So long, summer

I feel the need to voice my opinion. I need to speak out. I need to speak against (or dare I say in favor of) the movies we saw this summer. I have been reading various commentary from film sites wrapping up the summer movie season. I was not originally going to do this myself because truthfully while I saw many more movies this summer than I ever have I didn't see as many as these other people and didn't feel that I should give you my final opinion. But it seems as if I have been called to do so.

First off because this is (sniff) only a hobby and not a profession (I don't make a living doing film criticism, sadly) I have the fortune (or misfortune) to be able to choose which films I see. I do not have the resources or money to attend film premiers or midnight showings or film festivals, so I get to watch what I choose to and can gladly miss some of the pathetic muck that oozes into our theaters every summer (or all year round for that matter). So I was able to miss some of the shlock such as 'Bratz' (heaven be praised) and 'Spider-man' (amen). But that does not save them from this commentary. To me it seems as if this was a rather disappointing summer. Not so much box office or film fan wise; dude, it was like record breaking. But from a critic's perspective, it was less than stellar. There were few movies that sparked my attention, probably because so many were overshadowed by those really big ones wrapping up popular trilogies (movies, you know who you are). But really if you think about it no films were very good. This was not just a disappointing summer because so few films turned out to be ones I wanted to see, or ones that were any good, but also because there were some that I wanted to see and never got the chance to ('Oceans 13' and 'Hairspray', I await your arrival on DVD). But so it goes.

I believe that while all films should be judged equally and fairly, I also believe that some films should be looked at individually with regards to the respective genre and seasons of release. You don't expect many witty intelligent or dramatic films in summer, you just don't. Likewise, those popcorn films and super fun pointless action films best stay away from the winter months. And you can't expect an alien invasion film and a romantic comedy to be written the same way (although the same grading standards hold true for both). My point is, people who lash out at Jerry Bruckheimer in August are too picky and are expecting too much. August is better suited for Mr. Bruckheimer and those gems such as Peter Weir and Ang Lee are better suited for November (but I really do like Mr. Bruckheimer, I admit.....). Really people, I agree that certain types of films are better than others, but don't get too picky in summer. Leave that for the fall and winter.

But even so. This is no excuse for some of the films that we were given this summer and I would be too embarrassed to even think of seeing. I am speaking of films that insult our intelligence and take advantage of even the unseeing common film goer, films like 'Bratz', 'Delta Farce', and 'Captivity'. These films are there because someone needs money, not to entertain anyone or because the film makers wanted to do it. Why would you even consider doing something like this? What's the point? Who thought this was a good idea? No one liked these films. They're not like 'Transformers' or 'Pirates' which are there not only for us but for the film makers. These films are here to entertain us, yes, but also because the film people wanted to make them (these films, it must be noted, are also not there for critics, who pretty much said, 'No more robots or pirates please' after seeing these films). But those others.......I shudder to think that more of the same will be released to us over the rest of the year. At least, for me, I need not waste precious brain cells viewing these films which I can't even call art. I pity those who must watch them.

Next we have those which looked good and had potential but sadly lost it somewhere along the way. These films share this category with 'Mr. Brooks', 'Hallowe'en', and 'The Invasion'. Promise is there but where did it go? It's a shame, because I'm sure these films could have been very good (I was looking forward to more Daniel Craig, but then the movie ended up being a flop and since I have a choice, I decided my money was better spent on other things--'Stardust', for one, and a third viewing of 'Pirates'). Being lumped next to these films come the ones that you'll never remember, whether or not they were worth anything. '1408' (which was said to actually be pretty good, but who will remember it next month?), 'Nancy Drew', 'Lucky You', and 'Resurrecting the Champ', to name a few (did anyone even see these? And the final one was supposed to not be too bad).

Next we have the big disappointments. These could be seen as such from either a fan's or a critic's point of view. Clearly, points of view differ here. Perhaps you care to call 'Pirates', 'Rush Hour 3', or 'Evan Almighty' disappointments. Depending on the film, what the fan calls super incredibly really awesome the critic calls a disappointment, and vice versa. Nothing was very disappointing to me, except for those films like 'The Invasion' which had potential but lost it. 'Evan' looked funny, but wasn't. Such is Hollywood.

But let's move on. We all must. What was worth it? Comedies, clearly. I have yet to see 'Hairspray', but word is I won't be disappointed. 'Knocked Up' also came out big, but my prudish nature and my innocence (yes you read correctly) prevents me from seeing this film, despite the fact that all my friends say I will like it. '28 Weeks Later' also held it's own (good thing too, because it's predecessor is legend). 'Harry Potter' came back and proved himself able and willing to appease critic's and fan's alike (it was very good). I am not a 'Simpson's' fan but apparently it didn't disappoint. And 'Ratatouille'! Probably the best made film this summer. What a diamond in a mound of dirt. Despite the let down we critic's have had this summer, it proved the opposite for audience members, and we were also blessed with some very good cinema. What few films were actually good proved to be quite excellent, not simply good. Count your blessings.

This was the summer of the 'threequel' (or even the follow-up film). I have never seen so many ends to trilogies or follow-up films: 'Pirates', 'Shrek' (did not see; 'Shrek's' lowbrow potty humor is too low for me), 'Rush Hour', and even 'Harry Potter', 'Fantastic Four', and '28 Weeks'. Wow. No wonder this was a record breaking summer. Sadly, maybe two or three of such films proved their worth. But don't think that we've seen the last of them. No no. And personally, I welcome the return Captain Jack and Harry Potter any day (we know we'll see more Potter, that's a given). One film commentator that I read recently lamented that 'Bourne 3' was the only 'threequel' that proved its worth. I saw 'Bourne Identity', didn't understand it, and didn't see the second. And perhaps this man is right; critically, it seems as if 'Ultimatum' was the only trilogy wrap that was worth anything. But hold up there, I have yet to see 'Oceans 13' (I adore '11') and I firmly feel that despite the issues with it, 'Pirates 3' was a fine finish to the trilogy. Flawed, but worthy. And a good finish. But yes, as a critic, the boat was leaking, and needed repairs (this same man argued that no one would buy any of these trilogy wrap-up films because they were so bad; um, hello? I can see many people buying 'Spider-man' and 'Pirates', if the box office is any indication, and just because a critic doesn't like a film doesn't mean the audience doesn't either. And can you even think to argue against the popularity of these films? And besides, just because a critic gives a film a really low grade doesn't mean that he/she doesn't like it).

From my point of view, the summer didn't offer me much. I don't like 'Spider-man', giant robots don't excite me, and 'Shrek' is too low for me. I was also disappointed by 'Mr. Brooks' and 'The Invasion', which had potential and were on my list to see until they tanked. Then there were the films that I won't even mention because I am embarrassed to include them. And then there are those films which I sadly neglected and will have to catch later. You know who you are; I apologize. I admit that while I liked every film I saw, they ranged in grades and quality. Oh well, as I said, you can't expect too much out of summer. That's the way it is. Onward to fall and beyond. Bye bye summer.

my own humble opinion: the best in quality award goes to 'Ratatouille'. It was the best made, by far. But my actual favorite is 'Pirates', by a landslide. What can I say? A deeply flawed film, yet incredibly fun, and a fine finish to the trilogy. Oh, and I love 'Pirates' (yes, even with Mr. Jones and his nasty squid pet....*death*). Yes I'll buy this on DVD, I'll even get the extended edition or whatever you call it. The award for most disappointment even though I didn't see it is handed to 'The Invasion'; I was so looking forward to more Daniel Craig awesomeness. First movie I have to see when it comes to DVD? '28 Weeks Later'. Have you seen the first one? Go get it now. That's an order. There are way too many movies here that I will never see so I can't pick one. I can pick five at least. Best film you never saw this summer/that got overlooked: 'Stardust'. Wickedly good, though not perfect. Catch it if you still can. Final award: film that was unjustly hated/unfairly took the brunt of summer movie hating (and got flack it didn't deserve): 'Pirates'.....as I said, deeply flawed, but it didn't deserve some of the hate it got. Some people didn't give it a chance. Look at the good bits in it! It wasn't that bad.

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