Spring Break
The summer blockbuster: 21st century edition
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: Focus
"Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" (2005, 2008)
Remember the Batman films of the 1990s? Please don't. But with "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," innovative director Christopher Nolan not only brought the darkness back into the Batman universe, but created an intelligent superhero film. With the performances of top-notch actors like Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and of course, the late Heath Ledger, the Batman legend was transformed into a superb action-thriller.
"Transformers (2007)"
What's summer without an absurd, explosive plot filled Michael Bay blockbuster? The jaw-dropping special effects of "Transformers," as well as its numerous supporting characters, elevate the film from the level of a typical summer flick. Sure, it might not have the best script or acting, but this is certainly a guilty pleasure worth taking part in, especially with the sequel Revenge of the Fallen coming out in late June.
The "Shrek" films
(2001, 2004, 2007)
Dreamworks proved it's versatility by taking a relatively unknown book, "Shrek," by William Steig and turning it into one of the most profitable film franchises of all time, grossing more than $1 billion domestically and spawning the Tony-winning Shrek the Musical," which is currently running on Broadway. But what made a movie about a cantankerous swamp-welling ogre such a hit? An A-list cast including Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy doesn't hurt as well as humor that both children and adults can enjoy.
Remember the Batman films of the 1990s? Please don't. But with "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," innovative director Christopher Nolan not only brought the darkness back into the Batman universe, but created an intelligent superhero film. With the performances of top-notch actors like Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and of course, the late Heath Ledger, the Batman legend was transformed into a superb action-thriller.
"Transformers (2007)"
What's summer without an absurd, explosive plot filled Michael Bay blockbuster? The jaw-dropping special effects of "Transformers," as well as its numerous supporting characters, elevate the film from the level of a typical summer flick. Sure, it might not have the best script or acting, but this is certainly a guilty pleasure worth taking part in, especially with the sequel Revenge of the Fallen coming out in late June.
The "Shrek" films
(2001, 2004, 2007)
Dreamworks proved it's versatility by taking a relatively unknown book, "Shrek," by William Steig and turning it into one of the most profitable film franchises of all time, grossing more than $1 billion domestically and spawning the Tony-winning Shrek the Musical," which is currently running on Broadway. But what made a movie about a cantankerous swamp-welling ogre such a hit? An A-list cast including Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy doesn't hurt as well as humor that both children and adults can enjoy.
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