With Labor Day come & gone, so has the summer movie season. While I didn't get to see all the movies I wanted to, I got out to quite a few. And overall, I would have to say, that this was one of the better summers. Lots of good times were had, & only once did I really feel like my money had been wasted. Here's my list, from best to worst, of my 2008 summer movie going experience.
(1) The Dark Knight
I've already gushed all over this one in a previous post. So there's no need to do it again. I'll just say, this was my favorite movie of the summer. But honestly, not by all that much.
(2) Iron Man
This was a close second. But it was first in the most fun I had at a movie this summer. All the actors were on point, & gave themselves over to their characters.
(3) Wall-E
I don't know how Pixar keeps doing it, but I hope they do it forever. Great story. Beautiful visuals. Just an all around great movie.
(4) The Incredible Hulk
You can count me among the very few that actually liked the first Hulk movie. But this one delivered what the first one only teased you with. The Hulk causing mass amounts of havoc. Hulk smash!!
(5) Get Smart
I'm a big fan of the original series. So I went into this movie with a lot of skepticism. But, they really pulled it off. Alan Arkin is genius as The Chief. And Steve Carrell's take on Maxwell Smart payed homage to the old, while bringing him into the 21st century. I just wish Don Adams had been alive to make a cameo. That probably would have knocked this up another notch.
(6) Step Brothers
This movie made me laugh more that it had a right to. You could call me a fan of Will Ferrell, but I don't think he's a comic genius. But, teaming him with John C. Reilly is nothing short of that. These two have great chemistry & you can't wait to see what they're are gonna do next.
(7) Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
Love Hellboy. Loved the first movie. Really liked this one. But it was lacking something that made the first one a home run. The warmth of the relationship between Father & Hellboy. You get a small taste of it at the beginning. And they try to substitute the relationship between him & Liz Sherman for that. But, it's just not the same.
(8) Kung Fu Panda
Just a good kids movie. Unlike the Pixar movies, there's really nothing in it for the "adult" audience. But man-childs like myself just smiled the whole waqy through.
(9) Tropic Thunder
Another movie I didn't have high hopes for. But, again came out surpirsingly very entertained. Tom Cruise steals this movie by the halfway mark. He needs to do more stuff like this, that takes him completely out of himself.
(10) Wanted
Over the top violence & ridiculous physics. That to me always spells good times to me. This summers answer to Crank & Shoot 'Em Up.
(11) Death Race
The first of the movies that somewhat dissappointed me. This is a violent movie. unfortunately, all the aforementioned violence gets taken out on the cars. And after awhile, you get tired of watching bullets go into a 6" thick piece of steel. The gore that was present, was great. Just really could have used a bit more of it.
(12) Indiana Jones and the Kindom of the Crystal Skull
I think my friend Lisa summed it up pretty well, when she said this was great homage film to the Indiana Jones franchise. Way too much CGI, not enough practical stunts. George Lucas needs to learn that technology does not make everything better.
(13) The X-Files: I Want To Believe
And I wanted a better movie. This really just plays like a extra long X-Files episode. While I'll agree when people say that you don't need to know the charaters history to enjoy the film. It certainly helps though.
(14) Sex and the City
Not something I was really itching to see. But, it was a must-see on Liz's list. I'll admit, I've probably seen most of the episodes of the TV series. And I think that it was often entertaining. But, this is a movie for it's hardcore fans. Aka, women. Leave your penis at home for this one.
(15) Speed Racer
Truly the only movie on my list that I regretted giving money over to see. A complete disaster of a movie. This movie has no idea who it's trying to target. The bright colors & pooh flinging jokes aim right at the kids. But the 15 minute monolouge on how the stock market & business of auto racing effects how Speed should be racing, targets... no one I can think of. Swing & a miss.
Movies I Wish I Hadn't Missed
Hancock
Journey To The Center of the Earth
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Pineapple Express
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Hamlet 2
Traitor
Movies I'm Glad I Did Miss
(Even though I may still some on DVD, becuase I just can't help myself)
What Happens In Vegas
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
You Don't Mess With The Zohan
The Happening
The Love Guru
Meet Dave
Mamma Mia!
Swing Vote
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Fly Me To The Moon 3D
Disaster Movie
College
(2) Iron Man
This was a close second. But it was first in the most fun I had at a movie this summer. All the actors were on point, & gave themselves over to their characters.
(3) Wall-E
I don't know how Pixar keeps doing it, but I hope they do it forever. Great story. Beautiful visuals. Just an all around great movie.
(4) The Incredible Hulk
You can count me among the very few that actually liked the first Hulk movie. But this one delivered what the first one only teased you with. The Hulk causing mass amounts of havoc. Hulk smash!!
(5) Get Smart
I'm a big fan of the original series. So I went into this movie with a lot of skepticism. But, they really pulled it off. Alan Arkin is genius as The Chief. And Steve Carrell's take on Maxwell Smart payed homage to the old, while bringing him into the 21st century. I just wish Don Adams had been alive to make a cameo. That probably would have knocked this up another notch.
(6) Step Brothers
This movie made me laugh more that it had a right to. You could call me a fan of Will Ferrell, but I don't think he's a comic genius. But, teaming him with John C. Reilly is nothing short of that. These two have great chemistry & you can't wait to see what they're are gonna do next.
(7) Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
Love Hellboy. Loved the first movie. Really liked this one. But it was lacking something that made the first one a home run. The warmth of the relationship between Father & Hellboy. You get a small taste of it at the beginning. And they try to substitute the relationship between him & Liz Sherman for that. But, it's just not the same.
(8) Kung Fu Panda
Just a good kids movie. Unlike the Pixar movies, there's really nothing in it for the "adult" audience. But man-childs like myself just smiled the whole waqy through.
(9) Tropic Thunder
Another movie I didn't have high hopes for. But, again came out surpirsingly very entertained. Tom Cruise steals this movie by the halfway mark. He needs to do more stuff like this, that takes him completely out of himself.
(10) Wanted
Over the top violence & ridiculous physics. That to me always spells good times to me. This summers answer to Crank & Shoot 'Em Up.
(11) Death Race
The first of the movies that somewhat dissappointed me. This is a violent movie. unfortunately, all the aforementioned violence gets taken out on the cars. And after awhile, you get tired of watching bullets go into a 6" thick piece of steel. The gore that was present, was great. Just really could have used a bit more of it.
(12) Indiana Jones and the Kindom of the Crystal Skull
I think my friend Lisa summed it up pretty well, when she said this was great homage film to the Indiana Jones franchise. Way too much CGI, not enough practical stunts. George Lucas needs to learn that technology does not make everything better.
(13) The X-Files: I Want To Believe
And I wanted a better movie. This really just plays like a extra long X-Files episode. While I'll agree when people say that you don't need to know the charaters history to enjoy the film. It certainly helps though.
(14) Sex and the City
Not something I was really itching to see. But, it was a must-see on Liz's list. I'll admit, I've probably seen most of the episodes of the TV series. And I think that it was often entertaining. But, this is a movie for it's hardcore fans. Aka, women. Leave your penis at home for this one.
(15) Speed Racer
Truly the only movie on my list that I regretted giving money over to see. A complete disaster of a movie. This movie has no idea who it's trying to target. The bright colors & pooh flinging jokes aim right at the kids. But the 15 minute monolouge on how the stock market & business of auto racing effects how Speed should be racing, targets... no one I can think of. Swing & a miss.
Movies I Wish I Hadn't Missed
Hancock
Journey To The Center of the Earth
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Pineapple Express
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Hamlet 2
Traitor
Movies I'm Glad I Did Miss
(Even though I may still some on DVD, becuase I just can't help myself)
What Happens In Vegas
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
You Don't Mess With The Zohan
The Happening
The Love Guru
Meet Dave
Mamma Mia!
Swing Vote
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Fly Me To The Moon 3D
Disaster Movie
College
