The Summer of the Third (or so) Movie

Working in a Movie Theater part-time, I get to see lots of previews and posters for films that are coming out in the next couple of months. Recently, I started to notice a pattern. I knew that the third Pirates movie was coming out, and there has been a lot of press about the third Spider-Man movie as well. But then I was reminded that the Third Shrek film was coming out, and in the same month no less!

I decided to take a look at imdb.com and see exactly how many Third Movies were coming out this summer. Imagine my shock when I saw that there were a total of SIX of them coming out between May 4 and August 10! When you add in a 4th movie in a series and a 5th movie in a series, as well as some first sequels hitting the screens, it turns out that there are 12 sequels coming out in a 15-week span this summer.

Let's leave aside the whole matter of originality in Hollywood and how there are no new stories to tell. My question is: Who is keeping up with all of these movies? There are a total of 23 movies leading up to the sequels coming out this summer, and I've only seen about half of them! And I'm a moive guy! And at $9 or $10 a pop? Sheesh!

Sure I can claim added responsibilities, direction changes in my life. I can even claim snobbery. But that is about to change. I am going to see all of these movies. I am going to see all the movies leading up to these movies, whether I've seen them before or not. I am going to get caught up on my vapid Hollywood franchises. And I will let you all know what I think. You can go see the movies anyway, if you want. I'm not trying to stop you. But I am going to bite the bullet and be the one who brings you some perspective. You can count on me, I'll be there for you.

And then next summer we can start on the Summer of Sequels 2...

If you want to play along, here are the release dates:

Spider-Man 3 May 4

28 Weeks Later May 11

Shrek the Third May 18

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End May 25

Ocean’s 13 June 8

Hostel: Part II June 8

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer June 15

Evan Almighty June 22

Live Free or Die Hard July 4

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix July 13

The Bourne Ultimatum August 3

Rush Hour 3 August 10