My Summer in Movies

Oh, my poor, neglected little blog. I'd like to apologize once again for letting you fade into dark corners of my mind. But, I'm back now, and I promise to take much better care of you now!

The same goes for you, my dear readers. I'd like to apologize for forgetting about posting (though most of you probably forgot I even did this :P). However, during my short-lived forgetful stage since my last review of Killers, I managed to see 12 different movies, all of which I forgot to review. But, to make up for it, I will now rate them in the order of favorites to waste-of-money and give short reviews on each! So, here ya go; My Summer in Movies!!

1. INCEPTION
Easily my favorite movie of the summer and currently top of my Favorite Movies of All Time list. Inception is an original work written and directed by Christopher Nolan and if you haven't seen it by now, go, get in your car and go wait at the theater until the next showing. Its fantastic. It remains impossible for me to accurately give a detailed review of its awesomeness without giving anything away, but here's what you need to know: the plot is terrific. The visuals are dynamic. The acting is great. And the language is minimum. Now go see this movie....

Ok, ok. I'll summarize the plot as much as possible. Basically, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a criminal named Cobb who can't go back to America but desperately wants to see his kids. His job (which kinda got him exiled from America in the first place) is to manipulate peoples dreams and extract information. A man named Saido comes and offers to wipe his record clean, IF Cobb can use the dreams of a CEO of a rival company to bring it down. And....that's pretty much all I can tell you. The plot thickens and the visuals get cooler, all the while keeping the audience entertained and focused on whats happening, instead of losing them in technicalities. I give it a 9 out of 10. Now, go watch it.

2. TOY STORY 3
My second favorite movie of the summer has got to be Toy Story 3. Even though it's animated, it's Pixar and I only know of one teenager who was not crazy excited (she knows who she is) for this third and final installment of Pixar's first and greatest series. Let's reminisce, shall we?

The first Toy Story installment released in 1992, and was the story of what happens when the toys in a child's bedroom come to life when left alone. Obviously, this was the realization of a fantasy that many children, myself included, had and, as such, spoke to the souls of children everywhere! Pixar pulled it off beautifully, telling the story of Woody (the current favorite toy) being replaced by Buzz Lightyear, a cooler, more advanced toy. In this way, Pixar also connected to the children who might have felt that they themselves were not as cool as some of the other spacemen that they hung out with. However, the creation of Buzz and Woody sparked one of the greatest feuds of all time: are you a cowboy or a spaceman? I have yet to decide. Toy Story also marked the coming of a new age of technology, as it was the first full-length, computer animated film.
Toy Story 2 released in 1995, bringing with it pure joy and happiness to children everywhere. Toy Story 2 is one of the only sequel's ever to retain, perfect and expound upon the original charm and wit that is the original. But, Pixar did so with gusto and successfully wove new characters, challenges and original plot into the continuation of the Toy Story saga. Also, it's just pretty dang impressive. I firmly believe that no one but Pixar could have successfully made three movies about toys, each better than the last. But they did.
Toy Story 3 released the summer of 2010 and I, personally, did not expect much. Why I sill doubted Pixar, I do not know, but I looked forward to Toy Story 3 simply out of anticipation for the childhood nostalgia the film would no doubt bring about. I didn't know the half of it. Toy Story 3 is no doubt the best film in the series. Again, Pixar brought in new characters and plot and pulled all the elements together wonderfully to create yet another stunning visual display of childhood fantasies that entertained both children and adults alike...oh, and not to mention, it made everyone who had seen the first two movies cry like a baby.
(Writer's Note: My dad would like for me to mention that Toy Story 3 spoke to the hearts of all the fathers that took their kids to see it when they were young, especially when the same kids are now going off to college, like Andy. Love you, Dad.)

3. SCOTT PILGRIM VERSUS THE WORLD
Scott Pilgrim Versus the World was made for a specific audience; the audience that loves vintage video games, action films and Michael Cera. Scott Pilgrim was made for nerds. And it was made beautifully. Based on a series of graphic novels, the filmmakers did an amazing job of bringing forth the correct visuals, sounds and dialogue to make this movie feel the way it was meant to; like a live-action arcade game on steroids...with Michael Cera.

4. DESPICABLE ME
Despicable Me, is yet another animated movie that pulls at your heartstrings. I have a soft spot in my heart these days for plot originality in movies and Despicable Me delivers with a cute, original story and lots of laughs. The somewhat predictable and totally adorable tale follows a man named Gru (Steve Carell), an "evil mastermind" who's latest plan involves three orphan girls that he adopts. Of course, Gru eventually begins to care for these girls despite himself, but not before audiences are shown just what it takes for an evil mastermind to become a dad.


5. DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS
Dinner for Schmucks is definitely an either/or kind of movie. You either love it, or you hate it. Personally, I loved it. The mixture of Paul Rudd's natural awkwardness, coupled with Steve Carell's lovable zany and weird character make for a hilarious movie. They also do a good job of allowing the plot to provide most of the humor. These days it seems like too many "comedies" have a serious plotline and attempt to create the humor simply with dialogue. However, Dinner for Schmucks manages to remain a truly funny movie about accepting those who may be a little...ok, a lot different than you.

6. THE OTHER GUYS
The Other Guys is one of those comedy movies I mentioned in Dinner for Schmucks. It relied a little too much on funny dialogue to compensate for an overly-serious plot. Granted, Will Ferrell is the king of witty improv. However, Mark Wahlberg doesn't quite live up to the task. Even still, they make quite a dynamic duo with Eva Mendes' supporting role icing on the cake, this buddy cop movie is worth your time.

7. THE LAST AIRBENDER
Before you judge the seventh movie on my list, let me explain. Although this live action adaption of the beloved "Avatar: The Last Airbender" tv show was a total flop, it holds this position in my list because of the fun I had seeing it. My friends and I gathered together and made our own costumes and represented characters from the show. So, although the movie tanked (lack of any humor, left several of the shows main plot points out and dont even get me started on the "bending"), the best part was the experience of seeing it with my nerdy friends ;)

8. RAMONA AND BEEZUS
Definitely the winner of Cutest Movie of the Summer, Ramona and Beezus is based on Beverly Clearly's classic story of the bond shared between two sisters. Selena Gomez does a fantastic job as Beezus in her debut role on the silver screen, conveying both love and annoyance in the appropriate older sister fashion. While this one won't win any awards, you definitely walk away feeling good and with a slight urge to hug a young child (I do not recommend acting on this impulse).

9. LETTERS TO JULIET
Letters to Juliet is a very touching story. Boasting both originality in plot and good acting, as well as a rare lack of sex or language, Letters to Juliet is, in my opinion, the perfect romantic movie. While it is predictable, the characters are portrayed well enough to keep you engaged throughout, instead of growing bored after the first 10 minutes. While it is no longer in theaters, I do recommend renting it if you need a good, clean family movie.

10. KNIGHT AND DAY
Knight and Day could easily be renamed as "Mission impossible, with a Girl". While sporting big time names, like Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, the film is sorely lacking in both depth and believability. Yes, I am considering that it's a spy film, but Cameron Diaz knowing how to kill a guy in one move after being ignorant for the rest of the movie seems a bit far fetched. Overall, Knight and Day is a movie that had great potential in the beginning but when it came time to put it into action, the end result was a mildly entertaining, mediocre film that couldn't decide whether it was funny or a spy-flick.

11. CHARLIE ST. CLOUD
I know what you're thinking, and no. Charlie St. Cloud is not number 11 simply because Zac Efron stars in it. if that were the formula, it'd be number 12! ZING! Seriously, though. Zac does do a pretty good job with his character. However, the whole premise of the film just kinda weirded me out. Without going into too much detail, Charlie St. Cloud ended up being a kind of Sixth Sense kind of movie, but with less Bruce Willis. Overall, it wasn't painful....it was just kinda..."really, that's what they came up with?".

12. ECLIPSE
I know what you're thinking, and yes. Eclipse is at the bottom because it is the third movie in the Twilight franchise. Granted, I was excited for the first. But then my brain came back after finding my manhood and I hated it. The second one was a torturous event filled with half-naked "werewolves" who all seem to be WAY too comfortable with each other. And finally, the third installment was an estrogen-filled, bundle of hormones of this so-called "love story" that not only ruined vampires and werewolves for nerds everywhere, it also ruined the fight scene between the two species that has only ever been seen in Underworld by putting one in this movie. Needless to say, I despised this movie and the only reason I attended was because my best friend made me go because it's our "tradition". In my defense, I cheered louder at the Harry Potter 7 commercial at the beginning than any of the fan girls did at Jacob's abs. I'd tell you not to go see it, but there's really no point.

Well, there's my summer! At least, the part of summer that I spent in the movie theater! See you soon, readers!!

Movies I'm Looking Forward To:
Easy A (in theaters)
Takers (in theaters)
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (Sept. 27, i think)
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
Voyage of the Dawn Treader (December)
Due Date (Nov. 5)
Morning Glory (Nov. 10)