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	film: commentary

	> 2001, AN EARLY GLANCE Film Critic John C. Lyons previews a brand new year in pictures.
			The purpose of this article is to inform you of some great potential movies that will be coming out in the coming months of 2001. I go to see a lot of movies and one thing that I love the most (and absolutely will not miss) are the movie trailers for upcoming films.
	Around Super Bowl time you start seeing previews for some of the biggies that will not even be released until the summer, at least. While this annoys some, it only gets the excitement going early for people like me. So here I bring you a bit of a breakdown of what to expect the first part of this year, and how much potential each possesses from the buzz I have been hearing. Enjoy!
	*Hannibal* - 2/9 - This is, of course, the third in Thomas Harris's series of books and the follow-up to the classic film Silence of the Lambs. This film could suffer from the same problems that Star Wars: Episode One did. For example, how could this film ever measure up to the original? Well, judging by the trailer, a new director, and a new lead actress (Julianne Moore replaces Jodie Foster) I think that the story should have enough of a fresh feel to make this one a winner. Trailers - 9 Super Bowl Spots - 8 Potential - 9 Visit the Official Site *The Mexican* - 3/2 - The dream team-up of Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt. Looks like a good romantic comedy. With a cast like this could it be anything but good? We shall see… Trailers - 9 Potential - 7 Visit the Official Site *Blow* - 4/6 - A drug movie starring Johnny Depp (wahoo for the women!) and Penelope Cruz (wahoo for the men!). Could they have found any better looking druggies? Trailers - 9 Potential - 5 Visit the Official Site *Along Came A Spider* - 4/13 - The prequel to Kiss the Girls, starring the amazing Morgan Freeman. Potential - 7 *The Mummy Returns* - 5/11 - While I didn't like the first movie this one still has promise. For fans of the original you can expect more of the same, plus the Rock in his movie debut. For those who missed the original, this is basically an Indian Jones style action film, minus Harrison Ford caliber talent. Trailers - 9 Potential - 8 Visit the Official Site *Pearl Harbor* - 5/25 - From the team that brought us Armageddon, and it sure does look like it from the previews. The big guns of Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer have earned the top slot, Memorial Day weekend. This film has so much promise in the United States, and most filmgoers will want to be patriotic and go see it. Trailers - 9 Potential - 9 Visit the Official Site *House of 1,000 Corpses* - 6/8 - Rob Zombie is an amazing artist and a pretty good musician, so why not give him a chance at making movies, right? Well, this isn't so far-fetched. Actually the buzz on this flick is very good. And he promises 1,000 corpses! The trailer is very good, creepy stuff. Trailers - 9 Potential - 8 Visit the Official Site *Tomb Raider* - 6/15 - Video game adaptations have mostly all been pure garbage up to this point. It is very hard to make a good video game into a good movie. Usually the results end up pretty cheesy (Double Dragon anyone?) However, in this case, you have a proven actress starring as Lara Croft in Angelina Jolie. Oh yeah, and she looks hot as hell wielding two handguns and wearing the normal Lara attire. Tomb Raider should be something of a Trinity (The Matrix) meets Indiana Jones combination. It is also helmed by director Simon West, who should know how to make a good action flick. All we need is a decent plot and this one should be a box office smash! Trailer - 8 Super Bowl Spots - 9 Potential - 7 Visit the Official Site *Atlantis: the Lost Empire* - 6/15 - Disney's big summer entry for 2001. You always need something for the kiddies, and Disney has been doing an excellent job of making their films adult friendly these days. This should be another success. Trailers - 9 Visit the Official Site *The Fast & The Furious* - 6/22 - The title sums this one up. Fast cars, great action sequences, and hot girls. The storyline revolves around illegal car racing, which should leave plenty of room for action, action, action! Trailers - 9 Potential - 8 Visit the Official Site *A.I. - Artificial Intelligence* - 6/29 - Steven Spielberg. Science Fiction. 'Nuff said. Trailers - 9 Potential - 8 Visit the Official Site *America's Sweethearts* - 7/13 - Another great line-up in this romantic comedy. Starring Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Billy Crystal and many more! Potential - 8 *Evolution* - 7/13 - Aliens visit Earth. Trailers - 9 Potential - 7 Visit the Official Site *Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within* - 7/13 - An adaptation of the famous video games. This one has taken many MANY years to put together, and from the looks of the trailer it was well worth the time and money. Some of the animation looks like the real flesh and blood deal! Trailers - 9 Potential - 9 Visit the Official Site *Planet of the Apes* - 7/27 - Tim Burton remakes the classic. Starring the likes of Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter. I was a bit worried about this remake in the beginning, but I have a lot of confidence in Mr. Burton. Should be a nice twist! Potential - 8 Visit the Official Site Of course I could never cover all the biggies coming out this year. This is merely a first preview. As with every year, 2001 offers some great potential movies. Enjoy the year, and check back here for my views on these flicks and more! By John C. Lyons Film Critic (01-0218)