Popcorn Pick 7-30-10

No summer movie season is complete without one big comedy. That honor (or dishonor) for this summer goes to Dinner For Schmucks, a remake of a French film with our favorite funny-man duo, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Rudd is trying to advance in his company when he learns of a ritual the higher-up people do in order to secure a promotion: they host a fancy dinner and everyone brings a guest. The person with the dumbest and/or funniest guest secures a promotion. He's uncomfortable with this seemingly cruel process, until he finds Carell, a weirdo who collects dead mice and is socially retarded on all levels. Rudd is sure this guy will get him his promotion, but an unexpected friendship will complicate matters. The plot is strangely complex for a summer comedy, but once people get through that, they may find a sweet and funny story with a message. (I'm reserving judgment until I see it; I can't tell if it's good or not.) In a smart move, the film co-stars Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover). It's also directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers trilogy, Meet the Parents).

Popcorn Pick 7-23-10

Angelina Jolie returns to action films, a la Wanted-style, in the unfortunately titled Salt. She plays a CIA agent who is named as a Russian spy and goes on the run from the people she works for to rescue her kidnapped husband. One can expect lots of logicless action and sexy shots of the leggy female star. The story attempts to be a psychological thriller (is she a spy? Or is she being set up?), but looks like it's more of just a slam-bang summer action flick. The film co-stars Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Serenity). And in case you get confused, just remember that Angelina Jolie probably wouldn't star in a movie about sodium.

Popcorn Pick 7-16-10

Christopher Nolan's follow-up to the massive hit The Dark Knight is also the most anticipated movie of the summer. Specific plot details of Inception are being kept very hush-hush, but we do know that it's about a group of theives using technology to enter people's dreams in order to steal their ideas. Huge special effects and intricate action scenes meet with mind-fuck storytelling to create what is sure to be a dazzling experience. Leonardo DiCaprio (in his first summer blockbuster!) headlines an impressive ensemble cast that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Ellen Page (Juno), Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Cillian Murphy (Red Eye), Tom Berenger (Platoon), Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies), and Michael Caine.

(Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the other big summer movie opening this week, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, starring Nicolas Cage and rising young star Jay Baruchel. The fantasy actioner- produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, no less- is about a college kid who learns he has magical powers and comes under the tutelage of a mad sorcerer to hone his skills. Might not be that good of a film, but it's definitely a great popcorn flick.)

Popcorn Pick 7-9-10

No summer is complete without a popular animated movie strictly for kids. Since Toy Story 3 is really for adults just as much as the little ones, Despicable Me is the kid-friendly pick of the summer. Steve Carell lends his voice to the main character of Gru, a short, pointy-nosed villain who likes to steal major monuments. Once he puts his plan in motion to steal the moon, he inherits three orphan girls who give him a new perspective on life. The target audience's favorite part will be the little yellow minions scattered throughout, speaking gibberish and giggling the whole way through. An assortment of colorful characters and an agressive marketing campaign will make this a hit. Hopefully has some stuff for the adults as well. The all-star cast also includes Jason Segel (I Love You, Man) , Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek), Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock).

Popcorn Pick 7-2-10

If you were planning on seeing this movie, odds are you've seen it already. And if you're not planning on seeing it, you're probably running away from your computer screen right now. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is set to be not only the biggest film in the uber-popular vampire/werewolf/romance franchise, but possibly the biggest film of the year. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner are back a third time for another installment of teen angst and trying to construct a vampire-related plot around it. This time around the fighting clans of vampires and werewolves have to band together to fight a new threat. And Bella is once again torn between the two hotties- but let's face it, even if you're unfamiliar with the story, it's obvious who's she's gonna pick. Sure to make many little girls squeal, and fork over their money for tickets. Shockingly, buzz surrounding this movie says that it's actually halfway decent, probably due to them turning up the action a notch or two, and the fact that the film is also available in IMAX doesn't hurt either.

Also, Twilight has cemented its status as the new Harry Potter-wannabe by splitting its last book in the series, Breaking Dawn, into two movies- just like Deathly Hallows.