Thank God it’s September. August, a traditional dumping ground for bad movies, is over, and we can look forward to a fall release slate packed with Oscar-worthy goodness. But before we sink our teeth into The Wolf of Wall Street, About Time, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, let’s look back at the moments that made this past summer worth going to the movies. You’ll have the opportunity to see these films at home in the coming months, so it’s worth revisiting why you should.
1. Watching the cast of Star Trek: Into Darkness in action again: The second new Star Trek movie was notable for a few things, the least of which was its story, which shamelessly pilfered The Wrath of Kahn. This angered more than a few diehard Trekkies, myself not among them. Rather, the exciting deep space action and the pitch perfect cast gave me my money’s worth. Star Trek has always been more about its characters and themes than anything else, and seeing Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and the rest of the gang back in action was a pleasure. Frankly, the success of this series is a testament to the talents, likability and chemistry of this group of actors. They have made Star Trek their own as much as any other cast in history, which was no small task considering the roles into which they stepped. Star Trek: Into Darkness is out on home video September 10.
2. Jonathan Kent’s death in Man of Steel: I don’t consider that to be a spoiler because this character has died many deaths in the various incarnations of the Superman mythos. But none were as affecting as his sacrifice in Man of Steel. Actor Kevin Costner made the most of his few moments on the screen so that by the time Jonathan stands ready to be swallowed by a tornado, the movie has earned the emotions director Zach Snyder wants them to feel. Jonathan knew the world wasn’t ready for Superman, so he gave his life to save not only his son but also mankind. More than any other version of Superman, Man of Steel made clear the source of the goodness in Superman and the importance of the father figure in American culture. The rest of the movie is as uneven as a rocky beach, but for this scene, director, writer, actor, and composer came together to create a powerful moment in film. Man of Steel hits home video on November 12.
3. The part of Pacific Rim between the opening and the closing credits: The more I thought about this behemoth of a movie, the more I adored it. It not only has some of the most eye-popping computer rendered action committed to film, it also has a thoughtful script that goes deeper than most summer blockbusters. Too bad it bombed at the box office. No word on when Pacific Rim hits DVD.
4. The hide-and-seek clapping game in The Conjuring: I loved this film from beginning to end as well, but if I had to pick out a favorite scene, it would be the part where the mother plays the hide-and-seek clapping game with her kids. Like a microcosm of the larger movie, it slowly and skillfully sets up the scare without getting boring and then delivers a wallop of a jump. The Conjuring is expected to hit DVD in October.
5. Jeff Bridges’ performance in R.I.P.D.: I might have been the only movie columnist to give R.I.P.D. a good review, but doggonit, I liked it, due in no small part to Bridge’s turn as a heavenly cop that hunts dead villains and sends them to Hell. Bridges clearly had a good time making the movie, but that doesn’t mean he goofed off. Rather, he marshaled his skills to deliver a knee-slappingly hilarious but also carefully nuanced performance. Honestly, he was the best part of what I thought was an off-the-wall but funny movie. R.I.P.D. will be available as a rental on October 29.
6. Every special effects shot in Elysium: The new movie from the director of District 9 might not have worked as a story, but the shots of the titular space station were awesome to behold, especially on an IMAX screen. Truly unforgettable work in an otherwise unmemorable movie. No home video release date yet.
7. Melissa McCarthy stabbing Sandra Bullock in the leg with a knife to avoid appearing as though they were trying to escape: Nothing this summer made me shout like this scene in The Heat, played with flawless comedic timing by the two stars of the movie. Not only did it hurt to see McCarthy try to get the knife back in Bullocks’s leg as the bad guy approached, it really hurt when she didn’t get it in the first time. Home video date to be announced.
8. Brad Pitt creeping unnoticed through an enclosed complex crawling with zombies: This scene in World War Z was the most suspenseful of the summer, which is all the more remarkable when you consider that it was the result of a hasty and expensive reshoot. Having read about the originally shot ending, which involved Pitt rising up like Rambo against a horde of Russian zombies, the producers made the right decision. Instead of sticking out like a sore thumb, though, it wrapped up the movie with a neat bow. World War Z hits home video September 17.
9. Finally getting a good Wolverine movie: I’m not an X-Men junkie, but after suffering through a disappointing X-Men: The Last Stand and the wretched X-Men Origins: Wolverine, what a pleasure watching The Wolverine was. Well written, directed, and acted, it was easily one of the best movies of the summer. No home video date on this one yet.
10. Seeing The World’s End in the junk heap of August: I did you a disservice by not reviewing this movie from the creators of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. The only thing you need to know before seeing it is that it’s a deeply poignant essay on relationships disguised as... something else. Avoid all spoilers because you do not want to know where this movie goes.
It seems I had a great time at the movies this summer. What about you? I’ll be back next week with a look at the top ten worst movie moments of this past summer. I’m already sharpening my adamantium claws.