Submarine

Sometimes the best way to spend a summer afternoon is at a small theater, watching an independent film with your fellow writers. This film truly captures the essence of youth that only teenagers know and adults try to forget. It was clever in putting in all the little awkward eccentricities that make up the naivety one feels when caught into the limbo between the being a child and becoming an adult.

X-Men: First Class

I would never call myself an X-Men fan, but I've been to every film and I would say that this was, by far, the absolute best. Though it was obviously an origin story, it was still fun and even made the exposition entertaining. There were delightful cameos and hilarious jabs at the past films. What made this film great was that it played with the time period it took place in, the 60's, and had fun with it, giving the film a James Bond film. Emma Frost, played by January Jones, would've been the perfect Bond villainess. While Kevin Bacon was an excellent super villain helping the soviets. An overall fun blockbuster to enjoy with some popcorn.

I Am Number 4 (DVD)

Evil aliens are hunting down nine good aliens in order while getting ready to colonize Earth. Alien three dies and now it's time for number four, who happens to be an incredibly handsome young man who has an infinity for a blonde manic-pixie-dream-girl. A film appealing to the Twi-hards and sci-fi action fans alike, and so obviously so. As soon as Number 6, an ass-kicking blonde chick, appeared, then the movie had a character I was interested in. I wish this film was call I am Number 6.

Water for Elephants

I was hesitant about seeing this film because I hate the way elephants, any animals for that matter, are treated at the circus. I personally have not been to a circus since I was a kid because of it. And due to my personal issues with that, I did have to walk out during a scene. The story was good. The acting was good, specifically from Christoph Waltz, but the cruelty to animals overshadowed everything for me.

The Hangover Part II

Though they tried to avoid another incident like Las Vegas, they failed. Let the high jinks prevail. It must have been easy for the screenwriter to create this film. All they did was take the same successful formula of the first film and put it in Thailand. Though it definitely had it's funny moments, it didn't make me want to see it again. I understand why movies like these are popular, but I'm sick of seeing men act like idiots.  

Priest

I would be hard to decipher this film from others which are just like it such as Legion, because they are basically the same film, except in this one Paul Bettany is fighting Vampires instead of Angels. While he was fighting these vampire, alien, beast, creature things I kept thinking, "would it be so terrible if they made it into the city where everyone seems miserable and oppressed by religion?" Any comic book or action movie that has me routing for the bad guy, isn't doing its job. This movie played out exactly how I expected, so if you saw the trailer and thought it looked cool, then you'd probably enjoy it.

No Strings Attached (DVD)

This year has two very similar films about friends using each other for sex in a comedic way, this was the first one and though it was mildly funny, I'm hoping the second one, Friends with Benefits, is much better. This film had an opportunity to be funny and raunchy, but just fell short and only filled with me with giggles. Of course, it could be the lack of chemistry between Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman that really left me cold. It is sad to see a good actor paired with a bad one because it just makes the latter seem even worse. I think this film would have been much better if it focused on Natalie Portman's friends because that's who got the most laughs.

Beastly

A modern day fairy tale is not hard to find these days, but a well-done modern fairy tale is. Though I know I am too old for the age group this film is geared towards, that does not excuse bad writing. Most of the major plot points seemed contrived and left a funny taste in my mouth. Though Alex Pettyfer was perfect as a self-absorbed, good-looking, jerk, I could not buy Vanessa Hudgens as a brainy, sweet girl. Honestly, the best part of the film was Mary-Kate Olsen because she just went balls out insane, and it worked. I'm glad I only paid $3 to see this film because otherwise it would have felt like a waste of money.

Bridesmaids

Finally something raunchy for the girls!!! I love to watch a good R-rated comedy, but was getting a little tired of the cliché man-child learning and lesson and have been dying to see woman be just as funny, or more so. This film was a dream come true and laughed from beginning to end. Annie, Kristen Wiig, is the perfect woman-child filled with awkward moments and surrounded by odd people. All the characters play nicely off each other and have a chemistry which has been lacking in a lot of female driven films. I laughed from start to finish and my cheeks hurt from smiling for 2 hours straight. I just hope this is a sign of more funny women to come.

Thor

Yes, another comic book movie, or is it? Though the trailer and talent attached to the film hinted to something good, it's hard to have high expectations for a teenage boy's fantasy. However, with this film, it is perfectly okay to have those high expectations because it meets them. This was a fun film which sets a high bar for all other comic book movies to come. You laugh, you cheer the good guy and boo the bad guy, you leave the theater smiling. It also adds new dimensions to the comic hero genre by having non-sexualized women. The women in the film are known for their skills and their personalities more than for their appearance and none of them wear skimpy/body-hugging outfits showing their bodies. Thor falls for Jane because of her brains and personality, it's wonderful! Filled with positive influences throughout the whole film, Thor is truly the perfect summer blockbuster.