MOVIES: Mr. July, your reign may be in jeopardy

  Reggie Jackson's Mr. October. Will Smith's Mr. July. Ever since TV's "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" made a smashing big-screen debut in "Independence Day" (released July 3, 1996), Smith has owned the July box-office as a top action movie hero.
  A year after "Independence Day" landed, Mr. Smith (and Mr. Jones, Tommy Lee) starred in "Men in Black" (opening date: July 2, 1997). Another smash.
  In 1998, Smith switched seasons, starting a tradition of starring in more serious fall fare (the hit thriller "Enemy of the State," released Nov. 20, 1998).
  In 1990, Smith's big summer movie — "Wild Wild West" — opened June 30. Close enough to the Fourth of July weekend, but nowhere close to a hit.
  In 2000, Smith went serious again, starring in "The  Legend of Bagger Vance." (Another November release — and another flop.)
  Smith stayed serious for 2001's "Ali," which opened Christmas Day — and earned him a best actor Oscar nomination, along with beaucoup box-office dollars.
  It wasn't until 2002 that Smith returned to July (July 3) for a sure bet: "Men in Black II." In 2003, July 18 saw "Bad Boys II" in theaters, followed by "I, Robot" in July 2004.
  Smith switched things up in 2005 with his first romantic comedy, "Hitch" — which arrived in theaters in February, just in time for Valentine's Day.
  After that, it was back to the serious stuff: "The Pursuit of Happyness" (and another Oscar nomination) in December 2006, followed by "I Am Legend" in December 2007.
  He may be legend, but something tells me this year's model, "Hancock," may not rank up there with Smith's Greatest Hits.
  Playing a surly, slacker superhero in need of a public-relations makeover is an interesting movie — and "Hancock" is an interesting movie. It's just not a particularly successful one, suffering from serious cinematic split-personality syndrome as it shifts uneasily from clever comedy to something considerably more serious, and considerably less persuasive.
  The opening weekend won't be a problem, but something tells me that, once word-of-mouth kicks in, Mr. Smith might not be so happy to hear what that word-of-mouth portends.