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Hot
summer movies
By Ryan Eloe
Skiff Staff
May
3
“Spider-Man”
This comic book tale kicks off the summer with the story of a college
student whose life changes after being bitten by a genetically-altered
spider. Tobey Maguire stars as Spider-Man while Willem Dafoe gives
a villainous appearance as the Green Goblin. This film, with potential
sequels, sets the stage for Spider-Man’s abilities and he challenges
he faces against the Green Goblin.
May 10
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©
2002 Twentieth Century Fox
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“Unfaithful”
Richard Gere and Diane Lane star in this remake of the 1969 French
film “La Femme Infidele,” beginning on the premise of
a woman having an affair and her husband becoming outraged.
May 16
“Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”
Many of the characters from Episode I will be returning, including
Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman. Time has passed in this second
installment and Anakin Skywalker is older and played by Hayden Christensen.
The initial premise deals with McGregor and Chrstensen protecting
Portman.
May 24
“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimaron”
Kelly Asbury, co-director of “Shrek”, and Dreamworks bring
us this traditional animated film. Spirit is a wild horse captured
by men who attempt to break the mustang. The story is narrated by
Matt Damon and features eight new songs by pop singer Bryan Adams.
“Insomnia”
This is Christopher Nolan’s newest project since his last film,
“Momento.”
This
film deals with a policeman (Al Pacino) who is sent to investigate
a murder in Alaska. He accidentally kills his partner while trying
to apprehend a suspect (Robin Williams). Pacino’s character
finds himself with a false alibi that gets him off the hook. The
story gets complicated with an investigation by a local cop (Hilary
Swank), black mail, solving the crime and another man being framed.
May
31
“The Sum of All Fears”
This Tom Clancy adaptation comes at a unique time. The movie deals
with CIA agent, Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck), who must deal with the
threat of European neo-Nazi terrorists planning to use a nuclear
device at the Super Bowl to restart the Cold War. This ilm originally
dealt with Muslim terrorism but has been modified as a result of
current world issues.
June
7
“Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”
The stage is set as a young woman (Sandra Bullock) moves away from
her eccentric mother (Ellen Burstyn). Yet she receives a box in
the mail with a diary and other items from her mother’s childhood.
Of particular importance, is the bond her mother formed with her
three best friends growing up in the 1930s. The friends form a sisterhood,
and the movie tells the story of these four women during three different
ages. This film is based off the 1996 book by Rebecca Wells.
June 14
“The Bourne Identity”
Hoping the success of this film could lead to a complete trilogy,
this story deals with James Bourne (Matt Damon) as he attempts to
discover his identity. The greatest challenge in this quest is that
he is being chased down by mysterious men. This film comes from
Doug Liman, the director of “Go” and “Swingers.”
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©
2002 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures
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“Windtalkers”
John Woo (“Mission: Impossible 2” and “Face/Off”)
directs this World War II film staring Nicholas Cage. It deals with
the use of the Navajo language as a code used by the American’s
since the Japanese did not have the resources to break this native
language. Cage plays a Marine assigned as a bodyguard to protect
a Navajo Indian (Adam Beach) from being captured and revealing the
secret code.
“Scooby-Doo”
This classic cartoon is going to be made into a live-action film,
with CGI animation to help out with bringing Scooby-Doo to life.
This film is sure to be interesting. Some of the bigger names include
Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne and Freddie
Prinze Jr. playing Fred. Whatever the story ends up being, it won’t
be complete without the Mystery Machine, a couple ghosts and a few
masks.
June
21
“Minority Report”
Imagine a world where crimes could be detected before they were
committed? The year 2080 is painted boldly by Steven Spielburg,
falling under the futuristic vein present in his most recent film
“A.I.” This film stars Tom Cruise who works for a Pre-Crimes
division and discovers his name on the list of people who finds
himself excused of killing a man he has never met. This information
forces him to run away from the man hunting him (Colin Farrell)
for an uncommitted murder.“Lilo & Stitch”
June
28
“Mr. Deeds”
July 3
“Men
in Black 2”
These men are back for a reprise. Will Smith must reintroduce the
character of Tommy Lee Jones into the world of alien patrolling.
Little information has been leaked on the film, so don’t count
on a creative story for this sequel. But with its high budget, expect
a lot of special effects and creative aliens.
“The
Powerpuff Girls”
July
12
“Road to Perdition”
Tom Hanks finally plays a dark character — a hit man —
who goes by the name “Angel of Death.” The film comes
with much of the behind the scenes cast that made “American
Beauty” a success, namely director Sam Mendes. The film takes
place in the 1930s and Hanks is seeking vengeance. Jude Law will
also take on the main role as a character named Maguire who goes
by the name “The Reporter.”
“Crocodile
Hunter: Collision Coarse”
July
19
“K-19: The Widowmaker”
This is the true story of a Russian sub, K-19, that in 1961 must
deal with the possibility of a terrible catastrophic event when
it’s nuclear reactor experiences a malfunction. The ships two
primary leaders are Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson as the first and
second in command on this sub’s maiden voyage.
“Stuart
Little 2”
July
26
“Austin Powers in Goldmember”
Despite all the MGM issues with New Line over their copyright violations
in this parody over their Bond franchise, it appears everything
is a go. Mike Myers will reprise his famous big screen role as he
must deal with the escape of Dr. Evil and Mini-Me from prison as
they try to kidnap Austin Powers’ father.
Aug.
2
“Signs”
This is the most recent M. Night Shymalan film (following “The
Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable”). Big budget stars,
Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix play brothers who face strange situations
when supernatural crop circles begin appearing in Gibson’s
fields.
“XXX”
Vin Diesel plays as Xander Cage (XXX) an extreme sports superstar.
Yet, the CIA recruits him for a special project to infiltrate the
Russian Crime Ring. This film comes from director Rob Cohen who
directed “Fast and the Furious” as well as “The Skulls.”
Aug. 9
“Blood Work”
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this film about an FBI agent
who, after receiving a heart transplant, is assigned to find a killer
who he finds was the source of his own heart transplant. Unusual
circumstances results in Eastwood’s character needing to do
blood work on himself in order to find the killer.
“Swimfan”
Aug. 16
“Master
of Disguise”
It almost feels like a strange version of Harry Potter, but this
film deals with an adventure of a man who has a great deal of responsibility
associated with his power to transform into anything. Yet, this
man is played by Dana Carvey, and appears more comedic than fantastical.
Or maybe just plain goofy.
“The
Adventures of Pluto Nash”
With its unique set location on the moon, a lunar night club owner,
Pluto Nash (played by Eddie Murphy) finds himself in a difficult
situation when a local mob tries to take over the club in their
attempt to take over the moon. The movie also brings in the detail
of an earthling played by Rosario Dawson who hopes to make it big
on the moon as a famous singer.
“Simone”
Aug. 21
“One Hour Photo”
Robin Williams plays a man who works at a One-Hour Photo lab. The
commonplace activity of dropping off film becomes an element of
fear as Williams becomes obsessed with the life of a family whose
film he develops.
Aug.
23
“A Guy Thing”
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