Summer Movie Preview

The Summer movie season is upon us, and I thought I’d give a preview of 10 films I’m looking forward to seeing. This Summer’s slate of films will provide no shortage for any member of the family. You have the blockbusters, (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), the comedies (Brüno, Funny People, Year One, Land of The Lost), the animated films (Up, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, 9), the indies (500 Days of Summer, Taking Woostock, The Hurt Locker) and of course what will in all likelihood be the biggest movie of the year in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

These are the 10 films I am anticipating most this summer.

10. 9

(09/09/09) Directed by: Shane Acker. Starring: (The Voices of) Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly.

9 looks like it could be a rather interesting story that works as kind of an allegorical world parallel to our own. The main characters are rag doll like creatures in a post-apocalyptic world who may be responsible for saving humanity. The film is CGI, but all of the images and trailers I’ve seen make it look very stylized and very fitting of the world the director has created.

9. Year One

(06/19/09) Directed by Harold Ramis. Starring: Jack Black and Michael Cera.

When your résumé includes Animal House, Caddyshack and Groundhog Day, you’re film deserves to be on every must-see list. Director Harold Ramis returns after nearly 5 years with this comedy that looks to be raucous buddy adventure through biblical times.

Basically, the film is set in the book of Genesis and two men Zed and Oh (Black and Cera) are traveling through these times interacting with many of the characters of that time.

Expect many, many cameos from the likes of Paul Rudd, David Cross and Bill Hader. In interviews, Black has said the film is not very much like an “Apatow film” (though, it is co-produced by Apatow), instead taking more cues from the Monty Python films of the late 70’s and 80’s. I think this is definitely the way to go for this kind of story. It allows for way more wacky antics, but also a more crisp wit that will serve the story well.

8. Taking Woodstock

(08/14/09) Directed by Ang Lee. Starring: Demitri Martin, Emile Hirsch, Eugene Levy.

Academy Award Winning Director? Check. Academy Award Winning Writer? Check.

Critically acclaimed comedian? Check. Critically acclaimed actor? Check.

Taking Woodstock may be the best bet of any film on this list to be a contender for Best Picture next March. Oscar winner Ang Lee continues his history of taking on new and challenging material with this true story of how Elliot Tiber, an aspiring interior designer, brought Woodstock to the tiny town of Bethel, NY. While that provides the backdrop for the story, the film also focuses on Tiber’s life as a closeted homosexual who has kept his eccentric life from his family.

This film has gotten a lot of early buzz, as will any film from Ang Lee. If the script is as good as the buzz, this will be “The Indie” of the year that could land a handful of Oscar noms.

7. The Soloist

(04/24/09) Directed by Joe Wright. Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx.

Originally scheduled for a November 2008 release, The Soloist was pushed back to now because of cost cutting measures from Paramount and because they felt that it was more commercially accessible in April and RDJ would be able to promote it during awards season this coming year if it is so lucky. The buzz on the film was pretty big before its release, with a lot of columnists saying RDJ could be in line for an Oscar nod (He got one anyway for Tropic Thunder).

The film tells the true story of Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), a musical prodigy who developed schizophrenia while at Julliard. He becomes homeless and years later is discovered by LA Times columnists Steve Lopez (RDJ) who trys to get his music heard.

The story sounds top notch. Director Wright helmed Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, so many female fans probably will enjoy his storytelling. Whether you liked those films or not, they were exquisitely shot. Also, Robert Downey Jr. I don’t care if he is probably the most hyped actor right now, his past roles have shown at his best, he is one of the best in the game.

6. Brüno

(07/10/09) Directed by Larry Charles. Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen.

Anyone who has seen Borat, doesn’t need to be told why this needs to be seen. To paraphrase my friend Dan, once you get past the annoying popularity Borat found from boys 12-25, it was a truly remarkable achievement. If Cohen can still pull off the kind of satire and jokes on oblivious people, which apparently he has, then this should be every bit as good as its predecessor.

5. Public Enemies

(07/01/09) Directed by Michael Mann. Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup.

Michael Mann + Johnny Depp + Christian Bale + Marion Cotillard = I’m in.

Public Enemies is set in Depression Era Chicago and tells the story of the birth of the FBI and its attempt to stop and catch the infamous bank robber John Dillenger (Depp).

The story sounds ripe for a classic Mann film and add in the acting chops of the aforementioned actors and you should get a highly stylized, yet gritty look at the life of one of the most famous criminals in history.

We won’t know until it is seen by many more people, but if this film capitalizes on all it has going for it and Mann delivers a film anywhere near the likes of Heat and Collateral, we could be looking at a player come Oscar time.

4. Star Trek

(05/08/09) Directed by J.J. Abrams. Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana.

There is no film that has fanboys mouths watering more than Star Trek. Directed by Lost creator J.J. Abrams, ST looks like it could break out and give Harry Potter a run for its money as box-office champ.

If you don’t know much about Star Trek, which I do not, it seems like it won’t be a problem. Abrams promised to make a film that will appeal to Trekkies everywhere but also be a great movie for the average moviegoer.

The casting decisions look fantastic and looks perfectly set up for a young spin on this well-known universe. Plus, Abrams isn’t given enough credit as a director. Mission Impossible III is much better than people think and is easily the best of the series (not saying a whole lot there, but still).

You won’t wanna miss out on this one.

3. Up

(05/29/09) Directed by Pete Docter. Starring: (The Voice of) Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger and Jordan Nagai.

I don’t wanna mess this one up, for fear of what Lucc will say.

Anytime Pixar makes a film, you sit up and take notice. They have yet to make a film I didn’t enjoy, save for the slightly underwhelming A Bug’s Life. Monster’s Inc. director Pete Docter makes his return with this story of a retired balloon salesman who fulfills his late wife’s wish of going to South America…just not by ordinary means.

Up seems like it may be the most emotional of the Pixar set, and maybe only Wall-E being of more adult content, but not without the usual fun and joy that all of their films include. If they give us classic Pixar, this is going to be on many Top 10 lists by the end of the year, and could be a very special film.

2. 500 Days of Summer

(07/17/09) Directed by Marc Webb. Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.

Just watch the trailer and you can see why this film would appeal to any boy like me. 500 Days of Summer tells the story of a ill-fated relationship between a hopeless romantic Tom (Gordon-Levitt), and a non believer Summer (Deschanel).

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has proved his acting chops in recent pictures Brick, The Lookout and Stop-Loss. This year he may find himself a breakout star with 500 Days of Summer and what may be the definition of “Popcorn Flick” in G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra.

Add to that some girl named Zooey Deschanel in a role that fits every indie hipster’s dream and you understand why I’m very excited for this Non-Romantic Dramedy.

1. Funny People

(07/31/09) Directed by Judd Apatow. Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana and Jason Schwartzman.

I don’t have to give the Apatow history lesson so I won’t really go into it. Though many films are slammed with the “Apatow” tag, the helmer has only written and directed 2 films, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Both of those films have more of an emotional depth than the rest of the pack, without giving up any of the humor that his films are known for.

Funny People looks to be another film in that vein. The film tells the story of George Simmons (Adam Sandler),a very successful comedian who learns that he is terminally-ill. He discovers Ira Wright (Seth Rogen), a struggling stand-up comedian, and hires him to be his personal assistant. George helps Ira and on his act and Ira tries to help him deal with his illness. However, George learns that his disease may have gone into remission and an old flame (Leslie Mann) reenters his life, he is inspired to reevaluate his life and the people he wants in it.

Apatow has said that the film is much more of a drama then his previous work and people who have read the script say it is easily the best one by Apatow, and that is saying something.

Add to that a cast that is perfectly placed in their roles from Rogen to Mann, and Adam Sandler will be given the chance to show the kind of acting ability he displayed in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love.

If the film is as good as its buzz, then Apatow may have his first Oscar-nomination on his hands.

Well thats it, if 7/10 films on this list are as good as I hope I will be very happy. Now, I want you to tell me what you are looking forward to, I’m always looking to find great new films, writers, or stars.