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tMF continues its coverage of the summer movie season with Part Two of tMF 2008 Summer Movie Preview. Read Part One [ here ].

JULY 2 (Wednesday)

Hancock

An apathetic, hard-living superhero (Will Smith) who has fallen out of favor with the public is approached by a public relations professional (Jason Bateman) who has ideas as to how he can repair his client's image.

Why you should care: Most superhero movies follow a pretty standard idea, but Hancock looks to give a different perspective on the genre. And like him or not, Will Smith owns July 4 weekend.

Why it could suck: The first trailer was awful. Will Smith can have all the charisma in the world but sadly, the CGI is going to make or break this movie.

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JULY 4 (Friday)

The Wackness (limited release)

New York City, 1994: College-bound pot dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) trades weed for therapy sessions with Dr. Jeffrey Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley) while developing a crush on his psychiatrist's step-daughter.

Why you should care: Having grown up during this period, the timeline, story and music make all too much sense.

Why it could suck: I need to see another trailer and poster before I am completely sold.

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JULY 11 (Friday)

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

In the sequel to the surprise 2004 hit, the Bureau for Paranormal Research once again turns to the demon hero Hellboy (Ron Perelman) and his teammates to stop a merciless dictator from carrying out his plan.

Why you should care: The first Hellboy was a huge surprise hit, thanks to the innovative direction of Guillermo del Toro.

Why it could suck: Has del Toro made a bad movie? Not this decade, at least. Hellboy II could hit the sophomore slump, but it's not likely.

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

The latest film adaptation of Jules Verne’s 1864 classic novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth set in the present day and presented in 3D.

Why you should care: The 3D technology created for this movie is so top-of-the-line, parts of the script were retooled to emphasize the format.

Why it could suck: After all these years we still haven’t fallen for the gimmick of 3D. It hasn’t been cool since the days of the plastic blue and red lenses, and it was barely so then. Oh, and Brandan Fraser couldn’t act his way out of a wet paper bag with a map.

Meet Dave

Tiny aliens pilot a spacecraft that takes the form of a human (Eddie Murphy), while the captain of the ship jeopardizes his crew and their mission to save their planet when he falls for beautiful earthling (Elizabeth Banks).

Why you should care: Because once upon a time Eddie Murphy actually made good movies…

Why it could suck: … even though outside of Dreamgirls it has been almost 10 years since Bowfinger (and no, Shrek doesn’t count.)

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JULY 18 (Friday)

The Dark Knight

Probably the most anticipated film of the summer, or even the year, The Dark Knight is the sequel to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, this time pitting Batman against the Joker (Heath Ledger).

Why you should care: Really? Mark my words: this will be the highest-grossing and one of the most-reviewed films of the year. The viral campaign is an elaborate mesh of genius and madness, and this will be Heath Ledger’s final full performance.

Why it could suck: I don’t want to live in a world where this is possible but the only dark cloud that hangs over this movie is the untimely death of Heath Ledger.

Mamma Mia!

Based on the musical, bride-to-be (Amanda Seyfried), in an attempt to find out her father's identity, invites three of the likeliest candidates to her wedding, resulting in a wild familial encounter that incorporates the hits of ABBA.

Why you should care: Fans of the musical should be pleased a film version is finally coming out. Meryl Streep should add some credibility for those worried.

Why it could suck: Movie musicals are a tough sell either way but if they stray too far from the stage production we could be in trouble.

Space Chimps

The computer animated story of Ham III (Andy Samberg), the grandson of the first chimp astronaut, is blasted off into space by an opportunity-seeking senator (Stanley Tucci). Soon, the fun-loving chimp has to get serious about the mission at hand: rid a far-away planet of its nefarious leader (Jeff Daniels).

Why you should care: An animated movie about chimps going to space? Sounds a little blah coming from a studio not named Pixar, but Samberg is the selling point here.

Why it could suck: There is almost no buzz about this movie. There must be a reason chimps and science haven’t been paired together in a movie since Project X.

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JULY 25 (Friday)

Step Brothers

Two spoiled adult men (Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly) are pulled into a new sibling rivalry after their respective single parents get hitched.

Why you should care: Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly made Talladega Nights as good as it was. This movie looks like the perfect vehicle for their deadpan chemistry.

Why it could suck: Semi-Pro was garbage and if this one tanks, we may actually get to see Ferrell jump the shark.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe

The second movie based on the long-running TV series. Little is known about the plot other than it will take place six years after the events of the series and be a stand-alone story apart from the mythology of the show.

Why you should care: The first X-Files material in six years and everyone who was involved in the show and the last movie is back. And the plot hasn’t been spoiled by the internet (yet).

Why it could suck: It’s been ten years since the last X-Files movie so the relevancy might be questioned. And the stand-alone story may alienate (no pun intended) fans of the show.

The Longshots

Eleven-year-old Jasmine Plummer (KeKe Palmer) wants to become the first female to play in the Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history.

Why you should care: The same people who thought this movie was a good idea kick puppies. Puppies are cute, right?

Why it could suck: I just looked it up. One of the signs of the apocalypse actually is Fred Durst (yes, Limp Bizkit Fred Durst) directing Ice Cube in a family comedy about a girl playing football. God help us…

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AUGUST 1 (Friday)

Midnight Meat Train

A photographer (Bradley Cooper) hunts down a serial killer (Vinnie Jones) who preys upon travelers in the subways of New York City.

Why you should care: A Clive Barker story filmed by Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura. And the trailer looks wicked.

Why it could suck: The release date got moved, then there was talk of it going straight to DVD, now it’s on track for a late summer release. I really hope it was just that they were wondering how to market the content versus the movie being just plain bad.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

In the Far East, trouble-seeking father-and-son duo Rick (Brandan Fraser) and Alex O'Connell (Luke Ford) unearth the mummy of the first Emperor of Qin (Jet Li) - a shape-shifting entity who was cursed by a wizard (Michelle Yeoh) centuries ago.

Why you should care: The first movie in the series since 2001’s The Mummy Returns (or 2002 if you count The Scorpion King).

Why it could suck: This franchise has always been a cheap Indy rip-off but was this one really necessary? Well, that and Brandan Fraser still can't act his way out of a wet paper bag with a map.

Swing Vote

In a remarkable turn-of-events, the result of the presidential election comes down to one man's vote, Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), a beer-drinking, lovable loser.

Why you should care: Aside from all his missteps, I stand by my appreciation of Kevin Costner and his ‘everyman’ characters. And Mr. Brooks proved he can still act.

Why it could suck: Because of his previous missteps, of which there have been many.

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AUGUST 8 (Friday)

Pineapple Express

After mega-stoner Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) witnesses a corrupt cop commit a murder, he and his dealer (James Franco) hit the road in an attempt to outrun the squad of police officers who want them dead.

Why you should care: Seth Rogen seems to have created himself a little case of type-casting with yet another stoner role. The trailer looks promising and kudos to James Franco for not taking himself too seriously.

Why it could suck: Stoner movies are pretty hit-and-miss and Seth Rogen overload is just around the corner.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling series of novels, four lifelong friends - all of whom are having different experiences during their first year of college - reunite in order to locate their missing pair of magical jeans.

Why you should care: Because you are a fan of the original. Or you are such a rabid Ugly Betty fan you want to see more America Ferrara.

Why it could suck: File this at the top of the Unnecessary Sequel list. I would rather see What Happens in Vegas. OK, maybe not that far, let's not get crazy.

Hell Ride

Pistolero (Larry Bishop), leader of the Victors biker gang, looks to exact his revenge on the Six-Six-Sixers, a band of bikers led by the infamous Billy Wings (Vinnie Jones) who recently offed a Victor in cold blood.

Why you should care: A biker movie produced by Quentin Tarantino and co-starring Michael Madsen and Dennis Hopper sounds like a great concept.

Why it could suck: Early reviews from Sundance are saying this was the worst entry in the festival.

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AUGUST 15 (Friday)

The International

An Interpol agent (Clive Owen) investigates a global banking institution for corruption and murder with the help of a Manhattan assistant district attorney (Naomi Watts).

Why you should care: Are you one of those people who think Clive Owen should’ve gotten the part of James Bond in Casino Royale? This could be your chance to see if you were right.

Why it could suck: A movie about the banking industry? Ugh…

Tropic Thunder

An action comedy about a group of self-absorbed actors who set out to make the most expensive war film ever made. After ballooning costs force the studio to cancel the movie, the frustrated director refuses to stop shooting, leading the cast into the jungles of Southeast Asia, where they encounter real bad guys.

Why you should care: A hilarious premise, a wild cast of huge stars, a hilarious trailer and Robert Downey Jr. as a black man. He is going to own this summer season.

Why it could suck: Jack Black and Ben Stiller could ruin this movie. The huge cast could spell trouble if everyone tries to outshine each other.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Filling the gap between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, this animated tale chronicles the on-going intergalactic battle involving the Jedis of the Republic and the battle droids of the Trade Federation.

Why you should care: It’s friggin’ Star Wars, for crying out loud! New characters and story continuity are bonuses. This will fit nicely in the Star Wars canon.

Why it could suck: George Lucas’ first foray into animation will likely determine whether or not we see more of these movies. Actually, it doesn’t matter how bad it is, it will make money (not nearly as much as the trilogies) and he will make more if he damn well pleases.

Towelhead (limited release)

An Arab-American teenager is sent to live with her strict father and struggles to find love and acceptance in a her new surroundings.

Why you should care: Directed by Alan Ball, best known for writing American Beauty and creating the HBO series Six Feet Under.

Why it could suck: The timely material and Alan Ball’s feature inexperience will either make or break the film.

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AUGUST 22 (Friday)

The Accidental Husband

When talk radio host Emma Lloyd (Uma Thurman) advises one of her listeners (Justina Machado) to break up with her boyfriend (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), the jilted ex sets about getting his revenge.

Why you should care: This movie doesn’t actually look half bad. Uma Thurman and Jeffrey Dean Morgan show good chemistry that could bode well for the movie.

Why it could suck: The movie could get buried in its dime-a-dozen romantic comedy setup.

Bangkok Dangerous

The Pang Brothers remake their own debut film with Nicholas Cage in the lead as a hitman in Bangkok on assignment.

Why you should care: The Pang Brothers direct the remake of their own film. At least you know the story is in good hands.

Why it could suck: This looks like the comedy sleeper of the year. Wait, I wasn’t supposed to be laughing hysterically at the trailer…?

The House Bunny

A Playboy bunny (Anna Faris) who was recently booted out of the mansion winds up becoming the new house mother for a sorority in jeopardy.

Why you should care: A sorority comedy similar to Legally Blonde. A nice change of pace from the testosterone-infused college comedies of late.

Why it could suck: Fred Wolf’s only other directorial experience was this year's worst movie to date, Strange Wilderness. And the movie would seem like a direct rip-off of Legally Blonde if not for the fact that both were written by the same person.

Hamlet 2 (limited release)

When a high school threatens to shut down the theatre department, failed actor-turned-drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) decides to write a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Why you should care: It says it right on the poster: from the co-writer of South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut and Team America: World Police. This irreverent comedy sounds like it has all the makings of a classic…

Why it could suck: … provided you can handle the offensive material rumored to be on full display.

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AUGUST 29 (Friday)

Babylon A.D.

Veteran-turned-mercenary Thoorop (Vin Diesel) takes a high-risk assignment where he must escort a woman out of Russia. His client, however, is carrying a synthetic virus -- one that could bring about the end of humankind. Making his mission extra-difficult is the cult that has designs on what rests inside the young woman's body.

Why you should care: The film adaptation of Maurice Georges Dantec’s sci-fi novel, Babylon Babies and the film Vin Diesel dropped out of Hitman to make.

Why it could suck: While the trailer looks promising, the film’s PG-13 rating may not be what fans of the novel were looking for in the film adaptation.

College

A wild weekend is in store for three high school seniors who visit a local college campus as prospective freshmen.

Why you should care: Could be a college comedy in the vein of Old School, Revenge of the Nerds, and Real Genius.

Why it could suck: Could be a college comedy in the vein of Accepted, How High, and Van Wilder: The Return of Taj.

Part One | Part Two

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to sound off and enjoy the summer!

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