Some memorable movie moments from summer 2011

Summertime and the moviegoing may or may not be easy, but movie remembering is - or at least it is with these moments for these writers.

Amid the barrage of nearly nonstop boom-boom-boom that is “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,’’ there occurs a moment of such mind-blowing incongruity that it almost justifies the existence of Michael Bay’s filmography. In 1961, NASA detected something anomalous on the dark side of the moon. It turned out to be a Transformer spacecraft, but to determine this required sending men to the moon. Yes, that’s right: Transformers inspired the Apollo program. Anyway, about half an hour into the movie Buzz Aldrin, playing himself, is introduced to Optimus Prime, playing itself. “It’s an honor to meet you, commander,’’ says one of the two participants in the greatest feat of exploration in human history. “No, the honor is all mine,’’ replies the giant CGI-generated Hasbro toy. The mutual modesty is enchanting, and the idea of any such encounter is lunacy (in both senses of the word). Let’s hope Buzz got his money up front. MARK FEENEY

OK, Ryan Gosling took off his shirt. Justin Timberlake took off his pants. And Chris Evans just took off. But the most impressive summer star event involved the man who showed some restraint. Not only did he keep his pants on, he wore them under chaps. Then allowed himself (demanded?) to be photographed as much from the rear as from the front, while saving the Wild West from Universal’s digital effects department in “Cowboys & Aliens.’’ That man’s name is Daniel Craig, and even though he’s British and not Chris Evans, he’s now Captain America to me. I don’t know what disco saloon he’s going to later, but the first Rusty Nail is on me.

WESLEY MORRIS