What to Look For The cast is mostly populated with up-and-comers, such as Gretchen Mol (fresh off the poker flick Rounders) and Bierko, last seen in the putrid Sour Grapes. Although the themes of The Thirteenth Floor have been explored in such recent films as Dark City and The Matrix, Emmerich promises a unique experience that combines mystery, romance, futuristic thrills, and period piece drama.

The Buzz Could be cool, but talk about bad timing--a science-fiction film coming on the heels of Star Wars and a "question reality" film coming on the heels ofThe Matrix... JULY

WILD WILD WEST   Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld   Starring Will Smith, Kevin Kline, and Kenneth Branagh   July 2

The Premise Government agents James West (Will Smith) and Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline) are on the trail of the evil Dr. Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh) and his technological weapons. The two heroes must team up to thwart Loveless's plan to assassinate the president of the United States.

What to Look For Let's do the math on this one: Will Smith + Barry Sonnenfeld + special effects-laden summer event film = blockbuster. The combination of Smith and Sonnenfeld worked box office magic the last time around when the two collaborated on Men in Black. Smith seems to have cornered the market on huge, big budget summer sci-fi flicks, with his back to back summer money makers Men in Black and Independence Day (we'll forgive him for the latter). Advance looks at the production indicate that the special effects are incredible, and the interaction between Smith and Kline (both known for their own brands of humor), as well as the performances of Branagh and Salma Hayek, should all make for some amusing entertainment.

The Buzz In a year when most other studios have been scared off by the guaranteed draw of the Star Wars phenomenon, Wild Wild West (which premieres during July 4 weekend) is banking on movie-going audiences growing tired of all the hype and seeking an alternative. But so far, advanced screenings have yielded a surprisingly unfavorable response (so unfavorable, in fact, that Sonnenfeld is in the midst of reshoots).

DICK   Directed by Andrew Fleming   Starring Dan Hedaya, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams   July 9

The Premise The film follows the travails of two teenage girls (Kirsten Dunst of such films as Wag the Dog and Michelle Williams of Dawson's Creek) who take a wrong turn on a White House tour and stumble onto some presidential secrets. Worried about what they might know, President Nixon (Dan Hedaya) offers them jobs as dog-walkers. Suddenly, the witless pair find themselves embroiled in the Watergate controversy.

What to Look For Despite the title, this is not a remake of Boogie Nights. Instead, it is Andrew Fleming's (The Craft) comedic take on that other presidential scandal, the one that featured a hotel break-in and a commander-in-chief for whom "Tricky Dick" was merely a nickname. But don't expect a probing look at the famous scandal. Dick is playing for laughs: portraying the key Watergate figures are such comedians as Jim Bruer and Will Ferrel of Saturday Night Live and Dave Foley of Newsradio. Director and co-writer Fleming has said the film will also focus quite a bit on the everyday lives of its teenage heroines. Clearly, then, he hopes to appeal to both the young WB set and to adults who remember Watergate first-hand.

The Buzz Selling to these very different groups may be, well, tricky, but the filmmakers say they have included jokes for everyone--subtle references for history buffs and more obvious stuff for those who think Woodward & Bernstein were the stars of Perfect Strangers.

EYES WIDE SHUT   Directed by Stanley Kubrick   Starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman   July 16

The Premise Stanley Kubrick's last film, an exploration of jealousy and sexual obsession starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The couple play married psychiatrists who have affairs with their patients.

What to Look For One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the year--and considering Kubrick's track record, this film should be as fearless and profound as his previous works. Early buzz has promised a ground-breaking look at the dark side of sexuality with a few explicit love scenes featuring uber-couple Kidman and Cruise. However, the movie has had its troubles, including mid-filming cast changes, extended reshoots, and a ratings battle. with the MPAA. Question is, if the film gets a very unmarketable NC-17 rating, will anyone dare to tamper with the late Kubrick's legacy?

The Buzz If the racy 90-second Sho West clip is any indication, this film is going to be steamy, controversial and perhaps one of Kubrick's greatest masterpieces.

THE HAUNTING   Directed by Jan De Bont   Starring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson   July 23

The Premise An update of Robert Wise's 1963 classic, The Haunting of Hill House, based on the novel of the same title by Shirley Jackson. A professor brings three people to the frightening and neurotic Hill House in order to conduct a psychological experiment. But apparently, Hill House has its own psychological problems.

What to Look For Though the basic story is the same, the house is definitely better with age. There are warping walls and crushable staircases, and that's just for starters. Hill House has been referred to as another one of the lead characters, and it will definitely demand attention in its own right. The cast is supposed to be an almost perfect fit with their characters--Lili Taylor as the tormented young Eleanor gives an eerily skillful performance.

The Buzz Some wonder if director Jan De Bont, of Twister and Speed fame, will place The Haunting in the same thrilling and fast-paced category as his other successes. There was something to be said for the slow, chilling movement of the original movie, but perhaps a faster and more terrifying tour through the new and improved Hill House will give this movie its own modern ability to haunt.

INSPECTOR GADGET   Directed by David Kellogg   Starring Matthew Broderick, Joely Fisher, Rupert Everett   July 23