Hey all, well this is a special article that I'm doing as apposed to my main weekly reviews of comics. I took it off this week because...well I think only reviewing 3 comics wouldn't be sufficient or worth doing. I will be back next week with a total of 6 issues along with a new series I'm going to give a read, Jason Aaron's new WOLVERINE series, I loved his work on Ghost Rider, so I will give it a look over and give my thoughts.
Alright with that said let me start with that this summer movie season was...well terrible. I'm being honest, this was a very dismal Summer, we got barely any mainstream comic movie titles released other than Iron Man 2, and that was a big hit but still was kinda MEH to us, but it was a huge start for the AVENGERS movie, so we can give it that kind of credit. Every other comic film did poorly; The Losers bombed, Scott Pilgrim was praised but tanked, and Jonah Hex..............This summer we saw unnecessary 3D films, kid flicks, rip-off movies, and a few great gems that really made up for it. The films we got ranged from mediocre AT BEST to just plain terrible, Killers and Knight and Day WERE THE SAME FILM!!!!! Shrek 4 became a parody of itself, Humanity destroyed itself with allowing Eclipse being #1 and The Last Airbender being made in the way it was by a once respected director. Poor poor Nic Cage, when will he regain his level of coolness again. I'm not talking about his stellar performance in KICK-ASS, but in the Sorcerers Apprentice where he played a BORED looking man with all this power and gave it to Jay Burachel as Jay Burachel, A-Team and Losers had the same theme of betrayed heroes turned guns for hire. Lets not forget the soul crushing Humanity ending film that was Vampires Suck*sigh*...I just about to have given up on humanity but there are a few things that give me hope.
So enough with all the BAD...what are some of the good....Well those that were Good were both Amazing and glorious in what they have done in this abysmal season. These are films that were not only great as a contribution to cinema but also were great audience going experiences. All these films that I saw had some amazing moments with the entire audience. So I'm gonna do a small listing of what I considered the BEST, and thats not saying much, of 2010s summer film season.
#1. Inception: This is a film that is not only a film but an experience. Chris Nolan's Masterpiece thus far. When it gets you talking about the ending with other people and each with your own theories, is truly an amazing feat. I really can't spoil it even after all this time. Go see it if you haven't.
#2. Toy Story 3: PIXAR can make you cry over toys...TOYS!!!!!....I really loved this film, everything they do is gold. I loved the way the characters have evolved over the thee films. This is a well written and well directed film. It will win awards as usual. This to me is PIXAR's best work to date and as I said can make you cry over pieces of plastic.
#3. The Expendables: This to me was the best film to see with an audience. The screening I went to with a friend was AMAZING. We all laughed, OHH'd and AWED on the same beats and moments. Its not the best film ever made, but its just a good old fashion action movie that pulls no punches and gives us caveman entertainment, which lets face it, we need every now and then.
#4. Iron Man 2: This to me is what started the summer season. It was great to see Tony back and seeing him evolve as a character. While a slight mis-step in terms of the moments we saw as well.....kinda dull....he did change into a better person after this. Based in similar themes with Demon in a Bottle, the plot of the movie was about Tony overcoming his new found status and cooping with his health. The action moments were much better and longer than a few blasts and thats it. Although he does fight a giant-er version of his armor, its finally cool to see War Machine in it and S.H.I.E.L.D playing a bigger part...oh and THOR's hammer was a plus
#5. Predators: I know this is hard to say without not trying to kill yourself but*gulps* this is a good recent FOX film....I know with all the gripes and anger we as fans have against them, this film they allowed to be made, thanks in part to Robert Rodriguez. He helped make this film keep its R-rated status, made it an actual SEQUEL rather than a remake, kept Make-up realistic and not entirely CGI, and overall was a fun movie going experience. While not as chest pumping as Expendables, this was a great action film in a LONG time.
#6. Batman: Under the Red Hood- I know you might call foul because it was not released in Theaters, but it was still released in the summer and its an amazing film. I wanted to post a review but I feel its kinda late, so I will have it here on my listing. I loved this movie, its by far DC animations best film and it has one of the best casts ever. Both Greenwood's Batman and DiMaggio's Joker were great portrayals, especially the way DiMaggio got the Jokers laugh down. I loved its dark tone and bleak outcome, its kinda of a downer ending but its still amazing to see.
#7. Jonah Hex short: coming with Batman came this amazing little 10 minutes of awesomeness. This was by far the best handling of the Jonah Hex character. I loved Jane's vocal portrayal as the anti-hero. He was gruff and tough sounding, without having to be it. Linda Hamilton was great as the villainy Prostitute in the film. Having met her in person, if I see her again at a convention I will personally thank her for doing it and being an amazing actress after all these years.
So thats my listing of the best films I seen this summer. I know I missed out on Despicable Me, Scott Pilgrim, Piranha 3D, and I haven't seen others because I was either busy with work or not interested in them. I will give them a look on DVD/Blu Ray tho. So as one season ends, another waits in the corner. Next summer promises to be the biggest one yet with THOR, Green Lantern, Sucker Punch, X-men: First Class, Transformers 3, Captain America, Green Hornet, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Priest, and so forth. Lets hope all these films break records and usher us into a new summer age. Til next time AKI87 OUT!!!!!!