New Movie Releases: 9/2/05

This is the last hurrah of the summer season. The last shot that the studios have of depriving the youth of their money prior to their return to the books and turn their back on the cinemas. Hollywood looks at this summer as a disappointment because it wasn't another record breaker. I don't see it that way, I see it as a summer where there were some very good films whose popularity grew through word of mouth developing long running hits, and that is nice to see. Granted, there was still a lot of junk released, I guess you can't win them all. Let's take a look at what this final weekend has to offer.

The Constant Gardener. I have heard nothing but good things about this drama. Ralph Fiennes looking into the brutal murder of his wife, from the director of the excellent City of God. I am looking forward to seeing if it lives up to the good reviews.

A Sound of Thunder. I understand that this has languished in development hell for sometime now. That never bodes well for a film. Still, it is based on a Ray Bradbury story, and time travel tends to make for an interesting movie plot device, that is except for Timeline!

Transporter 2. Sadly, I am really looking forward to this action flick which is sure to fare poorly with critics. I actually didn't bother seeing the first in the theater because of the bad word around it. Then I discovered it on DVD and realized what I had missed. An over the top action film top lined by a new face to the action scene, Jason Statham. This looks to be more of the same. It was directed by Louis Leterrier (Unleashed) with action choreographed by Corey Yuen (Transporter, The Legend).

Underclassman. Just in time for school is a film aimed at the high school set. Nick Cannon stars as a rookie cop who has to go undercover as a high school student at a private school. I am not so sure about this one, I can't say it looks all that good.

Also opening this weekend, but not near me:

• Margaret Cho: The Assassin Tour
• Three Dancing Slaves
• William Eggleston in the Real World