Popcorn Pick 7-23-10

Angelina Jolie returns to action films, a la Wanted-style, in the unfortunately titled Salt. She plays a CIA agent who is named as a Russian spy and goes on the run from the people she works for to rescue her kidnapped husband. One can expect lots of logicless action and sexy shots of the leggy female star. The story attempts to be a psychological thriller (is she a spy? Or is she being set up?), but looks like it's more of just a slam-bang summer action flick. The film co-stars Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Serenity). And in case you get confused, just remember that Angelina Jolie probably wouldn't star in a movie about sodium.

Popcorn Pick 7-16-10

Christopher Nolan's follow-up to the massive hit The Dark Knight is also the most anticipated movie of the summer. Specific plot details of Inception are being kept very hush-hush, but we do know that it's about a group of theives using technology to enter people's dreams in order to steal their ideas. Huge special effects and intricate action scenes meet with mind-fuck storytelling to create what is sure to be a dazzling experience. Leonardo DiCaprio (in his first summer blockbuster!) headlines an impressive ensemble cast that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Ellen Page (Juno), Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Cillian Murphy (Red Eye), Tom Berenger (Platoon), Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies), and Michael Caine.

(Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the other big summer movie opening this week, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, starring Nicolas Cage and rising young star Jay Baruchel. The fantasy actioner- produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, no less- is about a college kid who learns he has magical powers and comes under the tutelage of a mad sorcerer to hone his skills. Might not be that good of a film, but it's definitely a great popcorn flick.)

Popcorn Pick 7-9-10

No summer is complete without a popular animated movie strictly for kids. Since Toy Story 3 is really for adults just as much as the little ones, Despicable Me is the kid-friendly pick of the summer. Steve Carell lends his voice to the main character of Gru, a short, pointy-nosed villain who likes to steal major monuments. Once he puts his plan in motion to steal the moon, he inherits three orphan girls who give him a new perspective on life. The target audience's favorite part will be the little yellow minions scattered throughout, speaking gibberish and giggling the whole way through. An assortment of colorful characters and an agressive marketing campaign will make this a hit. Hopefully has some stuff for the adults as well. The all-star cast also includes Jason Segel (I Love You, Man) , Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek), Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock).

Popcorn Pick 7-2-10

If you were planning on seeing this movie, odds are you've seen it already. And if you're not planning on seeing it, you're probably running away from your computer screen right now. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is set to be not only the biggest film in the uber-popular vampire/werewolf/romance franchise, but possibly the biggest film of the year. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner are back a third time for another installment of teen angst and trying to construct a vampire-related plot around it. This time around the fighting clans of vampires and werewolves have to band together to fight a new threat. And Bella is once again torn between the two hotties- but let's face it, even if you're unfamiliar with the story, it's obvious who's she's gonna pick. Sure to make many little girls squeal, and fork over their money for tickets. Shockingly, buzz surrounding this movie says that it's actually halfway decent, probably due to them turning up the action a notch or two, and the fact that the film is also available in IMAX doesn't hurt either.

Also, Twilight has cemented its status as the new Harry Potter-wannabe by splitting its last book in the series, Breaking Dawn, into two movies- just like Deathly Hallows.

Toy Story 3 ****

What was your favorite toy as a kid? Where is it now? When was the last time you played with it?

These are questions one is almost forced to ask themselves upon exiting the theatre after you see Toy Story 3, a fantastic achievement in an already-legendary series of animated films. The film delves into the very existential nature of toys as they are- objects, not living things. Of course, in these films, it's not just children's imaginations- they really do come to life when the little tykes aren't around. But while at least a couple of scenes are very emotional and have reduced many a full-grown man to tears, the film brings Pixar's usual wit and humor to the mix to make this one of the best the studio has produced.

This film is set many years after the first two, when owner Andy is 17 and going off to college in a matter of days. He still clings to a few old toys despite never playing with them anymore. The only ones left are our heroes: Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, Rex, Hamm, Slinky, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and three little green aliens. (His younger sister's old Barbie doll also comes along.) He cleans out his room and the toys get thrown in a trash bag bound for the attic. A misunderstanding sends them to Sunnyside Daycare center, which at first seems like a haven for unloved toys where they can be played with every day, but as they soon discover, the toddlers like to play rough and the other toys have their own rules about how the place runs. Woody gets separated from the rest of the group and has his own adventure involving a little girl bringing him home. Once they're reunited, the film turns into a brilliant child's version of a prison-escape adventure where the toys attempt to break out to get back to Andy's house. New characters are all over the place, but the highlight is Ken, Barbie's other half, who's obsessed with clothes and good looks. The theme of what happens to toys once their owners grow up was explored at some length in the second film, but it permeates every scene here and seriously asks the question, if they were to all just disappear, would anyone notice or really care?

Adults can listen for stars lending their voices to the many roles, including Michael Keaton as Ken, Whoopi Goldberg as an octopus, and Timothy Dalton as a porcupine doll who loves classical theatre.

The genius of the Pixar team never ceases to amaze me. Every frame is filled with detail so that you have to watch the movie several times to catch the many pop culture references, the ways that ordinary objects are used in unusual ways, and the simple beauty of the characters and the scenery. Everything looks great (In fact, I'd say the toys look too good. Shouldn't they be a little more beat up and rusty after not being played with for so long?), but it's the story and the characters that pull you in. The only real complaint I have is that Pixar is following suit in the 3-D craze. The three-dimensional effects are pretty subtle and only serve to add depth to a style of animation that already shows depth pretty well. Otherwise, it's perfect entertainment for children and adults alike. It may not be the best of the series, but I think it is just on par with the first two films. I'm glad to say that the most anticipated movie of the year is not only the best of the summer, but the best of the year by far. (Pixar's last film Up was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Could the toys be next?)

I would recommend this film to any and all kids and anyone else who is familiar with- and likes- the first two films.

You can watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c3K7LhA9Yc

Also, arrive early and catch Pixar's newest short film, Day and Night. It's a weird, almost indescribable piece of art that's all about the differences between daytime and nighttime in the world. This proves that you don't need dialogue or even real characters to make a good movie.

Popcorn Pick 6-25-10

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz reunite for the action comedy Knight and Day, a rare original film in a summer filled with sequels and remakes. Cruise plays a secret agent (what else?) who becomes involved with an innocent woman when he separates from the CIA and they try to kill him. His character may very well be psychotic, based on his crazy stunts and inane babblings seen in the trailer. ("Nobody follow us or I kill myself and then her!") The more Diaz tries to escape, the deeper in she gets and the more she comes to trust him. It's no Mission: Impossible, sure, but it's sure to be funnier and with enough action to satisfy Cruise fans, who's been MIA for a while at the multiplex. The film co-stars Peter Sarsgaard (Orphan), Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine) and Marc Blucas (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Popcorn Pick 6-18-10

The wait is over. After eleven long years of agonizing waiting and listening for often-false rumors, Toy Story 3 has finally arrived in theaters. The third film in arguably the greatest animated movie franchise of all time seeks to bring back old fans who were kids when the first two came out (myself among them) and new fans who are still young enough to play with toys themselves. This film opens with the toys' owner Andy about to leave for college and deciding what to do with all his old playthings. The toys end up being donated to a daycare center where they are torn apart by toddlers on a daily basis. But they also meet several new toys as well who have a dark secret. The adventure comedy returns all of the toys we've come to know and love (yes, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz) and introduces many new colorful characters. As can be expected from Pixar, there are sure to be many exciting action scenes, jokes for both kids and adults, and surprise plot twists the whole way through. This film is set to be the biggest film of the summer. Here's hoping it stands up to its legendary first two films.