My Top 5 Movies Still to Come this Summer

There have already been several big budget movies released this summer. There are plenty yet to come, however. These are the five I have to see:

5. Hancock-July 2nd



This movie kind of perplexes me. When I originally saw a teaser for it a few months back, I thought it was some kind of joke. Seriously, Will Smith playing a Rebel Superhero who "don't give no shit about nothin"' seemed like a ludicrous idea for a film, let alone his typical summer blockbuster. However, the film looks pretty good. I'm basically going on hype alone for this one. A decent cast, pretty good looking CGI, and the fresh prince. Can't be that bad. I'll get back to you on it.


4. Step-Brothers-July 25th



To most college men who enjoy the mind-numbing routine comedy of Will Ferrell, this comes as a no-brainer. However, I want to see it for one reason and one reason only: Dewie Cox. "Walk Hard" really impressed me and John C. Reilly makes me laugh much harder than Farrell has in an awful long time. Having these two on the screen should make for at least enough laughs to warrant the matinee prices that I will pay for it.

3. Tropic Thunder-August 15th



Robert Downey Jr. as a black man. Do I have to say anything else? Ok, well I will anyways. This movie has what on paper looks like an amazing cast and brilliant idea. A movie in a movie. Sounds good to me. Jack Black and Ben Stiller co-star with Downey in what should make for fine summer comedy. Hell, it even has a cameo by Tom Cruise. Yes, that Tom Cruise.

2. Wall-E -June 27th



Oh hell yeah. I love Pixar and I love Disney. Pay no attention to my birthdate, this movie has all kinds of buzz surrounding it. While some worry about the possibility of the film dragging due to less dialogue, I think the film will finally please both avid film buffs and animation fans. Pixar has always made great films and "Wall-E" looks to continue that streak with the little robot that could. I'm only not seeing it at midnight the night it comes out because I've promised a special someone I would see it with her. Buy your tickets now, it opens in less than 24 hours.

1. The Dark Knight



Yeah, big surprise, I know. "The Dark Knight" can't come out soon enough for anyone that loved "Batman Begins" and is anxiously awaiting Heath Ledger's (apparently) epic portrayal of the joker. I hadn't seen Begins until a few weeks ago but I was thoroughly impressed and the trailers for "The Dark Knight" have had me foaming at the mouth for this film since the initial teaser. This one I will be seeing at midnight (hopefully).

Honorable Mentions:

Wanted-June 27th-Angelina Jolie. Nuff said
Hamlet 2-August 22nd
X-Files: I want to Believe-July 25th- I want to believe, too, that this wont suck.

No thanks:
Mamma Mia-I'm old but I ain't that old
Meet Dave-I think I know this guy. Is his last name Norbit?
Journey to the Center of the Earth- uh, I totally thought that Brendan Fraser had retired or something. Too bad.

There you have it. My picks for the rest of the summer. I am honestly going to try my best to at least see most of the top 5 and honorable mentions but considering I go to the movies about 3 times per year, it may be tough.

Random Thoughts-June 19, 2008

-I went to Magic Mountain yesterday. First things first, it was REALLLLLY FRICKIN HOT! I've never been to a theme park under that kind of heat. It was ungodly. So bad that I honestly came close to blacking out while on "Goliath." The combination of the heat plus the warmest breeze I've ever felt caused me to see spots wherever I looked. We rode pretty much every coaster in the park except for Tatsu (we were in line but it broke down). I love roller coasters as much as the next guy or gal but I really think I may be getting too old to ride them. I know I'm only 23 but I'm to the point where my mind and my stomach are starting to disagree with high speeds and even higher drops.

-Speaking of heat, it is even hotter today in the valley. According to Yahoo! it is currently 105 degrees in Winnetka with the high for the day being 110. Tomorrow more of the same. I have lived in/visited California for years but this pretty crazy stuff. Luckily my parents keep the A.C. for most of the day and we have a pool in the backyard but I feel very sorry for anyone that has to be out working in this Hell. Supposed to cool down by Monday. Thank god.

-I tried that "Loaded Steakhouse Burger" from Burger King yesterday. The burger is topped with crispy onions, baked potato topping, bacon, cheese, and A1 steak sauce. Just writing that makes me feel like a lardass for eating the thing. The burger was the only thing I ate the entire day and I was still beyond stuffed after forcing myself to finish it. It was good, though. I just wouldn't recommend making a habit of eating them.

Back to Lexington in 10 days. That should be interesting...

Random Thoughts-June 15, 2008

The dude that plays what I think is an older brother on "iCarly" is actually pretty funny. I woke up this morning to find nothing but that show on. Nothing like a spin-off of a spin-off of a spin-off.

-"The Incredible Hulk" wasn't incredible but it was a pretty good movie. I haven't seen the 2003 version and I have never read the comics but I enjoyed watching this movie.

-I also watched "Batman Begins" yesterday. I loved the film. Batman movies in the past had made the mistake of being "unrealistic," which I suppose super hero movies should be. But this movie actually felt as though it could be real. As though a man could somehow do a lot of this stuff. Nothing was too far-fetched and I loved Nolan's take on the classic cave dweller.

-The dodgers. What can I say about them? They are an abomination. An embarrassment. They have lost 5 in a row and I wouldn't be surprised if they ran that streak up double digits. Turns out that in baseball, you have to score runs to win games. Go figure.

-Now that my brother is home, I have access to his dvds and with those comes the Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece collection. I am going to try and watch every film in the collection before I leave.

-This is a really good weezer song that came out on one of their first demos (before blue album)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pdcCByv2XII

-I go home in two weeks....

In-n-out

Those of you unfamiliar with the fast food restaurant chain "In-n-out," I'm sorry. It is possibly the best burger I have ever had from a place that doesn't expect you to leave a tip. The menu is limited to the following: hamburger, cheeseburger, double double (double cheeseburger), fries, and milkshakes. Of course, there is a secret menu that has things such as grilled cheese and the holy grail, animal style fries. Animal style means that they take a mess of their already awesome fries and pile them high with cheese, onions, and their burger spread sauce-stuff.  You can also get a burger with as many meat patties as you would like. I cant even remember the number of times I've seen 10x10s consumed in a single sitting (ok, I can, once). 

Currently, the restaurant only serves the fine states of California, Nevada, and Arizona, although I pray every night that they will magically appear in Central Kentucky.  This morning I woke up and put my in-n-out shirt on, having no plans on eating there at any point in the near future. Fate had other plans. I decided to go to Wal-Mart with my father and low and behold sitting in the same parking lot was In-n-out. Naturally, we had to eat there. A double-double and fries. The food was awesome as it always is but then tragedy struck. I got sauce on my shirt.

Feel free to check out their website   www.in-n-out.com

In-n-out

   In-n-out

  That's what a hamburger's all about

Merry Christmas!