summer movie preview

I'm not too sure about Evan Almighty as a great movie, but it definitely looks like a great vehicle for Steve Carell. You've probably seen the shorter previews on TV for the family film about a modern-day Noah who is called upon by God (Morgan Freeman) to build an ark. The whole thing is pretty absurd, but that doesn't stop Carell from doing his usual hilarious thing. I'm actually surprised by how many times I laughed at this trailer. You can see for yourself if you read more

We now come to my favorite part of the summer movie preview series: Comedies.

The Simpsons Movie
For one of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer, the Simpsons are taking their half-hour Fox show to the big screen and stretching it to feature-length. All the familiar Springfield faces will make appearances, satisfying the show's loyal fan base though the filmmakers have also promised some surprises, like a new character and the full-frontal nudity of a certain Simpson. I am waiting with bated breath for the movie's release July 27.

Knocked Up
By now you may have seen the funny trailer for Knocked Up, the upcoming "bromantic comedy" written by 40-Year-Old Virgin's Judd Apatow. The story follows two strangers (Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl) who suddenly find themselves pregnant after a one-night stand. Early buzz for this movie is overwhelmingly positive, with critics everywhere calling it this year's 40-Year-Old Virgin. Check out the trailer on the movie's website (favorite line: "He's playing fetch with my kids. He's treating my kids like they're dogs.") and tell me what you think of Knocked Up, which opens June 1.

So much more comedy if you read more

Earlier this week I brought you glimpses of some of this summer's big-budget films and then asked you which one interested you most as the first part of my summer movie preview. Now, check out the dramatic films that promise to be most arresting.

A Mighty Heart
This story shocked and saddened me when it first appeared in the news, and while I'm not eager to relive that, A Mighty Heart seems more likely to be a tender homage to the memory of Daniel Pearl, which is important. Pearl was a journalist working in the Middle East in 2002 when he was kidnapped and ultimately beheaded, his murder recorded on videotape and sent around the Internet. A Mighty Heart chronicles his wife Mariane's (Angelina Jolie) desperate search for him when he goes missing. The film opens June 22.

Many more if you read more

Finally, May is upon us, and to me this means one thing: summer movie season begins! The season kicks off right this Friday with the release of Spider-Man 3. In honor of this, I present Part I of my Summer Movie Preview series, featuring this summer's big budget dazzlers. This year many filmmakers are playing it safe with super expensive sequels, and I can't deny that these Big Deal movies provide some great mega-tainment. Check out how the studios spent the big bucks for the summer, and stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 coming later this week.

Spider-Man 3
If the endless onslaught of marketing schemes has been successful, Spider-Man 3 will draw in the masses — and hopefully the revenue since it may be the most expensive movie ever made. This third installment of the web-slinger's series promises even more computer-generated superhero stunts, romantic tangles and grapplings between good and evil. Things are looking pretty good for Peter Parker as he goes to college and plans a wedding proposal to his lady love, Mary Jane. But trouble soon finds him in the form of the Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), Harry Osborn/Goblin (James Franco), and Venom (Topher Grace). To make matters worse, Spidey is forced to deal with his own inner demons — ones that threaten to change his life for the worse.

Lots more if you read more