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Most Satisfying: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Arguably the most important literary saga of this generation went out with a bang, and while the entire package had its ups and downs this last film was as rewarding as it could possibly be. Kudos to producer Dan Heyman and his team for making it happen.
What happened (part one)?: Cowboys & Aliens. Somewhere along the line director Jon Favreau should’ve told Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford to have a little fun in their silly sci-fi western. Instead they both looked constipated.
Best movie nobody saw: The Guard. Brendan Gleeson’s performance deserves an Oscar nomination. Remember this title when it’s on video in a few months.
Most thought provoking: The documentaries How To Live Forever and Forks Over Knives. Each will get you questioning your mortality and thinking about ways to improve your health and lifestyle.
Most disappointing: Green Lantern. After a four-minute extended trailer got us all excited, the film arrived limp and remained flaccid. It went in too many directions at once, the 3D looked horrible and the effects were cheesy. Ryan Reynolds you are a hunk among men, but this movie had issues much bigger than your muscles.
What happened (part two)?: Crazy, Stupid, Love. Such an incredible cast with Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Too bad they included a love angle with Carell & Moore’s teenage son and his older pedophile babysitter. Ew to the ending especially.
Funniest movie: Horrible Bosses. That's right, The Hangover Part II -- you need to bring a bit more originality to win this honor. And besides, we’ve all thought about killing our bosses, haven’t we? Okay, we’ve at least wanted something bad to happen to them, no? If nothing else maybe we wish a horrible case of hemorrhoids on him/her – it won’t kill ‘em, but it will make ‘em miserable.
Biggest surprise: There’s no way Thor should’ve been as good as it was. It even got us super-excited for “The Avengers” next summer, albeit an enthusiasm that was dimmed by the disappointing Captain America: The First Avenger. Speaking of which, for a movie with so much red, white and blue it was remarkably drab.
Worst sequel: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Could this franchise end already? Please?
They were famous once: Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts’ Larry Crowne opened July 1 and earned a whopping $35.6 million during its run. By comparison, Transformers: Dark of the Moon opened June 29 and earned $37.7 million that day alone.
Dumbest: Conan The Barbarian. You can feel the 'roid rage in every scene. Palpable, yet undeniably hollow.
The movie a lot of people liked but I didn't: Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Sorry, but 90 minutes of exposition followed by the finale isn't enough for me, even with darn impressive CGI.
The movie I liked but a lot of people didn't: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Creepy and suspenseful, the pint-sized hellians packed a mean bite and the gloomy atmosphere kept me captivated.
Congrats, now you're a star: Jessica Chastain gave strong performances in The Tree Of Life, The Help and The Debt. Her future is very, very bright.
What happened (part three)?: Super 8. This was supposed to be epic. This generation’s “E.T.” A movie that would remind us of early ‘80s nostalgia that we’d never forget. Instead it registered nothing but a shoulder-shrugging “meh” and a profound sense of disappointment.
Worst movie: Spy Kids: All The Time In The World. Everything Robert Rodriguez has done since “Sin City” has felt completely half-assed, though admittedly that was partially the point with “Planet Terror” and Machete. Still, Rodriguez isn’t living up to his abilities as a filmmaker because everything feels cheap. Let’s give him a decent budget and really see what he can do – as long as he promises to try.
Best movie: X-Men: First Class. Great casting, great story, superb production design and masterful direction from Matthew Vaughn (Stardust).
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drew00belle04
said:
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... To me your summer movie recap was hit or miss. I agree with you about Thor, Horrible Bosses, and Dont Be Afraid of the Dark, however I completely disagree with you regarding Crazy Stupid love and Captain America. I really enjoyed both, especially Crazy Stupid Love. |
I agree with your review.
bolinica002
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... I do agree that x men was the best movie, but apes and super 8 were actually really good. I can see why some might not like super 8, but apes was nothing but awesome. |
Cougarxr7
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... One of the best movie summers i had in a long time i went to the movies more times this year cause of all the great titles |
ShantelleBH
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... Funniest movie should be 30 minutes or less. I almost died from laughing so much. I saw most of the other movies you all talked about, but some I didn't. So for the most part, I agree with everything. Can't wait for next summer. |
Internetseh
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... The Harry Potter finale made my summer. I was so happy when it came out, and I loved the movie! Honestly, I did not care for the rest of the movies, but HP was great! |
mmaeso
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... Totally agree with all the above, even your "The movie a lot of people liked but I didn't" because I loved that one. You have to forget all about the last movie (from the original PotA not that cr*p remake from 2001) With "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" I was a bit disappointed with Guillermo del Toro, but I guess since he didn't direct this one he's off the hook. I feel like the original TV version from 1973 is way better. |
ucfblythe
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... I hate that this: "Arguably the most important literary saga of this generation" is true . She's just such a terrible writer and in the end since she didn't know how to finish the story she just kills literally everyone, half the time for no reason. As for the whole summer, I call it a huge bust. captain, super 8 were the only movies I actually really enjoyed. |
cantbeforsaken07
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... I agree with your picks for most rewarding and what happened. Harry potter has been apart of my life for 11 years now and I was very pleased with how it all came to an end. Cowboys and aliens seemed like a good idea in theory, and while it was an entertaining action blow stuff up movie, something seemed to get lost in translation. |
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