Admit One 5/1: Summer Begins
Well according to Fox “Summer Officially Begins!” with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the movie nerds were excited about and then they saw the leaked version and are significantly less excited. In any case we’re off and running with the big movies of the year which continues with Star Trek next weekend and Angels & Demons after that. What did critics think of Wolverine’s semi-solo outing and what of The Pecker himself Matthew McConaughey’s new romantic comedy? Let’s see, shall we?
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schrieber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan
Directed by: Gavin Hood
Plot: The origins of the mysterious X-Man Wolverine are revealed as we learn about his early years, his bond with fellow mutant Sabretooth and his involvement with the Weapon X program.
Rotten Tomatoes Freshness: 37%
Critic Consensus: “Though Hugh Jackman gives his all, he can’t help X-Men Origins: Wolverine overcome a cliche-ridden script and familiar narrative.”
Battle for Terra
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Justin Long, Luke Wilson, Brian Cox
Directed by: Aristomenis Tsirbas
Plot: The planet Terra and it’s inhabitants come under attack by the last remaining group of humans and both sides begin a battle for control of the planet.
RT Freshness: 56%
LA Times: “An atmospheric sci-fi saga that may lack major studio marketing heft, but deserves a chance to win over toon-tested audiences.”
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Lacey Chabert, Michael Douglas
Directed by: Mark Waters
Plot: A womanizing bachelor is visited by three ghosts to show him his past, present and future relationships to try and get him to change his ways.
RT Freshness: 27%
Critic Consensus: “A retread of A Christmas Carol, featuring Matthew McConaughey in a retread of his Dazed and Confused role, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past lacks originality, humor, and any semblance of charm.”
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
video://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3STHC63hU
Zach: Man, been a while since we’ve taken a trip into the Trailer Park but with summer movie season upon us we thought it would be a good time to visit. First up we have the first full trailer for Transformers 2 and the most exciting thing to me is surprisingly not Megan Fox in booty shorts “fixing” a motorcycle but the reveal of Devastator. If you recall from classic Transformers, Devastator is the combination of the Constructicons and one of the most powerful Transformers in the universe. Devastator 2.0 looks to be continuing that trend. Also revealed is that Megatron is back and that when Michael Bay isn’t obsessed with helicopters it’s fireballs exploding buildings. TF2 is definitely in my top 3 movies to see this summer.
Brian: I found the first Transformers movie to be a nice action-packed summer escape, but I just can’t find the excitement for the sequel. Shia LaBeouf returns with his trademark quirkiness, Megan Fox is there as the eye candy and I just don’t care to find out more about the plot. I’ll end up seeing it, I’m just not that excited.
GI Joe: Rise of Cobra
video://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNnkdFpdDIQ
Zach: I’m a little less excited for this one after seeing the unbelievably awesome GI Joe: Resolute animated feature (check it out on AdultSwim.com if you haven’t seen it yet.) The accelarator suits are looking kind of stupid and from what I’ve seen Cobra Commander is looking more like Jason X than anything else. On the positive side, Snake Eyes is looking as bad ass as always and it looks like there could be some stupid fun action if nothing else. Stephen Sommers has been getting gradually worse as his career as progressed but let’s hope this is more on the level of The Mummy than Van Helsing.
Brian: In the same vein as Transformers 2, the GI Joe movie leaves no impression. The Super Bowl teaser was kind of cool, and I’m still holding out for a slim chance of this being good. But when my childhood toys get remade into blockbusters I tend to get worried. Probably gonna see this one.
Where the Wild Things Are
video://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–N9klJXbjQ
Zach: What else can you really say about this movie except it looks amazing? Spike Jonze is a creative genius with all his great music videos, my personal favorite being the Buddy Holly video for Weezer and the creative juices are definitely flowing on WtWTA. I love the fact that they’re using practical effects for the wild things and it all looks spot on.
Brian: One of my favorite books/authors gets the big screen treatment. Spike Jonze (Adaptation) directing. Dave Eggers (Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) writing. Arcade Fire soundtrack. How can I NOT be excited? Let’s just hope it’s true to the original with little to no studio “fixing”.
Bruno
Zach: You either love him or hate him but regardless Sacha Baron Cohen is back with his other personality, gay Austrian supermodel Bruno. It looks like he’s ratcheting up the craziness what with having an African baby shipped to him at an airport, wearing a suit made out of velcro and more. I’m sure it will be hilarious but I’m bracing myself now for all the bros to be quoting it nonstop like Borat.
Brian: Like Zach said, brace for the nonstop quoting. That aside – Sacha Baron Cohen is a very funny man and it’ll be interesting to see who’s toes he steps on for hilarious shock value. Trailer has some OMG LOL moments. Will be seeing this one.