Getting Buzzed - RFP’s 30 Most Anticipated Summer Films

After looking over the summer releases, this is looking to be an interesting one with a lot of smaller films making the list. There are also some interesting films on the outside looking in. Big releases like Tom Cruise's KNIGHT & DAY and Angelina Jolie's SALT just aren't making me want to run to the theaters. While I liked the first films in these series, SEX AND THE CITY 2 and SHREK FOREVER AFTER look kind of desperate. I don't know if I'm supposed to take Sylvester Stallone's THE EXPENDABLES seriously or not. And while I'm a huge fan of his work, GEORGE A. ROMERO’S SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD just looks DOA. So lets look at what is making me excited for the summer to start.

30) EAT PRAY LOVE (Aug. 13)
Trailer
The memoir on which this Julia Roberts drama is based is very popular. The trailer makes it out as one woman's tour of the world to find herself. It's been done before, but this one has me curious because of Roberts and the source.

29) THE KARATE KID (June 11)
Trailer
I love the original KARATE KID. So while there is a part of me that dreads this film, I am still very compelled to see how it turns out. I like Jackie Chan, but will he turn Pat Morita's tender performance into a joke? The other question is whether Jaden Smith can carry a whole film. I've heard good things about it so we'll see in June.

28) THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE (July 16)
Trailer
Here's another summer curiosity. Based on the Mickey Mouse segment from FANTASIA, this Nicolas Cage flick finds the actor as a sorcerer in need of an apprentice. This is where Jay Baruchel comes in. Co-stars include the always-good Alfred Molina and the always-gorgeous Monica Bellucci. I'd see it for them alone.

27) THE A-TEAM (June 11)
Trailer
Here is another one that has the potential to really annoy me too. I loved the TV series as a kid. The trailer makes it look way over the top. Even more so than the series. But I like Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Wilson and Sharlto Copley. I don't hate Jessica Biel like so many do. The real x-factor is whether UFC fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson can fill Mr. T's shoes. I pity the poor fool who disrespects Mr. T. Hoping for the best with this one.

26) PREDATORS (July 9)
Trailer
I'm not a fan of the PREDATOR franchise. The only thing the original provided cinema was some quotable Arnold lines. "I'm here. Kill me. Kill me now." But then you have Robert Rodriguez producing and Nimrod Antal, who made the great film KONTROLL, directing. Rodriguez said he wanted each character to feel like they could have been the star of their own movie. And what a cast — Adrien Brody, Danny Trejo, Topher Grace, Laurence Fishburne, and 4400's Mahershalahashbaz Ali. I'm hoping for a great creature feature on the lines of THE MIST.

25) JONAH HEX (June 18)
Trailer
This was about to make my top 10 and then I saw the trailer. I don't know much about the source comic, but I was looking forward to seeing how a supernatural Western would turn out. I also like Josh Brolin, Michael Shannon and John Malkovich. The trailer makes it look jokey and obvious. Megan Fox's performance reminded me of that infamous drugged up Anna Nicole Smith video. I'm hoping the film is better than the trailer.

24) PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME (May 28)
Trailer
With each new game adaptation, the invariable question always is — will this be the first good video game adaptation? This one has a lot going for it. Star Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma "Strawberry Fields" Arterton, Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina. Directed by Mike Newell who made HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, as well as FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and DONNIE BRASCO. Producer is Jerry "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" Bruckheimer. Plus this is a game with some story not just slaughtering zombies. How compellingly that will translate to the screen is up in the air.

23) GET HIM TO THE GREEK (June 4)
Trailer
This spin-off of FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL brings back Russell Brand as the sexed up rocker Aldous Snow. Jonah Hill also returns, but not as Matthew the Snow-obsessed waiter, but as record company intern Aaron Green who is given the task of bringing Snow, who is on a binder, to a concert at the Greek Theater in L.A. MARSHALL director Nicholas Stoller is back. MARSHALL was so good that I have to give this one a chance. A whole movie with Brand and no Jason Segel, we'll have to see how that works.

22) DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (July 23)
Trailer
From MEET THE PARENTS director Jay Ray comes this comedy, a remake of Francis Veber's THE DINNER GAME. Paul Rudd plays a rising exec whose boss hosts a monthly dinner where his employees must bring with them the biggest idiots they can find. This is when Rudd's Tim meets Barry, played by Steve Carell. The man collects dead mice to stuff and include in his mouse recreation of the Last Supper. We have a winner. The trailer has its funny moments but I do fear this one goes for broad a bit too much. But I do like Carrell and Rudd, so I'm not counting it out yet.

21) I AM LOVE (June 18)
Trailer
This Italian drama has been garnering some buzz in the art house world ever since its U.S. premiere at Sundance. Passion and unconditional love bring down a bourgeoisie. Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton stars. Has she ever been is a bad movie? The trailer makes it very mysterious in a foreign film sort of way. I've heard it compared to THE GODFATHER and THE LEOPARD. Let's see if it can live up to that hype.

20) ONDINE (June 4)
Trailer
Neil Jordon's latest had a luke warm reception at Toronto last year. But there is something that intrigues me about this Irish tale that follows the story of a fisherman who finds a woman in the water and believes she might be a mermaid. Feels like a SECRET OF ROAN INISH for adults. Stars Colin Farrell and Jordon-regular Stephen Rea.

19) DESPICABLE ME (July 9)
Trailer
Universal is getting into the feature animation game with this French produced comedy. Steve Carell voices Gru, a criminal mastermind who is in competition with his rival Vector (Jason Segel). After being one-upped, Gru decides to steal the moon, however his plans get disrupted when he comes into possession of three orphans. Plot seems standard, but the trailer has some funny bits in it. Cast also includes Kristen Wiig (does she have time to sleep?), Will Arnet, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Danny McBride.

18) THE TILLMAN STORY (Aug. 20)
This is the first of a group of summer docs that look wonderful. This one started building buzz at the Sundance Film Festival. The film tells the story of Pat Tillman who gave up a multimillion-dollar NFL career to go fight in Afghanistan after 9/11. He was killed by friendly fire, but that's not the story the military told his family and press to begin with. The film details how the U.S. military used Tillman's death as pro-war propaganda. Makes me sick, but the truth has to be told.

17) MOTHER AND CHILD (May 7)
Trailer
Another Sundance buzz maker, this one tells multiple stories surrounding the complex relationships between mothers and their children. The cast is something to be excited about — Naomi Watts, Samuel L. Jackson, Annette Bening, Carlo Gallo, Kerry Washington, David Morse, Amy Brenneman, Jimmy Smits, Cherry Jones, and S. Epatha Merkerson. The cast alone has me interested.

16) WILD GRASS (June 25)
Trailer
I have sadly seen none of Alain Resnais' work, which includes the classics HIROSHIMA, MY LOVE, LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD and MON ONCLE D'AMÉRIQUE. I know how did I get through film school without seeing any of those. I hope to remedy this hole in my film knowledge with his latest. A man finds a wallet and takes it back to the female owner and they strike up a romance. It won a Special Jury prize at Cannes. The French New Wave still lives.

15) LOOKING FOR ERIC (May 14)
Trailer
From Ken Loach (THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY and BREAD AND ROSES) comes this tale of a soccer-obsessed postman who surprisingly turns his life around with the help of famed soccer legend Eric Cantona. Steve Evets plays Eric the postman and Eric Cantona plays himself. The word from Cannes was stellar and many are saying it's an emotional sledgehammer that you never thought would hit you as hard as it does. Reminds me of THE FULL MONTY is some ways. The British do these kinds of stories very well.

14) SPLICE (June 4)
Trailer
Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley star in this modern Frankenstein tale as scientists merge the DNA of an animal with a human resulting a terrifying new creature. I love a good horror flick and this one looks like it could be a cut above the usual dreck. I'm hoping it deals with the ethical implications of the science while being a great monster movie at the same time. This one also comes from the director of the original CUBE, Vincenzo Natali. That's really promising.

13) CYRUS (July 9)
Trailer
Jay and Mark Duplass have been making ultra-low budget flicks like THE PUFFY CHAIR and BAGHEAD. Now they have some name actors to work with and this comedy looks promising. John C. Reilly plays a lovable loser who somehow impresses Marisa Tomei at a party and they begin dating. The only problem is that her 20-something son Cyrus, played by Jonah Hill, still lives at home and is unusually attached to his mother. Catherine Keener plays Reilly's ex. Unlike DINNER WITH SHMUCKS and GET HIM TO THE GREEK, this one seems to be playing the broader elements with more finesse. The cast is great and Reillyand Hill seem perfect for their roles.

12) THE OTHER GUYS (Aug. 6)
Trailer
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg play two desk cops who idolize the arrogant superstar cops played by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. When Wahlberg and Ferrell get a chance to get into some real action things don't go as planned. Now this one seems to be playing things broad as well, but it seems just right for what looks to be a satire of cop flick conventions. Eva Mendes and Michael Keaton also star. If the film makes me laugh as much as the trailer than the film could be one of the funniest of the year.

11) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION (June 18)
Trailer
This doc uncovers the full extent of the Mormon Church's involvement in getting Prop 8 passed in California, the ballot initiative that took away the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. The film seems to be not only an indictment of Prop 8, but also the special interest money that influences elections with campaigns of misinformation. Prop 8 was a disgrace and history will not look kindly on those that supported it. The only thing I hope is that the film allows the Mormons to give their own point of view and let the audience decided which side is right or wrong.

10) THE LAST AIRBENDER (July 2)
Trailer
Based on the great animated series, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (James Cameron copyrighted the feature title before Paramount could), the live-action feature has the potential to be great as well. The story follows destined warriors who can control the elements. One comes along in an age who can control all of them. M. Night Shyamalan takes on his first non-original project, Hopefully this redeems him from LADY IN THE WATER and the god-awful THE HAPPENING. Looking forward to see SLUMDOG star Dev Patel as the baddie.

9) CASINO JACK AND THE UNITED STATES OF MONEY (May 7)
Trailer
The film comes from Alex Gibney who won an Oscar for the devastatingly powerful doc TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE and also made the infuriatingly good ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM. This one investigates the corruption that surrounded lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The film seems like it uses the Abramoff debacle to look into the greater issue of lobbyist influence on government like ENRON looked at corporate greed as a whole. When Gibney releases a film I pay attention.

8) MICMACS (May 28)
Trailer
Jean-Pierre Jeunet makes wonderfully whimsical fantasies — DELICATESSEN, CITY OF LOST CHILDREN and AMELIE. His latest follows Bazil, a man who becomes a victim of an accidental shooting. With the bullet still lodged in his head, he joins with a junkyard crew to seek revenge on the weapons manufacturers. From the trailer, the film looks like signature Jeunet. This seems like a big message movie for the filmmaker, which makes it all the more intriguing.

7) ROBIN HOOD (May 14)
Trailer
Ridley Scott is bringing his version of Robin Hood to the screen. Russell Crowe stars as Robin Hood and Cate Blanchett is Maid Marion. Ridley brings his typical gritty realism to the classic tale. Cast also includes Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Oscar Isaac, Matthew Macfadyen and Danny Huston. Crowe did extensive research into the legend and its origins. He claims that if this weren't the best Robin Hood adaptation yet than he'd be doing something else. The actors add a pedigree that makes me hope that is true. But they'll have a big challenge besting Errol Flynn's 1938 THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.

6) GET LOW (July 30)
Trailer
I mentioned this film in my Most Anticipated list of last fall when it was debuting at Toronto. Now it's arriving as a summer film and I'm really excited about this one. Robert Duvall plays a hermit in 1930s Tennessee who calls on a funeral director, played by Bill Murray, to plan his funeral. The only difference is that he wants to throw the funeral while he is alive, because he wants to hear what everyone has to say about him. The cast includes Lucas Black and Sissy Spacek. Director Aaron Schneider won an Oscar for his live-action short, TWO SOLDIERS.

5) SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (Aug. 13)
Trailer
Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley comic, SHAUN OF THE DEAD director Edgar Wright brings this action comedy to the big screen. Scott Pilgrim, played by Michael Cera, must defeat the seven exes of his new girlfriend, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead (DEATH RACE). Cast includes Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Oscar-nominee Anna Kendrick, Brandon "Superman" Routh and Jason Schwartzman. Looks like a hilarious satire of the burden past relationships play on any new relationship. Seems like a superhero version of ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF A SPOTLESS MIND. August can't come soon enough.

4) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (July 7)
Trailer
This dramedy was the hottest thing out of Sundance this year. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play a lesbian couple who conceive two children via artificial insemination. ALICE IN WONDERLAND's Mia Wasikowska and BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA's Josh Hutcherson play their kids, who decide they want to find the donor, who turns out to be a layabout, played by layabout master Mark Ruffalo. Looks like a hilarious poke at the modern family.

3) TOY STORY 3 (June 18)
Trailer
Pixar returns to the franchise that started it all. Now I'm not jumping out of my seat to see this one like I was with UP, but it's Pixar for goodness sakes. Andy is off to college and the toys end up donated to a daycare. The kids make it a rough time so Woody and the gang are ready to escape. In the process, Buzz gets rebooted back to his factory setting. Reminds me of the plot of THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER, however this time it makes more sense with toys. Pixar has never failed and I don't expect them to start now.

2) IRON MAN 2 (May 7)
Trailer
While the word is that it's not as good as the original, I still can't wait to see it. The first installment was one of the best superhero movies ever made so it will be hard to live up to. But the characters are so good, there is still so much that can be done with them. Robert Downey Jr. is great as Tony Stark. Interested in seeing how Don Cheadle fares in the role Terrence Howard played in the original. You also get Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Garry Shandling and Paul Bettany. Bring it on.

1) INCEPTION (July 16)
Trailer
From Christopher Nolan, this seems like the big budgeted heady sci-fi flick that you get to make when your previous film was THE DARK KNIGHT. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a spy who tries to steal ideas through dream invasion technology. Co-stars include Oscar-nominee Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard, Oscar-nominee Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine and Lukas Haas. This seems like a special film that only comes along once in a blue moon. Remember Nolan made MEMENTO. This looks even trippier.