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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" > FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2000 - 9 Be Sadie cov 3 Get ready: The summer blockbusters are coming SCREENING ROOM By John Foote The release this Friday of Gladiator marks the official beginning of the 2000 summer blockbuster season, which will see the release of over 120 films over the next four months. Action flicks, sequels, films based on cartoons and comic book characters - and a few original ideas - will domi- nate the summer season, with the pro- ducers of all the films eyeing the box office in hopes of becoming the sum- mer film. Here's a look at the hopefuls... GLADIATOR...Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Thelma and Louise) takes us back to ancient Rome in this stunning new film that explores the life of a gladiator, forced to fight in the great coliseum. Russell Crowe, Oscar nomi- nated for The Insider (1999) just last year, gives a star-making performance in the lead role, but the real star of this film are the visuals, which are superb. It has been a long time since Hollywood made a film about ancient times, so this one is being looked at very carefully. No worries here ... this one is terrific. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 ..Tom Cruise is back as the daring secret agent, this time directed by Hong Kong action genius John Woo, who helmed the blockbuster of 1997, Face Off. Cruise is said to be the reason the film has been often delayed, but if inside reports about the movie's action sequences are true, the producers will not be complaining. Predictions are coming fast that this is the movie to beat this summer. THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE...Taking a cue from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1987), this new feature directed by Des McAnuff blends live action with animation in a seamless manner. The live cast includes Robert de Niro, Jason Alexander, and Rene Russo, but the stars will be the lovable flying squirrel and that goofy moose. This film could be a great success, but I question whether or not today's audiences will possess the same love for the cartoons of generations past. THE PERFECT STORM... Director Wolfgang Peterson's film based on the best seller explores the lives of the men aboard the ill-fated fishing boat Andrea Gail, whose six-man crew per- ished in a monstrous storm off the coast of Newfoundland. Said to be very impressive, the film stars George Clooney in what could be the film that sends him into superstar status. X-MEN...Based on the enormously successful comic book series, this highly anticipated film figures to be among the highlights of the summer, though the production was plagued with problems. Director Bryan Singer had a major hit with The Usual Suspects (1995) but stumbled badly with his next picture, Apt Pupil (1998). Here he works with a staggering budget and strong cast, though most of them are hidden under mutant makeup. Watch for lots of stunning action sequences and | will bet some fine act- ing from lan McKellan as the arch vil- lain and Patrick Stewart as the leader of the good guys. DINOSAUR...From Disney Studios comes this visually arresting work that merges computer animation with live background sequences, exploring the lives of a group of dinosaurs. Rumours have circulated that the budget topped out in excess of 200 million, though no one at Disney is talking. Really, if the film makes that much back, there will be no complaints. The sequences | have seen are amazing, and | am betting this will be one of the most wondrous works we see this year. THE PATRIOT...This one looks a great deal like Braveheart (1995), set during the American Revolution and featuring Mel Gibson as a warrior who goes after his son. A few years ago, Hugh Hudson attempted the same type of film and same idea as well with Al Pacino in a dreadful film called Revolution (1985). The similarities are bothersome, but Mel Gibson is a better actor than he is given credit for, and in Roland Emmerich he has a director who can deliver the goods. Though with Godzilla (1998), Emmerich delivered a rather large egg. SHAFT...Not a remake, but rather something of a continuation involving John Shaft's nephew, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson. Richard Roundtree is back 26 years later as Shaft, but the Shaft in this picture is all Jackson. Director by John Singleton, who is in dire need of a hit film. GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS...Nicolas Cage once owned the summer months with The Rock (1996), Face Off (1997) and Con Air (1997), but his film Snake Eyes (1998) was a dud with audiences and critics, leaving the Oscar winner scrambiing for a hit. He may have it here as a brother to Giovianni Ribisi, both of whom enjoy stealing cars. Strong support should come from Robert Duvall and Angelina Jolie. ME MYSELF AND IRENE...Jim Carrey will not be looking for an Oscar nomi- nation with this new picture, which marks a return to his zany madcap - style. He had made it very clear that this one is for his fans. Sy J yy 0 0 Oy 0 0 00 4, 0 0, Oy I" PORT PERRY | DENTAL CENTRE New Patient RAFT/vaRD SA REFRESHMENT BOOTH | g' Q TALLY, Ve Community Theatre of Port Perry Ss Smiles Always Welcome AUD in IONS "MURDER AT RUTHERFORD HOUSE" Created by Tom Chiodo and Peter Depietro v A Murder/Mystery Dinner Theatre Experience Casting Date: May 11th at 7:30 p.m. Town Hall 1873 For more information call Ruth Smith - 905-473-1977 *Dr. J. Cottrell «Dr. J. Hardy Dr. L. Gideon * Dr. C. Banfield Dr. L. Poranganel Dr. H. Dewar * Dr. T. King (Orthodontist) Dr. T. Mcintyre (Periodontist) -- Today's Smile... MISSISSAUGAS If at first, you do OF succeed, try to hide your an -- fine ry ae SCUGOG ISLAND | MOON OVER BU astonishment! FIRST NATION A Comedy directed by Gloria Thomas Casting Dates: Tuesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. Town Hall 1873 Production Dates: Oct. 26, 27, 28, 29 and Nov. 2, 3, 4, 2000 Producer and Technical People also needed call Dave Ellis - 985-0579 pe A iT] Dental Care For The Entire Family Evening & Saturday Appointments Available Please Call 985-8451 Visit our website: www.iluvmydentist.com 238 Queen Street, Port Perry SATURDAY MAY 6, 2000 9AM - 4PM 22521 ISLAND ROAD, SCUGOG ISLAND 90a 3% 56a 1s 9% 6a 0 0% 6a 100 560 0 190, 95, 100, 95, 1%, 4