A Scanner Darkly (July 7)

M. Night Shyamalan returns with an utterly weird looking bedtime story the filmmaker apparently wrote for his children. What’s it about? I haven’t the first clue, something about an apartment building superintendent who rescues a mysterious lithe young woman from the pool at the center of his complex. What I do know is that it stars the magnificent Paul Giamatti (Sideways), the luminously talented Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village) and was shot by the superlative Christopher Doyle (Hero). Better, the film’s teaser trailer is one of the most eerie, mesmerizing and beautifully mysterious I’ve seen this year.

Miami Vice (July 28)

I will follow Michael Mann anywhere, and if that includes a remake of his hit 1980’s television show that I might secretly feel is rather pointless to return to so be it. The truth is this man knows how to make movies, great ones, and when the filmmaker peers into the world of crime, cops and those caught hesitantly in-between he makes classics (Manhunter, Thief, Heat, Collateral). Reports of a troubled set dogged this production almost from the start but Mann’s heard all that before, time and time again delivering a kinetic masterwork audiences and critics seem to be able to embrace in almost equal measures.

Other Noteworthy July Releases: Little Man (July 5), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Strangers with Candy (July 7); Pulse, You, Me and Dupree (July 14); Monster House, My Super Ex-Girlfriend (July 21); Barnyard, Brothers of the Head,  I Could Never Be Your Woman, John Tucker Must Die, Little Miss Sunshine, Scoop (July 28)

World Trade Center (August 11)

If you thought United 93 was a tough sit, get ready for Oliver Stone’s tackling of the most horrific domestic terrorist event in United States’ history. In all fairness, those anticipating a J.F.K. or Platoon-like diatribe should probably leave those expectations at the door. From all appearances, the once-controversial director is leaving his political sensibilities at the door and focusing solely upon the true story of two New York Port Authority police officers (Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña) rescued from the rubble of the collapsed towers. I don’t know, part of me thinks this movie, not United 93, is the real picture people should be yelling “too soon” about. But, then, I don’t have a choice. I have to see this. How the rest of you respond I haven’t the first clue.

Snakes on a Plane (August 18)

Welcome to the first movie in history to become a cult smash via the internet based upon its name; not its stars (although the presence of Samuel L. Jackson helps), not its director, not its premise; and by nothing else. Fake posters, fake songs, fake trailers even fake lines potential fans hope star Jackson is going to say (one of which actually made it into the film), nothing has been off limits to the people hyping this thing. Is there any way it can possibly live up to all this gleeful R-rated sadistically malicious anticipation? Probably not, but come August 18 it sure as heck should be fun to head to the theater and find out.

The Science of Sleep (August 18)

Michel Gondry follows up the masterful Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with this surreal sounding mindbender that left Sundance audiences scratching their heads in awe, wonder and disbelief. Supposedly, this story of a man (Gael Garcia Bernal) who lives inside his own dreams while trying to make friends with his new neighbor (Charlotte Gainsbourg) makes very little in the way of sense. But it is also supposed to be a visual wonder like nothing else, full of broad, bold themes concerning alienation, isolation, friendship and love that many viewers found timeless. After a summer of so much familiarity, here’s one coming at the tail end that’s sure to be like nothing else this year.

Other Noteworthy August Releases: The Ant Bully, The Night Listener, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The U.S. vs. John Lennon (Aug. 4); Accepted, The Reaping, Step Up, Zoom (Aug. 11); Clerks II, Factotum, Trust the Man (Aug. 18); Beerfest, Crossover, DOA: Dead or Alive, How to Eat Fried Worms, Idlewild, Invincible, Material Girls (Aug. 25)

POTENTIAL SPOILERS

The Break-Up

The Devil Wears Prada

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Just My Luck

The Lady in the Water

The Lake House

Me, You and Dupree

Miami Vice

Nacho Libre

The Omen

The Reaping

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

World Trade Center

Zoom