A man and his dog muse over an evening's entertainment in a video store rather than at the theaters.

What can be said about the summer movies of 1997? Not much. Easier to ask what can't be said. Absent this season are the box office bombshells and the big ticket thrill rides. This is the season that stirs a movie goers soul. This is the season every studio worth its billing brings out the big guns.

Unfortunately, it seems this year someone forgot to do the loading.

Even directing sharpshooters such as Spielberg have yet to hit high-water marks. The heavily anticipated "Lost World" arrived with much fanfare and promptly was lost itself. "Men In Black" was a mildly entertaining if forgetful piece.

"Speed 2: Cruise Control" sailed into port and ran itself aground, but really... couldn't you see that coming? Let's just say it hasn't been a good season for sequels. I won't even mention "Free Willy 3."

And how about the kinder, gentler caped crusader? This time around he comes complete with boy and girl wonder. Let's get to the point: if "Batman Forever" was a comic book brought to life, then consider "Batman and Robin" a cartoon brought to life.

I don't mean to put down the cartoon series which is by far the more dramatic and believable of the two. Maybe it's time for Warner Brothers to hang the cape and cowl up. If so, New Line Cinema already has a new kid to take his place. You can call him "Spawn."

Based on the comic book of the same name, "Spawn" is a painful PG-13 in a summer of big budget R's. The only things not found lacking are the special effects and humor. It's dark. It's fanciful. Dramatic? Two out of three aren't bad, not great either. The comic book is better, but what else is new?

The summer forecast is not completely grim. "Hercules" headed off the Disney summer, heroically fighting its way back from duds like "Pocahontas" and "Hunchback." Other Disney efforts this summer include a basketball playing dog in "Air Bud" and a live action "George of the Jungle." I doubt either will win critical acclaim, but the key term here is family entertainment.

"Air Force One," is a solid showing from Harrison Ford. The action and suspense are surprisingly good. It tugs at the patriotic heartstrings so hard you almost don't notice the technical errors. Definitely worth seeing despite its flaws, the biggest of which unfortunately was the ending.

So is there a pick of this litter?

In every season there are some movies which set themselves apart from the rest. Movies which take a different view of the film making process. In a sea of big budget special effects and over the top action extravaganzas there are still directors who look for the little things like stories and plots.

For the left brained intellectuals I offer "Contact" with Jodie Foster. A dramatic work of science fiction about faith and science, the movie is noticeably long but the time is well spent.

For the right brained among you I recommend "Face Off," with notable performances by Travolta and Cage. The movie is strangely compelling, dramatic, and emotional all at once. The special effects are understated, effective, and actually enhance the plot. Consider the signature action style of director John Woo just icing on the cake.

The end of summer is a stone's throw away, but don't look so glum. New movies are still hitting the theaters weekly so perhaps the best is yet to come. I wouldn't be surprised. It can't get much worse.

[ TOP ]