The summer blockbuster was born twenty-five years ago when “Jaws” terrified moviegoers and kept them out of the water. Right when you think it’s safe to go back in, along comes “The Perfect Storm.”
But if you don’t want to watch men battle the ocean, you can see them battle each other in “Gladiator,” “The Patriot,” “Shanghai Noon,” and “X-Men.” Tom Cruise is the star summer stud in “MI2,” Clint Eastwood is the aging stud in “Space Cowboys,” and Kevin Bacon is the invisible stud in “The Hollow Man.”
If you’re not into violence and special effects, you can go see Bruce Willis get in touch with his inner child in “The Kid.” There’s a gentler, kinder Mel Gibson in “Chicken Run” and Jim Carrey fans can belly laugh through “Me, Myself and Irene.” Anyway you look at it, this year’s summer movies are for the men and the boys; there’s not a romance in sight.
(Hosted by Christopher Lydon)
Guests:
Garyn Daly, director of the Dedham Community Theatre in Dedham, Massachusetts
and Charlie Taylor, Critic-At-Large for Salon.com.