2008 Summer Movie List

Here it is — my 2nd Annual Summer Movie List.

These are the movies I plan on trying to watch, review, savor, and enjoy. Although I’ve selected 5 fewer movies this summer, that shouldn’t detract from what we have.

While last summer was almost totally sequels, this summer looks to open up some new franchises every bit as big as the reigning kings. There may be less movies, but the ones that are here are more compelling than many of 2007’s line-up.

Baby Mama (April 25)
This is the first on the list coming out this very weekend. I want to support Tina Fey because female comedians are so rare in the business, but I’ll admit this is probably one of the weaker showings on the list that could easily wait for DVD.

Iron Man (May 2)
This is the big one. Of all the movies on the list, I’m most excited about Iron Man. They’ve done an amazing job at advertising and it’s Marvel’s first turn at self-production. I questioned Downey as Tony Stark at first, but I’m sold now.

Speed Racer (May 9)
I didn’t really watch Speed Racer much as a child, but this movie looks so spastic and strange that I don’t think I should pass it up. Although I doubt it will have the gravitas of the Matrix trilogy, the Wachowski’s may deliver something special… maybe.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16)
Since Lord of the Rings ended, the fantasy epic hasn’t been the same. The previous Narnia wasn’t the greatest, but it was entertaining and my hunger for this type of movie prompts me to add it to the list. It will benefit from being early in the season; I would pass this one up fast if I was burned out of the movie going experience.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 23)
I’m not a huge Indiana Jones fan. I know that’s blasphemy, but I just never really really loved it like some people do. My favorite is actually the Temple of Doom which is supposedly the worst of the three. I am a fan of ‘The Beef’, though, and I’m expecting a rip-roaring (if somewhat geriatic) good time.

The Incredible Hulk (June 13)
So Ed Norton has a pretty good track record, but now there’s trouble for Marvel’s second self-production because Norton has refused to promote the film due to some disagreements over editing. It can’t possibly be worse than the Ang Lee version from a few years ago, right?

The Happening (June 13)
I don’t care what people say, I have liked every single one of Shyamalan’s movies. Sure, none of them have lived up to Sixth Sense, but Sixth Sense was really a one trick pony. You can’t pull that off more than once on an intelligent audience. Shyamalan is one of the most unique filmmakers of our day.

Get Smart (June 20)
Betting my comedy buck on another Steve Carrell movie seems ill-advised after the disaster that was Evan Almighty, but I’ve got too many fond memories of the old television show to pass this one up. I’m also looking forward to The Rock’s supporting role.

Wall-E (June 27)
So I skipped the last Pixar outing even though people raved about how good it was. I just can’t find interest in a culinary rat. Science fiction is something I can sink my teeth into, though, and this will be welcome mid-summer fare to combat all the testosterone filled superhero movies.

Wanted (June 27)
Based on premise alone I would have never thought to add this to my list, but after watching the trailer twice I can’t help but be intrigued. The chase and fight scenes in this movie look revolutionary in the Matrix kind of way. Jolie can sell anything, so I expect this one to be a bit of a sleeper hit.

Hancock (July 4)
It’s been a while since Mr. July has returned to true form in a quirky semi-parody of a movie. Movies like Men In Black and Independence Day made Will Smith a huge star, and Hancock is exactly in that vein. When in comedy mode, there are few funnier than Will Smith. The fact that everyone cleared the calendar for him on July 4 is a testament to the potential this movie has.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (July 11)
The first Hellboy movie was extremely under-rated. It was a superb movie with a very unique and gothic feel. I can’t wait for this installment which promises to be even more wacky. Plus, there’s just not enough Selma Blair in the world these days and it’s time for her to make a comeback.

The Dark Knight (July 18)
Batman isn’t one of my favorite superheroes, but he’s been a mainstay of television and movies since the superhero was invented. Christian Bale’s incarnation of the dark knight brought some life into the franchise, but it’s really Heath Ledger’s performance that is likely to steal this show.

And that’s my list. Thirteen movies in a little over 2 months. That’s a lot of movies, and I probably won’t get to them all. But a man’s gotta try, right?