NEWS: Chris Gore’s Footage Fetishes: Summer Movie Survival Guide 2007

CULTURE: Chris Gore's Footage Fetishes: Summer Movie Survival Guide 2007

The summer movie season is like a four month-long holiday for film freaks like myself. This is the time when Hollywood is banking on to make the bulk of their boxoffice for the year. The stakes are as high for the studios, as it is for an individual taking a trip to the theater.



In the interests of providing guidance through the maze of the multiplex, I've provided this handy guide to the films opening this weekend through August. (NOTE: Release dates are subject to change as well as opinons, so you have been warned.)





Opening May 4

Spider-Man 3

The studio says… The crime-fighting wall-crawler dons a powerful new suit and battles two of the most feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom.

Here's the deal… Yes, the Spider-Man film series is beginning to feel a little like the James Bond movies -- it's the same every time. But this one raises the stakes with the best action of the three and the best special effects in any super-hero film ever. And Emo-Peter Parker is hysterical.

Verdict... Do not miss this -- see it in the theater!



Lucky You

The studio says… Eric Bana stars as a high-stakes card player who sets out to win the World Series of Poker--and the affections of Drew Barrymore.

Here's the deal… This movie is being sacrificed by the studio going head-to-head with Spidey. Maybe they forgot to release this in February where other films of this type reside.

Verdict... Pass. Not seeing this movie will still guarantee that your life is complete.



Away From Her

The studio says… A married couple's idyllic retirement is permanently disrupted when they must cope with the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Here's the deal… This family drama from Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley debuted at this past Sundance. It's a heartfelt drama and worthwhile. Just try to hold back the tears.

Verdict... See it when it hits cable.



Civic Duty

The studio says… An accountant obsessed with terrorist plots and cable news gets a jolt when a Muslim graduate student moves in next door. (In limited release.)

Here's the deal… It still might be too soon for this. Audiences have rejected even the big studio 9/11-terrorist films as being too depressing to even think about.

Verdict... Tivo it when it hits cable.



The Flying Scotsman

The studio says… The true story of celebrated Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree, who broke the world one-hour record on a bike of his own design. (In limited release.)

Here's the deal… Um. Never heard of this. Is it too late to see Spider-Man 3 again?

Verdict... DVD. Or not.



Opening May 11



28 Weeks Later

The studio says… Six months after the rage virus wiped out London, the city rebuilds and re-populates...but the virus is still alive, and deadlier than ever.

Here's the deal… No Cillian Murphy or Naomie Harris reprising their roles and Danny Boyle did not direct the second installment of the re-invented zombie movie 28 Days Later. At the helm is Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who has not directed a film since 2001 with a feature did called Intact. Question: Was the first film a big enough hit to warrant a sequel? The original made 43 million at the boxoffice, so is there enough demand for a sequel? This does not matter -- the story is epic and the zombie action disgusting like I know you like it.

Verdict... Don't miss this one in the theater.



The Ex

The studio says… An underachiever (Zach Braff) must take a job when his pregnant wife (Amanda Peet) quits her high-pressure, big salary career.

Here's the deal… Um, is Zach Braff really a romantic comedy star? Really? Cute, it's not offensive, you're not liable to love it or hate it which means... not really sure if I care enough to feel strongly one way or another.

Verdict... Must-see on cable.



Delta Farce

The studio says… Three hapless guys are mistaken for Army Reservists, loaded onto a plane to Iraq, and accidentally ejected somewhere over Mexico.

Here's the deal… Time + Tragedy = Comedy! Or one would hope. If you're ready to laugh at a comedy dealing with the Iraq war, then I am too.

Verdict... See it at the drive-in. That is, if you can find one.



Blind Dating

The studio says… A young blind man signs up for a dangerous experimental procedure to restore his vision... and falls in love with this nurse.

Here's the deal… Love the pitch... the film... not so much.

Verdict... Skip it.



Georgia Rule

The studio says… Lindsay Lohan, Felicity Huffman and Jane Fonda star as three generations of women who learn about the true ties that bind.

Here's the deal… Lindsay Lohan. Felicity Huffman. Jane Fonda. I'm so not there.

Verdict... Look for the special edition DVD before the summer ends... in landfills soon.



Home of the Brave

The studio says… Three soldiers who return home after a lengthy tour in Iraq find that re-entering "normal" life after war is not an easy task. (In limited release.)

Here's the deal… Jessica Biel is amazing as a vet who has lost her hand. Terrific. But is this what we want in a summer movie?

Verdict... See it on cable.



The Hip Hop Project

The studio says… Documents a group of New York City teenagers who transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop. (In limited release.)

Here's the deal… Just like vegetables are part of a balanced diet, so it goes for documentaries, an essential part of a moviegoers' good breakfast. And this music doc will please both fans and non-fans of hip hop.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Opening May 18

Shrek the Third

The studio says… 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.

Here's the deal… Third time's the charm... or not?

Verdict... Catch a bargain matinee with an enthusiastic group of kids.



Even Money

The studio says… Three intertwining stories of people whose lives are shattered by gambling and addiction.

Here's the deal… Danny DeVito and Kim Basinger star in a film that almost no one knows anything about including me. There's a movie coming out this summer called Even Money?

Verdict... Jury's out.



The Wendell Baker Story

The studio says… A good-hearted ex-con goes straight and gets a job in a retirement hotel, where a trio of retired residents help him win back his girl and battle the hotel corruption led by the head nurse.

Here's the deal… This indie with Owen Wilson and Eva Mendes along with Will Ferrell (that Will Ferrell's so hot right now) could break out as a sleeper hit.

Verdict... Catch it at the theater or on cable or on DVD.



Opening May 25



Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

The studio says… Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) are 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, while the terrifying ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman and Davy Jones, under the control of the East India Trading Company, wreaks havoc across the Seven Seas.

Here's the deal… At nearly three hours long, the conclusion of the Pirates trilogy will pack them in and provide a fun time for all. Johnny Depp has created a classic character in Jack Sparrow and the effects alone make this worth seeing.

Verdict... See it in the theater, but get an aisle seat for trips to the bathroom. This movie is looooooooooong.



Bug

The studio says… A lonely waitress with a tragic past, Agnes rooms in a run-down motel, living in fear of her abusive, recently paroled ex-husband. But when Agnes begins a tentative romance with Peter, an eccentric, nervous drifter, she starts to feel hopeful again--until the first bugs arrive.

Here's the deal… Ashley Judd heads up the cast... so you already know how this one ends.

Verdict... Cable.



Opening June 1

Knocked Up

The studio says… Allison Scott is an up-and-coming entertainment journalist whose 24-year-old life is on the fast track. But it gets seriously derailed when a drunken one-nighter with slacker Ben Stone results in an unwanted pregnancy. Faced with the prospect of going it alone or getting to know the baby's father, Allison decides to give the lovable doof a chance.

Here's the deal… The funniest film of the year from Judd Apatow and the team that brought us the 40 Year-Old Virgin. They've done it again by mixing crude humor with real people for a perfect blend of comedy and drama.

Verdict... See it in a crowded theater. Twice. The laughs will drown out a lot of the jokes.



Mr. Brooks

The studio says… 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 an insatiable serial killer, so lethally clever that no one has ever suspected him--until now.

Here's the deal… Kevin Costner and Demi Moore. Together. In a movie. Hmmm...

Verdict... Skip it.



Crazy Love

The studio says… Linda Riss ends a year long affair with a married Burt Pugach, who seeks revenge by hiring a man to throw acid in Linda's face and blind her. Burt gets sent to jail for 14 years, divorces his wife and marries Linda.

Here's the deal… This Sundance doc was a hit at the festival and the story will shock you. A fantastic documentary that is as gruesome as it is romantic.

Verdict... See this doc in the theater.



Day Watch

The studio says… A horror tale set in contemporary Moscow that 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.

Here's the deal… This one is flying under the radar, but the trailer alone makes this look like either the coolest effects movie ever or a great video game.

Verdict... See it in the theater or on DVD if you really prefer.



Gracie

The studio says… Set in 1978, a teenage girl overcomes the loss of her brother and fights the odds to achieve her dream of playing competitive soccer at a time when girls' soccer did not exist.

Here's the deal… The PG-13 for brief sexual content sounds interesting, but the subject is... well. You decide.

Verdict... DVD.



Opening June 8

Ocean's Thirteen

The studio says… Reuben Tishkoff stumbles into uncharted territory when he makes the mistake of planning to build a hotel with one of Las Vegas' most hated businessman, Willy Banks. Soon thereafter, he gets cut out of the deal and ends up in the hospital with a serious hearth condition. Danny Ocean tries to help his old friend out by giving the dastardly Banks a chance to restore Reuben's share of the hotel.

Here's the deal… The third film in the Ocean trilogy raises the stakes, of course.

Verdict... Already in my Netflix queue.



Hostel: Part II

The studio says… Three young Americans studying in Rome set off for a weekend trip when they run into a beautiful model from one of their art classes. Also on her way to an exotic destination, the gorgeous European invites the coeds to come along, assuring them they will be able to relax and rejuvenate. Will the girls find the oasis they are looking for?

Here's the deal… The second film in the sure-to-be Hostel trilogy takes a group of women to Europe where they... you guessed it... are kidnapped and tortured. Scenes shown at recent horror conventions had audience members creeped out and disgusted, meaning they really loved it.

Verdict... See it at the drive-in. That is, if you can find one.



Opening June 15



Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

The studio says… The enigmatic, intergalactic herald, the Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As he 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.

Here's the deal… Fanboys are screaming about the change to Galactus' character -- no longer a purple giant, he's just a killer cloud. The original was a disappointment and the second FF movie already looks like... a disappointment. At least they're consistent.

Verdict... DVD.



Nancy Drew

The studio says… Nancy Drew travels to Los Angeles with her father and stumbles upon evidence involving the long-unsolved death of a glamorous movie star. Nancy's practical nature and resourcefulness are put to the test when dealing with the self-indulgent world of Hollywood.

Here's the deal… This is for kids. I really don't care.

Verdict... Read the novelization or get the book on tape version.



Fido

The studio says… Welcome to Willard, a small town lost in the idyllic world of the 50s, where the sun shines every day, everybody knows their neighbor, and rotting zombies deliver the mail. Years ago, the earth passed through a cloud of space dust, causing the dead to rise with a craving for human flesh. A war began, pitting the living against the dead. In the ensuing revolution, a corporation was born: ZomCon.

Here's the deal… This Sundance film delivers an original take on zombies who are now integrated into society as helpful pets. Weird and creepy in all the right ways.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Opening June 22



Evan Almighty

The studio says… Newly elected to Congress, the polished, preening newscaster, Evan Baxter, is the next one anointed by God to accomplish a holy mission--walking in the footsteps of Bruce Almighty.

Here's the deal… Steve Carrell can do no wrong. He's funny doing nothing, and with a plot, he kills.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Broken English

The studio says… A successful New Yorker with little success at romance meets a Frenchman who sweeps her off her feet and off to Paris, inspiring her to travel as a courier with her best friend.

Here's the deal… Parker Posey is back and she's always worth seeing.

Verdict... DVD.



A Mighty Heart

The studio says… A memoir of the life of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002.

Here's the deal… One question: Does Angelina Jolie get naked?

Verdict... I need an answer to my question above before I decide.



Opening June 27

Live Free or Die Hard

The studio says… On the July 4th holiday, an attack on the vulnerable United States infrastructure begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the scheme has figured out every modern angle -- but he never figured on an old-school "analog" fly in the "digital" ointment: John McClane.

Here's the deal… Advance word is not good. Does the phrase, "I'm getting too old for this shit," mean anything to you?

Verdict... DVD.



You Kill Me

The studio says… A hitman from Buffalo is sent to the West Coast to dry out. He attends AA meetings, gets a sponsor and lands a job in a mortuary, where he meets a woman who is a relative of one his hits.

Here's the deal… Ben Kingsley, Téa Leoni and Luke Wilson have the makings of a great cast for a solid indie.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Opening June 29

Ratatouille

The studio says… A rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau.

Here's the deal… Another CG cartoon but this one is from Brad Bird who did The Incredibles.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Evening

The studio says… A drama exploring the emotional and romantic past of Ann Grant, a 65-year-old woman with terminal cancer. Ann's children gather around to make sense of their complicated mother while she drifts back through morphine-induced memories to a brief romantic interlude in the late 1950s, perhaps the only defining moment of complete surrender and happiness in her life.

Here's the deal… Um. Don't care. Which is sad, I know.

Verdict... See it on the Lifetime Channel.



Sicko

The studio says… Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore sets out to investigate the American healthcare system. Sticking to his tried-and-true one-man approach, Moore sheds light on the complicated medical affairs of individuals and local communities.

Here's the deal… That depends -- how much do you trust Moore after so many controversies?

Verdict... See it in the theater, if only so you can bitch about it online.



Opening July 4



Transformers

The studio says… The Earth is caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between two races of robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.

Here's the deal… Are you kidding? Is there a limit to the number of geekgasms that will spew forth from the audience. The trailers prove they nailed it and took a so-so kids show and turned it into a realistic action movie.

Verdict... Opening night!



License to Wed

The studio says… A young couple's wedding plans are interrupted when the pushy minister of the bride's family church orders the pair to complete a two-week prenup course. They must pass the class if they want to marry in his church. The groom fails the course and loses the girl but fights to win her back.

Here's the deal… Robin Williams. So, the choice is obvious.

Verdict... Avoid at all costs.



Rescue Dawn

The studio says… Based on the true story of German-born Dieter Dengler, who dreamed of being a test pilot and thus made his way to America, where he joined the military in pursuit of his obsession to fly. On his first mission in Vietnam, he is shot down and captured by Vietcong guerrillas.

Here's the deal… Christian Bale is always worth seeing, but mostly when he's Batman.

Verdict... DVD.



Opening July 13

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The studio says… As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion.

Here's the deal… Does anything I say even matter? I'll go see it.

Verdict... Opening weekend in a theater.



1408

The studio says… Adapted from the short story by Stephen King, a 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 life - or afterlife.

Here's the deal… This is only worth seeing because of John Cusack. The better Cusack movie is Grace is Gone for which

he will be nominated for an Oscar.

Verdict... Cable.



Talk to Me

The studio says… The telling of the real-life story of Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, an outspoken ex-con who talked his way into becoming an iconic radio personality in the 1960s, in Washington, D.C. Sparked by both the era's vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness, Petey openly courted controversy at a white-owned station.

Here's the deal… I'd rather see the documentary about the subject.

Verdict... Skip it.



Opening July 20



Hairspray

The studio says… Set in Baltimore during the 1960s dance TV craze, a zaftig high school hairhopper, Tracy Turnblad, graduates from outsider to celebrity trendsetter and along the way she stars on "The Corny Collins Show," wins the heart of resident hunk Link Larkin and kicks down the barriers for black and white integration on local television.

Here's the deal… John Travolta in drag is reason enough to see this.

Verdict... Catch a midnight show after some drinks.



I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

The studio says… Chuck Levine and Larry Valentine are the pride of their fire station: two guy's guys always side-by-side and willing to do anything for each other. Grateful Chuck owes Larry for saving his life in a fire, and Larry calls in that favor big time when civic red tape prevents him from naming his own two kids as his life insurance beneficiaries.

Here's the deal… Adam Sandler in a comedy means that you will laugh at a fart joke eventually.

Verdict... Cable.



Goya's Ghosts

The studio says… The life and times of Spanish painter Francisco Goya, who lived from 1746-1828 and was a frequent target of the Spanish Inquisition.

Here's the deal… Costume dramas like this one are out of place in the summer, though Natalie Portman provides plenty of eye candy.

Verdict... Cable.



Opening July 27

The Simpsons Movie

The studio says… After 18 years on the air, Springfield's favorite family finally makes it to the big screen. Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Maggie Simpson will be there, along with regulars like Moe the bartender (Hank Azaria) and Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer).

Here's the deal… "Worst summer movie ever" are words that will not be used to describe this film. Prepare to see Bart doing a full-frontal nude scene as the Simpsons' team pushes the limit.

Verdict... See it in the theater on opening night.



I Know Who Killed Me

The studio says… An idyllic small town is rocked when Aubrey Fleming, a bright and promising young woman, is abducted and tortured by a sadistic serial killer. When she manages to escape, the traumatized girl who regains consciousness in the hospital insists that she is not who they think she is and that the real Aubrey Fleming is still in mortal danger.

Here's the deal… It's The Sixth Sense for kids!

Verdict... See it on DVD.



No Reservations

The studio says… A top notch female chef's life is turned upside-down when she must care of her niece after her sister is killed. She now has to adapt to a different lifestyle and uses food as a means to express her roller-coaster life.

Here's the deal… Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart in a romantic comedy are the ingredients of something I never care to see.

Verdict... Skip it.



Opening August 1

El Cantante

The studio says… Biopic of Hector Lavoe, one of the biggest Spanish-language singers in the 1970s, but personal tragedy and a heroin addiction left him penniless and dying from complications from AIDS.

Here's the deal… Sad, depressing, so... indie.

Verdict... Netflix it.



Opening August 3

The Bourne Ultimatum

The studio says… 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.

Here's the deal… Smart action is the best kind and this one looks to be the best of the three.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Becoming Jane

The studio says… Before becoming a famous novelist, a young Jane Austen becomes embroiled in a passionate love affair with an Irish lawyer, Tom Lefroy, that inspires her career.

Here's the deal… If you really, really love Jane Austen, then be my guest.

Verdict... Um, I'll never see it.



Charlie Bartlett

The studio says… An eccentric teenager gains popularity by becoming the student supplier of prescription drugs. He averts a potential collision with the school superintendent by helping the educator patch up his relationship with his daughter.

Here's the deal… A drug film? How do I get some?

Verdict... DVD.



Hot Rod

The studio says… Amateur stuntman Rod Kimble has a problem--his step-father Frank is a jerk. Frank picks on Rod, tosses him around like a rag doll in their weekly sparring sessions, and definitely doesn't respect him, much less his stunts. But when Frank falls ill, it's up to Rod to stage the jump of his life in order to save his step-father.

Here's the deal… We'll all find out if Andy Samberg can sustain his comedy beyond an SNL short.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Resurrecting the Champ

The studio says… A homeless man claims to be the former boxing great Bob Satterfield, but turns out to be a lesser known fighter of the same era.

Here's the deal… The sports movie will never die and this boxing film will end with a winner or a loser... which may or may not be the audience. But with a cast like Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Teri Hatcher and Alan Alda (Alan Alda?) this one could really lose big.

Verdict... Skip it.



The Ten

The studio says… Ten blasphemous comedic stories inspired by the Biblical Commandments. Each tale unfolds in a different style, but with characters and themes that overlap, as told by a narrator who, in turn, has his own moral problems.

Here's the deal… Paul Rudd joins Amanda Peet, Jessica Alba, Ken Marino and Justin Theroux in a creative gamble that just might pay off.

Verdict... See it on DVD or in the theater. It's up to you.



Opening August 10

Rush Hour 3

The studio says… LAPD detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee travel to Paris to battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triads.

Here's the deal… Was anyone clamoring for this movie? Not me.

Verdict... Skip it.



Stardust

The studio says… A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village.

Here's the deal… Neil Gaiman's new fantasy film looks like a mixed bag from the trailer. And DeNiro in a fantasy never seems to work.

Verdict... Not sure.



Opening August 17



Superbad

The studio says… Two co-dependent high school guys want to hook up with girls before they graduate and go off to different colleges, but, after a calamitous night just trying to buy alcohol for a school party, overcoming their separation anxiety becomes a greater challenge than getting the girls.

Here's the deal… A badass high school comedy that is pee-your-pants funny. Sorry about the smell.

Verdict... See it in the theater.



Wedding Daze

The studio says… American Pie's Jason Biggs stars as a man recovering form the death of his girlfriend in this wild comedy feature. Biggs's character asks a beautiful woman to marry him in an act of spontaneity and, much to his surprise, she agrees.

Here's the deal… The American Pie films ran out of steam awhile ago and this one looks like it has even less steam.

Verdict... Look for the direct to DVD sequel which is probably already in the works.



The Invasion

The studio says… When a mysterious alien infection spreads like an epidemic over the entire country, a woman fights to save her own life and the life of her son, who may hold the key to stopping the takeover.

Here's the deal… Reshoots have kept this Nicole Kidman film on the shelf for awhile, which is never a good sign.

Verdict... DVD.



Opening August 24

The Comebacks

The studio says… A comedy that spoofs the story of an out-of-luck coach, Lambeau Fields, who takes a rag-tag bunch of college misfits and drives them towards the football championships. In the process, of course, this life-long loser discovers that he is a winner after all--redeeming himself, saving his relationship with his family and friends, and finds that there is indeed, no "I" in "team"!

Here's the deal… Sports-comedies are hot, so your liking it is irrelevant, the victory of this film is pre-ordained.

Verdict... Cable.



Good Luck Chuck

The studio says… A man breaks up with his long-time girlfriend only to see her get engaged to the next guy she dates. The same pattern occurs with his next girlfriend, and continues to repeat. All of a sudden he finds himself becoming a lucky charm for women, who all want to date him.

Here's the deal… Jessica Alba + Dane Cook = Comedy Genius/Hotness X Possible Bomb.

Verdict... Pay per view special at $1.99.



The Hottest State

The studio says… William is a good-looking young actor. He may be vain and cocky, but his doubt manifests itself in endearing self-criticism. Sarah is a beautiful singer-songwriter. Coincidence and a divinely wintry day bring them together and they begin a fevered, fitful romance.

Here's the deal… This may be the only place you'll hear anything about this small indie worth a look.

Verdict... Cable.



Opening August 31



Halloween

The studio says… A new take on the legend and a new chapter in the Michael Myers "Halloween" saga.

Here's the deal… Rob Zombie takes over the duties behind the camera and the franchise could not be in more capable hands. this re-invention is sure to please old fans and create new ones with a high body count and a fresh take.

Verdict... See it at the drive-in, the best place to see a horror film.



Now it's your tur - what films are you looking forward to most this summer? Which do you plan to see in the theater or wait for on DVD? And what about the summer of 2008, which will bring us Batman: The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger as the Joker, Ed Norton as the ever-lovin' Hulk, the Wachowski Brothers returning to direct Speed Racer, Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man and Indiana Jones part IV? These questions and more will be addressed in your comments.



Gore gone!



Chris_Gore is an author, a filmmaker and the creator of Film Threat. During sunny summer days, he can be found in a dark theater avoiding a tan.

Man...it looks like I'm going to be inside a theater all summer.

Theater movies:
Anything with John Cusack
Spidey 3
Pirates
Shrek
Simpsons
Bourne
Harry Potter
Halloween (Never liked the series that much...but with Zombie behind it, I'll see it.)
Evan Almighty

I'm kind of hit and miss on the Transformers movie. I loved the cartoon as a kid, but I just don't see how they could turn that kids experience into a decent adult movie.

There are actually many movies I plan on seeing in the theater this summer, I mostly agree with Chris (I always enjoy his parts on Attack Of The Show!). I think I will be seeing:
Spider-Man 3
Pirates 3
Transformers
The Simpsons
Harry Potter
Halloween
Evan Almighty
The Bourne Ultimatum

I am still hedging on The Bourne Ultimatum though. It looks like they will be using that same "shaky cam" style as in the sequel. I really don't need to see a whole mess of blur and fast moving objects on a big screen, it will just give me a headache. I know they are trying to give the movie a certain realistic feel but cameras have steady shot now, all it takes is a simple press of a button. Saving Private Ryan did it without going overboard, why can't they?

I think this is the most comprehensive primer on anything, ever, in the history of the Internets.

+1, Chris.

The movies I'm looking foward to this summer are Spiderman 3, 28 Weeks Later, Knocked Up and The Bourne Ultimatum

Go see Fido. One of my buddies was a boom mic operator assistant for that movie and she wants to world to see it.

Previews for Halloween were showing when I went to see Grindhouse. I almost creamed my pants.

Can't wait.

Transformers, Spider Man, Knocked Up, and the Simpsons for sure. All the rest, we'll see what's going on.

...are you stoned? Did you see completely different trailers than I did? The only thing that I saw getting nailed was the coffin lid on Bay's career.

Well, you didn't mention the fanboys going nuts about Venom being the "Ultimate" venom pasty ass skinny boy Brock Jr, instead his huge linebacker from hell father, and "feared" isn't something I'd describe the f'in Sandman as. Considering how much the 2nd one sucked, and the errors that anybody who isn't a fanboy can see.. *shrug* still gonna suck

Don't forget, Chuck and Larry is just a ripoff of the Aussie film Strange Bedfellows.

Never, EVER see a Harry Potter movie opening weekend. Ever. Unless of course you *really* like lines. And being squished between massive swarms of people. And thousands of very young children worked into a frenzy of excitement.

Though as the series has gone on the fuss has died down sooner. You might be okay a weekend or two out.

I'd say the same advice goes for Pirates of the Carribean 3, based on my horrifying experience with the second one.

"Knocked Up" is hilarious. If you see nothing else this summer, see "Knocked Up"...