Summer '08 Movie Wrap

I used to compile film lists of all sorts in years gone by, when I spent more time seeing movies on the big screen. These days I am far more selective as to what I spend my $7.50 (and upwards) on. This is especially true during the summers, when Hollywood trots out the "event" movies, the kind of films I used to embrace in younger years. However, I found some of that old affection again these past few months. I was actually enjoying the f/x flash and noise like I once did. It was a good thing, as I was becoming a bit narrow in my tastes. Quality exists in all genres; one just has to know how to recognize it. I love the nuances of Merchant/Ivory and Bela Tarr films, but I can also appreciate when The System does a pop movie right. Still other times, the discerning filmgoer should know when to recognize good trash. Summer 2008 provided a bit of everything. I didn't see that many releases, but enough for some pointed comparisons.

1. PRINCE CASPIAN: This second in the filmizations of C.S Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series was surprisingly good. I had bought into the negative press beforehand but found the movie to be just right-faithful enough to the book and laced with plenty of battle mayhem as to be appropriate to the themes without being a case of overkill. And I am sick to death of CG battle scenes, believe me. The criticisms that the filmmakers watered down the Christian imagery is a real head scratcher, too. It was most certainly there, but applied delicately. Having Lewis' allegories presented with a heavy hand would have been deadly.

2. INDIANA JONES & THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL: The consensus on this way overdue entry in the series was that it was a misfire. Well, not entirely. I regconize that the script Spielberg and Lucas (more notably, if you believe the buzz) settled on is a real mishmash, allowing the intriguing archeological elements to become contaminated with what is politely called B-movie sci-fi. But, Harrison Ford resumes the part with panache, and his wise smirk still says it all. Plus, the action scenes were fabulous.

3. WALL-E: Pixar delights and amazes yet again. This tale of a waste management droid who falls for a sleek modern prototype bot with a directive to retrieve any remant of plant life from an abandoned earth 700 years in the future was an instant classic. The celebrated early scenes reacall the days of Buster Keaton, and later the story eases into a sharp satire on consumerism, a lack of regard for Mother Earth, and personal choice. The filmmakers deftly combine romance and slapstick for this unique film.

4. THE DARK KNIGHT: Wow. Just wow. I can't believe I did not write a proper review for Christopher Nolan's second foray into the Batman saga, the follow-up to BATMAN BEGINS. Christian Bale completely embodies the suave Bruce Wayne and his highly troubled alter ego. The story delves far beyond your average comic, even the more ambitious graphic novels and mangas of late. This film is actually, IMO, a stunningly realized essay on a post 911 society, a society choked by fear of the unknown, primarily the darkest impulses within itself. You already know that Heath Ledger creates a truly unstettling Joker. That posthumous Oscar should not be a fantasy. So much to consider here. Yes, full review coming....and if you haven't seen this movie, stop reading and go. Now.

5. HANCOCK: I was mildly interested in this from my first awareness back around Christmastime. An alcoholic superhero (Will Smith), is conflicted, perhaps looking for redemption. He apathetically catches criminals, but also leaves a wake of destruction and bad vibes amongst Los Angeles. He cleans up his act, then learns the truth about his history. Could've been something. Instead, director Peter Berg lays a major egg with this wildly unfocused disaster. What is so frustrating is that the raw materials are promising. When we get to the much talked about twist halfway through this movie, things only get worse, when the dramatic arc should've peaked. Rather, we get hasty, unsatisafactory explanations and shoddy f/x. Pretty awful. Smith's worst since 1999's WILD WILD WEST.

6. MAMMA MIA!: I was pretty much dragged to this one. You can guess the rest. I had fun. Just like when I was a kid, resistence to ABBA's music is apprently futile. It is always good to see Meryl Streep having fun for a change, even in a slightly clumsy stage adaptation like this. If I don't hear Pierce Brosnan sing again any time soon, let's just say I won't be heartbroken.

7. TROPIC THUNDER: Co-writer/director/star Ben Stiller goes for the kitchen sink with his Tinseltown parody. Absolutely ruthless skewering of insular Hollywood types and their attempts at "important" films. Also, one of the most unapologetically bawdy mainstream films in awhile. Not perfect, but chock full of comic gold, especially Robert Downey Jr.'s expert, one-of-a-kind performance.

Great. Now bring on the fall releases!