Go see it
“Terminator Salvation”
When: May 21
Who: Directed by McG, starring Christian Bale
Why: With “Wolverine” and “Star Trek” already out this month, it seems the studios are hitting this summer hard with the big-budget action extravaganzas. Summer movie burnout might come a little earlier this year. Still, the new “Terminator” looks promising, and it just might be the kind of film that transcends typical summer mindlessness. Anyway, you better like it – Bale might tear your lights down if you don’t.
“Up”
When: May 29
Who: Directed by Pete Docter
Why: The tenth feature film from the Pixar genius crew looks like another must-see, with the tale of a crotchety old man traveling the world in his house attached to thousands of balloons. At this point, the plot isn’t too apparent, but does it matter? It’s Pixar – buy a ticket already.
“Whatever Works”
When: June 19
Who: Directed by Woody Allen, starring Larry David
Why: After a string of mildly disappointing films in the late ‘90s/early ‘00s, Allen is suddenly a hot property again thanks to the success of “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” “Whatever Works” looks to be a more traditional Allen film, moving back to New York and featuring the hilarious David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as the Woody surrogate. Even if it’s not one of his better films, it’s still Woody and ought to be a nice summer respite for film fans.
“Public Enemies”
When: July 1
Who: Directed by Michael Mann, starring Johhny Depp and Christian Bale
Why: Let’s just intentionally forget about 2006’s “Miami Vice,” and all get really excited about this gangster film from one of the best American directors currently working. Mann’s (“Collateral,” “Heat”) superb eye for gritty visuals and performances from Depp and Bale ensure that this is going to be the movie of the summer.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
When: July 15
Who: starring Daniel Radcliffe
Why: I’m no “Harry Potter” fan, but this delayed-from-last-year installment into the series looks like a winner, delving deeper into dark themes than ever before. The visuals alone look impressive enough to sell this one.
“Funny People”
When: July 31
Who: Directed by Judd Apatow, starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen
Why: If enough people can convince Sandler to take on dramatic roles, it might save his career. Certainly, “Funny People” will have its share of laughs, but the story of a comedian dealing with a terminal condition ought to give Sandler some opportunities to show the real actor lurking below the surface of his angry, gross-out persona he’s cultivated over many years.
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“Inglourious Basterds”
When: August 21
Who: Directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt
Why: Tarantino’s had this one in the works for years, and it promises to be everything he’s known for – ultra violent, irreverent and hugely entertaining. Sure, Tarantino is one of the most overrated filmmakers of the last couple of decades, but “Basterds” should be a fun way to say goodbye to summer with a group of Jewish-Americans brutally slaughtering every Nazi that comes across their path.
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Think about it
“Land of the Lost”
When: June 5
Who: starring Will Ferrell
Why You should think about it: Based on the terrifically campy ‘70s TV show, “Land of the Lost” could be just another vehicle for Ferrell’s increasingly tired man-boy shtick. Ferrell’s funny enough when the material around him is solid, but the success of this one will depend on how well they can spread on the cheese.
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“The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3”
When: June 12
Who: Directed by Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta
Why you should think about it: Scott’s films can be either adrenaline-pumping or nausea-inducing, and I’m not sure which it’s going to be this time around for this remake of a 1974 film about a hijacked subway train. The original is a minor classic, but Scott’s frenetic visual style could sink the story. At the very least, we’ll get to see Washington and a mustachioed Travolta face off.
“Year One”
When: June 19
Who: Directed by Harold Ramis, starring Jack Black and Michael Cera
Why you should think about it: This could be a return to form for Ramis, whose “Caddyshack,” “Vacation” and “Groundhog Day” have seen a number of underwhelming follow-ups since. But Black and Cera can either be hilarious or unbearable, and it seems like starring as a pair of lazy cavemen exploring the ancient world could tend toward the latter.
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“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”
When: June 24
Who: Directed by Michael Bay, starring Shia LeBeouf
Why you should think about it: OK, so it’s probably best if you just leave thinking out of this one – if you enjoyed the first “Transformers,” rush to the nearest megaplex. I hear there’s going to be ten times as many robot explosions and gratuitous sexual innuendos courtesy of Megan Fox. If you found yourself clawing at your eyeballs, and you can’t think of a bigger hack in the film world than Bay, well, what are you even reading this for?
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“Brüno”
When: July 10
Who: Directed by Larry Charles, starring Sacha Baron Cohen
Why you should think about it: My distaste for “Borat” puts me in the minority, I realize, and “Brüno” looks like it’ll cater to the same crowd who loved the first squirm-inducing film. This time, the admittedly funny Cohen stars as a flamboyant fashion designer who’s just as adept at making Americans uncomfortable. This one’s got a built-in audience ready to go, and you should already know if that includes you.
Stay home
“My Life in Ruins”
When: June 5
Who: starring Nia Vardalos
Why not: Poor Vardalos hasn’t been seen much since her smash indie hit “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” in 2002, and her planned return to the spotlight with this Greek-themed romantic comedy is only likely to sputter. She stars as an unhappy tour guide looking for love in Greece, but the moldy jokes and awful characters in this painfully unfunny effort are a clear signal: stay away.
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“The Proposal”
When: June 19
Who: Directed by Anne Fletcher, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds
Why not: The boss (Bullock) forces her young assistant (Reynolds) to marry her in order to perpetrate a Visa scam to stay in the U.S. Oh yeah, and it’s directed by the same woman who did “27 Dresses” and “Step Up.” Do I really need to go into it more?
“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”
When: July 1
Who: featuring the voice of Ray Romano
Why not: The first “Ice Age” was mildly cute. The second was fairly tolerable. The third… really? Another one of these? This should have gone direct-to-video and saved harried parents from another weekend out at the theater.
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“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”
When: August 7
Who: starring Dennis Quaid
Why not: Finding time to sneak in one more mind-numbing CG fest before the end of the summer, “G.I. Joe” looks like just another recycle of a brand from the ‘80s. Will audiences still turn out in droves to see it? Probably. Will the film make a ton of money and inspire at least one sequel? Sigh… probably. Do you have to spend the waning days of summer partaking of this crap? No, no you do not.
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-Dusty Somers is the Life & Arts editor and a journalism junior.
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