Well, the first quarter of 2011 has come to a close. Looking back, my first list of predictions was rather unsuccessful, seeing as so many of the movies were rescheduled. At least I was right about Sucker Punch. Anyway, I am going to continue my promise and predict the best movies of the year's second quarter. Consider viewing these in the upcoming months.
Also, I want to address the fact that I did not forget The Tree of Life comes out in this time-slot and I am not against it: I just think these 5 movies are going to be better.
5. Rubber
April 14
As a comic book geek, my first instinct was to put Thor in this spot; however after recalling the original Iron Man and the cliches many of these comic book movies have fallen into I decided this spot should go to th
e far more unique picture Rubber. Released on the very first day of the second quarter, Rubber is a bizarre horror-comedy about a killer tire. In fact, according to the film's poster, it is
the best killer tire movie you have yet seen.
I challenge you to watch this movie's trailer and not laugh in shock. The instant I saw the original teaser trailer I knew this was something to look out for. All that has been shown in the trailers, mind you, is that the tir
e can make anything explode. You know what? I think I don't need any more reason to see this film.
Rubber is written and directed by Quentin Dupieux, director of Steak, who is also known as the French musician Mr. Oizo.
4. The Beaver
May 6
I originally had this movie on my list of predictions for the year's first quarter, but its release was postponed to May. My hopes for the film have risen further when its early screenings met with positive response. Written by Kyle Killen and directed by Jodie Foster, The Beaver centers around a depressed middle-aged man (Mel Gibson) who develops an alternate personality that expresses itself through a beaver puppet. Half-comedy and half-drama, this picture has the potential for something great.
3. Cars 2
June 24
Sure there is a lot of fear that this movie could be a dud (there has not been anything in the advertisements suggesting otherwise), but it is imperative to keep in mind this is Pixar. Sure, the first Cars is not the studio's best; still, it is cute and touching. Furthermore, every Pixar movie following it w
ere quite exceptional, and I anticipate this movie will be better than the original.
The sequel features all-star race car Lightning McQueen and jolly tow-truck Mater in a European race that happens to be targeted by a sinister organization forcing MI6 automobiles (and airplanes) to intervenes. It is said to add James Bond elements to the story. I find it disappointing there are no American spies mentioned, but I can cope.
2. Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom
May 26
Kung Fu Pa
nda is one of my favorite animated films of all time. I think it is the best thing Dreamworks made and better than half of Pixar's works. It is a
modern fairy tale--funny but with sincere values. And, of course, there is kung fu.
Dreamworks Animation has worked hard in recent years in giving more serious movies, but it is true there track record is not as good as Pixar. This is a studio that is far swifter to churn out a hastily made sequel just for the money (no studio is above this; Dreamworks is just pretty blunt about it). Still, I think this good source material could be reason enough for people to really knock themselves out to create a worthy legatee.
Most of Panda 1's team is gone, but Glenn Berger, a critical writer of the original, returns for as both a writer and a producer. Jennifer Yuh (Nelson) is new to the job of director, but did artistic consulting on the original, Spirit: The Stallion of Cimarron, and Dark City. That should count for something.
Guillermo del Torro executive produces.
1. Super 8
June 10
J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves are both talented filmmakers. Abrams directed Star Trek, which is clever and fun and far better than anyone expected it to be. Reeves's most recent picture was Let Me In, which was a powerful horror-fantasy and took my second place spot for 2010's cinematic best. When they teamed up (Reeves as director, Abrams as producer) we got the now-classic monster movie Cloverfield. Now, with the roles reversed and their Star Trek and Cloverfield collaborator Bryan Burk in the mix, this duo is creating a 60s-set alien thriller that is said to be reminiscent of that era's sci-fi films. While I actually don't like Close Encounters of the Third Kind I am a huge fa
n of the genre--as are most sane cinephiles.
This alone was exciting enough. There is more though. The master of this type of picture (and probably any type, now that I think of it) is also on a producer. Yes, the one and only: Steven Spielberg.
See you at these movies!
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