The Raw Blog: Summer/Fall Movies

The films I saw this past summer with a quick review:

Iron Man: A-. Robert Downey Jr. is excellent as Tony Stark and Jon Favreau has made a great movie to re-invigorate the Marvel line of movies.

Indiana Jones: B+. The most fun I have had at a movie in a long time. I don't care what anyone else says this film stands up with the rest of the series and is much better then Temple of Doom. The few things I found wrong with this film I know came from the mind of Lucas, but Spielberg and Ford deliver.

The Happening: D. Their were some interesting moments in this film, but all in all it sucked. Horrible screenplay with atrocious dialog and some of the worst acting from good actors I have ever seen.

Hellboy 2: C. It was entertaining, but too long and just like the first one left me with the feeling that I could've lived without seeing it.

The Dark Knight: A. An almost flawless film. The best comic book adaptation to ever be put onto the big screen and one of the most innovative action films I have ever seen. On top of that one of the great film performances of all time by Eric Roberts. Totally outshines Heath Ledger.

Pineapple Express: B-. Not one of the better Apatow films, but funny none-the-less and a good time.

Tropic Thunder: B+. Incredibly funny film by Stiller and I was quite happy to see him behind the camera again. Downey Jr was terrific and in fact just about everyone in the cast is hilarious. Crude, clever and a good way to close out the summer.

My Most anticipated movies of the fall, why I want to see them, and a trailer if available:

Burn After Reading (9/12): All I have to say: Coen Brothers

Appaloosa (10/3): I love a good western and in the last few years their have been quite a few. Now this one comes along and just happens to be Ed Harris' second attempt at directing after his excellent "Pollack"

Blindness (10/3): Some great actors with a great young director from a book I loved. If done right this could be a great film.

Body of Lies (10/10): I did not like the first trailer for this movie, but with this cast and Ridley Scott directing I won't skip it for a poorly made preview.

W. (10/17): Oliver Stones first 2 president movies (JFK & Nixon) were both amazing films. I am hoping Stone hits his stride again because despite a few misses in the last few years he is still one of my favorite directors.

Changeling (10/31): As a director Clint Eastwood is on an amazing run of films and this looks like it will continue his streak.

Quantum of Solace (11/14): Casino Royale was awesome and I refer to it as Bond Begins. If its half as good as the Dark Knight or the trailer makes it look then it will be a great film.

The Soloist (11/21): I always loved Robert Downey Jr. and this year he is on a roll. I will check it out simply for that reason.

Australia (11/26): Baz Luhrmann takes familiar genres/stories/ideas and twists them around in ways you could never imagine. Now he is tackling the western and war genres in one film. I can't wait.