Summertime Movies
May. 2nd, 2008 08:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jackofallgeeksSo, I'm not usually a big fan of summer movies -- they tend to be
lower-quality, I think, than autumn movies because what else are you
going to do with the free time summer brings? -- but I'm actually
interesting seeing most of These
Movies.
The Hulk 2 is right out; the only reason I didn't walk out of the
first one was that my friend Olivia was loving it, and that says something
because I really don't walk out on movies. Hulk 2 could be a
better movie than Hulk 1 (it certainly can't be worse, can it?), but I don't
see any indication that it will be.
I'm lukewarm on Iron Man, mostly because I don't know a lot about
what's in the movie: who the villain is, what's the conflict, that sort of
thing. The same sort of thing goes for Speed Racer, too; but Speed
has a Monkey, so he's a leg up on Iron Man. (I also expect both of those to
be borderline action-comedies and, believe it or not, comedies have a low
batting average with me.)
I expect very little from the new Indiana Jones movie, mostly because
I've been consistently disappointed in Harrison Ford's acting since, what,
1990? This movie gets higher marks than the others, though, because --
well, because it's Indiana Jones. I was (am) a huge fan of the
earlier movies (and even enjoyed some of that TV show, the young adventures
or whatever), and that's a lot of momentum to overcome.
I probably shouldn't like Hellboy 2, but I do. At least in theory.
I saw Hellboy 1 about a month ago at one of Chris's movie nights (after
intending to never see it, because it looked dumb) and rather enjoyed it.
It wasn't great, but it was interesting, and the semi-dry,
almost-clever comedy didn't grate on me. I had a mostly-positive experience
with the first one (though, maybe mostly due to Miss Jayna), so I'd be
interested in seeing the second.
I am shocked that they're doing another X-Files movie; I thought the
franchise was dead. I was never able to get into the series when it was on
TV, though I'd LOVE to make up for that with DVD sets (if they weren't so
crazy-expensive). I don't remember the first movie, but I don't-remember it
with tinges of positive emotions, so I must've liked it; the mid-90s were a
long time ago for me. I want to see it, even if only for Gillian Anderson.
I anticipate nothing more than The Dark Knight. I'm a lifelong fan
of Batman, even suffering through Ahrnold as Mr. Freeze (worst casting
ever), and Batman Begins is one of my favorite (non-philosophical) movies in
the last decade. The Joker, as I've known him, is half of what makes Batman
so great. The only thing that gets me down is knowing that Heath Ledger has
died, one part disappointment that there will never be this Joker
again, and one part disappointment because I always felt Ledger had real
potential. I'm very critical of what I think makes a "good" actor, but I
think Ledger had it.
So, there it is. As a note, definitely let me know if you want to go to any
of these (even Hulk 2; I need to get out that badly). I like going
to see movies, but I loathe going to the theater by myself.
lower-quality, I think, than autumn movies because what else are you
going to do with the free time summer brings? -- but I'm actually
interesting seeing most of These
Movies.
The Hulk 2 is right out; the only reason I didn't walk out of the
first one was that my friend Olivia was loving it, and that says something
because I really don't walk out on movies. Hulk 2 could be a
better movie than Hulk 1 (it certainly can't be worse, can it?), but I don't
see any indication that it will be.
I'm lukewarm on Iron Man, mostly because I don't know a lot about
what's in the movie: who the villain is, what's the conflict, that sort of
thing. The same sort of thing goes for Speed Racer, too; but Speed
has a Monkey, so he's a leg up on Iron Man. (I also expect both of those to
be borderline action-comedies and, believe it or not, comedies have a low
batting average with me.)
I expect very little from the new Indiana Jones movie, mostly because
I've been consistently disappointed in Harrison Ford's acting since, what,
1990? This movie gets higher marks than the others, though, because --
well, because it's Indiana Jones. I was (am) a huge fan of the
earlier movies (and even enjoyed some of that TV show, the young adventures
or whatever), and that's a lot of momentum to overcome.
I probably shouldn't like Hellboy 2, but I do. At least in theory.
I saw Hellboy 1 about a month ago at one of Chris's movie nights (after
intending to never see it, because it looked dumb) and rather enjoyed it.
It wasn't great, but it was interesting, and the semi-dry,
almost-clever comedy didn't grate on me. I had a mostly-positive experience
with the first one (though, maybe mostly due to Miss Jayna), so I'd be
interested in seeing the second.
I am shocked that they're doing another X-Files movie; I thought the
franchise was dead. I was never able to get into the series when it was on
TV, though I'd LOVE to make up for that with DVD sets (if they weren't so
crazy-expensive). I don't remember the first movie, but I don't-remember it
with tinges of positive emotions, so I must've liked it; the mid-90s were a
long time ago for me. I want to see it, even if only for Gillian Anderson.
I anticipate nothing more than The Dark Knight. I'm a lifelong fan
of Batman, even suffering through Ahrnold as Mr. Freeze (worst casting
ever), and Batman Begins is one of my favorite (non-philosophical) movies in
the last decade. The Joker, as I've known him, is half of what makes Batman
so great. The only thing that gets me down is knowing that Heath Ledger has
died, one part disappointment that there will never be this Joker
again, and one part disappointment because I always felt Ledger had real
potential. I'm very critical of what I think makes a "good" actor, but I
think Ledger had it.
So, there it is. As a note, definitely let me know if you want to go to any
of these (even Hulk 2; I need to get out that badly). I like going
to see movies, but I loathe going to the theater by myself.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 02:10 pm (UTC)I actually really want to see Iron Man. Admittedly, I don't know the character well, as I've only read about him in a few comics - but I love Robert Downey, Jr. He's magical. Also, I have heard and read nothing but solid, good reviews of the film. I think it'll be impressive.
I have to see the new Indy flick for the same reasons you do (plus the fact that Indiana Jones was the very first man I ever understood to be "attractive"; he taught me the concept), but I don't want to. I hate that Shia kid. I hate that The Last Crusade was not, in fact, the last (because that film is solid gold, start to finish). But I have to see it.
I like the Hellboy comics, so the movie made me both happy and very sad. The girl belongs with Abe. But whatever. They did a good job on the first film. I'll definitely see the second one - if not in theatres, then on DVD.
I'm gonna see the X-Files movie too. Even though I quit watching the show during the season that aired right after the first film, I still want to see the new movie.
I can't wait for The Dark Knight. ::dances::
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 02:22 pm (UTC)From what I understand, Hulk 2 is an attempt to do the Hulk right. As in, forget everything that happened in the first movie, and have Hulk smash. I'll wait fro people more dedicated before I go to see it.
As for Iron Man, I'm interested, and it's a good excuse for something to do here as we finish exams and see the graduating people off. So I'm thinking I'll be seeing it on Monday evening. As a side note, my SG friends seem to have really liked it. On one hand, we are talking about a bunch of (casual) comic-obsessed geeks, but, then again, they got me to get you interested in Firefly, which in turn got you to get me interested in Firefly.
As far as story is concerned, I'm fairly certain it's pretty similar to his original origin story. And Hey! Robots!
Concerning Speed Racer, I'm optimistic. As Leslie pointed out, it's by the Wachowski brothers, and, say what you will about them, I don't think they're the action comedy type. I'm fairly hopeful it will be played straight. And the actual story behind Speed Racer, if you get beyond the cheese oft he original cartoon, is actually a pretty awesome concept. And I just fell in love with what they did colorwise.
Indiana Jones is, well, Indiana Jones. It will be a successful movie regardless of quality, because everyone will want to see it. I'd suggest, because you ARE going to see it, you walk in hoping for nothing more than a cash-in on a retired franchise. Then, if it happens to actually have quality, it will catch you by so much surprise that you'll consider the movie much better than it actually was. :p
I don't know what to think about Hellboy 2, mainly because I have yet to see, or even desire to see, Hellboy 1. I have no doubt it's a good movie, faithful to the original comics and such. I'm not married to the comics, though, and it's only a passing curiosity. If I decide on a whim to watch the first and like it, I may be more interested in the second.
X-Files looks like it might be interesting, but I'm skeptical that there's much good they can do moviewise as compared to just making new episodes. If I understand, the real triumph of the first movie was as a crowning achievement built on the backs of the episodes. With no (fresh) episodic foundation, I wonder what this new movie will have to offer more than an interesting diversion.
Finally, The Dark Knight? Pfft. No one cares about that. You take a practical nobody like this "Batman" guy, and expect him to sell movies? And the director? Christopher Nolan couldn't possibly compare to Joel Schumacher. And for the main character? Christian Bale? From Newsies? Couldn't they have gotten Val Kilmer or George Clooney instead? Has the comic book -> movie industry become THAT desperate?
(That last bit was dripping sarcasm, if you couldn't tell.)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-02 06:32 pm (UTC)If you kinda sorta liked Hellboy, I would suggest reading the comics. Mike Mignola is amazing (he's the only cool part of that animated Atlantis movie, seriously) and the story is just. Ah! Well, I think you might go for it.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-03 02:59 am (UTC)I'll also be greatly disappointed if I don't start spending more time with you. Currently the problem is I'm never free before 7 and you're an hour away, but hopefully when I'm unemployed and living in that dull wasteland of a state you call home it will no longer be a problem.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-01 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-01 05:05 pm (UTC)And my understanding now is that this Hulk movie is more "Hulk: Whoops!" Seeing some of the previews, though, I'm still not sure what I think... I MIGHT go see "Hulk: the Apology," but I'll probably wait to see what friends say about it, first.