Our latest Friday Flashback in Time Tour takes us to the year 2007, when pirates were packing theaters, the Oceans were invaded by George Clooney and crew, and we met a Martian and a Mama’s Boy! There’s even an appearance by the Almighty Himself! So many great movies left precious time for sun, surf and sand (but we somehow managed to fit it all in). Enjoy our latest trip back in movie time!
Originally Published in the Sun by the Sea, May/June 2007 edition
Meg the Movie Buff Goes to Hollywood
2007 Summer Preview Movie Guide
Smart studio executives, sensing audiences anticipating natural sunlight as opposed to artificial illumination, offer several sea-worthy stories to jumpstart the unofficial beginning of summer. Although the Ocean’s Thirteen gang is drawn more to cold, hard cash than cool, sandy beaches, the Pirates of the Caribbean crew knows they could travel At World’s End and still not find a better seaside town than Wildwood! Here, the Surf’s Up, whether you spend your time basking in the sun or glowing amongst the (movie) stars.
Before working on your pre-summer glow, be sure to check your local movie listings. Studio executives are often too busy working on their own radiance to commit to release dates.
Will and Elizabeth (Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley) with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) now in tow, sail amongst the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (opens May 25th) to rescue Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from the strange afterworld, a.k.a. Davey Jones’s Locker. This group really does deserve their own thrill ride on Morey’s Pier.
On days when you prefer the slots to the sand (without leaving town), why not stop by the Ocean’s Thirteen (opens June 8th) party, headed by George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon? Newcomers Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin are along for the ride back to Vegas, with all ready to pull off yet another hazardous heist.
The voices of Jeff Bridges, Jon Heder and Shia LaBeouf declare Surf’s Up (opens June 8th), offering an animated glimpse into the behind-the-scenes action at the Penguin World Surfing Championship, the annual sporting event offering an unconventional precursor to the non-animated (and non-penguin-related) 38th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament.
The Fantastic Four are back, ready to conquer the Rise of the Silver Surfer (opens June 15th) who is looking to destroy the earth (and possibly conquer all competitors at the Boogie Board Races prior to planetary destruction). Stars Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Doug Jones.
Nancy Drew (Emma Roberts, opens June 15th), looking forward to Summer Under the Stars, puts the intricate pieces of the puzzle together to solve a movie star’s murder while on a trip to Los Angeles with her father (Tate Donavan).
Anticipating a great flood, God (Morgan Freeman) turns Evan the Congressman (Steve Carell) into Evan Almighty (opens June 22nd) when he instructs him to build an ark (should the flood not occur, the ark can also be used at the 32nd Annual Around the Island Row).
From the memoir of Mariane Pearl (Angelina Jolie), A Mighty Heart (opens June 15th) is powerfully displayed in her account of her Wall Street journalist husband Danny’s (Dan Futterman) abduction and eventual murder while on assignment in Karachi, Pakistan.
Taking a break from the sea air and sunshine in the animated Ratatouille (opens June 29th), a Parisian rat (voice of Patton Oswalt) dreams of becoming a chef in an upscale restaurant. Finding himself in the kitchen of just such a restaurant, he ultimately must choose between his dream job and his real life. Also features the voices of Peter O’Toole and Janeane Garofalo.
A fully grown Mama’s Boy (Jon Heder, opens June 29th), who clearly spent more time in arcades than in class, worries his cushy living arrangements will come to an end when his mom (Diane Keaton) considers marrying her self-help guru (Jeff Daniels).
A science fiction writer (John Cusack), starting his life over following his fiance’s death, adopts what may very well be The Martian Child (Bobby Coleman, opens June 29th), a “unique” boy claiming to be a creature from outer space. Interestingly, here’s what may happen when boys spend too much time in class than in arcades. Co-stars Amanda Peet.
While the Fantastic Four fight the Rise of the Silver Surfer, Nancy Drew is busy counting stars covering the beaches of Hollywood (in between uncovering crimes). Meanwhile traveling to the sandy beaches of Wildwood, Evan Almighty is teaching The Martian Child how to throw a Frisbee as the Mama’s Boy takes notes. Although each disagrees on everything from surfing to crime solving, they all agree; spring (or any season) at the shore is where many A Might Heart reside.🍿🍿
SEASIDE STATE OF MIND 