Written by Ben Morris

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The Sorcerer’s Apprentice 

Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Monica Bellucci, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Toby Kebbell, Omar Benson Miller
Released: 13th August 2010

The favoured theme of this generation seems to be movies involving the supernatural. For this, I blame Harry Potter and Twilight alone. Two series’ of books which have reached out and touched the imagination of children, and indeed, judging by the make-up for an adult cover on The Harry Potter series, their parents too. But with the right film, the theme can work magnificently. The question then, that really has to be asked, is that of “Is it any good?”

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is one that has caught the media’s eye, and is probably one of the better movies to be coming out this year. Balthazar, being played by Nicholas Cage, who you might remember as the Batman body-double from Kick-Ass, is a master sorcerer who is attempting to defend Manhattan from Doctor Octopus. Wait, no, my mistake, that’s Alfred Molina playing the role of the arch-enemy, Maxim Horvarth. However, this elderly entity can’t keep control on his own, so he enlists the help of reluctant “inevitable hero-to-be” Dave Stutler and sets out to train him in the ways of the sorcerer. Luckily for Balthazar, a love interest enters the game-play to help sway Dave’s decision, because let’s face it, girls like magic, right?

So, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice re-introduces the classic cliché storyline of Good v Evil, with the hero, villain and heroine all taking up their positions on the podium. However, Jon Turteltaub, who also directed hit comedy Cool Runnings, has the ability to make this movie unique.

Grown Ups

Director: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Steve Buscemi, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Jamie Chung, Rob Schneider, Kevin James, David Spade
Released: 6th August 2010

There’s a phrase that reads something like “You have to grow old, but you never have to grow up”, and this comedy is taking that phrase and putting it into visuals. Five good friends, along with the rest of their high school basketball team, dragging along their wives and children too, go away for a weekend to honour their coach, who recently passed away. By and by, old times resurface and they soon re-connect with their past youth.

Step Up 3D

Director: Jon Chu
Cast: Alyson Stoner, Sharni Vinson, Harry Shum Jr, Rick Malambri, Adam G. Sevani, Ally Maki, Stephen Boss
Released: 6th August 2010

Band-wagon jumping onto the wearing dark glasses indoor scene, the third instalment of this successful dance series will be portrayed by the magnificent mechanisms of 3D. This means you get the New York street dancers battling against other world-class dancers in a bid to become the best glaring you in the face like the puppies on the RSPCA adverts. But do Luke (Rick Malabri), Natalie (Shrani Vinson) and a University “freshman” called Moose (Adam Sevani) have what it takes?
 

The Last Airbender

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Jackson Rathbone, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, Cliff Curtis, Jessica Andres, Noah Ringer, Seychelle Gabriel, Shaun Toub, Aasif Mandvi
Released: 13th August 2010

Based on the incredibly successful animated Nickelodian series, this is the jump to the big screen that could either kill it or give it a new lease of life. Personally, this is one of the movies I’m quite excited about. Four nations, encompassing an element each, at war. One young Avatar (not to be confused with the 3D epic) called Aang (Noah Ringer) who discovers he has the power to control all the elements sets out to restore peace. Much like every beauty queen ever.

  
Salt

Director: Phil Noyce
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Zoe Lister Jones, Gaius Charles, Yara Shahidi, Corey Stoll,
Released: 20th August 2010

I hadn’t heard of Salt until recently, but on learning about it I think it could be the summer’s unlikely hit. A CIA agent known as Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is forced to go on the run after being accused of being a Russian spy. Obviously, her disappearance does nothing but to induce a declivity, and this brain-teasing behaviour makes the audience wonder just exactly who Evelyn Salt is. If you’re after an interesting and puzzling movie this might be the film you’ve been waiting for.

The Other Guys

Director: Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan
Released: 2nd September 2010

Another movie that could be hit-or-miss this summer is American cop comedy The Other Guys. The story revolves around two middle-aged men, Detectives Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) who idolise the “big time” cops, and when given the chance to step up, things don’t quite go as planned. Whether this will flop or become the next Hot Fuzz is in their own hands, but American comedies tend to either be very funny or not at all.

 Movie news: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

A scar-struck Daniel Radcliffe takes to the stage once more in the first finale of the Harry Potter franchise. The first part of the final instalment of everyone’s favourite wizardry hero is fast approaching, and here’s hoping that a few loose ends will be tied. It will be interesting to see just how screenplay writer Steve Kloves and Director David Yates pull off making two movies from JK Rowling’s campest Harry Potter book. I say camp because the majority of it is set in fields or forests, where the famous trio are camping out as fugitives, while in search of their destinies. Much like a scouts holiday, but without the guardian with the frilly neckerchief. Voldemort has taken control of The Ministry of Magic, and in order to stop him once and for all, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) must find and destroy his remaining horcruxes. However, Harry begins to see through Voldemorts eyes, and upon researching what he sees and hears, the story of The Deathly Hallows soon unfolds.

Movie news: Despicable Me

New Universal Pictures movie Despicable Me, expected mid-October looks set to be this years animated must-see, where devious villain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) attempts to steal the moon. (Quite where he’d hide it is another matter entirely.) But three troublesome girls known as Agnes (voiced by Dana Gaier), Edith (voiced by Elsie Fisher) and Margo (voiced by Miranda Cosgrove) intend on turning the village’s maladjusted monster into an unlikely father figure.

Movie news:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

December should bear the third movie of C.S. Lewis’ famous books. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader looks to be the most exciting instalment yet with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) returning to help Edmund and Lucy Pevensie (Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) and their cousin Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter) as they face terror from all sorts and sizes aboard the Dawn Treader. But only time will tell if this movie is to sink or swim.