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Summer Movie Preview… Now in 3D!

by Tyler Wilson
| May 7, 2010 9:00 PM

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<p>In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures,a scene is shown from, "Iron Man 2." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Industrial Light and Magic)</p>

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Summer Movie Preview… Now in 3D!

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Summer Movie Preview… Now in 3D!

Thanks to the recent resurgence of a certain third dimension, going to the movies this summer will be costlier than ever. Ticket prices are up, and 3D presentations will take even more dollars out of your wallet.

Say hello to the Budget-Friendly 2010 Summer Movie Preview, featuring a brief rundown of the season's biggest movies. After scouring early reviews and watching a whole lot of previews, each film has been awarded a Must See Score (MSS) out of 10. The higher the score, the more you should consider seeing the movie (obviously).

Release dates are always subject to change, and sometimes previews can be deceiving. Check your local listings and read a few reviews before heading out to the theater.

And be sure to stuff your pockets with snacks.

Opening Today

Iron Man 2

Robert Downey Jr. is back as billionaire genius Tony Stark alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jon Favreau. New to the series: Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell as baddies, Scarlett Johansson as the spy Black Widow, and Don Cheadle, replacing Terrence Howard as Stark's pal Jim Rhodes, aka War Machine, aka the coolest superhero name in the Marvel Universe. Must See Score (MSS): 10

May 14

Robin Hood

Russell Crowe stars in Version 234 of the swashbuckling hero, this one from director Ridley Scott ("Gladiator"). MSS: 6

Letters to Juliet

Amanda Seyfried ("Dear John") stars in her second postage-themed romance of the year. MSS: 4

May 21

Shrek Forever After

Billed as the final chapter in the Dreamworks mega-franchise, the lovable green ogre gets thrown into an alternate universe where he remains a feared, unloved monster. Hopefully it's better than "Shrek the Third." MSS: 7

MacGruber

Will Forte's one-note sketch from "Saturday Night Live" becomes a live-action comedy adventure. "SNL" skits rarely translate into funny movies, but early screenings have been surprisingly positive. MSS: 6

May 28

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Jake Gyllenhaal is an acrobatic adventurer in this big-budget, Jerry Bruckheimer-produced spectacle based on the popular video game. It should be better than the "Street Fighter" movie, right? MSS: 7

Sex and the City 2

Your wives already bought tickets. MSS: 8

Small stuff to seek out (Translation: Visit Spokane): Documentary "Babies," Naomi Watts drama "Mother and Child," Michael Douglas drama "Solitary Man," crime drama "Holy Rollers"

June 4

Get Him to the Greek

Russell Brand is Aldous Snow, the zany rock star from the 2008 comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," in a film that sends Jonah Hill on a mission to get the drug-riddled musician across the country for an important gig. Brand was hilarious in "Sarah Marshall," but the preview for this film lacks punch. MSS: 5

Killers

Katherine Hiegl and Ashton Kutcher star in this rehash of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." MSS: 3

Marmaduke

Owen Wilson must love dogs. The star of "Marley and Me" voices the famous comic strip pooch in this live-action adaptation. MSS: 4

Splice

A horror thriller (and Sundance Film Fest standout) starring Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley and a creepy human-beastie hybrid. MSS: 7

June 11

The A-Team

The '80s TV show about butt-kicking special ops hits the big screen with Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in a role that should still belong to Mr. T. Now that would've sold tickets. MSS: 6

The Karate Kid

In the latest bit of Hollywood blasphemy, Will Smith's kid takes on the remake of the 1984 classic (yep, I said classic). Jackie Chan is on board, at least. MSS: 5

June 18

Toy Story 3

Woody and Buzz return to the big screen in an adventure about what happens to toys after kids grow up and go to college. Early screenings suggest that Pixar has another masterpiece on its hands. MSS: 10

Jonah Hex

Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich star in this Western-themed revenge flick based on the DC Comics character. MSS: 6

June 25

Knight & Day

Secret agent Tom Cruise takes civilian Cameron Diaz on a twisty ride through Kansas in this thriller from director James Mangold ("Walk the Line"). MSS: 7

Grown Ups

Former high school buds Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider meet up for a weekend of reflection and (probably) fart jokes. MSS: 5

June 30

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Bella must choose between vampire Edward and werewolf Jacob. I think I just barfed a little in my mouth. MSS: 10 (for teenage girls), 1 (everybody else).

July 2

The Last Airbender

After crashing and burning in the horror genre ("The Happening"), M. Night Shyamalan directs this live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon fantasy series. Just ask your kids about it. MSS: 6

July 9

Despicable Me

Steve Carell voices a bumbling evildoer who tries to steal the moon in this animated comedy. Where's Dr. Horrible when you really need him? MSS: 7

Predators

The alien hunters return to feast on human flesh in this long-awaited installment in the popular sci-fi franchise. Surprisingly, it stars some decent actors, including Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne. MSS: 7

July 16

Inception

Director Christopher Nolan takes a break from Batman to bring this top secret sci-fi thriller to the big screen. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a man who can enter and steal other people's dreams. The theatrical trailer alone is a must see. MSS: 10

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Jerry Bruckheimer loves taking random Disney properties and making big-budget movie franchises out of them. This one stars Nicolas Cage as a wizard, based on that Mickey Mouse-"Fantasia" segment. What the what? MSS: 8

July 23

Dinner for Schmucks

Paul Rudd stars as an up-and-coming executive who must participate in a dinner where the point is to mock pathetic guests. He meets a bumbling Steve Carell and decides he's the perfect fool. Good cast, so-so trailer. MSS: 6

Angelina Jolie is a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy in this espionage thriller that was originally written for a man. Jolie can probably beat up most of Hollywood's leading men, anyway. MSS: 7

July 30

Cats & Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore

Oh, who are they kidding? This first movie came out 10 years ago! MSS: 2

Beastly

A live-action, modern day take on "Beauty and the Beast." Just rent the Disney cartoon. MSS: 2

Small stuff to seek out (Translation: Visit Spokane): Robert Duvall-Bill Murray drama "Get Low," John C. Reilly comedy "Cyrus," drama "Life During Wartime" (sequel to "Happiness"), Julianne Moore-led ensemble "The Kids Are All Right"

August 6

The Other Guys

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg play a pair of desk jockey cops who land a big case. Just judging the previews, this is the summer's must-see comedy. MSS: 9

Step Up 3-D

"Dancing with the Stars" apparently isn't available in the summer. MSS: 2

August 13

The Expendables

Sylvester Stallone leads an all-star cast of macho action stars (including Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren) in this probably bloody action-adventure. MSS: 7

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Adaptation of the cult-favorite graphic novel about an average dude (Michael Cera) who must win the heart of his dream girl by battling a series of super-powered ex-boyfriends. Directed by the great Edgar Wright ("Hot Fuzz"). MSS: 8

Eat Pray Love

Julia Roberts does all three in a movie about a recent divorcee who goes on an around-the-world journey of rediscovery. MSS: 6

August 20

Lottery Ticket

Bow Wow (sans the "Lil") must keep his winning lottery ticket a secret for an entire weekend. I don't know why. It's not like rich people make a habit of sharing. MSS: 4

Nanny McPhee Returns

Emma Thompson, what are you doing? MSS: 3

Takers

Hayden Christiansen and Paul Walker star as bank robbers who... oh never mind. Nobody wants to see these two in a movie together. MSS: 2

August 27

Going the Distance

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long struggle to make a long-distance relationship work in this romantic comedy. MSS: 7

Piranha 3-D

Prehistoric piranhas eat people! Richard Dreyfuss! In 3-D! Go ask your local theater if they sell advance tickets four months in advance. MSS: 7