Initially I thought I wouldn't watch that many films for this year's Summer Movie Line-Up but obviously I broke that stance. I think I watched more than the ten movies listed here but one I definitely know isn't going to show up on this list is Terminator Salvation (which disappointed me a lot). This list is just my opinion so ye... Let's Do This!

10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

First time I saw it I thought it was only just a good film only to be seen as a starter for Harry Potter's last adventure. But when I saw it the second time, I found it really disappointing and realized that as a film of its own it should be more than just a "starter film". I appreciate that this film develops the relationships and the conflicts that are sure to occur, most moments were unnecessary (especially the part where Harry and Dumbledore have to go to that water fountain cave). Overall, it's an okay movie. Rating: Low MATINEE

9. Bruno

I was really hoping just like many others that this film was going to have the satirical impact from Borat. But it seems the makers in this film wanted to have more laughs so they ditch what would have been great commentary on homophobia and push the gay stereotype 20 times more. For the most part it's really funny and made me laugh hard, gasp, and cringe - but then there are some scenes that either feel fake or tries to hard for a laugh (and both). This film is also great to watch at a movie theater with a full audience - you and the audience cringe on what Sacha Baron Cohen is going to do next. Rating: High MATINEE

8. Funny People

The 40-Year-Old Virgin... is my favorite film of all-time and I certainly think the best work out of everything Judd Apatow has made. Knocked Up I thought was mediocre, and I was told that this movie is in between both of those. The first two acts I thought were great, I was really interested on what was happening to these characters. This is Adam Sandler's best role of all time. The moment I can tell he was going to pull off a great performance is the scene where George Simmons is getting noticed by fans before the doctor's appointment and than him being noticed by fans moments after realizing he might die. Seth Rogen is basically the avatar for everyone in the audience, going through the emotions of what George Simmons is going through. Than the third act focuses on the triangle between George Simmons, an old flame of his, and her husband which drags so long and wasn't that entertaining to watch. If only the third act focused on what the title was: stand-up comedians. This film certainly is better than Knocked Up. Rating: MATINEE

7. Up

The heartfelt and emotional montage of Carl and his wife's life together is PERFECT and shocking to see in a film marketed for mostly kids - that's how much this film beat Funny People (as I couldn't tell which one should be on top of the other). This montage really struck a chord with me. Then the film gets schizophrenic when it dives into humor for kids - and half of this humor involves dogs which I find an easy way to make you laugh. While these dog jokes make me laugh, after the movie I pondered "Did I just laugh at an animal?". This is the most mature film from PIXAR, and it's great that for a kids film it could also get kids feel emotional for an old person (shocker!). This movie is fun but lost in which mood it wants to be set on. Rating: Low FULL PRICE

6. Inglourious Basterds

I don't know about this particular film- it is the most difficult to recommend. But either way, to me, I was entertained... yeah... I'm pausing because there were times, and it is major, when scenes just stall. These scenes linger on with dialogue to increase tension but sometimes it does not give an effect. But when these scenes have moments of great (tense) dialogue, it's coool. If only a few parts of dialogue were cut off for these dialogue-driven scenes, it'd be better for the casual moviegoer (like my father, lawl). Some theorize that Quentin Tarantino puts these unnecessary talk bits to make the violence in the film more surprising, tense, and shocking. If this was intentional it definitely worked but still, come on man you don't have to keep EVERY moment of a scene (this final cut is a minute longer than the Cannes Version). The violence, just like District 9 (although obviously more grounded on reality), is something you haven't seen in a long time - its fresh and when the violence is used to be humorous as well it works. Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Mélanie Laurent had the best performances in the movie - all three so great that I can't tell which one takes over the other. Mike Myers, for the very short time, was interesting but Eli Roth was the worst in this movie. The instances of Tarantino sprinkled in this movie is great, especially when it breaks the boring parts of the film. People complaining they wanted more "Basterds" I agree totally but did it ruin the movie for me? Not really. Those wanting something in the like of Pulp Fiction, this is TOTALLY it but then again, who knows, it's a movie to be sure on the love it or hate it camp. Despite the rating now, it might get higher or lower on the second time I see this. Rating: High MATINEE

5. Star Trek

This is going to be short since I've never watched a Star Trek show or episode so I can't compare. As a newcomer though, this was a really fun and really entertaining film. Knowing mostly nothing about anyone or anything, this movie hooked me into this world. I'm glad this movie made more money than that shitty Wolverine origin movie. Rating: FULL PRICE

4. The Hangover

Zach Galifianakis made this movie- he's the person in this film who gives the best laughs- a true scene stealer. That said, him, and the other two actors have great chemistry each other. This great chemistry makes us involved into a story and makes the story way better to watch as well as make the jokes work no doubt. This film was jam-packed with laughs which surprised me, and the only parts that fell flat to me was Ken Jeong's gay-Asian-mobster stereotype. This story, which to me was in the style of Memento, was a great mystery set in modern times: What happened last night? Rating: low FULL PRICE

3. District 9

The premise sounds like any other sci-fi movie, but District 9 puts a twist on its story and makes it unpredictable. I was so enthralled by the documentary style, the violence, the characters (emotionally invested to as well), and the best special effects I've seen in a long time that even these plot holes didn't matter since the movie moves at a great pace. to be honest even better than The Dark Knight (which I also love but can't help but be annoyed by it's plot holes every time I watch it). Although James Cameron's AVATAR might take Best Special Effects in the end, if this film isn't nominated for it, something's wrong with critics. The first two acts were perfect, but the last third act - while incredibly entertaining and emotional, I wished the film focused on more plot and less action. This is a very awesome movie that uses special effects wisely, and out of this world. This film is TRULY more than meets the eye - unlike that piece of shit film Transformers 2. Rating: high FULL PRICE

2. Drag Me To Hell

This film doesn't need a long paragraph review but it is a fantastic horror comedy that gave me the best movie experience in a long time. To me, shocker, more fun than Evil Dead II. If this film is to start Sam Raimi up for Evil Dead 4, then OH WOW. Rating: FULL PRICE

1. (500) Days of Summer

Ironic but this is my favorite movie of the summer, so poignant, clever, and fresh. I really like the movie A LOT- although Eternal Sunshine is better, I personally think this is 20 times better than High Fidelity (it's okay). My favorite scene is the "Expectations vs. Reality" sequence that's so brutally honest. I thought this movie was hilarious and a great life lesson about love told in the most honest - and more importantly an entertaining way. The non-chronological order of the 500 days is what makes this film - without it, even not being love story, wouldn't have been more interesting. Rating: high FULL PRICE

- Charlton