Please Pass The Salt

Finally, an Action Film after my own heart (Read into that what you will...).
Thank you, Sony!

Summer O' Movies...

Looking for something to do this summer?

After this past weekend's franchise blockbuster Iron Man 2 earning a mere $130 million at the domestic box office (In addition to the $100 million plus earned the previous weekend overseas) - we are now something like $250 million total in 2 weeks. We have officially began the summer movie season.

Albeit, without affable Will Smith, who may more than likely return to his throne of "King of the Summer Blockbuster Movies" via Men In Black 3 or even perhaps in 'brilliant' alien agenda disaster flick, Independence Day 2.

Moreover, I usually enjoy posting my annual guide to the summer movie season, 'Valerie St. John's Annual Guide to the Summer Movie Season' - catchy title, yes? More important and not to disappoint, we will have yet another published version to host your 2010 viewing.

Stay Close....

2009 Summer Movie Preview

Speaking of good success, apparently you were at the Box Office this weekend watching Wolverine: X-Men Origins, as the action garnered $87 million of your dollars.

Congratulations on continuing the franchise!

Can't Stop The Web
Which once again proves my point that despite the studio 'Freaking Out' over last month's leaked version of the movie (Claiming that it was incorrect, incomplete, FBI crackdown on perpetrators, possible Virus threats - need I continue with the preposterous attempts at spin or was it a publicity stunt by the studio?), Web distribution can be a highly effective tool!

Having said, do not misunderstand my position - As with many others in agreement, I do not condone, nor approve of the pirating activity.

However, I do approve and am in full support of paid legal download and am confident that studios and networks (Nets are already doing a great job) can use the Web as not only a tremendous marketing tool, but also an advanced simultaneous point of distribution.

Case end point...

Let The Summer Begin
Aaah, the best part about summer, besides the great weather and salad days, are the movies. This year will be no exception.

Aside from the lackluster July 4 (No Will Smith movies or big blockbusters scheduled?), the rest of the year is chock full of several other highly anticipated sequels. You can expect tons of loud special effects in nearly all of the sequel features.

As well, we will quite possibly see a few developing franchises, such as GI Joe, G Force, Year One, and Land of the Lost.

Without further adieu, here is a look at what we can expect this summer season - you may copy this list, distribute, print, save, bookmark and post on your refrigerator:

May

• May 8: Star Trek, Next Day Air, Powder Blue
• May 15: Angels & Demons, Management, The Brothers Bloom
• May 21: Terminator Salvation
• May 22: Dance Flick, Night at the Museum 2
• May 29: Drag Me to Hell, The Maiden Heist, Up
  

June

• June 3: Unmistaken Child
• June 5: Land of the Lost, Away We Go, Tennessee, The Hangover
• June 12: The Taking of Pelham 123, Imagine That, Moon, Dead Snow, Food, Inc (Doc)
• June 19: Year One, The Proposal
• June 24: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
• June 26: My Sister's Keeper, Surveillance, The Hurt Locker

July

• July 1: Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Public Enemies
• July 4: NO WILL SMITH MOVIES?
• July 10: I Love You, Beth Cooper, Bruno
• July 15: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• July 24: The Ugly Truth, All Good Things, G Force
• July 31: Funny People, They Came From Upstairs

August

• August 7: GI Joe, Julia & Julia
• August 21: Inglorious Bastards, The Post Grad Survival Guide
  

Your Favorites?
The items within bold represent the "Blockbuster Sequels", of course, you will have a large part in making the sequels profitable (As in successful). You have no idea of the power you wield and because of you, franchises are made and sequels will always never end.

Really, I am amazed at how many comment about sequels and remakes, but without your patronage and support, the future of such would be perilous.

Do I intend to see all of the above? Probably not...However, we will have more than enough conversation for the selections that we choose to see in the coming weeks.

Cheers!

Iron Man Strong

You Made It!

Well, here we are ready to start another great week...

I have just heard the weather forecast for the week and am in good spirit - nothing but sunshine and warm/hot weather for Southern California.

Quite frankly, I am thrilled about the start of the summer season and thought I would take a slight break from the usual television fare to Blog about something that is synonymous with summer: Big Box Office Movies, also known as the "Tentpoles!".

Summer of Big Box Office
Although I have yet to clear my schedule to accompany my loved one to view the new Iron Man (Alright, I am not keeping up with the cool movies), the comic book actioner presented an unbelievable weekend gross in excess of $50 Million dollars last weekend and just north of $100 Million the previous weekend.

On several occasions I have been reprimanded by the men in my life for not being aware of Comic Heroes - Quite honestly, I have never read a comic book in my entire life; but Vogue, Seventeen, and People - Yes and when I was a teen, this was mandatory reading.

Here's a thought, what may not be acutely aware to the faithful is that most big screen comic type movies all kind of look the same - big explosions, sarcastic one-line dialog, loud machinery, strangely only one female character, and somehow, they always seem to have a military 'Be All You Can Be' connection or presence.

Having said, I am aware that the movie role of the Iron character was one that Tom Cruise had originally hoped to attain when rumblings of the movie began two years prior - obviously, negotiations favored Robert Downey Jr. as lead character. As well, I am aware of the fact that the Comic book had a few out-of-date references (Upgraded to Billionaire rather than just lowly Millionaire, abducted by Terrorists, rather than "Commies" whatever that meant, and is a weapon's manufacturer rather than just an inventor). Further, I am hearing from some that it is not as 'Good' as Spiderman or Batman (?)...Not sure what that means...Perhaps the lead character was not satisfactorily conflicted (Another key ingredient in Comic movies).

Speaking of Comic Heroes, I still have yet to see Spiderman 3, from the previous summer.

The Iron Man Sequel should be arriving in theaters by the time I actually see the movie. However, the DVD distribution window is now down to about 3 months after wide-screen release, and OnDemand is about 2-3 months behind that - so, it safe to presume that I should probably see the movie by November.

With Speed Racer and the romantic comedy What Stays In Vegas also opening at almost a tie this past weekend with both around $20 Million, we have every reason to believe this summer is going to big...

Action Packed Theaters
So, this summer we can expect a few new major releases and here is the official calendar (Note, this calendar is subject to change according to friends at the studios) (Expected 'Tentpoles' are in bold):

• Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian May 16
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull May 23
• War Inc. May 16
• Sex In The City May 30
• The Strangers May 30

June:

• Kung Fu Panda June 6
• You Don't Mess With Zohan June 6
• The Happening June 13
• The Incredible Hulk June 13
• Get Smart June 20
• The Love Guru June 20
• Wanted June 27

July:

• Hancock July 4
• Hellboy 2 July 11
• Journey to The Center of the Earth 3D July 11
• Meet Dave July 11
• The Dark Knight (Batman 4) July 18
• The Step Brothers July 25
• The X-Files 2 July 25

August:

• The Mummy 3 August 1
• The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 August 8
• Tropic Thunder August 15
• Star Wars - The Clone Wars August 15
• The Accidental Husband August 22
• Babylon A.D. August 29
  

Ah, are you exhausted? Well, I am from just writing the list and it is safe to conclude that you will be in the theaters at some point or another this year. Rest assured, I have not even began discussion about the holiday movie slate.

Of course, you may print the above list, re-produce and email to your friends. Just let me know which movies you decided to see!



*The photo image above is the movie poster for Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr. and compliments of Paramount/Marvel Comics."

Long Hot Summer of Sequels

In this special Sunday edition, I have decided to take a break from the usual fare to write about the big screen...

Okay so one of my mentors is film producer Peter Guber (Former CEO & Chairman of Sony Pictures and the creative force behind Sleepless in Seattle, Terminator 2, A Few Good Men, Batman, Flashdance, The Color Purple - I could go on...).

Over the course of the weekend, Mr. Guber (Peter) said this summer is going to be significant. Allow me to paraphrase, "2007 will be THE BIGGEST MOVIE SEASON OF ALL TIME".

Within itself the above may sound like an amazing statement, but you know, Peter may be right...

Here's an early look at the 2007 schedule:

• Spiderman (Part 3)/ May 4th
• Shreck (Part 3)/ May 18th
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (POTC 3)/ May 25th
• Ocean's 13 (Part 3)/ June 8th
• Fantastic 4 (Fantastic 2)/ June 15th
• Live Free or Die Hard (Die Hard 4)/ June 27th (Moved up from July 4th weekend)
• Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix (Part 4)/ July 13th
• The Bourne Ultimatum (Part 3)/ August 3rd
• Resident Evil (RE 3)/ September 21st

Non-Sequels (of noteworthy 'Blockbuster' potential):

• Ratatouille/ June 29th
• Transformers (I'm WAITING for this one)/ July 4th
• The Simpons Movie/ July 27th

Let's not forget this unbelievable special effects laden Sci-fi goody:

Day Watch (From Russian Filmmaker Dnevnoy Dozor)/ June 1st
WATCH THIS TRAILER: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/daywatch/

Did I miss anything?

Anyway I completely agree, this summer should be incredible - whether or not it will be the "THE BIGGEST" - one could only hope.