OLD FRIENDS AMONG NEW FILMS ON SCREEN
Copyright 2002 www.tombraiderchronicles.com Source: Variety Magazine

[ January 18th 2002 ]

Some people would argue that the events of Sept. 11 barely affected moviegoing in America. Movie studios enjoyed a record take at the box office again, with revenue of more than 8.3 billion in 2001, and admissions are expected to set a record as well, the Akron Beacon Journal reports today.

But the hypersensitivity that pervaded the country in September still hit the Hollywood chiefs, who delayed several movies because of their themes. Two of those flicks - Collateral Damage and Big Trouble - will finally see the silver screen on Feb. 8 and April 5, respectively. Collateral Damage has Arnold Schwarzenegger taking on a Colombian terrorist who killed his wife and daughter in a bombing.

Big Trouble involves a nuclear device on an airplane. If their appearance doesn't prove it's business as usual, nothing will. The war film genre's popularity is definitely on the rise this winter and spring. No fewer than four are on the schedule: Black Hawk Down (opening today), Hart's War, We Were Soldiers and Charlotte Gray - that deal directly or indirectly with war situations.

Some things never change. You can still expect vapid comedies, such as The New Guy and Sorority Boys, to fill that intellectual void left by the passing of the Oscar season. But an old friend will be back. Twenty years ago, an ugly, squat alien captured the hearts and dollars of millions of filmgoers. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial returns to screens to celebrate its anniversary with a new print and a remastered soundtrack. And don't be surprised if, much in the same way Star Wars did five years ago, the little guy finds himself at the top of the box office heap.