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Are you ready for summer? For outdoor types, that means plenty of hats, sunscreen and various and sundry sports equipment. For movie fans, it means Visine, Fandango on speed dial and plenty of those funny-shaped pillows for lower-back support.

Nearly 100 movies are going to open between the beginning of May and the end of August —- movies big and small, loud and quiet and, perhaps most important, good and bad. To go along with the opening of "Iron Man," we've culled the list of upcoming releases and chosen a few dozen that —- from the looks of their pedigree, creative talent or simple "Huh?!" factor —- are worthy of making an appointment at the multiplex.

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We'll start with the blockbusters. (Opening dates subject to change.)

MAY 9

"Speed Racer"

Starring Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon

The buzz: Can the Wachowski siblings ("The Matrix") bring life to yet another big-screen TV remake? The trailer suggests a firm it-just-might-work.

"What Happens in Vegas"

Starring Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry

The buzz: Every summer needs a rollicking rom-com, and Diaz and Kutcher may just have that chemistry that zings.

MAY 22

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf

The buzz: Give it up to ol' Indy for hanging in there, even if he has to wheeze and hobble his way to whatever dingus he's searching for in this beloved boomer franchise.

MAY 30

"Sex and the City"

Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon

The buzz: Can Carrie and the girls make the Jimmy Choo-clad jump from HBO to the big screen? We have to wonder ...

JUNE 13

"The Incredible Hulk"

Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth

The buzz: The 2003 movie "Hulk" was anything but incredible; maybe Norton can turn the franchise around (he's a co-writer).

JUNE 27

"Wanted"

Starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie

The buzz: This action-thriller is directed by Timur Bekmambetov, whose "Night Watch" series has been trippy, escapist fun.

JULY 2

"Hancock"

Starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

The buzz: Smith plays a burned-out superhero who undergoes a makeover, which should give Smith a chance to flex lots of muscles, from comedy to action.

JULY 11

"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

Starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair

The buzz: Guillermo del Toro's first "Hellboy" was a dark, improbably humanist interpretation of the classic comic book. Put this one on the very short list of sequels we actually want to see.

JULY 18

"The Dark Knight"

Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine

The buzz: Bale brought a somber soulfulness to Bruce Wayne in "Batman Begins," and Ledger fans will be eager to see his final complete performance as the Joker before his death earlier this year.

JULY 25

"The X-Files: I Want to Believe"

Starring David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Xzibit

The buzz: "The X-Files"? I want to care. But six years after the television series ended and a full decade after the first (so-so) movie, will fans?

AUG. 8

"Pineapple Express"

Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole

The buzz: Word on the street is this stoner comedy is hilarious; producer Judd Apatow has handed directorial reins to David Gordon Green ("Snow Angels"), which bodes well.

AUG. 15

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars"

The buzz: This installment will be animated, the better to advertise the upcoming Cartoon Network program. It's all about the synergy, baby.

"Tropic Thunder"

Starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.

The buzz: Stiller stars in and directed this Hollywood satire, which is lighting up the blogosophere; Downey is getting buzz for his portrayal of a self-serious actor who wears blackface to play an African-American character.

AUG. 29

"Traitor"

Starring Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce

The buzz: The screenplay of this CIA thriller is partly credited to Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin), so we'll show up out of curiosity alone.