Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [5/22]

Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf (Full Cast)
Studio: Paramount Pictures

The Plot: Famed archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones (Ford) is called back into action to stop a Soviet plot to uncover and use ancient artifacts in order to take over the world.

THE BUZZ: Remember how big May was last year with the third installments of Spider-Man, Pirates, and Shrek all coming out within weeks of one another? While we don't think Tony Stark, Aslan, and Indy will generate the same box office sensation worldwide, they might have a bit more to offer in terms of surprise, delight, and most of all, mystery. IJ4 is perhaps the most enigmatic of the trio, what with its early-launched official site (now complete with the first teaser trailer), well-hidden plot details (does it involve the Russians? the city of the Gods? is Cate Blanchett a nuke?), and talky talky extras. Here's what we do know: Indiana himself looks up to the stunts and challenges of his fourth adventure; he'll adventure with his son -- a greaser-fied Shia LaBeouf -- at side (but at what point does he realize they're related?) and have some sort of reunion with Marion Ravenwood; his dad will be MIA, too. Most tellingly, early odds are on the storyline coming full circle, meaning the archaeologist and his progeny are rumored to be on the hunt for the Ark of the Covenant.

Message Boards: Box Office prediction.  |  HEY BLUEMEENIE2000

Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews

War, Inc. [LA/NY]

Director: Joshua Seftel
Stars: John Cusack, Marisa Tomei, Hilary Duff (Full Cast)
Studio: First Look International

The Plot: Hit man Brand Hauser (Cusack) is deployed to the nation of Turaqistan to off an oil minister who is interfering in U.S. interests in the region. Keeping his eyes on his target proves difficult for Hauser since he has to work undercover planning the nuptials of an Turaqi pop star (Duff) and contending with the affections of a left-wing journalist (Tomei).

THE BUZZ: Few reviewers have anything polite to say about this John Cusack pet project that finds the star taking his first screenplay credit since High Fidelity. I have to admit I'm surprised at the story's apparent lack of subtlety in its attempt to satirize U.S. interests in the Middle East (Dan Aykroyd riffs on the Vice President) and celebrity obsession (Ms. Duff's character's name is the cringe inducing "Yonica Babyyeah"). Didn't someone suggest a less hammy approach here? Try to endure the trailer while keeping in mind the nearly two-hour run time. Distributor First Look, which recently went through an exec shuffle, just fumbled Bill several weeks ago, and their luck probably won't turn around this time; maybe they should rush an Aqua Teen Hunger Force sequel into production.

Message Boards: hilary duff. joke?  |  Yonica Babyyeah

Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews