The Dack previews this summers offerings...

Here at the Dack list we are not falling for Hollywood's push that the summer film season starts on May 1st...... We are going from Memorial Day Weekend... so this list won't have Wolverine or Star Trek.... even though the Dack is really excited about both of those films... we already covered them in our spring films to watch blog...

The Dack is very excited for this years summer slate of films..... it is true that there might not be as many blockbuster action films as some fanboys might be hoping for but that's because Hollywood is releasing two of those films in early May and also this year is not just about action and comic books films but comedy too... What you are about to read is by no means a complete list of everything coming out but the films that I the Dack am most looking forward too.

Terminator Salvation - May 21

I have already blogged once or twice about my excitement for this movie but it's only at the top of this list because of it's release date. With all the fantastic trailers the Dack is hoping for something truly special from McG. Finally a film that gives us an idea of what the battle between humans and machines will be like... the casting of Christian Bale as John Connor seems like a stroke of genius but we will have to wait for Memorial Day weekend to find out...

Anyone else out there have an craving for a Terminator marathon hit me up...

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian - May 22

This sequal to 2006's Night at the Museum has the Dack intrigued. I wasn't expecting much from the first film and didn't see it until last year but I really enjoyed it. Not sure if this story has legs for a second go around but if it does then it will be worth checking out.


Up - May 29

Pixar brings us a new film.... can they keep their streak of great films alive? The Dack totally thinks so and with this one in 3D, the Dack will be disappointed if it is anything less than great! Yeah, I know that might seem like high expectations but at this point how can you expect less from Pixar.

Drag Me To Hell - May 29

The director of the Spiderman films Sam Raimi returns to his horror film roots. The Dack is excited to see what the creator of Evil Dead and Army of Darkness has come up with. The story centering around a Loan Officer who forecloses on a old woman's home getting cursed sounds interesting plus a Dack List favorite Justin Long is in the mix, should at least worth a matinee ticket.

Land of the Lost - June 5

As a kid the Dack enjoyed this Saturday morning series...now with funnyman Will Ferrell headlining it could be hilarious like Talladega Nights or Anchorman. A lot depends on the supporting cast of Danny McBride and Anna Friel. If they can balance out Ferrell's over the top wackiness that he usually brings to his roles then it should be worth checking out, if not this could be another Step Brothers.

Year One - June 19

Lots of names in this one starting with Jack Black and Michael Cera. Not sure if this spoof of olden times is going to sink or swim but I am very curious to see if Cera's super straight man can compete with Jack Black.

Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen - June 24th

If you like big summer action films this is your movie. The Dack must admit he loved the first one and hopes to get a chance to catch this one in IMAX! If you need more convincing check out the newest trailer below. For people that have a problem with Shia LaBeouf.... get over it and enjoy the Giant Robots!!

Public Enemies - July 1

The director of Heat and Collateral brings the story of depression era super bank robber John Dillinger to the big screen. Oh, did I mention that Johnny Depp is playing John Dillinger and Christian Bale is the lawman tracking him down..... yeah, now you want to see it!!



Bruno - July 10

I'll be honest the Dack isn't sure if he is going to like this film or not but after Borat how can you not at least a little curious with what Sacha Baron Cohen has in store for audiences this time.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - July 17

If you have read the books or seen the films.... get ready for a dark wild exciting ride. If you haven't well.... you are missing out on the greatest fantasy series in the last 30 years so do yourself a favor and check it out.

Funny People - July 31

The Dack is a huge fan of Judd Apatow.... this go around we get a combination with Adam Sandler.... I'm hoping for comedy epic!!

GI Joe - Aug 7

This is the cartoon that I used to run home from school to see..... I don't think there is anyway it will live up to my expectations but for the Dack it's a must see and that's all you need to know because as they say "knowing is half the battle, Yo Joe!

Inglourious Basterds - August 21

Quentin Tarantino brings his take on a WWII film to the big screen. It is sure to be one of the bloodiest war films ever... but the real intigue is in the cast with includes Brad Pitt, Eli Roth (yes, the director of Hostel) and B.J. Novak (yes, the guy from the Office). If you don't like any of Quentin Tarantino's other films don't bother, but if you do then expect to be entertained!!

The Dack enjoys some Sunshine Cleaning....

Last weekend the Dack got to check out a new indie comedy from Fox Searchlight.... I was expecting something along the lines of Little Miss Sunshine which came out a couple of years ago and I enjoyed very much. Although this film does have that dark comedy feel it also takes some bold chances by not just glossing over issues but really focusing on them. Although there are elements of comedy throughout the film, it is much more dramatic and emotional than I was expecting.....

The Dack is terrible at not ruining plots but it you don't want it ruined just skip this next paragraph.... Yes, this film will be unfairly compared to Little Miss Sunshine but this film tackles the issue of suicide while Little Miss Sunshine only barely covered it. I think most people will completely miss that this is the central issue of the film..... what happens to a family when one of them commits suicide... Yes, I know that seems really depressing and you are probably thinking.... well, thank you for telling me, now I can avoid seeing this movie.... but what this film really shows is that of course suicide is horrible for those left in the aftermath and yes it can really mess people up... but in order for people to truly heal from something like that they need to deal with it... Sunshine Cleaning is about a family whose lives are in complete shambles finally dealing with it.

The acting by Amy Adams and Emily Blunt as the sisters at the center of the story is wonderful and without it this film would not have succeeded. Alan Arkin who plays their father gives a performance that although feels very similar to role he played in Little Miss Sunshine (and won an Academy Award for) totally works because well, he is great at that character.

I am a big fan of movies that use comedy to show that darker side of family that we all have somewhere in our family trees. Yes sometimes it can be very serious but humor helps us get through. What made the Dack totally appreciate this fine piece of film making was not that it just showed the effects of suicide for family members but also that it didn't move on to the next issue or joke.... it really tried to show that in order for people to move on with there lives they have to deal with their feelings and let go of that anger, abandonment or whatever else they are carrying around with them. It made me want to laugh and cry at the same time and for that it gets eightDacks.