This summer’s movie season began so well – the “Mission Impossible” sequel raked in the bucks, and the schedule was full of promise. Then: “the horizon darkened. The engine began to make a funny pinging sound. Slowly, silently, the air went out of the tires. And the summer movie season of 2000 began to sink into the doldrums — at least compared with last year’s.” – New York Times 06/29/00