May Movies: Iron Man 2, Prince of Persia, Robin Hood & Shrek 4...

[Mark Vader]

These are the dark days for football fans. The draft has concluded, free agency is lacking interest, mini-camps and OTA's are just tidbits of information, and the preseason is not for another three months. So what better way to distract ourselves than indulge in this years Summer Movie Season? It's time for big budgets, big name actors and directors, big explosions, tentpole titles, and just plain fun at the cinema. While this is a time when the sequels are the big draws this time of year, and there are some big ones, there is also a good amount of original titles this summer to bring excitement to moviegoers as well. Once again the month of May is loaded from top to bottom with box office firepower, with three huge action flicks, one big animated feature, and a pair of counterprogramming movies for the ladies.

 

Ever since Gladiator hit movie screens in 2000, the Summer Season expanded it's reach to the first week of May instead of waiting for Memorial Day to officially start it's big season. This year continue's that trend as well. In 2008 Robert Downey, Jr. reignited his career as he took on the persona of Tony Stark in Paramount's & Marvel's latest comic book film franchise Iron Man. The reviews were some of the highest rated of the year and movie fans responded with their dollars. Now a mere two years later the franchise continues with "Iron Man 2". With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts, and James "Rhodey" Rhodes at his side, must forge new alliances -- and confront powerful enemies. Gwyneth Paltrow returns while Don Cheadle steps in for Terrence Howard. Add in new characters played by Mickey Rourke & Scarlett Johansson and you have a very delicious cast for this big popcorn movie. The sky is the limit with this franchise. The only question remaining is, "How long until we get that Avengers movie greenlit?". Also starring Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Paul Bettany & Garry Shandling.

 

Walt Disney Pictures goes where no other movie studio has ever dared to go. Taking a big name video game product, giving it a huge budget, and releasing it on Memorial Day weekend. The result is "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time". Set in medieval Persia, a rogue prince joins a mysterious princess in an effort to prevent a dark force from obtaining an ancient dagger that allows its handler to rule the world. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the titular character, while Mike Newell directs and Jerry Bruckheimer produces. Many people believe that Disney is taking a huge gamble with this film as video game movies are not known to make big bucks. However, Disney has taken every precaution. With Bruckheimer on board, fans will get action and that sense of fun. Jake Gyllenhall's presence will mean that guys will not have to force their girlfriends to see this movie. And with Prince of Persia already a big hit as a vieo game, many gamers will be ciurious to see the outcome. If POP becomes a blockbuster hit, then look for video games like Halo & God of War to get greenlights from other studios. Also starring Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley & Alfred Molina.

 

There have been many actor-director combos in recent years: Johnny Depp-Tim Burton, Leonardo DiCaprio-Martin Scorcese, Denzel Washington-Tony Scott. Now we can add Russell Crowe-Ridley Scott to that mix. The first time Crowe & Scott teamed up was for 2000's Gladiator. 10 years later they team up for the 5th time and head back to the historical realms with "Robin Hood". The story of an expert archer (Crowe) who travels to the town of Nottingham toward the end of the 12th century, where the acts of a despotic sheriff (Macfadyen) and the presence of a beautiful widow (Blanchett) inspire him to assemble a gang of mercenaries bent on raiding the upper class as a way to correct the sheriff's injustices. The story of Robin Hood has been filmed many times, yet Scott & Crowe are attempting to bring something different this time around, as they give this treatment a more historical feel to it than in previous versions. Also starring Cate Blanchett, Matthew Macfadyen, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Danny Huston, Oscar Issac & Mark Addy.

 

For the 4th and apparently last time, the jolly green ogre makes another appearance this Summer, in "Shrek Forever After". A bored and domesticated Shrek (Myers) pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona (Diaz) have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love. The gang of these fractured fairy tales look to go out with a bang and even bigger box office receipts. Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn, Julie Andrews & John Cleese.

 

With all the high testosterone present this month, it is up to Carrie & the gang to provide counterprogramming for all the ladies out there who need something different. So Warner Bros. gives us "Sex and the City 2". While wrestling with the pressures of life, love, and work in Manhattan, Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte join Samantha for a trip to Morocco, where Samantha's ex is filming a new movie. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis & Cynthia Nixon.

 

Another counterprogramming film that could turn out to be a sleeper hit this summer is Summit Entertainment's "Letters to Juliet". Starring Amanda Seyfried as a young woman on vacation in Verona, Italy finds an unanswered "letter to Juliet" -- one of thousands of missives left at the fictional lover's Verona courtyard. Inspired by the volunteers who respond to the notes, she goes on an adventure to unite the author of letter (Redgrave) with her beloved. Seyfried is quickly becoming a rising star, after Mamma Mia, and this past winter's surprise hit Dear John. This movie could just be the ticket to making her an even bigger headliner. Also starring Gael Garcia Bernal & Vanessa Redgrave.

 

All you zombie lovers can prepare yourselves for George A. Romero's "Survival of the Dead". National Guardsmen, thinking they have found refuge from a zombie army on an island off the coast of Delaware, soon realize they've wedged themselves between two warring families who differ on what should become of the undead. Starring Alan Van Sprang, Kenneth Welsh & Kathleen Munroe.

 

Universal brings us the feature film of the SNL skit "MacGruber". Ex-special operative MacGruber is called back into action to take down his archenemy, Dieter Von Cunth, who's in possession of a nuclear warhead and bent on destroying Washington, D.C. Starring Will Forte, Kristen Wiig & Val Kilmer.

 

"Babies", is a look at one year in the life of four babies living on different continents: Ponijao (Opuwo, Namibia), Bayar (Bayanchandmani, Mongolia), Mari (Tokyo, Japan), and Hattie (San Francisco, California).

 

In "Just Wright", A physical therapist falls for the basketball player she is helping recover from a career-threatening injury, though he's drawn to her best friend, who has her sights set on being an NBA trophy wife. Starring Queen Latifah, Common & Paula Patton.

 

Calendar with Trailers:

 

5/7

"Iron Man 2": http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/

 

"Babies": http://www.focusfeatures.com/focusfeatures/film/babies/

 

5/14

"Robin Hood": http://www.robinhoodthemovie.com/

 

"Letters to Juliet": http://letterstojuliet-movie.com/

 

"Just Wright": http://www.foxsearchlight.com/justwright/

 

5/21

"Shrek Forever After": http://www.shrek.com/

 

"MacGruber": http://iamrogue.com/macgruber/

 

5/27

"Sex and the City 2": http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/

 

5/28

"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia/

 

"Survival of the Dead": http://www.magnetreleasing.com/survivalofthedead/

 

That's all for now. Independent Films will be posted later. Enjoy!

[Mark Vader]

Saw "Iron Man 2" tonight, enjoyed it very much.

 

Stay until the credits are finished, if you did'nt already know.

[Mark Vader]

BUMP

 

Anyone seeing Robin Hood this weekend, or is it more of a wait for DVD movie?

[Just Jack]

Might see Robin Hood tonight depending on what the person I'll be out with wants to do.

[Booster4324]

Might see Robin Hood tonight depending on what the person I'll be out with wants to do.

 

Date? If so, may not be the best movie.

[Clippers of Nfl]

Saw "Iron Man 2" tonight, enjoyed it very much.

 

Stay until the credits are finished, if you did'nt already know.

im going to see iron 2 tomorrow. i hope its as good as the first. i loved rob downey's acting in part 1. especially at the beginning where he is "mr cool" in the hum vee. the scenes in the cave where he designed the suit were great too.

[Booster4324]

Saw "Iron Man 2" tonight, enjoyed it very much.

 

Stay until the credits are finished, if you did'nt already know.

 

Were those the longest credits ever?

[Mark Vader]

Were those the longest credits ever?

The credits for "Cloverfield" took an eternity. It was because they needed to be long so that they could qualify as a major motion picture instead of a short film.

 

I also remember "Pulp Fiction" having a ton of credits.

[Clippers of Nfl]

Saw "Iron Man 2" tonight, enjoyed it very much.

 

Stay until the credits are finished, if you did'nt already know.

NOT WORTH IT PEOPLE. dont stay after the credits. not only will you already be home by the time the credits are finished, but the 10 second scene is not worth your time.

 

spoiler

 

"we found it people" a guy finds a piece of equipment that leaves you to believe there will be a part 3.

 

hellooooooooo. of course we know there is going to be a part 3.

[Clippers of Nfl]

iron man 2. excellent!!!!! forgot to mention

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Saw "Iron Man 2" tonight, enjoyed it very much.

 

Stay until the credits are finished, if you did'nt already know.

 

 

This. Love the cast for these movies, I'd like to see a Nick Fury movie.

[shrader]

NOT WORTH IT PEOPLE. dont stay after the credits. not only will you already be home by the time the credits are finished, but the 10 second scene is not worth your time.

 

spoiler

 

"we found it people" a guy finds a piece of equipment that leaves you to believe there will be a part 3.

 

hellooooooooo. of course we know there is going to be a part 3.

 

Or it's a teaser for a different, non-Iron Man movie. But hey, who's keeping track?

[Mark Vader]

Here are this month's Independent Films.

 

"Mother and Child", is a drama centered around three women: A 50-year-old medical professional, the daughter she gave up for adoption 35 years ago, and an African American woman looking to adopt a child of her own. Starring Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, David Morse, Jimmy Smits & Cherry Jones.

 

In "Solitary Man", Ben Kalmen, a successful car dealer whose fall from grace lands him on a road to redemption, is up to his old tricks whenever he's asked to help those he's burned in the past. Starring Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito, Mary Louise-Parker, Jenna Fischer, Jesse Eisenberg & Imogen Potts.

 

"Holy Rollers" takes place in Brooklyn, where a youth from an Orthodox Jewish community is lured into becoming an Ecstasy dealer by his pal who has ties to an Israel drug cartel. Starring Jesse Eisenberg & Justin Bartha.

 

The documentary "Casino Jack and the United States of Money", Is a probing investigation into the lies, greed and corruption surrounding D.C. super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his cronies.

 

From France comes "Micmacs". A man and his friends come up with an intricate and original plan to destroy two big weapons manufacturers. Starring Danny Boon, Andre Dussollier & Nicolas Marie.

 

Calendar with trailers. Note that dates are for excluive or limited release. These films may be released in your area at a later date.

 

5/7

"Mother and Child": http://www.sonyclassics.com/motherandchild/

 

"Casino Jack and the United States of Money": http://www.takepart.com/casinojack

 

5/21

"Holy Rollers": http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi940443417/

 

"Solitary Man": http://www.solitarymanmovie.com/

 

5/28

"Micmacs": http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3406759705/

 

That's it for now. I'll have the June movies up very soon. Enjoy!

[Fezmid]

Were those the longest credits ever?

 

I usually stay to see if the IT folks got any credit in the movie. Since all movies use a ton of technology nowadays, you'd think they would always get credits - but more often than not, they don't.

[Peevo]

Although I was never a huge fan of the comics, the end-credits scene at the end of Iron Man 2 is a shot of the Hammer of Thor falling to Earth, obviously referencing the 2011 release of the movie.

 

Interestingly, its director is Kenneth Brannagh, of Hamlet and other Shakespeare fame, and stars Sir Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor's father in the series, and in the original Norse mythology as well.

 

Jon Favreau-director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2 has said in interviews how difficult merging these different worlds into one movie, The Avengers will be. Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk work because we live in such a technologically advanced age, that its somewhat plausible these characters can exist and thrive. Thor lives in a fantasy world, dominated by Gods and what not. So obviously, Brannagh has a tough sell with this.

 

I'm looking forward to the Avengers, but I am skeptical on Thor and the cast of the Avengers' leader-Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America. Having done a rather piss poor job as The Human Torch, I'm not too sold on the super soldier and leader of the Avengers. But we'll see what happens.