Summer movie preview 2008

It’s summertime (almost) and the popcorn is popping.

The movie theaters plan an onslaught of varied, but mostly escapist fare for its three-month air-conditioned holiday.

Billions of dollars will be at stake in a summer that is refreshingly lacking in sequels or the last parts of trilogies. This is the summer when all the cool cats aren’t copy cats. Producers have run out of “threesomes” with “Shrek,” “Pirates,” “Spider-Man” and “Lord of the Rings” all having taken their third laps.

As a result, it’s a riskier season than usual, because several of the films with $100 million-plus budgets are attempts to start new franchises. Will there be an “Iron Man 2” or a “Speed Racer II” and “Speed Racer III?” The box office will tell.

The big-money risk this summer is on superheroes: from Iron Man, which kicks off the season today, to Batman, Hellboy and Hancock. Even the Incredible Hulk gets a second chance, after the earlier “Hulk” proved to be too arty. Representing the action girls, Angelina Jolie goes it almost alone, with a movie called “Wanted.”

Meryl Streep will sing, and dance. Heath Ledger will have his last screen role.

To cash in on brand names, Hollywood gives big-screen exposure to television titles, with girls talking dirty in “Sex and the City” and alien things coming forth in a new “X- Files.”

There are going to be some surprise flops. Which movie will become a phenomenon and capture all of America? There’s always one.

“Spider-Man 3” was the champion movie last summer. The summer before that, the biggest movie was “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (some are still trying to figure out that convoluted plot or whether it even had a plot).

So what will be the biggest hit of this stanza? Let’s examine the entries. We’ll predict the box office champs, with a reminder that the movie that does the most business often is not the best movie – and often not even good. This is show business, not art. Still, we’ll be looking, and hoping, that a few movies that are actually good will also attract audiences. One can always hope. (A reminder: All dates are subject to change since the studios are still studying the calendar to try to get out of each other’s way).

MAY 9

“Speed Racer”

In their first directorial effort since “The Matrix” trilogy, the Wachowski brothers adapt the cartoon TV series about zooming cars. Emile Hirsch (who stepped up to the A-list with “Into the Wild”) plays the title character, and Christina Ricci is his girlfriend, Trixie.

“What Happens in Vegas … ”

After a night in Vegas a couple wake up both hung over and married. When they win $3 million at a slot machine, a judge requires that they stay married if they want to keep the money. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher play the couple who can’t get along. Queen Latifah is their marriage counselor (which explains a lot).

“Redbelt”

David Mamet wrote and directed this film about the world of mixed marital arts. A martial arts enthusiast gets involved with Hollywood types and learns that he’s been set up in a scam. The cast includes Joe Mantegna, Emily Mortimer and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

“The Visitor”

An aging academic finds that a Syrian man and his girlfriend, the victims of a real estate scam, are staying in his New York apartment. He lets them stay, and the visitor opens the lonely man up to playing drums and going to jazz clubs. Then the Syrian is faced with deportation as an illegal immigrant.

MAY 16

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”

A new film version of the C.S. Lewis fantasy attempts to match the $292 million hit “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The Pevensie children return to the magical world to find Prince Caspian rebelling against a despot. Ben Barnes plays the prince.

“Caramel”

Get inside a beauty salon, and you’ll learn plenty about women. This one, uniquely, is in Beirut. Five women with experiences ranging from an affair with a married man to the loss of virginity to a lesbian attraction talk about men, sex, haircuts and sugar waxing with caramel.

MAY 22

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”

Almost 20 years after the last “Indiana Jones” movie, the adventure continues. Harrison Ford is still cracking his whip, and Karen Allen, the leading lady of the first Indy movie, returns. Cate Blanchett plays a formidable opponent, and for the teens who weren’t born when the last movie came out, there’s new star Shia LaBeouf. This will be the biggest hit of the summer.

MAY 23

“Young at Heart”

Let’s rock. Old folks are not only a lot of fun, they’re hilarious in this documentary about a senior citizens’ chorus that does concerts of songs from groups like Clash and Coldplay. Their version of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” is a high spot.

MAY 30

“Sex and the City: The Movie”

Is this proof that women do talk just as dirty as men, or worse? Carrie Bradshaw and her trio of girlfriends are back in New York City in designer shoes, four years after the TV series ended. Sarah Jessica Parker, as Carrie, is engaged to Mr. Big (Chris Noth). With, of course, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis.

JUNE 6

“Kung Fu Panda”

A panda named Po sets out to become a martial arts force and battle a mean snow leopard. The animated film has the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Ian McShane.

“You Don’t Mess With the Zohan”

Adam Sandler plays an Israeli commando turned hairdresser. Emmanuelle Chriqui plays Zohan’s boss, who happens to be a Palestinian, in the salon.

“Mother of Tears: The Third Mother” Italian horror specialist Dario Argento, 67, offers a film with disemboweling and amputated limbs. Model-turned-actress Moran Atlas reportedly has no costume for most of her scenes. You get the idea.

“My Blueberry Nights”

Singer Norah Jones, in her film debut, takes off across America to get over a breakup. With Jude Law, David Strathairn, Oscar winner Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman.

“The Life Before Her Eyes”

Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood star in an intense drama about the effect a past tragedy has on a woman’s seemingly perfect life.

JUNE 13

“The Incredible Hulk”

Ang Lee’s 2003 version, “Hulk,” was a flop. This one has Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) being chased by Gen. Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) in Brazil. It’s closer to the comic books and the old TV series.

“The Happening”

Will director M. Night Shyamalan ever match his “The Sixth Sense”? Here, he’s out to scare us – plenty. There’s a menace out there and it’s largely unseen – maybe a green, airborne toxin. Mark Wahlberg plays a high school science teacher who is trying to warn the world.

“Son of Rambow”

After a British boy in the 1980s sees Sylvester Stallone in “Rambo,” he sets out to make an action movie of his own, with hilarious results.

“Married Life”

In a dark comedy with a touch of suspense, Chris Cooper plays a man who has been happily married to Patricia Clarkson for years until he decides he must kill her because he loves her too much to let her suffer when he leaves her. He’s fallen for young Rachel McAdams, but his friend, played by Pierce Brosnan, also has eyes for her.

JUNE 20

“Get Smart”

Maxwell Smart, the inept spy from agency CONTROL, goes into action against the evil forces of KAOS. This plays off the 1965 TV series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Steve Carell plays Smart, with Anne Hathaway as Agent 99.

“The Love Guru”

Can Guru Pitka achieve the howling humor of Austin Powers? Mike Myers plays an American spiritual leader who plans to become the world’s leading relationship expert. Pitka’s mantra is “Mariska Hargitay.” The cast includes Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba.

“The Counterfeiters”

A true story set in a Nazi concentration camp. A group of prisoners, living in relative luxury, is forced to produce fake currency to help the German war effort. Moral dilemmas abound. Academy Award winner for best foreign language film.

“Paranoid Park”

Director Gus Van Sant takes a look at alienated youth in this drama about a teen skateboard enthusiast who fears he is involved in the death of a security guard near a skateboarding area called Paranoid Park.

JUNE 27

“Wanted”

This adaptation of Mark Millar’s graphic novel is about an average guy (James McAvoy from “Atonement”) who is trained to join an elite group of assassins. His trainer is Angelina Jolie, who plans for him to help her avenge the murder of her father. In two falls out of three, we’d bet on her against any villain.

“WALL–E”

A lonely robot is left behind on the abandoned planet Earth in the year 2700. His only companion is a cute cockroach. A droid named EVE shows up, and he’s smitten. It’s from the Pixar animation people, who have never had a flop.

“Priceless”

Audrey Tautou plays a gold-digger who mistakes a shy bartender for a millionaire in this romantic comedy. In French with English subtitles.

“Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?”

In this documentary, director Morgan Spurlock follows the path of the world’s most wanted man.

JULY 2

“Hancock”

A superhero has become a bum. His biggest superpower is that he’s Will Smith, the box office king of July 4 weekend in recent years. Co-starring Oscar winner Charlize Theron, with Jason Bateman. Directed by Peter Berg.

“Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”

Kitt is the first of the doll company’s characters to get a feature film. Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin plays the adventurous Kit, who tries to save her family’s home during the Great Depression.

JULY 11

“Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D”

Pat Boone, James Mason, Arlene Dahl and a duck starred in the original. This high-tech version provides a ride down a mine shaft, a giant dinosaur and flying fish heading at you. Brendan Fraser stars.

“Meet Dave”

Eddie Murphy plays a 1½-inch tall creature from the planet Nill who comes to Earth disguised as a computerized regular-size person.

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army”

The first film, released in 2004, earned an enthusiastic cult for its weird, offbeat stance (as well as a rave review in The Virginian-Pilot). Guillermo del Toro, with his Oscar for “Pan’s Labyrinth,” directs. Ron Perlman returns as the title character.

JULY 18

“The Dark Knight”

Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman, but the attention is on the late Heath Ledger’s reinvention of The Joker. There is talk of a posthumous Oscar for Ledger.

“Mama Mia!”

The Broadway jukebox musical that won’t go away is now a movie musical with Meryl Streep as the mom who once had three beaus and now has one teen daughter. Which one is the father? No one really cares, because it’s the ABBA songs that keep the show, and the movie, moving along.

“Space Chimps”

Monkeys in space. This animated feature is about three chimpanzee astronauts named Ham III, Luna and Titan as they try to end the rule of an evil alien.

JULY 25

“Brideshead Revisited”

One of the most memorable mini-series in television, it set the college crowd everywhere to wearing impressive summer clothes and carrying a teddy bear, like Sebastian. This condenses the 1981 mini-series, and 1945 Evelyn Waugh novel, to a feature-length film, starring Emma Thompson.

“The X-Files: I Want to Believe”

Deceive. Inveigle. Obfuscate. Those were among the announced goals of the TV series during its nine-year run, but this new film is a stand-alone drama. The plot will involve, among other things, the son of the two leads, once given up for adoption. Mulder and Scully, again played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, continue their relationship. Directed by Chris Carter.

“Step Brothers”

Two guys each live with his single parent. When the parents marry, the step-brothers have to share. It’s produced by Judd Apatow and is rumored to be a hard R. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play the brothers, with Mary Steenburgen as the mother. Promises to be raunchy.

“The Longshots”

Ice Cube stars in a film about a girl who joins a boys’ football team. The director is Fred Durst, former frontman for Limp Bizkit.

“Baghead”

This is literally about a guy who wears a bag over his head.

AUG. 1

“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”

This is a rare third edition of a movie franchise this summer. There are three-headed dragons and, finally, a mummy, played by Jet Li. Stars Brendan Fraser.

“The Rocker”

Rainn Wilson from TV’s “The Office” plays a rocker who got kicked out of his old band just before it hit big. When his teen nephew forms a rock band, he gets a second shot. With Christina Applegate.

AUG. 8

“Pineapple Express”

A comedy in which a couple of stoners go on the run when they witness a cop committing a murder. It’s produced by Judd Apatow. (Isn’t just about every raunchy comedy?) James Franco has his first role in a major studio comedy, with Seth Rogen, Bill Hader and Rosie Perez (she’s baaaack).

“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2”

All four stars return from the 2005 DVD hit: Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera (TV’s “Ugly Betty”).

AUG. 15

“Tropic Thunder”

Ben Stiller plays an action star who tries to go dramatic in “Simple Jack,” the movie within this movie. This is a comedy about a group of egotistical actors making a movie about Vietnam. Robert Downey Jr. plays an Oscar-winning Australian actor who dyes his skin black to play an African American soldier and calls it “Method.”

“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”

This animated spin-off takes place in the period between “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith,” when Anakin Skywalker was still a good guy, not Darth Vader. It will introduce Asoka, a female Jedi.

AUG. 22

“The Accidental Husband”

A screwball comedy of the old school. Uma Thurman plays a lofty radio talk show host who offers advice on a break-up. The firefighter, the guy in the broken relationship, is furious and wants revenge.

“Crossing Over”

The effects of illegal immigration are dramatized. Sean Penn plays a border guard. Ray Liotta is an official, and Ashley Judd is a defense attorney. Harrison Ford gets top billing.

“The House Bunny”

When a Playboy Playmate gets kicked out of the mansion, she becomes the housemother of a college sorority. Anna Faris is the Bunny and Emma Stone from “Superbad” is the college girl. Could it be as good as “Legally Blonde” on campus?

“Hamlet 2”

A wacky comedy in which a high school drama teacher stages a musical sequel to “Hamlet’’ that features songs like “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus.” British comic Steve Coogan stars, but it is Elisabeth Shue who is the surprise.

AUG. 29

“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Woody Allen directs Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Rebecca Hall in a bittersweet romantic comedy set in Spain.

“Traitor”

Steve Martin wrote this thriller about a CIA agent infiltrating a band of terrorists in which a Muslim is the hero. The cast includes Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce and Jeff Daniels.

PREDICTIONS:

Box office results are impossible to predict. but we’ll do it anyway.

We predict the order of the summer’s top hits will be:

1. "Indianna Jones"

2. "Hancock"

3. "Iron Man"

4 "The Chronicles of Narnia"

5. “The Dark Knight”

6. “Wall-E”

7. "The Incredible Hulk"

8. "Tropic Thunder"

9. "The Mummy"

10. “Kung Fu Panda”