I was going to call this topic "Batman vs. Iron Man" because these were the two big movies of the summer for me. Then I realized that Hellboy II came out this summer, and that, unlikely as it seems, there may be movies out there unimportant to me that others actually enjoyed (strange idea, I know, but technically true). So for those of you who, like me, have an extremely generous and obliging partner who allowed you large enough chunks of time to go to the theater, and who also realize, like me, that we have little to do now except wait through long months for the Watchmen premiere, what was the high point of your summer?

For me, I'd have to say that The Dark Knight was the better movie, but that I enjoyed Iron Man a bit more--heresy, I realize. I have to reserve final judgment until I see Hellboy II again while a little more conscious.

I'm a huge Batman fan, in fact one of my web sites is named after Bruce Wayne (MillionairePlayboy.com)
all plugs aside, this is how I see it.

Iron-Man is one fantastic cheeseburger. Some bacon, some cheddar, just absolutely fabulous. Lotta flavor. It's satisfying, a lot of fun, and enjoyable over and over.

Dark Knight is like the finest steak, cooked perfectly. Bold body, rich aftertaste, but not the type of thing you'd have for dinner twice a week. Because it's so "big" it's not the type of movie I could watch any old weekend. I could pop in Iron Man on a moment's notice, even if I watched it yesterday. Dark Knight, I'd need some time between viewings.

CPF,

I agree with you that while TDK was a better film, I may have enjoyed watching IM more. I love AgeOwns descriptions!

One of the things, at least for me, is which sequel are you most looking forward to? Maybe it’s because IM was so good and still has room to grow that I’m anxious to see what Jon Favreau and RDJ have in store for the next installment. I don’t feel quite the same way about TDK Returns (that’s what I think it should be titled.) Can the Nolan Brothers top TDK? Maybe, but it will be f’ing hard.

Didn’t see HB II or the first for that matter… I did see The Incredible Hulk and really enjoyed it. It wasn’t on par with IM or TDK but was certainly better than Hulk. Ed Norton was really good as Banner and there were a lot of nod and winks to the ‘70s series.

The two movies I've seen this summer were Iron Man and Sex and the City. I was more excited for Sex and the City because I really liked the TV show (to make it relevant to this conversation, some have suggested that the women of sex and the city have parallels to the appeal of the superheros. They all have immense wealth, good looks, operate in a fantasy world, etc). Sadly both of thos movies were a solid "meh" for me.

I hope to see the Dark Knight and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II soon and hope those are better, but I've heard the second Sisterhood is not as good or empowering as the first.

Man, all I've gotten to see this summer is "Kung Fu Panda". But at least it had Viper and Tigress. I'm depressed over the lack of good female superheroes. Maybe that's why I'm such an anime fan. They like to draw little girls with swords.

The only movie I've seen this summer, kind of, is roughly one-half of Wall-E. The other half was spent riding up and down an escalator with a toddler who, we discovered, doesn't like how loud they crank the volume in movie theaters. But adores escalators.

Sooooo...NPR? Jon Stewart?

AgeOwns, your descriptions were so meaty, you've turned me off from both movies (hee hee). I'd give a litle more weight to Iron Man than mere "hamburger," I think it had more depth than the Spider-mans, or maybe even the first Christian Bale Batman, but I think that that particular bar has been risen over the past few years. You have to have more than an accomplished actor furrowing her/his brow while wearing a sculpted rubber physique to qualify for emotional depth these days (yes, Micheal Keaton, I mean *you,* but not just you).

Obvious movies already mentioned, I thought that KUNG FU PANDA was one of the best surprises of the summer. Not only as a "family" movie but one of the best action movies of the year.

WALL-E was just sublime.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK was surprisingly good. Not IRON MAN good, but a really solid, quality popcorn flick. Not just way better than the Ang Lee one, but a good movie on its own merit.

I've bought my tickets for PINEAPPLE EXPRESS already. Can't wait!

Yeah, I've only seen Indy 4, Kung Fu Panda, and Wall-E this summer. I liked all of them.

Indy was fun. Not as good as the others, and maybe not worth the $15 for Mr. S and I to see it, but still fun. I was very surprised by how good Kung Fu Panda was, though. I expected a silly kid's movie, and it was, but it was also very good. Same with Wall-E.

And we're going out tomorrow night without the kids, but I don't know if we'll see a move or what we'll see if we do. Probably Batman, although I don't particularly want to see that. I think I'd prefer something a bit more lighthearted and I haven't liked a Batman movie yet anyway. But there's really nothing else that Mr. S would want to watch.

I do think Pineapple Express might be funny, and I wouldn't mind seeing The Mummy (I've loved the others, in that cheesy, campy way, plus Brendan Frasier), but I don't think I'd be able to talk Mr. S into spending actual money on those.

The only movie I've seen was Hancock which I liked. But I just don't get to go to movies very much!

That new movie "Mirrors" looks AWESOMELY scary in the trailer and I love scary movies, but it'll probably end up being horrible.

I have seen a whole lotta movies this summer while waiting for my little man to arrive. I have to say that I have been mostly pleasantly surprised.

Batman TDK - well I knew this would be cool. I am glad the babe held out so I could see it.
The Incredible Hulk - I fell in love with Edward Norton after seeing him in The Painted Veil and he was awesome as Bruce Banner in this.

The Hulk himself could have been a little cooler and creepier, but no complaints when it comes to Norton.

Wanted - Beyond surreal, but still pretty darn cool. It was very neat in effect all the cool bullet shots (with a camera) were interesting to watch and the training was cool. Angelina pulls off bad ass chicka pretty well.

Hancock - I was most surprised by this the trailers did not give away some main plot points and the movie was nothing like I thought it was going to be and very funny on top of the action awesomeness.

Indy 4 - Not my favorite, but still it was Indy. I was kind of hoping that Sean Connery would reprise his role as Indy's dad, but I guess it would be hard to make him look 90ish unless he went on a starvation diet a la Christian Bale in The Machinist.

I am sure that I saw more movies, but I don't remember them now and I did not see Iron Man or any of the kids movies (not until I have to and I figure I have 2-4 years until I have to). I will probaby see Iron Man at some point, but I wasn't in the mood when it came out.

haven't seen Dark Knight yet. My personal preference is for Marvel Comics, though. I'm really looking forward to the Wolverine movie. Sadly, I identified all the characters from the trailer previewed at Comic-Con.

I don't mean to be a big wet blanket on all of you who liked INDY 4, but I'm gonna...

It was a horrible movie. Sloppy and lazy on every front. If it hadn't have been called Indiana Jones, I'm betting you wouldn't have liked it, nor would it have gotten the decent reviews that it did.

So, um, you DO mean to be a wet blanket then DGB? :)

I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. That movie gets me all riled up.

I haven't been to see Dark Knight yet, but it's on my list for the next Mommy's Time Off.

I saw Hancock and loved it because it was funny while still having a tortured/flawed hero.

*SPOILER SPOILER* I really loved that he actually sat around in prison when he didn't have to, and that search for redemption was such a nice touch. *End Spoiler*

DGB, Mr. S also hated Indy.

I will agree that it wasn't nearly as good as the others and it wasn't even a great movie on its own. But it was okay and I'm fairly easy to please if there's something I like. And I still say it was fun.

Ellie, I liked that too. I generally liked the whole movie, but I also don't think I could truly NOT like anything with Will Smith in it, not to mention Jason Bateman.

No movies this summer so far. I'll see Hellboy II when it comes out on DVD. Iron Man and Dark Knight, probably not. I don't get into the whole Batman thing.

I think I could take or leave Batman, but I big freakin heart Christian Bale, so Batman = cool.

I could have done without Indy, but my mom came out to see it with us and she hasn't been to a theater to see a movie since Honey, I Shrunk the Kids which was sometime in the 80's I think, so for that I appreciated it.

I loved Dark Knight so hard! But I think that Robert Downey Jr. really charmed his way to the top.

Ruth - Mr Ellie and I said "It's Big Willie Weekend! He's back!" because we, too, love us some Will Smith.

I find it very difficult to take Will Smith seriously with those ears.

LOVED dark knight.

also loved kung fu panda. had its weak spots, but they were more than made up for. don't know who wrote it but they did their research. great fu.

damn, that was meant to be "great fun", but i have Beenie on my lap writhing around tired and trying to stay awake. For a typo though, that one has good fu.