Summer movie extravaganza

The city of Buffalo is finally hitting temperatures over 40 degrees, which can only mean one thing: summer is right around the corner.

Come the summer months, Hollywood's biggest films will be heading toward your nearest theater. Billionaire armored playboys, living toys and explosions that probably cost as much as your tuition will populate the screens, starting in May.

Quite possibly the biggest and most anticipated film of the summer is Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan's Inception, which opens July 16. Nolan is reteaming with most of the crew from the Dark Knight, including composer Hans Zimmer. It will be very surprising if this movie is not another hit for the auteur.

Much of the allure for Inception has been generated from the enigmatic story. Very little is known about the film due to Nolan keeping much under wraps. The movie centers around a man named Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island) who has the technology to enter people's dreams. Here he is able to steal ideas and sell them to the highest bidder.

Combined with the success of Dark Knight, all-star cast and trippy, jaw-dropping visuals, Inception will probably be the king of summer movies.

Summers past were usually filled to the brim with comic book movies, and this one is no different. The one grabbing the most attention is Iron Man II, the sequel to the surprise hit from two years ago. Jon Favreau returns to the director's chair, while Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes) reprises his role as Tony Stark.

Stark will have to contend with different powers, including the U.S. government, which wants to get its hands on the Iron Man armor, the revenge-craving Whiplash (Mickey Rourke, 13) and rival businessman Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell, Gentlemen Broncos).

Possibly the most interesting comic book adaptation in years will open August 13. Titled Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, this one is being directed by cult comedy director Edgar Wright, most notable to American audiences for the two great comedies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

The title character, played by Michael Cera (Youth in Revolt), looks like he will break the awkward type that Cera usually plays. Cera, as Pilgrim, must fight the seven evil ex-boyfriends of his new girlfriend. The film's unusual story and unique visuals make it a must-see this summer.

For something that isn't a comic adaptation, director Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe (State of Play) reteam for the legend of the bow and arrow master/fighter for the poor, Robin Hood.

Adapting a much grittier look, Crowe will play the renowned hero as he fights the forces of corruption and tyranny in England. When these two get together, something good usually comes out of it.

For action junkies, the summer is a blessing. This summer has no shortage of out of control action fun for junkies to sink their teeth into. The A-Team gets a modern makeover this summer, starring Liam Neeson (Clash of the Titans). It looks like it will keep the over-the-top nature of the show, but with a bigger budget.

The Predator franchise hopes to revive itself this summer after its previous awful outings in the AvP movies. The Robert Rodriguez-produced film looks to get back to the roots of the first film as a group of criminals, led by Adrien Brody (The Fantastic Mr. Fox), must survive the hunt of a new batch of the infamous invisible hunters.

Topping off the action fest is Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables. Boasting a large cast of action star mainstays, the film hopes to return to action movie glory days. The plot in a nutshell – a group of mercenaries dubbed the Expendables must deal with a cold-blooded despot.

The film will also contain a scene that will most likely go down as the greatest piece of cinema ever: the appearance of Bruce Willis, Stallone, and "the Governator" himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, all together onscreen for the first time.

For people looking for something with less angst and more laughs but not lacking action, turn to Adam McKay's The Other Guys, staring Mark Wahlberg (Date Night) and Will Ferrell (The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard). The film looks like Cop Out done right.

A summer wouldn't be complete without another classic from Pixar. This time Buzz, Woody, and everyone's favorite gang of animated toys are back in Toy Story 3. In this installment, the toys are donated to a daycare. Pixar never fails to disappoint, and Toy Story 3 will be another hit in its library.

The summer will be another wild ride for movies. From dream thieves to incompetent cops, there is something for everyone.

E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com