Flick it: New movie reviews
"THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR"
It's been seven years since the last Mummy adventure, but Universal isn't about to let a successful franchise fade away without a fight. "Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" re-introduces us to archeologist/adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), his wife Evelyn (Maria Bello, stepping in for Rachel Weisz) and their now-grown son Alex (Luke Ford), who is currently on his own dig in China, where he uncovers the titular tomb belonging to an ancient emperor (Jet Li) and unleashes another dusty creature. Hong Kong superstar Michelle Yeoh also appears in a small role.
"SWING VOTE"
Hey, remember Kevin Costner? You know, the Field of Dreams guy? Well, he's in another movie again, this time playing an average American who, though a series of bizarre circumstances, becomes the single swing vote that can decide the latest presidential election. Both candidates (Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper) immediately set about trying to win his endorsement, while their unscrupulous campaign managers try to control things behind the scenes. So wait a second...he has to choose between Frasier Crane and an Easy Rider for President? Any way he can write in a third party candidate?
"THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN"
And the title for most bizarre title of the summer goes to this long-delayed horror movie, based on a Clive Barker story. Bradley Cooper plays a New York City shutterbug who decides to investigate a series of subway killings committed by a killer known only as Mr. Mahogany (former soccer star Vinnie Jones). Leslie Bibb, Brooke Shields and Roger Bart also star.
Ethan Alter is a New York-based film critic and journalist. He can be reached at nycfilmcritic@gmail.com.
