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Summer 2003
I know I'm living on the edge, putting myself out there, but I am declaring the number one movie of the summer of 2003 to be The Matrix: Reloaded. Some wags are saying, gee, I don't know, it has an R-Rating, blah blah blah...come on folks, really, when you were a kid, did you let an R-Rating stop you? Sure, I did once, but it was for Pet Semetary and it was in one of those old movie houses where they only showed one film so you couldn't buy a ticket for one and see another. |
Anyway, the point of this pages existence is to point out some possible flicks you might want to check out and others you'll go see anyway if your anything like me. And being like me...something I don't recommend except for going to the movies a lot.
The Sequels
There are, like every summer I can recollect, a ton of sequels this year. The first, though it has already come out as of this writing was X-Men 2 (X2). I insisted the sequel would have to have more action, and it did, and if you read my review you'll know I still wasn't ecstatic, but a good start to the Summer of 2003 after last year's lame movie-fest.
| The Matrix Reloaded: You know you're going, I know I'm going...you buy the popcorn. I know it's only half a movie, so I am expecting only half a storyline...but with the heavy plotting of the first, I also don't expect a simple mindless ride...the visuals may be fantastic but it's nice to have some meat on the bone to make it worthy of a second view and not a roller coaster film. |
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2 Fast 2 Furious: Didn't like the first one, see no need for this one. Vin Diesel agreed as did the original director Rob Cohen, neither of which worked on this film. You buy my ticket and I'll go.
When Harry Met Lloyd: Dumb and Dumberer: No Jim Carrey? No Jeff Daniels? Uh...yeah, waiting for DVD on this one probably.
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blue: The first one was cute, but a quick viewing of this trailer makes it scream out same script, different location.
Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines: I'll admit it. I'm going to see this, loved the first 2, but without James Cameron directing I have a queasy feeling. However, director Jonathan Mostow is not a hack, he did a very solid job with Breakdown and this could be a lot better than the trailer looks.
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Bad Boys 2: Again, didn't like the original...despite how much I love Will Smith in the films, I dislike Martin Lawrence almost as much. So the two sort of cancel each other out in my eyes. I don't know what it is about Martin Lawrence, but his comedy, and his acting both bores and annoys me. |
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Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life: Tomb Raider 2: All I have to say is this one better be ten times better than the first snore fest. Sure, Angelina Jolie is the perfect Lara Croft...now give a script that shows this. And that title? Pretty clunky...doesn't exactly roll of the tongue, what was the marketing department thinking?
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over: Loved the first one, loved the second one, this one is in 3-D...which may be the best way EVER to end a trilogy!
American Wedding: I liked (not loved) American Pie, I re-watched it as American Pie 2, same scenario's less laughs...so let's hope like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, this one is an apology for the mediocrity of the sequel.
Jeepers Creepers 2: I liked the original, thought it had some creepy moments but a lacklustre ending...but the trailer for this one really got me pumped up about seeing it. Loved the trailer!
Comic Books, Remakes and Team-Ups
I've already covered X-Men 2...but there are a few flicks that the geek set, myself included, won't be able to pass up.
Remake:The Italian Job: I'm both excited anf frightened about this remake. Ed Norton has been very vocal about his forced appearance in the film, although from the trailer it looks like he gives it his all despite the reservations. I'm always up for a good heist film though. (Remake of The Italian Job - 1969)
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Comic Book Movie: The Hulk: When the trailer first appeared at the Superbowl there was a lot of fear but I am putting my faith in two things here. One, Director Ang Lee, no chump when it comes to the silver screen he can make a foreign film like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soar or he can do a quiet, delicate American film like Ice Storm and be just as effective. A second reason for seeing this flick? Eric Bana, like Hugh Jackman with X-Men, Bana is going to come out of this a star. |
Remake: Freaky Friday: I don't expect much from this film, a remake of the Jodie Foster/Barbra Harris 1975 original that has been plagued with production problems. Kelly Osbourne agreed to play the role of Anna's best friend, but backed out before shooting began. Annette Bening was originally slated to play Tess Coleman however, she too backed out shortly before filming and was replaced by Jamie Lee Curtis.
| Comic Book Movie:The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: I have high hopes for this film, an adaptation of Alan Moore's comic book, featuring classic, almost mythic characters like The Invisible Man, Dorian Gray, Allen Quartermain, Dante, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde making this a unique project from the standard stuff out there. Plus it has Sean Connery! |
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Remake (T.V. Show): S.W.A.T.: A re-vamp of the popular T.V. series from 1975. Solid cast with Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez and Samuel L. Jackson, a cool theme song and a lot of artillery makes this a possible fun little action flick. A cool trivia note: An actual police chase drove through the set during filming, oddly, a first for the L.A.P.D., let's hope to see that on Fox while promoting the flick.
Team-Up: Freddy VS. Jason: Ok...Ok...I know the instant reaction...you either are rapturous or horrified by such a meshing. If they go for comedy and horror and don't soften the characters ...this could be an oddly fun romp.
Other Flicks Worth Taking A Look At:
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Down With Love: The cast is superb and the idea of making a tongue-in-cheek Doris Day type film is great. But even better is the idea of keeping it in the time frame and having the wonderful fake backdrops play out as real. Director Peyton Reed makes even typical fare seem better than it should as was evident with Bring It On. |
Jet Lag: This was one of the biggest buzz flicks at the Toronto Film Festival in 2002. Audiences loved it and a romantic comedy amidst all the explosions and carnage may just be the breather required. Plus...Juliette Binoche...yes please.
Matchstick Men: A curiosity piece to be sure. Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman are two of the big up and comers...along with Nicolas Cage in a heist film...well, I try never to miss a heist flick...I'd love to try one myself if there were no reprecussions. Jail doesn't suit my body well.
American Splendor: A unique almost-documentary on Harvey Pekar who created the comic book called American Splendor. Not only does it feature Pekar, but it features Paul Giamatti playing Pekar. Strong buzz on this one from Sundance, along with the Grand Jury Prize makes it worth checking out!
Shaolin Soccer aka Kung-Fu Soccer: I LOVED LOVED LOVED this movie and want everyone to see it. Get your glasses on and see it sub-titled. It was hysterical, inventive, charming, and smartly written. That's all I'm going to say except for....why haven't you seen it yet? Were you not listening to me?
Seabiscuit: A great novel on the prize winning horse of the Depression with Tobey Maguire back on the big-screen after Spider-man. This could be one of those summer sleeper hits...a rallying, feel-good flick that brings in the audiences slowly as word-of-mouth spreads and over two months breaks $100 million. Or it could die opening weekend...but I don't foresee that happening.
Dirty Pretty Things: Again, another flick I caught at last year's Toronto Film Festival and was glued to the strong characters, the charming Audrey Tatou in her English language debut and a carefully plotted tale that kept me glued to the end credits. However, having given it all this praise...I see nothing more than an art-house film that does solid business but can not attract the multi-plex crowd.
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28 Days Later: Danny Boyle returns after the relatively weak outing of The Beach with more gut-wrenching story telling. I mean, this is the guy who brought us Shallow Grave and Trainspotting...both excellent and from the look of it, this is a return to form for the man. Scary, edgy, and with the SARS outbreak earlier this year, not completely fiction. |
Films to Worry About:
| Bruce Almighty: Jim Carrey has worked on some interesting projects but his superstar status has been waning along with his box-office. If it wasn't for The Grinch (3 years ago) he wouldn't have had a hit since 1998 with The Truman Show...here's hoping this one is putting him back on track. |
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Hollywood Homicide: When was the last truly good Harrison Ford film? He passed on Traffic, he made Random Hearts...he is not the Hollywood Juggernaut he once was, but someday, somehow, he will surprise us all again...I just doubt this film is it. They went back and re-shot several keys scenes according to rumors and that is never a good sign.
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