Sometimes it's hard not to wish that Hollywood would get its act together and produce some actual entertainment instead of drivel, or rather, not hand it out just one movie a year at a time. This year definitely looks like an outlier. The list so far:
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Come on, admit it. You've been waiting for this for the last ten years. Yeah. Me too.
- Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr., one of the best actors of his generation, and what looks like a killer action movie.
- The Dark Knight. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, once more directed by Christopher Nolan. After the spectacularly good Batman Begins, I have little doubt this one will be the one that finally, finally, let us Batman fans forget about what Joel Schumacher did to the character with Batman and Robin.
- Wall-e. The latest from Pixar. I'd be surprised if the movie isn't as hilarious as the trailer. Fun to watch for the CG tricks alone.
- The Incredible Hulk. Second try at getting the big green man on the big screen. The first try wasn't great but it had some good moments. This time Bruce Banner is Ed Norton, which can summon enough intensity to turn green all by himself (just remember American History X). High hopes for this one.
- Righteous Kill. Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Need I say more?
- Forbidden Kingdom. Jackie Chan and Jet Li go Kung-Fuing. Much fun is to be had by all.
- Get Smart. Part of what was funny about the TV series was the crappy faux-James Bond tech, but this time it looks like the effects make it perhaps a little too slick. Steve Carell definitely looks like the natural heir for the part.
- Bangkok Dangerous. Nick Cage tries the long-hair-weirdo-distanced-from-society thing again (last time it was Next), as a professional assassin who apparently grows a conscience. Might be a bomb, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
- Hancock. Will Smith goes superhero with an attitude, is (apparently) also a bum. What can possibly go wrong?
- Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. After the spectacularly good Hellboy, I hope this one doesn't succumb to sequel-syndrome.
- Wanted. Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman teach some dude that he can curve the trajectory of bullets. A premise this insane has to lead to a fun movie.
