I hadn't been to the movies in a long time, a couple years at least. This summer was different. Not only was it a exciting time with all the choices that came out, but I actually went and saw a few. For those that don't know me well, I am cheap. I mean really cheap! Being a sucker for great special effects and good story telling, the options were plenty. It was refreshing to see original stuff. There is nothing worse than remakes. I mean really. What drew me in though was all the Super Hero movies that we were treated to. The industry’s stubborn attempt at indoctrinating the public with the importance of 3D was stronger than ever, and it does seem like the public is responding. I, myself, am still leery towards 98% of 3D experiences. I will admit that 3D seems to have brought Michael Bay closer to being the revolutionary visualist he has the potential of becoming, but a billion extra dimensions will never fix an inability to read tone or cut fat. So let me give you a rundown of the few that I did see and what I thought. Now mind you I do not really visit the cinema on opening weekend. That special time is reserved for Star Wars or a new Bond film.
"Cowboys and Aliens" When I first heard of this movie, I was watching Comic Con 2010. Yes I'm a sic-fi geek. I was really stoked about this. Then I saw a teaser around Christmas 2010. I was then hooked. The story was awesome. Just imagine a time in the old west where the only lights are gas, and not much at all is mechanical. Imagine the shock of aliens and their ships just popping up out of nowhere. The downer was watching Harrison Ford try to act. I think he has lost his touch. Besides that, it was a good movie.
"Captain America" What can I say. When I was a kid, I was a Captain America fan. And the movie didn't disappoint at all. It gave a great background to understanding Steve Rogers. The movie was so well done. This I think was my favorite of the summer. It was the perfect summer + popcorn flick.
"Thor" This one surprised me. I wasn't really a Thor fan when I was a kid. But because it was Marvel I couldn't resist. Kenneth Branagh really did a good job of bringing Asguard to life. The story was really well done. A good combination of story telling and action. I would have preferred someone else rather than no talent Natalie Portman to watch, but hey it is what it is.
Ok this last one I was really, really surprised about. After trying to convince myself it was going to be some sort of rip off or lame. Anyone remember Tim Burtons remake with Mark Whalberg...ugh. Yes I'm talking about
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" This was a really good movie. James Franco proved to be a good dramatic actor and action. He is a scientist whose father, played by John Lithgow, lives with him. He is in late stages of Alzheimer's. The lab that Franco works at is on the verge of coming up with a cure. The chimp they are using for testing seems to go nuts, so the powers that be decide to terminate the project and the apes. Turns put the ape, named Bright eyes, was not having a reaction to the test meds, but she was protecting her baby. Yes bright eyes was the name given to Charleton Hestons character by the apes in the 1968 film. There are other subtle Shoutouts to the original also, like some of the apes shared the same names as the apes in the '68 film. Now with the project shutdown, Franco take the baby home names him Caesar, wonderfully played by Andy Serkis, from LOTR series and King Kong. Franco keeps giving Caesar the experimental drugs and he becomes this really smart and functional ape. Things go wrong, terribly wrong. Franco's dad got out of the house, got into trouble and Caesar tries to protect him, and gets taken away and put in a animal sanctuary type place. Well he doesn't like it, still being smart start the journey of getting the other apes to rise. I will end it there.
I really hope that directors continue to keep us entertained in the future. But by the look of some of the Fall selections, I will just cherish the summer I shared with some great movies!
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