Slew of new films promises hot summer movie season

The official summer movie season is upon us. It is a time where the public is hit with a barrage of big-budget flicks guaranteed to whet the viewing appetite.

Several have already invaded the theaters, including "Twister," "Mission: Impossible," "The Rock" and "The Cable Guy." The invasion has just begun, though. Here are a few more to look for in the coming months.

Disney arrives June 21 with its next installment in the animated world, with "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The hunchback, Quasimodo (voiced by Tom Hulce), is an orphan who makes his home at the top of a bell tower. This movie includes the voices of such stars as Demi Moore, Jason Alexander and Kevin Kline. Disney is hoping this film will strike that happy medium of a kid-friendly cartoon with an appeal to adults as well.

Competing against "Hunchback" is Arnold Schwarzenegger in his new action tale, "Eraser," co-starring Vanessa Williams and James Caan. Arnold and Caan play witness-protection agents in charge of erasing identites. On the way they run into alligators, bad guys, each other and Vanessa Williams. The question with this movie is, "Will the public pay to see Arnold in another action flick?"

This movie was grossly over budget, costing more than $80 million. Only time will tell if "Eraser" will be a box-office success, or a failure of "Last Action Hero" proportions.

A week later, Eddie Murphy hits the box office with "The Nutty Professor," a remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis classic. It's about a nerdy college professor who creates a potion to transform himself into a handsome playboy. Murphy takes on eight roles, including the title performance as the loser, 400-pound Professor Klump. Co-starring Jada Pinkett, this is the first film in many years without Murphy's script or director approval. Critics are already hailing this comedy as Murphy's return to character and stardom.

July brings a highly anticiptated science fiction movie to the big screen. "Independence Day" opens up on July 3. The huge cast of stars includes Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Harry Connick Jr., Robert Loggia, Randy Quaid and Brent Spiner. With more than 3,000 special effects shots in this $70-million-and-counting movie about aliens out to destroy Earth, don't be surprised if this film is the summer's top grosser.

John Travolta will finally play a role that has eluded him in recent days - the nice guy. After playing a hit man, a loan shark and a nuclear terrorist, Travolta comes back as George Malley, a mechanic who encounters a mysterious white light on his 37th birthday and suddenly turns into a genius. The movie, titled "Phenomenon," also has Kyra Sedgwick, Robert Duvall and Forest Whitaker. Also opening July 3, this movie is already drawing comparisons to another phenomenon - "Forrest Gump."

Kurt Russell beckons in August with "Escape from L.A." A follow-up to the 15-year-old "Escape from New York," this movie stars Russell and is directed by John Carpenter.

Other August releases include: the sequel to "The Crow," starring Vincent Perez in the title role tragically vacated by Brandon Lee; "Chain Reaction" with Morgan Freeman and Keanu Reeves; "Tin Cup," a romantic comedy staring Kevin Costner; Jane Austen's "Emma," with Gwyneth Paltrow; and the thriller "The Island of Dr. Moreau," starring Val Kilmer and Marlon Brando. The film is based on the 1896 H.G. Wells novel.

As it is every year, the summer cinema selection is huge. Will the populace go for high-powered action thrillers like "The Rock" or "Independence Day?" Or will more reserved features, such as "Moll Flanders" or Austen's "Emma," triumph? Only time will tell.

Jim Carrey makes a funny face - imagine that - in 'The Cable Guy.'

'Go Grease LIghning' - Travolta strikes a familiar pose in 'Phenomenon.'

Quasimodo, in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' surveys the world from his tower.