12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, June 19, 1996
Slew of new films promises
hot summer movie season

By Gab. Smith
Daily ArsWrite
The official summer movie season
is upon us. It is a time where the pub-
lic is hit with a barrage of big-budget
flicks guaranteed to whet the viewing
appetite.
Several have already invaded the
theaters, including "Twister,"
"Mission: Impossible," "The Rock"
and "The Cable Guy." The invasion has
just begun, though. Here are a few
more to look for in the coming months.
Disney arrives June 21 with its next
installment in the animated world, with
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The
hunchback, Quasimodo (voiced by
Tom Hulce), is an orphan who makes
his home at the top of a bell tower. This
movie includes the voices of such stars
az Demi Moore, Jason Alexander and
Kevin Kline. Disney is hoping this
film will strike that happy medium of
a kid-friendly cartoon with an appeal
to adults as well.
Competing against "Hunchback"
is Arnold Schwarzenegger in his
new action tale, "Eraser," co-starring
Vanessa Williams and James Caan.

Arnold and Caan play witness-pro- acter and stardom.
tection agents in charge of erasing July brings a highly anticiptated sci-
identites. On the way they run into ence fiction movie to the big screen.
alligators, bad guys, each other and "Independence Day" opens up on July 3.
V a n e s s a The huge cast of
Williams. The stars includes Will
question with this Smith, Jeff
movie is, "Will Goldblum, Bill
the public pay to Pullman, Mary
see Arnold in McDonnell, Judd
another action Hirsch, Harry
flick?" Connick Jr.,
This movie was , Robert Loggia,
grossly over bud- Randy Quaid and
get, costing more Brent Spiner. With
than $80 million. more than 3,000
Only time will tell 'special effects
if "Eraser" will be shots in this $70-
a box-office suc- million-and-count-
cess, or a failure of ing movie about
"Last Action aliens out to

Quasimodo, in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' surveys the world from his tower.

Hero" proportions.
A week later,
Eddie Murphy hits
the box office with Jim Carrey makes a funny face - imag-
"The Nutty Ine that - in 'The Cable Guy.'
Professor," a
remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis clas- will finally play az
sic. It's about a nerdy college professor him in recent days -
who creates a potion to playing a hit man,
transform himself into a nuclear terrorist, Tr
handsome playboy. Murphy George Malley, a m
takes on eight roles, includ- ters a mysterious wt
ing the title performance as birthday and sud
the loser, 400-pound genius. The movie, ti
Professor Klump. Co-star- also has Kyra Sedg
ring Jada Pinkett, this is the
first film in many years
without Murphy's script or
director approval. Critics are
already hailing this comedy
familiar as Murphy's return to char-

destroy Earth,
don't be surprised
if this film is the
summer's top
grosser.
John Travolta
role that has eluded
-the nice guy. After
a loan shark and a
avolta comes back as
echanic who encoun-
bite light on his 37th
denly turns into a
itled "Phenomenon,"
wick, Robert Duvall

and Forest Whitaker. Also opening July
3, this movie is already drawing compar-
isons to another phenomenon -
"Forrest Gump."
Kurt Russell beckons in August
with "Escape from L.A." A follow-up
to the 15-year-old "Escape from New
York," this movie stars Russell and is
directed by John Carpenter.
Other August releases include:
the sequel to "The Crow," starring
Vincent Perez in the title role tragi-
cally vacated by Brandon Lee;
"Chain Reaction" with Morgan
Freeman and Keanu Reeves; "Tin

Cup," a romantic comedy staring
Kevin Costner; Jane Austen's
"Emma," with Gwyneth Paltrow; and
the thriller "The Island of Dr.
Moreau," starring Val Kilmer and
Marlon Brando. The film is based or
the 1896 H.G. Wells novel.
As it is every year, the summer
cinema selection is huge. Will the
populace go for high-powered action
thrillers like "The Rock" or
"Independence Day?" Or will more
reserved features, such as "Moll
Flanders" or Austen's "Emma," tri-
umph? Only time will tell.

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