With children out of school and adults taking long weekends, summer is the perfect time for the motion picture companies to come out with their best stuff. As a result, millions of viewers rush to the theaters to be entertained or simply to escape the summer heat.
But summer blockbusters are sometime over- or underrated. "The Chronicles of Riddick" was overrated due to its flashy and exciting trailers. "The Notebook" may be one of the summer's best movies, but unfortunately won't be seen by too many because audiences want to see action movies like "Riddick" during the summer.
I am here to tell you the basics of some long-anticipated summer releases so you don't make the mistake of seeing "Riddick" or miss out on "The Notebook."
The long-awaited sequel to the 2001 animated blockbuster has hit screens and "Shrek 2" has outdone its predecessor. Few sequels can claim this, let alone back it up in the theater.
The new characters, such as Puss in Boots, add new zest and comedic value -- and not to mention a cuteness factor -- to the running jokes that make "Shrek 2" one of the must-sees for this summer.
At long last, the third chapter of the Harry Potter saga comes to the big screen in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Chris Columbus handed over his director reins to Alfonso Cuaron, previously known for directing the art film "Y Tu Mama Tambien." This change is very obvious in "Azkaban."
But even though changes have been made, this film is brilliant. Much darker than the past two films, this "Harry Potter" is not suitable for small children.
It has taken a while for the unconventional movie "Saved!" to gain movie audiences. The sarcastic screenwriters did well in their casting by putting their words in the mouths of Jena Malone, who plays a Christian schoolgirl who finds herself pregnant, with Mandy Moore in the role of her God-fearing schoolmate, and Macaulay Culkin, Moore's wheelchair bound brother.
Although satirical, this movie is careful not to offend. "Saved!" is good for both a laugh as well as a conversation topic.
The special effects for "The Chronicles of Riddick" are incredible and will surely influence future films. Yet, the writers of "Riddick" managed to put in too much plot without following through -- there are concepts that remain unexplained and characters that the movie could have done without. Hence, audiences are left confused; but did I mention that the special effects are incredible?
Critics will probably butcher "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." True, the plot is simple and predictable, but the movie is nonetheless entertaining and destined to become a Ben Stiller classic -- a comedy somewhere between "Meet the Parents" and "Zoolander." Ben Stiller's character, of course, is the center point of this movie. He dresses extravagantly and speaks in circles. But unlike "Zoolander," Stiller's character isn't unbearably annoying. Anyone who remotely likes Ben Stiller will love "Dodgeball."
Every feminist's nightmare comes true in "Stepford Wives." The women of Stepford live to wait hand and foot on their husbands and answer to their every whims. This very sarcastic, and at times painful, comedy is worth all the attention. The only downside of this movie might be that it is mainly directed at women. Men might not understand the hilarity in the extreme stereotypes that are being portrayed in "Stepford."
Stephen Spielberg didn't deliver as expected in "The Terminal." Although the story is extremely heartwarming, there are too many loose ends that scatter the movie.
Tom Hanks does a very good job at portraying a man stuck in an airport for a nine-month period. Catherine Zeta-Jones stars opposite of Hanks as the stewardess of his affection. Both actors do very well, as does the supporting cast. Unfortunately, all fall victim to Stephen Spielberg's slow and seemingly unfinished movie.
"Fahrenheit 9/11." The long-awaited and fought-over documentary by Michael Moore finally hit movie theaters to become the first documentary in history to be a weekend's top movie. Even if you are going to vote for Bush, I recommend you see this movie, if nothing more than for a conversation topic.
If you are going to vote otherwise, all the more reason to see it. In one word, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is shocking, fascinating and persuasive. I guess one word just doesn't cover it.
On a more comedic note: Black comedians have a free pass when it comes to racial humor, and they exercise that rightfully in "White Chicks." Although the plot of two black federal agents going under cover as two white women is ridiculous, the movie is good for some slapstick laughs.
"De-lovely" tells of the love affair between the gay song-writer Cole Porter and his wife. You can imagine that this in itself makes for a fairly good plot. Appropriately, this movie is a musical with some incredible musical appearances. The story is a little sad and disappointing because neither character can ever really find romantic happiness, but this does not mean that this romantic comedy is not worth taking a significant other to.
The children's movie of the summer is "Two Brothers." But this movie is not only for children. Children and adults alike will love the charming story of two tiger cubs trying to make their way home after being taken from the jungle.
But what is really incredible about this movie is the cinematography. The gorgeous sceneries will take your breath away with every sweeping camera motion and brings incredible life into the story.
But if you are going to see one movie this summer, let it be "The Notebook." In a summer filled with action blockbusters, this movie stands out by being a simple romance. Although the trailers show a sappy love story about a young lover's triangle, the actual movie moves far beyond that. No eyes of a human with half a heart will be dry for the last 30 minutes of the movie.
Critics may call "The Notebook" a date movie, but this movie is more for a couple that has been married for many year. This, nevertheless, does not mean that those that don't have that someone yet will not appreciate a look at what may still be to come.
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