What to watch, what to watch: summer movies 2010

Well the time has come again when Hollywood studios ask us to hand over our hard earned cash to feed our escapist nature with a multitude of movie options for the summer of 2010. For myself it seems that every coming summer there are more so called must see blockbuster choices that kick off an early start to the season. I could remember the days of the late 80's early 90's when there were at most 3 to 4 big budget movies that the masses would rush to cinema houses to catch. These days it feels that there is a big movie every week or mid week beginning as premature as April, each new film attempting to get the fast money before the bigger movies are released.

I'm not exactly sure if it was last or the year before but i remember wanting to see many of the movies of that summer period. However, there were just too many new productions to keep up on with some movies even going head to head with another on the same launch weekend. Unless you are an individual with no job or just have a lot of time to dedicate or kill there is only so many hours one can give to the plethora of films that endlessly come out. For myself this does not include the hours i must commit to the list of past movies i must watch and this list is very long.

As i have stated before in another post time is very precious and there is just too much crap being readily available disguised or advertised as good cinema. If a good deal of money was used in the development of a project it should be guaranteed that the film should be of superior quality but obviously this is not the case. Often times studios spend on eye dazzling effects completely overlooking simple things such as story, character development, etc. for the definition of a blockbuster. I am guilty and bought into some of the trailers and gave some picture a shot only to get disappointed with lousy narrative with predictable results.

Filtering through the mass of moving picture entertainment has become the name of the game. Now i really don't watch anything without reading numerous reviews to evaluate if something merits my time cause i don't have all the time in the world. I do understand that reviews are not all worth there weight in gold but there must be a way to help filter out the movie nonsense cloaked as something of substance. Taste of entertainment is all in perspective, i overheard some individuals chatting on how great Clash of the Titans was and myself thinking how disappointed i felt the minute i left the theatre. Nonetheless this is the debate, what to watch? What do i give my time to and what do i allow myself to enjoy? What movie am i willing to wait in line for?

I am not exactly sure i have the answer but it is all a gamble when we as the audience cannot get our 2 hours back when done and dissatisfied. Maybe if we force the theatre and studio system to enforce a refund structure where if we as the patron are not entirely happy we can get our money back. This could be a way to encourage quality to come out of the Hollywood animal and ease our millions of hours of lost time from crappy movies... its just an idea.

What will I do without LOST?!

With only a few episodes left to the show which has entertained, surprised, moved, frustrated and addicted me what am i going to do without LOST? The series that has cleverly placed itself as a drama but being clearly a science fiction nerd fest of entertainment has demanded my attention since its beginning in 2004. The critically acclaimed show has robbed me of hours of my life on a long and riveting journey of on and off island castaways often times desiring repeat Internet viewings as to make sure i didn't miss any details. The drama has helped inspire lengthy conversations and strange theories amongst friends, even creating new friends with the topic starter of LOST. However, as all goods things must come to an end, how am i going to survive in a post LOST world?

Now i'm not saying there is not other good television out in the world and there is, but i'm not an individual who gets addicted to just anything. Furthermore, time is precious and the idiot box can command and steal time very easily especially in the escapist society one lives in. Also an intelligent scifi series is hard to come by substantially something as widely accepted as LOST so there is no fear of cancellation. There has been some programs that i have been meaning to give a shot and have read good things about, such as Fringe and Flash forward but will they truly fill the void that LOST will leave.

One of my favorite pass times was introducing individuals to LOST. Asking them to only watch the two episode pilot and having them want more, i have addicted a good deal in this fashion. Many have known not to interrupt me while i was watching and concentrating while viewing LOST, you never knew what you might miss if you turned or even blinked. The show is a great mystery and unlike some i know that would rather have the answers handed to them because they are too frustrated, i love piecing it all together. Moreover, i can say in openness, i don't really want the producers and writers to answer everything or attempt to. There is just a longevity to the open case mystery where one has to come to their own conclusions.

All i can say in true honesty is LOST could be forgotten the next day by most as they try and find the next thing to capture their attention LOST will definitely be missed by some. So here is to you (a glass raised) to all you island hopping Darma loving team Jack versus team Locke everybody loves Hurly groupies, we always have the DVDs to relieve the fond memories.