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Hernando Today

Get ready for a strong summer in film

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By PAULA NELSON

Hernando Today

Published: April 22, 2009

The economy is presenting the movie studios with exactly what the depression did: Increased revenue through attendance.

Call it what you will, but escapism is proving a boon to the studios.

As of this issue, the year to date comparison of 2008 to this year has us leading by $395,000 and the summer season hasn't hit the screens yet.

The 2009 U.S. box office, according to Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com), is up from the dismal 2005 take by more than 24.7 percent and better than 2008 by 15.5 percent.

So, with that said, welcome to the season of the prequel — and the franchise. Counting as both we have Hugh Jackman reprising his cranky, ripped and adamantine-clawed glory in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

Following is "Star Trek," the franchise reboot movie by the man who brings us the TVs "Lost" and the prequel to 2006's "DaVinci Code," "Angels & Demons."

Back in the world of the franchise — not counting the prequels — this season will see the sixth Hogwarts update, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." It is my understanding that the final book, "Deathly Hallows" will be split into two parts for release in 2010 and 2011.

Other franchise releases are "Transformers II: Revenge for the Fallen" coming back with the same star lineup; "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and a new lineup in the franchise with "Terminator: Salvation."

Coming into the most active season, there are many films of note and 27 will be previewed here. As an added perk, three movies that open within the Fall season will be previewed.

There are several movies coming to the screens this summer which deserve recognition: "The Soloist" starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx — another film that was held over from last year; and the newest Quentin Tarantino creation, the spaghetti western set in Nazi-occupied France, "Inglorious Basterds."

All in all on paper, the 2009 summer line-up looks to be stronger than last year's and studio executives can only hope that movie-goers continue their love for summer flicks.

Information from Box Office Mojo and Entertainment Weekly was used in this report. Paula Nelson is the Special Sections editor for Hernando Today. She can be reached at 352-544-5203 or pnelson@ hernandotoday.com.

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