Sunset Boulevard - Summer Blockbusters

Big summer blockbusters. I was talking to a young girl this weekend and Pirates 3 and Shrek 3 both came out, someone wondering aloud what it is these days with sequels. She replied “summer is the season for sequels.” While her alliteration was delectfully delightful to declare, I corrected her and said in fact, summer is the season for blockbusters. We may be in an era of sequels, but they premiere in summer for a bigger reason the broad, high-concept movies – that is to say the studios’ moneymakers – have the best chance of getting the biggest profits in the summer when people are on vacation, kids are out of school, and everyone is in the mood to be entertained.

This week, I’m taking a look at the big summer blockbusters of ’07 – predicting the hits, and the misses, and letting you all in on a little known secret: us independent Hollywood folk love big movies too!

Spider-Man 3 – in theaters                  

Been there, done that. Wrote a column about it here:

Pirates 3 – in theaters

The first one was amazing (especially seeing as it was based on a mere ride), the second one was atrocious, and this one I’ve heard mixed reviews, tending towards the boring. In any case, the franchise lives on…but please let’s not go overboard and start making Space Mountain or It’s a Small World.

Shrek 3 – in theaters

This franchise seems to be going the way of Pirates – taking a great thing and running it into the ground. Repeatedly. But parents will nonetheless continue to use it as a babysitter.

Knocked Up – in theaters

Judd Apatow strikes comedic gold once again. If you haven’t seen this yet – go this weekend! Smaller and much sweeter than 40-Year Old Virgin, with wider reaching appeal than Freak and Geeks, even A.O. Scott at the NY Times called this an instant classic.

Ocean’s Thirteen – June 8 (this weekend)

Eleven was cool, Twelve was frolicking, and Thirteen is supposedly hilarious. Can’t wait for this one…no matter what, it’s two hours of the world’s most attractive men dressing up and running around in Vegas. Who could possibly resist?

Nancy Drew – June 15

I wish this movie came out when I was a little girl. Do today’s girls even read Nancy Drew anymore? Well, I suppose even if they don’t – they’ll see the movie. Although it doesn’t have the pageantry of Princess Diaries.

Evan Almighty – June 22

Gather is sending me to report on the premiere of this, so I’ll put up my post-viewing opinions on Monday, but this one is hard to predict. One the one hand, it’s starring Steve Carrel, everybody’s favorite awkward funny guy, and is the most expensive comedy produced…in the history of film. Ever. On the other hand, it’s about building an ark. Come on. Really?! So we’ll see…

Live Free or Die Hard – June 27

He destroys a helicopter by flipping over a car and crashing into it. Must-see for anyone who even sort of likes action movies.

Transformers – July 4

I mean, I was never a huge fan of the show as a kid…so I’m not excited about this one. But for those who enjoy the genre, I’ve heard a lot of buzz. Could go either way. Will definitely make a ton of money. Especially with a holiday release!

License to Wed – July 4

Can Robin Williams still carry a movie? I guess we’ll find out this July…my money’s on no, no matter how much I love John Krasinski and Mandy Moore. Even the trailer is awful.

Harry Potter – July 11

These movies are amazing. They always get great directors, these kids have grown up so well, and they have appeal beyond just kids and young adults. I’m going to see this (no matter how much my boyfriend protests) and I expect most of the rest of the country will too. No brainer.

Hairspray – July 20

Even the trailer almost made me laugh and cry so I’m excited for this, although I don’t know that it will do as well as a Dreamgirls. Perhaps we’ll have a better idea of the buzz closer to the release date, but as of now, I haven’t heard that many people excited.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry – July 20

Adam Sandler can sell a movie…sort of. I love the premise, hate the trailer, and have doubts about whether half of the country might just boycott. My money is on this being a bit of a bust, mostly because it just doesn’t look that funny.

The Simpsons Movie – July 27

Obviously going to be huge.

The Bourne Ultimatum – August 3

My excitement for this and Ocean’s are pretty much tied. Perhaps I have a crush on Matt Damon? Or I just like really fun, clever, slick stories. Or just Matt Damon.

And just for laughs….

Rush Hour 3 – August 10

Apparently, since everything is coming out “3” this year, they felt the need to impose this on us, too.

So what are you excited for this summer?? 

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Alex M., Movie Correspondent

Alex's column, Sunset Boulevard, published every Friday to Gather Essentials: Movies, is a weekly summary of the movie industry's biggest stories.

Alex is a film school grad working at a production company in Hollywood. She's been passionate about movies since she knew what they were and always has an opinion (for better or worse).

You can find all of Alex's Sunset Boulevard columns at gather.com/SunsetBoulevard

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