The Rocket

Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Focus

Media Credit: MCT Campus [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: MCT Campus [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: MCT Campus [Click to enlarge]

Even though the weather is getting nicer and the sun is shining brightly, prepare to spend most of the summer months in pitch-black rooms filled with crying babies, ringing cell phones and overpriced popcorn. With much-anticipated films being released nearly every weekend, this could be the greatest summer for movies ever.

This juggernaut of a summer will begin this weekend, May 4, with the film that has kept superhero fans waiting for three years-"Spider-Man 3." This time around, director Sam Raimi ("Evil Dead") is giving Spidey fans everywhere exactly what they want-the symbiote suit.

In the beginning, the trailers were vague about what role the black suit would play, but more recent trailers have revealed that the cult-favorite villain, Venom, will be alive and well in "Spider-Man 3." Playing the fang-filled man in black will be Topher Grace ("That '70s Show"). The lanky Grace is a perfect choice to play down-and-out photog and Peter Parker hater, Eddie Brock.

But how long will Venom be in the film? Well, with at least two other villains, Thomas Haden Church's 'Sandman' and James Franco's 'Harry Osborne' following in his dad's footsteps as the new Green Goblin, most of the Venom-y goodness might be held off until film four.

Either way, it has been three years since we've been treated to the greatness of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and I am definitely tired of waiting for the return of the web-slinger. "Spider-Man 3" will probably take back the opening weekend gross record from those dirty pirates, but the record might be broken again by the end of the summer.

Speaking of those dirty pirates, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," the finale of the popular Disney franchise, hits the silver screen May 25.

The second installment, "Dead Man's Chest," broke "Spider-Man's" opening weekend gross record but was a major step backwards from the first film. Sure it was the middle film in the franchise, but it wasn't nearly as good as "Curse of the Black Pearl."

In "At World's End," the swashbuckling pirate lifestyle is in danger of becoming extinct. Captain Jack (Johnny Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly) must unite pirate leaders from the four corners of the globe for one last massive battle against the conformist, Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) and his new sidekick, pirate baddy Davy Jones (Bill Nighy).

The special effects in the "Pirate" films have been breathtaking this far, so expect an action-packed finale for the franchise. Martial arts star Chow Yun-Fat ("Bulletproof Monk") joins the already stellar cast, making "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" a must-see film.

As far as stellar casts go, few are as star-studded as the cast of "Ocean's 13," due to hit theatres June 8. The original 11: George Clooney ("Good Night and Good Luck"), Brad Pitt ("Babel"), Matt Damon ("The Departed"), Bernie Mac ("Pride"), Casey Affleck ("The Last Kiss"), Scott Caan ("Varsity Blues"), Elliott Gould ("American History X"), Shaobo Qin ("Ocean's 11"), Carl Reiner ("The Majestic"), Eddie Jemison ("The Punisher") and Don Cheadle ("Hotel Rwanda"), along with franchise-regular Andy Garcia ("Smokin' Aces"), all return for this third installment.

"Ocean's 11" and "Ocean's 12" were slick and stylish as they followed probably the coolest cast ever as they tried to steal from the most impossible places. "13" should be just as cool, and maybe even cooler, than the previous films.

Joining the crew of 11 this time is Al Pacino ("Any Given Sunday") as a casino owner named Willie Banks who becomes the apple of the 11's collective eye. Also watch out for brilliant comedian Eddie Izzard among this massive cast.

Director Steven Soderbergh ("The Good German") has perfected the art of the ensemble heist film with his "Ocean's" series, and "13" should be a great addition to the films.

Flying back into the world of superheroes June 15 on a shiny, silver surfboard is "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."

The Fantastic Four are back this summer after stretching, clobbering, flaming and disappearing into our hearts in 2005. This time though, the four are accompanied by fan-boy favorite, The Silver Surfer.

As the story goes, the chrome-domed surfer arrives on a planet just before its imminent destruction. The threat of the world ending is always an epic affair, and two heroes that can fly make for some fun CGI magic. As you can see in the teaser trailer for the film, "Rise of the Silver Surfer" should be quite a fun film to watch.

Also, there is word of the return of Fantastic Four nemesis, Dr. Doom, whom we last saw frozen like a statue. The Fantastic Four might never be as cool as Spider-Man, but this sequel should be well worth your hard-earned summer job dollars.

Another CGI-heavy flick worth your money is going to be the spotlight of the July 4th weekend: "Transformers."

Director Michael Bay ("The Island") rounds up a cast that includes Shia LaBeouf ("Disturbia"), Josh Duhamel ("Turistas"), Tyrese Gibson ("Waist Deep"), Jon Voight ("National Treasure") and John Turturro ("Mr. Deeds") and brings to life characters that many have followed through the years.

From the 1984 TV series through the 1986 animated feature, to the many other adaptations of the robots in disguise that have captured the imagination of millions of fans everywhere, nothing has been met with more anticipation and controversy than this live-action blockbuster.

The anticipation comes from having a proven blockbuster director bringing to life characters that are nothing short of iconic with what appears to be eye-boggling special effects and design. The controversy comes from fans who are excited to have the original Optimus Prime Peter Cullen return, but who are disappointed by Hugo Weaving ("The Matrix") taking the place of original Megatron Frank Welker. Another small change that's gathering some scowls is fan-favorite Autobot Bumblebee's retro Volkswagen Beetle being thrown to the curb for the more modern, sleek Camaro.

Controversy aside, "Transformers" offers plenty for the super "Transformers" fan, the average moviegoer or the more casual fan to being excited about.

There are a lot of franchises returning to the box office this summer, but most aren't as widely popular as that darn Harry Potter.

Those Hogwarts hooligans zap their way back to the big screen July 13 with the fifth movie adaptation of the popular children's book series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Having never read the books, I cannot comment on their quality, but Warner Bros. has managed to squeeze out some quality films from J.K. Rowling's books.

Rocking the fourth different director of the franchise, David Yates ("Rank"), "The Order of the Phoenix" will follow the path the previous few films have and get deeper and darker.

Hogwarts is threatened by a new headmistress, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and company form a small army and there promises to be some major battling.

Even Radcliffe's on-stage sexual escapade with a horse won't keep this proven franchise down. The "Harry Potter" book series have sold more than 325 million copies and has a creepily-devoted following.

As the film versions have progressed, they have gotten darker and better, so "Order of the Phoenix" should be a lot of fun.

But there is one film that stands above the rest. One film that has had fans waiting longer than "Spider-Man 3." One film that has a bigger cast than "Ocean's 13." One film that has a fan base that rivals "Transformers" and "Harry Potter." This summer, after 18 years of waiting, "The Simpsons" finally get the big-screen treatment.

The trailer boasts a cast of thousands. They have had plenty of time to work up a plot worthy of a feature-length film and even though some fans have left the show that has been running since most of us can remember, "The Simpsons Movie" promises to be something special.

Whether or not the film can breathe new life into the faltering program is yet to be determined, but either way fans should enjoy seeing these yellow staples of American pop culture hit the big time.

Obviously, this summer is going to offer a lot and everyone should have something to blow his or her money on.

Horror heads out there will have the zombie sequel "28 Weeks Later," torture sequel "Hostel: Part II" and the supernatural John Cusack ("High Fidelity") thriller "1408."

Those who are looking for a laugh will be busy with "The 40 Year Old Virgin" follow-up "Knocked Up," the "Bruce Almighty" follow-up "Evan Almighty" and the "Rush Hour 2" follow-up "Rush Hour 3."

Anyone so hungry for action that "Spider-Man 3," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Transformers" just aren't enough for will whet their appetite with the video game adaptation "DOA: Dead or Alive," the next "Die Hard" flick: "Live Free or Die Hard" and Jason Bourne, round three in "The Bourne Ultimatum."

This summer will even offer a little something for the kids. Well, maybe a big something, a big green something. "Shrek the Third" brings the popular green ogre, voiced by Mike Myers ("Wayne's World"), back to the theatres.

Whatever you like, the summer of 2007 is sure to be one of the biggest movie summers of all time. This long box office journey begins with "Spider-Man 3" and will end with a declaration of bankruptcy.

Ivan Moore is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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