5/08/08

Bob's Big Screen

Big summer flicks coming to a multiplex near you

by Bob Connally

With the release of “Iron Man,” the summer movie season officially began. So between now and Labor Day, everything’s going to be bigger, louder, and in some cases, more obnoxious. With so many films coming out each week it’s hard to know where to begin. So I’m here to help. Some of these films are not yet rated.

May 9

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (PG-13)- This hilarious French spy spoof won top prize at the Seattle International Film Festival two years ago. The funniest movie of 2006 is finally getting a proper, if limited, U.S. release.

Redbelt (R)- A mixed-martial arts instructor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) gets involved with shady businessmen. Should be interesting if only for Ejiofor and David Mamet’s dialogue.

Son of Rambow (PG-13)- Two British boys in the early ‘80s remake “First Blood” with their friends. Early word is that it’s a great comedy with heart.

Speed Racer (PG)- Why did anyone think this was a good idea?

What Happens in Vegas (PG-13)- …should have stayed there.

May 16

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (PG)- Sequel to the 2005 smash hit. I enjoyed the first one but it was nothing special. Maybe this one will be a little stronger.

May 22

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)- I’m as excited as anyone for the return of Indy, but the name George Lucas sends up red flags.

May 23

Postal (R)- Who keeps letting Uwe Boll make movies?

May 30

The Foot Fist Way (R)- Low budget comedy about a tae kwon do instructor. The buzz is that this could be the sleeper hit of the summer.

Sex and the City (R)- Never did get into the show, but the fans won’t miss this.

June 6

Kung Fu Panda (PG)- Jack Black voices the animated title character in this family comedy.

Mongol (R)- Acclaimed film from Kazakhstan about the early life of Genghis Khan.

The Promotion- Comedy with John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott about two grocery store assistant managers fighting for a promotion.

You Don’t Mess With the Zohan- Adam Sandler as an Israeli soldier who comes to New York to be a hairdresser. Either silly fun or painfully stupid.

June 13

The Happening- Hopefully M. Night Shyamalan will atone for the cinematic Hindenburg that was “Lady in the Water.”  Stars Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel.

The Incredible Hulk (PG-13)- No relation to 2003’s “Hulk,” Edward Norton (who co-wrote the screenplay) takes on the title role.

June 20

Get Smart (PG-13)- If anyone can make this remake of the classic TV series work, it’s Steve Carell.

The Love Guru (PG-13)- If the trailer is any indication, Mike Myers has gone the way of so many other “SNL” vets before him, into the land of the embarrassingly unfunny. It seems only Bill Murray remains immune.

June 27

Wall-E- Pixar’s latest is the tale of a robot in the year 2700. Hopefully it will be more like “Ratatouille” and less like “Cars.”

Wanted- I felt embarrassed watching the trailer for this action fest with Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, and James McAvoy.

July 2

Hancock (PG-13)- Will Smith as a boozing superhero in need of good P.R. from Jason Bateman. I’m there!

The Wackness (R)- The always great Ben Kingsley as a drug-addicted psychiatrist. A big hit at Sundance.

July 11

Hellboy II: The Golden Army- “Hellboy” was okay, but a sequel?

Meet Dave- Would it kill Eddie Murphy to just play one character in a movie?

July 18

The Dark Knight- Looks to be the movie event of the entire year. Unmissable.

Mamma Mia!- Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan in an adaptation of the smash hit play

.

Space Chimps- I would have loved to have been at the pitch meeting. “They’re chimps…in space!” Executives immediately open their checkbooks.

July 25

Baghead (R)- Very independent film about relationship dynamics…and a guy wearing a bag on his head.

Brideshead Revisited (PG-13)- WWII British costume drama. Emma Thompson’s my favorite actress so I’ll be there.

Step Brothers (R)- Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as a couple of guys who never grew up. I like Ferrell a lot but Reilly is an absolute genius.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe - Prediction: Mulder will be right about everything and Scully still won’t believe him.

August 1

Choke (R)- Sam Rockwell stars in an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s cult novel.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor- Did anyone ask for another “Mummy”?  Really?

The Rocker- Rainn Wilson (Dwight from “The Office”) as a failed drummer making a comeback. Should be hilarious.

Swing Vote (PG-13)- The result of the presidential election literally hinges on one vote. With Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, and Stanley Tucci.

August 8

The Pineapple Express (R)- Seth Rogen and James Franco playing what their “Freaks and Geeks” characters probably would have become.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (PG-13)- More adventures with pants. I actually kind of liked the first one. Is that wrong?

August 15

Tropic Thunder (R)- Comedy about the making of a war film gone horribly wrong. Ben Stiller (who co-wrote and directed) stars alongside Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, and Steve Coogan.

August 22

The Accidental Husband (PG-13)- Romantic comedy with Uma Thurman and Colin Firth.

Bangkok Dangerous (R)- Nicolas Cage as a hit man.

Crossing Over- Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, and Ray Liotta in an ensemble drama about illegal immigration.

Hamlet 2 (R)- Steve Coogan as a desperate high school drama teacher who writes a thoroughly tasteless sequel to “Hamlet.”  I’m laughing already!

August 29

Babylon A.D. (PG-13)- Sci-fi thriller starring Vin Diesel. Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz (“La Haine”).

College (R)- Looks to be an inferior version of “Superbad.”

Traitor- Guy Pearce, Jeff Daniels, and Don Cheadle in CIA thriller.

Release dates are always subject to change and for more information on these films I suggest imdb.com.

New DVDs:

May 13

Two and a Half Men: Season 3

Untraceable (R)

The Great Debaters (PG-13)

Mad Money (PG-13)

May 20

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets (PG)

The Muppet Show: Season 3