Summer movies to see
Despite what recent weather forecasts may suggest, the summer season is actually upon us. Although a few weeks might pass before we can begin dusting off our swimsuits, there are a plethora of summer movies to keep us busy.
Some movie buffs have already heard the buzz from critics about many of the upcoming attractions, but for those who haven't, The State News is on the job.
Read on to see what MSU students Michael Spiegel and Nick Boyd, film studies professor Bill Vincent and other critics have to say about which blockbuster flicks they'll see on opening night, and which blunders they'll wait to see on video.
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
May 22
Nearly 20 years after the original trilogy, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have brought back everyone's favorite archeologist. Yes, the now 65-year-old Harrison Ford will be returning as the protagonist of the film. Audiences will see just how well preserved Ford is in the role of Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, in this twisted plot about a Soviet conspiracy to discover what's up with some mysterious artifacts called the Crystal Skulls.
Critics said: "Owing to the fact that he didn't write or direct it, and was distracted during much of its making with the development of its spin-off Lego video game, George Lucas utterly fails to ruin our memories of another beloved film trilogy, and 'Kingdom' features dialogue that doesn't make everyone want to hammer sharpened pencils into their ears." - Vulture
MSU said: "I would think Indiana Jones is a franchise past its sell by date. Is it true that you can hear Harrison Ford's knees creaking?" - Professor Bill Vincent
"This one definitely has the highest expectations, at least from me because there are the other three to compare it to, and all of them are pretty solid. Plus, it's been 20 years and there's tons of hype." - Nick Boyd
"Sex and the City: The Movie"
May 30
Our four favorite ladies from the HBO original series return in this feature length film with a new set of priorities in tow. Carrie Bradshaw, the show's narrator and New York's most popular single columnist, is about to become not-so-single with the man who haunted her for nearly the entirety of the series. Her friends, Miranda and Charlotte, are already married, and the latter has her dream baby on the way. Samantha, meanwhile, is as single and on the prowl as ever. The girls' fairy tale endings are predictably interrupted along the way by the plot's usual quirky setbacks, but they are still looking good nearly a decade after the season premiered.
Critics said: "A veil of secrecy surrounds the reportedly surprise ending of the big screen movie, but big question is: Will the Fab Four make the picture as savvy, witty and fun as the long-running TV series?" - Emanuel Levy, RottenTomatoes.com
MSU said: "I confess that the only one of these films I look forward to is 'Sex and the City.' It may be a big mistake, and SATC (Sex and the City) may wish that the women had not been resurrected, but I shall go." - Professor Bill Vincent
"I'll probably go. I need to learn about girlie drinks to get when I go to the bars next spring. Like cosmos." - Nick Boyd
"The Dark Knight"
July 18
Christian Bale is back again as Batman, and on his heels is the late Heath Ledger as everyone's favorite villain, The Joker. Ledger fans anticipating one last glimpse of their hunk may be disappointed that he is essentially unrecognizable in this film. However, Ledger's maniacal performance should have fans of the movie series excited. The trailers don't reveal too much about the plot, but it promises to be as dark and action-packed as ever, as the epic battle between the two characters continues.
Critics said: "The trailer for Christopher Nolan's second installment of this Batman reboot was spooky before Heath Ledger died in January. Now it's scary." - Ty Burr and Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe.
MSU said: "(I'm) so excited. Batman left me with high hopes that I am fully expecting to be fulfilled by the sequel." - Michael Spiegel
"Pineapple Express"
August 8
From the guys who brought us "Superbad," this is the official summer stoner flick. Starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, the comedy unfolds as Rogen becomes the accidental witness to a murder while lighting up in his car. Through a mix of marijuana-induced paranoia and a legitimate fear of the violent drug dealer who saw Rogen witness the murder, the two become hilariously entwined in the underbelly of the drug world and a plot to escape it.
Critics said: "Even though I was mildly disappointed in 'Superbad,' I'm still a tremendous fan of Seth Rogen and am pretty excited to find out what's going to happen with his burgeoning career as a writer." - Josh Tyler, CinemaBlend.com
MSU said: "Drug movies are not my thing. I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I don't want to shell out 10 bucks on a movie that only might be good." - Nick Boyd
