Arts & Entertainment
Six Summer Movies to See (And One to Skip)
Some of the most entertaining, fun films are released during the summer. Here are six summer flicks to keep your eyes on.
Your summer plan may be to stay close to home in Mt. Helix or Spring Valley, but that doesn't mean you have to stay inside your house. Get out this summer and head to theatre. Summer is always packed with movie events and blockbusters.
We've got six flick picks (and one to skip) for you and your family this summer. The closest theatres are the Edwards Rancho San Diego Stadium 15, 2951 Jamacha Road, and the Reading Cinemas Grossmont Center 10, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, in La Mesa.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (now playing)
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MPAA: PG-13
Release Date: May 20, 2011
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Looking to recapture the magic that was sparked in the first installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will attempt to trim the fat that bogged down the two previous efforts. Unlike the last two sequels, which had their moments of entertainment despite being overlong and chaotic, this fourth installment will focus more on a smoother plot, riveting action and genuine laughs. The cast is amazing, as this time around Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush will be joined by the talents of Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz.
The story consists of the infamous Jack Sparrow crossing paths with a past flame named Angelica (Cruz), who may or may not be a con-artist who is using Jack to find the legendary Fountain of Youth. Along the way, Angelica forces Jack onto a ship called the Queen Anne’s Revenge that’s commanded by an intimidating pirate named Blackbeard (McShane). This film looks like a return to form for our beloved Jack Sparrow, and should be a fantastic, adventurous ride for children and adults alike.
The Tree of Life
MPAA: PG-13
Release Date: May 27, 2011 (Limited Release)
This is the type of film that looks like it’s usually released during Oscar season. The fact that it’s being released this summer lets us know, in a way, that the people involved aren’t worried about Oscar buzz, but are rather dedicated to a soulful story being told. The talented Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain star in this potential gem. Terrence Malick, the proven director that has given us such classics as Badlands and Days of Heaven, almost always delivers something special and this film may just fall into that category.
The trailer doesn’t give us much: It’s an accumulation of sweeping visual eye-candy and what seems to be the story of a man’s childhood in the 1950s and how it defines him as a man in present day. The synopsis is simple: In a family with three brothers, the eldest witnesses the loss of innocence. Summer is usually filled with films that are huge, CGI-filled blockbusters, and that’s all in good fun, but Tree of Life looks like it will be an intellectual piece that will be a nice change of pace from the usual.
X-Men: First Class
MPAA: PG-13
Release Date: June 3, 2011
In a summer with several superhero flicks, X-Men: First Class seems like it may just be the standout. After the poorly received X-Men Origins:Wolverine, and the letdown that was X-Men: Last Stand, this X-Men film is a prequel that will show us the development of the two leaders in the mutant rights fight: Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr aka Magneto. The film stars two amazing talents, James McAvoy (Wanted, Atonement) and Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, Jane Eyre), and was directed by the very capable Matthew Vaughn.
The film is set in 1963, in the midst of the Cold War, when Charles Xavier starts up a school for mutants to hone their special abilities. Professor Xavier also assembles a team, with the help of his best friend and future enemy, Erik, to stop a great world threat. At its best, the X-Men films and comics are action-packed pieces that provide social commentary on prejudice and racism; Magneto believes the war is us vs. them and Xavier believes the war is us vs. us. This film has the potential to be a fun ride, as well as provide an important message.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
MPAA: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: July 15, 2011
About a decade ago, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released and J.K Rowling’s little old wizard stories weren’t only just great reads, but a grand time at the cinema. Throughout the years, seven well-made Harry Potter films have been produced, and this summer, arguably the most successful film series will come to a breathtaking close. The film was directed by the very capable David Yates, who directed the last three Harry Potter films.
In the final installment, Harry, Ron and Hermione make their way back to Hogwarts to search and destroy Voldemort’s final horcruxes, leading to a showdown that has built up for a decade. This will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, film events of the summer, as the Harry Potter series comes to a close with wands blazing. Whether you’re a fan or somewhat interested, this is the goodbye to a film titan that you probably won’t want to miss.
30 Minutes or Less
MPAA: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: August 12, 2011
On Oct. 2, 2009, director Ruben Fleischer jumped into the scene and gave audiences the best zombie comedy flick since Shaun of the Dead, entitled Zombieland. He follows up his feature film debut with another comedy called 30 Minutes or Less. The film stars Social Network star Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride and Nick Swardson.
The movie consists of two inept criminals dressed in monkey suits who kidnap a pizza delivery boy, slap a bomb to his chest and force him to rob a bank. This film looks like it will be a kick-back comedy for college students, teens and anyone who is a fan of dark, crude humor. If the talent and story click, it will be delicious cinematic junk food. 30 Minutes or Less may just be the sleeper hit of the summer.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
MPAA: R
Release Date: August 26, 2011
From the eerie imagination of Guillermo Del Toro, the director who brought us Pans Labyrinth, comes a horror story that will be fuel for nightmares. Del Toro remakes the 1973 ABC made-for-television film with the same name, acting as screenwriter and producer. The film stars Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce and Bailee Madison.
The story revolves around a young girl who is sent away to live with her father and his new girlfriend. Once there, she discovers disturbing creatures in her new home that want to keep her as one of their own. As children, we’ve all been afraid of the dark at one point or another, and this film looks like it will use that nostalgic fear to bring us back to a frightening scene in our rooms, nervously shivering under our blankets, hoping day will break through before the darkness consumes us. We all like being scared once in awhile, and it seems this film will take us to a world that will do exactly that.
The film to avoid this summer? Final Destination 5
The first film was decent at best, and inspired by the superior Twilight Zone episode called "Twenty-Two." The rest of the Final Destination series has been poorly executed films with nothing refreshing, and this looks to be more of the same. The 3-D gimmick will most likely not elevate the cinema experience, so save your money.
