Thanks to everyone who I've seen or blogged with who gave me their input re: Summer Books. Summer really is the best time to read.

It's also the best time to see movies. Especially here in the South where any excuse to find air conditioning is a good one.

So far this summer, there have been highs and lows at the box office. There have been good films and bad films. There have been movies that made money and movies that haven't. And the ones that have aren't necessarily good and vice-versa. But, of course, that's just my opinion. And I'm brutal when it comes to movies.

And I've seen some bad ones lately. But I've also seen some good ones. And I can't wait for others. Let's do the run down.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

This is one of those movies that you idiots won't see. But you should. Because in 30 years, Banksy will have become solidified as one of the most important artists of our time. And you will have to answer for why you didn't pay attention to him WHILE he was working. Like, seriously. Your kid will study him in art history. And he will ask you if you saw his work or his movie when you were younger. And you will shameface-dly have to say "no." Unless you get off your ass and go buy a ticket. And you should. Because this film is so funny and so smart...it will blow your mind.

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

It's like cancer. Twilight spreads and matastasizes with each installment. And, even though the directors keep getting better and better, each film is terrible. Beyond measure. And everytime, I go to the theater thinking that it can be redeemed. I keep telling myself that the wonderful talents of filmmakers like Chris Weitz (New Moon) and David Slade (Eclipse) can overcome the shit shit shit story that is Twilight and the even worse writing/dialogue of it's author Stephanie Myers.

But it's just not possible. Take Eclipse for example. It is directed by David Slade. He did "Hard Candy." Hard Candy is about a girl (played by the immeasurable Ellen Page) who seduces and then kills pedophiles. It's an incredibly gritty, well acted, and well directed movie.

As you can see, I had high hopes for Eclipse. And, in a way, I was rewarded. Because visually, Eclipse is by FAR better than it's predecessors. There is some great camera work and shot set-up in the movie. But it does not compensate for everything else that happens over two hours.

Terrible costumes and makeup. Terrible acting. Terrible writing. Terrible terrible terrible.

And so so so so funny.

Seriously. That's the silver lining to Eclipse. If you are looking for an absolutely hilarious, campy movie...go see Eclipse. Because you will laugh your ass off. Lines like "Isabella Swan, I promise to love you every moment of every day until your heart stops beating" are said with 100% earnestness from a 15 year old "wolf-boy" wearing cut off jean shorts and no shirt who is standing in the middle of a snow storm on top of a mountain during a vampire battle. No, I'm not kidding.

And 90% of the women in the theater orgasm out loud over it. See? It's worth it just for a laugh. Or twenty.

Inception

No lie...about twice a week, I find myself saying, out loud..."I can NOT wait to see this movie."

Thankfully, I won't have to much longer. Because it's coming out in 10 days. Count down has commenced.

I mean, it's written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Who, like Banksy, will go down in art/cinema history. Because, and I will say this once and only once, Nolan will be LEGEND.

Seriously. If his work continues in the same vein, he will rank up there with Scorsese, Speilberg, Welles, Hawks, Kubrick, Altman, Ford and the rest. To date, Nolan has only made 7 films. Three of these are considered new classics: Memento, The Dark Knight, and Insomnia. And I'm willing to bet Inception gets put on that list.

Because the buzz is out of control. Re: Lainey...

"Media screenings are happening this week. Everyone coming out of Inception is jerking off over Christopher Nolan’s latest brilliance. Like, everyone. And just in time too. Inception opens July 16 following a smartly paced, cleverly strategised marketing campaign that teased just enough and not too much and as such, should deliver both critically and commercially which is not to say that it’ll do Toy Story numbers, but well enough to be considered a hit and, having made its money, on to perhaps an awards season run. Yeah, apparently it’s THAT good."

And she's right. We're over a week out and already, it's at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. You heard me correctly: it is currently at 100%.

Plus, it has Leo. And you know how I feel about Leo. He is also one of The Greats. He will go down in history too. But then there's also Oscar winners Marion Cottliard, Michael Caine, and three other amazing actors called Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Crispin Glover.

If you somehow haven't seen the third trailer, viewing is mandatory. Pull it up in Full Screen. Inception will be SICK.

Let the Right One In vs. Let Me In

vs.

I have been wanting to see Let the Right One In for forever. And it wasn't until yesterday that I realized how soon I need to go rent it. Because the trailer for the American re-make called "Let Me In" (what a dumb fucking 'translation', just call it the same thing) came out. And it is IDENTICAL to the original.

And, being American filmmakers, I'm sure whoever did the re-make will pussy out. Because Let the Right One In is a hard film to get through by all accounts. But it's also immensely rewarding. Because the Sweeds know how to make a movie. All the critics agree: Let the Right One In is the "right" movie. Which means the American knock-off is just wrong.

Other movies I'm excited about:

Cyrus

The Kids Are Alright

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (that's right. it's a nicholas cage/disney kids movie. now, shut it)

Enough for now, more to follow.

Love.