Robots, monsters, mutants, pirates and all other things violent. Another summer filmgoing season is upon us, and as such, I'm recommending 15 flicks that look to be worth both your time and money.
1.) The Matrix Reloaded\nOpening: May 15\nThe first in what's likely to be the greatest cinematic one-two punch of this year, if not all time, "The Matrix Reloaded" will be the coolest flick of the summer. Don't believe me? Simply download the latest trailer and keep a fresh pair of undies nearby.\n \n2-3.) X2: X-Men United/ The Hulk\nOpening: May 2/ June 20\nMarvel looks to be furthering its vice grip over the multiplex with "X2" and "The Hulk." As a film geek, I'm happy as a pig in a vat of mud that smart, talented directors who cut their teeth with polished prestige pictures (Bryan Singer broke-out with "The Usual Suspects," while Ang Lee catapulted to stardom with "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") are lensing these comic book adaptations. Despite the longer, lamer X-Men moniker and the somewhat suspect images of The Hulk seen thus far, my inner 12 year old will inevitably win out, and I'll see both these flicks -- probably numerous times.\n4.) Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines\nOpening: July 2\nI was just as skeptical of this relatively unneeded sequel as I was of the initially abysmal-looking "Hulk" pic. Enter a better European trailer (Isn't it funny how Europeans promo big, bloated American action movies better than we do?) and I was converted. So long as this $170 million bonanza's not PG-13, we could certainly have a winner.
5-6.) Bad Boys II/ S.W.A.T.\nOpening: July 18/ August 8\nTwo cool cop flicks hitting late in the summer: One is a sequel to the 1995 action comedy, the other a remake of the oft-forgotten '70s television series of the same name.\nBoth boast dope trailers, but I'd rather see a team-up of Martin Lawrence and Colin Farrell (star of "S.W.A.T."). With the trigger-happy, chiba-head and the drunken, horny Irishman, hijinks and hilarity must ensue. It'll probably come to fruition in sitcom form when their careers fizzle out -- give it a year or two.
7.) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl\nOpening: July 9\nSure, I'll admit it -- I liked "Cutthroat Island." There, sue me. Pirate flicks are a relatively untapped resource as of late (mostly, if not completely, because of the aforementioned bomb), but when done right, they're great. Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, newcomer/hottie Keira Knightley and respected character actor Jonathan Pryce all lend their names to this swashbuckler. As directed by schlockmeister Gore Verbinski ("The Ring"), the film's likely to not only scare young children, but to be worlds better than "The Country Bears."
8.) Finding Nemo\nOpening: May 30\nOne word: Pixar. That's enough to plunk eight bucks toward this oceanic cartoon. Hopefully, this one's on par with "Toy Story" and "Monsters Inc." If so, I'll be a happy kid in a grown man's body.
9-11.) Bruce Almighty/ American Wedding/ Broken Lizard's Club Dread\nOpening: May 23/ August 1/ sometime in August\nThese three films are the greatest hope audiences have for laughs this summer. "Almighty" re-teams Jim Carrey with Tom Shadyak, who directed his best comedies aside from "Dumb and Dumber," those being "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and "Liar, Liar." "American Wedding" reunites the funnier cast members of the first two "American Pie" flicks (i.e. Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy and Eddie Kaye Thomas) under the direction of Bob Dylan progeny, Jesse Dylan (who lensed the underrated "How High"). "Club Dread" is the second feature from renowned comedy troupe Broken Lizard. As those of you who've seen "Super Troopers" know, this is something to be anticipating.
12-13.) 28 Days Later/ Cabin Fever \nOpening: June 27/ sometime in August\nHorror films have been in the dumps as of late. Hopefully, these independently made zombie flicks will snap the genre out of its longstanding lull. If nothing else, you'll get to see "Trainspotting" director Danny Boyle take a stab at slasher and "Boy Meets World" vet Rider Strong get eaten alive by a flesh-eating virus. Both are good things.
14.) Seabiscuit\nOpening: July 25\nSummer's sole prestige pic features an all-star cast including Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, recent Oscar-winner Chris Cooper and William H. Macy. As written and directed by "Pleasantville" helmer Gary Ross, the flick should overcome its lame equine-based moniker.
15.) Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle\nOpening: June 27\nChicks, guns, karate, motorcycles and the Knack's "My Sharona" -- need I say more?
