The top 10 most anticipated films of the summer
by Edward Heffernan

“Inception,” “The Last Airbender,” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” will be released on July 16, July 2, and June 30, respectively. Images courtesy of Amazon.com

A seat at the movie theater is calling your name this summer as big budget production companies unleash a strong series of films sure to excite the senses. Ranging from innovative thrillers to familiar animations, the films on this list will be powerhouses at the box office. Here is a look at the most anticipated films of the summer and why they will be sure to deliver (or not deliver) the goods.

1. “Inception” – Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan whose previous credits include directing the blockbuster smash hit “The Dark Knight.” The film is about Dom Cobb (DiCaprio), a thief who specializes in the art of stealing ideas from a subject’s subconscious. Cobb sets out to right the wrong he has done by going on one more job, except this time he will implant an idea rather than steal one.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the trailer for “Inception” is worth a billion words. When you add all the factors this film has going for it – incredible special effects, the team that brought audiences “The Dark Knight,” Leonardo DiCaprio, etc. – it is hard to say that any other film tops “Inception” on the anticipation list. Unlike most of the other films below, there is also a certain sense of mystery over the film, which also gives audiences something to look forward to as they pile into the movie theaters. “Inception” will be the biggest blockbuster of the summer. Here is a summary of the other films that will finish strong.

2.“Toy Story 3” – One of many sequels and “triquels” coming out this summer, but is the most anticipated by far. The unforgettable charisma and charm that is the “Toy Story” series is back in full vigor with a new adventure. Buzz, Woody and the rest of the gang meet some new friends when they are brought to a day care center after Andy goes to college.

3.“The Last Airbender” – Based off the acclaimed animated Japanese television series, “The Last Airbender” will theaters on July 2. M. Night Shyamalan directed the summer’s fantasy action movie must-see. As stated by IMDb, the premise of the film is that “Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, learns that he possesses the power to engage the Fire Nation and hopefully end their century-long war against the Water, Earth, and Air nations.”

4. “Salt” – Angelina Jolie stars in this action thriller reminiscent of “Knight and Day” (see below).  According to IMDb, “ CIA officer Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is called a spy by a Russian defector, she goes on the run, using all of her experience and skills to elude capture, learn the truth of her identity, and hopefully clear her name.”

5. “Charlie St. Cloud” – This is a movie most want to see because of Zac Efron, who needs this movie to prove himself a popular actor of the cinema. As stated by IMDb, “… Charlie St. Cloud (Efron) finds a way to deal with his grief by working as caretaker at the cemetery where Sam is buried. Charlie and Sam keep their bond with nightly conversations and playing catch. However, when Tess Carroll enters Charlie’s life, he is caught in between remaining with Sam or pursuing real-world love.”

6. “Knight and Day” – Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, plus a bunch of stuff exploding is basically everything one needs to know about this movie. Tom Cruise seems like his debutant self, but the question is will it work with the modern audience. “Knight and Day,” as stated by IMDb, “is an action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a globe-spanning adventure where, amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, nothing is what it seems.” Though the premise sounds like hoopla, it’s almost a guarantee that people will see it.

7. “The Expendables” – This movie is really just a bunch of old guys getting together to make a reprisal movie. Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li and more star as a team of action heroes that travels down to “South America on a mission to overthrow a vivacious dictator,” according to IMDb. While another 80’s premised films, “MacGruber,” failed to reach the hearts of the country, “The Expendables” works because it not only makes fun of the 80’s dramatized action, but gives Stallone the opportunity to make fun of himself.

8. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” –  As stated by IMDb, “Master sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicholas Cage) recruits a seemingly everyday guy in his mission to defend New York City from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath.” This film should receive some fans of Cage’s as well as a those who liked “National Treasure,” as both films have the same producers.

9. “The Other Guys” – Will Ferrell has made another “make-fun-of-this” movie, but this time there is a new face, Mark Wahlberg. IMDb describes this movie as “two mismatched New York City detectives (Ferrell and Wahlberg) seize an opportunity to step up city’s top cops whom they idolize — only things don’t quite go as planned.” The jokes in the trailer aren’t nearly of the same caliber as other Ferrell films, but compared to “Land of the Lost,” “The Other Guys” should be dynamite.

10. “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” – The factory that seems to produce the “Twilight” movies is out with another product. This time audiences will hopefully get more bang for their buck. Although many anticipate more of the same, the dwindling “Twilight” hype might see a reinvigoration.

The theater seat calls and I would calmly respect its request by purchasing your tickets as soon as possible. Have a fun summer and enjoy the cinema!

Information in the summaries was provided by IMDb, and direct quotations from the website are accredited to the website.