On May 8, I posted this entry listing the films I planned to see over the summer. I wound up seeing 9 of the 11 films mentioned (plus Spider-Man 3, which I saw right before making the list), eschewing Rush Hour 3 because it just looked bad and deciding Stardust could wait for video.
Five of the ten films were the third in a series. One was the fourth. One was the fifth. Not surprisingly, my favorite summer films were the others — the original screenplays. And while all of those sequels made a lot of money, most of them weren't very well-received by critics. I'd love to think Hollywood will learn a lesson and bankroll more original ideas, but alas, I'm sure we'll be looking at Shrek Comes Fourth or some such nonsense a year from now.
The big winner of the summer, and the year so far, is Ratatouille.
This film clicks on every level — extraordinary visuals, a score that better win the Oscar, winning performances and an elegant screenplay. It's one of the best things Pixar has ever done, and that's saying a lot.When I compile my favorite scenes of the year, no fewer than three from this film will make the list — Remy's ascent from the sewers to the roof of a building overlooking Paris, his first time in Gusteau's kitchen where he is nearly discovered a half-dozen times but can't bring himself to leave without perfecting the soup and Anton Ego's flashback upon tasting the title dish plus his subsequent review.
The other star of summer was Knocked Up — as consistently funny a movie as I've seen in a decade.
This movie is so chock full of hilarious performances it almost seems unfair to the rest of Hollywood. The work of Ryan Seacrest, Kristen Wiig, Alan Tudyk, Ken Jeong and Craig Robinson alone could make for a decent comedy, and that leaves out the two leads and six main supporting characters, every one of whom is priceless.Those are the two films I know will make my year-end top ten list, probably even top five depending on what fall brings.
Of the rest, I most enjoyed The Bourne Ultimatum, which sewed up that excellent franchise with another brainy, balls-to-the-wall adrenaline-feuled installment. And Superbad, younger brother of Knocked Up, capped the summer off with some big laughs and a real sweet streak.
If they gave out Oscars by season, my Summer Awards would look like this:
Best Picture: Ratatouille
Best Director: Brad Bird - Ratatouille
Best Actress: Katherine Heigl - Knocked Up
Best Actor: Matt Damon - The Bourne Ultimatum
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Rudd - Knocked Up
Best Supporting Actress: Leslie Mann - Knocked Up
Best Original Screenplay: Ratatouille
Best Adapted Screenplay: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Next up... the Fall Preview.
