Summer 2008 Blockbuster Season
I don’t know about you, but it sure looks to me as if 2008 is shaping up to be one amazing season for moviegoers! Here’s my short list of must-see films:
Iron Man
‘Nuff said. 
Son of Rambow
This movie reminds me of my childhood: days spent in the backyard with the video camera, my brothers and I making our own action/adventure blockbusters. We never got this creative with the special effects, though.
Speed Racer
When I saw the first trailer it was so much eye-candy, my optic nerves wanted to puke. That reflex has settled down now, and I actually think I’ll be able to enjoy the thing.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Finally! Last year I read Prince Caspian to Katie in anticipation of this film… and then it was delayed. Hmm… I wonder if we ought to re-read it now?
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The boys (Lucas, Spielberg and Ford) said way back when that they’re only making this movie because they’re rich, old men and they thought it would be fun. That could mean that it’ll be really good, or really bad. Like, worse than Temple of Doom bad. :shudder:
The Incredible Hulk
Hooray! We finally have a Hulk film that doesn’t look like a box-office bomb stink like Banner’s pits! (Don’t let the door hit you on the backside as you leave, Mr. Ang Lee. Thank you.)
The Happening
“In a world where all of humanity is mysteriously dying off, one man will survive… Marky Mark.” Yes, Shyamalan truly understands the horror genre.
Get Smart
Let’s face it: Steve Carell has played “Michael Scott as ___” in every single theatrical role he’s had to date. Let’s face it: that’s why he’s so hilarious.
Wanted
The good: it’s just like The Matrix, but less sci-fi and more wild west gunslinging. The bad: it’s just like The Matrix, but less sci-fi and more wild west gunslinging.
(Seriously! A guy working in a cubicle meets a cute chick who thinks he’s some special mystical dude and takes him to a black man who will then spout philosophy and train him to take out “the bad guys” by doing things with bullets that you aren’t supposed to be able to do. How is that not The Matrix, people?)
Wall•E
It’s Pixar. It’s robots. It’s the future. I am so there! (But please, Pixar: don’t let this be another A.I.!)
The Dark Knight
From what I’ve seen in the latest trailer, the late Heath Ledger’s interpretation of The Joker is quite possibly the best ever. I’m most excited about this one.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
I want to believe that this will be good—if only because Nicole’s already itching to buy the tickets! (Update: the X-Files movie trailer is now online.)
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Grab the popcorn and prepare to zone out, because you know that any movie where Brendan Fraser faces off against Jet Li has firmly released any grip it otherwise had on reality. But hey, that’s why we love the Mummy films, right? (Anyone remember “Brendan Fraser vs. Scorpo-Rock”?)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
This will be fun! That is all.
May 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
what we all need is a babysitting co op so that we could all afford to go see these movies. at 10 a ticket plus babysitting, I am thinking I will be seeing these on demand
May 9th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Now there’s a good idea!
May 10th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Are you joking me? The only one of these movies that half interests me is “Prince Caspian” (and maybe Indiana Jones if it’s good). The rest look pathetic! I’m obviously out of the target audience for these things, which as near as I can tell is Jr. High boys who wile away their days playing GTA IV and Star Wars 65 on PS2.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:54 am
You’re right, John… Son of Rambow looks just like that sort of film.
May 10th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Temple of Doom was a far better movie than Last Crusade. So sorry, but so true!
May 11th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Travis –
The first Hulk movie, while not loved by fans boys, doesn’t quite qualify as a bomb.
And to be honest, I liked it. It was very Peter David, and that’s not wrong. It’s just not conventional.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Okay, I am here to confess… I saw Speed Racer. It was raining. Our campout was canceled – what can I say? We took the family. I sat between my ten-year-old son and my wife. My review is also somewhere between my son’s (loved it) and my wife’s (“You’re lucky our marriage is still legal after taking me to see this!”). I’ll only add that I whispered to my wife halfway through, “I’ve never seen a movie that literally burns my eyes.” I wasn’t joking.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
@Snay: You may very well be right; I saw Temple of Doom for the first time last month, whereas I watched and re-watched Last Crusade many times as a child. Perhaps my sentimentality is getting the better of me here. I’ll have to borrow Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade from my local library and see if my memories do it justice.
@Frank: Mea culpa. I had no idea the phrase was so strictly defined. I’ll adjust my remarks accordingly.
@Wanders: Thank you. I’ve now been duly warned. Still, I’m like a moth–I can’t help that I’m attracted to things that will burn me badly!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
@Snay: I have now seen all three Indy flicks currently on DVD. Last Crusade is cheesy, but Temple is bash-your-head-in-the-wall-to-find-relief TERRIBLE!