She Likes to Watch

Prepare to shout Hulk’s praises …

It’s a good time to be a comic-book fan.

“Iron Man,” a sharp, hard-hitting action flick, is still rocking the box office. “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” opens July 11, followed by “The Dark Knight,” “Whiteout” and “The Punisher: War Zone.” There’s a big-screen adaptation of “Wanted,” and a few movies that just sound like comic books, such as the shaggy-dog superhero tale “Hancock.”

With “The Incredible Hulk,” the unstoppable juggernaut that is Marvel serves up another hit.

Having watched Ang Lee’s “The Hulk” with a mixture of disappointment and boredom, I was prepared for another mopey, dopey drama. Not so.

“The Incredible Hulk” kicks butt.

As the movie opens, Dr. Bruce Banner is in hiding out in a Brazilian shantytown, working at a bottling plant and keeping a low profile.

Constantly vigilant for signs of his dangerous alter-ego, Banner practices yoga and breathing exercises. He talks to his pet dog. He pines after his old girlfriend, Betty Ross. And, daily, he searches for a cure.

When the outside world enters Banner’s sanctuary, however, the gloves come off.

“Incredible Hulk” is full of clever touches — from the on-screen tally that keeps track of “days without incident” to the plethora of inside jokes.

(In one nod to the original TV series, Betty purchases purple stretch pants for the on-the-run scientist. “What?” she says innocently, as he looks incredulous. “They were the stretchiest pair I could find.”)

Much of the credit goes to Edward Norton, who plays Banner’s Jekyll-and-Hyde dilemma to the hilt. In one aspect, he’s a principled scientist who longs for a normal life; in the other, he’s a literal monster capable of tremendous violence.

The movie also benefits from capable directing by Louis Leterrier (”Unleashed,” “The Transporter”) and a decent script from Zak Penn, who wrote two of the two X-Men movies.

Where “Incredible Hulk” trumps its predecessors, however, is action.

There are fight scenes and plenty of them, including a final, bone-jarring bout between the Hulk and Tim Roth’s snarling Abomination. Visual effects look crisp and seamless. Blows land on targets with thundering fury.

Even CGI shots of the Hulk at rest are stunning.

Action. Pathos. A cameo by another Marvel superhero.

It’s going to be a good summer for comic-book fans.

***

“The Incredible Hulk” is currently playing at The Fremont movie theater and Sunset Drive-In in San Luis Obispo, Fair Oaks Theatre in Arroyo Grande, and Park Cinemas in Paso Robles.

Just days before the 4th of July, business owners are worried that shark sightings will hurt sales on their busiest week of the summer.

Sound like recent news from Avila Beach and Pismo? Well, yeah. But it was also an integral part of the plot for “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg’s first really big movie, which ironically will be shown locally on the big screen July 10.

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I might accuse the Fremont of staging the recent sightings to promote the movie. But I have a feeling the movie will do just fine without shark sightings. (It has grossed about $475 million, after all.)

“Jaws” starred Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw and a large and menacing mechanical fish named Bruce. The script was adapted from a book by Peter Benchley, who later admitted his novel helped fuel erroneous beliefs about the great white shark.

“We knew so little back then and have learned so much since, that I couldn’t possibly write the same story today,” he wrote in his 2002 book “Shark Trouble.”

The most common misperception about sharks, Benchley said in one interview, is that they are man-eaters that target humans for consumption. Most human great white victims, Benchley said, are mistaken for typical shark prey.

“Jaws” is, of course, often quoted by movie geeks. A few of the best lines (thanks to IMDB.com):

From Quint: “I’ll find him for three, but I’ll catch him, and kill him, for ten.”

From the mayor: “Martin, it’s all psychological. You yell barracuda, everybody says, “Huh? What?” You yell shark, we’ve got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.”

From Brody: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!”

–Pat P.

There are more movies this summer than there is space in the paper to write about them. We didn’t have room to cover all the films we wanted to in this week’s Ticket, so here are the rest of the movies we want to see this summer — and a few we think will probably be better left unwatched.

Pat Pemberton’s picks

FOR IT

“Knocked Up”
If I hear that Judd Apatow is involved with a movie, I’m going to see it. His cult favorite TV shows, “Freaks & Geeks” and “Undeclared,” were smart, funny and superbly cast. (Too bad no one saw them.) And “40-Year-Old Virgin” made my face hurt because I was laughing and smiling so much.
Apatow has been quoted to say that he wanted to make Seth Rogan a leading man, and this is his vehicle for that. (Rogan, like much of the “Knocked Up” cast, is an Apatow regular.) The premise is simple: A one-night stand between an incompatible couple results in a pregnancy that forces them to come together. But with Apatow’s writing and a proven cast (including Paul Rudd, and geek extraordinaire Martin Starr), this is bound to be better than your typical guy-meets-baby movie.
Apatow has the gift of great dialogue. And Rogan’s slacker expressions and carefree delivery articulate the lines to perfection. This is going to be a big hit.
RELEASE DATE: June 1

“Surf’s Up”
Okay, so the penguin thing has gotten out of hand. And, yeah, I still feel a little burned by “Happy Feet.” But this animated CGI flick has two things going for it: It’s about surfing and it stars Jeff “The Dude” Bridges.
Granted, I’m taking a leap of faith here. It could be a letdown. In fact, it could be downright dumb. But the previews were pretty entertaining. And, let’s be honest: It’s probably better than most meathead surf movies you see these days.
The movie is a spoof on surf documentaries like “Riding Giants” with a Greg Noll- like penguin named Big Z setting the stage for a young Rockhopper penguin/shredder named Cody. The mockumentary follows Cody and an old-timer named the Geek (Bridges) to the Big Z Memorial Surf Off.
RELEASE DATE: June 8

“Ratatouille”
The newest Pixar movie was written and directed by Brad Bird, a “Simpsons” alum who wrote “The Incredibles.” This one doesn’t have the ensemble, A-list cast that most Pixar movies have, but it does include Pixar regulars John “Cliff” Ratzenberger and Brad Garrett. The movie follows a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and a boy who wants to help him realize his dream.
Pixar has scored huge successes with the “Toy Story” movies, “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc.” and others. But its latest, “Cars,” was my least favorite. Then again, I’m not wild about car racing. So I’m eager to see them bounce back.
RELEASE DATE: June 29

FORGET IT

“Live Free or Die Hard”
Gee, how many terrorist plots can one detective thwart? Better yet, how many cars can they smash in one movie? If the trailers are any indication, there will be lots of twisted metal, a parade of explosions and even a downed helicopter or two.
I actually liked the first two “Die Hard” movies, which became synonymous with the action movie genre. But, as with many serials, the third one marked the downfall. And, I suspect, the fourth will continue the dreadful trend.
Need evidence? The film was written by Mark Bomback, whose limited credits include “Godsend” (3 percent approval rating on Rottentomatoes.com) and “The Night Caller” (Never heard of it? Join the club.) It was directed by Len Wiseman, who gave us “Underworld” (a.k.a., “Lame”) and “Underworld: Evolution” (a.k.a., “Lame: Still”).
You’d think such a huge, money-making franchise would attract talented writers and directors. Bruce Willis should’ve let this one die after the original sequel in 1990.
RELEASE DATE: June 27

Sarah Linn’s picks

FOR IT

“28 Weeks Later”
Blood? Gore? Scary-fast zombies? Count me in.
“28 Weeks Later” promises just as many jump-out-of-your-seat moments as Danny Boyle’s original scare-fest.
More artful than 2004’s “Dawn of the Dead” remake and spookier than most modern horror movies, “28 Days Later” set the bar for a new generation of cinematic creep-outs.
From the looks of it, “28 Weeks Later” should pick up exactly where it left off. Expect lots of running, screaming and flying body parts.
Here’s the plot: Six months after a devasting “rage” virus decimated Great Britain, a handful of survivors return to London with the help of the U.S. military. One is an unbeknownst carrier, and soon England is once again overrun.
Supernaturally talented Scottish actor Robert Carlyle stands out in this cast of mostly unknowns. Chances are he’ll turn in a star performance as a desperate dad before expiring in a gruesome plot twist.
“28 Days Later” director Danny Boyle has handed over the reins to Spanish-born Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who’s only done a few foreign-language thrillers. Then again, he won an Oscar nod for the 1997 short “Esposados.”
RELEASE DATE: Friday

“Evan Almighty”
This comedy has everything: cuddly animals, Biblical jokes (nothing says “family friendly” like gags about Noah’s Ark) and comedian-of-the-hour Steve Carrell at his most fumbling and befuddled.
Director Tom Shadyac returns with this sequel to “Bruce Almighty,” featuring Jim Carrey as a newscaster who’s given divine powers. Carrell played Bruce’s hated rival.
In “Evan Almighty,” Evan Baxter has given up life as a TV personality for public service as a U.S. congressman. He’s just settling in when God (Morgan Freeman, of course) tells him to build an ark in preparation for a new flood.
It’s unclear how this movie morphed from a script called “The Passion of the Ark,” but “Evan Almighty” could prove yet another great vehicle for Carrell. He’s tactless in “The Office,” clueless in “Anchorman” and sweet in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” In short, just about brilliant.
Plus, Santa Maria special effects firm Café FX contributed some of the movie’s creature features. I’ve glimpsed some of the work-in-progress but — sorry, kids — my lips are sealed.
RELEASE DATE: June 22

FORGET IT

“Delta Farce”
When blue-collar comedian Larry the Cable Guy came to the California Mid-State Fair, his staff denied The Tribune’s request for an interview because he was busy filming a movie.
“Delta Farce,” an overblown mess of firearms and flatulence, is that movie.
Three inept National Guardsman bound for Iraq accidentally land in Mexico and wind up defending the villagers from bandits a la “The Magnificent Seven” and “Three Amigos.”
Here’s the problem: Larry the Cable Guy — nom de reality Daniel Whitney — ain’t no Yul Brynner. Heck, he ain’t no Chevy Chase!
I won’t go so far as to say it makes “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector” look like “Hamlet,” because, in all fairness, I haven’t seen that particular cinematic treasure. Suffice it to say that “Delta Farce” will bore even the easily amused, offend anyone with ties to the military and the Mexican people, and grate nerves every time the phrase “Git ‘er done” crosses Larry’s rosebud lips.
Still curious? Just remember, you’ll never get back those 90 minutes.
RELEASE DATE: Friday

“Rush Hour 3”
I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t this come out, like, three years ago?
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan are back in action in the unwanted, unexpected sequel to “Rush Hour 2.”
Bug-eyed Tucker’s playing his typical fast-talking ladies man. Chan is gentle, genial and, unfortunately, starting to show his age.
And it’s set in … Paris?!
“Rush Hour 3” pits our heroes against the Chinese-run criminal underground in a script apparently penned by fifth graders. There’s inane dialogue, crotch gags and a host of weird casting choices like Max Von Sydow as the chief of France’s police.
Who can guess why Roman Polanski took a cameo as a sadistic airport security officer? (You almost expect him to sneer, “You know what happens to nosy fellows? … They lose their noses.”)
It’s been six long years since “Rush Hour 2,” and nearly a decade since the original “Rush Hour.” So why are they polishing off this worthless trilogy now?
Director Brett Ratner must have some time to kill between “X-Men” movies.
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 10

Jay Thompson’s picks

FOR IT

“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”
After defeating Dr. Doom in the 2005 film, the team has resumed their (normal/fantastic) lives when a new villain threatens to destroy the planet in this latest Marvel installment. Villains make an action movie swing, and I’m anxious to see just what damage the Silver Surfer commits on the planet. The silver dude, Norrin Radd , a young astronomer from the planet Zenn-La, has what might best be described as a complex back story — sometimes the bad man, at times the good. But, my, how he shines (and he surfs through the air, tunnels, even buses). And he’s armed with quite the formidable array of powers: superhuman strength, energy manipulation, mind control, molecular transmutation, ability to travel at trans-light speeds, cosmic awareness and control over the fundamental forces. I passed on the original, but this hood ornament of a bad guy has already piqued my interest. Directed by Tim Story (“Fantastic Four”).
RELEASE DATE: June 15

Justin Hoeger’s picks

FOR IT

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”
Yes, “Dead Man’s Chest” was overlong and overstuffed, but by Davy Jones’ octopus beard I enjoyed it. And, as I mentioned in a previous movie feature, I can’t quit a movie (or a movie series) without knowing how it all turns out. Plus, the Kraken is really cool.
So, yes, I’ll be there to see “At World’s End,” partly for completism, and partly because I find it hard to believe that a movie starring Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Geoffrey Rush, Chow Yun Fat and Stellan Skarsgård isn’t going to be worth seeing, even if it is a bloated, overlong threequel. Orlando Bloom’s getting a bit boring, though.
RELEASE DATE: May 25

“The Bourne Ultimatum”
The last “Bourne” movie suffered a serious case of jerky-cam cinematography, but I still loved it. And that’s largely because of Matt Damon’s strong turn as amnesiac murder machine Jason Bourne. He’s just about the deadliest special operative onscreen these days. I mean, this is a guy who brings a magazine to a knife fight. And wins. It doesn’t get any more badass than that. James who?
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 3

“Stardust”
Neil Gaiman is a, well, fantastic author of fantasy stories, deftly mixing bits and pieces of world mythology with interesting characters, clever story lines and a liberal dash of quirky humor. “Stardust” is one of his shorter works, but it seems just right for a movie — the story is simple and visual, but there are lots of adventures on the way for a man who leaves his small village to find a fallen star. With a novel this lean, hopefully the filmmakers won’t excise or change large portions of the tale as so often happens.
The book’s story is stronger than that of his collaborative project “Mirrormask” so I have hope the narrative will hold together better than it did in that film, which was visually amazing but fell sort of flat otherwise. My only concerns lie with the casting — Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes are all in prominent parts, and all are fine actors, but I’m not sure the film can withstand the baggage they bring, especially De Niro.
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 10

FORGET IT

“Hostel: Part II”
I was intrigued by the original “Hostel,” but after seeing a few gory stills of the flick I decided I didn’t really want to see a dude get his fingers chainsawed off or a Japanese girl have her face blowtorched. The movie just seemed too mean-spirited and pointless to be enjoyable. I’m no stranger to, nor am I squeamish about, movie violence. But movie violence in such a bleak, pointless way is, for me, about as far from the reason I go see movies as it can get. I like escapism, and there’s not much fun in escaping to a place as bad as one can imagine.
RELEASE DATE: June 8

“License to Wed”
The poster is enough to turn me off to this one: Robin Williams dressed as a priest, lying on a bed between Mandy Moore and Jim from “The Office.” Ugh. Thanks for that image, Mr. Williams. Include me out.
RELEASE DATE: July 4