Movies 2011, Part Two - The Harvest Continues

Back with the second instalment of my list for, in my opinion, the watchable movies of the present year, and when I shall be watching them.  Hope you have enjoyed the previous instalment; here we go with round two:

"Thor" - Release date May 6th.  Here comes the first of the 'tent-pole' movies, those flicks which prop up the studios for the summer, the big releases that garner tons of buzz and help the studios (they hope) stay in the black.  The trailers look semi-promising, but the real reason I'm watching this one is that it is leading up to "The Avengers," releasing on May 4th, 2012.  Given that this is a big comic book movie, it behooves me to see it in theatres.

"Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" - Release date May 20th.  This will be the fourth adventure for 'Capt. Jack Sparrow,' and the first without Orlando Bloom or Keira Knightley.  Johnny Depp is still going strong, though the addition of Penelope Cruz leaves a lot to be desired for me.  Still, big action flick, requires a theatre to enjoy properly.

"The Hangover Part II" - Release date May 27th.  As if the first one needed a sequel...regardless, same kind of humour, this time in Thailand.  It's a comedy, and I waited until the first one was on TMN, so this one will wait until then as well.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" - Release date May 27th.  For everyone who finds the previous entry too polarizing (read that as raunchy), here is the sequel to one of the more amusing non-CGI animated features or recent years.  Dreamworks has a good thing going here, let's hope they don't overdo it.  Waiting for a TMN/disc release.

"Super 8" - Release date June 10th.  Excellent pedigree with this one folks, with J.J. Abrams directing and Steven Spielberg producing.  Oddly, the second movie of the year with an alien escaping from Area 51, this is the serious monster flick to the comedy provided by "Paul" earlier.  Filmed as a viral movie, look for this to be the next "Cloverfield."  Must see at home, TMN/disc due to herky-jerky camerawork.

"Green Lantern" - Release date June 17th.  The next on the year's comic book movie adaptations worth watching, with Ryan Reynolds playing the titular hero.  So good on pre-buzz that the sequel is already fired up and ready to go, just awaiting the box office receipts.  Must see in theatres.

"Cars 2" - Release date June 24th.  The other really anticipated animated film of the year, this one from Pixar via Disney.  Not much to say, except this will wait for a TMN/disc release.

"Transformers: Dark Of The Moon" - Release date July 1st.  And here we go.  The summer blockbuster season really lights up with this movie, the second of the year highlighting the moon landings of the 60s.  Aside from the (thankful) dumping of Megan Fox as the girlfriend, the plot alone has me quite interested in where this one will go.  Definitely defines a theatre-worthy movie.

"Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II" - Release date July 15th.  I could devote an entire post to this title, and chances are that closer to July I'll do just that, more than once.  I can easily summarize the plot for you in four words: The Battle For Hogwarts.  Needless to say, this is one of the most hotly anticipated movies of the year, and even if it wasn't a tradition I'm carrying on in memory of my late father, this is a must-see in theatres.

"Captain America: The First Avenger" - Release date July 22nd.  This is the last of the 'prequel' set-up movies before "The Avengers" brings all these heroes together in 2012.  Taking place during World War II, and fighting everyone's favourite villains, the Nazis, this is probably the most interesting creation storylines next to "Iron Man" (sorry "Thor").  Theatre worthy.

"Friends With Benefits" - Release date July 22nd.  This is another one of the casual 'relationship without depth' movies coming out this year.  Again, good cast, but not worth a movie ticket.  TMN/disc release for me.

"Cowboys And Aliens" - Release date July 29th.  Because, after all, who doesn't want to see what happens if you pit cowboys against aliens?  Here's hoping Jon Favreau does as good a job here as he has with the last two "Iron Man" movies.  Whether I see it in theatres or not depends greatly on what buzz there is about it between now and release.

I know we've only gone as far as the end of July here, but I'm looking over August and months afterwards, and I just don't see anything that stands out.  There are a few titles that show some promise, and a couple of requisite sequels, but nothing that really screams "Don't forget me!!!"  I even feel that it is too early to mention "Paranormal Activity 3," since other than the title and the release date - October 21st. - not much is known about it, and I am a HUGE fan of this particular franchise.  Thusly, I'm going to stop here with this post, and promise that as the summer nears the halfway point I shall, if I haven't by then, finish the year with Part The Third of this gripping saga.

For now, keep that popcorn warm for me!