Tropic Thunder
Opening August 15, 2008
The Ben Stiller-directed Tropic Thunder is the most controversial war spoof since Hot Shots: Part Deux (it's not an oft-visited genre). The Hollywood send-up follows a coterie of coddled actors on location shooting an epic war film. When their petulance becomes exigent, the frustrated production team drops them into a dangerous jungle to fend for themselves (think: The Three Amigos goes tropical). The big draw here is the cast. Aside from Stiller, the name-heavy film also stars Robert Downey Jr. (as an African American), Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Jay Baruchel (Million Dollar Baby, Knocked Up), and Steve Coogan. Also, like most Hollywood satires, you can expect a host of cameos (Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, etc.). –S.T.



Fireflies in the Garden
Opening August 16, 2008
The roster of talent behind Fireflies in the Garden renders the Robert Frost reference joyously fitting and playfully ironic (look it up). Julia Roberts heads the cast as the beleaguered Lisa Waechter, the pregnant wife of Willem Defoe’s pedantic cad, Charles. A drama with a semi-sylvan setting, expect droves of familial strife and award-grabbing turns. Ryan Reynolds – in what could be a career changing performance – Carrie-Anne Moss, Ioan Gruffud, and Emily Watson round out the stellar players in this Dennis Lee helmed/scripted picture. –S.T.



Hamlet 2
Opening August 22, 2008
In the tradition of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Hamlet 2 uses Hamlet as a jumping off point. The should-be-huge Steve Coogan (24 Hour Party People, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story) stars as a failed actor-turned-teacher that must put on a play (an apropos play-within-a-play, no less) in order to save his school’s drama department. He drafts the eponymous sequel, a musical that features the ambivalent Danish Prince, a time machine, Jesus, and a host of musical numbers (i.e. “Rock Me Sexy, Jesus”). Mayhem, 1st Amendment debates, and Elisabeth Shue appearances ensue. Amy Poehler and the divine Catherine Keener also star. –S.T.