With only a few days left in the semester, it always feels like everything is coming to a close to make way for the lazy and carefree summer. When it comes to movies, that couldn't be further from the truth - the summer movie season is about to begin, and its packed with a variety of prospective gems and guaranteed bombs. So, as my tenure as movie columnist draws to a close, let me take you through what looks to be an interesting summer at the movie theater.
[b]\Van Helsing"" - May 7[/b]
Last year, the first summer movie to hit theaters was ""X2."" Considering how excellent that mutant action film was, I can't help but be wary of disappointment this year with ""Van Helsing."" While ""Helsing"" does star Hugh Jackman, the film itself looks like it may be a complete monster mess. The film understandably deviates from a strict Dracula storyline - after all, there are enough vampire movies in recent memory as it is. But by throwing in additional adversaries like the Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster, and even Mr. Hyde, director Stephen Sommers (""The Mummy"" films) may have tipped the film over the edge into a purely cheeseball monster flick.
[b]""Super Size Me"" - May 7[/b]
This little-heard-of documentary deserves recognition for its sheer audacity. Director Morgan Spurlock, in an attempt to document the effects of fast food, eats three meals at McDonald's each day for a month. As one would expect, it doesn't take long for him to gain weight and experience various health problems including bad cholesterol and depression. While I appreciate a good cautionary tale against fast food (Americans eat entirely too much of it), the film's obvious bias has this intended result in mind. After all, does anyone really eat all their meals at McDonald's? The shocking results aren't that shocking, given the ludicrous nature of such a trial.
Troy - May 14
Already, comparisons are being drawn between ""Gladiator"" and ""Troy"" but, to be honest, ""Troy"" stands to be a much finer cinematic spectacle. While Orlando Bloom may disappoint as Prince Paris, I am thoroughly excited to see Brad Pitt as Achilles and Eric Bana as Prince Hector. The battle scenes appear to be on a grand scale - dare I say even grander than those featured in ""Lord of the Rings."" The primary concern about ""Troy"" has to be its running time. At 165 minutes, every frame of the movie will have to be necessary and exciting, or audiences will quickly deem it a sluggish bore.
Shrek 2 - May 21
The original ""Shrek"" was surprisingly good, although a bit overrated. I'm always apprehensive about films that get sequels simply because of their box-office potential. Despite such apprehension, trailers for ""Shrek 2"" indicate that not only will it be enjoyable, it may be one of those rare sequels that surpass the original (ala ""Toy Story 2""). The animation looks much improved, and there seem to be even more fairy tale farces crammed in, from Puss in Boots to Fairy Godmother.
[b]""The Day After Tomorrow"" - May 28[/b]
Roland Emmerich (""Independence Day"") is going back to the humanity-facing-catastrophe well once again for ""The Day After Tomorrow,"" a special-effects laden flick about a series of weather disasters sweeping the world and ushering in a new Ice Age. The trailer features shots that scream ""eye candy,"" including a tornado tearing through the famous Hollywood hill sign, tidal waves flowing through Manhattan, and eventually huge snow drifts enveloping New York City. I highly doubt the film's characters will be developed much at all, but ""Tomorrow"" may be worth the price of admission simply to see such incredible effects in the theater.
[b]""Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ""- June 4[/b]
I have deliberately boycotted the ""Harry Potter"" books and films, largely out of spite towards friends who give me odd looks when I admit I'm not into the J.K. Rowling series. Frankly, a cursory examination of the ""Potter"" world didn't grab my attention at all - and a series such as this usually has a rabid fanbase that needs no reminding when the next installment is coming. However, I must admit that while the trailer does nothing to pique my interest, the mere involvement of actors Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman gives me reason to consider catching up in time to see ""Azkaban.""
[b]""Garfield ""- June 11[/b]
Who in the hell thought it was a good idea to make a live-action ""Garfield"" movie? Garfield was best suited for comic strips and television animation. Now, 20th Century Fox is not only releasing a Garfield feature film, but it stars a computer-generated Garfield, a live-action Odie, and a no-talent Jennifer Love-Hewitt. While I enjoyed the comic strips, there is no possible way that this film will be anything less than a total disappointment. Even the incredible Bill Murray, who voices Garfield, cannot save this one.
[b]""The Stepford Wives""- June 11[/b]
I had always heard the term ""Stepford wife"" thrown around, but like most people, the origins of the term were never really clear. I certainly hadn't read the novel ""The Stepford Wives,"" nor have I seen the 1975 film based on it. However, this remake starring Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick may end up introducing the story to a new, younger audience. Originally, the ""Stepford Wives"" story played as a commentary on the women's movement, questioning whether men would ever stop trying to establish dominance over women in some form or another. The trailers for this remake, however, appear to also satirize the increasing commercialism of American life, likening a Stepford wife to a highly stylized car or phone.
[b]""The Terminal"" - June 18[/b]
Until recently, there was little news surrounding Steven Spielberg's ""The Terminal"" other than that it would star Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Now that the trailer has been released, the most pertinent aspect of ""The Terminal"" is its potential. Hanks plays an Eastern European man whose country dissolves during his flight to America, voiding his passport. Unable to step onto American soil, he is forced to take up residence in the airport terminal. The concept of a man working and living in an airport seems to be well executed - unfortunately, Hanks' Eastern European accent is not. Despite this potentially distracting oddity, ""Terminal"" looks like another endearing and stylish drama, not unlike Spielberg's ""Catch Me If You Can.""
[b]""The Door in the Floor"" - June 23[/b]
Based on one section of the John Irving novel ""A Widow for One Year,"" ""The Door in the Floor"" revolves around the dysfunctional Cole family. Ted Cole (Jeff Bridges), shattered by the death of his two sons in a car accident, hires a writing assistant that looks quite similar to one of them while in the midst of a separation from his wife (Kim Basinger). The film caught my attention, being distributed by the ever-impressive Focus Features division of Universal. Bridges is always quite good, but it looks like Basinger may have put forth one of her best performances as well. ""Door"" looks like a great drama in the midst of a summer filled with blockbusters.
[b]""Spider-Man 2"" - June 30[/b]
As one of the most wildly successful comic book films ever, ""Spider-Man"" kicked off the recent slew of comic book adaptations. While entertaining, ""Spider-Man"" lacked some key element. Previews of its sequel, ""Spider-Man 2,"" indicate that this was merely due to necessary establishment of characters. Just like the ""X-Men"" series, the Spidey sequel appears to dive right back into the story, allowing it to delve deeper into the relationships between Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and Harry Osbourne. Also, the special effects on baddie Doctor Octopus look outstanding. With a third film already planned, there's little doubt that ""Spider-Man 2"" will improve on the first film's success.
[b]""King Arthur"" - July 7[/b]
I've made no secret of my distaste for Jerry Bruckheimer films. However, even if ""King Arthur"" fails, this Bruckheimer project starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley has my respect for taking a completely different approach to the Arthur legend. The film's imagery has far more in common with Roman epics like the aforementioned ""Troy"" than it does with traditional concepts of the Middle Ages. Knights, wizards, and princesses are nowhere to be seen. The changes are meant to portray the truth behind the Arthur legend - and, even if it alienates larger audiences, it's a gutsy move on Bruckheimer's part.
[b]""Anchorman"" - July 9[/b]
Fresh off the success of ""Old School"" and ""Elf,"" ""Anchorman"" is another Will Ferrell vehicle that shows just how well his comedic skills translate throughout very different films. The film is centered around 1970's San Diego incompetent anchorman Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) and Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), a female journalist pushing for his job. The movie features several other recognizable actors, including Fred Willard, Steve Carell, Stephen Root, Paul Rudd, Vince Vaughn, and a handful of cameos including Jack Black. Surrounded by summer action films and dramas, ""Anchorman"" should provide that bit of comedic respite everyone needs.
[b]""I, Robot"" - July 16[/b]
""I, Robot"" may be the biggest question mark of the summer. While the Isaac Asimov source material and director Alex Proyas (""Dark City"") both make this an interesting project, the casting of Will Smith as the lead detective is curious at best. Proyas has shown his ability to create fantastic visuals - while Smith has attempted serious roles, his results have been very mixed. Smith seems best suited for popcorn action films - when he's ventured outside that arena, he's given us the disappointing ""Ali"" and the disgusting ""Bagger Vance."" The trailers for ""Robot"" don't indicate that Smith's performance varies much from his standard tough-cop routine. If the plot focuses more on action set-pieces and Will Smith than on the robotic dilemmas, ""I, Robot"" may be nothing more than ""Bad Boys III: Futuristic Robot Killers.""
[b]""The Bourne Supremacy"" - July 23[/b]
""Supremacy"" is the second film in the Robert Ludlum ""Bourne"" trilogy. ""The Bourne Identity"" was a wildly successful film in theaters and on video, compelling Universal to power forward in making the two sequels. ""Supremacy"" will once again star Matt Damon, Franka Potente, and Julia Stiles; however, an unknown conflict has caused the exit of ""Identity"" director Doug Liman, who had been behind the trilogy's production from the beginning. If replacement Paul Greengrass can capture even half of what made the first film such a refreshing spy flick, ""Supremacy"" will be a success.
Catwoman - July 23
This spin-off from the Batman universe seems destined for disaster. First, the film stars Halle Berry. Second, the film stars Halle Berry as Catwoman, but a completely different Catwoman named Patience Philips (as opposed to the comic book's Selina Kyle). Third, the film stars Halle Berry wearing costumes that appear to have been crafted by a high school home economics class. The reasoning behind a Halle Berry Catwoman flick is beyond me, but the reasoning behind this total revamping of the character seems to be nonexistent.
The Village - July 30
I have been keeping a close eye on M. Night Shyamalan's fourth major film ""The Village."" While ""Signs"" was a bit of a letdown, ""Unbreakable"" and ""The Sixth Sense"" were both fine examples of storytelling. Many have hailed Shyamalan has the next Spielberg, and I agree - he has a distinctive style and a knack for crafting tension and suspense. I'm a bit disconcerted that ""The Village"" is yet another supernatural thriller, and, if accurate, online leaks reveal a very unsatisfying twist. However, Shyamalan has not yet completely let his audience down - it is far more likely that ""The Village"" will end up as one of this summer's surprises.
Garden State - July 30
Of all the films in this preview, ""Garden State"" is the most likely to go under the radar. It debuted earlier this year at Sundance to great reviews. The film is the pet project of ""Scrubs"" star Zach Braff; as writer, director, and star of ""Garden State,"" Braff's filmmaking career will be defined by the success or failure of this film. The trailer is astounding, both dredging up emotion and interest without revealing much (if any) of the story. Braff's co-stars include Natalie Portman, Ian Hold, and Peter Sarsgaard, all of whom are outstanding actors in their own right. ""State"" may be one of the finest films to come through this summer, and could very well be an Oscar contender at year's end. Braff would certainly deserve it - he supposedly invested an entire season's salary to get ""Garden State"" into production.
