With May 2009 and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, Angels & Demons and Up behind us, here are the 5 remaining sci-fi/fantasy movies I am looking forward to this summer!
#5: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Okay, this is a movie that barely made its way into my top 5. A part of me would almost rather see Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs! When I was young I did not avidly watch the cartoon of G.I. Joe—I was more of a Transformers / Voltron / Thundercats kinda kid—but there is a part of me that is curious if Stephen Sommers can pull off a movie based on a property that gave so much watching and toy-collecting joy! Sommers is responsible for The Mummy, which I thought was great fun, but he is also responsible for Van Helsing, which I thought wasn’t worth the film it was printed on. He is also slated as the director for the movie adaptation of Magic Kingdom For Sale—Sold! by Terry Brooks. I do like his casting for G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and the trailer looks pretty slick. Which Sommers will show up? Did he peak with The Mummy? We will have to wait and see.
#4: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The ever-continuing saga of Harry Potter. This one is a heavy-hitter waiting to destroy the box office for a few weeks worldwide. I'm not the biggest Harry Potter fan—the books were fun and quick reads that didn't force me to grow as a person really—but they were enjoyable for what they are. The movies, for the most part, have been pretty faithful and as they have become darker I've become more interested. The trailer for this one looks great as well—the dark past of Lord Voldemort revealed! The movie has been pushed back twice to my knowledge, so it should—having been given a lot more time for production—be one of the stronger movies in the series. Expect many millions going out to see this one! I'll be there probably for the second weekend when the masses have died down a bit.
#3: My Sister's Keeper
Many of you are probably scratching your heads right now, thinking, "Has Shawn lost his mind? This isn't a sci-fi/fantasy movie at all!" Well, let me tell you something. It is. About three years ago I was sitting at my computer when I heard snuffled weeping coming from my bathroom. I opened the door to discover my at-the-time girlfriend bawling her eyes out as she finished the last few pages of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. Frowning at the sight, I had her tell me about the book. In short, a family learns their daughter has leukemia and the only way to cure it is to have another child they can harvest stem cells from. Like all great science fiction, My Sister's Keeper opens many moral and ethical questions about life and science and our place within both. I will definitely be seeing this one.
#2: Inglorious Basterds
Here is another movie that does not conform to the straight sci-fi/fantasy label. But in my opinion it belongs! Ever since Pulp Fiction was released, Quentin Tarantino has delivered movies that are hyper-realized, colorful and downright absurd at times. He is also a dialog genius and always incorporates fantastical elements into his stories. The same will be true of Inglorious Basterds. During World War II a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The trailer for this looks like a dark-comedy but Tarantino's direction undoubtedly places it within the realm of fantasy—or maybe even alternate history. I'll be seeing this one opening weekend!
#1: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
And now we come to the gorilla... errr... the Optimus Prime in the room! Who defines what it means to be a summer movie more than Michael Bay, eh? Many people didn't like the first Transformers movie because it was just big robots beating each other to a pulp, the toys of our youth lacking all personality. But I loved the movie for what it was and it looks like the naysayers last time will get the movie they've been wanting. The Autobots and Decepticons with real personality. It will be an action-packed movie and, knowing Bay, won't let up one moment. Plus I have two words for you: Megan Fox! This is the movie I am most looking forward to!
Okay. That's that. What movies are you most looking forward to this summer? We only have a few months left until the fall and winter movie season starts! Let's make the most of summer!
I'm curious to see how Harry Potter does this time around. Is it just me, or does it feel like it's been forever since the last movie? And I have heard that some liberties were taken in translating this one to the screen. That's not to say the others were slavish dictations of the books, but it'll be interesting to see the extent of the changes and if the fan base will accept them.
Also, it'll be interesting to see if the fan base is still invested enough to make this a big box office draw or a bigger DVD release. Personally, I loved the audiobook editions of the books and while the movies have been entertaining, I don't feel that attachment to them. And, like I said, it feels like it's been a while since Harry last chased a Snitch and dueled with wands.
Just my two cents there. Paid in full.
When I saw Star Trek for the second time, they had the trailer for Harry Potter--and it looks awesome! Obviously they do those things up to entice the crowd, but I can say I actually chills.
Chills.
Beyond that, I really want to see the movie "Moon" with Sam Rockwell. And I don't know if it's being released in America this summer, but "Dead Snow" is going to be a must-watch.
Shutter Island looks good too.
Firstly, WOOOO HARRY POTTER!!!! I really love the films. The first two were alright, but the more recent adaptations are my favorites. I can't wait for this next installment.
Secondly, I second dpomerico's desire to see Moon, which apparently has a limited release date of June 12 (tomorrow)!
As for that G.I. Joe movie, gah it looks terrible! Bad CG, super fake-looking fights, and... is that a super suit? Looks like the Master Chief armor. Aren't G.I. Joe characters supposed to have specialties and different talents? I don't remember the show much (other than those hilarious dubbed PSA's floating around), but growing up I had a few of the toys. This movie has a totally different feel, in a bad way.
I still have to watch the first Transfomers movie. I know, I'm way behind and it's pitiful. I'm planning on watching the first Transformers probably this weekend.