summer 2009 Archives - i luv cinema

After a bit of a letdown with last week’s release (Wolverine), I decided to temper my expectations for the weekend’s BIG release, Star Trek. However as the day drew closer I found myself teaming with expectation. Ever since I saw the teaser trailer in last years’ Cloverfield, I was both curious and eager to see what JJ Abrams and Co. would do with the franchise. Let me just say it did not disappoint in the least. I thought it was a very fresh, hip take on the original television series. While I do not consider myself a “trekkie” by any stretch of the imagination, I was a follower of the original series. The subsequent series (Next Generation, etc.) were occasionally part of my television viewing.

I had a less familiar relationship with the movie series. I have seen a few of the films, most notably The Voyage Home with any other films I saw a result of my brother insisting I sit through them on cable TV.

What I saw last night in IMAX was so refreshing. It had all the action I was expecting. My only pre-viewing reservation was that the cast would not be able to pull it off. Boy was I wrong. They accomplished two amazing things in their performance: they were able to remind us about the original characters and in turn the original actors’ portrayal while at the same time bringing their own touch to the roles. All too often what makes re-imaginings a hard sell is that fact that the actors get caught up in impersonations of the character portrayals. That did not happen here.

In fact, I laughed a lot more than I have in a Star Trek movie. Moreover, all the laughter was properly placed and not forced.

For a summer film, it hit all the marks: it wowed, entertained and left you leaving the theater in high spirits.

summer-2009 Yes ladies and gents, it is that time of year again. A time when movie studios unload their crowd pleasing big-budgeted movies. I really look forward to this time of year, especially when there are more than three (3) films I am willing to pay for. Last year was pretty good and this year looks like it will be the same.

While this is a time for the larger movies to see the light of there are also those smaller films (“counter-programming”) which I must remember not to overlook.
I already have my Wolverine (May 1) ticket purchased and at the ready. The moment Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July 15) tickets go on sale, I am there, in spite of the nearly nine months I endured after Warner Brothers held off the initial release date. It is almost unforgivable.

So, after doing some additional research on IMDB’s Summer 2009 Movie Guide, here is my personal list of other must see films:

May
8th: Star Trek – I am not a Trekkie but I am really forward to this re-imagining. They had me at the teaser.
8th: Rudo y Cursi – I am going to try to catch this at the Tribeca Film Festival. Could be a riot.
22nd: Terminator Salvation – Bale tirade aside I almost forgot that this movie was coming out. The trailer looks very good.

So far, there is nothing premiering in June that captured my interest; does not matter anyway – I am seeing Eric Clapton in concert. That should get me through. BUT If I do get the urge to enter the cinema, I will likely catch up on Whatever Works and Easy Virtue.

July
1st: Public Enemies – given my love of crime dramas from eras long gone their handling of similar subjects and characters, I am looking forward to seeing how the story is brought forward into the 21st century.

That is it folks! It looks like it will be the Summer of Bale, if both his movies are big. Granted my must see list is not an end all be all for summer movie going experience. I am sure over the course of the summer I will dragged invited to go to the movies with friends and family. At the end of the day, going to the movies really is a social enterprise; well that and a great way to save on home energy costs (free AC)!

Review in Brief: "Star Trek" (2009)

Summertime is here! Bring on The Blockbuster (and not so big) Pictures!