Here are some major releases for July:

July 4
"Hancock" - Independence Day means barbecues, fireworks, flags, and of course, a new Will Smith movie. This time, Smith is starring as a different kind of superhero -- a guy named Hancock who has image problems due to his heroics often causing more problems than they solve. Jason Bateman is a PR executive who tries to get him to clean up his act.

July 11
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" - While fanboys are likely drooling at this sequel, I was among many critics who thought the first Hellboy was a giant snooze. Ron Perlman is back as the demon hero and Selma Blair is his action-babe love interest.

"Journey to the Center of the Earth" - This live-action 3D adventure picture stars Brendan Fraser as the hero from Jules Verne's classic novel. Remember when Fraser was only known as Pauly Shore's costar in "Encino Man?"

"Meet Dave" - Oh dear, another movie marketed with Eddie Murphy grinning widely on the poster. This comedy also has a lame plot: aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a problem -- their ship has fallen for a woman.

July 18
"The Dark Knight" - One of the few sequels that true film snobs are juiced to see, probably because director Christopher Nolan has brought new life to what had become a tired series. Christian Bale is back as Batman, and this time he is teaming up with Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to take on the city's newest villain -- The Joker (Heath Ledger). The filmmakers wisely replaced the bland Katie Holmes with spitfire indie darling Maggie Gyllenhaal. There is big-time buzz about Ledger's performance and the possibility of a posthumous Oscar.

"Mamma Mia" - Sure, it may sound dopey: a musical made up of songs by Abba, set on a Greek island. But this is Meryl Streep we're talking here, and you should never count her out. Plus, as the huge success of the Broadway musical shows can tell you, you can never dismiss the power of women over 50 and their love of Abba. Add Streep and some hunky guys (Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth) and I say you've got a sleeper summer hit and a nice piece of counter-programming against Batman.

July 25
"Step Brothers" - Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are starring in another dumb, raunchy comedy. Either you like this stuff (see "Anchorman") or you don't. 'Nuff said.

"The X-Files: I Want to Believe" - My guess is the studio is secretly calling this "The X-Files: We Hope They Remember and Buy Tickets." I am a big fan of this show, but it's been 10 years since the last movie and people have moved on (see TV's "Lost").