“Knocked Up”

Universal

Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Martin Starr
Director: Judd Apatow
Story: Up-and-coming entertainment journalist Alison Scott (Heigl) has a drunken night with slacker Ben Stone (Rogen) that results in an unwanted pregnancy. Alison decides not only to have the baby, but to get to know Ben a bit better. Can two complete opposites raise a baby together?  
Buzz: Our own Stuart Levine thinks this will be one of the top 10 summer box office winners. Director Apatow (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin) definitely knows how to make a funny film, and Rogen is likely to be this summer’s breakout comedy star. There’s also a bit of an “Undeclared” and “Freaks and Geeks” reunion (Apatow created both) with Rogen, Segel, Starr and Baruchel.
Web site: http://www.knockedupmovie.com/
Release date: June 1

“License to Wed”

Warner Bros. Pictures

Starring: Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, John Krasinski, Eric Christian Olsen, Christine Taylor, Josh Flitter
Director: Ken Kwapis
Story: Newly engaged Ben Murphy (Krasinski) and Sadie Jones (Moore) think they are ready to get married. But first they must pass the Reverend Frank’s (Williams) marriage-prep course. Unfortunately, it’s a bit harder than they anticipate, and involves a complete invasion of their privacy.
Buzz: It will be interesting to see if Krasinski can follow in “The Office” co-worker Steve Carell’s footsteps and carry a big summer comedy — though he mostly has to play straight man to Williams here. Krasinski’s not the only “Office” alum in the film. Angela Kinsey (Angela), Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) and Mindy Kaling (Kelly) also appear in supporting roles. Director Kwapis (“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”) has also been a frequent “Office” director.
Web site: NA
Release date: July 4

“I Could Never Be Your Woman”

Freestyle Releasing

Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, Tracey Ullman, Fred Willard, Henry Winkler, Jon Lovitz, Saoirse Ronan
Director: Amy Heckerling
Story: An older woman (Pfeiffer) falls in love with a much younger man (Rudd), while her daughter (Ronan) also finds love for the first time. Ullman plays the mischievous Mother Nature, who meddles in their fates.
Buzz: This film has been on the shelf for an awfully long time (it was originally scheduled for release last July), which does not bode well (see “Lucky You”). It could mean the film didn’t test well with audiences or it needed a re-edit; the studio isn’t saying. Heckerling (“Clueless”) hasn’t directed a movie since 2000’s aptly named “Loser.”
Web site: NA
Release date: June 15

“No Reservations”

Warner Bros. Pictures

Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin, Patricia Clarkson, Jenny Wade, Lily Rabe
Director: Scott Hicks
Story: In this remake of the German film “Mostly Martha” a perfectionist chef (Zeta-Jones) is forced to care for her niece (Breslin) after the death of her sister. At the same time, she must also deal with a new sous chef (Eckhart), who refuses to do things her way. But soon rivalry turns to romance and Zeta-Jones finds love and a way to connect with her niece.
Buzz: While the German movie is quite good, this remake looks like they’ve turned up the sap factor. Hicks’ (“Shine,” “Hearts in Atlantis”) is a hit-and-miss filmmaker, and seems an odd choice for something this frothy. Eckhart has been on the verge of superstardom for years — perhaps next year’s role as Two Face in the “Batman Begins” sequel, “The Dark Knight,” will give him that much-needed push. 
Web site: NA
Release date: July 27

“Wedding Daze”

Samuel Goldwyn Films

Starring: Jason Biggs, Isla Fisher, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Consuelos, Chris Diamantopoulos
Director: Michael Ian Black
Story: When the girl of his dreams suffers a fatal heart attack on the day he asks her to marry him, Anderson (Biggs) is convinced he’ll never fall in love again. But when he decides it’s time to get back out there, he impulsively asks a diner waitress (Fisher) he’s just met to marry him. Tired of playing it safe, she says yes.
Buzz: Black makes his feature-film directing debut; he’s better known for his roles on “Ed” and as being part of the comedy team “The State.” No matter what the movie, Biggs (“American Pie,” “Jersey Girl”) always seems to be playing the same character. Fisher (best known as Sasha Baron Cohen’s fianceé) has a sweetness that lets her get away with murder — and is always fun to watch.
Web site: http://www.weddingdazethemovie.com/
Release date: August 17

“Rocket Science”

Picturehouse

Starring: Reece Daniel Thompson, Anna Kendrick, Nicholas D'Agosto, Vincent Piazza, Margo Martindale, Aaron Yoo
Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Story: A high school boy (Thompson) with a terrible stutter falls for a self-assured girl (Kendrick) on the debate team, who invites him to join. He undergoes training sessions at her house and befriends her gawky neighbor.
Buzz: Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Enquirer called the film “a sardonic, poignant take on adolescent angst, suburban dysphoria, and first love.” Blitz is the man behind the touching, smart documentary “Spellbound.”
Web site: http://www.rocketsciencemovie.com/
Release date: August 10

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