Two Cent Tuesdays: Transformers Dark of the Moon 3-D

Having seen the last two Transformers movies in the theatre I figured I had to see this one. And while the first two movies were so-so this one was getting high praises and since it was filmed in 3-D I had to check it out.

Quick synopsis as this is a Michael Bay film and the plot is not complicated. Basically the Decepticons(the bad robots) are trying to use this weapon that crashed on the moon in the 60’s to bring their dying planet(Cybertron) to Earth. And the only ones that can stop them are the Autobots(the good robots) and of course Sam Witwicky(Shia LaBeouf).

In comparison to the other two movies this one was much better. Which I know isn’t saying much. My problem with the first one was that it took too long for the robots to start fighting and it was very cheesy with its humor. The second one was actually slightly better in my opinion except for those two annoying robots. Michael Bay finally went back to what he does best and made a movie with some awesome action sequences. While I have read a lot of reviews that claim the movie still doesn’t make a whole lot a sense, to me it doesn’t have too. It makes just enough sense to justify the action sequences. The beginning is still a little boring with Sam looking for a job and his parents coming to visit, and his girlfriend Carly working for some rich guy. The whole setup is kind of silly and you never really feel that Sam and Carly have any chemistry and when he sets off to save her in the end you don’t really buy it. But again it’s all a means to an end and when he goes to save her all kinds of crazy stuff happens so the reasoning doesn’t matter much. I guess what I am saying is sit back and enjoy the action and don’t over analyze the movie.

The other big plus of the movie is that supporting cast. Returning from the first two movies you got John Turturro as the crazy conspiracy theorist Simmons this time with a hilarious sidekick Dutch played by Alan Tudyk. Also giving great performances Academy Award winner Frances McDormand and Academy Award nominated John Malkovich. Then you got Ken Jeong from The Hangover movies and Patrick Dempsey from Greys Anatomy. And probably the weirdest cameo was by Buzz Aldrin as himself.

The biggest disappointment for me with the movie is that you don’t get many of the Transformers personality. The original cartoon was about the Transformers and the movies are about the humans dealing with the Transformers. Besides Optimus Prime and Bumblebee you don’t get to know any of the other Transformers like Ironhide, Ratchet, Sideswipe and Wheeljack.

As far as the 3-D goes it makes the best use of 3-D since Avatar. There are certain movies that work well in 3-D and it takes a certain director to be able to direct a movie with 3-D in mind. That is where Michael Bay excels. His comes up with some crazy action sequences and uses 3-D perfectly. There is a lot of talk about the future of 3-D and if it is just a fad or will become standard on all films. Remember when “talkies” first came out they said it was only a fad and wouldn’t last. While I think we are a long way from 3-D becoming standard for dramas or comedies(I can see it being used in comedies before dramas) I am not sure if it is just a fad. For now it works well in action movies with the proper director with a good eye. Only time will tell what will happen in the future.

Overall I love the action and that’s why I go to see Transformers movies. The movie doesn’t strive to be more than a brainless action movie and the plot makes just enough sense. The supporting cast is impressive and the comedy works in this film without being too silly. Rating B+

Listomania Sundays: Summer 2011 Edition

I recently got my favorite issue of Entertainment Weekly the Summer Movie Preview Issue. I like to go through and read about what movies are coming over the summer and pick 5 that I consider “opening day” movies. These are movies that are must see and I feel the need to be one of the first people to see it before other people start talking about it.  Over the past few years I have not made it many of my “opening day” movies but for some reason I still get excited for summer movies.  As with most summers the majority of movies are sequels and comic book movies.  Some of the biggest sequels coming out this summer are Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2, Transformers 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, The Hangover Part II, Kung-Fu Panda 2, and Cars 2. And as for comic book movies Marvel is releasing 3 movies this summer, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and X-Men: First Class and D.C. Comics is releasing The Green Lantern.

Trying to compete with all those big budget studio movies are a bunch of movies that premiered at Sundance.  Movies like Another Earth, Salvation Boulevard, Circumstance, The Guard, The Ledge, and The Art of Getting By.  Also trying to repeat the success of March of the Penguins are a number of documentaries coming out over the summer including Buck, Page One: Inside the New York Times, Project Nim, and Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop.

Well here is my list of “opening day” movies. For some reason I always get suckered in by the hype of big blockbuster action spectacles. And most of the movies on my list end up being sequels.  Not sure how many I will actually get to see as it will be a busy summer but these are the movies I am most excited for.

May 20th- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides-When was the last time the 4th movie was anywhere near as good as the original? After 2 so-so sequels Jonny Depp is back in the 4th.  This one seems like it could be good. Getting rid of the crazy story lines that made the 2nd and 3rd movies long and complicated a straight forward story could actually breathe new life into the series.

May 26th-The Hangover Part II.-While sequels rarely capture the magic of the original and comedy sequels have an even worse record. I am excited for this one. I hope they can keep it fresh and as funny as the original.

June 10th-Super 8-One of the few non-sequel non-superhero movie coming out this summer. It looks like the perfect summer movie about a bunch of kids who witness a train derailment that sends aliens into their town.  Looks like a little bit of the Goonies mixed with Jaws. With Steven Spielberg producing this one I have high expectations.

July 1st-Transformers:Dark of the Moon- The second one was weak on plot and strong on annoying robots. But for some reason I am looking forward to this movie.  Something about robots fighting robots that I love.

July 29th-Cowboys and Aliens-the title says it all. And with Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig maybe it should be called Indiana Jones and James Bond vs. Aliens.  It is the third movie on my list with aliens and the second non sequel. Not sure what that says about my movie taste.

Even though it is the action movies that make up my list of “opening day” movies it is usually comedies that end up being some of my favorite movies of the summer. This summer there are three comedies that seem like they have potential.

July 1st-Larry Crowne- Written, directed, and starring Tom Hanks this has the potential to be a great movie. Add Julia Roberts and you got a hit on your hands.

July 8th-Horrible Bosses- A comedy about 3 guys who hate their bosses and try to kill them. The plot sounds like fun and with Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, and Jennifer Aniston playing the bosses the movie has a lot of potential. Hoping it is as good as it sounds.


July 29th -Crazy, Stupid Love-with Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore. The movie is about a guy Steve Carell whose wife leaves him and he gets dating tips from a suave guy played by Ryan Gosling.   Sounds like comedic goldmine.