Jackassalope

Summer Lovin'

The wife and I usually don’t have time to experience the stadium seating and the Dolby Digital surround sound of our neighborhood Cineplex. Having a kiddo means we usually get excited about new releases three months after they land in theaters (blockbuster’s total access is my mistress). But since the summer movie season is about to kick off, I think I’m going to make a few big screen exceptions for the following films.

Iron Man – Coming out May 2nd, this comic book remake kicks off the studio’s tent pole season. Even though I never read the comics as a kid, this character has a certain appeal. It promises explosions and excitement combined with an all-star cast, which is probably one of the most over used phrases when describing a group of actors and I promise to never use it again. Regardless, Robert Downey Jr. is a kick in almost everything he does. The graphics look crisp and as long as there’s not too much set up, it should be a fun ride.

Indiana Jones – Opening May 22nd, this is the fourth installment of Spielberg’s immensely popular take on the action-packed treasure hunting genre. Without Indiana Jones there would be no “The Mummy” or “National Treasure.” Growing up watching Harrison Ford battle voodoo priests and the Nazis with nothing more than a whip and a fancy hat, is what childhoods are made of. Adding Shia LeBeouf (his name means the beef in French) to the cast will make for an entertaining ride that should definitely be experienced on the big screen, if for nothing more than pure nostalgia.

Wall·E will land in theaters on June 27th. This Pixar animation will surely rake in the cash since the studio has never experienced the bitter taste of failure. Even though it’s supposed to be one of their riskier ventures (combining minimal dialogue with more realistic graphics), I have no doubt that they figured out how to make it work. And since my kid might be old enough to sit through an entire movie, it’s the perfect time to introduce her to Pixar CG crack. Delicious.

The Dark Knight flies into theaters on July 18th. Despite all of the attention this movie will get because of Heath Ledger’s death, I still think it will deliver. The Batman series was revived when Batman Begins gritty style showed audiences how comic remakes should be made. This one will be no different. I was impressed by Ledger’s take on the Joker just from the trailers. His choice of inspirations (the main character in Clockwork Orange) should bring a creepy persona to the screen. His death has only heightened the public’s awareness, but the performances stay the same. Now we shall see if the movie can overcome the hype.

Unexpected Sequels – I knew they were going to make a new X-Files movie. I just didn’t realize the time had come. Even though I’ve never really cared about finding the truth, I’m sure this sci-fi will find its audience. The new installment hits theaters July 25th. The Mummy; Tomb of the Dragon Emperor comes out August 1st, and I have to admit that I’m excited for it to grace the new release wall at Blockbuster. The first two films were super cheesy, but for some reason hooked me from the beginning. Finally, the Incredible Hulk re-emerges this summer. I didn’t realize there was a need to remake the remake, and from the look of the trailer, that franchise likes to get kicked when it’s down. Who know maybe it will surprise me.

Other sequels coming out this summer that aren’t worth mentioning - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and Hellboy 2. I’m not going to waste theoretical ink talking about them.