Movie Minutiae - 20th Century Fox Preview - Spring/Sumer 2007
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Below is a list of the upcoming Spring/Summer releases for 20th Century Fox. The synopses come
straight from the studio - you know I'd never use such flowery language to describe these films. My expectations and
insights are included. Release dates are subject to change. My opinions are subject to be highly accurate.
FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER - June 15
Action-adventure
Director: Tim Story
Story by: John Turman and Mark Frost; Screenplay by: Don Payne and Mark Frost
Producers: Bernd Eichinger, Avi Arad, Ralph Winter
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Kerry Washington, and Andre Braugher
Marvel's first family of superheroes, The Fantastic Four, meets their greatest challenge yet in FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER
SURFER as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As the Silver Surfer
races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the
surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, before all hope is lost.
Johnny's Take: *shrugs shoulders* I dunno. I just can't get excited about the
film, mainly because of how mediocre the original was (read my review for an
excellent analysis of the film's shortcomings).
Granted, the Silver Surfer looks pretty cool, despite the fact that he's basically a naked Destro, but I'm just not feeling it.
I'll go see it (for free), and I'll keep my expectations low, but the movie faces a monumental task if it wants to entertain me
on anything above cheese level.
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LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD - June 27
Action-adventure
Director: Len Wiseman
Based upon the article "A Farewell to Arms" by John Carlin
Certain original characters by Roderick Thorp
Story by David Marconi
Screenplay by Mark Bomback
Producer: Michael Fottrell
Cast: Bruce Willis, Justin Long, Maggie Q, Timothy Olyphant
Live Free or Die Hard is the ultimate summer action ride. In a season overflowing with CGI fantasy, Live Free or Die Hard
gets real with real action, real humor and a relatable everyman hero: John McClane. On the Fourth of July holiday, an attack on the
vulnerable United States infrastructure begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the scheme has figured out
every modern angle, but he never figured on an old-school "analog" fly in the "digital" ointment. Bruce Willis is John McClane. No
mask. No cape. No problem.
Johnny's Take: All right, I just watched the trailer and the movie looks like it'll
contain some of the most over-the-top, unbelievable action scenes to come along in quite a while. But you know what? It looks like
a fun night at the theater! Who needs greatness every single night? Sometimes, disbelief-suspending action and Bruce Willis cracking
wise is just what the doctor ordered.
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THE SIMPSONS MOVIE - July 27
It takes a wide screen to fully capture Homer Simpson's stupidity, and THE SIMPSONS MOVIE does it. In the eagerly-awaited animated
feature film based on the hit TV series, Homer must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created.
Johnny's Take: Another movie that I'm just not feelin'. I haven't watched
The Simpsons in years and really feel no obligation to see a big screen version. I'm sure it'll have its moments, but I'm
not waiting with eager anticipation.
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DEATH SENTENCE - August 31
Action-thriller
Director: James Wan
Screenplay by: Ian Mackenzie Jeffers based on the novel by Brian Garfield
Producers: Ashok Amritraj, Howard Baldwin and Karen Baldwin
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Garrett Hedlund, Kelly Preston, Aisha Tyler, and John Goodman
Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until he witnesses the brutal murder of his oldest son in a gang
initiation rite. Transformed by grief into a vigilante, Hume is determined to set the balance sheets right by exacting swift
revenge. But the scales of justice are fickle and the bloody weight of retribution swings it madly from side to side as Hume
discovers that vengeance carries the highest price.
Johnny's Take: Kevin Bacon as a vigilante seeking retribution? That's a strange
casting choice. I'm guessing Mel Gibson wasn't available. Sounds somewhat interesting, albeit nowhere near as original as a bucket
of KFC, so I'll withhold further judgment until I see a trailer.
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