SUMMER 2011 RECAP

Let's call it, shall we - the summer movie-going season is over.  The biggies, for the time being, have folded up their tents and moved on...  So, in lieu of their departure, here's a brief recap of how I felt about 'em all (most of 'em anyway).  As always, full reviews can be found by using the handy search box to the left.  Give them a read and let me know what you think - I always (sometimes) welcome your feedback!



RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES A

In a nutshell: A riveting, compelling and thrilling piece of campy, B-level, drive-in theater, popcorn cinema.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART II
A
In a nutshell: Gripping, action-packed, intense and epic. You won’t have to be a Pott-head to enjoy.
SUPER 8
A-
In a nutshell: A Spielberg-esque, slice-of-life meets sci-fi summer crowd pleaser.
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
A-
In a nutshell: Intelligent, witty and engaging. ‘X’ indeed marks the spot.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
B+
In a nutshell: Thrilling, infectious fun. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK-lite meets SAVING PRIVATE RYAN-lite.
HORRIBLE BOSSES
B+
In a nutshell: Crude, crass and goofily sophomoric fun.
BRIDESMAIDS
B+
In a nutshell: Sweet, smart, edgy and gross. MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING meets THE HANGOVER.
CARS 2
B
In a nutshell: A fun, frantic and fast-paced joy ride for all ages.
FRIGHT NIGHT
B
In a nutshell: Smart, sharp and self-aware. Equal parts frightening and funny.
THOR
B
In a nutshell: Amiable, accessible, mythically-mainstream and action packed. Thor doesn’t thuck.
WINNIE THE POOH
B
In a nutshell: Delightfully and refreshingly innocent.
THE CHANGE-UP
B
In a nutshell: Critics hated this juvenile, body-switching cussfest - but I'm one of the few that doesn't take themselves too seriously, so...
LARRY CROWNE
B
In a nutshell: A pleasant, well-intentioned, lightweight and sweet romantic comedy.
MR. POPPERS PENGUINS
B-
In a nutshell: A movie the whole family can probably enjoy – aside from a few too many penguin poop jokes.
FAST FIVE
B-
In a nutshell: Big, bold, brainless and kinda fun.
KUNG FU PANDA 2
B-
In a nutshell: Heavy on action, light on heart.
COWBOYS AND ALIENS
C+
In a nutshell: A sci-fi spaghetti western that explodes out of the starting gate and, unfortunately, trots to the finish line.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
C+
In a nutshell: An adventure about the fountain of youth in a series that’s lost its youthful charm. Yo ho ho and a bottle of ho hum.
THE HANGOVER: PART II
C-
In a nutshell: A colder, cruder, crueler and not nearly as funny carbon copy of the original.
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
D
In a nutshell: A spectacular pile-up of uncreativity that lacks in depth, dialogue and fun. It’s actually less than meets the eye.
GREEN LANTERN
D
In a nutshell: The most cookie-cutter, incohesive, silly and boring superhero flick of the season.
SOMETHING BORROWED
D
In a nutshell: Formulaic, melodramatic and predictable.
CONAN THE BARBARIAN
D-
In a nutshell: Unoriginal, unremarkable, cheesy, dull, ham-fisted, emotionless, nonsensical and misdirected.