Summer Movies

Tomorrow is the official beginning of the summer movie season, so it's time to switch gears and leave movies like "Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," and "Slumdog Millionaire" behind and focus on the mindless summer movies. Actually, mindless is a good thing and that's what summer movies are all about.

I read a preview of the summer movies and here's some that are coming out:

• "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" - This franchise can go on forever because you can do an "origin" movie for each of the characters and then a sequel to each of those movies. Previews look pretty good.


• "Star Trek" - A reboot of a franchise that hasn't really delivered for a while. Lots of interest on this one. I'll be there.


• "Angels and Demons" - Sequel to The DaVinci Code, one of the most overrated books ever. I'll probably skip the movie sequel, like I did the first one.


• Terminator: Salvation - A sequel of sorts in that it focuses on John Conner during the days when he's at war with the machines, fighting alongside Kyle Reese (his future father in the past). Can't say I was eagerly anticipating any more Terminator movies, but it has Christian Bale and looks like it'll be a fun ride. Supposedly Arnold is making a cameo.


• Transformers 2 - I just wasn't a fan of the first one. But my son will be begging to see this one.


• Public Enemies - A retelling of the John Dillinger story starring Johnny Depp. Yep, I'll want to see this one.


• The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 - A remake of an excellent movie from the 70's about a subway hijacking in New York City. John Travolta takes over the villain role from Robert Shaw and Denzel Washington takes over the cop role from Walter Matthau (yes, Walter Matthau). Check out the original sometime, it's quite good.

On the other end of the spectrum, my kids will want to see "Up," which is the latest Pixar, which means it'll be very enjoyable for adults too. I'll also have to go see "Land of the Lost" a big screen version of a very cheesy 70's Saturday morning show, and "Night at the Museum 2," a sequel to what was a surprisingly entertaining first film.

Movie with the biggest curiosity factor? That would be "Inglourious Basterds." The preview has Brad Pitt instructing a squad of soldiers that are to go out and bring him back Nazi scalps. They are to do so with an emphasis on cruelty that repulses the Germans. It's directed by Quentin Tarantino, so it may be a tad bit violent.