movie reviews

I should have posted this blog a couple weeks ago. It's my annual review of summer movies. So even though it's Sept. 14, let's do this!

Before I start, I just have to say how bummed I was at this summer's movie selection. Usually I see at least 10 summer movies. But there were not many that looked appealing to me. I mean, another Ice Age movie? Really?

However, I did see 5 and so here are the reviews for them:

5) X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I don't think I would have seen this movie if I hadn't taken the college group. We went the Wednesday night after it came out. Yeah there's some cool fight scenes and Ryan Reynolds is in it. But the movie itself was just ok.

4) Up! Oh Pixar, you've done it again. This is your 10th consecutive hit. I don't know if you're ever going to make a bad movie. But even though the visuals were absolutely amazing, I left the theater kind of sad. I thought I'd laugh a lot, but actually teared up a few times. If you've seen it, you'll know what I mean.

3) Star Trek. This was an unexpected surprise. First off, I am not a trekkie (should I capitalize the "t"?). I never watched the original show or any of the 17,000 spin-offs. I do vaguely remember watching the 4th movie with my parents where they all come to earth and communicate with whales. However, I am a huge JJ Abrams fan. In my opinion, the man can do no wrong. Felicity, Alias, my absolute favorite TV show "LOST", Cloverfield, heck, I even thought he redeemed the third Mission Impossible movie.

So when I found out he was going to direct a Star Trek movie that would show how it all started, I decided to give it a try. I actually really liked it! The casting was perfect. I could follow the plot even though I didn't have a lot of previous knowledge. The effects were great. I felt like JJ made it for people like me - introducing this franchise to people who would have never given it a second glance. I wonder what the hard-core t(T?)rekkies thought of it.

2) 500 Days of Summer. A love story that is not a love story. Rather it's a story about love. That was the tagline, at least. I had heard from many friends how good this was, so I went. Loved it. It was romantic and comedic, but not a cheesy romantic comedy. There was no contrived games or set-ups. The relationship between the two main characters was so real and raw. It was like it really could have happened. Best part hands down: the Hall and Oates song "You Make My Dreams". I was grinning like an idiot during that whole scene. By the way, can I have 500 days of Summer's wardrobe? Zooey Deschanel was beyond cute.

And last but not least

1) Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Dang, I just love that little wizard. Well, I guess he's not "little" anymore. This is the 6th movie, based on the 6th book, he is 16 and he and his friends are flirting and falling in love all over the place. I have enjoyed watching Daniel Radcliff and his co-stars grow up in these movies. I feel like they are becoming better and better actors, especially for their age. Hermione actually made me cry in one scene. What?! Wow. Anyway, book 6 was one of my favorites and I thought the movie did it justice. Yes, they had to cut some things out, but I understand why they did. I love J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, and Hogwarts. Twilight can suck it.

So there we are, friends. 5 movies I saw this summer. Feel free to add your own opinions in the comments section. Also, if I missed any you liked this summer, let me know and I'll add them to my Netflix queue.

Movies I'm looking forward to this fall:

* Where The Wild Things Are (my childhood!)
* Nine (Daniel Day-Lewis in a musical? Yes please)
* The Princess and the Frog (yeah for Disney going back to hand-drawn animation!)
* Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr. AND Jude Law? Double yes please)