Let's try to ignore the 400-pound gorilla for a moment.

You know the one I mean. The one breathing down our necks from a galaxy far, far away. The one whose name I've vowed not to write until I absolutely have to (in tomorrow's paper).

Forget the beast. Do something to tick off his marketing team and enjoy the real treats of the summer, like "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" or "The Blair Witch Project," an ultra-spooky horror flick that was filmed in Maryland and sent Sundance into a terrified tizzy when it premiered there in January.

The following summer movie preview promises long-awaited movies from some always-fascinating directors: John Sayles, Mike Figgis, David Mamet and Eric Rohmer. And who isn't curious about "Eyes Wide Shut," the late Stanley Kubrick's sexual thriller that was years in the making?

Then there's always the delicious prospect of the summer sleeper, a hype-free film that manages to attract a crowd on its merits, of all things. No one can say what the sleeper will be but, rest assured, when it makes its splash, it will mark the return of sense and perspective. Maybe it will even make a 400-pound gorilla look puny.

(The following dates are tentative and subject to change.)

Friday

"The Love Letter": An anonymous love letter unleashes long-kept secrets in a sleepy New England town. Kate Capshaw plays the woman whose search involves her in an unexpected triangle. With Blythe Danner, Ellen DeGeneres and Tom Selleck.

"Three Seasons": The debut by Tony Bui tells the story of contemporary Vietnam through the points of view of a flower-seller, an American war veteran searching for his daughter, a Saigon street urchin whose livelihood is threatened and a bicycle taxi driver.

"Trekkies": Roger Nygard's documentary about those rabid "Star Trek" fans known as Trekkies. A portrait of obsession at its most inter-galactic.

"The Castle": Comedy about an Australian tow-truck driver whose house sits atop a toxic waste dump and who battles the government to save it.

May 28

"Notting Hill": Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant star. An unlikely romance blossoms between the owner of a small travel book store and a glamorous movie star.

"The Thirteenth Floor": Craig Bierko and Armin Mueller-Stahl are two virtual reality inventors. Their experiment in creating a simulacrum of 1937 Los Angeles results in a murder and a journey into the world of cyberspace. With Gretchen Mol.

"The Dreamlife of Angels": Chronicles the friendship between two young women pursuing solitary existences in France, one cheerfully optimistic about life, the other shy and hypersensitive. By Erick Zonca.

June 4

"Instinct": Anthony Hopkins is a primatologist who has been imprisoned for murders that occurred in the jungles of Rwanda and whose mysterious inner life is plumbed by a psychiatrist (Cuba Gooding Jr.).

"The Winslow Boy": Nigel Hawthorne is the patriarch of the Winslows, who in the England of 1912 undergo a court case that will affect the entire family. With Rebecca Pigeon and Jeremy Northam, directed by David Mamet.

June 11

"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me": Brings back the world's funniest anachronism. Mike Meyers teams up with Heather Graham in another caper gone awry.

"Get Real": Follows the fortunes of a group of high school students facing adolescence and their looming futures, especially Steven, whose comfort with his homosexuality isn't shared by his new boyfriend.

June 18

"Tarzan": Disney's animated version of the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs tale. A human baby is orphaned in the African jungle and raised by a family of apes. Featuring the voices of Tony Goldwyn, Glenn Close, Rosie O'Donnell and Minnie Driver, with songs by Phil Collins.

"Lovers of the Arctic Circle": By Spanish director Julio Medem. Explores the themes of chance and destiny in a complicated tale filled with multiple story lines that intersect and fuse.

"The General's Daughter": John Travolta stars as a military investigator whose investigation of a murder leads him to buried secrets in the U.S. military.

"This is My Father": A middle-aged teacher travels to Ireland with his teen-age nephew in order to discover the identity of his father and the family he never knew.

June 25

"Big Daddy": Slacker Adam Sandler tries to grow up by adopting a 5-year-old when his girlfriend dumps him for an older man.

"Limbo": David Strathairn stars as a traumatized fisherman living on a remote Alaska island, whose life is changed by the arrival of a singer (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and her disaffected daughter. When his brother shows up, an explosive event alters their lives forever. By John Sayles.

"An Ideal Husband": Rupert Everett is the devoted womanizer called by a friend (Jeremy Northam) whose marriage to a beautiful woman (Cate Blanchett) is threatened by a scheming interloper (Julianne Moore). Based on Oscar Wilde's play.

"The Red Violin": Chronicles the 300-year journey of a legendary musical instrument that finally winds up on the auction block in Montreal. Samuel L. Jackson plays an expert who investigates the violin's history to establish its true worth.

June 30

"South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut": The world of the hit cartoon television series comes to the big screen. By series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Also in June

"The Loss of Sexual Innocence" -- Interconnects short stories of one man's life and juxtaposes them with the story of Adam and Eve. With Julian Sands, written and directed by Mike Figgis ("Secrets and Lies," "Leaving Las Vegas").

July 2

"The Lovers on the Bridge": Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant are two young people who find romance and escape when they meet on the Pont-Neuf in Paris.

"Summer of Sam": Retells the story of the Son of Sam killings, which held New York in a paranoid thrall during the hot summer of 1977. John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody and Mira Sorvino star in another Spike Lee joint.

"The Wild, Wild West": Will Smith reprises the 1960s television series, this time pumped up with science-fiction special effects. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld ("Men in Black") and co-starring Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh.

"Buena Vista Social Club": Wim Wenders' documentary about a band of legendary Cuban musicians assembled by famed guitarist Ry Cooder. Filmed in Havana, Amsterdam and New York, the film features such performers as Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzales, Eliades Ochoa and Omara Portuondo.

July 9

"American Pie": A coming-of-age comedy about four young men who make a pact to lose their virginity on prom night.

"Stigmata": Patricia Arquette stars as a carefree party girl affected by strange physical phenomena that draw the attention of a Vatican investigator (Gabriel Byrne).

"Arlington Road": Academic Jeff Bridges researches vigilante groups and becomes convinced that his wholesome neighbors (Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack) may be radical right-wing terrorists. With Hope David, directed by Baltimore native Mark Pellington.

"Besieged": David Thewlis and Thandie Newton are two exiles living in Rome whose very different lives intersect in surprising and passionate ways.

July 14

"Muppets from Space": The Sesame Street characters go extraterrestrial when Gonzo, in a search for his roots, becomes the target of a paranoid government operative.

July 16

"My Life So Far": A 10-year-old boy is initiated into the pleasures of adult life and love by the French fiancee of his uncle. With Colin Firth, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Irene Jacob and Malcolm McDowell.

"Drop Dead Gorgeous": Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin, Kirsten Dunst and Denise Richards join in an ensemble comedy about a small town's obsession with a local beauty contest.

"Lake Placid": A nature-phobic scientist, a Fish and Game warden, a sheriff and an eccentric mythology professor converge near a remote lake in Maine to investigate a gruesome fatality. Their adventure leads to a shocking secret that waits underneath the water. With Bill Pullman, Oliver Platt and Bridget Fonda.

"Eyes Wide Shut": Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise star in Stanley Kubrick's last movie, a thriller about a psychologist and his wife who are drawn into a strange underworld when they begin to experiment with new forms of sexuality.

"The Blair Witch Project": The firsthand account of three student documentary filmmakers who venture into Maryland's remote hills to discover the truth about a local mythical character, Blair Witch. Filmed in Maryland.

'The Wood": Omar Epps, Taye Diggs and Richard T. Jones are three twenty-something friends who come together for a wedding and begin to reminisce about their adventures during the 1980s.

July 23

"Bowfinger": Steve Martin is the nearly bankrupt Bobby Bowfinger and Eddie Murphy is the well-meaning nerd who tries to help him turn his fortunes. From Martin's screenplay.

"The Haunting": Adaptation of the horror classic "The Haunting of Hill House" from Jan De Bont ("Twister"). Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson and Lili Taylor are summoned to a mysterious mansion by an equally mysterious doctor (Liam Neeson).

"Inspector Gadget": Matthew Broderick stars as the live-action version of the cartoon character who is blown to pieces by the evil Dr. Claw (Rupert Everett), then is re-built into a gizmo-laden hero. With Joely Fisher.

'Autumn Tale": The final installment of French director Eric Rohmer's "four seasons" film cycle, in which Rohmer explores the romantic yearnings of middle age. Beatrice Romand stars as a winegrower who thinks her heart is closed until she encounters the prospect of true love.

July 30

"Outside Providence": Maryland native Shawn Hatosy ("The Faculty") plays a young man whose misadventures lead him to prep school, where he makes a hilarious impression. Written by the Farrelly brothers ("There's Something About Mary") and directed by Michael Corrente ("Federal Hill").

"Runaway Bride": Re-unites Julia Roberts and Richard Gere ("Pretty Woman") in a romantic comedy. This one concerns a woman who chronically leaves men at the altar and a journalist who is assigned to write an article about her.

"Deep Blue Sea": A medical biologist, in his search for a cancer cure, enlarges the brains of captive sharks. When the fish become smarter, they also become angrier. With L.L. Cool J. and Samuel L. Jackson.

Also in July

"My Son the Fanatic": Om Puri is a London taxi driver whose affair with a local prostitute (Rachel Griffiths) disrupts the life he has spent 25 years building. Gopi Desai and Akbar Kurtha star as his wife and son. Written by Hanif Kureishi ("My Beautiful Laundrette").

"Run Lola Run": Franka Potente is the title character, the girlfriend of a small-time criminal who becomes involved in a race of life-and-death stakes.

Aug. 4

"Dick": Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams play teen-agers who become Richard Nixon's official dog-walkers when they make a wrong turn during a White House tour. When Watergate explodes, the two become pivotal characters in the course of American history. With Dan Hedaya.

Aug. 6

"Mystery Men": Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy and Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) star in an action-comedy about seven unlikely heroes who band together to save a city whose real protector is kidnapped.

"Plunkett and Macleane": Re-unites "Trainspotting" stars Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller as two 18th century highwaymen from opposite ends of the social spectrum who join in a life of crime and mayhem. The feature debut by music video director Jake Scott.

"Iron Giant": Animated feature about a robot who falls from the sky and terrifies the residents of a small town, except for one boy who befriends the strange creature.

"Fight Club": Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter star in a drama about urban professionals who start a club to work out their aggressions, but change the rules when two of them fall for the same woman.

Aug. 11

"In Too Deep": Omar Epps is an undercover police agent whose search for a gangster named God (L.L. Cool J) leads him deep into the world he wants to destroy. With Stanley Tucci, Nia Long, Pam Grier and Harper Hill.

"The Thomas Crown Affair": Remake with Pierce Brosnan playing billionaire Thomas Crown, who engages in a cat-and-mouse game with a beautiful investigator (Rene Russo) after a precious Monet is stolen.

Aug. 13

"Mr. Accident": Yahoo Serious is a cheerfully incompetent maintenance man whose life accidentally collides with an evil former tobacco executive.

"Detroit Rock City": Four teen-agers embark on an adventure to attend a 1978 KISS concert. With Edward Furlong, Natasha Lyonne, Sam Huntington and James De Bello. Produced by KISS founding member Gene Simmons, who appears in the film with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.

"Brokedown Palace": Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale are two recent high school graduates whose celebratory trip to Thailand takes an adventurous turn when they meet a handsome Australian (Daniel Lapaine).

"Mickey Blue Eyes": Hugh Grant plays an English art dealer who falls in love with the daughter of a Mafia boss. With Jeanne Tripplehorn.

"Adventures of Sebastion Cole": The life of a bored teen-ager living in upstate New York in 1983 turns upside down when his stepfather decides to become a woman.

Aug. 20

"Blue Streak": Martin Lawrence plays a jewel thief who buries $20 million worth of gems at a construction site before he's arrested. When he gets out, he goes looking for the loot: which now sits under a police precinct.

"Teaching Mrs. Tingle": The newest offering from Kevin Williamson ("Scream," "Dawson's Creek"), stars Katie Holmes, who desperately needs an A in history in order to get a college scholarship. But when she and her friends run afoul of the teacher, they must outsmart her.

"The Powder Keg": Follows intersecting stories of several characters living in contemporary Belgrade. Using a mixture of dark humor and stark realism, they cope with everyday realities. By the Yugoslav director Goran Paskaljevic.

"Trick": Two young men try to have a one-night-stand. In the course of trying to find a room, they come to know each other better than they had planned.

"Alice et Martin": By French filmmaker Andre Techine ("Thieves"). A young man's troubled past is healed by his love for his wife (Juliette Binoche), but his wounds are re-opened when she becomes pregnant.

"The Muse": Director Albert Brooks stars as a frustrated Hollywood screenwriter whose career may come to an end unless he becomes inspired. With Sharon Stone as the title character.

Aug. 25

"The Very Thought of You": Monica Potter ("Patch Adams") is a Minnesotan who moves to London to sort out her life. She winds up throwing three friends into a race for her affection. With Rufus Sewell, Tom Hollander and Joseph Fiennes.

Aug. 27

"Mad About Mambo": "Felicity's" Keri Russell is an 18-year-old Belfast girl who longs to win the Regional Latin Dance Finals in order to win the approval of her demanding father (Brian Cox). William Ash and Theo Fraser Steele play the boys who vye for her heart.

"The Astronaut's Wife": Charlize Theron's marriage to an astronaut mysteriously disintegrates after a freak accident in space. Johnny Depp co-stars.

Also in August

"Twin Falls Idaho": Filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish star as conjoined twin brothers whose unusually close relationship is radically changed when a beautiful young woman enters their lives.

"White Boys": Danny Hoch stars in a comedy about a working class Iowa teen-ager who hates his own white culture. When he moves to a Chicago ghetto and writes million-dollar rap songs, he finds the gangsta life holds more than he bargained for.

Sept. 3

"Universal Soldier: The Return": Jean-Claude Van Damme reprises his role as Universal Soldier when S.E.T.H., the supercomputer controlling the soldiers, goes haywire.

Also in September

"Best Laid Plans": Reese Witherspoon, Alessandro Nivola and Josh Brolin's life paths are irrevocably altered when they fall prey to misguided frienship and ambition. Directed by Mike Barker.

Pub Date: 5/17/99