Best 2011 Summer Movies You Must See

by Ashyia Hill

Bad movies are in abundance this summer. Steer clear of duds like The Hangover Part II, I Am Number Four and The Green Lantern. They’re disappointing and sometimes confusing at best. Here are a few movies guaranteed to please the masses.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II

This is the last part of the Harry Potter movie series. The trailers make it clear that Voldemort or Harry dies. In fact, one of the trailers shows the body of a supporting character. While some HP movies are mediocre, it’s safe to say the series will end with a bang and a lot of tears.

In case you’ve forgotten, the dream team dropped out of school to save the world. They’re looking for the seven horcruxes to destroy and end Who He Must Not Be Named. Without a doubt, your local theater will be packed for weeks after the release. Look forward to July 14th... or a date when tickets are available to people who aren’t booking a week in advance.

2. Bridesmaids

For the comedy lovers, Bridesmaids might make your year. Don’t mistake it for a chick flick at first glance. Annie is a bankrupt baker that now works as a jewelry saleswoman and can barely pay rent. Her relationship with Ted (Mad Men actor Jon Hamm) isn’t going well either. On top of all her problems, she’s asked to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding.

Kristen Wiig plays the main character, a regular actor on television show Saturday Night Live. Her work on SNL is usually sub-par at best, but her talent shines in Bridesmaids. She knows how to make a scene unbearably awkward. The movie was well-written and well-cast, a perfect mix of subtle humor and, well, toilet jokes.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The fourth installment of the Pirates franchise didn’t sit well with the critics. According to them, the plot was wishy-washy and the action scenes too numerous. However, the box office numbers prove that people can’t pass up Captain Jack Sparrow. In fact, 65% of movie-goers (not critics) who rated the movie on RottenTomatoes.com gave it a thumbs up.

Between the side plots and a quest for mermaid tears, yes, the story was quite weird. It’s much better than At World’s End, though, mostly because it wasn’t three hours long. Pirates of the Caribbean is like the latest Saw movie or yet another animated musical about princesses. You know you shouldn’t, but you can’t help yourself and end up secretly enjoying it.

4. Cars 2

No list is complete without a movie for the younger crowd. The sequel to Cars opens on June 24th. This movie focuses a bit more on the tow truck Mater voiced by Larry the Cable Guy. Mater and Lightning McQueen participate in an even bigger race, this time to determine the world’s fastest car.

The original Cars can’t compare to classics like Toy Story or even newbies like Toy Story 3. However, the animation was great and the story satisfying. Kids and adults alike laughed through the two hours and walked away with smile on their face.

What can we expect from Cars 2? A better story, concentration on funnier characters and, of course, even more stunning animation from Pixar.

5. Source Code

Source Code is here to appease the sci-fi fans. If you enjoyed the non-stop action of movies like Inception, you’ll probably enjoy Source Code. Critics give the movie mostly positive reviews, though some criticize the believability of the story.

A solider wakes up to discover that he’s on a mission to find a bomb before it goes off. Except he’s in another person’s body and must relive the last minutes of the other man’s life until completing the mission. He finds a beautiful but doomed distraction along the way.

Honestly, the best thing about Source Code is the action. The story is great and better than expected, but like with most action movies, it takes a backseat to explosions.

Ashyia Hill helps college students find the best credit card for students at CreditDonkey. She also loves film and theater. What summer movie are you looking forward to? Leave a comment below.

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TV: Wonders of the Universe Review

Reviewed by
Scott (obscurdbyclouds)
I first noticed Professor Brian Cox in the wonderful and hugely successful BBC science programme Wonders of the Solar System when it was shown last year. He has since returned to the BBC, co-presenting a live show with Dara O'Briain from Jodrell Bank called Stargazing Live, which was broadcast from the 5th January for one week. But his latest programme is a follow-up to the Wonders of the Solar System programme and is called Wonders of the Universe. I myself find this latest series to be just as satisfying to watch as the last one.

As a presenter, Professor Cox delivers his subject matter in an easy to understand and entertaining way, coupled with the feeling that here is a presenter that isn't just spouting information at the camera but is genuinely passionate about the subjects he talking about and more importantly, the viewers understanding of them too. As in the last series, the information presented gives us the viewer access to an understanding of how the Universe, including us, came to be, and the laws of physics to which we are bound by.

In the first episode of the new series titled Destiny, Professor Cox explored the nature of Time and its role in creating both the Universe and ourselves. A wonderful programme on its own which informed the viewer that not only do we live in the "Goldilocks Zone" which represents our planet’s distance from our Sun, but that we also live in a Goldilocks Zone as far as Time is concerned. In the second programme entitled Stardust, he explores the questions of “what are we?” And “where do we come from?” The programme as usual delivers hard facts. Those facts being what we are in terms of elements and from where those elements come from and how they are produced. He tells us that there are ninety-two elements found on our planet and those same elements are found across the entire Universe.

As well as the presenter delivering the material from relevant locations throughout the world, the programmes themselves use a balanced mix of both spectacular photographic and CGI imagery to present the source material, and with a decent soundtrack in the background the overall impression is of a programme that has been invested in hugely from beginning to end. The series itself represents a high point for me as far as BBC programming is concerned. And it is more than just something to watch on a Sunday night. I've been watching this on the BBC HD channel and recording it onto my HD box for further viewing. I would say to anyone who hasn't watched this yet that they are missing out on a fantastic programme that is a pleasure to watch and leaves you the viewer with the feeling that you have learned something new.

The next episode in this 4-part series is about gravity and can be caught on BBC HD and BBC 2 on Sunday 20th March at 9pm. The previous two episodes in the series are most likely to be found on the BBC iplayer.

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