Now that all (OK, most) of the big guns are out of the way, this summer presents us with other more pressing issues. This July we’re presented with a controversial Shyamalan adaptation, a new entry in the Predator franchise, a weighty mind-bender from Christopher Nolan, a new still-better-than-Shrek animated feature full of comic talent, Angelina Jolie on the run and a bunch of schmucks having dinner.

July 2

The Last Airbender

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Noah Ringer, Dev Patel

For fans of the Nickelodeon animated series, M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action adaptation may be the hardest pill to swallow. While we’re not exactly optimistic about the beloved series weathering the transition, those unfamiliar with it and more inclined to just escape into what looks to be an admittedly well-produced fantasy saga might find it enjoyable nevertheless. If that other Avatar can do billion-dollar business, it’s probably safe to say this one has a fighting chance on America’s biggest weekend.

July 9

Predators

Director: Nimrod Antal
Laurence Fishburne, Adrien Brody

It’s hard to think that one of the seminal action films of the ’80s has come this far. After Alien vs Predator and its even worse sequel, we’d pretty much considered the Predator franchise dead and buried, but leave it to Robert Rodriguez to resurrect it with a new twist. Instead of our protagonists being a group of irritable commandos or sweaty cops, Predators shows us what happens when bad guys—mercenaries, convicts, assassins, other assorted greaseballs—go up against the really bad guys while stranded on an alien planet. Sounds a bit Alien3, but we’ve seen worse. Also look for a nod or two to the original film, which may or may not include someone yelling out “Get to da choppa!”

Despicable Me

Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Steve Carrell, Jason Segal

By all accounts, this movie should be awesome. Everybody in the cast is hilarious (Carrell, Jason Segal, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Mindy Kaling, the list goes on and on….), and the premise of showing an animated film from the villain’s perspective is fresh and funny. But post-production troubles following less-than-glowing test screenings have dogged the film, and the trailers are a yawn. Maybe they’re just saving the good stuff for the ticket buyers?

July 16

Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt

Let’s face it, Inception looks like the film to beat this summer. It’s Nolan’s latest since 2008′s The Dark Knight, has a boatload of stars, sports an original, mind-bending screenplay and has just enough “what is it?” buzz to bring in even those slightly-curious moviegoers. It’s unlike anything else on the radar and in some respects, we’re hoping for another The Matrix-style hit that seems to come out of nowhere and changes the way we look at science-fiction. The only question is if it can hit big without the Batman name that Nolan’s become so associated with.

July 23

Salt

Director: Phillip Noyce
Angelina Jolie, Liev Schrieber

Jolie is CIA operative Evelyn Salt who goes on the run after she’s accused of being a spy. Misunderstandings, explosions and sexy brunette action ensue. While that seems like a mix of Jason Bourne meets Mrs. Smith meets Mission: Impossible, we’d never count out Jolie’s choice of work because, really, she’s so famous that she could get away with never having to make another movie again. Plus, with Kurt Wimmer and Brian Helgeland providing the script and Phillip Noyce returning to CIA/spy territory a la Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, expect plenty of fireworks.

Dinner for Schmucks

Director: Jay Roach
Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis

In a world where people spend hours scanning YouTube for weirdos to laugh at, the premise of Dinner for Schmucks sounds promising: a group holds a monthly dinner party, each bringing a different amusing idiot as a guest. Paul Rudd brings Steve Carrell and laffs ensue. The comic pedigree is first class, with Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Schaal and Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement each playing schmucks (I guess, though seeing them play it straight might be even funnier).