July Forecast

By Marty Doskins

If there were any doubt, July confirms that the summer movie season is in full swing. Looking through this month's wide releases was a difficult task. I think we're going to see quite a few of these films in the middle of the pack. I'm only planning on one (maybe two) hit(s) that break away from the pack. After that, it's all up in the air.

By the way, I was extremely disappointed with the film 28 Days Later. Apparently the producers couldn't work out a deal to sign Sandra Bullock to a second film. I thought the twist of throwing in some zombies might have attracted her. I guess not.

On to the list.

1. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

The long awaited third film in the hugely popular Terminator series has finally arrived and Arnold is back in the starring role. They wanted to have some kind of gimmick and they seem to have done it. There's a female Terminator this time played by the lovely Kristanna Loken. It also looks like the filmmakers have outdone themselves in the special effects department. There's no question what's going to be the big number one film this month.

2. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life

Another sequel that should do very well. Angelina Jolie returns as the popular PC game character. It's incredible how they found just the perfect person to cast for this role. She's got the right look (read: body) and she pulls it off with such a commanding presence. Along with Charlie's Angels, the movie going public is definitely drawn to the strong female roles.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

The popular Disneyland amusement park ride comes to the big screen. Johnny Depp has been cast in the main role as pirate Jack Sparrow. The marketing push for this film has been very strong on TV and in the theaters. I think viewers will be very curious about this film and it should pay off at the box office for Disney. "YO HO! YO HO! A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME!"

4. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over

Yes, there will be 3-D scenes where everyone will be wearing those goofy glasses. Robert Rodriguez knew he wanted to make three films in this series so he made sure to get them into production in quick succession. He didn't want older teenagers playing the Spy Kids. He wanted the faces to stay fresh. I am really impressed that Rodriguez didn't let the quality of the sequel fall behind the first movie. This one should get kids to drag their parents off the couch and into the theaters.

5. Bad Boys II

It's been eight long years, but Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are back together as Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowery. I'm really surprised that they actually got together both of these big stars to do this film after such a long time. We usually see sequels come out much sooner these days after the original film's release. But I don't think the time away will hurt the box office numbers too much. There were some scenes shown from this film a while ago to whet people's appetites. Now we should see a big push to get them to show up on movie night.

6. Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde

Reese Witherspoon is back as Elle Woods - fashion maven and Harvard-graduated lawyer. Now she's taking on the real world in Washington, D.C. I know a lot of people dismissed the first film as dopey. However, I think that Witherspoon has a pretty solid following. The movie will finish quite a ways behind Terminator 3, which opens the same day, but it won't be totally lost in the shuffle.

7. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

No matter which title you've seen in this film's previews, I think this one is going to be a big disappointment. I hope I'm proven wrong because I think they have a great cast and an interesting premise. However, I don't know if the studio has really put together solid enough commercials. You don't really get the idea of what this film is about other than action. Maybe that will be enough, but I don't think so.

8. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

This film has been in the works off and on for quite a long time. There have been commercials showing up lately, but I think this one's going to be pushed to the side by the other strong films that are open. There will probably be more repeat viewings of Finding Nemo than first time for this one.

9. Johnny English

Fresh off his role in Scooby-Doo, Rowan Atkinson goes back to his wacky antics by spoofing the James Bond spy series as "master spy" Johnny English. Personally, I think this film looks hilarious. My kids think so, too. However, Atkinson hasn't gained a strong following here in the U.S. like he has overseas, where this film has done HUGE business. This one will probably be out of U.S. theaters pretty quick and on to the video shelves in short order.

10. How to Deal

Unfortunately, I think this teen flick will be lost among all these other much larger films. Mandy Moore is back in another film that plays well off her wholesome image. I don't think that's what that many movie audiences are looking for.

  • Read Tim Briody's July forecast
  • Read John Hamann's July forecast
  • Read Stephanie DeGateo's July forecast
  • Read Dan Krovich's July forecast
  • Read David Mumpower's July forecast

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