Every summer, there are movies we eagerly await and others we dread. In many cases though, it’s the films we most anticipate that result in disappointment and the ones we don’t expect to enjoy we end up loving.
Although I like to walk into every film I see with an open mind, there are always movies I look forward to seeing more than others. I have composed a list of the three summer movies I am most anticipating and the three that are perhaps destined to suck. Who knows though? Come December I may name some of my most anticipated movies as the year’s worst and the ones I’m most dreading as the best. Only time will tell.
Most Anticipated
"Toy Story 3" June 18
During a legal dispute in 2004, Disney planned on producing the film without Pixar. Fortunately, Disney and Pixar sorted out their problems and have since then fabricated some of their strongest works, including the groundbreaking “Ratatouille,” “WALL-E” and last year’s Best Picture nominee “Up.” Michael Arndt, who wrote the marvelous screenplay for “Little Miss Sunshine,” has concocted a story about Andy heading off to college and the toys getting landed in a daycare center. The original “Toy Story” was a revelation of animation and storytelling. I’ve often thought of “Toy Story 2” as “The Godfather: Part II” of animation, marking the rare sequel that lives up to its predecessor. I hope “Toy Story 3” won’t be “The Godfather: Part III” of animation.
"Inception" July 16
Through “Memento,” “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” director Christopher Nolan has emerged as one of the most ambitious filmmakers of the past decade. With “Inception” Nolan has crafted a science fiction tale about dream invasion, somewhat in the essence of Spielberg’s brilliant “Minority Report” or the original “Matrix.” Along with a stellar acting ensemble that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “Inception” might become the runaway hit of the summer much like Nolan’s previous masterwork.
"Get Him to the Greek" June 4
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” was one of those comedies without a single character that the audience didn’t completely rejoice. Among this ensemble of indisputably lovable individuals, Russell Brand’s creation of pop star Aldous Snow stood out as the most unforgettable. It only makes sense that this hilarious crossbreed of Johnny Depp and Hugh Grant should get his own spinoff movie. In “Get Him to the Greek,” Jonah Hill stars as a record company intern who is put in charge of escorting Snow to a concert in Los Angeles. With the return of director Nicholas Stoller and producer Judd Apatow, “Get Him to the Greek” has the potential to be one of the funniest movies of the summer season.
Most Dreaded
"Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore" July 30
The original “Cats & Dogs” took a creative premise full of possibilities and produced a hyperactive, cartoonish piece of Saturday morning dribble fit for nobody over the age of 3. Nearly 10 years later we get “Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore,” and what may be the most unnecessary follow-up since “Daddy Day Camp” or “Son of the Mask.” Everything from the uninspired visuals, to the corny jokes, to that lackluster title portrayed in the film’s trailer ensures this movie should be nothing more than a flaming dog turd.
"Marmaduke" June 4
From the sequel to “Cats & Dogs” we move to “Marmaduke,” a live-action version of the comic strip dog who is constantly getting into trouble. One might assume from these two selections that I hate dogs. That’s not at all true. I have a Labrador of my own whom I cherish with all my heart. But both the real dogs and computer-generated dogs in these movies deserve better material than this.
"Killers" June 4
Ashton Kutcher actually did some pretty funny work on “That 70’s Show.” Film-wise though, Kutcher has proven over and over again that he is incapable of playing anybody other than an obnoxious, loud idiot. I’d like to think that “Killers” will be the movie where Kutcher finally stretches his acting muscles and plays a real character. Judging from the movie poster alone, Kutcher appears to be overacting beyond content and trying far too hard to win the audience over. Kutcher plays a man who marries a normal woman played by Katherine Heigl without telling her that he’s a spy. Seeing how I’m pretty sure Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are coming out with virtually the same movie in “Knight and Day,” “Killers” is probably a movie you can skip.
Reach Nick at nspake@asu.edu
