Ok, now that I have actually compiled this list of movies (most of them being summer movies) I have to confess that I probably watch too many films.  But I just love the experience.  I love getting my ticket, finding my seat, watching the trailers, seeing the first few scenes, sneaking back out and getting popcorn and a soda when the line at the concession stand is gone and then climbing back into my seat.

I've been going to the movies since I was a kid.  My brothers, Stirling and Randy, would take me with them to watch Saturday matinees at the Wulff Road or Shirley Street theatres.  I've been hooked since then.  In fact, one of my fondest memories was my mother piling us into her car to go to the Carmichael Road Drive In (now the Bahamas Faith Ministries parking lot) and the Prince Charles Drive In.  I would fill a brown grocery bag with popcorn and we'd take blankets and off we'd go.  So, I'm a movie buff.  I ain't shame.

But I'm getting off track a bit.  My purpose today is to review the best and worst movies of the summer (I know there's still some summer left and I know some of these films came out in the spring but so what?).  These are in no particular order by the way.

X Men First ClassCool film. I enjoyed it.  Excellent cast.  Although I still get riled when the black guy dies early in the film.  Hollywood.  So good, I watched it twice.  A bit more of a drama than an action film, so be prepared, if you haven't seen it, for lots of dialogue.  James McAvoy is a worthy Xavier and Michael Fassbender a fascinating Magneto.
Grade: B+

Captain America
This movie was straight up garbage.  I walked out right before the climax.  I knew there would be no climax.  Actors were sleep walking, the story was lame and look, it's sad to say this cause I liked Captain America as a kid, but this particular super hero just doesn't belong in movies.  I am a big fan of the lead actors, Chris Evans (who did a great job in the Fantastic Four) and Hugo Heaving (the ruthless Agent Smith of The Matrix), but this flick is predictable and uninteresting.
Grade: F

Thor
I was a huge Thor comic book fan.  HUGE.  I confess I had very low expectations of this film.  I really expected molded cheese.  It surprised me.  A fine cast.  They made Thor engaging and funny.  Of course, Anthony Hopkins is mesmerizing but this young actor, Chris Hemsworth pulled the Thunder God off convincingly.  Maybe they'll have a bigger budget next go round.  Nice little message about war and racism too.  The movie didn't take itself too seriously. (Thor's buddies were lame though).
Grade: B-

The Green Lantern
Awful.  Totally awful.  I always enjoy Ryan Reynolds, but he couldn't salvage this film.  The villain was so cheesy, so pathetic, so, so, so Jimmy Neutron-esque, I only stayed because I wasn't alone in the cinema and the person I was with insisted on staying to the bitter end.  Please, please, don't make any more.
Grade: F

Kung Fu Panda II
A worthy sequel.  I had very low expectations, but they pulled it off.  It was satisfying.  A little less stupid than the first, which was OK with me, and a bit more dark.  I hate 3-D by the way.  I really hate 3-D. Now, that might be because we don't have true 3-D here in the Bananas islands (whatever true 3-D means).  But whatever.  I really dug this film.  Fine artistry, and attention to detail.  The father-son theme and the exploration of memory, trauma and recovery: just great.  OK, I'm a geek.  But we knew this already.
Grade B+

Gnomeo and Juliet
Somewhat cute, but truly, I couldn't bear to stay till the end.  Just boring.  I didn't care about any of these characters.  Just seen it all before, man.
Grade: D

I am Number Four
Four stars for extra cheese.  I felt like I was watching the lost episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess, only there was no boobage.
Grade: F

Priest
This fine British actor, Paul Bettany (who happens to share my birthday, May 27) must be having a horrible time of it.  Can't find any roles worthy of his talent.  I hope this crap paid him well.  I'm sure this is a cool graphic novel or comic book or whatever, but as a movie it was weak.  The only positive thing I can say about this movie is that it was better than "Legion," the last piece of doo-doo I saw Bettany in.  I at least stayed to the bitter end of this one.  Really weak.  Underworld: now that's a movie about vampires.
Grade: D

More next week.

IAN STRACHAN is Associate Professor of English at The College of The Bahamas. You can write him at strachantalk@gmail.com or visit www.ianstrachan.wordpress.com.

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