I doubt it's a trend or anything, but the summer film release schedule seems to have developed a new wrinkle. 20 years ago, Memorial Day was the unofficial begin to summer movie season. Tentpoles and blockbusters would sprout every week through the first week or so or August, when it all turned to crap. Over the years, the start to summer creeped earlier and earlier, from mid-May to late-April to the point where sometimes if feels like it starts in late-March.
This year, there was the usual early flurry, but there definitely seems to be a lull in blockbuster land, from last week's so-so Land of the Lost and unexpected-six-months-ago hit (yet still modest, box office-wise) The Hangover through this week and the next. Pelham? Year One? The Proposal? Does anyone care about these movies - I mean, like, really care about them?
Short story long - it feels like August in June. The 26th brings Transformers 2, and July 3rd brings both Public Enemies and Ice Age 3. Basically, though, what I think this all boils down to is that I'm sick of waiting for Harry Potter. From November to July 15th? You sonsabitches.
The Taking of Pehlam 1 2 3I like Denzel and Tony Scott just fine separately, but something about the projects that they collaborate on just does nothing for me. Yeah, I've heard that Man on Fire is pretty good, but I have a natural aversion to Dakota Fanning.
Pelham does not look to alter this conception of mine. It appears to be a humorless, explosion-filled, wannabe-suspense film. Knowing Scott, it's probably solidly made, if a tad Bay-ey, and I'm sure Denzel turns in a fine performance and I'm hoping - hoping! - that Travolta turns in a HOF-level terribly overacted one as the villain. Really, it's the only thing I can think of that would change my anticipation here from a "meh minus" to "hells yeah!"
Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 11%
MoonI haven't even watched the trailer for Moon, but each of the posters are pretty cool looking, and I find that that's always a good reason to see a movie.
Seriously, though - something like this is right up my alley (moderately sci-fi, drama, close attention paid to aesthetics, Spacey and Rockwell). Of course, I'd have said the same thing about Solaris however many years ago, and I still haven't seen that. Then again, it's supposed to be a 12-hour snooze/crying fest, so maybe that reputation has a little something to do with my avoidance of it.
Anyway, Moon sounds less boring. Quite an endorsement, eh???
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 63%
Imagine ThatIf you asked me about my interest in a movie, and the only thing you told me was that it featured Thomas Haden Church, the hilariously vulgar kid from Role Models, and Total Recall villain Ronny Cox, you'd likely get a positive response from me.
But, of course, once you told me that it was starring the 2009 model of Eddie Murphy, I'd give you a sad face and tell you to go away. The last Murphy film that I can even say that I "liked" was 1999 - Bowfinger and Life - but frankly, I can't remember much about either. I liked them so much that I've seen neither more than once. The last Murphy film that I "loved" was 21 (!!) years ago (Coming to America). To say that I'm cold on Eddie's career is an understatement.
And get the hell out of here with that title. Will there be a double-feature with Analyze That later?
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 0%
6 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (6/12/09)"
You've made a similar statement about Moon here, and again I only say that it's way better than Solaris. (Btw, that's where your Code 46 recommendation was...) If you're not convinced, just listen to the trailer for Moon. Clint Mansell's score will blow your face off. In a good way...you know.
Haha - well, I'm glad that I'm consistent, at least. :D
Don't worry, I'm interested in seeing it. The fact that I haven't seen or actively sought the trailer is a good thing, as (like you) I like to go in as cold as possible for things that sound interesting. And your recommendation of course holds weight for me.
And yeah, Mansell does some awesome work.
Hey - totally unrelated, but have you seen Sin Nombre yet? Seems like it'd be right up your alley. Judging by the fact that it's not on your "Currently in theaters" sidebar thing, it might not (gasp!) be in Minnesota yet. Anyway, I'm lazy and haven't written my review yet, but I think you'd like it.
Moon didn't come my way, so I can't check it out. Though I really liked the trailer.
Pelham 123 isn't really bad at all. I had super high hopes for it (I guess I was one of those few you mentioned who was stoked for it?). It fell just short of them, though, but I still thought it was really entertaining movie. Not Michael Bay-esque whatsoever. It's more about the relationship between Denzel and Travolta than action (there's action, but it's not *that* much).
Though I'm with you on Harry Potter. That push back was ridiculous. Release the damn thing already!
Por supuesto. Yeah, Sin Nombre came and went about a month ago. I saw it in the midst of our local film festival and never got a review up, but at the time it was up in my sidebar it held a solid "A". Pretty gritty stuff.
"I've heard that Man on Fire is pretty good".
I think you heard wrong...Ugh, what a headache inducing, chopped up, grab-whatever-filmstock-happens-to-be-laying-around mess it was. That's probably an exaggeration, but I have no memory of the actual plot of the damn thing.
"Moon" is on my list for sure, but knowing Mansell does the score has just raised it way up.
As for "Solaris", I liked it a great deal (I assume you're talking about Soderbergh's - liked Tarkovsky's as well). Slow moving for sure, but beautiful at times and well worth the trip.
Nick - Moon didn't come your way yet...not that it will later, either, though. I don't think it has sleeper indie hit written all over it.
Good to hear that Pelham isn't trash. I just remembered seeing the trailer recently and thinking "Christ, that's a lot of explosions for what should be more of a subtle thriller." Gave me bad feelings for it. Also, I'm sick of Scott leaning on the same actors. Branch out, dood.
Daniel - glad you liked Sin Nombre. I have good Getaradar for what's up your alley, I think...
Bob - I appreciate your informed take on Man on Fire. It never appealed to me, but I swear there's been more than a few folks that have praised it.
Yeah, Mansell is definitely one of the top names in scores these days. Comes up with some memorable stuff, yet doesn't overpower the movies.
I'd still like to see Solaris at some point. It's on the radar, and if it pops up on Directv somewhere, I'll record it for sure.
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