Our Guide To Summer At The Movies - 2006 Edition

Join us as we venture forth into theaters each week this summer to bring you (drumroll, please) Summer At The Movies '06!

Release Date: July 28, 2006Miami Vice (2006)

This film is rated R.

Plot: When a couple of undercover agents are gunned down by white supremacists, Crockett (Farrelll) and Tubbs (Foxx) go deep undercover to try and bring down the drug smuggling operation behind the killings. But, when Crockett falls for the boss’ wife Isabella (Li), they start blurring the edges between reality and their false identites. Based on the characters from the 1980’s TV show of the same name.

        *
    "...takes the legacy of the 80's TV show - and totally obliterates it."
     

Release Date: July 21, 2006Monster House (2006)

This film is rated PG.

Plot: After an accident puts his neighbor (Buscemi) in the hospital, 13-year old DJ (Musso) and his friend Chowder (Lerner) begin to witness strange things about the now empty house. As the house’s actions get more and more worriesome, and no adults will believe them, they decide they must take things into their own hands to stop the house…before Halloween night delivers trick-or-treaters to it’s doorstep. Animated.

        ***
    "...fun up until the end, but leaves us with a rather sickly, too-sweet aftertaste."
     

Release Date: July 21, 2006Clerks II (2006)

This film is rated R.

Plot: After a fire guts the convenience store they’ve been working at for 10 years, friends Dante (O’Halloran) and Randall (Anderson) have to go work at Mooby’s, a soulless fast-food chain restaurant - and perpetual slackers/dealers Jay (Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) follow along right behind.

        ****
    "...a fitting conclusion to the Jay and Silent Bob film series."
     

Release Date: July 07, 2006Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

This film is rated PG-13.

Plot: After 13 years of being Captain of the Black Pearl, Jack Sparrow (Depp) has forgotten about the deal he made. But Davy Jones, the ruler of the seas, hasn’t - and it’s time collect. Meanwhile, Will Turner (Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Knightley) have to postpone their wedding after they are accused of aiding a pirate. To clear them, Will must find Jack Sparrow and bring Jack’s fabled compass back to the East India Trading Company. But Elizabeth isn’t one to sit and wait. Inspired by the Disney Theme Park Ride.

        ****
    "...one of the most enjoyable films you'll see this summer - despite it's cliffhanger ending."
     

Release Date: June 28, 2006Superman Returns (2006)

This film is rated PG-13.

Plot: After a five year absence, The Man Of Steel (Routh) returns to Metropolis, only to find out that the world has moved on…and so has Lois Lane (Bosworth). Plus, old nemesis Lex Luthor (Spacey) is up to a whole new set of tricks. Welcome back, Superman!

        **
    "...Kevin Spacey's Luthor is worth the price of admission, but the viewer may tune out the rest."
     

Release Date: June 23, 2006Click (2006)

This film is rated PG-13.

Plot: Michael Newman (Sandler) doesn’t have enough time to balance his job and his family. Looking for a little something to make his life easier, he takes a late-night trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond, where he meets the strange Morty (Walken). Morty presents him with what he wants - a remote control to control his universe. Little does he suspect, that’s quite literal, as he finds he can rewind and fast-forward his life. But, when the remote gets out of hand, will he miss out on what really matters in life?

        ****
    "...[the viewer] should end up coming out all smiles."
     

Release Date: June 09, 2006Cars (2006)

This film is rated G.

Plot: Lightning McQueen (Wilson), a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs days before the biggest race of his life. Animated.

 
        ****
    "...Pixar makes an animated talking car have more presence on-screen than any number of overrated actors."
     

Release Date: June 06, 2006The Omen (2006)

This film is rated R.

Plot: Damien (Davey-Fitzpatrick) is the son of an American diplomat (Schreiber) and his wife (Stiles). Damien’s family is unaware he is destined to become the Anti-Christ – until shattering events reveal the terrifying truth. Based on the 1976 film.

        *½
    "...a far cry from the classic 1976 film."
     

Release Date: May 19, 2006The Da Vinci Code (2006)

This film is rated PG-13.

Plot: When the curator of the Louvre is murderd and Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Hanks) is suspected, Langdon teams up with gifted cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Tautou) to find the true murderer - and stumble upon an even greater mystery involving The Priory Of Scion, an ultra-secretive sect charged with keeping one of the greatest secrets of all time. Based on the novel by Dan Brown.

        *½
    "..stick to the print version of this one - the film is sure to disappoint."