How Many Hits in This Lineup?

MAY 11

BREAD AND ROSES Drama Lions Gate With: Pilar Padilla, Elpidia Carrillo, Adrien Brody. The idea: L.A. janitors organize against corporate employers. Writer: Paul Laverty. Director: Ken Loach. So? Ripped from L.A. headlines, acclaimed at Cannes.

CALLE 54 Documentary Miramax With: Tito Puente, Eliane Elias, Chucho Valdes, Cachao. The idea: Studio performances by genre leaders illuminate music’s role in Latino culture. Director: Fernando Trueba. So? Remember “The Buena Vista Social Club’?

THE KING IS ALIVE Drama IFC Films With: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Janet McTeer, Bruce Davison, Romane Bohringer. The idea: Tourists stranded in deserted African town pass time by staging “King Lear.” Writers: Kristian Levring, Anders Thomas Jensen. Director: Kristian Levring. So? Leigh was best actress at Tokyo International Film Festival.

A KNIGHT’S TALE Action-adventure Columbia With: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Laura Fraser. The idea: Lowly squire and his band of misfits crash the jousting game. Writer-director: Brian Helgeland. So? Tilting to classic rock.

SORDID LIVES Comedy Regent Entertainment With: Newell Alexander, Beau Bridges, Delta Burke, Olivia Newton-John. The idea: Texas family’s scandals trigger comedic chaos. Writer-director: Del Shores. So? Shores has a way with this kind of material.

THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN Animated musical Tristar With: The voices of Jason Alexander, Mary Steenburgen, Reese Witherspoon, Seth Green, Joe Mantegna, Carol Burnett. The idea: Swan compensates for muteness by taking up trumpet. Writer: Judy Rothman Rofe. Directors: Richard Rich, Terry L. Noss. So? Like “Stuart Little,” based on an E.B. White children’s classic.

MAY 18

ANGEL EYES Drama Warner Bros. With: Jennifer Lopez, Jim Caviezel, Sonia Braga. The idea: Chicago cop Lopez and lost soul Caviezel fall in love, leading to revelation of secrets. Writer: Gerald Di Pego. Director: Luis Mandoki. So? Lopez has proved bankable.

THE CIRCLE Drama Winstar With: Fereshteh Sadr Orafai, Maryiam Parvin Almani, Nargess Mamizadeh, Monir Arab. The idea: Plight of women in Iran cannot extinguish their spirit. Writer: Kambozia Partovi. Director: Jafar Panahi. So? Astutely crafted drama.

MOULIN ROUGE Musical Fox With: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor. The idea: Doomed love in decadent Paris serves as conduit for 20th century pop songs. Writers: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce. Director: Baz Luhrmann. So? Yes, she and he can sing and dance. (See soundtrack review, page 94)

SHREK Animated fantasy DreamWorks With: The voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow. The idea: Computer-animated adaptation of William Steig’s tale of an ogre’s adventures. Writers: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, Roger S.H. Schulman. Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson. So? Clever for adults, smart-alecky for kids.

STARTUP.COM Documentary Artisan The idea: “The War Room” team chronicles the development of a dot-com. Directors: Chris Hegedus, Jehane Noujaim. So? Sad/funny peek inside boom/bust.

MAY 25

HIMALAYA Drama Kino With: Thinlen Lhondup, Karma Wangiel, Lhapka Tsamchoe, Karma Tenzing Nyima Lama. The idea: A generational power struggle against the backdrop of disappearing Tibetan culture. Writer: Oliver Dazat. Director: Eric Valli. So? Oscar-nominated film from Nepal.

THE MAN WHO CRIED Drama Universal Focus With: Christina Ricci, Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro. The idea: Jewish singer in Paris on the eve of World War II faces fateful choices. Writer-director: Sally Potter. So? A good bet the movie will be as interesting as its participants.

PEARL HARBOR Historical action Touchstone With: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jon Voight. The idea: Two pilots and a nurse form triangle in vivid account of the Japanese attack. Writer: Randall Wallace. Director: Michael Bay. So? Sure to spur spectacular box office and passionate debate.

THE ROAD HOME Drama Sony Pictures Classics With: Zhang Ziyi, Sun Honglei, Zheng Hao, Zhao Yuelin. The idea: Returning to village for father’s funeral, man learns about tradition and loyalty. Writer: Bao Shi. Director: Zhang Yimou. So? Film debut of “Crouching Tiger’s” Zhang Ziyi.

JUNE 1

THE ANIMAL Comedy Columbia With: Rob Schneider, Colleen Haskell. The idea: Experimental transplants give an injured cop the physical prowess--and baser instincts--of animals. Writer: Tom Brady, Schneider. Director: Luke Greenfield. So? The “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” gang reteams and a “Survivor” sweetheart debuts.

THE BURNING SENSATION Documentary Shooting Gallery The idea: An account of the 1999 Burning Man gathering. Director: Alex Nohe. So? Rich counterculture material.

WHAT’S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN? Comedy MGM With: Martin Lawrence, Danny DeVito, John Leguizamo, Glenne Headly. The idea: Burglar and billionaire in escalating war of wills. Writer: Matthew Chapman. Director: Sam Weisman. So? Promising premise, players.

JUNE 8

THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY Comedy Fine Line With: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, Jennifer Beals, Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. Reilly. The idea: Friends gather to celebrate couple’s milestone. Writers-directors: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming. So? Buzz is good on this digitally shot entry at Cannes.

ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE Animated adventure Walt Disney With: The voices of Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Don Novello, Jim Varney, Leonard Nimoy. The idea: Young cartographer fulfills grandfather’s quest to find the undersea empire. Writers: Tab Murphy, Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale, Joss Whedon, Bryce Zabel, Jackie Zabel. Directors: Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale. So? State-of-the-art Disney.

BRIDE OF THE WIND Historical drama Paramount Classics With: Sarah Wynter, Jonathan Pryce, Vincent Perez. The idea: Alma Mahler hooks up with Gustav Mahler, Oskar Kokoschka and other artists. Writer: Marilyn Levy. Director: Bruce Beresford. So? Beresford’s latest portrait.

EVOLUTION Comedy DreamWorks With: David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott. The idea: Hapless earthlings try to save the planet after meteor triggers catastrophic evolution. Writers: David Diamond, David Weissman, Don Jakoby. Director: Ivan Reitman. So? Alienbusters.

SWORDFISH Drama-action Warner Bros. With: John Travolta, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Don Cheadle, Vinnie Jones, Sam Shepard. The idea: Fed-up CIA operative uses sexy associate, computer hacker to steal $9 billion. Writer: Skip Woods. Director: Dominic Sena. So? A different kind of heist for “Gone in Sixty Seconds” director.

JUNE 13

SEXY BEAST Drama Fox Searchlight With: Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman. The idea: Battle of wills between retired ex-con and nemesis Writers: Louis Mellis, David Scinto. Director: Jonathan Glazer. So? A showcase for Kingsley.

JUNE 15

BETTER THAN SEX Comedy S. Goldwyn/Fireworks Pictures With: David Wenham, Susie Porter. The idea: Couple beds down for fun, curiosity blossoms. Writer-director: Jonathan Teplitzky. So? Australian movie ups the erotica standard (they say).

EVERYBODY FAMOUS! Comedy Miramax With: Josse de Pauw, Werner de Smedt, Viktor Low. The idea: Laid-off factory worker kidnaps chart-topping singer. Writer-director: Dominique Deruddere. So? Humor at its blackest.

JUMP TOMORROW Comedy IFC Films With: Natalie Verbecke, Tunde Adebimpe. The idea: Intriguing Latina crosses Nigerian’s path to arranged marriage. Writer-director: Joel Hopkins. So? Adapted from 1999 Sundance short “Jorge.”

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL Comedy Rainbow Releasing The idea: King Arthur and knights brave perils in noble quest. Directors: Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. So? Classic of Python pantheon.

SONGCATCHER Drama Lions Gate With: Janet McTeer, Aidan Quinn, Pat Carroll. The idea: Music scholar discovers courageous people as she collects folk songs in Appalachia. Writer-director: Maggie Greenwald. So? Iris DeMent, Taj Mahal, etc., guarantee folk fan interest.

TOMB RAIDER Adventure Paramount With: Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Noah Taylor, Daniel Craig. The idea: Superheroine Lara Croft tries to save the world. Writers: Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Simon West. Director: Simon West. So? Jolie may have been born to play the video-game heroine.

JUNE 22

DR. DOLITTLE 2 Comedy Fox With: Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wilson, Raven-Symone, Kyla Pratt. The idea: Doc plays matchmaker for a pair of bears. Writer: Larry Levin. Director: Steve Carr. So? Animal elocution provided by Norm McDonald, Lisa Kudrow, Andy Dick and more.

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Action Universal With: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez. The idea: Cop infiltrates L.A. gangs that vie for power via street racing. Writers: Gary Scott Thompson, Erik Bergquist, David Ayer. Director: Rob Cohen. So? Hunks in hot cars.

FOR DA LOVE OF MONEY Comedy Urbanworld Films With: Pierre, Sacha Kemp, Ralphie May, Maurice Patton, Reynaldo Rey. The idea: Average man’s life is changed when stolen loot is buried in his yard. Writer-director: Pierre. So? Hip-hop heist.

THE PRINCESS & THE WARRIOR Romantic comedy Sony Pictures Classics. With: Franka Potente, Benno Frmann. The idea: Psychiatric nurse searches obsessively for stranger who saved her life. Writer-director: Tom Tykwer. So? Tykwer and Potente collaborated memorably in “Run Lola Run.”

JUNE 27

BABY BOY Drama Columbia With: Tyrese, Omar Gooding, Snoop Dogg, Ving Rhames. The idea: A 20-year-old black man faces adulthood. Writer-director: John Singleton. So? Singleton returns to the scene of his seminal “Boyz N the Hood.”

LUMUMBA Political thriller Zeitgeist Films With: Eriq Ebouaney, Alex Descas, Theophile Moussa Sowie, Mariam Kaba. The idea: The charismatic leader of the liberated Congo finds enemies on all sides. Writers: Raoul Peck, Pascal Bonitzer. Director: Raoul Peck. So? Backstabbing abounds.

JUNE 29

A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Science-fiction Warner Bros. With: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor, Sam Robards, Brendan Gleeson, William Hurt. The idea: Conflict between humans and humanoids. Writer-director: Steven Spielberg. So? Spielberg + sci-fi = $$$.

THE CLOSET Comedy Miramax With: Gerard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil, Thierry Lhermitte. The idea: Boring accountant starts a rumor that he’s gay. Writer-director: Francis Veber. So? Veber films score at home.

CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL Drama Touchstone With: Kirsten Dunst, Jay Hernandez, Taryn Manning, Rolando Molina. The idea: Palisades girl rebels by romancing a boy from East L.A. Writer: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi. Director: John Stockwell. So? High school melodrama.

STRICTLY SINATRA Drama Universal Focus With: Ian Hart, Brian Cox, Kelly MacDonald, Tom Flanagan. The idea: A Sinatra wannabe is drawn into the Glasgow underworld. Writer-director: Peter Capaldi. So? Intriguingly quirky.

JUNE TBA

BREAD AND TULIPS (PANE E TULIPANI) Drama First Look Pictures With: Licia Maglietta, Bruno Ganz, Giuseppe Massironi, Marina Massironi. The idea: Housewife embarks on fateful sojourn in Venice. Writers: Doriana Leondeff, Silvio Soldini. Director: Silvio Soldini. So? Endearingly eccentric.

COME UNDONE Drama Picture This! Entertainment With: Jeremie Elkaim, Stephane Rideau, Marie Matheron, Dominique Reymond. The idea: Young man discovers passion and arrives at adulthood during a seaside vacation. Writers: Sebastien Lifshitz, Stephane Bouquet. Director: Sebastien Lifshitz. So? Teenage boys learn truths.

FAST FOOD FAST WOMEN Comedy Lot 47 With: Anna Thomson, Jamie Harris, Louise Lasser, Robert Modica. The idea: A look at two relationships involving Manhattanites. Writer-director: Amos Kollek. So? These people seem familiar.

OUR SONG Drama IFC Films With: Kerry Washington, Anna Simpson, Melissa Martinez. The idea: Coming-of-age story centers on three members of the real-life Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band. Writer-director: Jim McKay. So? Something different.

RUSSIAN DOLL Romantic comedy Lot 47 With: Hugo Weaving, Natalia Novikova, David Wenham. The idea: Adultery and matrimony complicate the life of a disillusioned private investigator. Writers: Stavros Kazantzidis, Allanah Zitserman. Director: Stavros Kazantzidis. So? “Matrix” villain as romantic lead.

JULY 4

CATS & DOGS Comedy/adventure Warner Bros. With: Jeff Goldblum, Elizabeth Perkins, and voices of Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon. The idea: Unbeknownst to humans, armies of felines and canines wage a great war. Writers: John Requa, Glenn Ficarra. Director: Larry Guterman. So? Anthropomorphism amok.

SCARY MOVIE 2 Comedy Dimension With: Tim Curry, Chris Elliott, Anna Faris, Tori Spelling. The idea: Horror movies get another skewering. Writers: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans. Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans. So? How will they top the first?

JULY 6

KISS OF THE DRAGON Action Fox With: Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tcheky Karyo. The idea: Mysterious operative teams with an American in Paris against a brutal adversary. Writers: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen. Director: Chris Nahon. So? French kicks.

THE VERTICAL RAY OF THE SUN Comedy Sony Pictures Classics With: Tran Nu Yn-Kh, Nguyen Nhu Quynh, L Khanh. The idea: Three sisters in Hanoi negotiate relationships in the shadow of a family secret. Writer-director: Tran Anh Hung. So? The pleasures of simplicity.

JULY 11

FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN Animated action-adventure Columbia With: Voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Donald Sutherland, James Woods. The idea: Humans versus aliens that steal energy from living things. Writers: Al Reinart and Jeff Vintar. Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi. So? Will the story be worthy of the astonishing animation?

JULY 13

BULLY Drama Lions Gate With: Brad Renfro, Rachel Miner, Nick Stahl, Bijou Phillips, Michael Pitt. The idea: Anatomy of a Florida murder involving troubled teens. Writers: David McKenna, Roger Pulis. Director: Larry Clark. So? Seamy side of childhood.

GREENFINGERS Comedy S. Goldwyn/Fireworks Pictures With: Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, David Kelly. The idea: Prison inmates enter a big flower show. Writer-director: Joel Hershman. So? Owen’s first big-screen appearance since “Croupier.”

ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS Comedy Miramax With: Anders W. Bertelsen, Anette Stovelbaek, Ann Eleonora Jorgensen, Lars Kaalund, Peter Gantzler, Sara Indrio Jensen. The idea: Singles seek happiness during a winter in Copenhagen. Writer-director: Lone Scherfig. So? “Big Chill” Dogma-style.

LEGALLY BLONDE Romantic comedy MGM With: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis. The idea: Campus queen pursues ex-boyfriend to college. Writers: Karen McCulla Lutz, Kirsten Smith. Director: Robert Luketic. So? Witherspoon knows how to be funny.

LOST AND DELIRIOUS Drama Lions Gate With: Piper Perabo, Jessica Pare, Misha Barton. The idea: Boarding-school girls discover passion and intrigue. Writer: Judith Thompson. Director: Lea Pool. So? Poetic coming-of-age tale.

THE SCORE Drama Paramount With: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett, Marlon Brando. The idea: Thief teams with young accomplice for career finale. Writers: Kario Salem, Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith. Director: Frank Oz. So? Bursting with talent.

JULY 18

JURASSIC PARK III Science-fiction Universal With: Sam Neill, Tea Leoni, William H. Macy, Alesandro Nivola. The idea: Party of seven is stuck on dinosaur-infested island. Writer: Peter Buchman. Director: Joe Johnston. So? Spielberg sensibility intact.

JULY 20

AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS Comedy Columbia With: Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack, Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal. The idea: Star’s personal assistant agrees to help maintain cheery public front for opening of irreparably estranged star couple’s final movie. Writer: Billy Crystal, Peter Tolan. Director: Joe Roth. So? Roberts plays the assistant.

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Musical Fine Line With: John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor, Michael Pitt, Andrea Martin. The idea: Botched sex-change victim seeks love, forms band. Writers: John Cameron Mitchell, Stephen Trask. Director: John Cameron Mitchell. So? Mitchell reprises stage hit.

SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK Comedy Paramount Classics With: Edward Burns, Dennis Farina, Rosario Dawson, Heather Graham. The idea: Manhattan singles discuss and act out rites of romance. Writer-director: Edward Burns. So? Cinematic sex in the city.

JULY 27

BROTHER Action Sony Pictures Classics With: Beat Takeshi, Omar Epps, Claude Maki, Masaya Kato. The idea: Tokyo tough (director Kitano under his acting name, Beat Takeshi) moves to L.A. Writer-director: Takeshi Kitano. So? Gangster-film specialist Takeshi’s first U.S.-shot film.

HIGHER ED Comedy Urbanworld Films With: Pras, Aries Spears, Taimak Guari, Ernest Thomas. The idea: Inner-city athlete goes to college on a track scholarship. Writer-director: Jean-Claude LaMarre. So? Hip-hopping through college.

PLANET OF THE APES Science-fiction Fox With: Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kris Kristofferson. The idea: Revisits the 1968 franchise launcher about a land ruled by primates. Writers: William Broyles Jr., Lawrence Konner, Mark D. Rosenthal. Director: Tim Burton. So? Burton directs Fox’s most expensive movie since “Titanic.”

JULY TBA

ADVENTURES OF FELIX Comedy Winstar Cinema With: Sami Bouajila, Patachou, Ariane Ascaride. The idea: A man undertakes an eventful journey through the French countryside. Writers-directors: Jacques Martineau, Olivier Ducastel. So? A European festival favorite.

KILL ME LATER Romantic thriller Lions Gate With: Selma Blair, Max Beesley, Brendan Fehr. The idea: Suicidal woman, bank robber form unlikely partnership. Writer: Annette Goliti Gutierrez. Director: Dana Lustig. So? Genre with a twist.

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Drama Strand With: William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga. The idea: Dissimilar cellmates engage in philosophical debate. Writer: Leonard Schrader. Director: Hector Babenco. So? 1985 indie-film landmark spawned Tony-winning musical.

AUG. 1

THE DEEP END Suspense thriller Fox Searchlight With: Tilda Swinton, Goran Visnjic, Jonathan Tucker, Peter Donat. The idea: Murder cover-up escalates into a taut cat-and-mouse game. Writers-directors: Scott McGehee, David Siegel So? Edgy noir.

AUG. 3

ALL OVER THE GUY Comedy Lions Gate With: Dan Bucatinsky, Richard Ruccolo, Sasha Alexander, Adam Goldberg. The idea: Mismatched couple resist romance. Will they succumb? Writer: Dan Bucatinsky. Director: Julie Davis. So? Lisa Kudrow and Christina Ricci add a little star power.

GHOST WORLD Comedy United Artists With: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Steve Buscemi. The idea: Two highly wry girlfiends survey their world. Writers: Daniel Clowes, Terry Zwigoff. Director: Terry Zwigoff. So? Based on Clowes’ book.

THE GIRL Drama Artistic License With: Claire Keim, Agathe de la Boulaye. The idea: Passionate relationship between two women threatened by figure from the past. Writers: Sande Zeig, Monique Wittig. Director: Sande Zeig. So? Satisfyingly unsettling.

MADE Comedy Artisan With: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Peter Falk, Famke Janssen, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. The idea: Man urges boxer buddy to join him climbing mob ladder. Writer-director: Jon Favreau. So? Director-cast chemistry.

ORIGINAL SIN Thriller MGM With: Antonio Banderas, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Jane. The idea: An erotic study of enigma and obsession, based on a book by Cornell Woolrich. Writer-director: Michael Cristofer. So? Jolie reunites with writer-director whose “Gia” launched her career.

THE PRINCESS DIARIES Comedy Walt Disney With: Anne Hathaway, Hector Elizondo, Caroline Goodall, Mandy Moore, Julie Andrews. The idea: California teen is torn when she learns she’s heir to a European throne. Writer: Gina Wendkos. Director: Garry Marshall. So? Marshall can be funny, but this one lacks Julia Roberts.

RAT RACE Comedy Paramount With: Rowan Atkinson, Jon Lovitz, John Cleese, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr. The idea: Vegas high-rollers bet on folks racing for cache of cash. Writer: Andrew Breckman. Director: Jerry Zucker. So? Non-stop funny.

RUSH HOUR 2 Comedy New Line With: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan. The idea: Mismatched detectives tangle with a major gangster. Writers: Jim Kouf, Jeff Nathanson. Director: Brett Ratner. So? Sequel adds globe-spanning locations to hit formula.

SPEEDWAY JUNKY Drama Regent Entertainment With: Jesse Bradford, Jordan Brower, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Daryl Hannah. The idea: Teen runaway and aspiring race driver tries to survive among hustlers in Las Vegas. Writer-director: Nickolas Perry. So? Not fast enough.

THOMAS IN LOVE Drama IFC Films With: Benout Verhaert, Aylin Yay, Magali Pinglault. The idea: A serious agoraphobic finds his home invaded (virtually speaking) when he joins a computer dating club. Writer: Philippe Blaasband. Director: Pierre-Paul Renders. So? Sharp social commentary.

TORTILLA SOUP Comedy Samuel Goldwyn Films With: Hector Elizondo, Raquel Welch, Elizabeth Pena. The idea: Retired chef with three unmarried daughters senses sparks when he meets attractive woman. Writer: Vera Blasi. Director: Maria Ripoll. So? Recipe for romance.

AUG. 10

AMERICAN PIE 2 Comedy Universal With: Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, Alyson Hannigan and Chris Klein. The idea: Second helping. Writer: Adam Herz. Director: J.B. Rogers. So? Creators hope lightning strikes twice.

THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION Comedy DreamWorks With: Woody Allen, Helen Hunt, Charlize Theron, Dan Aykroyd, Wallace Shawn, David Ogden Stiers, Brian Markinson. The idea: Insurance investigator’s mind is invaded by a thief’s. Writer-director: Woody Allen. So? Whimsical Woody.

JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK Comedy Dimension With: Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Jason Lee, Judd Nelson, George Carlin. The idea: Two stoners set out to sabotage a movie adaptation of a comic book based on their lives. Writer-director: Kevin Smith. So? Smith New Jersey finale.

INNOCENCE Drama Fireworks Pictures With: Charles Tingwell, Julia Blake. The idea: Man and woman test the waters 50 years after their fling. Writer-director: Paul Cox. So? Individualistic, independent.

HAPPY ACCIDENTS Comedy/science-fiction IFC Films With: Marisa Tomei, Vincent D’Onofrio. The idea: Woman’s lover reveals he’s a time traveler. Writer-director: Brad Anderson. So? Low-key romantic charm.

RAW DEAL: A QUESTION OF CONSENT Documentary Artisan The idea: Examination of a highly publicized Florida rape accusation. Directors: Alfred Spellman, Billy Corben. So? A polarizing cause celebre.

OSMOSIS JONES Comedy Warner Bros. With: Bill Murray, Molly Shannon, Chris Elliott, and the voices of Chris Rock, Laurence Fishburne and William Shatner. The idea: White blood cell versus a new virus, inside Bill Murray. Writer: Marc Hyman. Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly (live action), Piet Kroon and Tom Sito (animation). So? File with “Fantastic Voyage,” ’Innerspace.”

AUG. 15

APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX Drama Miramax With: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall. The idea: Re-edited version adds 53 minutes to the epic. Writers: Francis Ford Coppola, John Milius. Director: Francis Ford Coppola. So? In this case, more is more.

AUG. 17

AMERICAN OUTLAWS Western-comedy Warner Bros. With: Colin Farrell, Scott Caan, Timothy Dalton, Kathy Bates . The idea: Jesse James and his gang tangle with the law. Writer: John Rogers. Director: Les Mayfield. So? In search of Butch Cassidy magic.

ROLLERBALL Action MGM With: Chris Klein, Jean Reno, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. The idea: Stars of the treacherous sport team to expose corruption. Writers: Larry Ferguson, John Pogue. Director: John McTiernan. So? Action pedigree.

SERENDIPITY Romantic comedy Miramax With: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale. The idea: Couple reunites 10 years after falling in love. Writer: Marc Klein. Director: Peter Chelsom. So? Worthwhile eccentricity.

AUG. 24

JOHN CARPENTER’S GHOSTS OF MARS Science-fiction Screen Gems With: Ice Cube, Natasha Henstridge, Jason Statham, Pam Grier. The idea: Earthling colonists encounter warriors of ancient Martian civilization. Writers: Larry Sulkis, John Carpenter. Director: John Carpenter. So? Carpenter knows scary movies. Will this be one?

O Drama Lions Gate With: Josh Hartnett, Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, Martin Sheen. The idea: Basketball star becomes trapped in deceit, loses his game. Writer: Brad Kaaya. Director: Tim Blake Nelson. So? “Othello” on hardwood.

PUNKS Comedy-drama Urbanworld Films With: Rockmond Dunbar, Seth Gilliam, Vanessa Williams, Renoly Santiago. The idea: Follows a close-knit group of gay black men. Writer-director: Patrik-Ian Polk. So? “Soul Food” flambe.”

SOUL SURVIVORS Horror Artisan With: Eliza Dushku, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck. The idea: Car-crash survivor starts wondering if she really survived when she starts experiencing strange visitations. Writer-director: Steve Carpenter. So? Scary, no relation to John.

SUMMER CATCH Romantic comedy Warner Bros. With: Freddie Prinze Jr., Jessica Biel, Fred Ward. The idea: Cape Cod baseball prospect falls in love with wealthy summer visitor. Writers: Kevin Falls, Joe Gatins. Director: Mike Tollin. So? Big-league pretty business.

TOGETHER Drama/comedy IFC Films With: Lisa Lindgren, Michael Nygvist, Gustav Hammarsten, Anja Ludkvist, Jessica Liedberg. The idea: Hypocrisy and idealism in a hippie commune. Writer-director: Lukas Moodysson. So? Swedish hippiness.

VULGAR Comedy Lions Gate With: Brian O’Halloran, Jerry Lekowitz, Matt Maher, Ethan Suplee, Bryan Johnson. The idea: Things pick up for a clown when he becomes a transvestite and switches from kids’ to bachelor parties. Writer-director: Bryan Johnson. So? From production company of slacker auteur Kevin Smith.

AUG. 31

ALL THAT GLITTERS Drama Fox With: Mariah Carey, Max Beesley, Shawntae Harris (Da Brat), Tia Texada, Ann Magnuson. The idea: Singer seeks success and family amid personal turbulence. Writer: Kate Lanier. Director: Vondie Curtis Hall. So? Music from Carey in tandem with Rick James, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, et al.

JEEPERS CREEPERS Thriller United Artists With: Gina Phillips, Justin Long, Jonathan Breck, Eileen Brennan. The idea: A brother and sister on a road trip encounter a terrifying supernatural force. Writer-director: Victor Salva. So? Stigmatized director re-emerges.

KNOCKAROUND GUYS Drama New Line With: Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, Seth Green, Andrew Davoli, Dennis Hopper, John Malkovich. The idea: Young Brooklyn mob scions versus small-town Montana sheriff. Writer-director: Brian Koppelman and David Levien. So? Wise guys meet their match.

AUG. TBA

CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN Drama Universal With: Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, John Hurt, Christian Bale. The idea: Italian invader finds romance with doctor’s daughter on Greek island during WW II. Writer: Shawn Slovo. Director: John Madden. So? Madden’s first film since “Shakespeare in Love.”

MAYBE BABY Comedy USA Films With: Hugh Laurie, Joely Richardson, Rowan Atkinson, Dawn French, Emma Thompson. The idea: Fast-track London couple tries to reproduce. Writer-director: Ben Elton. So? Positively fertile.

ON THE EDGE Drama Universal Focus With: Cillian Murphy, Tricia Veessey, Jonathan Jackson, Stephen Rea. The idea: Self-destructive teenager finds direction during stay in psychiatric hospital. Writers: John Carney, Daniel James. Director: John Carney. So? Commendable exploration of suicidal teens.

SUMMER TBA

BETTER HOUSEKEEPING Comedy Shooting Gallery With: Bob Mills, Petra Westen, Tacey Adams, Zia, Andrew Eichner. The idea: Divorcing couple’s battle becomes absurd. Writer-director: Frank Novak. So? Sundance prize-winner.

BUBBLE BOY Comedy Touchstone With: Jake Gyllenhaal, Swoosie Kurtz, Marley Shelton, Danny Trejo, John Carroll Lynch. The idea: Immune-deficient hero leaves his haven and hits the road for the sake of true love. Writers: Cinco Paul & Ken Daura, Michael Kalesniko Director: Blair Hayes. So? What makes him so special?

CURE Drama Cowboy Booking International With: Koji Yakusho. The idea: A man uses hypnotic power to turn people into killers. Writer-director: Koyoshi Kurosawa. So? Yakusho is familiar from “Shall We Dance?”

Summer Sneaks

Editor Kinsey Lowe

Capsules Richard Cromelin

Research Kevin Crust