Summer preview: sizzling on the big screen

Published 9:52 am Monday, May 1, 2006

They’re mindless, illogical and filled with flash, not substance.

Is it any wonder we love summer films?

And we do still love them, despite last year’s box office tally, which was down about 9 percent from the previous year. Sure, billions of dollars still were made, but fewer billions.

Signs point to a continuing slump, with box office receipts down 2 percent as of March.

What’s the response? Business as usual. Last year, summer saw “Star Wars: Episode III,” “Batman Begins” and “War of the Worlds.” This year we have: “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Superman Returns” and “Poseidon.”

Hey, denial is not just a river in Egypt.

“It was a pretty great year, and we have an exciting year in 2006,” said DreamWorks SKG animation Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Sequels, remakes, book adaptations and classic TV shows (yes “Miami Vice” is a classic) provide a summer equation by which Hollywood balances its checkbook. Even if these movies don’t do well here, the international market, along with ancillary markets like DVDs and other merchandise, are pretty much guaranteed to make up the difference.

“I have a hard time totally analyzing the strategies of the studios when it comes to these blockbusters. The economics are so global now, whatever my perception sitting here in Boston is, reading the trades and talking to people in the industry, the economic models are really beyond my understanding,” said Boston University Film Studies Chairman Charles Merzbacher.

The result? Summer films derived from other material make for the safest economic bets.

“There is no denying that if you have developed a certain amount of brand awareness, and keep the budget in a certain limit (under $200 million), you can more or less guarantee a profit,” Merzbacher said.

Wanda Sykes and Tim Johnson, star and director respectively of the upcoming DreamWorks animated film “Over the Hedge,” see no change in the Hollywood marketing machine or the way films are greenlit.

“Well, they did beat us,” quipped Sykes, when asked if anything changed with marketing films this year after last year’s problems. The standup comedian was last seen in “Monster-in-Law.”

“Working at DreamWorks, they say, ‘Make a great movie and tell the story well. We’ll take care of the rest,’” said Johnson, who also directed “Antz.”

This film, about animals living in a forest abutting a suburban development in which they forage for fast food, is one of the few films not carrying a “based upon” credit with it. Johnson drew on his own childhood experiences while helming “Over the Hedge.”

“My dog killed the same possum eight times,” he said. “Our trash cans were always being opened by raccoons.”

The future really shouldn’t look any different from today, except for fewer character-driven dramas coming to multiplexes. Merzbacher believes eventually multiplexes will be the home for the special-effects laden franchise, films too big to see at home. Movie theaters will be the home of big adventure.

“I have been predicting for several years the demise of the movie theater as the default place to go see a movie,” he said. “I think we are probably already at that point. Most people see movies at home.”

Those smaller dramas won’t disappear completely, they’ll just be made on TV.

“They already are. People are watching them on HBO,” he said.





Here’s a look at what you have to look forward to in movie theaters this summer (dates are subject to change):

Today

“United 93”: A real-time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001, that crashed near Shanksville, Penn., when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.

“R.V.”: Bob Munro ( Robin Williams) and his dysfunctional family rent an RV for a roadtrip to the Colorado Rockies, where they encounter a bizarre community of campers.

“Stick It”: After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) is forced to return to the world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges), Haley’s rebellious attitude gives way to something that just might be called team spirit.

“Akeelah and the Bee”: A gifted young girl (Keke Palmer) from the Crenshaw district in South Los Angeles trains for the National Spelling Bee with the help of a reclusive professor (Laurence Fishburne).

“Water”: When her husband dies, an 8-year-old Indian girl is sent to a temple in Varanasi where widows live in penitence. Her behavior sends ripples throughout the temple, most notably affecting a woman who longs for a different life and has fallen for a follower of Mahatma Ghandi.

May 5

“An American Haunting”: For three years, a spirit torments the Bell family, until it claims one of their lives.

“Mission Impossible III”: Once again dispatched by the IMF, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) confronts Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an international arms dealer with no conscience and no remorse.

“Hoot”: A young man (Logan Lerman) moves from Montana to Florida with his family, where he’s compelled to engage in a fight to protect a population of endangered owls.

May 12

“Poseidon”: After a tidal wave causes a luxury ocean liner to capsize, a handful of survivors endeavor to find a way to the water’s surface.

“Just My Luck”: Sexy Manhattanite Ashley (Lindsay Lohan) is known to many as the luckiest woman around. After a chance encounter with a down-and-out young man (Chris Pine), however, she realizes that she’s swapped her fortune for his.

May 19

“The Da Vinci Code”: An academic (Tom Hanks) and a cryptographer (Audrey Tautou) unravel a murder that occurred in the Louvre. Clues hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci lead them to a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years.

“Over the Hedge”: A mischievous racoon and his sensitive best-buddy turtle along with other forest creatures try to resist the evils and temptations of encroaching suburbia.

“See No Evil”: Sentenced to community service, a group of teens are dispatched to fix up a ramshackle hotel. Little do they know the hotel is home to a killer who looks to murder them one by one.

May 26

“X-Men: The Last Stand”: A cure for “mutancy,” the resurrection of a lost comrade, and the escalating tensions between mutants and humans threaten to trigger the war to end all wars.

June 2

“The Break-Up”: After Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) calls it quits with her boyfriend, Gary (Vince Vaughn), neither person is willing to move out of the condo they share. Taking the advice of their respective friends and confidants (and a few total strangers), they both engage in mental warfare designed to force the other person to flee the premises — until they both realize they might be fighting to keep their relationship alive.

“Harsh Times”: When he’s turned down for a job with the LAPD, Gulf War vet Jim Davis (Christian Bale) recruits his childhood pal (Freddy Rodriguez) for a joyride through the city. The two old friends drink, get high, and court danger as they plan their futures together — until Jim’s delusions reshape each man’s fate.

June 9

“Cars”: En route to a big race, a hot-shot stock-car known as Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) gets waylaid in the town of Radiator Springs. During his idle time, McQueen befriends some locals who help him begin to realize that there might be more important things in life than fame and fortune.

“A Prairie Home Companion”: A look at what goes on backstage during the last broadcast of America’s most celebrated radio show, where a country music siren (Meryl Streep), singing cowboys Dusty (John C. Reilly) and Lefty (Woody Harrelson), and a host of others hold court.

June 6

“The Omen”: An American government official (Liev Schreiber) and his wife (Julia Stiles) come to realize that their adopted son may just be the devil – literally.

June 16

“Nacho Libre”: In order to save an orphanage from closure, a priest (Jack Black) dons a mask and tights and moonlights as a luchador (Mexican wrestler).

“The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”: To avoid a jail sentence, a young street racer (Lucas Black) heads to Japan to live with his uncle. Getting involved in the world of drift racing, he finds himself quickly in debt, and the only way to repay is to enter the Tokyo underworld.

“The Lake House”: A lonely doctor (Sandra Bullock) begins exchanging love letters with a frustrated architect (Keanu Reeves) through a mysterious postbox.

June 23

“Click”: Workaholic architect Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) comes to own a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. But complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.

“Waist Deep”: An ex-con (Tyrese) risks his life and freedom after his son is kidnapped in a carjacking.

“Garfield’s A Tale of Two Kitties”: Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer) travels to the United Kingdom, and he brings his cat, Garfield (voiced by Bill Murray), along for the trip. A case of mistaken cat identity finds Garfield ruling over a castle, but his reign is soon jeopardized by the nefarious Lord Dargis (Billy Connolly), who has designs on the estate.

June 30

“Superman Returns”: After a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel returns to Metropolis, only to find Lex Luthor is back to his old tricks — and Lois Lane may have moved on.

“The Devil Wears Prada”: A young woman (Anne Hathaway) scores a coveted job working for Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), one of New York City’s biggest magazine editors, and also one of its most notorious bosses.

July 5

“Little Man”: A wannabee dad (Shawn Wayans) mistakes a short, baby-faced criminal (Marlon Wayans) on the lam as his newly adopted son.

July 7

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”: When Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds out he owes a blood debt to ghostly Davey Jones (of locker fame), he desperately searches for a way to pay it off, or else face eternal damnation in the afternoon. And he’s not above interrupting the wedding plans of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) to do it.

“A Scanner Darkly”: Undercover cop Fred (Keanu Reeves) is one of many agents hooked on the popular drug Substance D, which causes its users to develop split personalities. Fred, for instance, is also Bob, a notorious drug dealer. Along with his superior officers, Fred sets up an elaborate scheme to catch Bob and tear down his operation.

July 14

“Pulse”: When their computer hacker friend accidentally channels a mysterious wireless signal, a group of co-eds rally to stop a terrifying evil from taking over the world

“You, Me and Dupree”: A recently married couple’s wedded bliss is tested when their best man (Owen Wilson) moves in with them for an undefined period of time.

“Pathfinder”: A Viking boy is left behind after his clan battles a Native American tribe. Raised within the tribe, he ultimately becomes their savior in a fight against the Norsemen.

July 21

“Lady in the Water”: M. Night Shyamalan’s take of an apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) who rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains.

“Monster House”: Three young kids discover a house in their neighborhood is a living, breathing, scary monster.

“My Super Ex-Girlfriend”: When Matt (Luke Wilson) dumps Jenny (Uma Thurman) for being too needy, she uses her super powers to make his life miserable.

July 28:

“Miami Vice”: Vice detectives James Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) take on the Florida drug world.

“Barnyard”: When Farmer Beady goes away, it’s time for the animals to talk and sing and dance. But when elder statesman Ben the Cow (Sam Elliott) asks who will step up and protect their secrets, all eyes turn to his son, Otis (Kevins James), a carefree type who’s more interested in pursuing Daisy (Courtney Cox), the cow of his dreams, than being responsible.

“John Tucker Must Die”: When three girls realize they’re all dating the same guy (Jesse Metcalfe), they set out to ruin his life.

“I Could Never Be Your Woman”: Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer) falls for the much-younger Adam (Paul Rudd), while her daughter (Saoirse Ronan) experiences love for the very first time. Mother Nature (Tracey Ullman), meanwhile, decides to meddles with both of their fates.

Aug. 4

“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”: Rebel NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) faces stiff competition in the form of his new teammate, Jean Girard (Baron Cohen). Bobby partners with his buddy, Cal (John C. Reilly), to form Thunder and Lightning, the most feared duo in the game.

“Fearless”: Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li) overcomes personal and physical setbacks to become the most famous Chinese fighter at the turn of the 20th century.

“The Ant Bully”: After Lucas Nickle floods an ant colony with his watergun, he’s shrunken down to insect size and sentenced to hard labor in the ruins.

“The Night Listener”: Radio show host Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) sparks to a harrowing manuscript written by young Pete Logand (Rory Culkin). As a long-distance friendship develops between the two men, Gabriel begins to question the validity of the boy’s story, and he travels from New York to Wisconsin to uncover the truth.

Aug. 9

“World Trade Center”: Port Authority police officers John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage) and William Jimeno (Michael Pe—a) become trapped under the rubble of the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.

Aug. 11

“The Reaping”: Katherine Morrissey (Hilary Swank), a professor known for debunking miracles, heads to a small town in Texas to investigate occurrences that appear to be the 10 Biblical plagues.

“Accepted”: A high school slacker (Justin Long) confounds his parents with his business-like savvy when it comes time to apply for college. Now if only the school he’s enrolled in were real.

“Zoom”: Social outcast Summer Jones (Kate Mara) is ushered away by her mysterious father (Tim Allen) to a new school. She learns that her dad is secretly a superhero, and she’s been brought to the academy where she, along with other kids, can develop her special talents. Soon into her training, Summer discovers that an enemy of the academy is plotting against the school, and her.

“Step Up”: A brush with the law earns Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum) a community service sentence at Baltimore’s elite Maryland School of the Arts. As an outsider, he’s resistant to assert himself in any way, until a promising ballet dancer (Jenna Dewan) nurtures his unexplored talent.

Aug. 18

“Snakes on a Plane”: On board a flight over the Pacific Ocean, an assassin, whose target is a potential mob informant in the custody of FBI agent Nelville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson), frees a crate of deadly snakes. With hundreds of poisonous snakes loose on the flight, Flynn works with a rookie pilot and a terrified crew to keep the passengers safe, and to get his witness to his trial.

“Clerks II”: When the Quick Stop abruptly folds, old pals Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) and Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) are forced to join the crew at Mooby’s, a fast food joint where dreams go to die.

“The Science of Sleep”: An insecure young man (Gael Garcia Bernal) who lives in his dreams as much as in his real life attempts to establish a connection with his new neighbor (Charlotte Gainsbourg).

Aug. 25

“Invincible”: Philadelphia Eagles fan Vince Papali (Mark Wahlberg) takes advantage of an open tryout for the team, only to see his wildest dream come true.

“Beerfest”: Two brothers travel to Germany for Oktoberfest, only to stumble upon secret, centuries-old competition described as a “Fight Club” with beer games.

“DOA: Dead or Alive”: Plot unknown.

“Idlewild”: A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer (Big Boi) and his piano player (Andre 3000) contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club.

“How to Eat Fried Worms”: During the first day of his new school year, a fifth-grade boy squares off against a bully and winds up accepting a dare that could change the balance of power within the class.

“Material Girls”: Sisters Tanzie (Hilary Duff) and Persia Marchetta (Haylie Duff) are heiresses to their family’s cosmetics fortune. The girls are given a wake-up call when a scandal and ensuing investigation strip them of their wealth.

Sept. 1:

“Idiocracy”: The Pentagon selects Army soldier and average American Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) as its guinea pig for a top-secret program. Zapped 1,000 years into the future, Bowers encounters a society in which he’s easily the smartest person around.

“Crank”: A hit man (Jason Statham) goes on an adrenaline-infused 24-hour rampage after discovering that he’s been poisoned and his girlfriend (Amy Smart) is in a world of trouble.

“Stormbreaker”: After his uncle dies and his secret life as a spy is exposed, young Alex Rider (Alex Pettyfer) is enlisted by MI6, Britain’s secret intelligence organization, to pick up where his uncle left off. The newly trained super-spy investigates a businessman’s planned donation of one of his supercomputers to every school in the country.

“The Return”: A young businesswoman’s complicated personal life is further troubled by her vivid nightmares about a murder of a woman she’s never met. The dreams propel her to investigate the crime, and what she discovers begins to threaten her own life.

“Crossover”: Noah (Wesley Jonathan) and Tech (Anthony Mackie) are best friends and talented basketball players with radically different plans for the future. Their interests — Noah’s got a scholarship to UCLA while Tech has his sights on an underground street ball championship — bring them both to Los Angeles, where fate has something in store for each.





Rosemary Ford writes for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Mass.