Movies: Summer 2006

While film season isn't really until late November, the summer blockbuster season usually provides some movies to make me excited. This year is no different. Here are the movies due to come out over the next few months which I am most anticipating. They are listed chronologically by release date.

• Mission: Impossible III - This movie came out last week, and I can't wait to see it. Tom Cruise may be a nutcase, but he's still good for a decent action movie in my book. The real draw of this film, though, is its villain, played by the magnificent, and Oscar-winning, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Any movie with Hoffman in it gets my nine bucks without a second thought.
  
  
• The Da Vinci Code - With all of the hype surrounding this film, I'm very curious to see what Ron Howard has done with Dan Brown's riveting and entertaining book. Plus, I love Audrey Tautou. But what's up with Tom Hanks's' hair? Opens May 19.
  
  
• Wordplay - A much anticipated movie about crossword puzzles and, specifically, New York Times crossword editor (and legend) Will Shortz. The film is complete with cameo testimonials from Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Jon Stewart. Opens June 16.
  
  
• Superman Returns - The first Superman movie in about 20 years, I'm interested to see how the mostly unknown Brandon Routh handles his role as the man of steel. The film also stars Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. Opens June 30.
  
  
• Little Miss Sunshine -This film is an indie comedy picked up by Fox Searchlight. It stars Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, and Steve Carell in a story about a girl's family taking a cross-country trip to get her to a beauty pageant. Opens July 28.
  
  
• Miami Vice - Every summer needs a good action flick, complete with violence and underdressed women. This film has the benefit of being directed by the great Michael Mann. It stars Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, which may or may not be a good thing. Either way, this film will probably be one of my 'guilty pleasures' of the summer. Opens July 28.
  
  
• World Trade Center - Oliver Stone always seems to be surrounded by controversy, and the subject matter of this film all but ensures some more. Still, the talented filmmaker is capable of doing great things with the medium, and his ability to handle grand scales in his films should result in an interesting, provocative, and memorable movie-going experience. Opens August 11.
  
  
• Snakes on a Plane - Enough said. Opens August 18.
  
  
• Factotum - This movie from Norwegian director Bent Hamer is about a man, played by Matt Dillon, who pursues his writing while taking up distractions of alcohol, women, and gambling. Co-starring Lili Taylor and Marisa Tomei. Opens August 18.