Iron Man May 2, 2008 - Considered one of the most highly anticipated movies of not just the entire comic book industry, but of the year, Iron Man appears poised to be taking the place of Spider-Man in the Marvel summer line-up as one of the first films out for the summer movie going season. While trailer viewings have revealed it as effects heavy (which is to be expected with a summer blockbuster nowadays) and quickly paced, Iron Man also appears to be the vehicle of revival to Robert Downey Jr.’s acting career. Before the movie has had even one box office receipt, there are rumors of making it into a full trilogy over the next 6 years. Is it all hype and fanboy pipe dreams? There’s only one sure way to find out… to go and see it.

The Dark Knight July 18, 2008 - The untimely loss of Heath Ledger to the world has placed a new perspective on his portrayal of the Joker, who was already the primary focus of The Dark Knight marketing campaign. The tragedy aside, the second outing for Christian Bale in the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne looks to cement his position in the role for a third film to create a formal and solid trilogy out of the property for a base, which it lacked during its last outing with the studios. Of course, the true test of any trilogy is its sophomore edition, and from the looks of it Dark Knight will surpass Batman Begins in both action and pacing to quite possible become THE blockbuster of the summer. On a casting note, while we are happy to see the Cruise Controlled Katie Holmes away from the film, we can only hope that the delicious Maggie Gyllenhaal can be the actress that sheds some light into the darkness for more than one feature.

Hell Boy II: The Golden Army July 11, 2008 - Four years after the original Hellboy hit the screen in true love story fashion, Ron Pearlman thunders back to the big screen as the cigar chomping demon from another dimension who has an unusual attraction to pussy… cats. This time around it seems that Hellboy will be battling creatures from the mythical underworld as opposed to a different dimensional plane. No matter which way you cut it, the trailer shows more of the hard pounding action with the humor that made the original such a cult success. Reprising her role as Hellboy’s love interest and spontaneous combuster Liz Sherman is the lovely Selma Blair. I am a strong believer and prophetizer that the original Hellboy was at the very base a love story, and I truly hope to see more of the same. Comic book characters can love too, ya know?

Punisher: War Zone September 12, 2008 - With Ray Stevenson taking over the role of Frank Castle from Thomas Jane, the hope of a decent movie from Punisher fans withered on the vine. Although 2004’s The Punisher with Jane was a gigantic improvement over the 1989 straight to video version with Dolph Lundgren, it still lacked the box office pizazz that movie executives have come to expect. The direction this sequel was determined to go in apparently drove Jane off the project, to be replaced by Stevenson which in itself may not necessarily be a bad thing visually, but can negatively impact the film for continuity if they are looking to make this into a regular franchise.

The Incredible Hulk June 13, 2008 - The possibility of having an incredible franchise based on The Incredible Hulk rests in the hands of Edward Norton. This is by far one of the least anticipated movies since the sour taste from Ang Lee’s 2003 Hulk still has not been washed away. When I first heard about it, I wasn’t moved to joy. The trailer, although clearly showing Abomination, failed to thrill me. I will see it because I believe that Norton will in fact make the magic that is not CGI oriented to bring Bruce Banner to life. In the off chance that he doesn’t deliver, then I can always hope that Bruce Banner and Betty Ross have a love scene during which the condom breaks, enraging Banner, causing him to change into the big green brute, and therefore annihilating Betty Ross in the process. THAT would pretty much guarantee no sequel… or would it?

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To beat the sweltering summer heat, drink only Coca-Cola when at the theaters. If your theater doesn’t sell Coca-Cola, but rather that blasphemous corporate mongering cola, then you really need to find a new theater.

…More coming soon…