2007 Summer Movie Trifecta

We managed to head over to a matinée showing of Spider-man 3. We were definitely not alone... It sold out about 45 minutes beforehand, even with a dozen showings in just the afternoon alone. Canoe.ca reports that it made a record $59 million opening day and HSX.com declares that it had the biggest opening weekend as it pulls in another record $148 million in just 3 days (and even more if one factors in international grosses).

Suffice to say, this summer has several movie franchises with their three-quel out to complete the trilogy with Shrek 3, Pirates of the Carribean: At the World's End, The Bourne Ultimatum, Rush Hour 3 and Ocean's Thirteen. The third Pirate flick could make Spidey's record showing short-lived.

A few franchises have actually past their third, with Live Free or Die Hard as Bruce Willis coming back and Harry Potter orders a fifth helping of Phoenix. While several others are trying to repeat their original box office success: Evan Almighty, 28 weeks Later, Hostel: Part II, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Daddy Day Camp (Cuba Gooding Jr. replaces Eddie Murphy), and Mr. Bean's Holiday. Yeah, a few should have probably not gone ahead and could be DOA. The promotion of Steve Carell's character to the main lead in the Bruce Almighty sequel should cement his career as both a TV and Movie star.

Of course, in order to do sequels and three-quels, one must actually come out with the first one! How's that for a unique idea? The biggest tent-pole of the summer and gaining the most steam is the Transformers done by Micheal Bay and should revive the toy's popularity if it can cross the huge fanboy-base. Ratatouille is Pixar's big summer animation release along with Surf's Up and The Simpsons. A few comedies to look out for like I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry by Adam Sandler, Knocked Up brought to you by the same folks that did The 40-Year Old Virgin (sans Carell) and Robin Williams has a License to Wed.

A few smaller releases to watch out for: Stephen King's 1408 and Russian-made Day Watch (another sequel) could creep up the radar. But, of course, I already have my eye out for 2008 with the fourth installment of Indiana Jones finally coming out.