The summer movie lineup is like a pizza buffet. There are the fresh pizzas made with normal ingredients you know will be good – summer blockbusters with movie stars and good plots. There are the pizzas with weird toppings that have been under the heat lamp for too long because nobody will try them – crappy movies that studios make just because they need a summer movie. And then there is the quirky pizza that you would never order at home but is perfect at the buffet because you can eat just one slice – the crowd pleaser you’ll go with your friends when you need something to do and can’t decide what movie to go see. Bon Appétit!

Brüno
May 15th

I expect this film to blow Borat out of the water in absurdities and in enjoyment factor. Americans were shocked and appalled by people's reactions when Sasha Baron Cohen posed as a clueless foreigner, I can only imagine the reaction when he is playing up America's most terrifying nightmare: a gay man.

Up
May 29th

When the director of Monsters, Inc. and the writer of Finding Nemo get together, there is veritable reason to be excited about a movie. If any film can convince me old people aren’t just a nuisance it’s a Disney movie about a widowed former balloon salesman.

Public Enemies
July 1st

I love Johnny Depp more than your average heterosexual male, but even I was getting tired of seeing him in Tim Burton movies. If director Michael Mann was able to make Tom Cruise look like a badass in Collateral, I can’t wait to see what he has done with Depp as notorious bank robber John Dillinger.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
July 17th

The Harry Potter has had its ups and downs with me. I’m a huge fan of the books, so I hold the films to a higher standard that I feel is warranted. With that in mind, director David Yates gave us the best Potter movie we’d seen yet in Order of the Phoenix, so the fact that he has returned for Half Blood Prince is promising.

Inglorious Basterds
August 21st

I can picture Quintin Tarantino in a coked-out haze typing away at his keyboard, desperate to make Brad Pitt  and BJ Novak look like badasses. I'm not entirely sold on this movie, but I'm desperately curious to find out with Tarantino has cooked up.

Guilty Pleasure:
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
June 24th

Much like Mr. MacLennan, I love to watch shit blow up almost as much as I like to watch people fall down, and I think the new Transformers might set a record for most stuff blown up in a movie. Not to mention Megan Fox is in it, which requires no explanation for my excitement.

--Clark Herer

So yes, I'm the blockbuster man. I could give a fuck if Tranformers is good just as long as the explosions look awesome in slow motion. I appreciate the indie flicks and other stuff. I even reviewed this summer's indie sci fi semi-masterpiece Moon and am still anxious for it to come out so I can see it again. I'm also pretty excited to see the Rian Johnson delayed Brothers Bloom, which I have on good authority is really finally coming out. But what makes my butt wet this summer? Well I'll tell ya:

Star Trek
May 8th
The origin story of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and the crew of the USS Enterprise before they had boldly gone where no man had gone before. Trailers for it are awesome, and J.J. Abrams is an evil mad genius. He even made me giddy for watching a Mission Impossible movie, I mean Mission Impossible I and II were okayish, but III was totally awesome. I am super stoked about this reboot.

Funny People
July 31
When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition his desire to form a genuine friendship inspires him to take a relatively green performer (Seth Rogen) under his wing as his opening act. Judd Apatow, comedic greats, and a solid trailer = summer movie excitement. It looks like it could slide down the slippery slope to sappy-ville, but I got faith in Apatow who always seems know to how to walk that fine line.

Terminator Salvation
May 21
John Connor (Christian "I'm Batman" Bale) is joined in his attempt to defeat Skynet and its army of Terminators by Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a man who apparently has been rescued from the past, though Connor wonders if instead he's been sent from the future as a foil to his plan. As Connor and Wright push deep into the heart of Skynet, they get closer and closer to learning the secret behind the organization's mission to wipe humankind off the planet. I actually had a dream that I saw this movie, and it was totally awesome. So McG is a douche, but c'mon, Christian Bale? Terminators? How can you guys not at least be a little excited?

UP
May 29
By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip. I saw a healthy chunk of this movie back at Butt Numb-a-Thon and I wasn't really excited to see it until I saw that footage. It's heartfelt, funny, and though it's a cartoon it feels completely organic and real. I'm excited about it, even if this movie has few promises of nudity and/or explosions.

500 Days of Summer
August 20
An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman (Zooey Deschanel) who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who falls for her. I already saw it, but I'm so excited for you guys to see it so we can talk about it. I loved it and can't wait to see it again. I'll have my review up shortly. But in the meantime, know it actually tackles relationships in a realistic and so-true-it's-funny angle, and the soundtrack is pretty popping. Let the waiting game begin....

Guilty Pleasure
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
June 24
Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle. Michael Bay is a genius. That being said, pairing a genius like him, with a movie based on a cartoon that is in turn based on a toy is pure genius. Having said movie revolve, almost exclusively, around robots fighting is also genius. So yeah...I'm pretty excited to witness this summer's greatest spectacle.

--Greg MacLennan

The summer blockbuster season officially kicks off this Friday when Wolverine claws its way into theatres--well, for those of you who haven't downloaded it online already. So, we at The Movie Press thought we'd help you weed through the many, many, many flicks being thrown your way. Since there are so many films this summer we may never see the sun, we each took turns perfecting our top five most anticipated summer films.

THE HANGOVER
June 5
First of all, Old School makes me laugh real hard, so a new flick by Todd Phillips is probably a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Don't believe me? A sequel is already in the works. Secondly: Bradley Cooper. 'Nough said.

AWAY WE GO
June 5
A rom com featuring John Krasinksi and Maya Rudolph directed by Sam Mendes--yes, of American Beauty fame? I think I'm sold on curiosity alone. Check out the trailer. It looks pretty, pretty, pretty good.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
July 15
Ummm...I'm a dork, and I'm excited. So sue me. Do I really need to explain this further?

JULIE & JULIA
August 7
Four words: Meryl Streep. Julia Child. Case closed. Oh, wait? Also starring Amy Adams? Well, shit then... Plus, I read the book about a bored Long Island secretary (originally from ATX, woot woot) who decides to cook every recipe in Child's The Art of French Cooking, and it was really amazing, cute, and wonderfully insightful on the life of Child. Cannot wait.

THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE
August 14
In keeping with my theme of beloved books becoming movies, I am beyond excited for this film since the book is probably the last to make me openly sob. Don't judge. Add Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, and you have yourself a fantastical time traveling main character in a wonderful love story. I pray they don't fuck it up.

Guilty Pleasure Pick
THE PROPOSAL
June 19
Sorry to steal this from you, Greg! I have a weird soft spot for Sandra Bullock and her romantic comedy ways. What? She has great comedic timing and is so damn likable. In the mix are Ryan Reynolds and that kooky old lady from Golden Girls (RIP Bea Arthur), which means you got yourself a perfect date movie.

Okay, so I don't have any huge blockbuster films on this list, but this may be the first summer in a long time where actual good shit is being released alongside all the action adventure. Plus, Greg's list will no doubt contain more of the action, explosion-y films, so be on the lookout for that shortly.

What films are you hoping to beat the summer heat with?

--Darcie Duttweiler