| |
Summer Movie Preview:
Must sees...
Hollywood Homicide
AHEM...
Release: June 13
Director Ron Shelton (Tin Cup, Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump)
Cast: Harrison Ford, Josh Hartnett, Lolita Davidovich, Master P, Isaiah Washington
Premise: Two LAPD homocide detectives, who moonlight in other fields (Harrison in real estate, Hartnett as a yoga instructor and aspiring actor), are thrown together to investigate the slaying of a rap group on stage. Their prime suspect is Sartan (Washington), a rap label boss who, in the past, is rumoured to have arranged the death of other artists who wanted out of their contracts.
Why You Should See It: Harrison and Hartnett! Comedic gold!
Official Site: www.sonypictures.com/movies/hollywoodhomicide
Post-release verdict: Although this film was released in 2003, I didn't get around to watching it until several years later. Would my 2003 self have enjoyed this movie? Probably not. Did my 2005 self enjoy this movie? Even less so. The laughs are scarce and the plot as thin as Lindsay Lohan. See DVD details here.The Hulk
Release: June 20
Director: Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm)
Cast: Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, Nick Nolte, Lou Ferrigno
Premise: Dr. Bruce Banner (Bana) - and what's with everyone in comics being called Bruce? - transforms into the Hulk after an experiment involving Gamma Rays goes terribly, terribly wrong. The Hulk is Bruce's alter ego of the really pissed off variety. He falls in love with Dr. Betty Ross (Connelly) but is pursued by her military father, General "Thunderbolt" Ross (Elliott). Will the Hulk find love? Will he be able to beat the beast that roars from within? And most importantly, will he be able to find clothes that fit him?
Outtakes: The Hulk is based on the character from Marvel Comics. Bana is best known for his roles in Black Hawk Down (2001) and voiceover work in Finding Nemo (2003), and has options for two sequels in his contract (which will increase his salary each time).
Why You Should See It: The action, the special effects, Ang Lee, the shirt ripping, the legacy…
Official Site: www.thehulk.com
Post-release verdict: Me and this movie have a bit of history, so I've never gone to see it. But you can. See DVD details here.Johnny English
Release: July 18
Director: Peter Howitt (AntiTrust, Sliding Doors)
Cast: Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich, Natalie Imbruglia, Douglas McFerran
Premise: Secret Agent Johnny English (Atkinson) is on the case when the Majesty's crown jewels are stolen by a Frenchman (Malkovich) who intents to steal her throne as well.
Outtakes: Atkinson created the Johnny English character for a series of award-winning commercials for Barclaycard (a British credit card). The movie was released in the U.K. in April and so far, has taken in $50 million worldwide. This could be the first in a possible franchise. The previous Mr. Bean movie raked in $45 million U.S. and $232 million worldwide.
Why You Should See It: It's Mr. Bean! It's a talking Mr. Bean! This is the fix you're looking for until the next Austin Powers movie hits the theatres.
Official Site: www.johnny-english.com
Post-release verdict: Frankly, a big disappointment for Atkinson fans. He's fine, but the script isn't. I cringe to say this, but the Naked Gun series offers more laughs than this movie. See DVD details here.Envy
Release: August 15
Director: Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Wag the Dog)
Cast: Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Rachel Weisz, Amy Poehler, Ving Rhames, Christopher Walken
Premise: Best friends, played by Black and Stiller, come to a crossroads in their friendship when Black becomes insanely rich by selling his invention…and Stiller goes crazy with envy.
Outtakes: This movie was shot on a budget of $40 million, with $10 million going to Siller's salary.
Why You Should See It: I'm not really crazy about Jack Black, but he does have comedic timing. And Stiller is just genius. Should be in the same vein as Anger Management, so if you saw that movie and loved it, watch this one.
Official Site: www.dreamworks.com/envy
Post-release verdict: Apparently I loved neither Anger Management nor Envy. I think Envy suffered from lack of studio backing (it was pushed back several times and with little advertising), and a bad release date. Also, Stiller and Black as a comedic duo...not so great. See DVD details here.The Medallion
Release: August 15
Director: Gordon Chan (Thunderbolt)
Cast: Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Christy Chung, Claire Forlani, Julian Sands
Premise: A police officer (Chan) investigating immigrant smuggling, gets killed on the job and learns that he's still alive, only now he has supernatural abilities.
Outtakes: The action director for this flick is Sammo Hung (Double Team, Once Upon a Time in China IV). It was shot on a $35 million budget in various locations, including Hong Kong, where it was the most expensive movie ever shot. Chan filmed The Tuxedo and The Medallion simultaneously.
Why You Should See It: Because I always recommend Jackie Chan movies.
Official Site: www.sonypictures.com/.../themedallion
Post-release verdict: Hmm, The Tuxedo and The Medallion shot simultaneously? That could explain the striking parallels between the films, such as the supernatural elements in the story, the brunette leading ladies, and the suckiness. See DVD details here.Marci X
Release: August 22
Director: Richard Benjamin (Mermaids, Milk Money)
Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Damon Wayans, Christine Baranski, Jane Krakowski, Richard Benjamin
Premise: A Jewish woman (Kudrow) takes over a hard-core rap label for her father (Benjamin) called Felony Assault. She faces the backlash when one of her artists, Dr. Snatchcatcher (Wayans) produces a hit song called, "Shot Ya, Teacha."
Outtakes: Richard Benjamin also directed Kudrow's friend, Courtney Cox-Arquette, in The Shrink Is In.
Why You Should See It: A social commentary? A satire? Either way, it's worth taking a look.
Official Site: www.marcix.com
Post-release verdict: I'm suspecting that Marci X was a straight-to-video release, since I haven't heard anything about this movie since I wrote up the preview. And wow, Rotten Tomatoes has given this a fresh rating of 8% (for those who might wonder, that's very, very bad). A reviewer from our own Toronto Star likens this film to Gigli. Boy, was I wrong about this one. See DVD details here.
[ From Gigli to My Boss's Daughter. Must-avoid movies of this summer. ]