A comedy with a little more bite, but sure to still have some warm moments, is Dinner for Schmucks, scheduled to come out July 30.  The film stars Paul Rudd as a corporate employee invited to his boss’s annual dinner where the person with the most eccentric guest gets preferential treatment.  Enter Steve Carell as an IRS drone who spends his time dressing up mice and posing them in replicas of classic works of art.  The movie is based off a French film and play called The Dinner Game.  Of course, we know that Rudd and Carell will inevitably find friendship after a series of hijinks, and isn’t that what’s important?

For teens (and those who wish they still were), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World provides an ironic take on romance, when guitarist Scott Pilgrim meets his soul mate and discovers that he must defeat her “seven evil exes” before they can live happily ever after.  This blend of music, magic, and video games is sure to thrill audiences when it releases on August 13.

• Despicable Me: The marketing for this film has been everywhere, with the Tic-Tac-shaped “minions” invading commercials and billboards.  The plot concerns evil scientist Gru’s (Steve Carell) plot to steal the moon and generally make things despicable for the world.  His plan is complicated by the introduction of three orphaned girls who force him to reconsider his role in life.
• Predators: This hard-R-rated reboot returns the franchise to its roots as a kinetic action-horror franchise, and while it doesn’t go it about it quite as subtly as the originals, it’s still been garnering good reviews in the past week.  Among the many reasons to see it is the introduction of new alien creatures never-before-seen in a Predator film.
• The Kids Are All Right: This indie drama is opening in limited release this weekend.  The adult-themed plot revolves around two teenagers raised in a same-sex marriage who embark on a quest to find their birth father and bring him into their life.  Already an unexpected success at the Sundance Film Festival, the film could appeal to viewers looking for something a little different.
• REC 2:  If you missed out on the film Quarantine two years ago, you missed out on one of the eeriest zombie films of the year.  Not everybody knows that film was a direct remake of a Spanish film, REC, that came out the year before.  This sequel picks up directly after the cliffhanger end of the first film, and deals with the police’s attempt to control the zombie outbreak.

Daniel Craig was initially contracted for four films, of which two have been released: the series-redefining Casino Royale and its direct sequel, Quantum of Solace.  Fans expected the next film to continue the storyline of Bond’s investigation into the evil Quantum secret society.  Daniel Craig also mentioned that the new film would also focus on the origins of Moneypenny, Bond’s flirtatious liaison in M’s office, and Q, Bond’s go-to gadget guy.

In an exciting turn of events, American Beauty director Sam Mendes signed on to direct the film, with Patrick Marber (Closer, Notes on a Scandal) set to write.  These two artists promised to bring a new level of quality to the film, possibly never-before-seen in a James Bond film.  However, as in any Bond flick, just as things looked brightest, disaster struck.

MGM fell prey to a series of financial problems, which has them now considering options such as an outright sale, an auctioning off of notable properties (including the Bond franchise), and a merger with Lions Gate Entertainment.  The company announced its shelving of the property in April.

Things looked up when it was revealed that Sam Mendes was still under contract, but on July 4, EON Productions announced that the film was officially cancelled.  While it’s unlikely we’ve seen the last of Bond, no one can predict when or where the next film will be showing up, although a remake of the video-game GoldenEye is currently in production featuring Craig’s likeness.

• James McAvoy as Professor X: The star of Atonement and Wanted will play the X-Men’s mentor, the telepathic Charles Xavier.  The film will presumably take place before Xavier’s crippling accident—and before he went bald.
• Michael Fassbender as Erik Lensherr: German-Irish Fassbender is playing Xavier’s friend and rival who eventually becomes Magneto, capable of manipulating magnetic forces.  The fracture between the two men will likely be a basis of the film.
• Alice Eve as Emma Frost: Recently starring in She’s Out of My League, this British star will play the seductive but ice cold telepath, who in the comics has gone from the X-men’s deadly foe to a central ally.
• Nicholas Hoult as Beast: This child star played alongside Hugh Grant in About a Boy.  As the acrobatic and cultured Hank McCoy aka Beast, expect to see Hoult doing a lot more moving.
• Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee: This unknown actor has signed on as Banshee, an Irish mutant capable of unleashing a sonic scream to incapacitate his enemies.  The character is best remembered for his tempestuous adult relationship with Moira MacTaggert, who is currently being cast.  Rosamund Pike (An Education; Pride and Prejudice) is considered a front-runner.
• Lucas Till as Havok: Star of family fare like Hannah Montana: The Movie and The Spy Next Door, Till will be playing the brother of Cyclops, Alex Summers aka Havok.  In the comics, he represents the foil to Cyclop’s straight-arrow, authoritative personality.

1. When You’re Strange: A Film About the Doors: Now available on DVD, this film features rare archival footage, including excerpts from Jim Morrison’s 1969 experimental film HWY: An American Pastoral.  The narration is provided by Johnny Depp.  Keyboardist Ray Manzarek calls this the “true story of the Doors”, in contrast to the 1991 Oliver Stone film which took several factual liberties.
2. Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage:  Geddy Lee’s amazing voice is recognizable to millions, but the history of his band has never been touched on before this documentary.  Interviews with artists Rush influenced, including Jack Black, Billy Corgan, Trent Reznor, and members of the Foo Fighters and Metallica, round out this piece.  Even at 107 minutes, there’s plenty left out, so be sure to check out the deleted scenes and live performances on the bonus disc.
3. The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights: Co-released with the band’s first live album, Jack and Meg White take the viewer along on their 2007 summer tour of Canada, during which they played mostly free shows anywhere people would listen.  For those who have never had the chance to see this band live, this video will certainly leave a mark on you, especially in Jack’s final haunting rendition of “White Moon”.
4. Oil City Confidential: Not all rockumentaries focus on bands that made it big.  Director Julien Temple’s film is a portrait of Dr. Feelgood, a pub rock group that formed in the mid-70s, before punk took over.  Guitarist Wilko Johnson provides the focus of the film, as a hippie schoolteacher-turned-rock star prepared to stand up for the rights of rockers everywhere.