This week marks the release of Predator a movie called well, Predators. If the title sounds familiar you wouldn't be wrong. it sounds similar to the first movie in the series Predator and similar to James Cameron's film Aliens. The plot sounds simple enough, some of the best soldiers and killers in the world are transported to a plane that the Predators (alien head hunters) use to hunt. Humans team up to kill Predators, get picked off one by one, and much action and gore ensures. A simple sounding plot, but really, does something in the Predator series need anything else? This is something that the Aliens vs Predators movie really dropped the ball on, making it seem more about the humans than the creatures themselves. Which is why I can't wait to see this. It seems to channel equal parts Aliens and original Predator, two action movies which I still hold high in regards. If this can come anywhere near the greatness of those two movies then I'll be very happy indeed.
July 16 marks the return of Christopher Nolan to the big screen with his latest film Inception. As much as I really don't like to say it, this man gets a free pass from me. Very few directors ever get this advantage from me but Nolan has more than proven himself time and time again. While most people will know him for his film The Dark Knight, his other films have proven themselves fantastic as well. It won't be until 2012 until we see Nolan's final Batman film in his trilogy but until then we get another original sci fi heist movie with some excellent actors (notice how I said actors, not stars. There is a difference) and a plot a tick above your normal summer movie. Color me excited, very excited.
Finally August 13th brings the last two movies I am anticipating, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and The Expendables. Pilgrim is being directed by Edgar Wright, reason enough to go see it as the man has not only put out two excellent movies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, but arguably one of the best television shows off all time as well. I could write an entire essay on how much I adored Spaced but that's for another time. Pilgrim looks like a love letter to comic geeks and video game fanboys everywhere. The attention to detail and variety of in jokes just in the preview already bodes well for this movie. From the fight announcer from the Street Fighter Alpha Series, to the Mary Marvel T Shirt one of the main characters wears, to the crazy and kinetic fight scenes it's a super hero/video game movie that only Wright could make. Love story meets indie rock flick meets Speed Racer meets The King of Kong. It's a movie for the gaming generation, and I'll be there ticket in hand and hopefully smile on my face.
The Expendables is a movie which is always talked about but never realized until now. Come one, you know you've asked the questions before. Who can beat who in a fight, and wouldn't it be awesome if (blank) and (blank) teamed up? Once the result of speculation and wishful thinking is now a reality. The Expendables has every major action star worth mentioning* in one movie together blowing stuff up, kicking ass and taking names. Plot? Who cares? They could be going to bingo night as much as I care. You don't go to see this movie for plot, you go to see bad guys get hurt and tough guys save the day. This is the dumb summer flick on steroids. action which is gritty, violent, and just as chaotic. With real stunts and choreographed fight scenes it's a refreshing breath of air from the often CGI laden blockbusters and a return to the no holds bared action flicks of the 80's. Its almost kind of funny Scott Pilgrim and this come out on the same day. Two different action flicks come out at the same time. I will see both, and probably suffer a heart attack or testosterone overload as a result.
This is you mission movies: save the summer from creative bankruptcy and witless banality. You have until the end of August. Good luck. God speed.
*everyone except as Jean Claude Van-Damm
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