Summer Movie Preview

Inception and Scott Pilgrim vs The World are just some of the films that will tempt us into the cinema.

It's officially summer, i.e. blockbuster time! The time of year when the big, exciting releases are unleashed, hooray. Let's take a look at the movies that will drag us from the sun into dark, noisy, popcorn-covered rooms for two hours of pure escapism.

We've started the season with the fabulous Robin Hood, The Losers and Prince Of Persia. but let's see what's left with our top ten films to look out for.

10. Knight And Day

When? 6th August
Who? Megastars Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise
What? The pair are an unlikely fugitive couple on the run all over the world in this action comedy.
Why might it be a winner? James Mangold directed the superb Walk The Line and 3:10 To Yuma, and Cruise appears to be sending up his indestructable action hero persona with glee.
Why might it suck? Mangold may not be able to handle the comedy, and Diaz's input is merely open-jawed shock at Cruise's shenanigans.
Worth it? I'd rather watch co-stars Maggie Grace and Paul Dano hook up...

9. The Last Airbender

When? 13th August
Who? M. Night Shyamalan directs Dev Patel, Noah Ringer and Jackson Rathbone.
What? It's the real-life version of the Nickelodeon manga-style cartoon, with four nations controlled by the elements at war. One kid, Ringer, can control fire, water, air and earth.
Why might it be a winner? It looks pretty spectacular, and has a devoted fanbase already. Twilight fans get another big screen fix of the underused vampire Rathbone and it will be good to see how Patel follows Slumdog Millionaire.
Why might it suck? Shyamalan's track record has gone downhill, and the dialogue and casting isn't inspired.
Worth it? Might be, to see what the Sixth Sense director can do with a story that's not his own. The writer and director ran out of good, twisty ideas a long time ago.

8. The Sorcerer's Apprentice

When? 13th August
Who? The god among men that is Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Monica Bellucci and Alfred Molina.
What? Cage is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan, defending the city against the evil Molina, who recruits a young man as his apprentice in this Disney adventure.
Why might it be a winner? Nicolas Cage is on a roll of awesome, and it's in the hands of the man who made Cool Runnings and While You Were Sleeping.
Why might it suck? Alas, Jon Turteltaub also made National Treasure.
Worth it? Yes, it stars Nicolas Cage.

7. Predators

When? 8th July
Who? Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Topher Grace and Alice Braga.
What? The next installment in the Predator franchise sees a group of mercenaries and killers on the run from the vicious alien creatures.
Why might it be a winner? Robert Rodriguez is a very hands-on producer, alongside newcomer director Nimrod Antal. His obvious passion for the Predator universe will hopefully manifest itself in an original extension to the story.
Why might it suck? It's a sequel. There's no Arnie.
Worth it? Great cast and a new take on the predators themselves. It may well be.

6. The Expendables

When? 20th August
Who? Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren. My goodness.
What? Stallone leads a team of mercenaries on a supposedly routine mission to overthrow a dictator, like you do. When it goes wrong, the gang return to rescue a hostage.
Why might it be a winner? The thought of all these action heroes in one room is too brilliant to comprehend.
Why might it suck? It needs to not rely on muscle and back up the action with a good script.
Worth it? Yes, but you may be exhausted after The Losers and The A-Team.

5. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

When? 9th July
Who? Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.
What? The third of Stephenie Meyer's vampire novels sees Bella and her town under attack from the vengeful vamp Victoria. Meanwhile, she has to deal with Edward's chastity issues.
Why might it be a winner? The much-derided franchise is now in the bold hands of David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night), and it looks a vast improvement on the boring New Moon.
Why might it suck? It's the dullest book. Bella and Edward's dysfunctional relationship is unbearable for a love story.
Worth it? Hell yes, I'm a sucker for this stuff.

4. Toy Story 3

When? 23rd July
Who? Woody! Buzz! Mr Potato Head!
What? The loveable toys return, and find themselves in a daycare centre full of vicious tots.
Why might it be a winner? Oh please. Toy Story 2 improved on the original, and this looks every bit as enjoyable. Disney Pixar have created magic.
Why might it suck? It may not reach the heights of the second film, but it will not suck. At all.
Worth it? In every way. Something every man, woman and child on the planet should see.

3. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

When? 6th August
Who? Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick.
What? Edgar Wright transforms Bryan Lee O'Malley's slacker hero comic book, where a boy has to defeat his love's seven lethal ex-boyfriends.
Why might it be a winner? Wright created Spaced and Shaun Of The Dead. It's got more fanboy buzz than anything else this year.
Why might it suck? It looks a bit Juno meets Kick-Ass. Michael Cera is very annoying. It doesn't star Simon Pegg or Nick Frost.
Worth it? Yes, because Wright can do no wrong.

2. The A-Team

When? 28th July
Who? Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, Liam Neeson, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Jessica Biel.
What? The classic 80s TV series makes it onto the big screen. Four soldiers look to clear their name after being wrongly convicted of a crime. They then go and do lots of crazy shit.
Why might it be a winner? An amazing cast has been assembled, and they look to be having a riot with the ridiculous stunts. Looks remarkably faithful to the spirit of the show.
Why might it suck? Everyone seems pissed off at the flying tank in the trailer. If you don't like that, you may not like the rest of the movie. Remakes are dangerous territory.
Worth it? Absolutely. You get to see amazing District 9 star Copley break into Hollywood for starters.

1. Inception

When? 16th July
Who? Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine.
What? Christopher Nolan comes up with a fascinating premise for this sci-fi thriller - the technology exists to invade people's dreams, and the mind becomes a valuable weapon.
Why might it be a winner? In a time of remakes, sequels and throwaway 3D, Dark Knight and Memento director Nolan has everyone guessing at his mindblowing idea, which comes with a trailer apoplectically enthralling. Looks to be a true original, with DiCaprio bringing his unique quality of star appeal and gravitas, alongside special effects that serve to unsettle our concept of the world.
Why might it suck? LOL.
Worth it? Not just the most exciting film that awaits us this year, but for a long time. If the trailer is just a fraction of what's to come, I believe Inception could be one of the greatest films ever made. How's that for a summer movie?