Is it just me or has this been a shitty summer for movies?

[Ayestrain]

Hi all. Long time reader, first time ranter.

As were just about at the mid-point in the summer blockbuster season (depending on when you start counting, as I guess it starts in May now), it seems this has been a singularly shitty summer for movies.

Starting with Wolverine. It exemplified lots of things that have sucked about movies this summer: it had often staggering action sequences, interspersed with really bad acting, scripting, and character interaction. And it's also another forced installment in a franchise that could have been better had it been made as it's own film (instead of trying to awkwardly shoehorn it into the X-Men franchise).

Then I saw Star Trek. Again, I liked most of it, and it's probably the strongest movie of it's kind that I saw this summer. But again, there were moments of sheer lameness to suffer through in it. Also, I've never been the biggest fan of those Trek characters. So the idea of another franchise with the same kind of shit doesn't exactly leave me salivating.

Next thing I saw was Up. Now that was a mostly excellent summer movie, and as far as those movies go, the best of it's kind. Then I saw Moon, and likewise, an overall excellent film and exhibits the best of what the sci-fi genre has to offer. All without a bursting budget, FX, or "big stars". I think these two films are good examples of original films that aren't constrained by a franchise or remake/reboot mania. Except either of these movies could've come out anytime during the year.

Which brings me to Terminator Salvation, the next film I saw this summer. Great action, mind-blowing effects, but mostly pointless and forgettable. I snuck into Public Enemies after that for about a half hour (coming in somewhere around the middle), and there was more craft and filmmaking in that half hour than the whole of Terminator.

As the summer movie season dwindles, I have high hopes for District 9, as it's another original, stand-alone film. I have no interest in ever seeing Transformers 2 (which by many accounts serves as Exhibit A in my argument against this summer's shittiness) or Harry Potter. There have just been no Iron Man's or Dark Knight's this summer, movies that really feel like cultural events, movies that will be remembered down the line long after they've run their commercial course.

[Reigh Kaufman]

The tentpole films have been ab-ser-lootly awful.

I've disliked - or hated - everything from Star Trek to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Even Public Enemies was plah.

Yeah, lots of crap.

[CosmicPuppet]

If there's one lesson to be taken from this rant, it's this: go see Moon and fuck everything else. The big films are all sloppy seconds in comparison.

[corran horn]

My friends and I were talking about this not too long ago. It seemed that, last summer, there was a good/interesting movie coming out at least every other week. This year, not so much.

Aside from Star Trek, Up, and Public Enemies, I have not been impressed with this year's summer offerings. For this, I blame the Writers' Strike. That pushed back a lot of films to 2010 and beyond, leaving Summer 2009 rather barren. Mercifully, Fall 2009 looks fantastic, so that will partially make up for summer's disappointments.

I suppose we were spoiled a bit by last year's offerings. Considering how last summer saw the release of The Dark Knight, Wall-E, and Iron Man, it would be hard (though not impossible) for any ensuing summer season to match that.

[Tweek]

If there's one lesson to be taken from this rant, it's this: go see Moon and fuck everything else. The big films are all sloppy seconds in comparison.

This. :D

[HurricanesR1]

I agree

I've had enough of X-Men, Transformers, Harry Potter, Terminator, and the Angels & Demons/Da Vinci code garbage.

These franchises are not good imo. Now we get goofy Twilight in the fall.

[Mr.HyDe807]

I thought the summer movies I saw ranged from alright to pretty damn good. There were definite duds with Wolverine and Transformers, but everything else was fine.

[Lazy Boy]

Other than Moon and Up, this has been a very weak year. All the blockbusters were bad.

But of course, I always say that every summer. Last year was no different. I've basically given up on second viewings in theaters because of the lack of quality. The excitement has been drained out of my experiences.

May all the Cannes films find a fall '09 release, 'cause I'm definitely interested in what they have in store for audiences.

[Bourne101]

I don't think it has been THAT bad, but certainly not nearly as good as last summer. This summer there have been some gems, but there have also been some shitty films as well as a pile of films that are just entertaining and nothing more.

Star Trek, Up, Drag Me to Hell, The Hangover and Public Enemies were all fantastic. Then we have Wolverine, Angels & Demons, Terminator Salvation, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Ice Age, which were all pretty entertaining, but not all that great. The we have the absolute shit like Year One.

I still need to see Away We Go, Moon and The Hurt Locker which I've heard great things about. Not to mention the following upcoming films will all probably be good or very good: Bruno, Harry Potter, 500 Days of Summer, Funny People, District 9 and Inglourious Basterds. It looks as though the second half of the summer will be better than the first half, so that's a plus.

[Ayestrain]

Glad I'm not alone on this. Maybe the writer's strike did negatively impact a lot of these films--time and again it's always been the story that has really fucking sucked in a lot of these movies. Wolverine and Terminator especially felt half-assed in that regard--just really bland point A to point B plots.

As for the rest of this summer, besides D9 I'm not too hopeful. Every trailer I've seen of Inglorious Basterds for instance looks like absolute shit.

[razgriz21]

I've only seen 3 Summer movies so far and I've been satisfied even though the three I saw had there flaws.

Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (entertaining)

Star Trek (great)

Transformers 2 (entertaining and a stack of chocolate chip cookies)

I'm looking forward to District 9.

Despite being a fan of previous efforts, I did not bother with Wolverine or Terminator Salvation because they looked dumb down.

[outsyder]

Moon had better fucking come out in a theater where I live.

[zombievictim]

Other than Transformers and Drag Me To Hell, I've been loving the summer movies. Star Trek, The Hangover, and UP were all fucking GREAT movies. Loved them all. Then I quite enjoyed Terminator: Salvation.

And I've still got to see Bruno, Public Enemies, Ice Age 3, Funny People and Harry Potter 6.

[overwatch]

Aside from Star Trek there's nothing else really worth seeing so far, mind you movie releases are delayed down here. Haven't had an opportunity to see UP or Drag me to Hell.
Apparently Year One was awful, and it's because of Year One that the big budget comedies will once again be snubbed by the studio's. They had a minor comeback last year.

[bigred760]

It hasn't been great, but I have enjoyed some movies . . . like Star Trek, Up and Public Enemies. But there have been some disappointments as well, and it hasn't been as good as last summer. Still looking forward to seeing some smaller movies, like Moon and The Hurt Locker, and seeing the rest of the summer blockbusters that have yet to be released.

[razgriz21]

If I'm able to see Moon and The Hurt Locker, I'll be really satisfied.

[Brendan M.]

I haven't seen any summer movies really besides Drag Me to Hell. I'm waiting for Terminator and Star Trek to show up in dollar theaters before I see them.

I will however be seeing Moon and The Hurt Locker though because they'll finally be screening in Salt Lake City this weekend so I gottsta show my support to good independent movies.

[RustyRazor]

Not a summer of blockbusters like years past, definitely not.
But then, when you look at the caliber of movies offered and their "freshness", I'm not surprised.
It's subjective though.
People that enjoyed "Star Trek" and "Transformers" would probably disagree.
I'm less than impressed (though "District 9" is a step in the right direction)

[Abbie Normal]

I think this year has been slightly better than some of the more recent summers. Certainly been more big movies out so far. I think there has been a movie or two in every category for every demographic that people have enjoyed. Although the year is up something like 10% or more over the last few years, there have not been as many breakout hits less for TF2 and The Hangover. July is off to a promising start.

Many haters are not enjoying the season though. Lighten up and you will enjoy more.

[g1ng3rsnap9ed]

Drag Me To Hell: 3.5/4
Taking of Pelham 1 2 3: 3/4
Public Enemies: 3/4
Night at the Museum 2: 2/4

I'd say we're having a pretty good summer. Granted, there are no Dark Knights, but I'd figure we've got a few Iron Man's on our hands. Plus Harry Potter is still on it's way and that's bound to be full of epic win.

[Hey Man]

Just a horrible summer for movies this year.

[Servo]

Wolverine I hate more and more each day that passes. 3/10

Star Trek was good and satisfied my geek quota for the year. 8/10

Drag Me to Hell was a solid horror film, but I hate to say, not as good as the horror films that have impressed me over the past ten years (there's only about three). 7/10

Year One was horrid. 2/10

Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 was bland. 4/10

Ice Age 3 was forgettable. 4/10

Transformers was fun. 6/10

Terminator Salvation wasn't as dumb as Transformers but about as entertaining. 6/10

Public Enemies was fucking amazing and I pitty those who can't get past the digital "look." 9/10

Night at the Museum 2 was an enjoyable time whose moments allowed me to escape but overall, forgettable. 5/10

Yeah, I kinda agree. Last summer felt more like summer. Have yet to see Up, The Hangover, Bruno, The Hurt Locker and Moon and I'm gonna see Harry Potter, might as well considering I've seen every one of the buggers waiting for the genius all you fans keep gloating about. It looks like if I just see those movies in a row it'll redeem the somewhat "meh" summer we're having. I only paid to see four of these movies, which doesn't make me feel as bad.

EDIT: Oh yeah, Angels & Demons. 4/10. Robot Heaven in Transformers 2 had nothing on parachuting priest.

[poopontheshoes7]

Not terrible, but disappointing.

Loved/liked:
Up 10/10
Star Trek 9/10
Public Enemies 8/10
Transformers 2 7.5/10 (Shut up. I liked it:))


Didn't like/passable:
The Hangover 5/10
Wolverine 4/10
Drag Me To Hell 6.5/10

Haven't seen Terminator yet.

[JCPhoenix]

It's been okay so far...for big blockbusters it seems like a bit of a bust, for somewhat smaller films it's not so bad...

Up 8/10
Drag Me to Hell 8/10
Tokyo! 8/10
Star Trek 7/10
The Hangover 6/10
Public Enemies 6/10
Terminator Salvation 4/10

But I think it will take a swing for the better after this weekend (I will be seeing Bruno, Moon, The Hurt Locker, and Tokyo Sonata probably this weekend...next weekend there is Orphan and (500) Days of Summer).

[adamjohnson]

Its te economy. Every "big" film is playing it safe. No surprises (especially evident in Terminator)

What youre left with is a bunch of blah.

[drc5145]

Out of all the summer blockbusters to release, I can only count 5 so far that are noteworthy in the end: Up, Star Trek, Drag Me To Hell, The Hangover & Public Enemies.

Still would love to catch Moon and Away We Go.

OF the rest left, I can only think of Harry Potter 6, District 9, Funny People and INglorious Basters as the big noteworthyones left.

Still feels worse though, versus last year which was pretty loaded each week.

[CyclicNightmare]

People always say this. No better or worse than any other summer. I think it's in people's expectations.

[ScaryFreak1827]

I must admit that aside from Star Trek (which I thought was great btw), I haven't gotten around to seeing any of the major summer blockbusters: Wolverine, Terminator, or Transformers 2. I've heard mixed things about them and haven't really had any strong desire to see them.

What I have seen so far though I thought was quite good: Drag Me to Hell was one of the better horror movies to come along in a while. The Hangover was hilarious and UP was another homerun from the nearly flawless Pixar. Harry Potter obviously looks promising and I'd like to see Moon but it's not playing anywhere near me. Hopefully throughout the rest of July and August we'll start seeing some great summer movies.

[KCJ506]

What really sucks about this summer is that just like 2006 we're only getting one movie based off of Marvel comics. Same thing for next year, but I have faith that Iron Man 2 is gonna be tons better than XLS and XOW.

If it wasn't for that stupid writer's strike we probably would have Thor this year and Captain America next year.

[Jon Lyrik]

Its te economy. Every "big" film is playing it safe. No surprises (especially evident in Terminator)

What youre left with is a bunch of blah.

Most of these films were well in production when the economy went splat in September.

[corran horn]

People always say this. No better or worse than any other summer. I think it's in people's expectations.

Not in my case. I had low expectations, and I was still disappointed. I would also say that, compared to last year, this year's summer crop was definitely disappointing.

Thing is, I think 2008 was a fluke. The release schedules aligned just right so that we could enjoy a worthwhile movie almost every week.

[echo_bravo]

You think this summer sucks, well get ready for next summer cause it will probably suck more.

Inception and Iron Man 2 look like they will be good but other than that, it looks like crap.

[Ray87]

I loved Drag Me To Hell and Star Trek, but neither felt like summer movies and I'm sure Star Trek was meant to have an earlier release than summer.

[unspoken]

I enjoyed Star Trek and Up a lot. Public Enemies, The Hangover, and Pelham 123 were OK. Terminator, Wolverine and Bruno were huge letdowns.

I'm pissed that I still haven't gotten to see The Brothers Bloom. Hopefully August can save the summer (interested in Inglorious Basterds, It Might Get Loud, and Taking Woodstock, although the latter two are limited releases).

[Monotreme]

I think that between Star Trek, Up, Harry Potter and (hopefully) the upcoming Funny People we end up with a pretty good summer... Sure, it's no 2007 or 2005 but still pretty good. What did we have last summer anyways? Besides Iron Man, The Dark Knight and WALL-E, were there any other good summer movies at all? Hell, I'm racking my brain and I can't even remember what the other tentpole releases were...

[Heisenberg]

I thought 2008 sucked, apart from a couple of greats. And I had big hopes for this summer. Unfortunately I have been let down by EVERYTHING. I have yet to see Harry Potter though.

[Potter82]

"Is it just me or has this been a shitty summer for movies? "

I don't know if it's shitty per se but 2009 is definitely no 2008. Last summer was an exceptionally good one for films ("Wall-E", "Iron Man", "Tropic Thunder", "Pineapple Express", "Hellboy 2" & of course, the best of the bunch, "The Dark Knight") while in comparison this year has been sort of blah (two big exceptions being "Star Trek" and "Up", while I also enjoyed "Drag Me to Hell" and "The Hangover"). Still come to think of it, were it not for "The Dark Knight", 2008 would have been on par with 2009.

Still, this summer is probably better than 2007 which if I recall correctly, gave us "Pirates of the Caribbean 3", "Spiderman 3", and "Shrek 3" all of which were the worst in films in their respective franchises.

[ilovemovies]

IMO, the most amazing summer for movies was 2002. That was just an awesome summer with soooo many great movies.

2009 is no 2002 but it's been a perfectly alright one. I really loved Up and Terminator Salvation. A lot of solid and enjoyable flicks. And fortunately, while there have been some duds (Angels & Demons, Land of the Lost) there hasn't been anything downright awful though Angels & Demons came close.

[JCR]

Moon is overrated IMHO. It showed it's hand too early and didn't have much left. Large multinational companies are bad apparently, shocker.

[JoeChar4321]

It's been a mixed bag to be sure.

Good/Great
X-Men Origins Wolverine, Star Trek, and The Hangover

OK/Average
Transformers 2, Pelham 123, and Night At The Museum 2

Flat Out Bad
Terminator Salvation and Public Enemies

[Bahs]

The only movie that met my expectations was Star Trek and Up

everything else either underwhelmed (X-Men, Transformers, T4)
or just came out of nowhere and blew me away (The Hurt Locker, Drag Me to Hell)

[HedwigX]

Brilliant
Drag Me to Hell, The Hangover, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Star Trek
(half of which aren't particularly blockbuster-y)

Enjoyable
Bruno, Ice Age 3

Meh
Public Enemies

Blugh
Night at the Museum 2, Wolverine, Terminator Salvation, Year One

Get the fuck out, Michael Bay. You talentless, self-indulgent fuck!
... Transformers 2

[zombievictim]

Add Harry Potter to my list of summer movies I didn't like at all.

[Ayestrain]

I guess I have to change my tune a little bit in regards to the title of this thread--after seeing "Inglorious Basterds". Great film, which I didn't expect to like whatsoever. Makes up for the ludicrous pile of shit that was "GI Joe".

It's certainly been a really diverse summer for movies. It's just that about 90% of what's been released has been garbage.

And I haven't even gotten to see District 9 yet, somehow, and by many accounts it's the movie of the summer.

[poopontheshoes7]

Hmmm, revised list:

Inglourious Basterds 10/10
Up 10/10
District 9 9/10
Star Trek 9/10
Harry Potter 8.5/10
Public Enemies 8/10
Bruno 7/10
T4 (I dug it) 7/10
500 Days of Summer 8/10

Drag Me To Hell 6/10 (I think I may like it more on a rewatch)
The Hangover 5/10 (I don't know why the hell is so loved)
Funny People 4/10 (Biggest disappointed of the year)
Transformers 2 6/10 (Rating dropped significantly after a rewatch, but still not the total piece of shit its deemed as.)
Wolverine 4/10

So nope, a pretty damn good summer season imo.

[g1ng3rsnap9ed]

It's been pretty decent if you ask me. :)