There is no space for cinematic subtlety come summer. While those charming period dramas and heartfelt films might play fine when the weather is cool, Hollywood long ago came to the conclusion that after school is out, explosions are in. Here's a look at some of the marquee releases planned for the next few months.
THE OTHER GUYS
In every cop movie there's the partnership that happens in the periphery. While the stars are speeding down city streets and gunning down bad guys, these squadroom regulars live far more mundane lives, making routine arrests and going home every evening. This is their story. The action comedy, co-written by former Augusta resident Chris Henchy, stars Mark Wahlberg and Will Farrell as cops living in the long shadow of a more action-oriented team, played by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson. OPENS AUG. 6
INCEPTION
Christopher Nolan, the director of The Dark Knight, offers this surrealist film about an information-age criminal who liberates data from dreams. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page star. OPENS JULY 16
GET HIM TO THE GREEK
In this sort-of sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, British comic Russell Brand recreates his role as rocker Aldous Snow. Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs plays a record industry exec who charges intern Jonah Hill with getting Snow to a high-profile show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. OPENS JUNE 4
TOY STORY 3
The toys find themselves adjusting to new circumstances when their now college-bound owner Andy donates them to a day care center. Unhappy in their new environs, the playthings plan a Great Escape-style breakout. OPENS JUNE 18
PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME
Based on a popular video game, this fantasy features Jake Gyllenhaal as a Persian prince fighting for his kingdom with the help of a princess (of course) and a dagger that controls time (wha?). While it's true that Gyllenhaal is hardly convincing as a Persian prince, this is a film unapologetically adrift from the history of the region, taking its text from Nintendo rather than Iran's storied past. OPENS MAY 28
THE A-TEAM
One of a healthy handful of mercenary movies being released this year, A-Team, based on the iconic '80s action series, revolves around an unjustly convicted team of Army veterans looking to clear its record while meting out a little explosive justice. There's also a very cool van. Quinton Jackson stars as B.A. OPENS JUNE 11
THE EXPENDABLES
More mercenaries. This time the team is led by Sylvester Stallone, who also directed this film. Stylistically, it harkens back to, well, classic Stallone films. Expect lots of gunfire, explosions and quips as the Expendables team wreaks havoc in South America. OPENS AUG. 13
SEX AND THE CITY 2
It's a good thing this television series went off the air, as it leaves the production team more time to produce this wildly successful series of films. Unlike previous Sex and the City stories, New York City, the unofficial fifth wheel in this quartet comedy, plays less of a role. Instead, the martini-drinking, shoe-shopping ladies of means travel to Dubai, adding an element of the exotic to their heartfelt quips and conversation. OPENS MAY 27
PREDATORS
The Predators, those super hunters from space that so long ago gave Arnold Schwarzenegger such a hard time, are rescued from their ill-advised movie battles with the equally iconic Aliens. A team of human hunters are transported to the Predator home world to be hunted for sport. Adrien Brody stars as the ad hoc leader of the hunted party. Laurence Fishburne co-stars. OPENS JULY 9
KNIGHT & DAY
It has been a long time since Hollywood offered a good, old-fashioned action comedy. This one stars Tom Cruise as a rogue secret agent who may be a bit unbalanced and Cameron Diaz as the woman he pulls into his literally explosive world. Cruise is in his comfort zone, playing a character that's both charming and handy in a fight. OPENS JUNE 25
Here's a quick look at a few more of this summer's big releases:
SPLICE: Genetic experiments produce an odd creature. Naughty DNA. (June 4)
JONAH HEX: Comic book cowboy hits the big screen. (June 18)
GROWN UPS: Childhood friends reunite. Zaniness ensues. (June 23)
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE: Vampires and werewolves clash over which can brood better. (June 30)
THE LAST AIRBENDER: Live action adaptation of elemental anime. (July 2)
DESPICABLE ME: The life and hard times of an animated super-villain, voiced by Steve Carell. (July 9)
THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE: Mickey Mouse criminally overlooked in this adaptation of the classic wizard story. (July 16)
DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS: A dinner party for the dim yields an unexpected friendship. (July 23)
SALT : A spy story starring Angelina Jolie as a possible double agent. (July 23)
BEASTLY: Retelling of the Beauty and Beast story, set in New York society. (July 30)
EAT, PRAY, LOVE: Julia Roberts travels the world searching for deep answers, lasting love and a good meal. (Aug. 13)
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD: A musician must defeat his girlfriend's all-powerful exes to win her heart. Wait. What? (Aug. 13)
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