Summer Blockbuster Kings

Every year when the summer rolls in, it brings with it hot temperatures (or in the case of Houston, Texas - extremely hot temperatures), trips to the lake, beach and/or pool, barbecuing, vacations, and of course . . . SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS

These multi-million dollar films are perhaps my favorite summertime occurrence. With their explosions and car chases, dramatic music crescendos and poorly timed kissing scenes (usually set during the middle of the aforementioned explosions), summer blockbusters are a real highlight. And this summer lacks for nothing. World War Z, White House Down, Pacific Rim, Red 2, Elysium . . . the list goes on and on. I only lack the time to keep up with their premieres. But never fear, I shall make it to all of them before the first cold front makes and appearance.

But I think the best part about this fantastic film season is the return of a few familiar faces, who I like to call the "Kings of Summer Blockbusters". Like the movie equivalent of high school star athletes and prom kings, these actors reach their cinematic peak during the months of May to August and light up the screen with their charismatic performances. Or, you know, C-4. 

THE KINGS OF SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS:
(also known as My Favorite Action Stars)

THE SENIORS:

These veterans have been around the block. They've survived explosion, faced speeding trains and crashing planes, and even gotten shot a time or two. They're also my personal heroes . . .

Harrison Ford 
"Most Likely to Shoot First"
- Star Wars
- Indiana Jones
- Blade Runner
- Cowboys and Aliens
- Air Force One 

Bruce Willis
"Best Catch-Phrase"
- Die Hard
- Red
- Sin City
- The Expendables
- Pulp Fiction 

Samuel L. Jackson
"Most Likely to Chose a Movie Based on the Title"
- Jurassic Park
- Die Hard
- Snakes on a Plane
- Assorted Marvel films
- The Avengers
- Pulp Fiction
- Star Wars
- xXx

Tom Cruise
"Most Likely to Use Camera Techniques to Appear Taller"
- War of the Worlds
- Knight and Day
- Mission Impossible
- Top Gun
- Minority Report 

Will Smith
"Most Sarcastic"
- Men in Black
- Bad Boys
- Independence Day

- I, Robot
- Hancock 

THE SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS:

The've been around the block. They've made a name for themselves. You smile wide when you see their name attached to an upcoming film. But they've got a ways to go before their names become synonymous with 'action superstar'.
- Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Lone Ranger 

- Mark Wahlberg - The Italian Job, Planet of the Apes, 2 Guns, The Other Guys

- Orlando Bloom - Pirates of the Caribbean, Troy 

- Matt Damon - Oceans 11-13, Elysium

- Brad Pitt - World War Z, Troy, Oceans 11-13, Mr and Mrs. Smith

- Robert Downy, Jr. - Iron Man, The Avengers, Sherlock Holmes

- Christian Bale - The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Prestige, Terminator Salvation 

- Hugh Jackman - Wolverine, The X-Men franchise, Reel Steel 

- Bradley Cooper - The A Team, The Hangovers

THE FRESHMAN CLASS:

The new kids on the block, these guys have some touch shoes to fills. But with their movie-star good looks and their willingness to wade in guns blazing, these boys are ready to take the summer by storm. 

- Channing Tatum - White House Down, G. I. Joe, 21 Jump Street

- Shia LaBeouf - Transformers, Indiana Jones

- Chris Pine - Star Trek series, Unstoppable

- Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy

- Sam Worthington - Terminator Salvation, Avatars, Clash of the Titans 

- Ryan Reynolds - Green Lantern, R.I.P.D.

- Chris Hemmsworth - Thor, Avengers, Red Dawn 

- Jeremy Renner - Avengers, Boure Legacy, Hurt Locker 

Honorable Mention:

Denzel Washington - His blockbusters may not have come out during the summertime, but he's been in WAY too many action movies to leave off this list.