A Guide to the 2006 Summer Film Releases
Mission: Impossible III (May 5)
Tom Cruise reprises his role as agent Ethan Hunt in the next in the MI series. Oscar winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman is already receiving praise as MI:III’s villain. Keri Russel also stars. With a list of exoctic locations and a massive budget, the film is sure to make a splash, however, information on the plot and characters has been kept tightly under wraps by the studio. David Fincher, who directed “Se7en” and “Fight Club,” was originally attached to the project, but “Alias” produced JJ Abrams soon took over. This will be another test as the whether a film can withstand Cruise’s public antics, Scientology obsession, and Katie Holmes make-out sessions.
http://www.missionimpossible.com/
The Da Vinci Code (May 19)
One of the most anticipated and controversial new releases, this early summer flick is sure to be a blockbuster. Starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tutou (“Amelie”), the film is an adaptation of Dan Brown’s international bestseller. Lawsuits and public relations campaigns have plagued the release, yet director Ron Howard’s film will debut on time. It will debut On May 17th at the Cannes Film Festival before it’s nation-wide release. The film is sure to be received with both open arms and protests from Catholic groups across the world.
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thedavincicode/
The Break Up (June 2)
After release delay, Universal Pictures will finally release the film that allowed Jennifer Aniston to move on from her much publicized divorce from Brad Pitt. Aniston and co-star Vince Vaughn (now famously a couple) portray a bickering couple who both refuse to move out of their Chicago condo after their break-up. The film promises to be a great date movie, with chick flick appeal for women and plenty of Vince Vaughn comedy for the men.
http://www.thebreakupmovie.net/
Nacho Libre (June 16)
“Nacho Libre” is the newest comedy from Jared Hess, the director of “Napoleon Dynamite.” It stars Jack Black as a young Mexican friar living as a cook in a monastery. After entering the world of professional wrestling to earn extra money for the brotherhood, hilarity ensues. Black, of course, brings is own brand of wit and insanity.
http://www.nacholibre.com/
Devil Wears Prada (June 30)
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Lauren Weisberger, “Prada” stars Anne Hathaway (“Princess Diaries”) and Meryl Steep. The snarky chick lit film follows a young graduate as she survives her job as an assistant to an evil magazine editor a la Anna Wintour. The trailer debuts on television and the internet soon. One of the few chick flicks of the summer with anticipated high praise.
Superman Returns (June 30)
Brandon Routh fills the red cape left empty by Christopher Reeve. While early fan reaction is mixed, Warner Brothers is counting on a big opening weekend for the comic-adaptation. Kevin Spacey stars as Lex Luthor and Orlando Bloom’s lady love Kate Bosworth is roving reporter Lois Lane. “Superman Returns” will also be released simultaneously in IMAX theaters. Check local listings for showtimes. A Summer 2009 sequel is already in the works.
http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (July 7)
Johnny Depp reprises his Oscar nominated role as dirty pirate Jack Sparrow in this sequel to the 2003 Disney hit. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly also return to this first sequel in the “Pirates” trilogy. The film will debut at Disneyland in Anaheim to coincide with the refurbishing of the ride of the same name.
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/
A Scanner Darkly (July 7)
This new film from Warner Independent Films take the view of an America that has lost the war on drugs. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr., and Winona Ryder, but they may appear a bit different than usual. This is because while all the actors contribute, the film itself is an odd version of animation. Written and directed by Richard Linklater, the man behind “School of Rock” and “Dazed and Confused.”
http://wip.warnerbros.com/
Little Miss Sunshine (July 28)
This film debuted to rave reviews at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, and even received a standing ovation. It will be released this summer under the direction of Fox Searchlight, the studio that brought you “Garden State” and “Thank You For Smoking.” It follows a dysfunctional family as they travel to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. The all-star cast includes Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/littlemisssunshine/trailer/
Miami Vice (July 28)
Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell team up as the suave crime-fighting duo in this remake of the 80’s cop drama. The film is directed by Michael Mann, who also directed “The Insider” and “Collateral.”
http://www.miamivice.com/main.html
Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby (Aug 4)
If you loved “Anchor Man” or “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” then you don’t want to miss Talladega Nights. John C Reilly, Amy Adams, and Sascha Baron Cohen (of Ali G fame) join Will Ferrell on the big screen story of a NASCAR legend. Adam McKay delivers more comedy in the vein of his other film starring Ferrel, “Anchor Man.”
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/talladeganights/
World Trade Center (Aug 11)
The second of this summer’s 9/11 films, this movie tells of the story of two Port Authority workers who were the last pulled from wreckage of Ground Zero. Directed by Oliver Stone and starring Maria Bello and Nicolas Cage, it is billed as a human spin on the terrible tragedy, focusing on an uplifting story.
http://www.wtcmovie.com/
Clerks II (Aug 18)
Kevin Smith fans the world over are eagerly awaiting the sequel to 1994’S “Clerks.” The original cast returns, although this time they’re in color. Instead of a convenience store/video combo, this time Dante and Randal work at Mooby’s, a venue known well to Smith fans as a central plot point of “Dogma.” Jay and Silent Bob also return to the screen in this sequel.
http://www.clerks2.com/
Idlewild (Aug 25)
“Idlewild” is being billed as the new film featuring hip hop duo Outkast, but the cast of this film is more than just Big Boi and Andre 3000. Terrence Howard, Ben Vereen, Patti LaBelle, Macy Gray, Ving Rhames, Cicely Tyson, and Bruce Bruce are just a few of the big names appearing in this prohibition era musical.
http://www.idlewildmovie.net/
