Summer Movie Guide 2012

By Michael O'Sullivan | This summer alone, about 100 films will open. In a field that crowded, a movie -- just like a political candidate -- needs to define itself. That can mean separating yourself from the herd -- being some quirky little indie -- or, as is increasingly likely, identifying yourself with the herd. Here's how the summer looks.

Michael O'Sullivan's take

May 25 Men in Black 3

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

When filming began, the script was still not finished. Ulp. More »

June 1 Moonrise Kingdom

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

Quirky auteur Wes Anderson is always good for a head scratch or two. More »

June 1 The Intouchables (Intouchable)

Rated NR  |  View trailer

Omar Sy won the best actor prize at the Cesar Awards (the French Oscars). More »

June 8 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Rated PG  |  View trailer

Frances McDormand plays an Inspector Javert-like animal control officer. More »

June 22 Brave

Rated PG  |  View trailer

Pixar's first female hero. More »

June 29 Magic Mike

Rated R  |  View trailer

Channing Tatum used to work as a stripper (bonus points). Steven Soderbergh is a versatile director who never makes the same film twice (double bonus points). More »

June 29 Ted

Rated R  |  View trailer

In his first feature film as director, Seth MacFarlane -- who provides the voice of the hard-partying title character -- sounds just like Peter from "Family Guy." This may or may not be reassuring. More »

June 29 To Rome With Love

Rated R  |  View trailer

After "Midnight in Paris," Allen might be on a roll. More »

July 3 The Amazing Spider-Man

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

Talk about shaking it up. The franchise's latest outing boasts a new director, a new Spider-Man and a new girlfriend for Peter Parker: Gwen Stacy. More »

July 6 Beasts of the Southern Wild

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

The film, which features all nonprofessional actors, won the grand jury prize at Sundance. More »

July 13 Ice Age: Continental Drift

Rated PG  |  View trailer

Some thought this prehistory-themed franchise jumped the sharkosaurus in the previous -- that is, the third -- era. More »

July 25 Ruby Sparks

Rated R  |  View trailer

Written by Zoe Kazan, the story sounds a lot like "Stranger Than Fiction," and that worked. More »

Aug. 3 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Rated PG  |  View trailer

The third film inspired by the popular children's book series centers on the summer-break misadventures and mortifications of a middle-schooler. More »

Aug. 8 Hope Springs

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

Even in a bad movie, is Meryl Streep ever anything less than interesting? More »

Aug. 10 Celeste and Jesse Forever

Rated R  |  View trailer

Written by Jones and actor Will McCormack, the bittersweet comedy charmed Sundance audiences. More »

Aug. 10 The Bourne Legacy

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

Despite the title, the film isn't based on the novel of the same name by Eric Van Lustbader (who took up the Bourne series after Robert Ludlum died). For one thing, the character of Jason Bourne isn't even in it. More »

Aug. 10 The Campaign

Rated R  |  View trailer

Expect over-the top -- and below the belt -- humor from two of comedy's (overgrown) golden boys. More »

Aug. 17 ParaNorman

Rated PG  |  View trailer

An animated children's movie that doesn't have a number after the name? What a concept! More »

Aug. 17 The Expendables 2

Rated NR  |  View trailer

If you're not careful, your testosterone gland might explode. More »

Aug. 24 Hit and Run

Rated NR  |  View trailer

Writer-director Dax Shepard -- a funny guy -- has rounded up an offbeat supporting cast, including Kristin Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner and Tom Arnold. More »

Aug. 24 Premium Rush

Rated PG-13  |  View trailer

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is nothing if not committed. The star got pretty banged up during filming, requiring 32 stitches in his arm after a collision with a cab. More »

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