2006 Summer Movie Season Wrap-Up

It's official. The 2006 Summer Movie Season is over. I know, it's sad. But dry those tears, my friend, because Oscar season is around the corner, and there's positively nothing sweeter than Oscar season.

Since I poured my heart and soul into reviewing all 12 of the summer movies I managed to attend, I figured I'd spend a little more time and summarize my thoughts on these movies for your viewing convenience. Enjoy!

(By the way, here's a list of summer movies I never got around to seeing in theaters but will probably try and see some time in the future: Poseidon, Over the Hedge, Nacho Libre, Strangers with Candy, Miami Vice, A Scanner Darkly, World Trade Center, and Clerks II.)

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Mission: Impossible III .................... A
"An excellent movie with sequences that will blow you away, definitely as good as and potentially better than the original."

The Da Vinci Code .................... B-
"The movie version is basically the book acted out in front of a movie camera. Still, it's fun to see the characters, the settings, and the conspiracies of an intriguing book come to life."

X-Men: The Last Stand .................... B-
"The movie is pretty successful as a visually thrilling action movie, but it falls short where the previous two films soared, namely in the 'good story' area."

The Break-Up .................... C

"A shallow, broken story that provides little more than an erratically funny Vince Vaughn...which may make it worth seeing (for a reduced matinee price or a future Netflix rental)."

An Inconvenient Truth .................... A
"While this powerful documentary may leave you feeling helpless against the forces of nature (as well as the forces of business and government), you'll ultimately experience a greater sense of empowerment to change the way we abuse our one and only planet."

Superman Returns .................... A-
"An incredible superhero movie with stunning visual effects and a dramatic story, matching (and potentially exceeding) the greatness of previous superhero franchises like the Spider-Man series."

The Devil Wears Prada .................... B+
"With some good acting talent and a light story, this is the perfect movie to see with your significant other."

You, Me & Dupree .................... B+
"Reminding me of all the ways The Break-Up failed as a comedy, this movie is the official "summer comedy" that'll make you laugh."

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest .................... C+
"While failing to live up to it's spirited predecessor, this movie may or may not provide enough pirate-related fun to last you until the potentially exciting final installment."

Lady in the Water .................... B-
"It's certainly doesn't pack the power of some of Shyamalan's earlier movies, but a quirky story and a unique style is enough to make the movie watchable."

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby .................... B
"I'd take Ron Burgundy over Ricky Bobby any day, but that doesn't mean I didn't laugh and cheer for the insanity that is Talladega Nights."

Little Miss Sunshine .................... A+
"Easily the funniest, most interesting, and overall best film of the year so far."

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