ARLINGTON ROAD Directed by Mark Pellington   Starring Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack   May 14

The Premise As the summer's first major thriller, Arlington Road pits Jeff Bridges as Michael, a college professor who specializes in domestic terrorism--an interest spawned by the fact that his FBI agent wife was killed by extremists. When a new family, the Langs (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack) move in next door and start acting suspiciously, Michael comes to suspect that his all-American neighbors may actually be terrorists. Is it simply paranoia or something much more frightening?

What to Look For Early trailers seem to portray the film as a cat-and-mouse thriller between Bridges and Robbins, but inside buzz suggests that an abundance of meaty plot twists make the story much more complex. Any which way, Arlington Road is a big step up for director Mark Pellington, a music video veteran who debuted with the little-seen 1997 flick Going All the Way. Word from the studio is that the film is more than your standard action-thriller--it's just as much about the inner struggle of a man caught up in the grip of paranoia.

The Buzz An intriguing plot and inspired casting in Cusack and the versatile Robbins. But with the unaffecting Bridges in the lead role (whose similarly themed Blown Away was a dud) and an opening date just five days before Star Wars, Arlington Road could be in for a rocky trip.

THE LOVE LETTER   Directed by Mark Pellington   Starring Kate Capshaw, Ellen Degeneres, Blythe Danner   May 14

The Premise Based on best-selling novel by Cathleen Schine, this quaint little romantic mystery examines the ultimate question: how do you fall in love? Helen, the perfectly complacent, satisfied and divorced bookstore owner and mother receives a passionate, unsigned love letter. When she discovers its author is her college student employee, she tries to resist temptation.

What to Look For This is the U.S. debut of Hong Kong director Peter Chan. Filming took place in the quaint, idyllic, sleepy, picturesque town of Rockport, Mass. Star Kate Capshaw, best known as Steven Spielberg's wife, best remembered as the second Indiana Jones girl, long ago made The Love Letter her pet project when she optioned the movie rights of the book. Expect it to have a pleasingly female perspective on what it means to fall in love. The Buzz Dreamworks is taking a gamble by releasing the film during the first Phantom Menace weekend, the idea being that women, their significant others and people who couldn't get tickets to see Yoda and Obi-wan will settle for this instead. The studio openly admits that the movie is directed at women; this should be a warning, and maybe encouragement, to us all.

STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE   Directed by George Lucas   Starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd   May 14

The Premise Not content to create our childhood myths, George Lucas will now launch us into adulthood, finally made possible through computer 3-D effects.

What to Look For Disappointment. Every moment will tug at our heart strings, but you can only say, "You're all clear kid, let's blow this thing and go home" once.

The Buzz The buzz is itself. Who ever thought the Force could cloy? JUNE

LIMBO   Directed by John Sayles   Starring David Strathairn, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio   June 4

The Premise The film centers around a fisherman (David Strathairn) left high and dry by a traumatizing sea accident. When a lounge singer (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and her daughter (Vanessa Martinez) show up in town, the three meet and their lives forever change. In a touching moment of cliche, they even end up stranded together on a deserted island.

What to Look For Writer and director John Sayles won acclaim for Lone Star, his 1996 drama about a working-class Texan who must come to terms with his storied past. This summer Sayles brings us Limbo, a drama about a working-class Alaskan who must come to terms with his storied past. Deja vu aside, considering Sayles' proven track record, this art-house release may be worth checking out.

The Buzz Small films such as this one often struggle amidst the shoot-'em-up spectaculars of summer; but Sayles and his solid (if not star-filled) cast give Limbo a bit of a leg up.

BIG DADDY   Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld   Starring Adam Sandler   June 25

The Premise In Big Daddy, Sandler plays Sonny Koufax, a toll collector who has never relaly grown up (sound familiar?) That becomes a major problem when he decides to adopt a kid in a misguided attempt to woo his ex-girlfriend back. The first thing Sonny learns about fatherhood is that children do not come with a money-back guarantee. After accepting that, he learns a lot more--about raising a child and about himself.

What to Look For Adam Sandler is a hot commodity right now: the two films he starred in last year--The Wedding Singer and The Waterboy--together did $241 million worth of box office. It's no wonder, then, that Sony has high hopes for Sandler's upcoming summer comedy. If it sounds like a bit more serious of a role than Sandler's Bayou-dwellling, alligator eating, Gatorade-toting "Waterboy," it is. Of course, there will still be plenty of Sancdler's trademark humor to go around, but the film's director claims that Big Daddy will actually feature--of all things--acting.

The Buzz The buzz could be either good or bad for the movie's prospects. It might make for a more complete film, but if Big Daddy starts piling on the inevitable schlock too soon, fans hoping for a bunch of bodily-function jokes will be disappointed.

THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR   Directed by Josef Rusnak   Starring Armin Mueller-Stahl, Craig Bierko   June 25

The Premise Loosely based on the novel Simulacron-3 by Daniel F. Galouye, The Thirteenth Floor is the latest in an increasing number of science-fiction films which delve into the nature of reality and creation. The story revolves around two corporate visionaries, Doug (Bierko) and Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl), who create a complete virtual reality simulation of 1937 Los Angeles on a computer chip. However, when Fuller is murdered and Doug becomes the prime suspect, he must plunge into a mystery that has him questioning the thin line between the real and the simulated.

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

The Premise Cartoon turns live action with the story of a stupid man aided by the wonders of technology and the token scantily-clad surgeon.

What to Look For Everyone remembers Inspector Gadget from their childhood--the stories of the battle between the evil Claw and the clueless Inspector for the safety of the world all wrapped up into cheery half-hour segments. Matthew Broderick stars as the detective hunk and Rupert Everett takes up the role of Claw, who in the cartoon was never seen except for a cryptic hand massaging a big fat ugly cat. The plot is similar to the cartoon--in this one Gadget is blown up during a chase with Claw but is miraculously put back together by the seductive surgeon Brenda (Joely Fisher). Brenda also seems to have some vendetta against the Claw, and together they set out to destroy their evil enemy.

The Buzz Children are bored by the half-hour cartoon--it's a tad bit questionable why anyone would like to watch a hour and a half of trench-coated Matthew Broderick and a mini-skirted Joely Fisher. Looks like another whammy against Broderick--at least he's still got his Ferris royalties and Ms. Sarah Jessica.

DEEP BLUE SEA   Directed by Renny Harlin   Starring Saffron Burrows, Thomas Jane, LL Cool J   July 30

The Premise Scientists onboard a floating research facility off the coast of California experiment with mako sharks in order to find a cure for AIDS and other diseases. The experiments take a horrifying turn for the worse when the newly altered sharks turn on the inhabitants of the laboratory and endanger the lives of all.

What to Look For Apparently, the idea to use sharks originated from the fact that sharks are one of the oldest species on Earth, as well as the fact that they are resilient to diseases. Still, this medical justification does nothing to dispel the feeling that this movie sounds like a pumped-up, '90s version of Jaws crossed with Jurassic Park. I mean, come on! Killer sharks threaten the lives of scientists on a sinking laboratory? Don't expect anything profound. Still, the supporting appearances of Samuel L. Jackson and Stellan Skarsgard help enhance the film's credibility, and in the area of special effects, audiences won't be disappointed (the film's effects supervisor, Jeff Okun, was responsible for the effects in Sphere and Stargate). It remains to be seen whether all of the special effects and star power can take away the smell of a fishy premise.

The Buzz Can anyone say Waterworld? The recent failures of water-based action films such as Sphere and Deep Rising seem to indicate a pattern of low success for the genre. In keeping with that pattern, the response to this film will be luke-warm at best.

MUPPETS FROM SPACE   Directed by Tim Hill   July 30

The Premise Gonzo wants to find his family, but before he does so, he announces to the world that he is living proof that extraterrestrial life exists. This gets the attention of government operatives, who proceed to hunt him down (it's kind of like The X-Files, except in this case one of the operatives is wrestler Hollywood Hogan). Not only must Gonzo flee the men in black, he also must decide whether to board the mother ship and join his family or stay on earth with his Muppet friends.

What to Look For Those adorable felt-covered creatures are back, and this time they're literally out-of-this-world. The Muppets' seventh feature film has Gonzo searching for his true identity. In a shocking revelation, it turns out his parents are actually aliens! And there you were thinking he was related to your Uncle Ned. Gonzo may be the star, but never fear--Kermit and all your Muppet favorites will be making appearances. And then there are those who won't have a hand up their back: besides Hogan, other real-life performers include Andie MacDowell, F. Murray Abraham and David Arquette.

The Buzz The last couple of Muppet movies have seen only minor success, but there are plenty of fans out there and children's movies are always welcome mid-summer. And in case you're suffering from post-Star Wars withdrawal by the time Muppets From Space shows up, remember this: Frank Oz, who here voices Miss Piggy, is also the voice of Yoda. AUGUST

BROKEDOWN PALACE   Directed by Jonathan Kaplan   Starring Claire Danes, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Pullman, Daniel Lapaine, Lou   Diamond Phillips   August 6

The Premise Upon graduation, two friends (Danes and Beckinsale) embark on a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. However, their vacation soon takes a disastrous turn when the two girls are accused of drug trafficking and sentenced to 33 years in a Thai prison.

What to Look For Danes is breaking out of her previous typecasting as she ditches her nice girl image that has followed her from My So-Called Life to Romeo and Juliet to Les Miserables and replaces it with a tougher character. In the recent trend of theme-sharing movies (war, asteroids, bugs), this plot seems to echo Return to Paradise (drugs and Americans in trouble with the law in Asia). Another interesting tidbit is that a thoughtless quote by Danes about living conditions in Manila, Philippines, where it was filmed, led to violent reactions. There is talk of banning all Claire Danes' movies from Manila forever.

The Buzz As far as the general public is concerned, I would guess this film will not receive an enthusiastic reception. However, with its strong cast, critics may be a little more impressed.

FIGHT CLUB   Directed by David Fincher   Starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Jared Leto, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat   Loaf, Eion Bailey   August 6

The Premise In search of companionship and empathy, a confused young man [Norton] wanders from support group to support group, seeking human connection. He ultimately finds it when he and his friend, Tyler Durden (Pitt), create a new club where rich, bored young men fight each other till one surrenders or dies. The trend soon spreads in to cult-like, society-warping proportions. Also, the nameless narrator [Norton] becomes involved in a love triangle with Tyler and a girl named Marla [Carter].

What to Look For Full to the brim with gratuitous violence, this bleak portrayal of the souls within the men of today seems grim and hopeless. Instead of being disturbed by the grotesque and twisted idea of fight clubs, society desperately grasps onto it with enthusiasm. As for the cast, Pitt and Norton both have strong experience with dark, disturbing films (Seven and American History X respectively), and Fincher has proven his original directing abilities in movies such as Seven and The Game.

The Buzz Well, any movie containing two incredibly gorgeous men can expect to do well in the box-office whether it's any good or not. Two hours of gazing at Brad Pitt and Jared Leto is reward enough for many young ladies. However, from the standpoint of critics, I predict mixed reviews, some praising its original and harsh social critique while others are disturbed by its perhaps unnecessarily grim and graphic depiction of the fight scenes.

THE IRON GIANT   Directed by Brad Bird   Starring the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick, Jr.   August 6

The Premise Adapted from a Ted Hughes novel, young Hogarth Hughes befriends a 50-foot robot he finds near his Maine home and tries to protect him from the adults who try to destroy him.

What to Look For Directed by The Simpsons and King of the Hill alum Brad Bird and featuring the vocal talents of Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr., this isn't your standard Disney fare. With some of the best non-Disney animation to date and a solid screenplay blessed by Ted Hughes before his death, this movie will appeal to adults and kids alike. Internet snoops have reported religious experiences during test screenings, meaning The Iron Giant could be the first truly epic animated film. Hopefully, Warner Bros. Will see its (rumored) potential and beef up its almost non-existent marketing campaign. The Buzz If the early word on the street is correct, then The Iron Giant will be an animated equal of Indiana Jones.

THE 13TH WARRIOR   Directed by John McTiernan   Starring Antonio Banderas, Omar Sharif   August 13

The Premise A remake of Michael Crichton's adventure thriller Eaters of the Dead, Braveheart-esque with a budget to match.

What to Look For Michael Crichton fever at its most expensive--the film cost well over $100 million. Antonio Banderas stars as an emissary kidnapped by warriors. Banderas soon joins the tribe in their battle against these strange mysterious creatures (sci-fi anyone?) that consume everything in their paths. The still aristocratic Omar Sharif (of Funny Girl fame) also stars. Release has been delayed several months because of flaws in production. It's also been rumored that the original director John McTiernan was let go in the middle of filming with Dr. Crichton himself taking over directorial duties. The Buzz Blood. Antonio Banderas. Blood. Vikings. Antonio Banderas. $100 million budget. Antonio Banderas. Will this film do well? The proof is in the "pudding."

MICKEY BLUE EYES   Directed by Kelly Makin   Starring Hugh Grant, James Caan   August 13

The Premise Hugh Grant stars in this romantic comedy, playing a man who gets tangled in criminal mishaps through his girlfriend Gina's (Jeanne Tripplehorn) Mob-boss father (James Caan). Grant masquerades as gangster Mickey Blue Eyes and reluctantly gets sucked into the Family.

What to Look For Outlook: not so good. Holly wood seems determined to make movie after movie about the nearly-impotent Mafia, and the idea has been predictably overused in such recent films as Analyze This and Mafia. Grant will probably bumble and stutter his way through yet another film, while Caan gets another turn at his Oscar-nominated Godfather role. Director Kelly Makin has only the flop Brain Candy: Kids in the Hall among her credits, and test screenings have been decidedly negative, citing a script devoid of laughs and a tired premise among its shortcomings.

The Buzz Mickey Blue Eyes will probably be merely one among the many trite, cutesy and forgettable romantic comedies churned out by studios in the past few years. Let's hope that Grant's other summer movie, Notting Hill with Julia Roberts, fares better.

MYSTERY ALASKA   Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld   Starring Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth   August 13

The Premise Corrupted hockey team threatens to destroy a small Alaska town when it challenges the local team to a match. Mighty Ducks II meets Dangerous Liasons.

What to Look For Everyone looks like chalky-white popsicles in this movie, and rightfully so; the town Mystery, Alaska is the namesake of this movie, which stars Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack and Russell Crowe, is situated in the midst of the barren land of glaciers that is our 49th state. Hockey is a huge sport in this lonely town, and it seems that the whole pride of the town rests in the gentle cradle of the hockey stick. But the purity of the game is threatened when the amateur team is challenged to a match by the New York Rangers. Can Mystery prove itself to the world and maintain its small town dignity? Your guess. Sex scandals, sordid secrets and snooping townspeople appease non-hockey fans.

The Buzz David Kelley, who with Sean O'Byrne wrote this screenplay, has proved to be a brilliant and clever screenwriter with his Ally McBeal and The Practice and might be able to salvage the otherwise cliched plot line. Should be an interesting catch especially for sticky summer days when all the ice looks pleasant. Almost.   Introduction by Angela K. Lin   Previews contributed by Rheanna Bates,   Jason Clarke, Emily Dill, William Gnienapp,   Richard Ho, Ben Lytal, Patty Li, Daniel Zweifach