My Most Anticipated Summer 2011 Movie: Pirates or Super Heroes?

So what's your most anticipated Summer 2011 film? Wow... talk about a challenging question, huh? Well... I gave mine a lot of thought - To be honest, I've never been much for going to the cinema, so I usually miss the big summer movie lineups and just wait for them to come out on DVD. This year, however, things aren't going to be so easy.

To start with, we have "Thor" scheduled for release in May. My son is an avid Norse mythology fan so, needless to say, this one is of great interest to him. I watched the trailer and, even I have to admit, this one looks like it has a lot of potential. It's moody, it's exciting, it has cool hammer throwing (which I haven't seen since my days attending the Michigan Renaissance Festival). How can you go wrong with that?

Oh, but wait...

A new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film is scheduled for release and, let's face it, I have had a huge fan girl crush on Johnny Depp ever since his leather goth wannabe days of "Edward Scissorhands." No, no... I didn't watch "21 Jump Street" and I didn't care about "21 Jump Street," but give me a funny-looking boy in leather and I'm hooked. I can watch Johnny Depp in just about anything and love it. The man is absolutely brilliant!

Another definite possibility? How about "Captain America" - because, seriously, who doesn't want to see "Captain America?" Or "The Green Lantern?" Let's face it - our kids need some heroes instead of gangs and sex and things blowing up. I find it encouraging that so many of these classic comic book characters are finally making their way up onto the silver screen and I support it wholeheartedly. A new "X-Men" movie is set for release? I'm all over that - A little boy introduced me to the "X-Men" comics back in the 1980's and I have never lost my love for them. Wolverine, Gambit, Storm... talk about adventure!

Needless to say, there are a lot of great movies that are scheduled for release in the summer of 2011.

So what new film will I be going to check out this summer? Chances are, we'll be digging into the pocket book a few times this year but, in all honesty, my most anticipated film is still "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Ties." Not only is this a Johnny Depp movie (more eye candy for Mom!), but my son has made a point of buying every "Pirates" movie for me, when it comes out on DVD, for my yearly Christmas present. Not only is it a good opportunity to enjoy a summer afternoon with my son, but I know that we'll be enjoying it again come Christmas - and any time spent with your teenager is time well-spent.

Disney films brought me closer to my parents back when we used to watch shows like "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "The Parent Trap" on the television, and I'm glad to say that they still help bring families closer together, even years later. Captain Jack, we love you!