2008 Woodie Awards
Summer movie preview
Arts Staff
Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Arts & Living
The children meet a new character, Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle, King Miraz, wants to kill him and appoint his own son as predecessor to the throne. Peter and Prince Caspian then embark on a mission to seek out Aslan and salvage their precious Narnia. Fans are jumping out of their skin in anticipation and with hopes for more jam-packed action-adventure sequences.
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
Release: May 22
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBoeuf, Cate Blanchett
It's been almost 20 years since the last Indy installment, "The Last Crusade," was released in theaters. Steven Spielberg has since gone on to win Oscars, but that hasn't dimmed his affection for the serial-inspired franchise.
Set in 1959, the film pits Indy against new adversaries: the Soviet Union. Cate Blanchett is on hand to star as the film's bob cut-sporting villain Irina Spalko, who seeks the power of the crystal skull of Akator. Guarded by an army of the undead, legend supposes that the skull grants ultimate power.
Fans dismissive of Ford's age should recall Sean Connery in "The Last Crusade," who more than kept up with the younger competition. As insurance, the studio has recruited Shia LeBoeuf, just in case the sexagenarian fails to capture the interest of that coveted young adult demographic. Indy's "Raiders" love interest, played by Karen Allen, also resurfaces.
But of greater risk than age or hackneyed adventures, the perils of commercialism await. Burger King, Dr. Pepper and Mars are all advertising with the Indiana name. While it's easy to disparage such cheap endorsement, at least we can say the mint M&Ms and coconut Indiana Jones-inspired candy bars sound scrumptious.
"Sex and the City"
Release: May 30
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Noth
The fab four are back. No, not the Beatles. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) return, setting their Manolos to the streets of New York once more in the big-screen version of the HBO series. Trouble may have lurked behind the scenes, but that's all in the past.
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
Release: May 22
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBoeuf, Cate Blanchett
It's been almost 20 years since the last Indy installment, "The Last Crusade," was released in theaters. Steven Spielberg has since gone on to win Oscars, but that hasn't dimmed his affection for the serial-inspired franchise.
Set in 1959, the film pits Indy against new adversaries: the Soviet Union. Cate Blanchett is on hand to star as the film's bob cut-sporting villain Irina Spalko, who seeks the power of the crystal skull of Akator. Guarded by an army of the undead, legend supposes that the skull grants ultimate power.
Fans dismissive of Ford's age should recall Sean Connery in "The Last Crusade," who more than kept up with the younger competition. As insurance, the studio has recruited Shia LeBoeuf, just in case the sexagenarian fails to capture the interest of that coveted young adult demographic. Indy's "Raiders" love interest, played by Karen Allen, also resurfaces.
But of greater risk than age or hackneyed adventures, the perils of commercialism await. Burger King, Dr. Pepper and Mars are all advertising with the Indiana name. While it's easy to disparage such cheap endorsement, at least we can say the mint M&Ms and coconut Indiana Jones-inspired candy bars sound scrumptious.
"Sex and the City"
Release: May 30
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Noth
The fab four are back. No, not the Beatles. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) return, setting their Manolos to the streets of New York once more in the big-screen version of the HBO series. Trouble may have lurked behind the scenes, but that's all in the past.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
A. Nony Mous
posted 5/13/08 @ 12:54 AM EST
I'd like to point out that the Collegian doesn't have bad writing, just poor editing. This article would be great, but it's rife with cringe-inducing grammatical errors. (Continued…)
I. Don't thinkso
posted 5/14/08 @ 3:36 PM EST
I'd blame the poor writing. It's a bit unfair to blame the editors when they have very little to work with. Write your own article and be the change.
Lemonade Diet
posted 6/14/08 @ 10:20 PM EST
This is the best summer ever for movies. Many are based on charactors that have been around for decades. So Hancock has a lot of competition. But I do not remember Will Smith making a bad movie. (Continued…)
snob
posted 6/16/08 @ 1:10 AM EST
nor is independence day a great film, by any stretch of the imagination. will smith is ok, and hancock will probably be a success, but as the summer goes its not one of the great draws. (Continued…)
Ruth
posted 7/24/08 @ 6:37 AM EST
I really enjoyed the first Narnia movie and thought it did good justice to the books. However, Prince Caspian was a big disappointment.
Was Speed Racer any better?
Post a Comment