THE RETRIEVER WEEKLY June 11, 2007 7 Arts & Entertainment Summer blockbusters heat up theaters Coming to Theaters This Week MALISSA CARROLL Retriever Weekly Staff Writer By Jeremy Hentschel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Whether you don’t have a big vacation Surfer (PG) – This movie really is an planned for the summer or you’re just looking for astonishing example of advertising something to do for your date on Saturday night, power. The fi rst Fantastic Four was a a trip to the movie theater could prove to be just terrible, terrible movie. Not a single what you’re looking for. person I know liked it, but now everyone Now, normally I’m not a huge fan of is excited for this sequel. Don’t expect movies – something about knowing I’ll be stuck much from this crappy series trying to in one place for the next two hours of my life cash in on the success of other super- really bothers me – but this summer, Hollywood [ C ourtesy of Dreamworks] hero movies. is releasing some that just look too good to pass Robots in Disguise: Optimus Prime and the Autobots will fi ght to protect humanity starting July 4th. up, even to me. Live Free or Die Hard (NR)– From sifting through the websites of some horror stories, in his quest to discover whether the globe to uncover the fi nal mysteries of his past Bruce Willis reprises his role as police major fi lm corporations, to reading dozens of plot the myths that surround a particular room in a while thwarting the attempts of a government offi cer John McClane after a twelve- summaries posted on IMDB.com and watching New York City hotel hold any truth. Despite the agent to track him down after his involvement in a year hiatus in this fourth installment in countless trailers on YouTube, I have put together objections of the hotel’s manager, Enslin insists on Moscow shoot-out. I love all of the Bourne movies the series. In this episode, terrorists have a list of movies that are sure to make you laugh, staying in the “haunted” room 1408 in an attempt that have been released to date, so I’m hoping this shut down the electronic infrastructure cry, scream, or jump (depending, of course, on to debunk the stories he has read about it, but soon one proves just as intense as its predecessors. in America, and Bruce Willis has to your mood at the time). And, since I have done all fi n ds he may be in way over his head. Now this is Rush Hour 3: (Release date 08/10/07) The save the kid from the Mac commercials of the leg work for you, I only ask that you make my kind of movie, a classic horror fl ick perfect for Rush Hour trilogy is now complete as this latest because he’s the only one that can bring time during your summer break to see at least one a midnight showing. installment fi nds Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker’s it back up. Doesn’t sound like Die Hard of these fi lms as Hollywood has gone above and Transformers: (Release date 07/03/07) Shia characters in Paris as they are mixed up with to me. Die Hard should be about some beyond this time around to produce what are sure LaBeouf (of Even Stevens fame) and Megan Fox and forced to fi ght part of the Chinese mafi a , big men beating up Bruce Willis, but to become some amazing summer blockbuster have the fate of mankind resting in their hands the Triads. I’ve never been a big fan of the Rush then he walks on some glass and shoots hits. as they try to end a war raging between two alien Hour series; however, both of the actors are very them. I don’t want to see this driving Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer: races, the Autobots and Decepticons. Although talented, which can make just about any movie cars into helicopters crap. (Release date 06/15/07) Starring Ioan Gruffud, I’ve never been much into sci-fi movies, this one worth seeing. Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, looks really awesome and action-packed (plus it Halloween: (Release date 08/31/07) This Ratatouille (G)– Pixar’s latest this movie follows The Fantastic Four superhero has the added bonus of Shia LaBeouf on the cast Rob Zombie remake of the classic horror fi lm offering has me saying the same thing team as they attempt to solve the mystery list; he’s an amazing actor in my opinion). stars Tyler Mane, Scout Taylor-Compton, and I said about Cars, and every other surrounding a new intergalactic villain, the Silver The Simpsons Movie: (Release date Malcolm McDowell. It follows the same plot of Pixar movie for that matter. I look Surfer, who has recently made his way to Earth, 07/27/07) Well it’s about time! After being on a psychopath escaping from a mental institution at the premise – a rat who dreams of causing nothing but trouble for all those in his television for so many years, the Simpsons have and returning to his hometown of Haddonfi eld, becoming a famous chef – and I just path. As if this wasn’t enough, on top of dealing fi n ally made their way to the big screen. Dan Illinois. Upon his return, he goes on a murderous think to myself, that sounds horrible; with the mysterious Silver Surfer, The Fantastic Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and rampage and the only person who may be able there’s no way it can be good, but Pixar Four are also forced to face the surprising return Yeardley Smith (the original voices of the Simpson to put an end to it is his trusted doctor. Now proves me wrong every time. We’ll see if of their arch-nemesis Dr. Doom. While superhero family) have all signed on to the project, which this movie is at the top of my lists for summer they can keep up the streak. movies don’t exactly thrill me, I have to admit that follows Homer Simpson as he attempts to save the blockbusters. I love the old Halloween movies and this one seems very action-packed, so it might be world from a disaster that he personally created. I’m a huge fan of Rob Zombie’s work, so I can’t Ocean’s Thirteen (PG-13) – Here worth checking out. I’ve practically grown up on The Simpsons, so I’ll imagine this being any less than totally awesome. is another Hollywood oddity for you. 1408: (Release date 06/22/07) Based on a defi nitely be checking this one out. Ocean’s Eleven was a remake of the novel by Stephen King, 1408 stars John Cusack The Bourne Ultimatum: (Release date Malissa Carroll is a Staff Writer for The 1960s movie. Remakes are usually and Samuel L. Jackson. It follows Mike Enslin 08/03/07) The third installment of the Bourne Retriever Weekly and can be reached for comment lame, but it was okay. Then they made (Cusack), an author who specializes in writing series fi nds Matt Damon’s character racing around at [email protected]. a sequel, Ocean’s Twelve, which was bad, obviously, but it just strikes me as weird that they can remake a movie, then take This weekend, go and get Knocked Up the characters and make a sequel – make that two sequels – which spins off in an released nowadays in the genre. The cast really entirely new direction. Expect rehashed JEREMY HENTSCHEL plays off each other quite well, and the timing jokes and lackluster quality due to the Retriever Weekly Editorial Staff of the jokes is perfect. From the director’s side, budget being blown on Hollywood’s the shots and the cuts both make for some really fi n est. When I fi rst heard that the cast and crew funny scenes. There is one, in particular, where of The 40 Year Old Virgin were making a new Ben sits awkwardly at the kitchen table as Alison’s Evan Almighty (PG)– Steve Carell movie without Steve Carell, I cringed. He’s such sister and her husband, Pete, have a scathing stars in this sequel to Bruce Almighty. In a funny guy; could the rest of them possibly argument right in front of him. The camera just this one, Carell reprises his role from stand on their own without him? Turns out they focuses on Seth’s face, and his expressions during the original movie – after being ruined can. Knocked Up is a hilarious and irreverent the fi ght are absolutely amazing. A scene like this by Bruce, he has fi nally rebuilt his comedy that comments on the incongruities of would only work when the director and the cast career, but God has other plans for him. our culture and warns us that one mistake can are as talented as they are in this movie. Morgan Freeman wants Steve to build alter the lives of two strangers forever. I think that the greatest strength of the an ark for the coming fl ood, and who Seth Rogen plays Ben, a lovable bumbler movie, however, is in the believability of the [ C ourtesy of Universal Pictures] could resist his rich, charming voice? who is coasting through life living with his characters. From Alison’s uptight and miserable An Unlikely Couple: Ben (Seth Rogen) and He has made his career out of giving stoner friends, and Katherine Heigl plays Alison, sister and brother-in-law to Ben’s oblivious Alison (Katherine Heigle) have some fun while sagely advice to young white people, a motivated woman who has fi nally gotten a big slacker roommates, everyone in the movie really clothes shopping for their expected baby. and he’ll be damned if Steve Carell will break in her career. To celebrate her promotion, comes alive. They are not just stereotypes there his friends had it right, and those women in the be any different. she goes out to a club with her sister. Ben happens for sight gags. Particularly early on in the movie, movie were freaking crazy. The great thing about to be there with his friends, and after a little charm I connected with Ben and his friends because it Knocked Up, however, is that I’m sure all the Hostel: Part 2 (R) – Eli Roth and a whole lot of alcohol, Ben and Alison end seemed like they were living the college man’s women leaving the theater were doing the same continues his torture-focused horror up in bed together, and in their drunken haze, dream – chilling in the backyard of the house, thing and saying the women were right, and the series, Hostel, with a new installment – this they forget to use a condom. Sure enough, a drinking, playing American Gladiators on a men were such idiots. It takes some real talent on time the characters are girls! The fi rst movie month or two later, Alison realizes she’s pregnant board suspended over the pool, etc. The jokes the part of the writers, director, and cast to make was basically an hour of porn which and must call Ben, who she hasn’t spoken with and situations they shared, like having to deal a movie, especially a comedy, as deep as that, and ended like a snuff fi lm, and the main since the morning after. The two fi nd out they with crap at a club, seemed right out of my life. Knocked Up has it. characters were guys in that one. Who really have nothing in common, but they decide I genuinely cared about the characters in this knows what this will be like, but I’m they will try and make it work for the baby. movie, and it was still a riot that had the whole sure it’ll be horrible to watch. Interpret Both the cast and the director really make this audience doubled over in laughter. Jeremy Hentschel is the Assistant Arts & that as you will. comedy succeed. From a technical aspect, this is When I was walking out of the theater, my Entertainment Editor for The Retriever Weekly and a far superior movie to most of the trash that gets friends and I were laughing about how Ben and can be reached for comment at [email protected].