The year 2000 is finally over. The electricity stayed on, the computers didn’t crash and the world wasn’t obliterated. Thank goodness.
But what happened at the movies? Critics weren’t too enthusiastic about any 2000 releases, and box office numbers were lackluster as well. No “Titanic,” no “Saving Private Ryan,” heck, not even an “Independence Day.” Maybe the studios didn’t try hard enough. Maybe people got tired of depositing a down payment to see a film. Maybe DVDs are a tad too good.
Whatever the reason, it’s time to move on to the movies of 2001. And after looking at this short list of major upcoming releases, we at Hollywood.com are looking forward to the prospects. (All release dates subject to change.)
First Quarter
Snatch — Opens Jan. 19 (Sony Pictures)
From quirky Brit director Guy Ritchie (“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels“) comes another crime caper-gone-wrong scenario, where the characters are named Franky Four Fingers and One Punch Mickey O’Neill. Premiere magazine predicts this will be one of the coolest films of the year. Starring Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro.
The Wedding Planner – Opens Jan. 26 (Sony Pictures)
The casting on this film went through a few changes back in 2000, but Jennifer Lopez won the role of a workaholic wedding planner who finally finds Mr. Right. Problem is, he’s already engaged – to one of her clients. Also starring Matthew McConaughey.
Hannibal – Opens Feb. 9 (MGM)
This sequel to “Silence of the Lambs” is directed by Ridley Scott (“Gladiator“) and written by David Mamet (“State and Main“) and Steve Zaillian (“Schindler’s List“). Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as creepy Dr. Hannibal Lecter but Jodie Foster opted out, and Julianne Moore replaces her as agent Clarice Starling. We’ll see how much difference it makes.
Original Sin – Opens Feb. 23 (MGM)
For some reason, this film didn’t make its scheduled release date of December 2000. That’s generally not a good sign, but this suspense thriller about the lethal power of love and obsession still sounds intriguing. At any rate, we’ll go see it just to watch the steamy scenes between sexy stars Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas.
The Mexican – Opens March 2 (Dreamworks)
Rumors swirled around the set of this movie, suggesting its two stars, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, were having a fling. Everyone knows the rumor mill is never right. (Right?) In any case, this film is about a reluctant bagman for the mob (Pitt) who’s sent to retrieve an ancient – and cursed – pistol known as “The Mexican,” while his girlfriend (Roberts) threatens to leave him if he continues his life of crime. Also starring James Gandolfini.
Spring
Josie and the Pussycats – Opens April 13 (Universal)
With yet another ’70s cartoon show being made into a live action movie, it seemed like once again Hollywood was proving its lack of good original material. But since it stars the young, Rachael Leigh Cook (“She’s All That“), Tara Reid (“American Pie“) and Rosario Dawson (“Down to You“) as the crime-fighting rock ‘n’ roll trio, who cares? They rock, and we bet the soundtrack will, too.
Bridget Jones’ Diary – Opens April 13 (Miramax)
This is the much-anticipated big-screen adaptation of Helen Fielding’s bestseller about an overweight British girl coping with daily life. However, when the very trim and very American Renee Zellweger was cast as Bridget, many fans of the book were skeptical that she could pull it off. But Zellweger gained weight and worked diligently with a dialect coach, and she just might surprise them (think Gwyneth Paltrow). Also starring Colin Firth and Hugh Grant.
The Mummy Returns – Opens May 11 (Universal)
In this year of sequels (see below), we hope this one is as much fun as the original. The same stars are back — Brendan Fraser as the intrepid hero and spunky Rachel Weisz as his love interest. And brooding Arnold Vosloo gets resurrected again as the Mummy, who this time wreaks havoc in London. Also starring John Hannah.
Shrek – Opens May 18 (Dreamworks)
The computer animation wizards at Dreamworks are at it again with their latest animated masterpiece, a tale about an ornery ogre named Shrek, who must rescue a beautiful princess in order to restore peace in the land. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow and Eddie Murphy lend their vocal talents to this one, which this studio is hoping will give Disney a run for its money.
Pearl Harbor – Opens May 25 (Buena Vista)
Here’s a Memorial Day blockbuster for you from wunderkind producer Jerry Bruckheimer, giving an up close and personal look at that fateful day of December 7, 1941. Think “Saving Private Ryan” meets “Top Gun.” Michael Bay (“Armageddon“) directs the ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding Jr., Josh Hartnett and Alec Baldwin.
Summer
Atlantis – Opens June 15 (Buena Vista)
Disney’s latest animated extravaganza dives deep into the sea again. This time around, an explorer discovers a mysterious map that leads him to the mythical city of Atlantis far beneath the waves, where returning to the world above is virtually impossible. With the voices of Michael J. Fox and James Garner.
Tomb Raider – Opens June 15 (Paramount)
Fans of this video game were thrilled when Angelina Jolie was cast as Lara Croft, the hottest kick-butt heroine in video games since Ms. Pac-Man. Jolie admitted to Entertainment Weekly that the cyberbabe “is closer to my personality than any character I’ve ever played.” (Guns, knives and all?) Fifteen-year-old boys everywhere will flock to this big-screen version, which should be fun.
A.I.: Artifical Intelligence – Opens June 29 (Warner Bros.)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, its tagline reads “David is 11 years old. He weighs 60 pounds. He is 4 feet, 6 inches tall. He has brown hair. His love is real. But he is not.” How nice it is to have the old Spielberg back, with all the special effects and wonder of childhood he brings to the silver screen. Another plus: it stars Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law. We’re there.
Jurassic Park III – Opens July 18 (Universal)
Will those darn dinosaurs ever die out? Apparently not, and neither will the original cast, which returns for this one minus Jeff Goldblum, who already went back for more in “The Lost World: Jurassic Park ” and has perhaps wisely decided to stay home this time. Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant and Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler feel the need to battle the dinosaurs once again. Also starring William H. Macy and Tea Leoni.
Planet of the Apes – Opens July 27 (20th Century Fox)
Tim Burton is a rather odd choice to direct this remake of the ’60s classic, but no doubt he’ll make these simians an interesting group. Not sure if star Mark Wahlberg (“Three Kings“) can generate the same intensity as Charlton Heston in the original, just as long as Wahlberg gets to say, “Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!”
Fall/Winter
Queen of the Damned – Opens Oct. 15 (Warner Bros.)
Anne Rice enthusiasts should be excited to see the third in her vampire series brought to the screen, with a virtual unknown playing the vampire extraordinaire Lestat (the Irish-born Stuart Townsend). In this installment, Lestat becomes a rock star whose music awakens the ancient queen of all the vampires. Also starring Lena Olin (“Chocolat“) and Vincent Perez (“The Crow: City of Angels“).
Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone – Opens Nov. 16 (Warner Bros.)
Director Chris Columbus (“Mrs. Doubtfire“) had better get this movie right, or he’ll disappoint legions of fans. It might be tough to capture the pure imagination of J.K. Rowling’s wonderful and magical first book, but the casting seems to be on the right track — Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith and John Cleese are among those on the list, and young English newcomer Daniel Radcliffe won out over many hopeful candidates to play Harry.
Monsters Inc. – Opens Thanksgiving (Buena Vista)
Disney and Pixar team up once again to create a movie that finally reveals where those monsters in the closet really come from. This very clever story employs computer animation at its finest, along with voiceover from Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Jennifer Tilly.
Ocean’s Eleven – Opens Dec. 7 (Warner Bros.)
The Rat Pack is back? Not quite, but this remake about a group of Air Force buddies who reunite to pull a heist on a Las Vegas casino should pay more than a little homage to the Sinatra and friends original. Last year’s most notable auteur Steven Soderbergh directs the all-star cast that includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Don Cheadle (wait, hasn’t he played Sammy Davis Jr. before?).
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Opens Dec. 12 (New Line)
Hugely anticipated, this first in the classic J.R.R. Tolkien series is already being touted as one of the best pictures of the year. An ambitious undertaking, New Line and director Peter Jackson (“The Frighteners”) are bringing the immortal trilogy to the screen “Star Wars” style by shooting all three movies of the books at the same time (the sequels are to be released in 2002 and 2003). We bet Elijah Wood (“The Ice Storm”), who plays lovable hobbit hero Frodo Baggins, will be happy to be rid of those funny-looking feet. Also starring Sir Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Sean Astin and Cate Blanchett.
Sequels
Besides “Jurassic Park 3,”and “The Mummy Returns,” there are lots more sequels to be had this year. There’s “Basic Instinct 2” with Sharon Stone, “Doctor Dolittle 2” with Eddie Murphy and “The Santa Clause 2” with Tim Allen. Also this year: “Scary Movie 2,” opening July 4, “American Pie 2” and “Rush Hour 2” with Jackie Chan. Whew! When will the studios have time to produce anything original?
Every New Year’s is a chance for a fresh start, and here’s hoping the studios make the most of the opportunity ’01 offers. For better or worse, we’ll see you at the box office!
