FREAKY FRIDAY (PG) Taking a look at the lighter side of the generation gap, early 21st century-style, Disney remakes its 1976 comedy about a young girl switching bodies with her mom. It might have been fun if Jodie Foster, who was 14 when she played the daughter in the original movie, returned as the mom in the remake. Instead, we get an incessantly mugging but seriously unfunny Jamie Lee Curtis doing the honors, while fresh-faced Lindsay Lohan (star of Disney's Parent Trap remake) steps into Foster's old shoes. The movie's not so much bad as it is utterly unsurprising, although some of the humor borders on the cringe-worthy. (In one typical joke, a wedding's "maid of honor" becomes "maid of whore.") Lohan is mildly amusing playing the post-switcheroo teen with an adult's personality, but it's often just plain embarrassing watching Curtis strut around playing "young" - something the movie gives us way too much of. Also stars Mark Harmon and Chad Murray. Opens Aug. 6 at local theaters. 
FINDING NEMO (PG) Although it doesn't quite scale the heights of previous Pixar projects like Monsters Inc or the Toy Story movies, this latest animated opus is still one heck of a fish story. The computer-generated visuals are as dazzling as ever, the characters are appealing and the gags are consistently clever (and typically savvy of pop culture, with frequent nods to everything from The Shining to 12-step programs). The story just feels a little less inspired this time out. This is the more traditional side of Pixar, sort of an underwater A Bug's Life — but there's still plenty of heart. The little hero's mama gets killed off in the very first scene, opening the way for a narrative that's as much about separation anxiety and overprotective (single) parents as Toy Story 2 was about childhood's end. Featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould and Willem Dafoe. 1/2
GIGLI (R) The awards for the summer's worst pre- opening buzz, worst original premise and most difficult to pronounce title would have to go to this Ben Affleck-Jennifer Lopez project (previously dubbed Tough Love). Gigli (pronounced, as near as I can tell, GEE-Lee) features the ubiquitous celebrity couple as a pair of mob associates watching over a mentally challenged hostage. If this one actually manages to avoid the kiss of death, I might just have to eat my shoe. Maybe both of them. Also stars Justin Bartha and Lainie Kazan. (Not Reviewed)
HOW TO DEAL (PG-13) Things keep going terribly wrong for Halley, a mature-beyond-her-years 17-year-old played by up-and-coming actress Mandy Moore. Divorce, sudden death, unplanned pregnancy and many more undesirable situations appear around every corner of her life. In fact, so many things go awry, not long into the flick you'll begin to halfheartedly wonder what more can happen to Halley — but something good is sure to pop up soon. Advertised as a teen romance, How to Deal is actually more of a coming of age drama, and Halley's contrived romance with Macon (Trent Ford) actually plays a minor part in the movie. Not even Moore's rising star power can save this one. Also stars Allison Janney, Nina Foch, Alexandra Holden, Dylan Baker and Peter Gallagher. —Chris Berger
THE HEART OF ME (R) Secrets, lies and passion, both bridled and unbridled, are ingredients in this study of a romantic triangle during the years before, during and after World War II. Helena Bonham Carter plays a well-born but unconventional Londoner embroiled in a secret affair with Rickie (Paul Bettany), the husband of her straight-laced sister (Olivia Williams). Based on the best-selling 1953 novel by Rosamond Lehmann. Opens Aug. 8 at Channelside Cinemas. Call theater to confirm. (Not Reviewed)
THE HULK (PG-13) Eric Bana (resembling, from the right angle, a young Christopher Reeves with bad skin) plays mild-mannered scientist Bruce Banner, who, when angered, turns into the gigantic, Mean Green Machine beloved by fans of the original Hulk comic and TV show. Lee turns the story into an Oedipal freak-out about repressed memories, but the movie's freighted with silliness, beginning and ending with a blatantly computer generated central character who elicits more unintentional giggles than gasps of awe. The movie follows the basic Spider-Man model — with the first half devoted to character development, and the later sections filled with action and special effects — but it makes us wait way too long for too little pay-off. Also stars Jennifer Connelly, Nick Nolte and Sam Elliott. 1/2
