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s year’s summer films are not as prestigious as the past few years, but still pack a punch. The major films are sequels or remakes like Iron Man 2, Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After, A-Team (TV), Sex and the City 2, Cats & Dogs: The revenge of Kitty Galore, Twilight Eclipse, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, Robin Hood, Step Up 3D, Predators, The Karate Kid and even a re-realease Grease (Sing-Along).
It seems that Hollywood is sidestepping new material for scripts that keep the money flowing. Why take a chance on a creative new film when you can cash in on a big hit from a past year? It seems to me that the complacency can deliver a punch below the belt if America starts to get tired of the same old, same old.
Like previous years the month of May gets included in the summer film releases and starting out of the gate are four big race horses, Iron Man 2, Robin Hood, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and Sex and the City 2. Just weeks apart from each other, they will be vying for huge weekend box office takes. Three of the starters are action oriented and will definitely get the lion’s share, but don’t count out Sex and the City as they have a huge viewer base and will probably take a chunk out of the May 27th weekend.
Here are thumbnails of major films of the summer, although most release dates are set in stone, studios tend to change dates depending on a lot of economic factors.
MAY 2010
IRON MAN 2– May 7, 2010
Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel Super Hero Iron Man, reuniting director Jon Favreau and Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 2, the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James Rhodey Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces. ANALYSIS: Take the ride.
ROBIN HOOD– May 14, 2010
Oscar® winner Russell Crowe stars as the legendary figure known by generations as Robin Hood, whose exploits have endured in popular mythology and ignited the imagination of those who share his spirit of adventure and righteousness. In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power. And whether thief or hero, one man from humble beginnings will become an eternal symbol of freedom for his people. ANALYSIS: The Adventure begins.
SHREK FOREVER AFTER– May 21, 2010
After challenging an evil dragon, rescuing a beautiful princess and saving your in-laws’ kingdom, what’s an ogre to do? Well, if you’re Shrek, you suddenly wind up a domesticated family man. Instead of scaring villagers away like he used to, a reluctant Shrek now agrees to autograph pitchforks. What’s happened to this ogre’s roar? Longing for the days when he felt like a “real ogre,†Shrek is duped into signing a pact with the smooth-talking dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin. Shrek suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away, where ogres are hunted, Rumpelstiltskin is king and Shrek and Fiona have never met. Now, it’s up to Shrek to undo all he’s done in the hopes of saving his friends, restoring his world and reclaiming his one True Love. ANALYSIS: Who can resist the big ogre?
SEX AND THE CITY 2 – May 27, 2010
The fun, the fashion, the friendship: Sex and the City 2 brings it all back and more as Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) take another bite out of The Big Apple–and beyond–carrying on with their busy lives and loves. What happens after you say I do? Life is everything the ladies ever wished it to be, but it wouldn’t be Sex and the City if life didn’t hold a few more surprises…this time in the form of a glamorous, sun-drenched adventure that whisks the women away from New York to one of the most luxurious, exotic and vivid places on earth, where the party never ends and there’s something mysterious around every corner. ANALYSIS: Sounds like a sequel to Couples Retreat.
PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME– May 28, 2010
Set in the mystical lands of Persia, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an epic action-adventure about a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) who race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. ANALYSIS: The trailer on this film sells it. Hope it lives up to it.
JUNE 2010
MARMADUKE– June 4, 2010
Marmaduke, the world’s most lovable Great Dane, leaps from comic strip fame (appearing in 600 newspapers in over 20 countries) to big screen stardom. In this family comedy event, the Duke is living large in Orange County, California. But fitting in with his new four-legged friends – and a potential romantic interest — aren’t always easy for a super-sized teenage dog. Owen Wilson stars as the voice of Marmaduke in this live-action comedy. ANALYSIS: Dog lovers unite this Great Dane should be hard to resist especially voiced by Owen Wilson.
SPLICE– June 4, 2010
Superstar genetic engineers Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) specialize in splicing together DNA from different animals to create incredible new hybrids. Now they want to use human DNA in a hybrid that could revolutionize science and medicine. But when the pharmaceutical company that funds their research forbids it, Clive and Elsa secretly conduct their own experiments. The result is Dren, an amazing, strangely beautiful creature that exhibits uncommon intelligence and an array of unexpected physical developments. And though, at first, Dren exceeds their wildest dreams, she begins to grow and learn at an accelerated rate–and threatens to become their worst nightmare. ANALYSIS: Sounds a little like Species, but I’m up for it.
KILLERS– June 4, 2010
Trying to recover from a sudden break-up, Jen Kornfeldt (Katherine Heigl) believes she’ll never fall in love again. But when she reluctantly joins her parents on a trip to the French Riviera, Jen happens to meet the man of her dreams, the dashing, handsome Spencer Aimes (Ashton Kutcher). Three years later, her seemingly impossible wish has come true: she and Spencer are newlyweds living the ideal suburban life – that is, until the morning after Spencer’s 30th birthday when bullets start flying. Literally. ANALYSIS: Can Heigl and Kutcher be a Mr. & Mrs. Smith?
VALHALLA RISING– June 4, 2010
For years, the fearsome figure known only as One Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) has defeated everyone he’s encountered, but he’s treated more like an animal than a warrior. The only person he has any relationship with is the young boy who brings him food and water daily. Constantly caged and shackled, One Eye has drawn the attention of a new force now sweeping the countryside and displacing the society’s leaders: Christians. ANALYSIS: It will be good if it’s not too preachy.
GET HIM TO THE GREEK– June 4, 2010
Get Him to the Greek reunites Jonah Hill and Russell Brand with Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller in the story of a record company executive with three days to drag an uncooperative rock legend to Hollywood for a comeback concert. The comedy is the latest film from producer Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People). ANALYSIS: I hope it has more than what is in the movie trailer.
ONDINE– June 4, 2010
ONDINE is the story of Syracuse (Colin Ferrell), a simple fisherman who catches a beautiful and mysterious woman in his trawler’s nets. The woman, Ondine (Alicja Bachleda), seems to be dead, but then she comes alive before Syracuse’s eyes and he thinks he may be seeing things. However, with the help of his ailing, yet irrepressible daughter, Annie (Alison Barry), he comes to believe that the fantastical might be possible and that Ondine might be a myth come true. Ondine and Syracuse fall passionately in love, but just as we think the fairytale might go on forever, the real world intercedes. Then, after a terrible car crash and the return of a dark and violent figure from Ondine’s past, hope eventually prevails and a new beginning is presented to Syracuse, Ondine and Annie. ANALYSIS: I like mysteries and with the love connection this may be a winner.
THE A-TEAM– June 11, 2010
The A-Team follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going rogue, they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit. Liam Neeson (Taken), Bradley Cooper (The Hangover), mixed martial arts champ Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, and District 9 sensation Sharlto Copley, are The A-Team. ANALYSIS: I loved Mr. T in the role, I ‘pity the fool’ that has to fill his shoes. ‘Kill those suckers.’
THE KARATE KID -June 11, 2010
In Columbia Pictures The Karate Kid, 12-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) could’ve been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother’s (Taraji P. Henson) latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying – and the feeling is mutual – but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre’s feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts “the karate kid” on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life. ANALYSIS: Kid friendly and lessons to learn.
WINTER’S BONE– June 11, 2010
17 year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) sets out to track down her father, who put their house up for his bail bond and then disappeared. If she fails, Ree and her family will be turned out into the Ozark woods. Challenging her outlaw kin’s code of silence and risking her life, Ree hacks through lies, evasions and threats offered up by her relatives and piecing together the truth. The film is based on a novel written by Daniel Woodrell. ANALYSIS: Female Teen targeted but will need strong fan base support to make it through the weekend.
JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK– June 11. 2010
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work takes the audience on a year long ride with legendary comedian Joan Rivers in her 76th year of life. Peeling away the mask of an iconic comedian and exposing the struggles, sacrifices and joy of living life as a ground breaking female performer. The film is an emotionally surprising and revealing portrait of one the most hilarious and long-standing career women ever in the business. ANALYSIS: Probably priceless. I WANT to see this film.
TOY STORY 3– June 18, 2010
Disney•PIXAR’s Toy Story 3 welcomes Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen) and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… daycare! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the Great Escape get underway. A few new faces—some plastic, some plush—join the adventure, including Barbie’s counterpart Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voiced by Timothy Dalton) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty). Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo) and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), Toy Story 3 is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D™. ANALYSIS: A no brainer, kids will be screaming to see it.
THE KILLER INSIDE ME– June 18, 2010
Based on the novel by legendary pulp writer Jim Thompson, Michael Winterbottom’s The Killer Inside Me tells the story of handsome, charming, unassuming small town sheriff’s deputy Lou Ford. Lou has a bunch of problems. Woman problems. Law enforcement problems. An ever-growing pile of murder victims in his West Texas jurisdiction. And the fact he’s a sadist, a psychopath, a killer. Suspicion begins to fall on Lou, and it’s only a matter of time before he runs out of alibis. But in Thompson’s savage, bleak, blacker than noir universe nothing is ever what it seems. ANALYSIS: I hope it is not as obvious as the description leads me to believe. Sounds good though with Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson and Casey Afflect.
CYRUS– June 18, 2010
Still single seven years after the breakup of his marriage, John (John C. Reilly) has all but given up on romance. But at the urging of his ex-wife and best friend Jamie (Catherine Keener), John grudgingly agrees to join her and her fiancé Tim (Matt Walsh) at a party. To his and everyone else’s surprise, he actually manages to meet someone: the gorgeous and spirited Molly (Marisa Tomei). Their chemistry is immediate. The relationship takes off quickly but Molly is oddly reluctant to take the relationship beyond John’s house. Perplexed, he follows her home and discovers the other man in Molly’s life: her son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill). A 21-year-old new age musician, Cyrus is his mom’s best friend and shares an unconventional relationship with her. Cyrus will go to any lengths to protect Molly and is definitely not ready to share her with anyone, especially John. Before long, the two are locked in a battle of wits for the woman they both love—and it appears only one man can be left standing when it’s over. ANALYSIS: John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill is a match made in heaven. Can’t wait!
JONAH HEX – June 18, 2010
Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) is a scarred drifter and bounty hunter of last resort, a tough and stoic gunslinger who can track down anyone…and anything. Having survived death, Jonah’s violent history is steeped in myth and legend, and has left him with one foot in the natural world and one on the ‘other side. His only human connection is with Lila (Megan Fox), whose life in a brothel has left her with scars of her own. Jonah’s past is about to catch up with him when the U.S. military makes him an offer he can’t refuse: in exchange for his freedom from the warrants on his head, he must track down and stop the dangerous terrorist Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich). But Turnbull, who is gathering an army and preparing to unleash Hell, is also Jonah’s oldest enemy and will stop at nothing until Jonah is dead. Based on the legendary character from the graphic novels, Jonah Hex is an epic adventure thriller about one man’s personal quest for redemption against the vast canvas of the battle between good and evil. ANALYSIS: It has an interesting plot and should do well.
I AM LOVE- June 18, 2010
I AM LOVE tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr. (Gabriele Ferzetti), the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reigns of his massive industrial company, surprising everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi (Pippo Delbono), and grandson Edo (Flavio Parenti). But Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini), a handsome and talented chef. At the heart of the family is Tancredi’s wife Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, her existence is shocked to the core when she falls quickly and deeply in love with Edo’s friend and partner Antonio, and embarks on a passionate love affair that will change her family forever. ANALYSIS: A lover’s pallet to paint a romantic evening? Why not.
KNIGHT AND DAY– June 25, 2010
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz star in the action-comedy Knight And Day.  During their glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure, nothing and no one – even the now fugitive couple – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust. Knight And Day was filmed in Massachusetts and other locations around the world, including, Spain, Austria, and the tropics. ANALYSIS: Think Mission Impossible with a tag along.
GROWNUPS– June 25, 2010
Grown Ups, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider is a hilarious comedy about five men who were best friends when they were young kids and now are getting together for the Fourth of July weekend to meet each others’ families for the first time. Picking up where they left off, they discover why growing older doesn’t mean growing up. The film also stars Salma Hayek, Maria Bello and Maya Rudolph. ANALYSIS: Hope it is a lot better than the film trailer.
TWILIGHT SAGA ECLIPSE– June 30, 2010.
In ECLIPSE, Bella (Kristen Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward (Robert Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life. Based on the Novel “Eclipse†by Stephenie Meyer. ANALYSIS: And it continues. I hope Bella doesn’t run out of blood.
JULY 2010
THE LAST AIRBENDER– July 2, 2010
Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world. The movie is Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive. ANALYSIS: Not the usual M.Night Shyamalan plot, it will be interesting to see how he handles a family film.
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT– July 7, 2010
Two teenaged children (Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson) conceived by artificial insemination get the notion to seek out their birth father and introduce him into the family life that their two mothers (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) have built for them. Once the donor (Mark Ruffalo) is found, the household will never be the same, as family ties are defined re-defined, and re-re-defined. ANALYSIS: A good cast, a good plot and a much needed Summer women’s flick.
PREDATORS– July 9, 2010
Preditors, a bold new chapter in the Predator universe, shot under the creative auspices of Robert Rodriguez, stars Adrien Brody as Royce, a mercenary who reluctantly leads a group of elite warriors who come to realize they’ve been brought together on an alien planet… as prey. With the notable exception of a disgraced physician, they are all cold-blooded killers – mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members – human predators that are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new breed of alien Predators. ANALYSIS: Sci-fi on the edge.
DESPICABLE ME– July 9, 2010
In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell) planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. ANALYSIS: Sounds like a lot of animated fun
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE– July 16, 2010
Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina).  Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The movie is a Jerry Bruckheimer Production. ANALYSIS: The question is can Nick Cage do a different Big Daddy?
INCEPTION – July 16, 2010
Director Christopher Nolan (Batman: The Dark Knight) brings a Sci-Fi Action film called Inception to the big screen. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine the film is a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind. ANALYSIS: Not enough information to make a guess, but the casting is good.
SALT– July 23
Angelina Jolie stars as a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt who swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: Who Is Salt? ANALYSIS: Always hot and always dangerous and the movie looks like it too.
RAMONA AND BEEZUS– July 23, 2010
The adventures of young Ramona Quimby (Joey King) and her big sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) come to life in this all new film based on the best-selling books (over 30 million…and counting) by Beverly Cleary.  Ramona’s vivid imagination, boundless energy, and accident-prone antics keep everyone she meets on their toes. But her irrepressible sense of fun, adventure and mischief come in handy when she puts her mind to helping save her family’s home. ANALYSIS: A family film looking for sequels.
DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS– July 23, 2010
Dinner for Schmucks tells the story of Tim (Paul Rudd), a guy on the verge of having it all. The only thing standing between him and total career success is finding the perfect guest to bring to his boss’ annual Dinner for Extraordinary People, an event where the winner of the evening brings the most eccentric character as his guest. Enter Barry (Steve Carell), a guy with a passion for dressing mice up in tiny outfits to recreate great works of art. From Jay Roach, director of Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers comes an unforgettable feast about two unlikely friends and one very memorable dinner. ANALYSIS: This is more like a script for Steve Carell than Date Night. Can’t wait.
CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE– July 30, 2010
In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves – and their humans. ANALYSIS:Â Talking cats and dogs, what kid can resist?
CHARLIE ST. CLOUD– July 30, 2010
Based on an acclaimed novel, Charlie St. Cloud is a romantic drama starring Zac Efron as a young man who survives an accident that lets him see the world in a unique way. In this emotionally charged story, he begins a romantic journey in which he embraces the dark realities of the past while discovering the transformative power of love. ANALYSIS: Good script and character for Zac Efron, I’m looking forward to seeing it.
GREASE– July 2010
Experience Grease as a Sing-Along. Rydell High’s most famous graduating class is going back to school. A newly restored print brings the highest-grossing musical of all time, Grease (1978), to the big screen as a sing-along. Join Danny and Sandy with your own crew of T-Birds and Pink Ladies for a carnival ride back to those amazing summer nights! Starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing Special guest appearances by Eve Arden, Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell, Edd Byrnes, Sid Caesar, Alice Ghostly, Dody Goodman and Sha-Na-Na. ANALYSIS: I’ve already started tuning up my vocal cords for this one.
BEASTLY– July 30, 2010
Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) is 17 and has it all – he’s hot, popular, rich and gets whatever he wants…but he also has a vicious cruel side, fueled by his obsession with the ‘in crowd’ and his contempt for those who don’t fit in. Prone to mocking and humiliating outcast classmates, he zeroes in on Goth girl Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen), inviting her to the school’s extravagant environmental bash. Kendra accepts, and, true to form, Kyle blows her off in a particularly harsh fashion. She seeks revenge in the form of a spell that physically transforms him into someone unrecognizable – and horribly unattractive. The only way to reverse the curse is to find someone who will love him in his new form – a task he doesn’t think possible. ANALYSIS: Beauty and the Beast with a touch of The Princess and the Frog maybe.
AUGUST 2010
STEP-UP 3D– August 6, 2010
New York’s intense street dancing underground comes alive in eye-popping Digital 3D in the third installment of the Step Up franchise as the raw, passion-fulled culture goes global. A tight-knit group of street dancers, including Luke (Rick Malambri) and Natalie (Sharni Vinson) team up with Moose (Adam Sevani) and find themselves pitted against the world’s best hip hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever. ANALYSIS: Hadn’t we seen this one before? Oh, the other two were not long enough I guess.
THE OTHER GUYS– August 6, 2010
Set in New York City, The Other Guys follows Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell), a forensic accountant who’s more interested in paperwork than hitting the streets, and Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), a tough guy who has been stuck with Allen as his partner ever since an unfortunate run-in with Derek Jeter. Allen and Terry idolize the city’s top cops, Danson and Highsmith (Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson), but when an opportunity arises for the Other Guys to step up, things don’t quite go as planned. ANALYSIS: An action, Adventure, Comedy…perfect…blink, blink.
EAT PRAY LOVE– August 13, 2010
Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having – a husband, a house, a successful career – yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. Based upon the best selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world. ANALYSIS: Kind of makes me hungry for some hot buttered popcorn.
THE EXPENDABLES– August 13, 2010
The Expendables is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things aren’t quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger, the men struggle with an even tougher challenge – one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers. The film stars some well know action actors including Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren. ANALYSIS: Rambo on crank?
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD– August 13, 2010
Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams…literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is her seven evil exes who are coming to kill him. The seven are a nefarious league that control Ramona’s love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate Scott as her suitor. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.. Genre-smashing filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) tells the amazing story of one romantic slacker’s quest to power up with love in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. ANALYSIS: It sounds like it’s Michael Cera in an adventure about Michael Cera; an autobiography perhaps?
THE SWITCH– August 20, 2010
Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman star in The Switch, an offbeat comedy about Kassie, a smart, fun-loving single woman who, despite her slightly neurotic best friend Wally’s objections, decides it’s time to have a baby—even if it means doing it by herself… with a little help from a charming sperm donor (Patrick Wilson). But, unbeknownst to her, Kassie’s plans go awry because of a last-minute switch that isn’t discovered until seven years later when Wally finally gets acquainted with Kassie’s precocious—though slightly neurotic—son. ANALYSIS: This is not Backup Plan 2, or at least I hope so.
LOTTERY TICKET– August 20, 2010
Kevin Carson (Bow Wow), a young man living in the projects, wins $370 million in a nationwide lottery. When his opportunistic neighbors discover he has the winning ticket in his possession, Kevin must survive their greedy and sometimes even threatening actions over a three-day holiday weekend before he can claim his prize. ANALYSIS: This script actually has potential. I want to see it.
NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS– August 20, 2010
In this latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave. Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle and a statue that comes to life to a tree-climbing piglet and a baby elephant who turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons. ANALYSIS: For all those who loved the first go around.
THE TILLMAN STORY– August 20, 2010
When Pat Tillman gave up his professional football career to join the Army Rangers in 2002, he became an instant symbol of patriotic fervor and unflinching duty. But the truth about Pat Tillman is far more complex, and ultimately far more heroic, then the caricature. And when the government tried to turn his death into propaganda, they took on the wrong family. From her home in Northern California, Pat’s mother, Dannie Tillman, led the family’s crusade to reveal the truth beneath the mythology of their son’s life and death. The Tillman Story resounds with emotion and insight, and goes beyond an indictment of the government to touch on themes as timeless as the notion of heroism itself. ANALYSIS: I usually stay away from political dramas, but it involves sports and I love sports movies, so this is a coin toss.
TAKERS– August 20, 2010
The film takes you into the world of a notorious group of criminals (Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen and Michael Ealy) who continue to baffle police by pulling off perfectly executed bank robberies. They are in and out like clockwork, leaving no evidence behind and laying low between heists. But when they attempt to pull off one last job with more money at stake than ever before, the crew may find their plans interrupted by a hardened detective (Matt Dillon) who is hell-bent on solving the case. ANALYSIS: Good cast and plot, but it may be a little predictable. Please make there be a twist in the plot.
GOING THE DISTANCE– August 27, 2010
Erin’s (Drew Barrymore) wry wit and unfiltered frankness charm newly single Garrett (Justin Long) over beer, bar trivia and breakfast the next morning. Their chemistry sparks a full-fledged summer fling, but neither expects it to last once Erin heads home to San Francisco and Garrett stays behind for his job in New York City. But when six weeks of romping through the city inadvertently become meaningful, neither is sure they want it to end. And while Garrett’s friends, Box (Jason Sudeikis) and Dan (Charlie Day), joke about his pre-flight calorie-cutting and his full-time relationship with his cell phone, they don’t like losing their best drinking buddy to yet another rocky romance. At the same time, Erin’s high-strung, overprotective married sister, Corrine (Christina Applegate), wants to keep Erin from heading down an all-too-familiar road. But despite the opposite coasts, the nay-saying friends and family, and a few unexpected temptations, the couple just might have found something like love, and with the help of a lot of texting, sexting and late-night phone calls, they might actually go the distance. ANALYSIS: Ho Hum, Wish Barrymore would make another Charlie’s Angels sequel.
(Film Studios supplied the information for the synopses with Analysis by film writer John Delia.)