I promise that I'm not jumping the "end of the summer" train on a whim. However, in the coming weeks my free time will be a rare and valuable commodity, so I won't have much blogging time. In addition, if I share with you the best movies of the summer now, perhaps you can go see some of them while they're still in theaters, especially considering that many of them are now playing in less expensive, 2nd-run theaters.
Overall, this summer movie season didn't pan out the way I thought it would. Sure, I was expecting to love "Harry Potter", but there's no way in a million years I would've thought I'd like a "Planet of the Apes" movie more than the latest Pixar offering. Nor did I expect to be sorta bored by Captain Jack Sparrow. I doubt I could have predicted that I'd fall in love with Woddy Allen's latest or that a film about maids in Mississippi would evoke a far stronger emotional response than seeing Chicago destroyed by Decepticons. Actually, maybe I could've predicted that one.
The plus side was that I didn't see any awful movies. There were no films that looked entertaining that weren't, at least on a base level. However, there weren't a lot of GREAT films either. That's why I want to share with you my top ten list and some of my other favorite things about the summer movie season, so you can go see some movies that you might have missed that were truly worth the price of admission. So here's my top ten:
10. "Cowboys and Aliens" - Directed by Jon Favreau ("Iron Man, "Elf") this movie is far more cowboy than alien and it's all the better for it. It sort of feels like they were filming "True Grit" and got interrupted by the production of "Independence Day 2" and while that combination may not seem to have much dramatic weight (especially given the jokey title), it's handled in a way that makes absolute sense. The cowboys (including the terrific Daniel Craig and the newly re-energized Harrison Ford) don't see this invaders as "aliens". They are referred to as "Demons", which is a monster that fits in their world view. Seeing these characters set aside differences and devise solutions that are grounded in their reality is really quite fun and the cast sells it with absolute conviction.
9. "Thor" - I know that this movie has some detractors, but I am not one of them. This movie feels like a big budget action movie conceived by Shakespeare, with all of the pathos and intrigue one would expect from such a project. On top of that, it introduces the world to a new leading man in Chris Hemsworth, whose previous biggest roll was that of Kirk's pappa in the recent "Star Trek" reboot. While some people (and this includes every woman I've talked to that have seen this movie) find the movie particularly compelling whenever he takes off his shirt, the fact is that he's got talent behind the looks and every moment he's on screen is energized. Granted, the Earth scenes which focus on his developing relationship with a astro-physicist (played by Natalie Portman) aren't as well centered and developed as the scenes on his home planet of Asgard, they're still entertaining and give the main character his story arc. This is the perfect movie for Kenneth Brannagh, best known for his Shakespeare adaptations, to jump into the world of big-budget blockbusters. I only wish he were helming the sequel, because I'd love to see him play in this world a little longer.
8. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - It's not over-stating to say that this movie is to this franchise what "Batman Begins", "Star Trek" (2009) and "Casino Royale" were to theirs. It replaces the cliches with heart and the bulky ape suits with cutting-edge f/x and while the central protagonist may be James Franco's character, the central performance is unquestionably that of Andy Serkis as the highly developed chimp named Caesar. Serkis may have delivered this performance by way of motion capture animation, the same way he brought to life Gollum in "Lord of the Rings" and King Kong in the 2005 remake, but regardless of the special effects, it's clear that this performance is his. He gives this movie it's soul and it's edge. His performance also gives the movie it's dramatic balance. It shifts tones from medical drama to apocalyptic war movie subtly through every shift of the head and every turn of his gaze.
7. "Kung Fu Panda 2" - Are Pixar and DreamWorks trading places? No, I don't think so, but based on their output this summer, an argument could be made. While "Cars 2" was overly-dependent on pop culture references and car-related puns, "Kung Fu Panda 2" continued to get it's humor from characterizations and it's heart from genuine emotion. This film was beautiful to look at (the villain, an evil peacock, moves with a fierce grace that reminds one of the best parts of films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero") and a delight to behold. Family entertainment in the truest sense of the term, equally fantastic for kids and adults alike.
6. "Captain America: The First Avenger" - I sort of wish they had left the subtitle off this one, because it gives the false impression that this movie only exists to set up next year's "Avengers" blow-out. The truth is that "Captain America" is a smart, fun and nostalgic blockbuster that is simultaneously self-aware and sincere. Well aware that the original "Captain America" comic books were thinly-veiled American propaganda designed to inspire patriotism during WWII (after all, the cover of the first issue was a picture of Caps knocking Hitler to the ground with one punch, an image that is spoofed in the film). The movie acknowledges the propaganda of the image in a hilarious sequence detailing Captain America's USO tour, but it moves beyond the surface to show the genuine patriotism that stirs in the heart of the Captain, (a.k.a. Steve Rogers, played with perfect sincerity by Chris Evans). Plus, this movie gives us the first superhero romance in many years that we actually care about, largely because of the spirited performance of Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and the genuine chemistry the two share. A wonderful throw back to movies the way they used to make them and a great way to beat the summer heat.
5. "Super 8" - The term "b movie" originated in the late 1920's and refers to a low-budget film that is the "lesser" film in a double feature. The b-movie was the warm-up act, the a-movie was the main event. Usually b-movies were sci-fi or horror films that weren't meant to be taken very seriously. However, in the 1970's Steven Spielberg made a name for himself (not to mention a large fortune) by taking b-movie plots and infusing them with a-movie writing, acting and production values. With films like "Jaws", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" he showed that fun movies could be really GOOD movies as well and thus inspired a generation of filmmakers. J.J. Abrams was one of those filmmakers and Spielberg's influence on his style is clear in his t.v. work ("Alias", "Lost") as well as in his films ("Mission:Impossible III", "Star Trek" 2009). "Super 8" is Abrams big, gooey love-letter to those late 70's-early 80's era films and it's splendidly done. It helps that Spielberg was the executive producer, but this movie truly feels like time machine back to that era of film. The everyman in extraordinary circumstances who is forced to deal with his own personal issues as he battles the big, scary thing, whatever that may be. It's still an engaging and inspiring formula and this movie does it very well.
4. "X-Men: First Class" - Can somebody please explain to me how a movie this fun, this well written, this exquisitely acted can flounder at the box-office while "Transformers 3" effortlessly earns over a billion dollars worldwide? For my money, this is the best of the X-Men films, as it's the first to delve into the emotional background of ALL of the characters, which makes the cool action sequences mean more than a great display of digital magic. This is the story I want to see continued. Placing these characters on the background of the cold war is absolutely brilliant, making the motivations of both sides of the mutant issue more raw and volatile. Plus, if you need more convincing, this movie has one of the absolute best performances of the summer in Michael Fassbender's portrayal of Magneto, a man who is kind by nature, but brutal by circumstance.
3. "The Help" - I really didn't expect to love this movie as much as I did. I was expecting something along the lines of "Fried Green Tomatoes" and, while this movie does evoke that combustible, sweaty, Southern spirit, it is first and foremost a film about humanity. Every character, from the saintly to the vile, is shown with genuine human strengths and weaknesses. Characters that seem to be stereotypical are revealed to be far more than their surface shows. I know it's a cliche, but this movie made me laugh and cry. Plus, it has the best acting ensemble of the summer, with each performance pitch perfect. Loved it.
2. "Midnight in Paris" - Again, I haven't been the biggest fan of Woody Allen. Once in a while, I'll see one of his movies that just seems to spark, but often they come across as whiny and self-indulgent. Fortunately, this one sparks brightly. This is a tribute to the inspirational power of art and the transformative power of conversation in the guise of a light comedy. The plot is sort of a bubbly take on "Somewhere in Time", with the protagonist (winningly played by Owen Wilson) inexplicably shifting from present day Paris to Paris in the 20's every night and getting to meet his artistic heroes, such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein, only to learn that great art has lest to do with when it was created, but how and why it was created. A really wonderful film.
1. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2" - I freely admit that I am a fan of this series, both in book and movie form, but even if I weren't, this movie truly is a fantastic film. Smart, creative, enthralling and soundly rooted in emotional characterization, it is, quite simply, the movie of the summer. However, be forewarned, it does assume you've seen EVERY other Harry Potter movie, so if you're one of the 7 or 8 people who haven't seen it yet, brush up on your Potter-lore before you dive in.
There were some other movies that I really did enjoy this summer, including the charming "Winnie the Pooh" and the darkly amusing "Crazy, Stupid, Love", but these are my favorites. Below are some of my other thoughts about the season....
Biggest disappointment: "Cars 2" - Not horrible, but we expect better from the best studio in Hollywood. Runner-Up - "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"
Best Performances: Andy Serkis, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
Michael Fassbender, "X-Men: First Class"
The entire cast of "The Help"
Corey Stoll as Hemingway, "Midnight in Paris" (the perfect
combination of war-hardened wisdom
and swagger)
Emma Watson, "HP7, PT. 2" (largely based on her performance in my
favorite scene of the summer. See below)
Chris Hemsworth, "Thor"
Elle Fanning, "Super 8"
Favorite movie moments of the summer: (SPOILER WARNING! In order to share scenes, I have to reveal plot points. If you haven't seen these movies, go ahead and stop reading now unless you want plot points spoiled.)
"I'll go with you" - Harry Potter
For those of you who have seen the movie, you know that Harry finds out he must make the ultimate sacrifice in order to defeat Voldemort. Throughout the film, watch Hermione whenever he mentions the Horcruxes. She clearly suspects that Harry is a Horcrux himself and when he reveals that he knows this and that he must be killed to defeat his enemy, her response isn't pity or denial. She simply says, through streaming tears, "I'll go with you". This willingness to give her life, merely to keep her best friend from being alone at the end of his is the ultimate testimony to the nobility of this character, one of the strongest female characters ever committed to screen.
Anything with Neville or McGonagall - Harry Potter
This movie has far too many great moments to pin-point them all, but anytime Neville or McGonagall showed up was cause for celebration. In particular, Neville's speech and McGonagall's battle with Snape...and her sending the Slytherin's to the dungeon....and her "I've always wanted to use that spell" line...and....well, like I said, anything with Neville or McGonagall!
"Ying/Yang" - Kung Fu Panda 2
There is a section in this film, towards the end, that is pure visual poetry. Throughout the film, Po is trying to find inner peace, but finding it very difficult, especially as the truth about his origins begins to surface. However, after understanding and acceptance of his past, he finds his peace, only to be fired on by a fleet of ships armed with cannons. However, as the cannonballs come toward him, he uses his own motion and physicality to re-direct the cannonballs back to their target. At one point, the cannonball spins him around as he attempts to re-direct, giving the visual illusion of turning him literally into the ying/yang symbol. Yes, it's a cartoon and the physics of the situation are ludicrous, but it's visually stunning and a good example of the layered story-telling going on here.
"The Satellite Dish" - X-Men: First Class
If you want to know why I'm so taken by Michael Fassbender's performance in this movie, just watch this scene. As Magneto is trying to maximize his powers, he realizes that he's only used anger as the motivating emotion to release them before. In a particularly heart-breaking scene, Xavier (James McAvoy) accesses his memories to show him a tender moment from his childhood involving his late mother (whose separation and brutal murder caused his powers to surface in the first place). The look on Fassbender's face as he relives this scene and as he discovers the level of power he has when he accesses his empathetic emotional side is pure cinema magic.
"Letting Go" - Super 8
Much of the emotional thrust of "Super 8" deals with another main character losing his beloved mother, this time in a pretty horrific accident. The child (played terrifically by newcommer Joel Courtney) has one personal momento of his mother, a locket with a picture of his mother holding him as a baby. In the final scene of the film, there is a huge magnetic field that causes all metal objects to fly into the town's water tower. Amid the big-budget mayhem, the boy's locket slips from his pocket and he grabs it. The locket opens giving him a last look at his mother as he tearfully let's it go. Yes, it's sentimental and emotionally manipulative, but it's handled with grace and sincerity and it's a powerful moment.
So, there you go. I'll keep trying to blog when I can throughout the year and I'll definitely see you next year as we get "The Avengers", "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Brave" or, as I like to call it, Pixar's (hopeful) return to greatness!
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