Plans underway to supersize the RT experience are fast winding their way to a web browser near you. At this auspicious stage of RT's development, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at where we've been (more on where we're going later).

Feast your eyes on this piece of RT history, circa 2000.



Eight years and a few thousand movies later, and we're still going strong. Thanks to all our users for their patronage, and stay tuned for more news related to our relaunch.

IN THEATERS

With the U.S. team long eliminated from World Cup 2006, American soccer fans may finally realize catharsis in Once in a Lifetime: the Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (Miramax). Paul Crowder and John Dower?s documentary opens, just in time, on July 7, to recall the inspirational rise and tragic downfall of American soccer in the 1970s. Narrator Matt Dillon joins former Cosmos and Warner Communications executives in reflecting upon why - after much investment and opening fanfare - the world?s most popular sport ultimately failed to capture American TV viewers, and consequently a U.S. athletic association. Clocking in at 90% with 10 reviews, Once in a Lifetime is not yet vying for Certified Fresh; but keep tuning in, as this soccer movie may yet surpass the fate of its fallen subject.

Meanwhile swagger and Sparrow again rule the Seven Seas in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man?s Chest (Buena Vista), the sequel to 2003?s Certified Fresh hit The Curse of the Black Pearl. Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and thwarted lovers Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) return this weekend for another round of swashbuckling fun. But the feisty cast, effervescent humor, and elegant CGI that last captivated audiences seems to run a bit overboard in this action-packed, 2 ½ hour extension of pirate lore. Currently at 55% with 85 reviews, Dead Man?s Chest has fluctuated wildly on the Tomatometer, but has likely buried its hopes for Certified Fresh until round 3 (slated for spring 2007).

ON DVD

On DVD July 11 comes Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (Picturehouse), an exuberant postmodern adaptation of Laurence Sterne?s unusual 18th-century novel. Also arriving, on July 18, is Tsotsi (Miramax), the Academy Award-winning South African film that tells the story of a shantytown teenager?s redemption.

IN THEATERS

The man of steel is back ? and this time betraying his softer side ? in Superman Returns (Warner Bros.), one of this summer?s most hotly anticipated action adventures. Director Bryan Singer?s sequel opens next Wednesday, but has already earned praise for its elegant use of CGI, appealing performance by newcomer Brandon Routh, and a script so attune to the myth it nearly waxes poetic. With early reviews bringing its Tomatometer to 100%, Superman Returns may well have begun its ascent toward Certified Fresh.

Among the films opening last week is Wordplay (IFC Films), a movie all about addiction, compulsion, and celebrity. Patrick Creadon?s lighthearted documentary about crosswords and word nerds, is gaining traction on the Tomatometer at 91% from 35 reviews. Critics are finding this down-to-earth portrayal of ?enigmatology? an ingeniously funny bit of entertainment, likely to delight more than just the 50 million Americans who pore over crosswords weekly. Featuring New York Times crossword aficionado, Will Shortz?along with former-president Bill Clinton, Yankee pitcher Mike Mussina, comedian Jon Stewart, and the Indigo Girls?Wordplay brings humor and smart animation into its exploration of crossword creation and puzzle-solving

ON DVD

This week, Certified Fresh and Academy Award winning Syriana comes to DVD, still holding at 74% on the Tomatometer. Also on DVD are Certified Fresh thriller Cache at 87% and the documentary Why We Fight at 80%.

Can one man change the public’s perception of global warming? Al Gore’s new documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim and released by Paramount Classics may just provide the answer. As the title suggests, An Inconvenient Truth lays out the fears and myths surrounding the global warming debate. Based on early returns, critics and moviegoers are getting the message.

At 88% on the Tomatometer, meaning 88% of the nation’s top critics favorably reviewed the film, Rotten Tomatoes is proud to recognize An Inconvenient Truth as the Best Reviewed Documentary of the Year thus far. An Inconvenient Truth joins the ranks of recent Certified Fresh releases including United 93 and Why We Fight. At the box office, An Inconvenient Truth has earned equally impressive numbers, setting the record for highest per screen opening average with $91,827 (based on gross receipts of $367,311 at 4 theaters in NY and LA).

In its second week, An Inconvenient Truth continued to get top billing in the media, but it's not the only notable release. District B13 clocks in at 81% after 64 reviews. High-octane action takes front and center, more than carrying the formulaic premise/plot. Set in a futuristic Paris-gone-war zone, the stylized set pieces and kinetic editing will surely attract fans of Luc Besson, who's credited as a co-writer.

Some uneven storytelling couldn't hold back the summer's first blockbuster, Paramount's Mission: Impossible III, from Certified Fresh status. Yesterday, it made it across the 40 reviews / 75% goal line (so it will stay Certified Fresh unless it falls below 60%). Currently at 73%, this marks a solid outing for the former hit-TV-turned-film director, J.J. Abrams.


One to watch: The Proposition. Currently, at 91% and 32 reviews, Australian director John Hillcoat's Western drama features some solid performers (Guy Pearce) and unflinching storytelling. A few more reviews will probably take this into CF territory.