The TV Addict 

During the summer everyone is always talking about anticipating this film or other, but a lot of times the reason we’re looking forward to a particular film is not just its concept, but the acting performances it promises. So with my Top 10 Most Anticipated Summer Movies list already up, I thought I’d highlight a few of the actors – in no particular order - whose work I’m most looking forward to seeing this summer season.

Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly, STEP BROTHERS
These two are a perfect comedic duo, and the concept of STEP BROTHERs – purportedly devised by the two actors themselves – is a perfect, simple vehicle to let their humor shine. Above all else, I’m just so happy to see John C. Reilly finally breakout, even if after years of solid character roles it turned out to be comedy that would get him noticed.

Robert Downey Jr., TROPIC THUNDER
It’s really hard to imagine Downey Jr. could top his performance in IRON MAN, but I’m incredibly curious to see how he is going to pull off playing a white Australian actor who in the film is in turn playing an African American. Inherently it seems like a politically incorrect disaster (then again, the Wayans did turn themselves white a while back), but based on all the trailers it looks like he pulls it off perfectly and – most importantly – hilariously.

Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
Before you get the wrong idea, I’m not morbidly looking forward to Ledger’s performance in THE DARK KNIGHT because it was his last. I’m looking forward to it because it looks phenomenal. Based on the trailers, it just blows my mind how Ledger all but disappears into the role of the Joker, both in manner and appearance. It seems like such a seamless melding with the psychopathic spirit of the villain, that HYPERLINK “http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/14/discuss-could-heath-ledger-land-an-oscar-nod-for-his-dark-knig/” some are already wondering whether it may deserve an Oscar nomination.

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For those of you who can’t get enough of IRON MAN, and want to know about the future of the series, Entertainment Weekly has two really great interviews with director, Jon Favreau, and star, Robert Downey Jr. about their reactions to the film’s box office success, and the future of the series. You can check out the Favreau interview here, and the Robert Downey Jr. one here.

MAMMA MIA!
I’ve always had a devoted love for whimsical musicals, if not necessarily ABBA. It’s the former that has me rather drawn to this trailer for the film adaptation of the successful Broadway musical (which I never actually saw). Sure, the trailer is a bit grating, what with the whole “three Dads” thing being emphasized every ten seconds, and its annoyingly rapid editing, but what emerges is still the fact that it’s a silly, infectious, and undoubtedly entertaining fluffy musical. You also can’t argue with the cast. I mean, Meryl Streep (who it’s just delightful to see having this much fun), Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Waters, and Christine Baranski? I’m particularly excited to see two of my favorite young and up-and-comers Dominic Cooper (HISTORY BOYS, STARTER FOR 10) and Amanda Seyfried (“Veronica Mars,” NINE LIVES, MEAN GIRLS) get a high profile film gig.

Check it out here.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
To be frank, I have no idea what people are so excited about here. Okay, I do. It’s written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (SUPERBAD), and produced by Judd Apatow. That should really be enough. The thing is I didn’t find the teaser trailer, the red band trailer, nor the most recent trailer really that funny. There are a few gems, sure, like the “I’m kind of flabbergasted when you say things like that” bit, but for the most part it roused a might “meh” out of me. Maybe it’s just that I’ve never been much drawn to the slacker-stoner genre, or maybe it’s just that it’s not that funny.

Check it out here.

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