By Courtney L. Woods
Goodbye school, research papers, and early mornings; hello sunny weather, swimming pools and summer blockbuster movies! Yes, the time is here again to bring out the big names, special effects, and non-existent plots! Summer is finally here, and the local theaters are calling your name! Here’s the list of films that have the big-money buzz:
* Spider-Man
Probably the second most anticipated movie of the summer; this one could really be hit-or-miss. Tobey Maguire (The Cider House Rules) takes up the mantle of Peter Parker and his alter ego, the much beloved Spidey. Kirsten Dunst and Willem Dafoe (Shadow of the Vampire) co-star as Mary Jane Watson and the villainous Green Goblin. Look for big numbers opening weekend and many a disgruntled comic book fan. (May 3)
* Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Time to line up once again, George Lucas demands it! The fabled Clone Wars begin in the most anticipated movie of the summer, as does a little romance between Anakin (Hayden Christensen) and Amidala (Natalie Portman). Cue the epic John Williams baby-making music! The Jedi Knights face a great battle (Yoda has a fight scene!), Obi-Wan Kenobi (the always delightful Ewan McGregor) squares off with bounty hunter Jango Fett, and Anakin falls to darkness. Less Jar-Jar, more lightsabers! (May 16)
* Bad Company
Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins pair up for this comedic action flick. Rock plays a street hustler recruited by the CIA to replace his dead twin brother in a mission. A strange pairing, indeed; but the film has potential. (June 7)
* Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Sandra Bullock and Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for A Dream) star as fed-up daughter and eccentric mother in this film adaptation of the best-selling book. Look for Ashley Judd as a young Ellen Burstyn in flashbacks to the 1930’s. An off-kilter, intergenerational mother and daughter film that may become the Bridget Jones’s Diary of 2002. (June 7)
* Scooby-Doo
Yet another hit or miss; there is something just so wrong about an all live-action film (with the exception of the CGI Scooby) about our much beloved ‘toons and their psychedelic Mystery Machine. There is also something wrong with casting Freddie Prinze, Jr. as ultra-blond ascot-wearing Fred. Prinze’s real-life fiancee and T.V.’s favorite vampire slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar, co-stars as danger-prone Daphne. (June 14)
* The Bourne Identity
Matt Damon is a guy who can’t remember who he is in this adrenaline-pumping action flick. Just as long as he doesn’t remember that he’s The Talented Mr. Ripley; everything should be cool. (June 14)
* Minority Report
Yet another big sci-fi flick as brought to us by Stephen Spielberg, this time starring Tom Cruise as a futuristic crime fighter who can see killings before they occur. That is, until he is a suspect. Think A. I. with a dash of Vanilla Sky. Then again, maybe it’s better if you don’t! (June 21)
* Lilo & Stitch
One of the designated Disney offerings of the season; a renegade alien outlaw (the fuzzy blue Stitch) lands in Hawaii and is adopted by the animal-loving, five-year old Lilo. The teaser trailers are hilarious, with Stitch invading and causing trouble in other Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Based on those spots alone, it is worth seeing. (June 21)
* Men in Black II
Jay (Will Smith) and Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) are back (yes, in black) to help save earth from inter-galactic scum. Yeah! Can we expect another Will Smith song to ease the summer past? Count on it. (July 3)
* Road to Perdition
Tom Hanks as a Mob hitman! What else needs to be said? He needs a break from all of those good-guy roles. Hanks seeks vengeance after his wife is murdered and takes his son young son along for the ride. Directed by American Beauty’s Sam Mendes and co-starring Jude Law and Paul Newman, this film is sure not to disappoint. Oh, and can someone say Oscar buzz? (July 12)
* K-19: The Widowmaker
Harrison Ford stars as the captain of a Russian nuclear sub that malfunctions on one of its first journeys. Suspense, drama, and action are soon to follow. (July 19)
* Austin Powers in Goldmember
More shagging, mojo, and “oh behaves” than you bargained for as the British super-spy takes to the screen again to fight off Dr. Evil and his cohorts. This time his leading lady is none other than Beyonce Knowles as undercover spy Foxxy Cleopatra. At least we’ll be seeing the new Bond trailer (Die Another Day) at the beginning. (July 26)
* Igby Goes Down
Alright, alright. Insert your own joke here. Kieran Culkin stars as the title character in this dark comedy about family and money. Susan Sarandon is back in the role of the dying mom, and Ryan Phillipe costars as Igby’s brother. (August 2)
* Remember that all dates are subject to change!
