Summer Movie Fun

Popcorn by Darren Hester

Though there have been many mediocre and disappointing movies coming from Hollywood these days, I am still looking forward to visiting the theater. From this week’s favorite demon-spawned gem Hellboy II: The Golden Army, to the quirky comedy Meet Dave, about miniature aliens who land on earth in a clever disguised ship which looks like an ordinary human, there is much to enjoy at your local theater.

I’m not picky either – I’ll take a good comedy, animated children’s movie, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, or action flick. Give me some cool visuals, lots of action, and a few plucky sidekicks thrown in and I’m happy. Wanted looks to be an edge-of-your-seat thriller with those super-cool slow-motion shots that make the action even more suspenseful. And I’m also looking forward to the crazy antics and hilarious wit of the upcoming Step Brothers movie. With two of my favorite funny stars, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly who make a hilarious comedy duo, this is sure to be a hit.

Last week I got to see the animated movie Kung Fu Panda. I love watching accidental heroes –especially when they are cute, fuzzy, talking animal heroes. This movie was fun, colorful, and kept me entertained the entire time. We also have The Dark Knight, which opens July 18^th. After many disastrous attempts to bring this comic legend back to life, Christian Bale has captured the essence of a real-life Batman, giving us a troubled and flawed, but essentially good-hearted man whose passion is to bring order and peace back to the streets of his hometown.

In these days of hot humid weather and rainy afternoons, there’s no place like your favorite big-screen cinema house to offer a great getaway from work doldrums and an fun-filled escape for moms to take kids of all ages. Let’s not forget the other great contenders soon to arrive at our door; The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Rocker with our Office favorite Rainn Wilson in the starring role, and finally for all you Star Wars fans, the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie.

Here’s to a great summer, full of good times with good friends. Feel free to share your favorites here. Happy screening!

Movies That Make You Laugh Out Loud!

I love watching funny movies – they can make almost any day seem better. You know great movies when you see them. They’re the ones you can watch over and over again and not get sick of them. Here’s a few of my favorites (some of which I haven’t seen in a while.) Feel free to share your favorites with me!

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – (will make you want to play hooky from work).

Ferris uses his imagination and charm to entice his girlfriend and best friend to join him in some fun while they play hooky from school. His sister Jeanie just doesn’t have the same kind of luck as her popular brother. A cult classic!

The Princess Bride (1987) – a movie about the power of true love. Watch this comical fairytale about Princess Buttercup and those who wish to do her harm. First Prince Humperdinck wants to marry her even though she doesn’t love him. Then three bandits kidnap her to induce war between her homeland and another. It’s inconceivable that you wouldn’t watch it!

Better Off Dead (1985) (one of my favorites)

Depressed teen Lane Meyer whose miserable life just got worse when his girlfriend Beth breaks up with him. Watch the fun as he deals with his mom’s horrible cooking, a sly and sneaky younger brother, the paperboy from Hell and his next door neighbor Ricky. Laugh out loud fun!

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

–one of the funniest movies in recent years. (Even if you don’t like NASCAR.) Watch as Ricky Bobby pursues his dream to be one of the top drivers in NASCAR, until a horrible crash puts a stop to his career. Now he must be beat the pompous foreigner Jean Girard to return to the top.

Over the Hedge (2006) – a great romp! Those cute and cuddly forest creatures awake from hibernation to find suburbia has taken over their woods. While RJ the raccoon leads them to pilfer food from the locals, they soon find themselves in trouble as an exterminator is called in to remove them.

And a few more:

• Young Frankenstein (1974) – Gene Wilder & Terri Garr. That’s Frankensteen.”
• Bringing Up Baby (1938) –Cary Grant & Katherine Hepburn.
• Office Space – 1999 office classic.
• The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) – Don Knotts is great!
• Raising Arizona (1987) – Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter.
• Blues Brothers (1980) – John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd.