By Scott Weinberg

And the cycle begins anew. At this time last year we were all looking forward to "Star Wars 3," "Batman Reboots," "War of the Worlds ... Again," and ... "Bewitched," I guess. A few of those blockbusters delivered the goods (and then some), while others were left by the side of the road in less than a week. We whined as "Fantastic Four" made big money, and some of us scratched our heads as "Cinderella Man" failed to find an audience. And, although we didn't know it at the time, we were about to make huge hits out of "Wedding Crashers" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" -- two flicks that weren't on a whole lot of radars.

So now that the first-quarter studio dumping parade is over with, we all have a shiny new summer that promises to be over-stuffed with all sorts of new goodies. Whether you're looking for high-end action, underwater escapes, ultra-popular literary adaptations, devilish toddlers, slick-concept comedy, or just some freakin' "Snakes on a Plane" already, the Summer of '06 looks to be laden with exciting offerings. Plus, this early in the game, we don't yet know which ones are the mega-stinkers or belly-flop money-losers -- and that just makes the season all the more entertaining.

Mission: Impossible III May 05, 2006

De Palma directed the first, and it was Woo for number two, but the third chapter in the resoundingly popular "Mission: Impossible" franchise belongs to the multi-hatted J.J. Abrams, who gave you television's "Lost" and "Alias" after writing movies like "Joy Ride" and "Armageddon." I'll spare you the excessive plot synopsis, and instead tell you that it's a whole bunch of nifty spy stuff, with a massive (and seriously impressive) cast: Joining Tom Cruise in his third trek through (Ethan) Huntsville are Laurence Fishburne, Ving Rhames, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Simon Pegg, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Keri Russell, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain! With summer's first inevitable blockbuster already on a full-court press-push, "M:I:3" looks like it could be a bona-fide record breaker. (Paramount) Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Sasha Alexander Directed by: Jeffrey Abrams More Info: Reviews, 38 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Poseidon May 12, 2006

Take one of the most beloved classic disaster epics, jam a whole bunch of familiar faces into the mix, hire the reigning king of waterlogged cinema to pull the thing together, and you've got "Poseidon." Directed by Wolfgang ("The Perfect Storm") Petersen and loaded with names like Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, Richard Dreyfuss, and ... Emmy Rossum, this new-fangled capsize adventure looks to be packed with high-tech, mega-wet mayhem. (Warner Bros.) Starring: Kurt Russell, Joshua Lucas, Emmy Rossum Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen More Info: Reviews, 59 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

The Da Vinci Code May 19, 2006

If you haven't read the book -- or at least heard about it -- you're probably living under a nice cool rock right now, but here's the basic gist: A respected scholar finds himself embroiled in a shocking treasure hunt that threatens to shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church ... and the movie itself has been causing a hubbub of its own already. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, "The Da Vinci Code" is a lock to become one of this summer's biggest hits -- and it just might be better than the (fairly overrated) source material. Fans will also enjoy the presence of Jean Reno, Audrey Tautou, Paul Bettany, and Sir Ian McKellen. (Sony) Starring: Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen, Audrey Tautou Directed by: Ron Howard More Info: Reviews, Posters, 29 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Over the Hedge May 19, 2006

DreamWorks Animation continues its battle against the forces of Pixar with an all-new CG family comedy about a maniacal menagerie of displaced suburban critters who must contend with an unwanted human invasion. Kids will undoubtedly adore the thing, but Mom and Dad can also play spot-the-voice for 80-some minutes and have a pretty good time. Here's a few hints: Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Nick Nolte, Eugene Levy, Garry Shandling, and Wanda Sykes. The remaining dozen or so are up to you. (DreamWorks Animation) Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick, Tim Johnson, More Info: Reviews, 46 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

X-Men: The Last Stand May 26, 2006

Marvel's favorite mutants show up for a third (and reportedly last) epic adventure, and this time they'll do battle over a Mutancy Cure ... or something. All I know is that a lot of colorful heroes and villains will be throwing things at each other and fighting all over the place, and that sounds fun enough for me. The jury's still out on the whole "can Brett Ratner pull it off?" issue, but early buzz seems fairly positive -- plus, the fans will have to buy a ticket if they want to know the answer. Returning mutants include Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. The newest super-types on board are played by Kelsey Grammer, Vinnie Jones, and Ellen Page. (Fox) Starring: Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman Directed by: Brett Ratner More Info: Reviews, 58 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Cars June 09, 2006

The only thing Pixar does better than make money is make good movies. From both "Toy Storys" and "A Bug's Life" to "Monsters" and "Nemo" and the indelible "Incredibles," the Pixar wizards can seemingly do no wrong. And now we have their latest animated menagerie. Nope, it's not fish or toys or freaky ol' monsters. It's something else that little boys can't get enough of: "Cars." With their patented brand of animation excellence and a voice cast that includes Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Michael Keaton, Bonnie Hunt, George Carlin, and (of course) John Ratzenberger, these Cars look to be in the winner's circle this summer ... as far as animated fare goes, anyway. (Disney) Directed by: John Lasseter More Info: Reviews, Posters, 75 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Nacho Libre June 16, 2006

Jack Black certainly isn't above humiliating himself for a few laughs, and "Nacho Libre" looks to be stacked with broad and bubbly slapstickery. Plus, it comes from the director of "Napoleon Dynamite" (Jared Hess) and the writer of "The Good Girl" and "School of Rock" (Mike White), so there's a pretty solid pedigree right there. And, I'll happily admit, the newest trailer delivers a lot more laughs than the early teaser clip. (Paramount) Starring: Jack Black, Ana DeLa Reguera, Hector Jiminez Directed by: Jared Hess More Info: Reviews, 35 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Superman Returns June 28, 2006

Choosing to "sorta" pick up from the end of "Superman 2" might have been a risky proposition for the newest "Super"-makers, but really; this thing's going to make enough cash to fill three giant secret ice-fortresses. Newcomer Brandon Routh gets to step into the beloved cape, with Kate Bosworth as a doe-eyed Lois Lane, Frank Langella as a blustery Perry White, Sam Huntington as a suitably geeky Jimmy Olsen, and the ever-colorful Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, everyone's favorite megalomaniac. Plus, we hear that Marlon Brando has been cinematically resurrected for a few choice moments, which makes the old-school Super-fans both excited ... and skeptical. But with "X-Men" and "X2" director Bryan Singer at the helm, we're fine with giving the flick an early benefit of the doubt. (Warner Bros.) Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Brandon Routh Directed by: Bryan Singer More Info: Reviews, Posters, 101 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest July 07, 2006

If I told you I watched the new trailer about five times in a row, would that give you a clear enough indication as to the depths of my Pirates geekitude? Probably not. Having loved the first trip to the Caribbean, I'm thrilled to announce that all of the principals have returned for Part 2 (and Part 3!) -- and by principals I don't just mean Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom. I also mean producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski, and the ever-clever screenwriting duo known as Elliott and Rossio. This time around, Jack and his pals must do battle with the squid-faced Davy Jones and his army of crustacean-laden zombie monsters. Sprinkle liberally with good comedy, tons of action, and a Giant Kraken (!) and you've got my recipe for the summer's best spectacle. (Disney) Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley Directed by: Gore Verbinski More Info: Reviews, Posters, 45 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Lady in the Water July 21, 2006

Hoping to wash the "Village" experience away, third-act twist-master M. Night Shyamalan returns with a story of a Average Joe who discovers a magical beauty in a nearby swimming pool, only to realize that she's a creature who just fell out of a storybook. Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jeffrey Wright star. (Warner Bros.) Starring: Bob Balaban, Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan More Info: Reviews, 29 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Clerks II July 21, 2006
	Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson Directed by: Kevin Smith More Info: Reviews, 12 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Miami Vice July 28, 2006

Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx step into the roles made famous by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, and while the tone certainly looks a lot different, the creator remains the same. Michael Mann, producer of the original TV series, returns to the well to write and direct this big-screen adaptation, and it looks to be an atmospheric and downbeat sort of cop story. Also along for the ride are Naomie Harris, Ciaran Hinds, Justin Theroux, and Gong Li. (Universal) Starring: Gong Li, Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell Directed by: Michael Mann More Info: Reviews, 51 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum

 

Snakes on a Plane August 18, 2006

I don't know about you, but "Clerks 2" and "Snakes on a Plane" sounds like one of the most entertaining double features this side of "Fast Times" and "Tremors." In case you've missed all the articles, the blogs, and the early slither-buzz, "Snakes on a Plane" shows what happens when Samuel L. Jackson and a bunch of other screaming folks are trapped aboard an airliner while snakes roam about the cabin, all looking to lick, chomp, or constrict whoever they can. From "Cellular" director David Ellis and featuring the likes of Rachel Blanchard, Kenan Thompson, Sunny Mabrey, David Koechner, Julianna Margulies, and Todd Louiso, "SOAP" is already a full-blown bona-fide movie-geek phenomenon, and it doesn't even come out for another three months! (New Line) Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips Directed by: David R. Ellis More Info: Reviews, 40 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum