TRAKIN’S PICKS TO FLICK

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (WB)
Premise: Long-awaited third edition of film about a killer cyborg sent back to a post-Apocalyptic world to save human-kind.
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl (in Edward Furlong role), Kristanna Loken, Claire Danes, Timothy Dowling.
Director: Underrated Jonathan Mostow, who proved adept in the low-key thriller Breakdown and the submarine movie U-571, takes the baton from James Cameron.
Thumbs Up: Although advance word was skeptical, Mostow’s taut style seems to have worked wonders, while Ahnald’s “maturity” an action hero is apparently used to the film’s advantage.
Thumbs Down: Is third installment the charm or strike three and you’re out?
Soundtrack: Varese Sarabande album original score by Marco Beltrami, reportedly one of the film’s strengths, and liner notes by director Mostow.
Website: State of the art www.terminator3 logs on like a computer file, leading into an ear-splitting intro warning about the imminent invasion of the killing machines. Includes trailer, info about the film, a media center, downloads, community grid, merchandise, fan art, chat rooms, etc.

Legally Blond 2: Red, White and Blonde (MGM)
Premise: Sequel to the almost $100 million-grossing sleeper hit two summers ago, as new law school grad Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods and her punky puppy Bruiser go to Washington to fight the good fight against animal testing and to make the capitol safe for Prada.
Stars: Witherspoon’s salary climbs from $1 million to $15 million, with Sally Field, Bob Newhart, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge.
Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld goes from the lesbian comedy of the indie hit Kissing Jessica Stein to the post-feminist fantasies of Hollywood to take the reigns of the sequel from Robert Luketic.
Thumbs Up: Counterprogramming Terminator 3 with a vengeance, can Reese top Ahnold at the box office? Advance word says it’s light, breezy summertime entertainment.
Thumbs Down: Can lightning strike twice, or has the already-thin concept been stretched to the breaking point?
Soundtrack: Curb Records album includes LeAnn Rimes, George Clinton/Coolio, Deluxx Folk Implosion, Eurythmics/Aretha Franklin (“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves”), John Lennon, Lou Reed, more.
Website: www.legallyblonde2.com is as color-coordinated as the movie, with “Elle’s Scooop Exclusive,” a glance at Elle’s Law School Years, contests, merchandise, information on the cast and a place to buy tickets.

Swimming Pool (Focus Features)
Premise: Erotic thriller about an English best-selling mystery author who travels to the south of France to stay in her publisher’s summer home seeking inspiration for her new novel. Once there, she meets his daughter, whose presence distracts Sarah, who then finds an unexpected inspiration.
Stars: Charlotte Rampling, barely recognizable from her Night Porter days, Ludvine Sagnier, Charles Dance
Director: Francois Ozon (who had an art-house hit with 8 Women)
Thumbs Up: Stylish French film looks to have some serious sex appeal and plenty of nudity.
Thumbs Down: Is it all talk and no action in typical Euro fashion?
Soundtrack: None.
Website: No official site but information is available at www.hollywood.com

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (DreamWorks)
Premise: Follows the advantures of the famed Arabian sailor, who is framed for stealing The Book of Peace and must prove his innocence and save the life of his best friend Proteus the Shapeshifter. Along the way, he battles several terrifying monsters, including a giant scorpion, a huge serpent and a 40-foot-tall bird made of ice and snow.
Stars: Brad Pitt (as Sinbad), Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joseph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer
Director: Tim Johnson (co-director of Antz)
Thumbs Up: Good cast, good story, expert animators, but does it have enough to wrest the cartoon audience from Finding Nemo?
Thumbs Down: Advance word is that the animation looks flat after the 3-D Nemo, and the plot is pedestrian.
Soundtrack: DreamWorks Records album includes score composed by Harry Gregson Williams, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Website: www.sinbad-themovie.com offers a swashbuckling intro, a plot summary, multimedia section, downloads, image gallery, film information and audio files which allow you to “Listen to Sinbad” soundbites.