The summer movie thread

[TracyThom]

Let's see if we can keep all summer movie talk in one thread to avoid 18 different threads.

 

I saw 2 movies this past weekend.

 

1.) Shrek the Third. I can sum this up in one word: underwhelming. I enjoyed the first 2 Shreks, but I found myself bored with the Third. I think my kids liked it. It's not really a spoiler, but you don't get to see the babies until the last few minutes of the movie.

 

2.) Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End. It was above average. You really have to pay attention or you will miss out on explanations of some of the plot like what happened with the Kraken. There are a lot of double crosses in the movie, so be prepared. Also, stick around after the credits to watch a cool scene.

[ajgodson]

I have to politely disagree on Pirates:3, I thought it was pretty terrible. It was too long, too repetitive and unexciting. If you have kids they might have enjoyed it, but it was pretty bad in my opinion.

[Fatter than Joey]

We Saw Spiderman 3 -- It was OK -- kids seemed to like it, I could do with a lot less Mary Jane -- (huh, ironic I should say that). The villans were OK, but it wasn't as good as the last one IMO.

[cweber39]

I am a huge Spiderman fan and I was extremely disappointed with the 3rd movie. It reminded me of the Batman's with Val Kilmer and George Clooney where it was somewhat of a big joke. People were laughing during serious parts, the last 45 mins of the movie were fantastic.

 

I like all the Pirates movies, but nothing will ever top the first one because it was so original. Pirates 3 was good just a little too long, and if you do not want to sit 15 mins. through the credits, to see what happens, don't worry your not going to miss too much. Like someone said earlier pay attention during the movie otherwise you will miss a bunch of stuff.

 

I have not seen Sherk 3 yet, because everyone has told me it was not as good as the first 2, so I will just wait till it comes out on DVD.

[RobertR]

I'd compare POTC3 to Jim Bowden. Lots of activity, with the occasional brilliant nugget, that means very little in the long run. The middle third really does nothing except move the players in position for the climax. The last two movies were a prime example of Hollywood bloat.

 

Depp and Rush were good, the special effects were good, and I liked the climax, but no way was there enough story for 5+ hours. Heck, the major character arcs are wrapped up in 5 minutes. Wrapping up the fate of the Kraken in a bit of dialogue and a later visual was particularly lazy.

 

On a positive note, I've heard very good things about KNOCKED UP. And I have positive expectations for HARRY POTTER and STARDUST.

 

Robert

[burnzy24]

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Wrapping up the fate of the Kraken in a bit of dialogue and a later visual was particularly lazy.

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I completely agree, I was very disappointed that after playing a big role in the second movie, he was basically written off like Poochie the Dog in that one Simpsons episode. Although, I did like the little bit we got to see of Keith Richards' character in the movie.

[igor67]

Liked Spidey 3, the crux of his character really does revolve around his moral choices, and you have to like the symmetry of the plot in that regard. Some curious choices, but only minor quibbles from me.

Haven't seen Pirates I'll probably wait for video at some point.

I have to disagree with you Robert I have very low expectations for all the rest of the Harry Potter movies. After the first they got worse not because of any serious director fault, instead the books have gotten so much longer that there is too much story to cram into even a 3 hour movie and there's no really good way to cut out most of it. The passage of time gets really messed up.

 

Here's an interesting review site

www.thenutgallery.com/index2.html

[brettac1]

That Pirates movie is 5+ hours?

 

You're kidding me.

[cweber39]

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That Pirates movie is 5+ hours?

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No, no Pirates 3 is like 2 hours and 45 mins.

[Roscoe Chill]

This summer of the sequels has me yawning. No offense to anyone, but the POTC and Spiderman movies don't interest me, and almost annoy me. I am, however, looking forward to one movie this summer, and it's even a sequel...The Bourne Ultimatum, that's about it.

[brettac1]

Well, it's going to be nothing but sequels all the time in theatres because people eat them up for whatever reason. I don't think there's been a single trailer I've seen or anything that makes me want to go to the movies this summer. "Crazy Love" looks awesome, but I'm going to have to wait for the DVD.

 

But, hey, "On the Road" is coming in 2009!

[paul253]

I saw Shrek 3 and agree it was a little boring. I am really looking forward to the Bourne Ultimatum as well, and also Transformers seems like it will be ok

[Trombone482]

saw Spidey and like it. Is it as good as the first two? No, but it was also a darker movie. The next movie I am foing to see is Knocked up (hey I like comedies)

[Katuluu]

I wrote a review for Knocked Up about a month or so ago. It's underwhelming at best. As for studio fare, probably the only movie I am excited about is Stardust. But easily my most anticipated movie of the year is

[BrewCrewForever]

Not really a summer movie cause its been out for awhile, but I saw Distrubia this past Monday. It was really good. Had me paying attention the whole movie. I heard it was just okay, but I left the theater saying its one of the better movies I had seen this year.

[jwill535]

A must see...

 

www.black20.com/wheelsthemovie/

 

watch the whole trailer and tell me what you think.

 

(apologize if posted before)

[lukevan]

But, hey, "On the Road" is coming in 2009!

 

Is that going to be a film version of Jack Kerouac's book? Hadn't heard about it, but that would be awesome, love the book.

 

The last movie I watched in the theater was The Departed and nothing except Grindhouse has made me even want to go. Pirates, Shrek and Spidey I can do without.

 

The next movie I'll see in theater will be on July 27th... I'm sure most of you can guess what movie I'll be seeing.

[pogokat]

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s that going to be a film version of Jack Kerouac's book? Hadn't heard about it, but that would be awesome, love the book.

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if this is a film version of the book, i'm mortified...i have no idea how that could be made into a decent movie on any level and maintain the level of energy present in the book...

[homer]

I can't wait to see Knocked Up. I will like it just to spite you, Kat. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif (and also because 90 minutes of Katherine Heigl is worth $7.50 even if the movie sucks)

[lukevan]

if this is a film version of the book, i'm mortified...i have no idea how that could be made into a decent movie on any level and maintain the level of energy present in the book...

 

The structure doesn't set up well for a film. Whoever's making the film would obviously have to pick and choose what to focus on and maybe reorder some scenes, which could compromise the original material. I don't know how they'd make a film out of the book, but if it could be well done, I'd like to see it.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

I will like it just to spite you, Kat.

 

Words to live by.

 

Hey! Hollywood still makes movies?

 

I thought they were all done up here in Vancouver now.

[BraunsBoyfriend]

"28 Weeks Later" was pretty good. I'd recommend seeing that. It's actually fairly scary/suspensful.

[honuswagner21]

I believe the Bourne Ultimatum is coming out in August. Since I thoroughly enjoyed the Identity and Supremacy, I am very much looking forward to the final of the trilogy. Hopefully, it won't be too much of a letdown.

[brettac1]

I don't know how they'd make a film out of the book, but if it could be well done, I'd like to see it.

 

To answer the question, yes, it is a film adaptation of Kerouac. I'm looking forward to it out of curiousity more than anything.

[bjkrautk]

My biggest gripe on Pirates 3 is that it never rose above the level of the second film. (I realize that I'm in the minority, but I loved Pirates 2.)

 

From the moment Davey Jones' chest is dug up....right on through Norrington running away....is one of the most intricate and layered action sequences that I've ever seen. Relative allegiances turn on a dime, the environment is heavily integrated into the action, and the pacing refuses to let up.

 

The fighting towards the end of P3....tried to get to that level (most notably the duel above the ship's rigging, fighting over the same key from Pirates 2).

 

 

I'm also lost as to how Jack (the monkey) turned super-intelligent (setting off chain fireworks, launching itself from a cannon, etc.).

 

{Plot Spoiler ahead}

 

Finally....while I did miss the extra scene, the resolution kinda sucked: it's one thing to see someone once every ten years when that other person is immortal, but Will is living an eternity for what....eight days?!? How is that a happy ending?

 

{End Plot Spoiler}

 

 

Have also seen Spidey 3, and I liked the movie....but I loved 1 & 2. The characters were relatively well-developed (which isn't always the case when you have two villains) and motivated. The fight scene at the very beginning is the best one in the whole movie.

The end fight just felt a bit too "Rush Hour with Superheroes" for my taste.

 

I would also gripe about Sam Raimi's decision to mimic the Gwen Stacy storyline in the first movie without Gwen....only to "introduce" the character in movie # 3. Aside from being Commissioner Stacy's daughter....there's no part of that role that couldn't have been filled with one of Peter's other girlfriends from the comics (including the tragically under-used Elizabeth Banks as Betty Brant). Well....I would....but I don't think I've established enough comic book geek 'cred' as some other people in the forum have. (I'm a lapsed Marvel Zombie, FWIW.)