As per usual, the major studios are giving us their version of what they think we want: Big sequels, big stars, big explosions, big remakes, big spectacle and big special effects. Honestly, I know that really isn’t even close to what I want. Not that I really have any choice in the matter. I’m as stuck having to deal with a sequel to “The Princess Diaries” (August) and a CGI Garfield the Cat in “Garfield: The Movie” (June) as the rest of you, but that doesn’t mean I have to look forward to them.

That said, there are quite a few films I am looking forward to seeing this summer, a couple of them even – egad! – sequels. The following are the ten movies of the summer I am most excited about. I’ll also make some predictions as to what will be hot (“Harry Potter 3,” anyone?) and not (the ultra-delayed Renny Harlin suspenser “Mindhunters”) at the box office. I’m sure I’ll make mistakes – just look at my predictions from last year – but only time will tell. Until then, onto my annual Summer Preview:

Troy (Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom and Peter O’Toole. Director: Wolfgang Petersen)

Using Homer’s The Iliad as source material, Petersen’s retelling of the greatest love and war story ever told cost a reported $200 million dollars. To be sure, there will be spectacle to spare, but will it be all show and no glow? Can cover boys Pitt, Bloom and Bana hold there own with acting heavyweights like O’Toole, Brendan Gleason, Julie Christie, Sean Bean and Brian Cox? And, the biggest question of all, which Petersen will show up – the mastermind behind classics like “Das Boot” and “In the Line of Fire,” or the by-the-numbers hack responsible for dreck like “Outbreak” and “The Perfect Storm?” (Nationwide May 14.)

Director Twohy’s 2001 sleeper hit “Pitch Black” didn’t exactly break new ground, yet it was still an undeniably exciting and suspenseful sci-fi shocker guaranteed to get pulses racing. It also introduced one of the great anti-hero characters of the 21st Century, the rough and tumble Riddick, played with a vicious ferocity by Diesel. But is this B-movie character ready for an A-level blockbuster? Universal is betting yes, spending a reported $100 million on this ambitious sequel. Thankfully, Twohy is back at the reins and behind the screenplay, both good signs that help point this picture in the direction of success. (Nationwide June 11.)

The Door in the Floor (Starring: Jeff Bridges, Kim Basinger, Mimi Rogers and Jon Foster. Director: Tod Williams)

Based on the first third of John Irving’s A Widow for One Year, Williams’ (“The Adventures of Sebastian Cole”) latest has Oscar written all over it. Not only is Focus Features on a winning streak, but Bridges is widely regarded as the most talented and under-appreciated actor of his generation. Could he be this year’s Sean Penn, finally breaking through with the Academy by starring in a tough, uncompromising picture about the darker side of human nature? Early word is promising, and while he’s never won, like Penn Bridges could read the phone book and probably get a Best Actor nomination. With Basinger reportedly giving the best performance of her career as his troubled wife, “The Door in the Floor” is a summer picture not to be missed. (Nationwide June 23.)

Spider-Man 2 (Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina and James Franco. Director: Sam Raimi)

The wallcrawler returns with a vengeance in this highly anticipated sequel to 2002’s $400 million-plus smash, only this time our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Maguire) is pondering hanging up his mask and ending his double life. Those thoughts take a holiday, however, when the vengeful Doctor Octopus (Molina) teams up with a still grieving Franco to bring the webslinger to his knees, putting Mary Jane (Maguire) in danger. The original was a fun, if flawed, swing through superhero lore. Raimi’s sequel promises to deliver more action and more character, wisely deciding not to make the same mistake as the “Batman” films by filling the screen with too many villains. Of all the summer sequels, this is the most highly anticipated. (Nationwide June 30.)

The Terminal (Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jone and Stanley Tucci. Director: Steven Spielberg)

Hanks. Spielberg. Together they have delivered the award-winning “Saving Private Ryan” and the sublime “Catch Me If You Can.” Now, for their third big screen foray, they decide to move into romantic comedy territory with the story of Balkan emigrant (Hanks) left without a country when a coup erupts in his homeland leaving him holding an invalid passport. These events force him to take up residence inside New York’s JFK Airport where he strikes up an unlikely romance with a ditzy flight attendant (Zeta-Jones) and engages in heated tête-à-têtes with a befuddled Homeland Security (Tucci) agent. Semi-based on a true story, this modest tail could be winner just as long as Spielberg keeps things simple. (Nationwide June 18.)

An abduction story with Redford’s millionaire going on a gunpoint trip through the backwoods thanks to Dafoe’s vengeful kidnapper. During their journey, layers are stripped away and an unforeseen bond is slowly revealed, while back at home fretting wife Mirren discovers her All-American husband isn’t everything she though. With a solid trailer and a trio of some of the best acting talent assembled, this could be one of the lone Oscar contenders of the summer, that alone making it a must-see. (Limited release July 2.)