June 4
Love Me if You Dare- It’s a love story about two kids who grow up only to realize they were always meant to be together. Sounds old, but this French movie adds a twist by introducing a dynamic relationship between Julien (Guillaume Canet) and Sophie (Marion Cotillard), in which each is continually daring the other to undertake outrageous requests. This will most likely be an intense fairy tale that the majority of American moviegoers might have difficulty understanding, but for those who like dark comedies and French romances, this is a must-see.
June 11
Garfield: The Movie- The rotund, lasagna-loving feline gets a CGI remake in this feature-length comedy where Garfield finds himself trying to rescue the kidnapped dog Odie. With Bill Murray as the voice of Garfield, and the voice talents of others like Alan Cumming (“X2”, “Emma”), Debra Messing (“Will and Grace”) and Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), this film could set the bar for other cartoon and comic-to-film adaptations. But then again, Jennifer Love Hewitt plays a veterinarian who woos the lovesick Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer). This film dangerously hovers over the trash or treasure line.
The Chronicles of Riddick- Vin Diesel returns to the role of Richard P. Riddick in this sequel to “Pitch Black” (2000). Five years after the end of the first film, the sequel finds Riddick trying to escape his subterranean prison on the planet Helion. Riddick somehow becomes man’s only hope for survival against the super-evil Necromongers, who want to take over the universe. No one can play a no-nonsense musclehead like Vin Diesel, so if he doesn’t have to speak, then he may have a winner here. Judi Dench will add an air of gravity to a film that could otherwise be laughable, but the special effects and action sequences will have sci-fi addicts and action-flick junkies flooding theaters in droves.
Stepford Wives- Joanna Eberhart (Nicole Kidman) and her husband Walter Kresby (Matthew Broderick) move to the perfect little suburb of Stepford after she loses her high power job in television, only to find that everything is more perfect than it seems. This remake of the 1975 sci-fi thriller adds humor to the original story with an all-star cast that includes Christopher Walken, Bette Midler and Glenn Close. Kidman has failed to do wrong since her split up with Tom Cruise, and this doesn’t look like it will stray from her streak of winning films.
June 16
Around the World in 80 Days- Jackie Chan is billed as crackpot inventor Phileas Fogg’s (Steve Coogan) side-kick/assistant/butler, Passepartout, who is evading capture after stealing a valuable relic. In this remake of the 1956 film based on the Jules Verne novel, Chan is touted as the box-office draw for his martial arts/comedy skills, while Coogan (“24 Hour Party People,” “Coffee and Cigarettes”) is relegated to second billing with the rest of the first-rate ensemble cast, including Jim Broadbent, John Cleese, Kathy Bates and Owen Wilson among others. Expect lighthearted fun with lots of action and humor, but this will by no means be an award-winner.
Saved!- Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin and Eva Amurri are getting rave reviews for this dark comedy set in an ultra-conservative Christian school. Hilary Faye (Moore) is the head of an all-girl clique that ostracizes Mary (Jena Malone) after she gets pregnant. Mary then befriends other outcasts (Culkin, Amurri) when her friends turn on her. Produced by Michael Stipe and showcasing the talents of today’s most promising young actors, “Saved!” is more than just another teen drama. Expect biting humor and social criticism that will have you begging for more.
June 18
The Terminal- Tom Hanks is an immigrant in the United States on his way home when his tiny Eastern European country breaks out in war and gets erased off the map, forcing him to remain in the airport. Hanks has proven that no one can play downtrodden like he can with films like “Philadelphia” and “Joe Versus the Volcano,” and with Steven Speilberg at the helm and with a cast that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chi McBride, Diego Luna and Stanley Tucci, it looks like we have a winner on our hands.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story- Peter La Fleur (Vince Vaughn) calls on the help of a misfit, rag-tag group of friends to save his local gym from the clutches of a monster chain of gyms by entering a dodgeball competition. This is a Ben Stiller movie, so what more needs to be said? Goofy, physical humor with plot coming in secondary to the action are par for the course. See this if you’re a fan of the Farrelly Brothers or National Lampoon’s movies.
June 23
White Chicks- The Wayans brothers dress up and try to pass themselves as white heiresses in order to protect the real heiresses from being kidnapped. The plot is preposterous, the humor is lame and the makeup is even worse. Who came up with this idea and who let them turn this into a movie? They need to be shot.
June 25
The Notebook- Another Nicholas Sparks period romance drama. There’s a promising, good-looking young cast and a script that will provoke lots of sighs and lots of crying. The ladies will love it.
June 30
Spider-Man 2- Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) encounters a deluge of personal problems while his arch-enemy and best friend (James Franco) employs the tentacled Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina) to destroy his alter ego, Spider-Man. Impressive special effects, heart-tugging sentiment, rippling bodies and a badass Molina will make this film a summer winner.
July 7
King Arthur- In this updated retelling of the King Arthur tales, the legend of King Arthur is (supposedly) more historically accurate, placing the story within its historical context amid feudal wars and the collapse of the Roman Empire. Clive Owen is the manly Arthur and Kiera Knightly is the clever, warrior-princess Guinevere, who remakes the image of the frilly damsel in distress. Heart-stopping action, smart writing and attention to historical detail should make this film awesome. July 9
Anchorman- Will Ferrell is at it again. This time he’s the pompous news anchor Ron Burgundy, who comes face-to-face with a feminist journalist (Christina Applegate) who gives him a run for his money. His roles may seem repetitive, but Ferrell has a knack for offbeat humor. Having co-written and starred in the film, he falls into a role that is a perfect fit for him yet again. Expect another comedic winner from Ferrell with “Anchorman.”
July 16
I, Robot- Robots threaten to take over humanity, but don’t worry, Will Smith (Detective Del Spooner) will save the world. The film contains lots of CGI animation and special effects, but the futuristic, sci-fi plot looks entirely predictable and ridiculous. It is just another brainless summer blockbuster with fancy graphics that will sadly garner masses at the box office.
July 23
Catwoman- Directed by visual effects wizard Pitof, “Catwoman” will be more than just another excuse to have Halle Berry parade around in a skintight, barely there leather costume. Patience Phillips (Berry) becomes part hero, part animalistic criminal when she is killed and reborn as a woman with cat-like powers. Berry is a talented actress who sometimes has questionable taste in films (like “Die Another Day”), so let’s hope this one is one of her good ones.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman- Takeshi Kitano (aka Beat Takeshi) has become a household name in Japan for such hits as “Battle Royale” and “Sonatine,” and also as a comic actor. Kitano revives the “Zatouchi” samurai film series with a good deal of gusto and offbeat humor. Transgendered geisha, half-naked idiots and dance numbers are defining elements of this one-of-a-kind film. And don’t miss the stellar performance of the Japanese Johnny Depp, Tadanobu Asano.
July 30
The Village- M. Night Shyamalan has got that magical, golden touch, which he’s proven with films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs.” “The Village” looks like it will be blessed with the same degree of assiduous detail and intensity as Shyamalan’s other films. Shyamalan has employed some of the most talented in the business (Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Howard, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Adrien Brody) to make a film that will be spine-tingling in all the ways that made Shyamalan’s other films such successes and had you clinging onto the person next to you.
August 6
Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement- Disney returns with the second in its “Princess Diaries” series with another film sure to delight. The adorable Anne Hathaway reprises the lead role as Princess Mia of Genovia, who needs a husband before she can take the crown. The film is not based on the second “Princess Diaries” book, but director Gary Marshall (“Pretty Woman”) is relying on a story brought to life with good-looking teens, and if anything, this alone will sell the movie.
Hero- When ancient China was divided into seven different kingdoms, one king feared assassination and promised riches to any man who could kill his three main enemies. Miraculously, Nameless, (Jet Li) a minor official, brings the weapons of these warriors and recounts the histories of his battles. Cool martial arts and an enthralling story from one of China’s most respected directors, Zhang Yimou, “Hero” presents a welcome break from conventional action.
