Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Jason Statham, Ian McShane, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Natalie Martinez
Released: August 22, 2008

With never seeing the David Carradine & Sly Stallone version from the 70’s, I went into seeing ‘Death Race’ with absolutely zero preconceptions, and honestly, expectations. This Summer has been filled with numerous movie premiers where I couldn’t wait for Friday to get here soon enough. This simply wasn’t one of them… it was more along the lines of the fact that it was Friday night, I had nothing better to do, and I had a craving for theater popcorn. But somehow, amazingly, I found this movie to be strangely entertaining. In fact, I’ll go so far as saying it was a damn good action movie and if you like explosions, car crashes, and massive amounts of violence (and, admit it, who doesn’t), you’ll have a good time watching the carnage unfold on the screen.

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, tons more
Released: July 18, 2008

I’m a bit hesitant to do a review of ‘The Dark Knight‘, seeing as there are already thousands of them published at the moment, the vast majority saying the exact same thing: that it’s absolutely amazing. And let’s just say that I wouldn’t have seen it 4 times in 6 days if I didn’t think the same thing as well. I’ll do my best to keep this short and sweet, so you’ll have time to sprint directly to your nearest IMAX theater and see this outstanding film once you’re done reading.

‘The Dark Knight’ really is the best movie of the Summer… hell, the last 10 Summers. This movie takes the usual standard comic book material and raises it to a polished, gritty, gut-kicking level very few movies from more reputable sources are able to manage. There are so many excellent moments in this movie that picking any out as particularly better than any other is nearly impossible. The plot, pace and build-up of the overall story was expertly fine-tuned and streamlined to flawlessness… every point in this movie is leading to an astoundingly memorable, “holy shit” moment… I guarantee it (and George Zimmer would too).

Written, Produced, & Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo
Released: June 13, 2008

I was really looking forward to this flick the first time I set eyes on the movie poster. It had a very cryptic, creepy tone, and once I heard this was to be M. Night Shyamalan’s first R-Rated feature, I was downright giddy. But the more and more I saw the trailers and read exceprts from early reviews, I slowly started to get worried that this may not be the big return to form I was hoping for. Though many have been put off by his movies for years, I’ve greatly enjoyed all of Night’s flicks. Even with their we-know-it’s-coming twist endings and somewhat predictable storytelling at times, they’ve always felt well-written and, more importantly, well-acted to me. Well, that is… up until now. The Happening is a prime example of a good idea that is crushed into utter lifelessness by dull, listless directing and acting.

Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Kretschmann
Released: June 27, 2008

As many have said previously, Wanted is a movie that should suck. When I first saw the trailer, I thought it looked absolutely ridiculous… something of a revamped Transporter starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, and that guy from Last King of Scotland. But after taking my seat in the theater and watching the first 10 minutes or so of the movie I realized something. Yes, this movie is ridiculous. It’s outrageous and unbelievable. But you know what? It’s a damn fun movie.

Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, a bunch of suckas getting blown to bits
Released: January 25, 2008

It’s been more than 25 years since audiences everywhere were treated to their first glimpse of the man… the legend… the invincible killing machine… John J. Rambo. Since then, we’ve all seen our fair share of action movies. I know I have. But seeing Rambo up on the big screen, where he belongs, one last (?) time made this so much more than your average action movie. It was nostalgic. It was exciting. And holy christ, was it violent. But does Rambo still have what it takes? You’re damn right he does.