- "Community: Season 2" (September 6th) - This show is quickly becoming my favorite show on TV. It is at least tied with another show on this list (see a few below). My favorite thing about this show, besides the silly characters, is the homage that they constantly pay to different movie genres. It's pretty fantastic that they can do what they do on just a sitcom's budget. Standout episodes include "Advanced Dungeons and Dragons," "Paradigms of Human Memory," and "A Fistful of Paintballs."
- "The Office: Season 7" (September 6th) - While this show is not as great as it used to be, season 7 is a lot better than some of their more recent seasons. Why? Because they had a clear plot line - Steve Carrell leaving the show. While he will be sorely missed, I am hopeful that it will breath new life into the series. The few episodes after he had left still felt like classic Office, which is a sign of good things to come. Standout episodes include "Threat Level Midnight," "Garage Sale," "Goodbye, Michael," and "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager."
- "X-Men: First Class" (September 9th) - I am a huge fan of the X-Men film series. Sure, some of them are better than others, but I still really enjoy them. Even the 'bad' ones. This movie, however, is by far my favorite of the bunch. I think it is pretty incredible that the fifth film in a franchise can be better than all of the other ones. I love the cool 60s vibe, the actors are fantastic, and the effects are second to none. I can't wait for this to come out on DVD.
- "Thor" (September 13th) - Initially, I was very skeptical about "Thor." He isn't really a superhero and didn't really fit in with the realistic world that had been set up in "Iron Man." However, I am really interested to see what Marvel is going to do to set up next year's "The Avengers," so I decided to check this film out. I was very, very pleasantly surprised. Given the subject material, it was a fairly grounded film, and Chris Hemsworth was fantastic as the Norse God of Thunder. Anthony Hopkins as Odin and Tom Hiddleston as Loki were phenomenal as well. It was so good, in fact, that I am more excited for it's sequel than I am for "The Avengers." But I'm still pretty pumped for "The Avengers."
- "Bridesmaids" (September 20th) - This has to have been the biggest surprise of the summer season. I am a huge fan of Kristin Wiig, but there is a difference in being funny for a five minute scene on SNL and holding an entire movie. Wiig did that and more in this movie. The supporting cast does a great job here as well. I liked this movie so much that I saw it twice in theaters - pretty rare for a movie not about superheroes.
- "Modern Family: Season 2" (September 20th) - TV shows are never great at their beginnings. Pilot episodes typically only serve as a foot in the door. When you are done watching the pilot episode, you should want to learn more about these characters, despite the faults of the show. It typically takes the entire first season for a show to really know who they are and start to hit their stride. There are only three shows that I have ever seen in which the pilot episode ranks up there as the best episode of the series. The first was the under-appreciated "Alias," second was "Lost" and third was "Modern Family." This show knocked it out of the park from episode one and has not lost its stride since. I can't wait for more from the Pritchet/Dunphy clan. Standout episodes from this season include "Halloween," "Chirp," and "Slow Down Your Neighbors."
- "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (October 18th) - Say what you will about the Pirates franchise, but I love them. They are just plain fun. Sure, this movie is nowhere near the brilliance of the first, but it is still Johnny Depp as the captivating to watch Jack Sparrow - what more could you ask for? Furthermore, this movie isn't bogged down with Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and a ton of mythology - it is just a good, old-fashioned swashbuckling film. I could, and would, watch 10 more of these movies. Here's hoping they make some more.
- "Batman: Year One" (October 18th) - For the past few years, DC has been releasing three animated feature films involving their most popular superheroes per year. While not all of them have been fantastic, none of them have been out right bad, and I get very excited for each new release. The films that have been the most successful have been the ones revolving around the Caped Crusader himself, and I am sure that "Batman: Year One" will be no different. Based on the groundbreaking comics by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, "Year One" tells the story of how Batman became Batman. Wait a minute - didn't we see that in 2005 with "Batman Begins?" Yes and no. While it is still a story about Batman, the main character is really Jim Gordon. The story looks at this rookie cop and how he develops a relationship with the Dark Knight. It is a fascinating story and one I can't wait to see play out on my TV screen.
- "Cars 2" (November 8th) - Okay, I'll just come right out and say it: this is the worst Pixar film to date. That being said, it is still better than most of the movies that are out there right now. Sure, there was no real character development, and the subtler moments that Pixar does so was were lacking, but the action sequences were great, as was the animation. Here's hoping that Pixar's next sequel, "Monsters University," takes some cues from Pixar's first 'disappointment.'
- TIE: "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" (Sometime this fall) - I was looking forward to "Captain America" more than I was for "Thor," but I was more impressed with the latter. Sure, "Captain America" was a fun film and Chris Evans did a great job as the main character, but I just felt like something was lacking. I still enjoyed it, however. Same thing goes for the final Harry Potter film - Part 1 was phenomenal, in my opinion, so I had high hopes for the conclusion to the blockbuster franchise. I have to say, while it delivered on most aspects, I still felt like something was lacking. Maybe that's just me being super picky. I did really enjoy the film, though.
There you have it folks. In no particular order, the ten DVD/Blu Ray releases I am looking forward to. Mark your calendars!
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