BOYS & GIRLS
Directed by Robert Iscove
Starring Jason Biggs, Freddie Prinze Jr.
JUNE 16

Boy meets girl, boy hates girl, girl hates boy even more, boy and girl grow up hating each other. But suddenly when boy and girl end up at the same college, poof-a strange and interesting friendship arises. Such is the extremely unique excuse used to fuel the modern day brat packers in another round of self-promoting teeny-exploitation. Hey, and didn't that kid have sex with a pie?! Yes, as if his talents in American Pie didn't give him all of creative and anatomical exposure to last a lifetime-Jason Biggs is back, this time in a supporting role. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the limelight is occupied by the good Wing Commander himself, Freddie Prinze Jr.. Add that up with director Robert Iscove, we've got all the makings of a She's All That II. Although the recent online reviews reveal a surprising number of stars, we are utterly convinced that these unproven starlets probably can't act, but may wield some kind of bizarre control over the critics.

THE NUTTY PROFESSOR 2: THE KLUMPS
Directed by Peter Segal
Starring Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy
JULY 28

The first time Eddie Murphy slapped on the layers of latex to play the lovably obese Sherman Klump, the result was the $140 million-grossing Nutty Professor. In predictable fashion, the studio promptly began plans to crank out a sequel. This second outing focuses predominantly on Sherman's Klump clans-so much so, in fact, that Universal is considering dropping the Nutty part and simply calling the film The Klumps. In lieu of his plans to get married (to Janet Jackson, of all people), Sherman decides to excise the DNA of his altar-ego, Buddy Love, from his system, but unwittingly turns Buddy into his own person. Slapstick chaos ensues. All in all, Murphy, who's had a bit of a golden touch with family comedies the last couple of years, juggles six different characters, Buddy Love being the only one that didn't require extensive makeup. The quality of the original was severely lacking and the teaser for this sequel suggests new lows in gross-out humor. There's no doubt it will make a bundle, but will it be watchable?

TITAN A.E.
Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman
Starring Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Bill Pullman
JUNE 16

In this long-delayed animated/CGI film, a young boy named Cale must search for the key to humanity's salvation after the destruction of Earth at the hands of aliens. Fox Animation Studio's latest full-length feature film promises to break new ground in the animation department. Titan, originally conceived as a completely CGI movie, will feature a unique mix of computer-generated images and traditional animation, resulting in visual sequences that are no less than stunning. As for the tone? Don't expect a G-rating. The story of humanity's desperate struggle for survival in a dangerous and hostile galaxy, without the luxury of home, is a marked departure from Fox's predominantly kid-friendly fare (i.e. Anastasia). Expect lots of things to blow up (most notably Earth). Titan A.E has been in development for years, originally going under the name Ice Planet. When Bluth and Goldman signed on, the movie took on a new title and a new direction-due to expenses and the difficulty involved with character animation in CGI, the original plan of a 100 percent CGI epic was scrapped in favor of the current format. The production survived despite the numerous delays, and now that the movie is finally poised to debut. The accumulated buzz (as well as the impressive special effects) should help the film's chances at the box office.

THE PATRIOT
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Starring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger
JUNE 28

A Revolutionary War movie? Actually, by all appearances, it looks like Braveheart 2. Mel Gibson stars in another earth-shattering epic carnage movie from the director of Independence Day and-gasp!-Godzilla. So it could be good popcorn fun or well, just terrible. According to published reports, the first 40 minutes are wonderfully deep-so maybe we'll actually get some decent dialogue. (But I'm petrified that Gibson will give his "They'll never take our freedom" speech as "They'll never take our tea.") Heath Ledger (soooo silly in Ten Things I Hate About You) is said to give a rip-roaring performance as Gibson's son, but all eyes will be on the Lethal Weapon star, who was paid $25 million for his services. Competing against The Perfect Storm and Rocky and Bullwinkle, The Patriot will have to carve out its audience based on solid critical reviews-because if people think it's going to be another Godzilla, the adults will split and go to see the wave and the kiddies will go for the moose.

SHANGHAI NOON
Directed by Tom Dey
Starring Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Lucy Liu
MAY 26

A general crowd pleaser that will hopefully revive the Western genre that was so badly maimed after last year's Western bomb, Wild Wild West, Shanghai Noon is an entertaining action and adventure flick that mixes the Wild West and the Far East. Jackie Chan, the talented martial arts guru, stars as the acrobatic Imperial Guard, Chon Wang who travels to America to rescue the beautiful kidnapped Chinese Princess (Lucy Liu). Chan must rely on the help of a partner who he does not trust (Owen Wilson), a wife he doesn't want, and a horse he cannot ride. Combining mean martial arts moves and impeccable charm, Chan seems much more comfortable on the American screen than he did in his previous hit, Rush Hour. While Chan is always dynamic, the real star of this funny summer hit seems to be Owen Wilson whose previously impressive performances in Armageddon and Bottle Rocket pale in comparison to his appearance in Noon. A definite "yes" for the summer.