Summer '07 Preview

Triple Plays and Other Sequels

If the summer of 2007 will be remembered for one thing, it will be known as the year of the tri-quels. This summer there are six film franchises continuing with third chapters: Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Ocean's Thirteen, The Bourne Ultimatum and Rush Hour 3. Not to mention that John McClaine gets his fourth chance to Live Free or Die Hard and Harry Potter gets his fifth shot at Voldemort with Order of the Phoenix.

This summer also debuts some sequels to popular films: 28 Weeks Later, Day Watch, Hostel: Part II, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Mr. Bean's Holiday, and Evan Almighty. In addition, there are remakes: Transformers, The Simpsons Movie, Underdog and The Invasion.

The fact is that there is little new under the sun. Of the films generating buzz this summer, most are sequels or remakes. Only a chosen few are offering something new and interesting. The ones to watch are: The Ex, Ratatouille, Talk to Me, 1408, and Stardust.

I have no doubt that the mega-sequels will be the ones generating the box office revenue this summer, but it is my sincere hope that audiences will take time away from gorging themselves on familiar film fare to try something new, daring and different.

May

Spider-Man 3: Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But when his suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well, bringing out the dark, vengeful side of his personality. He must overcome his personal demons as two of the most-feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom, gather unparalleled power and threaten Peter and everyone he loves. FGN Opinion: What can I add that hasn't already been said in a sea of hype on the airwaves and the Internet? Yes, Spider-Man 3 is geared up to be even bigger and better than part 2, which was possibly the most perfect comic book adaptation to date. This should be awesome! (Read the full review of Spider-Man 3.)

Lucky You: Billie Offer (Drew Barrymore) is a young singer from Bakersfield with more heart than talent. Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) is a poker player whose emotions at the table often undermine his exceptional skill. When these two meet, the real game begins. If he is going to win her heart, he must learn to play cards the way he has been living life and live his life the way he has been playing cards. FGN Opinion: Early previews for this film focused heavily on the poker aspect (undoubtedly hoping to cash in on the Texas Hold 'Em craze). Now the previews for this film are exclusively centered on the romance. With Drew Barrymore (the Meg Ryan of the new millennium) that's hardly surprising. I'll be going ALL IN on this one. (Read the full review of Lucky You.)

28 Weeks Later: The follow up to the hugely successful 28 Days Later picks up six months after the rage virus has annihilated the British Isles. The US Army declares that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin.but they could not be more wrong. As the first wave of refugees arrive, and a family is reunited, a terrible secret is revealed: The virus is not yet dead, and this time, it is more dangerous than ever. FGN Opinion: It's difficult to top an original horror idea. The Rage Virus played well the first time around, but can they capture lightning in a bottle the second time around? (Read the full review of 28 Weeks Later.)

The Ex: Tom Reilly (Zach Braff) and his wife Sofia (Amanda Peet) are in for some major changes now that they have a newborn. Tom moves the family to Ohio to work for his father-in-law (Charles Grodin). His boss, Chip (Jason Bateman), happens to still carry a torch for Sofia from their high school days. Dirty tricks and sabotage abound creating an atmosphere of fierce paranoia that eventually threatens Tom and Sofia's relationship. FGN Opinion: Zach Braff makes great comedy, especially when paired with Amanda Peet. My wife's rooting for Jason Bateman (long story).

Georgia Rule: Three generations of top actresses unite in a film from director Garry Marshall about the power of redemption, freedom in forgiveness and unbreakable bonds of motherhood - Georgia Rule. FGN Opinion: There isn't any reason to see this chick movie -- especially during the summer. They should have waited until after the blockbuster season.

Shrek the Third: Being king isn't for everyone--especially if you're a prickly ogre who smells like the shallow end of a swamp. When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he wanted was to rule Far Far Away, but when his frogger-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, Shrek is quickly fitted for the crown. Now, unless the reluctant would-be king can find a suitable replacement, he'll be royally screwed for the rest of his days. Even with Donkey and the ever-so-suave Puss in Boots by their side, it's going to take an ogre-sized effort--and a whole lot of help from Fiona and her band of princesses--for Shrek and Artie to save the day and find their own "Happily Ever After." FGN Opinion: This one gets a free nod. The past two films and DreamWorks Animation's reputation almost guarantee a hit. The Gingerbread Man pooping gumdrops is just funny. (Read the full review of Shrek the Third.)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: In the follow-up to the record-breaking smash 2006 hit Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, we find our heroes Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) allied with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from his mind-bending trap in Davy Jones' locker. Navigating through treachery, betrayal and wild waters, they must forge their way to exotic Singapore and confront the cunning Chinese Pirate Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat). Headed beyond the very ends of the earth, each must ultimately choose a side in a final, titanic battle - as not only their lives and fortunes, but the entire future of the freedom-loving Pirate way, hangs in the balance. FGN Opinion: This movie can't be missed. It's either going to be a huge hit or a leviathian disappointment. (Read the full review of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.)

June

Mr. Brooks: Consider Mr. Brooks. A successful businessman. A generous philanthropist. A loving father and devoted husband. Seemingly, he's perfect. But Mr. Brooks has a secret — he is also the notorious Thumbprint Killer and no one has ever suspected it — until now. Academy Award winner Kevin Costner stars as Earl Brooks, a man who has managed to keep his two incompatible worlds from intersecting by controlling his cunning alter ego (Academy Award winner William Hurt). Suddenly Brooks finds himself trapped in the twisted agenda of an opportunistic bystander, as well as hunted by an unorthodox and tenacious investigator. A terrifying game is unfolding where desire is dark, knowledge is deadly and the man who has everything has everything to hide. FGN Opinion: No doubt, my friends will expect me to push this film because it stars Kevin Costner. However, this seems derivative of other recent films. I doubt it will do well amid the summer sequels.

Day Watch: Featuring the cinematic vision of cutting-edge Director/Writer Timur Bekmambetov, Day Watch is the next installment based on the best-selling sci-fi novels of Sergei Lukyanenko. A dazzling mix of state-of-the-art visual effects, amazing action sequences, and nail-biting horror set in contemporary Moscow, Day Watch revolves around the conflict and balance maintained between the forces of light and darkness -- the result of a medieval truce between the opposing sides. This ancient war between the forces of Light and Darkness is reaching a tragic outcome. FGN Opinion: No doubt, this is as eagerly awaited a sequel as any coming out this summer. Fans of Night Watch are a rarified breed. There's a cult status to this series, and it should grow as the sequels are released. Must see this in the theaters!

Surf's Up: Surf's Up is an animated comedy that delves behind-the-scenes of the high-octane world of competitive surfing. The film profiles teenage Rockhopper penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf), an up-and-coming surfer, as he enters his first pro competition. Followed by a camera crew to document his experiences, Cody leaves his family and home in Shiverpool, Antarctica to travel to Pen Gu Island for the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Cody believes that winning will bring him the admiration and respect he desires, but when he unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a washed-up old surfer named Geek (Jeff Bridges), Cody begins to find his own way, and discovers that a true winner isn't always the one who comes in first. FGN Opinion: First the documentary March of the Penguins, then the funny penguins in Madagascar, and finally dancing penguins in Happy Feet. Aren't we about done with this cliché? I will pass on this film. It looks as dull as watching global warming melt icebergs.

Ocean's Thirteen: Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and the gang would have only one reason to pull off their most ambitious and risky casino heist -- to defend one of their own. When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of the original Ocean's eleven-Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould)-Danny and the gang team up one more time to see if they can break "the Bank." FGN Opinion: A dirty little secret: I will probably see this movie. I loved the original (I'm talking about the 1960 film with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack), and I have enjoyed the first two George Clooney movies. Ocean's Twelve was a bit of a disappointment, but I'm eager to see if they can bounce back and make this one better.

Hostel: Part II: Last January, writer/director Eli Roth terrified moviegoers with the blood-drenched Hostel, which catapulted to the top of the box office charts and became the first number one film of 2006. One year later, Roth takes us back to where it all began, and deeper into the darkest recesses of the human mind. In Hostel: Part II, three young Americans traveling in Rome set off for a weekend getaway led by a gorgeous, sophisticated European acquaintance who invites the trio to join her at an exotic natural spa, assuring them they will be able to relax, rejuvenate and bond. Will the girls find the oasis they are looking for? Or are they poised to become victims for auction, pawns in the fantasies of the sick and privileged from around the world who secretly travel there to savor more grisly pursuits? FGN Opinion: Nothing turns me off more than torture. I don't mind horror, but human suffering at the hands of sick, twisted individuals (yes, I'm talking about the director) turns me off. I watch films to escape. This is not entertainment, it's sadism. (Read the full review of Hostel: Part II.)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer: Marvel's first family of superheroes, The Fantastic Four, meets their greatest challenge yet in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As the Silver Surfer races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, before all hope is lost. FGN Opinion: Okay, I liked the first one. I know I'm in the minority. As for the sequel, not much is known about the plot, yet, except the arrival of the Silver Surfer (a classic Marvel superhero that seems like a silly idea now). The Surfer is the herald of a planet-eating entity named Galactus, but Marvel and Fox are keeping a lid on whether Galactus will make an appearance. Still, this is a must see this summer. (Read the full review of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.)

Nancy Drew: In Los Angeles for the first time, teen detective Nancy Drew (Emma Roberts) discovers a long-unsolved case involving a movie star's mysterious death. Nancy's creativity and resourcefulness are put to the test in more ways than one as she must unravel the secret of this elusive mystery while navigating the fast-paced, trendy, clique culture as "the new girl" at Hollywood High. FGN Opinion: As a long time fan of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, I am curious about this new version of the classic girl sleuth. I hope it does well, if only to get kids reading the books again. I'll see it, but probably take my daughter along so as to not stand out.

Evan Almighty: Steve Carell, reprising his role as the polished, preening newscaster Evan Baxter of Bruce Almighty, is the next one anointed by God to accomplish a holy mission in the hilarious new comedy Evan Almighty. Blockbuster comedy director Tom Shadyac returns behind the camera for this next episode of divine intervention. This time, however, his cast grows two-by-two. Newly elected to Congress, Evan leaves Buffalo behind and shepherds his family to suburban northern Virginia. Once there, his life gets turned upside-down when God (Morgan Freeman) appears and mysteriously commands him to build an ark. But his befuddled family just can't decide whether Evan is having an extraordinary mid-life crisis or is truly onto something of Biblical proportions... FGN Opinion: Steve Carell is one of the funniest guys on television and in the movies. He's wonderful, weird, and he has a loyal following. I predict that this film will hit Number One in the opening weekend. Whether or not it stays there depends on how funny it is. (Read the full review of Evan Almighty.)

Ratatouille: Academy Award®-winning director Brad Bird and the amazing storytellers at Pixar Animation Studios take you into an entirely new and original world where the unthinkable combination of a rat and a 5-star gourmet restaurant come together for the ultimate fish-out-of-water tale. In the hilarious new animated-adventure, Ratatouille, a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. Remy finds himself torn between following his dreams or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. He learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is, a rat who wants to be a chef. FGN Opinion: Pixar has done NO wrong in its previous releases. I think this may be another star on their report card. I want to predict that this will be THE kids movie this summer, but with Shrek the Third and Surf's Up, it will have some competition. I still think it will come out on top, however.

Live Free or Die Hard: An attack on the vulnerable United States computer infrastructure begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the shattering scheme has figured out every digital angle – but he never figured on an old-fashioned, "analog" fly-in-the-ointment: John McClane. FGN Opinion: Another Die Hard movie? Seriously? The first one rocked, but the other two were so bad I can't watch them again. John McClane is going to have to do something special if he's going to make a dent in the summer box office. (Read the full review of Live Free or Die Hard.)

July

Transformers: Dueling alien races, the Autobots and the Decepticons, bring their battle to Earth, leaving the future of humankind hanging in the balance. FGN Opinion: Robots that turn into stuff. War on Earth. Optimus Prime. How can this NOT be a good movie? It's already a 9.9 on the Hollywood Rictor scale. The only way they can crank it any higher is if the soundtrack beats the 1986 animated movie. This will be a 4th of July to remember!

1408: Renowned horror novelist Mike Enslin (John Cusack) believes only in what he can see with his own two eyes. But after a string of bestsellers discrediting paranormal events in the most infamous haunted houses and graveyards around the world, he has no real proof of afterlife. Enslin's phantom-free run of long and lonely nights is about to change forever when he checks into suite 1408 of the notorious Dolphin Hotel. FGN Opinion: Most Stephen King adaptations reek, but there are a few notable exceptions. With Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in the cast, this may be one of the lucky few. I'll see this for the cast alone, but I hope it's good and scary, too. (Read the full review of 1408.)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community is in denial about the teenager's recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, preferring to turn a blind eye to the news that Voldemort has returned. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore's Army," Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead. FGN Opinion: If you're not a fan of the boy wizard by now, I don't expect you to jump on the bandwagon. With the fifth installment, Harry Potter fans get the darkest (and saddest) chapter in the saga. This one may have legs, if it can outlast Transformers.

Talk To Me: Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr.; Petey's story is funny, dramatic, inspiring - and real. In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C., vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness were combining to unique and powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey to fully express himself - sometimes to outrageous effect - and "tell it like it is." With the support of his irrepressible and tempestuous girlfriend Vernell (Taraji P. Henson), the newly minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio gig. FGN Opinion: This is one of the few serious films that has me interested this summer. Cheadle is an inspiring actor, and his work appears to get better with every film.

The Simpsons Movie: No plot information available. All we know is that it's based on the television series. FGN Opinion: Any true fan of The Simpsons will see this movie no matter the plot. The series doesn't make that much sense anyway. I'll see it, but I expect nothing more than a 90 minute episode of the show.

Hairspray: Sixteen years after the release of the original film, New Line Cinema is bringing a feature film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway production Hairspray to life. Featuring new and original material based on John Waters' 1988 cult classic about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show, the comedy features a remarkable collection of talent including John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Amanda Bynes. FGN Opinion: So, it's a movie, based on a musical, based on a movie? Well, it worked for The Producers. Maybe they can pull it off. Personally, this one doesn't do much for me even thought it's a musical.

No Reservations: Master chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Zones) lives her life like she runs her kitchen at a trendy Manhattan eatery—with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her. Kate's perfectionist nature is put to the test when she must contend with a brash new sous chef (Aaron Eckhart) who joins her staff. Simultaneously, she is struggling to bond with her nine-year-old niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin), who has come to live with her. FGN Opinion: This one is a guaranteed tear-jerker. I got misty-eyed just watching the preview.

Skinwalkers: In the small town of Huguenot, Timothy (Matthew Knight) approaches his 13th birthday, unaware this milestone marks the time of his transformation. His mother Rachel (Rhona Mitra) fears her son's health is deteriorating. But those around him—those who have guarded him since birth—know Timothy is a half-blood and that when the moon is full, he will finally have the power to control his family's destiny. FGN Opinion: I love a good werewolf movie. But why release this in July? Say it with me now... "Halloween is in OCTOBER!"

August

Underdog: "There's no need to fear. Underdog is here!" The superhero canine with a gift for rhyme returns in an all new live-action re-imagination of the classic cartoon, Underdog. After an accident in the mysterious lab of maniacal scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), an ordinary beagle unexpectedly finds himself with unimaginable powers and the ability to speak. Armed with a fetching superhero costume, Underdog (voiced by comedian Jason Lee) vows to protect the beleaguered citizens of Capitol City and, in particular, one beautiful spaniel named Polly Purebread (voiced by Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams). FGN Opinion: No no no no no no no! Why did they do this to Underdog?! It's not fair! It's not right! He should be animated. ONLY animated. No talking beagles! No CGI! It's wrong! The only good thing that could possibly come from this is a release of the old Underdog cartoons on DVD as a marketing tie-in.

The Bourne Ultimatum: Matt Damon returns as the trained assassin Jason Bourne for the latest showdown in The Bourne Ultimatum. All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly-trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. He must travel from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to find the real Jason Bourne--all the while trying to outmaneuver the scores of cops, federal officers and Interpol agents with him in their crosshairs. FGN Opinion: The first two movies were good, but as action stars go I still have trouble seeing Matt Damon as the James Bond type. Still, it'll be worth a matinee price to see him tear it up again.

Rush Hour 3: Chris Tucker returns to the big screen after a six-year absence as he reunites with the all-star team of co-star Jackie Chan, director Brett Ratner, and writer Jeff Nathanson to deliver the third installment of the blockbuster Rush Hour franchise. Arriving in theaters on August 10, 2007, "Rush Hour 3" sees the beloved action comedy duo of Tucker and Chan reprising their roles as LAPD Detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee respectively. This time around, the two must travel to Paris to battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triads. FGN Opinion: The preview had me laughing and watching in awe. Jackie Chan still has some moves, and Chris Tucker is as mouthy as ever. I'll probably enjoy this as the summer starts to wind down.

Stardust: Based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman illustrated by Charles Vess, this film takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in a magical world. A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of village beauty Victoria (Sienna Miller) by promising to bring her a falling star. His journey takes him beyond the walls of his village to a mysterious and forbidden land. When Tristan finds the star, he is stunned to discover that it is, not a lump of meteoric rock, but an angry, injured girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes) – who has no desire to be dragged across the world and presented to anyone's girlfriend. As they travel Tristan discovers the meaning of true love, but does not realise he's leading Yvaine into even more danger... FGN Opinion: This is the movie that no one will be expecting this summer. It has a great cast, gorgeous special effects, and a story based on the Neil Gaiman novel. I pick Stardust as the surprise hit, after all the box office heavyweights have packed it in for the season.

The Invasion: This sci-fi film tells the story of a mysterious epidemic that alters the behavior of human beings. When a Washington D.C. psychiatrist (Nicole Kidman) discovers the epidemic's origins are extraterrestrial, she must fight to protect her son, who may hold the key to stopping the escalating invasion. FGN Opinion: I don't know too much about this one other than it sounds like an update of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. According to the IMDb, after filming completed the Wachowski brothers were brought in for rewrites with James McTeigue directing the new scenes. This could signal problems with the film. I'll wait and see how the previews make it look.

Mr. Bean's Holiday: Mr Bean is heading to the South of France for a simple holiday in the sun. His voyage from London to the Riviera soon transcends into one of mischief and mayhem as he inadvertently creates havoc wherever he goes culminating in an unscheduled and riotous screening of his own video diary at the Cannes Film Festival. FGN Opinion: Don't know that I can be bothered to see another Mr. Bean movie. While Rowan Atkinson was once the go-to guy in UK comedy, I think he (and his Mr. Bean character) is past his prime.

Balls of Fury: In this secret society, the competition is brutal and the stakes are high. It is the unsanctioned, underground, and utterly unhinged world of clandestine Ping-Pong tournaments. Down-and-out former professional Ping-Pong phenom Randy Daytona (Dan Fogler) is sucked into this maelstrom when FBI Agent Rodriguez (George Lopez) recruits him for a secret mission. Randy is determined to bounce back and win, and to smoke out his father's killer -- arch fiend Feng (Christopher Walken). FGN Opinion: While this movie has the same intellectual appeal as Dodgeball, it has the benefit of George Lopez's comedy timing and Christopher Walken's unparalleled weirdness. I must see this movie!