I guess I can stop with these veiled references to the movie screening I went to on Saturday morning. It was for “Shrek Forever After,” if you hadn’t already figured that out.
Before the screening, I remembered something lying in the bottom of the costume chest at my house. There were Shrek ears (similar to the ones in the picture) that can be worn like a headband. They are incredibly festive, and I have whipped them out every once in a while since 2001. Yes, I have kept these ears since the release of the first “Shrek” movie.
I wore them to the screening, and no one noticed. I was very disappointed.
(To be fair, they gave out some new pairs as prizes. So I can only hope that was one of the main reasons.)
DreamWorks really struck it big with the “Shrek” franchise. The original won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Film. The sequel was the third highest grossing movie of the decade. Then, out of nowhere, the magic makers forgot what made their previous two installments so successful and churned out a third installment void of joy, laughter, and fun. I prayed that “Shrek Forever After,” the supposed final entry in the series, would provide closure while still providing the entertainment of the first films.
My wish was their command. This “Shrek” is a jubilant celebration of the series that will serve as a perfect bookend of the series. It will have you howling from beginning to end, surpassing the total laugh count of “Shrek the Third” in mere minutes. Everything you love about “Shrek” is present here – all the adult humor, pop culture references, send-ups of your favorite fairy tales, and the characters we’ve come to adore.
But at the same time, it doesn’t rely on your lingering nostalgia from 2001 and 2004. “Shrek Forever After” has plenty to give us that is new and exciting, from the introduction of the maniacal Rumpelstiltskin to an engaging plotline that twists Frank Capra.
Before the season actually gets kicked off in two days, I thought it was necessary to spell out my five most anticipated movies of summer 2010. Rather than bore you with verbose observations, I will give you the rationale for my picks with only two things: the movie’s trailer and 10 words or less describing why I’m dying to see it.
Winter’s Bone (June 11)
I can’t wait because … it’s a rare summer drama and won big at Sundance.
Shrek Forever After (May 21)
I can’t wait because … it has to redeem “Shrek” after the last movie stunk!
Eat, Pray, Love (August 13)
I can’t wait because … this is that enjoyable watching chick-flick I’m always weak for.
Robin Hood (May 14)
I can’t wait because … Russell Crowe has Maximus bottled up inside for this.
Get Him to the Greek (June 4)
I can’t wait because … it’s time for Jonah Hill and Russell Brand’s breakout movies.
The Kids Are All Right (July 7)
I can’t wait because … it’s an indie and this makes comedy out of controversy.
Iron Man 2 (May 7)
I can’t wait because … action plus Robert Downey Jr. have equaled big fun before.
Toy Story 3 (June 18)
I can’t wait because … it’s going to be like revisiting my childhood!
Salt (July 23)
I can’t wait because … Angelina kicks butt! And it’s not a franchise movie!
Inception (July 16)
I can’t wait because … it’s Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to a new classic.
YES! It’s time to preview May! That means it’s time for big-time summer blockbusters. Hopefully, this summer has less to make critics moan (a la “Transformers”) and more to make everyone reach for the popcorn (a la “The Dark Knight”). But I’ll let you make that decision for yourself. Three big sequels open in the banner month of summer,
May 7
“Iron Man 2” kicks off the summer movie season with a bang. After its predecessor was the surprise hit of summer 2008, the sequel is opening to very high expectations. Throwing in such tremendous new cast members as Mickey Rourke as villainous Whiplash, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, and Don Cheadle (as a replacement for the role last played by Terrence Howard) has only served to heighten them. But do you really need to be sold? If this movie doesn’t fall in the range of $350-$400 million, it’s a disappointment.
We’ve got a double dose of baby-themed movies opening in limited release on this day. “Babies” is for all you documentary people; the movie follows the first year of four different infants. For the art house lovers, Sony Pictures Classics has you covered with “Mother and Child,” a movie which can be referred to as “hyperlink cinema.” Like “Crash” and “Traffic,” “Mother and Child” follows several different stories all tying into a common theme – here, it is motherhood. Starring Oscar nominees Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, and Samuel L. Jackson, it has played at a few film festivals and may be the only big indie movie of the month. I guess even the specialty studios want you to see “Iron Man 2.”
May 14
“Robin Hood” is the second big release, and it boasts a pair of Oscar-winning actors, Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, on the marquee. And no, this isn’t the “Robin Hood” with the foxes and the other forest animals. It’s a gritty, intense action movie directed by Ridley Scott (“Gladiator”). I have plenty more to say about this movie, so keep your eyes peeled in the next week or so.
“Just Wright” and “Letters to Juliet” dare to go up against the two blockbusters packing the screens. The former is a Queen Latifah vehicle where she stars as a physical therapist helping to rehabilitate an NBA star; the latter, an Amanda Seyfried mushy-gushy love story where she helps an older woman find her long-lost love in the city where “Romeo & Juliet” was set.
May 21
I really hope the trailer doesn’t ruin “Shrek Forever After” like it did for “Shrek the Third.” Well, to be honest, the threequel tanked because the script was awful. The first two were amazing, so I’m praying that the magic returns for the final chapter.
“MacGruber” strangely decided to move itself out of comfy April into May against one of the biggest franchises of the past decade. Interesting move on Rogue’s part, but if the movie is going to make any money, it has to be hilarious. To be honest, I have my doubts. There hasn’t been a good “SNL” sketch-based movie since “Wayne’s World” nearly 20 years ago. Often times, I don’t think the “MacGruber” sketches are funny for their 30 second runtimes … why would I want to watch them for an hour and a half or so? Good news: it has Kristen Wiig. Let’s pray for a lot of Kristen Wiig.
May 28
Technically, “Sex and the City 2” comes out on Thursday, May 27. Why they did that, I don’t know. But I do know this: women, get your outfits ready. According to my mother, a rabid fan of the series, all the girls got decked out like they were going to a charity gala.
“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” is my pick for the big bust of May, although I could easily be eating my hat in two months’ time. I really like Jake Gyllenhaal, but I’m not sure how much I buy him as an action hero. Based on a video game, it seems to me that Disney is marketing it like the new “Pirates of the Caribbean.” But I’m not a big gamer, so I don’t really know what to expect.
Excited much for this amazing month of movies? Or will it live up to its promise? Take the poll and let me know what you are thinking!
I guess I can stop with these veiled references to the movie screening I went to on Saturday morning. It was for “Shrek Forever After,” if you hadn’t already figured that out.
Marshall and the Movies 
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