It’s tempting to look at the Summer 2011 movie season and say, “that’s a wrap.”
After “Cowboys and Aliens” lassoes a few thousand theaters this weekend the biggest summer guns will already have fired.
But August promises an array of movies which could rival the best of what we’ve already seen. In fact, this August might be as good, if not better, than the previous May, June or July. At least we won’t have to suffer through “Green Lantern” again.
- “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” – Prequels drive me to distraction, but as “X-Men: First Class” proved they can be handled with the proper balance of reverence and originality. James Franco leads a battalion of digital apes in the story behind the story. I’ll still miss Roddy McDowall no matter how good it might be.
- “Our Idiot Brother” – Paul Rudd. Elizabeth Banks. Zooey Deschanel. Emily Mortimer. My nonsexual male crush plus three actresses I adore. Yes, I’m already hooked.
- “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” – One of my childhood horror faves is being reborn, and Guillermo del Toro is overseeing it all. I still get chills when I hear those otherworldly voices calling out for … Sally … we want you … Sally!
- “Fright Night” – My enthusiasm for this unnecessary remake continues to climb. Why? Colin Farrell should make a nasty, albeit charismatic vampire, and the whole Bat Next Door concept remains a good one.
- “The Change Up” – Another body switch comedy? Is this “Vice Versa: The Next Generation?” Just wait. Jason Bateman plays a family man who switches bodies with his playboy bud (Ryan Reynolds). Great casting, and the trailer hints at something more than just a one-note yukfest.
(Photo: Academy Award-winning visual effects house WETA Digital, has created a CG character – Caesar – for “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Twentieth Century Fox)
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m interested in seeing The Devil’s Double and Drive – will you be reviewing these movies?
I will pass on the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, not too impressed with apes who can magically gain super intelligence in a short time. It has too many plot holes.
I am going to see Fright Night since I was a fan of the original.
Cowboys and Aliens is tomorrow.
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” is a remake? I did not know that.
Apes sounds like “Deep Blue Sea”.