Thanks to the recent resurgence of a certain third dimension, going to the movies this summer will be costlier than ever. Ticket prices are up, and 3D presentations will take a few extra dollars out of your wallet.
Say hello to the Budget-Friendly 2010 Summer Movie Preview, featuring a quick rundown of the season’s biggest movies. After scouring early reviews and watching a whole lot of previews, each film has been awarded a Must See Score (MSS) out of 10.
Release dates are always subject to change, and previews can be deceiving. Check your local listings and read a few reviews before heading out to the theater. And be sure to stuff your pockets with snacks.
May 7
Iron Man 2
Robert Downey Jr. is back as billionaire genius Tony Stark alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jon Favreau. New to the series: Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell as baddies, Scarlett Johansson as the spy Black Widow, and Don Cheadle, replacing Terrence Howard as Stark’s pal Jim Rhodes, aka War Machine, the coolest superhero name in the Marvel Universe. Must See Score (MSS): 10
May 14
Robin Hood
Russell Crowe stars in Version 234 of the swashbuckling hero, this one from director Ridley Scott (“Gladiator”). MSF: 6
Letters to Juliet
Amanda Seyfried (“Dear John”) stars in her second postage-themed romance of the year. MSF: 4
May 21
Shrek Forever After
Billed as the final chapter in the Dreamworks mega-franchise, the lovable green ogre gets thrown into an alternate universe where he remains a feared, unloved monster. Hopefully it’s better than “Shrek the Third.” MSF: 7
MacGruber
Will Forte’s one-note skit from “Saturday Night Live” becomes a live-action comedy adventure. “SNL” skits rarely translate into funny movies, but early screenings have been surprisingly positive. MSF: 6
May 28
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Jake Gyllenhaal is an acrobatic adventurer in this big-budget, Jerry Bruckheimer-produced spectacle based on the popular video game. It should be better than the “Street Fighter” movie, right? MSF: 7
Sex and the City 2
Your wives already bought tickets. MSF: 8
Small stuff to seek out (Translation: Visit Spokane): Documentary “Babies,” Naomi Watts drama “Mother and Child,” Michael Douglas drama “Solitary Man,” crime drama “Holy Rollers”
June 4
Get Him to the Greek
Russell Brand is Aldous Snow, the zany rock star from the 2008 comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” in a film that sends Jonah Hill on a mission to get the drug-riddled musician across the country for an important gig. Brand was hilarious in “Sarah Marshall,” but the preview for this film lacks punch. MSF: 5
Killers
Katherine Hiegl and Ashton Kutcher star in this rehash of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” MSF: 3
Marmaduke
Owen Wilson must love dogs. The star of “Marley and Me” voices the famous comic strip pooch in this live-action adaptation. MSF: 4
Splice
A horror thriller (and Sundance Film Fest standout) starring Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley and a creepy human-beastie hybrid. MSF: 7
June 11
The A-Team
The 80s TV show about butt-kicking special ops hits the big screen with Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in a role that should still belong to Mr. T. Now that would’ve sold tickets. MSF: 6
The Karate Kid
In the latest bit of Hollywood blasphemy, Will Smith’s kid takes on the remake of the 1984 classic (yep, I said classic). Jackie Chan is on board, at least. MSF: 5
June 18
Toy Story 3
Woody and Buzz return to the big screen in an adventure about what happens to toys after kids grow up and go to college. Early screenings suggest that Pixar has another masterpiece on their hands. MSF: 10
Jonah Hex
Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich star in this Western-themed revenge flick based on the DC Comics character. MSF: 6
June 25
Knight & Day
Secret agent Tom Cruise takes civilian Cameron Diaz on a twisty ride through Kansas in this thriller from director James Mangold (“Walk the Line”). MSF: 7
Grown Ups
Former high school buds Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider meet up for a weekend of reflection and (probably) fart jokes. MSF: 5
June 30
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Bella must choose between vampire Edward and werewolf Jacob. I think I just barfed a little in my mouth. MSF: 10 (for teenage girls), 1 (everybody else).
July 2
The Last Airbender
After crashing and burning in the horror genre (“The Happening”), M. Night Shyamalan directs this live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon fantasy series. Just ask your kids about it. MSF: 6
July 9
Despicable Me
Steve Carell voices a bumbling evildoer who tries to steal the moon in this animated comedy. Where’s Dr. Horrible when you really need him? MSF: 7
Predators
The alien hunters return to feast on human flesh in this long-awaited installment in the popular sci-fi franchise. Surprisingly, it stars some decent actors, including Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne star. MSF: 7
July 16
Inception
Director Christopher Nolan takes a break from Batman to bring this top secret sci-fi thriller to the big screen. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a man who can enter and steal other people’s dreams. The theatrical trailer alone is a must see. MSF: 10
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Jerry Bruckheimer loves taking random Disney properties and making big-budget movie franchises out of them. This one stars Nicolas Cage as a wizard, based on that Mickey Mouse-“Fantasia” segment. What the what? MSF: 8
July
23
Dinner for Schmucks
Paul Rudd stars as an up-and-coming executive who must participate in a dinner where the point is to mock pathetic guests. He meets a bumbling Steve Carell and decides he’s the perfect fool. Good cast, so-so trailer. MSF: 6
Salt
Angelina Jolie is a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy in this espionage thriller that was originally written for a man. Jolie can probably beat up most of Hollywood’s leading men, anyway. MSF: 7
July 30
Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore
Oh, who are they kidding? This first movie came out 10 years ago! MSF: 2
Beastly
A live-action, modern day take on “Beauty and the Beast.” Just rent the Disney cartoon. MSF: 2
Small stuff to seek out (Translation: Visit Spokane): Robert Duvall-Bill Murray drama “Get Low,” John C. Reilly comedy “Cyrus,” drama “Life During Wartime” (sequel to “Happiness”), Julianne Moore-led ensemble “The Kids Are All Right”
August 6
The Other Guys
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg play a pair of desk jockey cops who land a big case. Just judging by previews, this is the summer’s must-see comedy. MSF: 9
Step Up 3-D
Apparently “Dancing with the Stars” isn’t available in the summer. MSF: 2
August 13
The Expendables
Sylvester Stallone leads an all-star cast of macho action stars (including Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren) in this probably bloody action-adventure. MSF: 7
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Adaptation of the cult-favorite graphic novel about an average dude (Michael Cera) who must win the heart of his dream girl by battling a series of superpowered ex-boyfriends. Directed by the great Edgar Wright (“Hot Fuzz”). MSF: 8
Eat Pray Love
Julia Roberts does all three in a movie about a recent divorcee who goes on an around-the-world journey of rediscovery. MSF: 6
August 20
Lottery Ticket
Bow Wow (sans the “Lil”) must keep his winning lottery ticket a secret for an entire weekend. I don’t know why. It’s not like rich people make a habit of sharing. MSF: 4
Nanny McPhee Returns
Emma Thompson, what are you doing? MSF: 3
Takers
Hayden Christiansen and Paul Walker star as bank robbers who… oh nevermind. Nobody wants to see these two in a movie together. MSF: 2
August 27
Going the Distance
Drew Barrymore and Justin Long struggle to make a long-distance relationship work in this comedy. MSF: 7
Piranha 3-D
Prehistoric piranhas eat people! Richard Dreyfuss! In 3-D! Go ask your local theater if they sell advance tickets four months in advance. MSF: 7