April showers bring May movies? Not really.but “Terminator Salvation” does come to the silver screen. I am not personally a huge Sci-fi fan or James Cameron fan, but seeing how the latter is missing from this endless saga, it does seem promising. Having the most sought after man in Hollywood right now, Christian Bale, play a post-Judgment Day John Connor doesn’t seem to hurt either. After previous letdowns following the original, this may be the film to reprise or contently end the former forgettable flops. However, if Salvation does well commercially, which is inevitable, two more sequels are to be set into motion. It seems the mechanical mythology will never die even though the human race will when the last installment is made public.
Further proof that May is the month for Comic-Con movies, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” finally enters the picture. The prequel to the amply successful X-Men movie series, based on the Stan Lee comic books, stars Hugh Jackman, who has played Wolverine before. It’s a creation story that examines the mysterious development into his mutant stage, Logan’s strong brother-like rivalry with Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), his past hush hush relationships, and his final transformation into his character and involvement with the X-Men team. Speculation of a sequel looks much more realistic than continuing on “X-Men: The Last Stand” but the inclusion of Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Gambit, who are said to spawn their own Origin flicks.
May also brings “Angels & Demons,” the film sequel and book prequel to “The Da Vinci Code.” Why the filmmakers are furthering this bad with a capital B concept is beyond me. So many people hated the way the book translated into film in 2006, so why make a sequel that’s supposed to be a prequel and throw in other random plotlines, furthering this bruised franchise. Although I am positive many adored the film and hated the books, Catholic chaos or fun can be experienced for all on May 15.
For the ultimate Johnny Depp fans, and crime flick buffs in general, July is undeniably the month to hit up your local theater. In his upcoming movie, Depp plays the original gangster, more aptly known as legendary Depression era bank robber John Dillinger. The movie, “Public Enemies,” also boasts infamous actors playing numerous badass criminals that left a great legacy of crime in the old-school days. Christian Bale, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Dorff and Billy Crudup are among the many who take on the law from both sides. However, brilliant tension-making director Michael Mann “Heat” is in total control of this cast and will help the movie secure its place in radiance. “Public Enemies” seems to be following the trend of the revival of “Western Gangster” movies “The Assassination of Jesse James.”
On June fifth “Land of the Lost” makes its much-needed comeback and revival. The cheesy effects that were in this ’70’s Saturday-morning cult classic are the only characteristics missing from this forgotten gem. Instead, Will Ferrell leads this comedy cast as a disgraced paleontologist trying to give credit to his lost career- it mixes comedy with “Jurassic Park” as far as classifying the flick. Thankfully the reptilian Sleestaks, and caveman-esque Pakuni are still present, and hopefully the film will be as ridiculous as the original, but in a much different mindset.
Another potential June comedy blockbuster could be “Year One” from comedic genius Judd Apatow (Pineapple Express, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Step Brothers etc) – which basically means the movie will become an instant classic in humor. The film is said to follow two cavedudes (Jack Black and Michael Cera) who get banished from their village and stumble through scenes in the Old Testament. The biblical civilization and its post-production timeframe is said to be similar in the same vein as Monty Python’s “Life of Brian,” and if you don’t know what this movie is, shame on you – Rent it! In a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, comedians/actors David Cross and Paul Rudd both deeply agreed that they expected and hoped the religious satire to offend all or most, controversy ultimately brings more publicity and money.
August brings another summer release, “Julie & Julia,” in which an emotionally penetrating Meryl Streep attacks the Paul Bunyan-sized life of renowned chef Julia Child. The film mixes in elements of the cook’s memoirs and true-life experiences from others. These others include Amy Adams (Junebug) playing an unfulfilled secretary who spices up her outlook by attempting the bulk of Child’s recipes. Previews of the movie are already applauding Streep’s spot-on portrayal of Child’s less than smooth accent, mannerisms, and overall persona.
Unfortunately we all have to wait until October 16 for Maurice Sendak’s classic childhood tale “Where the Wild Things Are” to come to life onscreen. Hip director Spike Jonze will probably keep the story extremely intact but evidently will throw in elements that update, and possibly improve, an essential fairytale. Most of
the movie was filmed in Australia, combining aspects of live action, suitmation, animatronics, and CGI. It helps that Catherine Keener, Catherine O’Hara, James Gandolfini, and Forest Whitaker have lent their voices to the multitude of characters, although a great deal of people turned down participation in the film because they thought filming the story would be a “horrible idea.” I guess we are just going to have to judge it for ourselves.