Movies to help keep summer from slipping away
By Maggie Beidelman
By the end of the summer, all one wants is an excuse to pretend like summer hasn't ended. I'll give you one. Here are the summer movie releases that you must see (A), movies that will entertain (B), movies that are at least worth renting (C) and movies that you shouldn't bother watching except to make fun of (F). Read, watch, enjoy and forgo the homework.
*"Snakes on a Plane" (August 18): The biggest disappointment of the summer - Samuel L. Jackson never should have given it a chance. Once I finally found a theatre where it was playing (only two weeks after its release), I wished they had provided a complimentary barf bag. Unnecessarily graphic and gruesome to the point of distraction. GRADE: F
*"Little Miss Sunshine" (July 26): An excellent story of a dysfunctional family and their eventful journey to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant for the 7-year-old daughter, Olive. Simply sweet and hilarious, this independent film enforces that one must find the humor in every setback in life in order to survive. Strong character study and an even stronger story line, along with some very fitting music, make this film a refreshing reproduction of the simplicities and difficulties of everyday life. GRADE: A
*"Accepted" (August 18): Though it may briefly remind you of your studies, "Accepted" was practically made for us: students searching for acceptance via social standards, family expectations or that large envelope (versus the small one) in the mail. Instead of facing rejection, however, these students simply create their own college - ingenious, right? Predictable, yet well done, with relatable events that will leave you laughing - or covering your mouth in horror - yet, commonplace all the same. GRADE: B
*"World Trade Center" (August 9): This film provides a new and different perspective on possibly the most life-changing event in American history. With more focus on character study and the characters' experiences than the destruction on 9/11, it is more personal and done in very good taste. GRADE: A
*"My Super Ex-Girlfriend" (July 21): I would have been more entertained with my head in the bucket of popcorn during the entire excruciating 95 minutes than trying to comprehend how someone could have actually written this. Luke Wilson is more of a weenie than ever, and Uma Thurman has flown right through the blonde bombshell routine straight to super freakdom. GRADE: F
*"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men's Chest" (July 7): A fast-paced whirl of adventure and excitement, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom succeed yet again in carrying the ultimate pirate film to success and fame. This sequel has brought in over $1 billion in the worldwide box office since its opening, only the third film ever to do so. GRADE: A
*"The Devil Wears Prada" (June 30): Not the chick flick one might think, this film captures the personal struggles of an aspiring journalist who lands a job as the personal assistant to the harsh and unforgiving editor of a top fashion magazine. You won't be able to keep your eyes off of Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in their strong and poignant performances. GRADE: B
*"Nacho Libre" (June 16): A hilarious comedy about a man who, through a bit of soul-searching, decides to give up his religious life as a monk in the depths of Mexico and become a mighty fighter in the ring. His intentions are good despite his apparent lack of ability, and any viewer can learn a lesson from his persistent optimism and loving personality. The main reason to see this movie: Jack Black plays Nacho. GRADE: B
Contact Maggie Beidelman at (408) 551-1918 or mbeidelman@scu.edu.