"MI2" and "Gladiator" may have jumped the gun--and sword--on the popcorn-movie season, but there are still plenty of quality kills and animated thrills in store for summer film fans this year.

From blockbuster originals and remakes to brand-new visits from old cartoon friends, and from a Revolutionary Mel Gibson to a schizoid Eddie Murphy, the majors are storming to convince you to spend several air-conditioned hours with their entertainments.

But a few strong indie efforts will sneak into arthouses near you throughout the sultry months as well, so be sure to spread your box-office dollars around when you're not working on that tan.

Frank Sennett

Newcity.com affiliates make blockbuster predictions for summer 2000:

WATCH OUT!
This summer's movies offer a plethora of pitfalls along with the prizes, so choose carefully

SKIN, SAND & SURF
Everyone's young and beautiful in the beach movies of yore. Why haven't filmmakers made any modern beach flicks to give summer a proper, dimwitted kickoff?

DEJA VIEWS
Familiar flicks dominate summertime screens

SUMMER SPOOLS
The S2K movie season is here, offering more than 130 films--and some of them might even be good

POPPING THE CORN
Hollywood promises a cold summer for film fans

ROLL 'EM
It's the moviegoers this summer who stand to be the real winners

YOU WANT FRIES WITH THAT?
The Biggie-Sized summer movie list

GROSS RECEIPTS
On your way to the cineplex this summer, Hollywood would appreciate it very much if you would stop off at an ATM and get plenty of money

UNSEASONABLE HEAT
Shoot-'em-ups, sci-fi, Shakespeare and Shaft: Your guide to another movie-stuffed summer

THROWBACKS TO THE FUTURE
Big-screen blockbusters make way for forward-thinking fare, historical drama--and a whole lotta remakes

SUMMER SQUASH
A crush of new movies manages to cram in a few surprises

MOVIEHOUSE CALL
Checking up on Hollywood's seasonal disorders

TWO BY TWO
This summer's movies come to screens joined at birth

SUMMER SLAM
As the thermometer rises, so do the Hollywood budgets, rolling out one special-effects juggernaut after another

FREEWHEELIN'
Where to see movies under the stars in the Bay Area this summer

SUMMER OF SHAM
Bleak news on the summer movie front

BLOCKBUSTER BLAHS
Escape the summer schlock with a trip to the video store