Envy Man Magazine Online

Ocean's Thirteen

The summer movie season officially begins May 4 when Spider-Man 3 swings into theaters (see the Entertainment page for more on Spidey). While no studio would be stupid enough to release a big-budget blockbuster opposite Peter Parker, those who want to wait a few weeks until the masses are flooding into Shrek the Third may be able to find a good seat at S-M 3. But if you have that summer fever and just can’t wait to get to the theater, Warner Bros.’ Lucky You opens May 4 as well. Starring Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore, the film focuses on a professional card player who tries to beat the odds (and his own demons) at the World Series of Poker. Or maybe you just want to avoid theaters altogether that week. In that case, 28 Weeks Later... the sequel to 2003’s 28 Days Later... hits theaters May 11.

Pirates of the Caribbean

While Pirates may be brave enough to battle Shrek at the box office a week after its release, just like Spider-Man 3, no potential blockbuster dares come close to Pirates’ opening. However, that’s not to say June 1 doesn’t have two releases worth mentioning—Universal Pictures’ Knocked Up and Paramount Pictures’ Hot Rod. With Knocked Up, director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) takes a comedic look at what could happen when you do get lucky. Seth Rogen plays Ben Stone, a man who discovers he knocked up his one-night stand (Katherine Heigl of “Grey’s Anatomy”).Meanwhile, Hot Rod marks SNL’s “It boy” Andy Samberg’s first feature film and focuses on an accident-prone daredevil (Samberg) who plans to jump Snake River on a moped in order to win over his emotionally distant stepfather. While Rod might not win any Oscars, at least it’s not 90 minutes of “Dick in a Box” or “Lazy Sunday” remixes.

Harry Potter

If you are searching for a little girl power during the ultimate boys’ weekend at the box office, though, Hostel: Part II also hits theaters June 8. It’s the same premise, just this time starring Bijou Phillips, Heather Matarazzo and Lauren German.

June 15 has a little something for everyone at the cineplex: superheroes, mysteries and even some zombies. While comic book geeks everywhere will be flocking into theaters to catch Jessica Alba in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, preteen girls will be rushing into theaters to catch Emma Roberts in Nancy Drew. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s Fido, a comedic horror film in the realm of Shaun of the

Bourne Ultimatum

Universal Pictures takes a gamble on June 22, releasing the sequel to Bruce Almighty without the almighty one himself. And although Son of the Mask and Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd flopped at the box office without Jim Carrey, if anyone can take Evan Almighty to the top of the box office chart it’s Steve Carell. The Bruce Almighty scene-stealing funnyman’s track record (Little Miss Sunshine, “The Office,” Over the Hedge and The 40-Year-Old Virgin) speaks for itself, so no divine intervention should be needed for this film to take out its only competition opening weekend, the video game adaptation DOA: Dead or Alive.

The weekend of June 29 could be the strongest weekend for ticket sales since Memorial Day weekend, as two of the summer’s most highly anticipated films—Pixar’s latest, Ratatouille, and Live Free or Die Hard—go head-to-head at the box office. However, the summer’s biggest battle takes place over Fourth of July weekend, as Michael Bay’s Transformers lands in theaters. Somehow, Robin Williams and Mandy Moore’s new comedy License to Wed got stuck releasing over the holiday weekend as well, but we’re sure it will do well on DVD.

Hairspray

So whether you’re looking for a good laugh, a swashbuckling adventure or just a chance to escape to some place far, far away, 2007 is shaping up to be the brightest summer yet. And with so many trilogies on the horizon, one can’t help but think Hollywood execs are hoping that old adage is true: Third time’s a charm.