Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
This may not be hip to admit, but I'm already on record for being an unabashed fan of Michael Bay's ridiculously fun first Transformers movie. Giant robot action I wanted and giant robot action I got. Plus a little Megan Fox, an entertaining performance by La Shia and presto-chango, we got us a movie. The second looks like an amped up version of the first. Fine by me. It's summer. Dumb fun is what I'm about.
Cheri
If dumb, fun robot action doesn't suit your style, perhaps a little costume drama (actually, it looks like more of a comedy) would suffice. Michelle Pfeiffer is getting good buzz for this one. Stephen Frears (The Queen, High Fidelity) directs.
Away We Go
Director Sam Mendes hasn't let me down yet. This is perhaps a strange summer offering, but you have to mix it up a little during the hotter months, just to make sure you don't go completely brain-dead.
The Hurt Locker
Word is this is the return of director Kathryn Bigelow. It's an Iraq movie, so it's pretty much doomed at the box office, but I won't miss it for the world.
The Taking of Pelham 123
This remake of the classic Walter Matthau film looks entertaining enough. I just hope it has something going for it that makes it stand out. The original is perfect and full of character. To be honest, this movie may have an uphill battle with me.
My Life in Ruins Nia Vardalos is back and this time ... more Greek! Essentially, this is My Big Fat Greek Wedding Part II, only not really. She plays a Greek tour guide who discovers herself and -- I'm assuming -- love. I can guarantee only one thing about this movie: My mother will be going to see it.
Year One
Finally, another comedy. It can't all be bullets and McConaughey, you know. Jack Black and Michael Cera look like a promising comedic duo. Harold Ramis has a decent track record, so here's hoping it doesn't suck.
Whatever Works Larry David stands in for Woody Allen for a slightly less-repulsive love affair with Evan Rachel Wood. Allen scored big (as far as I'm concerned) last year with Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Can he repeat? If Woody can get away with that move he pulled with Soon-Yi, then yeah, he can repeat.
Land of the Lost Will Ferrell and I are homeboys till the end, but I am not aboard this train. The trailer is pretty cringe-inducing. I mean, it just looks bad. It will probably bring in $100 million easy, though.
Imagine That
Speaking of awful, here is the latest family comedy from Eddie Murphy. It doesn't look Meet Dave bad, so there's your upside.
The Proposal
I'm not a huge rom-com guy for the same reason I'm not a huge horror fan: most of them stink. I'm not adverse to the genre, just to the results of the genre. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds star in this one, and they're nice enough people. Put this on the "maybe" list for me if I don't hear depressing things.
Film.com's FREE movie of the week is "Love the Hard Way." Oscar-winner Adrien Brody and Charlotte Ayanna star in this drama about a thief who falls for a curious, beautiful young woman. As their intimacy grows, a slick cop (Pam Greer) is closing in.
