer prospect (something we’re really, really looking forward to in the last half of ’09).   In a collaborated effort we bring you the summer as seen through the eyes of The Devil’s Advocates:

Rene Alvarado

Favorites

3. The Hurt Locker:

Up there with Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. One of my new favorite movies.

2. Star Trek:

Proof that new ideas mixed with old franchises can equal awesome. Made me a Trek fan again. Everyone at Lucasfilm needs to watch this every day.

1. The Hangover:

One of the funniest non-Apatow movies of the last few years.  Funny from start to finish.

Honroable mention to Bruno and District 9.

Disappointments

2. Year One: 

So many funny people in one really bad movie.

1. Terminator: Salvation:  

I’m over Christian Bale’s Batman voice. No Ludens survived judgement day?

Prospect

1. Survival Of The Dead:

George Romero’s new Dead movie. Hopefully, released in 2009.

Veer-Naveen Toor

Favorites

3.  Star Trek:

It set the bar for all the summer movie “blockbusters” and no other movie could match it this year.

2.  The Hangover: 

It gave us just the right formula for a night to remember. That and the fact that it made Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” cool again.

1.  Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince:  

Mainly because it is the standard by which books should be made into movies.

Disappointments

2.  Transformers:  Revenge of The Fallen:  

For it’s substandard plot and too busy action scenes.

1.  Angels & Demons:  

For showing us how not to adapt a book into a movie.

Prospect

1. 9:

I think it’s the whole concept piece; the idea that one can change the world.

Dave Bartik

Favorites

3.  Away We Go: 

I expected a sappy romance-slash-road trip movie and was surprised at the amount and directness of its humor.  John K. showed he can do comedy that is not The Office, but also not Leatherheads – a nagging monkey on his back he deserved to shake off.

2. Drag Me to Hell: 

Raimi returned to his roots and convinced me to forget that Spiderman 3 ever happened.  If only he could make as much money if he resurrected Evil Dead.  No one is better at crafting the perfect blend of horror and fun.

1. The Hangover: 

Perhaps it was a lackluster summer (or I didn’t see that many movies this time around), but I found it difficult to pick a third “good” movie.  So, I am stuck with choosing a film that was, by all accounts, decent, but still not as good as I would have liked.  Sure, there were some laughs, a few chuckles, but nothing that took the wind out of me; the quick montage at the end was better than the whole.

Disappointments

2. Funny People:  

This movie may have funny people in the cast and applying honed improve skills, but that does not necessarily make a funny movie.  The cringe factor alone of showing comedians telling each other unfunny jokes followed by, “That’s hilarious!” was enough to derail this film (not to mention the tacked-on love interest that dragged it out another half hour).  Also, not everything a funny person says is funny, let alone funny enough to put on film; use that edit button you’ve heard so much about.

1. Inglourious Basterds:

Less talk more action – ’nuff said; you show me a trailer where hundreds of scalps are requisitioned, you best be bringing your Nazi-hunting A-game.  If I wanted to listen to people I could care less about talk for twenty minutes, I’d eavesdrop for free at the library.

Honorable Mentions – The Hurt Locker, Harry Potter, Public Enemies

Prospect

1. Antichrist:

No other director fascinates me more than Lars von Trier, whether he is re-inventing live-action musicals (Dancer in the Dark) or stripping down a film to just the characters (Dogville and Manderlay).  And if the pre-release hubbub is any indication, Antichrist will blow everything else out of the water.

Nabaht Shafiei

Favorites

3. Inglourious Basterds:

It is easily one of my top summer picks this year. Tarantino unveils yet another gem packed with dark, witty, hilariously gory violence that will keep you unblinkingly attentive lest you should miss a subtle yet fatal facial twitch. He took the framework of the 1967 film The Dirty Dozen and built a masterpiece.

2. Star Trek:

The movie brought a storyline that both me and my Trekkie mother were able to appreciate. Using a crafty twist, they created a plot that could apply to the Star Trek culture without leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

1. Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen:

It delivered everything we were hoping for. Extravagant, articulated, spectacular fight scenes that incorporated advanced visual effects went hand-in-hand with Megan Fox eye candy. That’s all that was necessary to make this one of my top three summer hits!

Disappointments

2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine:

Wolverine broke the hearts of self-identified enthusiasts across the nation. A haphazard plot was splattered together with seemingly no respect for the so-called origins of this beloved X-Men hero.

1. G.I. Joe:

The film delivered a cartoonish rendition of an American Classic with even worse acting than the storyline. Additionally, the anticipated special effects were rationed to the audience in short unsatisfying spurts. Hands-down, this movie disappointed.

Prospect

 1. Sherlock Holmes:

Guy Ritchie’s near greyscale, British grunge-fashioned cinematography combined with Robert Downey JR., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams in a 19th century literary classic is appetizing to the senses to say the least. I think it’s gonna be a VERY merry Christmas this year!

Patrick Newson

Favorites

3. Star Trek:

The movie kicked serious Romulan ass. Not to mention gave new life to an otherwise played out series.

2. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince:

Say what you want about the direction these movies are taking.  However I was not at all disappointed when I saw this movie come to life at 12:00 am

1. District 9:

No doubt gonna be on many of the lists for a great summer film. Takes aliens that resemble shrimp and social injustice mix well (and I guess since they kind of look like shrimp add cocktail sauce) and you have an instant cult classic. If not a straight up classic.

Disappointments

2. GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra:

Why take a classic and try to make it better. I’d like to defend it by saying “oh it’s a traditional summer popcorn flick.” Good guys, bad guys, blowing up landmarks. BLEAH I can’t…I can’t do it.

1 . Public Enemies:

Dillinger was a man with flair. He was beloved by the people as a modern day Robin Hood. In my opinion they didn’t dive into what made him the man. It was not anything I couldn’t watch on the History Channel.  Not to mention Christian Bale. I used to like him, now I just wanna see him punched in the face.

Prospect

1. The Imaginarium of Dr. Panasuss:

I think not only will it be a fitting tribute to the late Heath Ledger, I think it will just be a striaght up cool film. Terry Gilliam is one of my favorite writers and directors. Imaginarium has the all the makings of a modern day Time Bandits. ( For those confused look it up. For those who know what I am talking about…that’s right I threw out Time Bandits.)

Joe Wilhelm

Favorites

3. The Hangover:

I went and saw this on the day of my wedding shower thinking okay lets see what it is about and I was floored. LOVED THE MOVIE. I’m going to say it was my favorite thus far.

2. Public Enemies:

With star power and great performances galore, I really dug what Depp and Bale did with Dillinger’s story.

1. Terminator Salvation:

Probably a surprising pick, but I always loved the Terminator storyline and was pleased to see one based in the future.

Disappointments

2.  G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra:

I absolutly loved the cartoon and did not like the crossover to film. They tried too hard to accomidate today’s youth with Marlon Wayans and the stupid enhancer suits.

1.  The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard:

The reason this hits my list is because The Hangover set the bar and The Goods tried to get that feel and could not achieve it.

Prospect

1. Sherlock Holmes

Come on…just having Guy Ritchie, Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams alone is worth seeing.  From the articles I’ve read and screenshots I’ve seen, I’m pumped for this.

Mike Pampinella

Favorites

3.  Inglourious Basterds:

Tarantino has written and directed some of my favorite movie moments, and created some very memorable characters.  Col. Hans Landa (the Nazi detective of Inglourious Basterds) and many of his scenes are now in the rankings.   

2.  Star Trek

{In my best Scottish accent}  I like this film…it’s exciting.  Which is the point really.  The Star Trek universe had lost it’s luster and lacked the excitement other sci-fi franchises have, and now we Trekkers took it back. 

1.  (500) Days of Summer

Hands down, my most enjoyable movie going experience this year.   Levitt and Deschanel have chemistry and the concoction is passionate and funny. 

Disappointments

2.  X-Men Origins: Wolverine:

What kind of a comic nerd would I be if I wasn’t anticipating this film?  Hopefully, not the kind that overlooks massive plot holes, bad acting, and needlessly overdone special effects. 

1.  Transformers:  Revenge of The Fallen:

In true Michael Bay fashion, he takes the equation for a successful film, and multiplies it by 1000, making it so hyper-kinetic that it’s impossible to enjoy. 

Prospect

1.  Where The Wild Things Are:

It’s really a tie between this and Sherlock Holmes, but I get serious chills everytime I see the Where The Wild Things Are trailer.  Everything looks so crisp and real that I can’t help but let my inner child out.    

Spencer Diedrick

Favorites

3. The Brothers Bloom: 

My first review, it was such a whimsical romp that combined the unique comedy of a Wes Anderson film with the dark and stylish world of con artists. The great cast (Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Kinko Kikuchi, Rachel Weisz) and Rian Johnson’s strong vision guide this into fun-filled heaven.

2. Moon/District 9: 

 Sorry, but I’m gonna go with a tie on this one. What amazingly original looks into sci-fi by first-time directors! While clearly drawing inspiration from classics, they both stake out new territory; the former is a space showcase for the brilliant Sam Rockwell, while the latter uses a cast of unknowns to make the violence and drama hit home.

1. The Hurt Locker:  

A shockingly real and scary look at the soldiers in Iraq, I was moved by the excellent cast, gritty script and handheld cameras that inspired such fear and paranoia that I honestly felt like I was in the Middle East! Definitely the best Iraq War drama yet made, and a must-see.

Disappointments

2.  Public Enemies

Despite some incredibly realistic scenes, an excellent choice to use handheld cameras and a skillful director, the great storyline gets muddled inaccurate and clichéd action sequences that force drama, not to mention a boring romantic sub-plot, lousy dialogue and Johnny Depp‘s “I’m so cool” portrayal of John Dillinger.

1. Up

 This film also starts off really strong, with an amazing opening montage and quirky characters, but quickly moves from a road (albeit in the air) movie to a conventional film complete with a typical antagonist, unlikely twists (how did the explorer figure out how to translate dog thoughts into speech alone in a deep ravine?), and a lack of depth to the themes it began to explore.

Prospect

1.  Shutter Island

I know I have to wait until February to see it, but with Scorsese directing so many great actors (Leo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley) and the story based on the book by Dennis Lehane who also wrote Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone, how can I not be pumped?

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