Mr. Popper’s Penguins
(June 17) – Based on the classic children’s book, workaholic Mr. Popper (Jim Carrey) is given a penguin as a gift and soon finds himself caring for five more. He finds that this commitment is consuming his life. But it changes his outlook and he finds himself far happier than he’s ever been, though his friends and co-workers become a bit concerned by his behavior. This one looks like the first genuine family film of the summer.
Don’t be Afraid of the Dark
(Aug. 26) – A young girl goes to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes) only to find there are supernatural beings in the home that want to abduct her. Produced by Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy), think of this as a more horrific version of Coraline.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
(July 1) – The final chapter in Michael Bay’s ear-bursting trilogy finds Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and Optimus Prime battling Shockwave, an alien entity that could spell doom for all mankind. For those looking forward to this film, the fact that it was shot in the 3-D format is good news. For the rest of us, it means that not only will our ears be assaulted but our eyes will as well.
Cowboys and Aliens
(July 27) – The title says it all in this adaptation of the graphic novel that finds an outlaw (Daniel Craig) suffering from amnesia after being abducted and knocked unconscious, only to find a piece of mysterious hardware attached to his wrist. Seems it’s the only thing that will help the citizens of Silver City when they find themselves attacked by a squadron of flying saucers. With Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde.
Horrible Bosses
(July 8) – Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis star as three friends who each suffer under the reign of tyrannical bosses, so they concoct a plan that would get rid of them forever. Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell are the objects of their disdain in this ribald, male-centric version of 9 to 5.
Zookeeper
(July 8) – Kevin James stars in the title role and he begins to question his sanity when he realizes the animals he cares for are talking to him.
After recovering from the initial shock, he realizes they are just trying to help him win the heart of a woman he continually strikes out with. Featuring the voice talent of Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Cher and Don Rickles.
The Change-Up
(Aug. 5) – Jason Bateman is a put upon single father who switches places with his womanizing best friend (Ryan Reynolds) as he tries to woo an elusive co-worker (Olivia Wilde). While the body-switching premise is overplayed, Bateman and Reynolds may be able to bring some life to it.
Super 8
(June 10) – Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek), this adventure plays like an extended homage to its producer, Steven Spielberg, as comparisons to Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. are destined to be made. It focuses on a group of young teens who witness a horrific train wreck while making their own movie outside their Ohio hometown. Carrying Top Secret cargo for the U. S. military, something escapes from the wreckage that leads to a rash of inexplicable events.
