Evelyn Barge
A&E Editor
The blessedly sweet relief of the summer movie season is just around the corner, and it can’t come a moment too soon.
After being barraged by dozens of intellectually demanding films during Oscar season and enduring the barren wasteland of movies during spring, there is nothing more pleasant than mentally checking out with a whole season of mindless entertainment. You just can’t beat a good popcorn movie, except with the popcorn itself (extra butter, please).
But before delving into the hidden treasures waiting just around the corner in sunshineland, there is one movie slated for a spring arrival that is actually worth mentioning.
Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City” may be the film that makes the spring movie season tolerable.
Rodriguez had to quit the Director’s Guild of America so he could add graphic artist Frank Miller to the film’s credits as another director. In another violation of the guild’s rules, he also added Quentin Tarantino’s name to the credits as “Special Guest Director” for a scene with Clive Owen and Benicio Del Toro. The film appears to be about as unorthodox as its director, who is renowned for single-handedly writing, directing and editing each of his films.
For fans of film noir, “Sin City” is a long-awaited breakthrough. The movie clearly packs a visual punch, appearing in almost the exact likeness of Miller’s comic books. Green-screened special effects and entirely digital cinematography aided this endeavor. Thus, the star-studded cast moves about a world composed entirely in black and white shadows. The fantastical cityscape is a hyper-stylized version of raw, gritty film noir and truly is one of the few must-see spring movies.
Next up is “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” directed by the relatively obscure Garth Jennings. Interestingly enough, Douglas Adams, who wrote the book, actually penned the screenplay before his death in 2001. True “Hitchhiker” fans should find relief in this authenticity. Another all-star cast rounds out this film that promises to be a comedic adventure to the stars. Also, look to Martin Freeman off the hysterical British TV program “The Office” to provide some of his deadpan wit and humor.
All signs point to “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” as the most anticipated movie of 2005. Everyone, from hardcore George Lucas fans to his greatest detractors, is looking to see what Lucas has up his sleeve in this final installment. While disappointment is still running high after the last two episodes in the trilogy, it’s almost impossible to give up that inkling of hope that Lucas will return to his classic roots and bring it all home with a bang. Never mind the fact that this is unlikely to happen. In Hollywood, it’s all about the high-pressure buildup followed by a crash-and-burn letdown.
But here’s to hoping that the two hottest individuals known to mankind won’t let audiences down with “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie team up for this action film directed by Doug Liman. The two play married assassins who are assigned to take the other out.
Liman proved he has the directorial chops to handle a captivating action flick with “The Bourne Identity.” Vince Vaughn also appears in the movie and is likely to add some comic relief.
Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” presents itself as the summer flick most likely to either fail miserably or soar into film history. Burton may be the only director who could pull off a fantastic remake of this classic film, and moviegoers are crossing their fingers that he manages the daunting task. His eerie take on the childhood favorite starring Johnny Depp looks to be a magical venture in uncharted dream worlds.
All hail director Christopher Nolan for steering clear of too much computer-generated imagery in the upcoming “Batman Begins.”
The film was shot around the globe, and there is nothing like authentic location shooting for crafting a praise-worthy summer movie. Among dozens of typical summer blockbusters all loaded down with special effects, “Batman Begins” has the chance to become a real classic. Not to mention the fact that it will finally be revealed on screen how Bruce Wayne’s superhero destiny came to be. The cinematic possibilities are almost too exciting to bear.
03-31-2005
