If the Fall Movie Season is fine dining, summertime is Burger King.

No substance, and terrible for your health. Yet, no matter how cultured I think my tastes are getting, it's the Summer Movie Season that gets me excited. Those first high-profile trailers hit in February, and the same thing happens: my breathing becomes labored, my pulse quickens (two symptoms that are also, oddly enough, indicative of a diet rich in junk food). The movies may be less "important," but I get more fired up over them than of anything released between October and Christmas.

And this summer...

Well, there are a lot of superheroes in play. The Hulk, Hellboy, Hancock, Batman, I'd even extend the designation to Indiana Jones. I think "Wanted" hails from Comic Book Land as well, but my geek-cred doesn't extend that far (I'd have to ask my brother). Also, Judd Apatow stands to make a mint (his mitts are all over "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," "Step Brothers" and "Pineapple Express"). And Pixar's got a new movie. That should be pretty cool.

Do I sound a little unenthused? I feel that way. I love the summer season, but there's precious little to care about this year. I mean, in summers past we've seen "Star Wars (the good ones)," "Back to the Future," "28 Days Later" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," all big-budget blockbusters that challenged the genre a little, that gave us maximum thrills with a bit more artistic appeal than usual. I hope I'm proven wrong, but 2008 doesn't look like it's gonna live up to those.

I mean, have any of you seen the preview to "The Love Guru?" Stuff like that makes me doubt my faith in humanity.

Anyways, Casey and I are here to help, to point you in the direction of the (hopefully) best of Summer 2008's movie offering, or at least the most noteworthy releases. Chief among those, for me, is Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight." If any movie has the potential to break from the pack and join the ranks of the "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" ilk, it's this one. Nolan's one of the best directors working today, and advance word on this one has been stellar. "The Dark Knight" could be one of the greats. Then again, I have always wanted to be Batman. I could be biased.

And away we go…

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

Opening May 22, Rated PG-13

Starring Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett and Karen Allen

Josh Says: On one hand, Indiana Jones is back, with Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford holding the reins and supported by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent, and John Hurt. On the other hand, Shia LaBeouf plays Indy's greaser son. I'm torn between jumping for joy and wanting to vomit.

Casey Says: The most anticipated film of the summer is being guarded closer than the results of a presidential election, but the plot is said to hinge around space aliens. Uh-oh. I'm not about to bet against it, but if it is not the highest-grossing film of the summer, it is going to be considered a disappointment.

"Sex and the City"

Opening May 30, Rated R

Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Chris Noth

Josh Says: I'm not a huge fan of the show, but I'm not oblivious to its wide appeal and huge popularity. My only quibble with the film version? It's two and a half hours long. I get wanting to give your audience lots of what it wants, but a comedy that's 30 minutes longer than Indiana Jones 4 seems slightly excessive.

Casey Says: In the big-screen treatment of the decade-defining HBO series, Sarah Jessica Parker & Co. return as Manhattan's most dedicated martini-sipping, shoe-shopping bachelorettes. It appears something terrible happens in the first act, so be sure to see it before the cat's out of the bag. There promises to be more of the uproarious laughs and emotional depth that turned the series into a cultural touchstone, but can it compete in a testosterone-filled summer season? Get real. This is Indiana Jones for the girl-set and its going to be a huge hit.

"You Don't Mess with the Zohan"

Opening June 6, Rated PG-13
Starring Adam Sandler and apparently no one else of note

Josh Says: Call me square, but I think it's a little too soon to be mining Middle Eastern terrorism for laughs. That said, Judd Apatow's co-writing this, which gives me hope—if "Zohan" is as gloriously silly as "Happy Gilmore" or "Billy Madison," I'll be a happy guy, regardless of its questionable content.

Casey Says: It isn't summer if there isn't a high-concept Sandler-starring laughfest on the schedule to appeal to the masses. In a cringe-inducing premise that sounds as though it’s a bad Sasha Baron Cohen routine, he's an Israeli commando-turned-Manhattan fashionista. Is this for real? Carrie Bradshaw has nothing to be concerned about.

"The Happening"

Opening June 13, Not Yet Rated (Likely R)

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel

Josh Says: I read an early draft of this script. Without going into spoiler territory, let me say it was the stupidest, most inane piece of work yet from writer/director M. Night Shyamalan. Granted, he's had ample time for revisions, but it's gonna take a lot of work to fix the problems here, and after suffering through "The Village" and "Lady in the Water," my expectations are not high.

Casey Says: M. Night Shyamalan tries to redeem himself in this supernatural horror film about a green house effect catastrophe that plagues a bunch of rural residents. It sounds rather similar to the 1963 Hitchcock masterpiece "The Birds" but not as good. It has been ages since the director has pulled a real punch on us, so unless this turns out to be the second coming, I'm going to pass. The summertime is the perfect time to get scared out of our minds, but I'm guessing this ain't it.

"The Incredible Hulk"

Opening June 13, Rated PG-13
Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth

Josh Says: I am one of four people who legitimately loves Ang Lee's abstract, cerebral take on the Hulk comic book, and I'd be perfectly fine just having that one to enjoy. However, Edward Norton's the man, the most recent trailer was very cool, and the fifteen-year old kid in me is all about the "Hulk Smash" approach. Plus, I hear tell Michael K. Williams (Omar Little from "The Wire") goes mano-a-mano against the Hulk, and that's enough reason for me to buy a ticket.

Casey Says: The last time someone tried to turn Bruce Banner into an action hero, the audience didn't turn up, but this summer he's getting a second chance. The plot is the same, but let’s hope the action has been ratcheted up a couple hundred notches. The prognosis so far appears to be good. It helps that Norton, a respected actor not famous for doing sell-out action films, is stepping up to the plate and that Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man is rumored to drop in for a cameo.

"Get Smart"

Opening June 20, Rated PG-13

Starring Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway

Josh Says: Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart. 'Nuff said. This one's gonna have to work really hard to break my excitement for it.

Casey Says: The unstoppable Carrell is turning into one of our funniest comedians and he is a perfect fit for this comic romp based on the 1960s-era Mel Brooks series. The basic premise is intact, but to bring the accident-prone secret agent into the millennium, it spoofs the high-octane action films of the Jason Bourne generation. It sounds alright, but is there a reason the trailer produced more mild humor than side-splitting laughs? This could turn out to be a mission that is all too stoppable.

"Wall-E"

Opening June 27, Not Yet Rated (Likely PG)

Josh Says: I have a feeling "Wall-E" is going to be the highest grossing flick of the year. It's not just that it's Pixar (though that doesn't hurt). Here's the thing: watching the preview fills me with genuine awe. That doesn't happen often, and I couldn't be more excited about the flick.

Casey Says: There is a giant animated hit each summer and here it is. In the latest Pixar-produced opus, the miniature super-robot hero collects trash, finds his soul mate and finds himself hopping aboard the human race's mother ship so he can help all of us become better people. The dialogue-free action is an iffier proposition than "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles," but don't be surprised if the titular super-robot becomes as ubiquitous as E.T. for a different generation of children.

"Wanted"

Opening June 27, Rated R

Starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman

Josh Says: Inane, over-the-top cartoon violence? Check. A heavily tattooed, multiple gun-wielding Angelina Jolie jumping over trains and destroying supermarkets? Check. Obligatory casting of Morgan Freeman as a mentor figure? Oh yeah! If "Wanted" plays its cards right, it could be this year's "Con Air," and that would be a very, very good thing.

Casey Says: The summer needs a formidable no-crap action heroine and the formidable no-crap Jolie fits the bill. In this action-filled spectacle, she trains an unassuming John Doe into the assassin business and a lot of chase scenes ensue. In spite of a couple of cool touches, it is too bad it appears to be a run-of-the-mill actioner. Jolie is in Lara Croft mode and it is fun to see her channel her bad girl persona, but it feels far too familiar to muster much enthusiasm.

"Hancock"

Opening July 2, Rated PG-13

Starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

Josh Says: Along with "The Happening," I see "Hancock" as having the most potential for biggest summer dud. Everyone loves The Fresh Prince (and to be fair, so do I), but the previews have been horrible, and the advance word is this flick isn't half as cutting edge (Superheroes are just like us!) or as entertaining as it thinks it is. We'll see.

Casey Says: In an intriguing spin on the usual action formula, Smith dirties up his image as a not-so-heroic superhero attempting to rehabilitate his public image in the action hero business and a lot of chase scenes ensue. It has a definite off-center feel, but genre aficionados tend to prefer their action straight-up. It is either going to be a huge hit or a huge flop, but there is no middle ground.

"The Dark Knight"

Opening July 18, Rated PG-13

Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman and Maggie Gyllenhaal

Josh Says: You know why I'm dying to see this flick more than any other movie this year, summer or otherwise? It's not because of Heath Ledger's supposedly brilliant interpretation of The Joker, or because the tone is modeled off Michael Mann's great "Heat," or even because it's the sequel to the best superhero movie ever made. Nope, I wanna see "The Dark Knight" because I've heard through the grapevine that even though director Christopher Nolan was asked to deliver Warner Bros a comic book movie, he went and crafted something else entirely: an honest-to-goodness masterpiece.

Casey Says: There is no doubt that Christopher Nolan's second installment in the DC Comics franchise is at the top of most people's must-see list. There is sure to be lots more of the usual Bat-action, but most of the anticipation centers around Heath Ledger's sure-to-be-great turn as The Joker. The tragic death of the actor is sure to add an undeniable resonance to his performance and has the potential to raise the rest of the film right up into the stratosphere.

"Mamma Mia!"

Opening July 18, Rated PG-13

Starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth

Josh Says: Normally, musicals aren't my thing. However, when you give me one using the music of ABBA as inspiration and starring the world's greatest living actor, Mrs. Meryl Streep…well, wild horses couldn't drag me away. Unless said horses were singing "Fernando."

Casey Says: The smash stage musical gets the big-screen treatment in this tale of romance and heartache brought to life through the fun-filled songs of ABBA. It is going for the cross-generational appeal that turned "Chicago" and "Hairspray" into $100-million grossing hits. The trailer is a lot of fun, and though the potential cheese factor is high, here's hoping the toe-tapping tunes are enough to help us forget the not-so-great dialogue.

"The X-Files: I Want to Believe"

Opening July 25, Not Yet Rated (Likely PG-13)

Starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson

Josh Says: Or, "I Want to Like this Movie." I was a huge X-Files fan back in the day (though I will never cotton to the Agent Daggett years), but it's been six years since the show ended and another ten since the last movie. Relevance is an issue—will normal moviegoers still care about the adventures of Mulder and Scully? Heck, I'm a fan, and I don't know if I still do.

Casey Says: The truth is out there alright, but do people still care? It has been at least a decade since the popular sci-fi series ruled the tube, and there is a noticeable absence of heat surrounding the film. The plot details are still top-secret (surprise, surprise) but I'm guessing it centers around aliens or the paranormal or something. It might turn out to be good, but a decade is a long time to string along all those obsessed sci-fi fans, so it had better produce the goods.

"Step Brothers"

Opening July 25, Rated R

Starring Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins

Josh Says: From the makers of "Anchorman," and starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as two forty-something losers who become step brothers when their parents marry. For some of you, that's all you need to hear. It sure is for me. I know some audiences are getting tired of Ferrell's antics, but the preview for "Step Brothers" is one of the funniest things I've ever seen, and if the remaining ninety minutes can live up to it, this could be really special.

Casey Says: Those in the mood for high-end humor should stop reading here. It is doubtful that the single-punchline concept of middle-aged step brothers sharing the same bedroom in their parents’ house is going to be called the height of sophistication, so I'd anticipate a lot of R-rated raunch and bathroom humor. If it turns out to be a hit, the film business is headed straight off a cliff.

"Pineapple Express"

Opening August 8, Rated R

Starring James Franco, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader and Rosie Perez

Josh Says: Do not be fooled by the trailers; this is not a formulaic pot-comedy a la "Half Baked" or "Up in Smoke." The flick is really a violent action movie in the vein of "Lethal Weapon" or "48 Hours," except with the rough-and-tumble leads of those flicks replaced by two slackers wading through the bloody events in a marijuana-induced haze. It's an odd mix, to be sure, but the script was wildly inventive and entertaining, and star James Franco is said to give a brilliant comic performance.

Casey Says: In this ganja-fueled gagfest, a dim-bulbed pot dealer goes on the run after becoming embroiled in a murder scheme. The reports from test screenings indicate it is a lot of fun and it gets points for casting James Dean-ish leading man James Franco in the part of the bumbling dealer, an attention-grabbing stretch that could transform his career. It sounds good to me.

"Tropic Thunder"

Opening August 15, Rated R

Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Back, Robert Downey Jr., Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise

Josh Says: We began the summer with a great Robert Downey Jr. performance, and so we end it with one. In this flick, which is like the great "Apocalypse Now" documentary "Hearts of Darkness" if the latter flick were played solely for laughs, Downey plays Kirk Lazarus, an Australian Method actor who dyes his skin to play an African-American platoon leader in Vietnam. This is…controversial, to say the least, but people who have seen it are calling Lazarus Downey's Jack Sparrow, and that he completely steals the movie from people like Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, and Tom Cruise. Okay, maybe upstaging Cruise is less and less of a challenge these days, but that's an impressive roster nonetheless.

Casey Says: Tom Cruise in a fat suit! Tom Cruise in a fat suit! In a sendup of film studio politics and prima donna actors, Ben Stiller bites the hand that feeds him, and Tom Cruise appears in a career-rehabbing cameo in the aforementioned fat suit. Stiller is one of the brightest comic minds of his generation, and after a run of disappointing sell-out pictures, this could be the smart and satiric summer hit that reminds us of that.

Josh Katz is a freelance movie reviewer. He's been a movie fan since birth (much to the chagrin of his friends and family), and his top three favorite flicks are "Goodfellas," "Do the Right Thing," and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre."

Casey Menninger is a freelance movie critic and a regular contributor to Richmond.com. He has been a movie fan since seeing Elliott and E.T. pedal across the moon in "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial." He and his laptop can regularly be found at Starbucks.