Summer Sizzlers | June 2000
by Beth Rowen |
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Another popular cartoon of the 1960s comes to the big screen, complete with a full line of merchandise tie-ins. The spies from Pottsylvania, Boris Badenov (Jason Alexander) and Natasha Fatale (Rene Russo), along with their Fearless Leader (Robert De Niro), have transported themselves into the real world and are ready to wreak havoc. It's up to the titular characters to save the day. June Foray, who voiced the Rocky character in the series, has reprised her role for the film, which combines live action and animation.
Cast: Jason Alexander, Monica Potter, Rene Russo, Randy Quaid, Robert De Niro; director: Des McAnuff
Gone in 60 Seconds
Oscar winners (Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, Robert Duvall) abound in this high-octane car heist film—a remake of H.B. Halicki's 1974 cult classic. Rehabilitated car thief Cage returns to his wayward ways for one night to steal 50 cars to save his little brother from the mob.
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Giovanni Ribisi, Scott Caan, James Duval, and Robert Duvall; director: Dominic Sena
Jesus' Son
Mark your calendars for this film, which should make Billy Crudup a household name. He plays FH (short for F____ Head), a drug addict and thief whose rehabilitation is fueled by finding redemption and delivering compassion. Based on Denis Johnson's 1993 book, the dark comedy also stars Samantha Morton, who gave a brilliant turn in Sweet and Lowdown, Holly Hunter, Denis Leary, and Dennis Hopper.Director: Alison MacLean
Me, Myself, and Irene
After the unexpected success of There's Something about Mary, expectations are high for Peter and Bobby Farrelly's latest comedy. That's not to say we're anticipating (or even hoping for) highbrow humor. No way, we want gutter-level scatology! Jim Carrey plays a mild-manner Rhode Island cop, Charlie, with a split personality. When he falls in love with Irene (Renee Zellweger), he and his alter ego, Hank, a sleazy Lothario, fight for her affections.
Cast: Jim Carrey, Renee Zellweger, Robert Foster, Chris Cooper, and Richard Jenkins; director: Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly
The Perfect Storm
 George Clooney in The Perfect Storm |
Three Kings' George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg storm into theaters once again in this ocean disaster flick based on Sebastian Junger's best-selling account of the doomed fishing expedition of the Andrea Gail and its crew. While most readers know how the voyage ends, checking out the 60-foot computer-generated waves is worth the price of admission. Plus, you get to hear Wahlberg reprise the Boston accent he worked so hard to eliminate.
Cast: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and John C Reilly; director: Wolfgang PetersenThe Patriot
Mel Gibson pocketed $25 million to star in this Revolutionary War drama about a war-hero-turned-farmer who'd rather brandish a hoe than a musket. But he's driven to battle when both his son and land are threatened by the redcoats. With Independence Day's Roland Emmerich at the helm and Saving Private Ryan scribe Robert Rodat penning the script, the film is destined for box-office gold.
Cast: Mel Gibson, Tcheky Karyo, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, and Tom Wilkinson; director: Roland Emmerich
Shaft
In a show of respect to the original Shaft, Richard Rountree, director John Singleton cast Samuel L. Jackson as the nephew of "the black private dick who's a sex machine with all the chicks" in this remake of the 1971 blaxploitation classic. Roundtree reprises his character. The younger Shaft is enlisted to capture the killer of a prominent member of the black community.
Cast: Samuel L Jackson, Busta Rhymes, Jeffrey Wright, Vanessa Williams, and Christian Bale; director: John Singleton
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