Summer Sneaks

L.A. Times Archives

May 3, 2009 12 AM PT

May 8

Adoration

A student imagines a class news assignment is based on his life as the unborn child of a woman whose terrorist boyfriend plants a bomb in her airline luggage. With Devon Bostick, Arsinee Khanjian, Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard, Noam Jenkins. Written and directed by Atom Egoyan. Sony Pictures Classics

Julia

A manipulative alcoholic jumps at the chance to make a substantial amount of money when an opportunity arises and commits a desperate act. With Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate del Castillo, Aidan Gould. Written and directed by Erick Zonca. Magnolia Pictures

Little Ashes

The young life and loves of artist Salvador Dali, filmmaker Luis Bunuel and writer Federico Garcia Lorca in 1922 Spain. With Robert Pattinson. Written by Philippa Goslett. Directed by Paul Morrison. Regent Releasing

Love n’ Dancing

A bored-with-life English teacher connects with a former West Coast swing dance champion to vie for the world title and each other. With Amy Smart, Tom Malloy, Billy Zane, Betty White, Rachel Dratch and Caroline Rhea. Directed by Robert Iscove. Screenplay by Tom Malloy. Screen Media Films

Next Day Air

When a package containing cocaine instead of marijuana is accidentally delivered to a slacker’s apartment, it sets in motion a chain of events that could cost him his life. With Donald Faison, Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Omari Hardwick and Mos Def. Directed by Benny Boom. Written by Blair Cobb. Summit Entertainment

Our City Dreams

Filmed over the course of two years, this documentary captures the struggles and successes of five female artists. Directed by Chiara Clemente. Di San Luca Films

Outrage

A revealing look at the hidden lives of some of our nation’s most powerful policymakers who actively campaign against the gay community that they may covertly belong to. Directed by Kirby Dick. Magnolia Pictures

Revanche

In an attempt to escape their dismal lives in the red-light district of Vienna, an errand boy for a pimp and one of his boss’ prostitutes plan a robbery at a bank in the countryside, but it goes awry. With Andreas Lust, Ursula Strauss, Johannes Krisch and Irina Potapenko. Written and directed by Gotz Spielman. Janus Films

Rudo y Cursi

Two brothers scrape by as laborers in rural Mexico until a scout spies their friendly game of soccer and signs them on as star athletes for rival teams. With Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. Written and directed by Carlos Cuaron. Spanish with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

Star Trek

The 11th big-screen outing of Gene Roddenberry’s venerable science fiction franchise tracks the origins of the young Capt. Kirk, Mr. Spock and the USS Enterprise crew. With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy. Directed by J.J. Abrams. Written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman. Also in IMAX. Paramount Pictures

Treeless Mountain

Two young sisters are left with their aunt as they await the return of their mother. Written and directed by So Yong Kim. In Korean with English subtitles. Oscilloscope Pictures

May 15

Angels & Demons

Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon discovers an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati that planted a time bomb somewhere in the Vatican. With Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Armin Mueller-Stahl. Directed by Ron Howard. Screenplay by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman. Columbia Pictures

Big Man Japan

A middle-aged slacker, who happens to double as a giant superhero entrusted with defending his country from monsters, must deal with an ungrateful public, sponsorship opportunities and an Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather. Written, directed and starring Hitoshi Matsumoto. Co-written by Mitsuyoshi Takasu. Japanese with English subtitles. Magnet Releasing

Brothers at War

By embedding with four combat units, filmmaker Jake Rademacher sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. Samuel Goldwyn Films

The Brothers Bloom

High-class con man siblings take on one last job while showing an eccentric heiress the time of her life. With Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rinko Kikuchi and Robbie Coltrane. Written and directed by Rian Johnson. Summit Entertainment

Jerichow

A small town in northeastern Germany is the setting for an unfolding drama involving three people who find themselves at a fortuitous crossroads. With Benno Furmann, Nina Hoss. Written and directed by Christian Petzold. German with English subtitles. Cinema Guild

Kassim the Dream

A documentary about champion boxer Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, who was kidnapped by the rebel army in his native Uganda and trained to be a soldier at the age of 6. After 12 years with the army, he discovered boxing and defected to the U.S., where he is now a junior middleweight champion. But his desire to see his family again is full of political pitfalls. Directed by Kief Davidson. IFC Films

Management

A romantic comedy that chronicles a chance meeting that evolves into a cross-country journey of two people looking for a sense of purpose. With Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn and Woody Harrelson. Written and directed by Stephen Belber. Samuel Goldwyn Films

The New Twenty

The tight relationship of a group of post-collegiate New Yorkers is threatened when an older, charismatic man joins their ranks. With Bill Sage, Nicole Bilderback, Colin Fickes, Andrew Wei Lin, Ryan Locke, Thomas Sadoski. Directed by Chris Mason Johnson. Written by Johnson and Ishmael Chawla. Wolfe Releasing

Not Forgotten

When a young girl goes missing, her dad is forced to use the powers of his long-forgotten faith, La Santa Muerte, to find her. With Simon Baker, Paz Vega. Directed by Dror Soref. Written by Tomas Romero & Dror Soref. Anchor Bay Entertainment

O’Horten

A train engineer facing retirement after 40 years contemplates his future. With Baard Owe. Written and directed by Bent Hamer. In Norwegian with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

The Skeptic

After the mysterious death of his aunt, a lawyer moves into the elderly woman’s purportedly haunted Victorian mansion. A die-hard skeptic, he dismisses one eerie incident after another, until the haunting turns personal. With Tim Daly, Tom Arnold, Zoe Saldana. Written and directed by Tennyson Bardwell. IFC Films

May 21

Terminator Salvation

The newest installment of the “Terminator” film franchise is set in post-apocalyptic 2018 with John Connor ready to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. With Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood and Common. Directed by McG. Written by John Brancato & Michael Ferris. Characters by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd. Warner Bros. Pictures

May 22

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story

A documentary on Academy Award-winning brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who defined family musical entertainment with such songs as “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World (After All)” from the popular Disneyland attraction, examines their less than harmonious personal relationship. Directed by Jeffrey C. Sherman & Gregory V. Sherman. Walt Disney Pictures

Dance Flick

A spoof of the dance movie genre, including such recent hits as “Step Up” and “You Got Served” as well as the classic “Flashdance.” With Damon Wayans Jr., Craig Wayans, Shoshana Bush, Essence Atkins and Affion Crockett. Written by Keenen Ivory Wayans & Shawn Wayans & Marlon Wayans & Craig Wayans & Damien Dante Wayans. Directed by Damien Dante Wayans. Paramount Pictures

Easy Virtue

A Jazz Age race car driver impulsively ties the knot with a young Englishman and travels to England to meet his privileged and batty family. With Jessica Biel, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Barnes. Written and directed by Stephan Elliot. Sony Pictures Classics

Fados

Director Carlos Saura explores Portugal’s most emblematic musical genre. Zeitgeist Films

The Girlfriend Experience

Director Steven Soderbergh looks at the life of a $10,000-a-night escort. With Sasha Grey. Written by David Levien & Brian Koppelman. Magnolia Pictures

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Artifacts from the Smithsonian -- including Amelia Earhart’s plane, Dorothy’s ruby-red slippers and Archie Bunker’s lounge chair -- come to life. With Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Christopher Guest and Robin Williams. Directed by Shawn Levy. Written by Robert Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon. Also in IMAX. Twentieth Century Fox

May 29

Departures

A cellist, forced to return to his small hometown after his orchestra is disbanded, takes a job preparing the dead for cremation. With Masahiro Motoki, Ryoko Hirosue and Tsutomu Yamazaki. Directed by Yojiro Takita. Written by Kundo Koyama. Regent Releasing

Drag Me to Hell

A tale of a young woman’s desperate quest to break an evil curse. With Alison Lohman, Justin Long. Directed by Sam Raimi. Written by Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi. Universal Pictures

Pontypool

Staffers at a small-town radio station find themselves trapped as they discover a deadly virus spreading throughout the town. With Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly, Hrant Alianak and Rick Roberts. Directed by Bruce McDonald. Written by Tony Burgess. IFC Films

Summer Hours

Three 40-something siblings must come to term with their differences when their mother, heiress to her uncle’s exceptional 19th century art collection, suddenly dies. With Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling and Jeremie Renier. Written and directed by Olivier Assayas. French with English subtitles. IFC Films

Tulpan

A sailor returns home to a hardscrabble career as a shepherd but must first win the hand of the only eligible bachelorette for miles -- his mysterious neighbor Tulpan. With Tolepbergen Baisakalov, Ondas Besikbasov. Directed by Sergey Dvortsevoy. Written by Dvortsevoy and Gennadi Ostrovsky. In Kazakh and Russian with English and French subtitles. Zeitgeist Films

A 78-year-old balloon salesman fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America -- unbeknownst to the 8-year-old on his porch. With the voices of Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger. Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson. Screenplay by Peterson. Walt Disney Pictures

May TBA

Burma VJ

An inside look at the 2007 uprising in Myanmar through the cameras of the independent journalist group Democratic Voice of Burma. Directed by Anders Ostergaard. Oscilloscope Laboratories

June 5

The Art of Being Straight

Two college friends in New York City question their sexual orientation. With Jesse Rosen, Rachel Castillo, Jesse Janzen and Tyler Jenich. Written and directed by Rosen. Regent Releasing

Away We Go

An expectant couple travel the U.S. in search of the perfect place to put down roots and raise their family. With John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Allison Janney. Directed by Sam Mendes. Written by Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida.

Downloading Nancy

A woman leaves her husband of 15 years to be with a man she met online. With Rufus Sewell, Maria Bello and Jason Patric. Directed by Johan Renck. Screenplay by Pamela Cuming and Lee Ross. Strand Releasing

The Hangover

After a hangover-inducing bachelor party in Vegas, three groomsmen must find the groom and get him back to L.A. in time for his wedding. With Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham. Written by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore. Warner Bros. Pictures

Land of the Lost

Will Ferrell stars as a has-been scientist who travels back through time and must survive in an alternate universe full of marauding dinosaurs. With Anna Friel and Danny McBride. Directed by Brad Silberling. Written by Chris Henchy & Dennis McNicholas. Universal Pictures

My Life in Ruins

A travel guide who has lost her kefi (Greek for “mojo”) leads a ragtag group of tourists around her native Greece. With Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Harland Williams and Rachel Dratch. Directed by Donald Petrie. Written by Mike Reiss. Fox Searchlight

Pressure Cooker

Documentary about a culinary arts teacher in Philadelphia who inspires her students to graduate and reach their goals. Directed by Jennifer Grausman and Mark Becker. Bev Pictures

Seraphine

A biography of the early 20th century’s self-taught mystic painter Seraphine Louis. With Yolande Moreau. Directed by Martin Provost. Written by Provost and Marc Abdelnour. In French with English subtitles. Music Box Pictures

Throw Down Your Heart

Documentary follows American musician Bela Fleck on his journey to Africa to explore the little-known African roots of the banjo and record an album. Directed by Sascha Paladino. The Old School and Argot Pictures

June 12

Dead Snow

Medical students fight off evil spirits from a World War II Nazi blood bath while on a skiing vacation in Norway. With Vegard Hoel, Stig Frode Henriksen and Charlotte Frogner. Directed by Tommy Wirkola. Written by Wirkola and Henriksen. Norwegian with English subtitles. IFC Films

Dim Sum Funeral

Dysfunctional siblings deal with the death of their mother. With Talia Shire, Bai Ling, Russell Wong, Kelly Hu, Lisa Lu, Steph Song. Directed by Anna Chi. Written by Donald Martin. Home Box Office

Food, Inc.

Director Robert Kenner and authors Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan investigate the mechanisms behind the U.S. food industry. Magnolia Pictures

Imagine That

A financial executive has little time for his family until a career downturn leads him to discover answers in his daughter’s imaginary world. With Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox and Martin Sheen. Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick. Written by Ed Solomon & Chris Matheson. Paramount Pictures

Kabei: Our Mother

Director Yoji Yamada explores the strong bond between a mother and her family during World War II. With Sayuri Yoshinaga. Strand Releasing

Moon

An astronaut on a three-year mission to explore a new energy source meets his younger, almost identical replacement when his health starts to deteriorate. With Sam Rockwell. Directed by Duncan Jones. Written by Jones and Nathan Parker. Sony Pictures Classics

The Taking of Pelham 123

A remake of the 1974 movie about the hijacking of a New York City subway train. With Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli and James Gandolfini. Directed by Tony Scott. Screenplay by Brian Helgeland. Columbia Pictures

Unbeatable Harold

A lovable loser working at a steakhouse aspires to become a weatherman and find the girl of his dreams. With Gordon Michaels, Henry Winkler, Dylan McDermott and Gladys Knight. Directed by Ari Palitz. Screenplay by Michaels. Lg Entertainment

A Wink and a Smile

Documentary follows the lives of 10 women who set out to learn the art of burlesque dancing and striptease at Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque. Directed by Deirdre Timmons. First Run Features

June 19

Irene in Time

A look at the complex relationships between fathers and daughters and the consequences years later on the grown women’s relationships to the men in their lives. With Tanna Frederick, Victoria Tennant, Andrea Marcovicci, Lanre Idewu, Jack Maxwell, David Proval and Karen Black. Written and directed by Henry Jaglom. Rainbow Releasing

The Narrows

A photography student from Brooklyn takes a job making deliveries for the local mob boss to help pay for classes at NYU. With Kevin Zegers, Sophia Bush, Vincent D’Onofrio, Titus Welliver and Eddie Cahill. Directed by Francois Velle. Screenplay by Tatiana Blackington. Cinedigm Entertainment

$9.99

This stop-motion animated feature offers slightly less than $10 worth about the meaning of life. With the voices of Geoffrey Rush, Anthony LaPaglia, Samuel Johnson and Claudia Karvan. Directed by Tatia Rosenthal. Written by Etgar Keret and Rosenthal. Regent Releasing

The Proposal

A high-powered book editor facing deportation hastily decides to marry her tormented assistant. With Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds. Directed by Anne Fletcher. Written by Peter Chiarelli. Touchstone Pictures

Sex Positive

Documentary explores the life of Richard Berkowitz, a gay S&M; sex worker turned AIDS activist in the 1980s. Directed by Daryl Wein. Regent Releasing / Here! Films

Whatever Works

An eccentric New Yorker abandons his upper-class life to lead a more bohemian existence when he meets a young girl from the South. With Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr. Written and directed by Woody Allen. Sony Pictures Classics

Year One

A couple of lazy hunter-gatherers, banished from their primitive village, set off on an epic journey through the ancient world. With Jack Black and Michael Cera. Directed by Harold Ramis. Screenplay by Ramis & Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg; story by Ramis. Columbia Pictures

June 24

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Sam Witwicky again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. With Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel. Directed by Michael Bay. Written by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman. Also in Imax. DreamWorks/Paramount

June 26

Cheri

The lingering effects of a romance between an aging courtesan and a wealthy young man. With Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates and Rupert Friend. Directed by Stephen Frears. Screenplay by Christopher Hampton. Miramax Films

Fireflies in the Garden

A mother’s tragic death leads her grown son to face up to painful childhood memories and finally stand up to his abusive father. With Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hayden Panettiere. Written and directed by Dennis Lee. Senator Distribution

The Hurt Locker

A new sergeant takes over a highly trained bomb-disposal team amid violent conflict. With Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Evangeline Lilly and Guy Pearce. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Written by Mark Boal. Summit Entertainment

My Sister’s Keeper

A young couple living an idyllic life with their three children must make an unorthodox decision to save their eldest daughter’s life. With Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Joan Cusack, Sofia Vassilieva and Jason Patric. Directed by Nick Cassavetes. Screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Cassavetes. New Line

Paris

While a man waits for a heart transplant, his life is invaded by his sister and her three children. With Juliette Binoche, Romain Duris and Fabrice Luchini. Written and directed by Cedric Klapisch. In French with English subtitles. IFC Films

The Stoning of Soraya M

A journalist uncovers the story of a young Iranian woman who was stoned to death when wrongly accused of adultery. With Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jim Caviezel, Mozhan Marno, Navid Negahban and Ali Pourtash. Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh. Screenplay by Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh and Cyrus Nowrasteh. In Farsi and English. Roadside Attractions and MPower Pictures

Surveillance

Two federal officers must weed through three sets of stories to solve a string of vicious murders. With Julia Ormond, Bill Pullman, Pell James, Ryan Simpkins, Cheri Oteri, Michael Ironside, French Stewart. Directed by Jennifer Lynch. Written by Lynch and Kent Harper. Magnet Releasing

Under Our Skin

An investigative look at the science and politics of Lyme disease and the personal stories of those whose lives have been affected. Directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson. Shadow Distribution

June TBA

Unmistaken Child

A real-time documentation of the search for a reincarnated Tibetan master, told through the eyes of his lifelong disciple, Tenzin Zopa. Directed by Nati Bartz. Oscilloscope Laboratories

July 1

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, has some close encounters with dinosaurs and meets a one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck. With the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah. Directed by Carlos Saldanha. Screenplay by Michael Berg & Peter Ackerman. Twentieth Century Fox

Public Enemies

The story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, who became the No. 1 target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup. Directed by Michael Mann. Screenplay by Ronan Bennett and Michael Mann & Ann Biderman. Universal

July 3

The Girl From Monaco

A brilliant and neurotic attorney goes to Monaco to defend a famous criminal and falls for a beautiful she-devil. With Fabrice Luchini and Louise Bourgoin. Directed by Anne Fontaine. Screenplay by Fontaine, Benoit Graffin. Magnolia Pictures

July 10

Bruno

Sacha Baron Cohen as flamboyant Austrian fashionista Bruno. Directed by Larry Charles. Screenplay by Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Mazer & Jeff Schaffer. Story by Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Hines & Mazer. Universal Pictures

Humpday

Two college buddies reunite and during a night out carousing take a dare to enter an amateur porn contest. With Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, Alycia Delmore, Lynn Shelton and Trina Willard. Written and directed by Shelton. Magnolia Pictures

I Love You, Beth Cooper

A nerdy valedictorian proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school during his graduation speech. With Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter and Lauren London. Directed by Chris Columbus. Screenplay by Larry Doyle. Twentieth Century Fox

Soul Power

A look at a three-night music festival featuring celebrated American R&B; artists held in Kinshasa, Zaire, in 1974 during “The Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte. Sony Pictures Classics

July 15

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Romance blooms at Hogwarts while Voldemort strengthens his hold on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds. With Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman and David Thewlis. Directed by David Yates. Screenplay by Steve Kloves. Also in Imax. Warner Bros. Pictures

July 17

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane

When all the rich boys pursue the same virginal social climber during a weekend outing at a ranch, someone starts knocking them off one by one. With Amber Heard, Anson Mount, Whitney Able, Michael Welch and Edwin Hodge. Directed by Jonathan Levine. Written by Jacob Foreman. Occupant Films

(500) Days of Summer

After a greeting-card copywriter is dumped by his girlfriend, he reflects on their 500 days together to figure out what went wrong. With Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg and Minka Kelly. Directed by Marc Webb. Written by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber. Fox Searchlight

July 24

Afghan Star

Filmmaker Havana Marking follows the stories of four finalists in an “American Idol”-style series in a country with 30 years of war and Taliban rule. Zeitgeist Films

The Answer Man

A single mom and a young man fresh out of rehab seek advice from the clueless author of a bestselling spiritual book. With Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, Olivia Thirlby and Kat Dennings. Written and directed by John Hindman. Magnolia Pictures

G-Force

Highly trained guinea pigs working in covert operations and armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment discover that the fate of the world is in their paws. With the voices of Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Steve Buscemi, Will Arnett, Jon Favreau, Sam Rockwell and Tracy Morgan. Directed by Hoyt Yeatman. Written by the Wibberleys and Tim Firth and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. In Disney Digital 3D. Walt Disney Co.

In the Loop

A political farce about U.K./U.S. involvement in a possible war. With Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini and Steve Coogan. Directed by Armando Iannuci. Written by Iannuci, Jesse Armstrong, and Simon Blackwell & Tony Roche. IFC Films

Gotta Dance

A chronicle of the debut of the New Jersey Nets basketball team’s first-ever, senior hip-hop dance team. Directed by Dori Berinstein. Mitropoulos Films

Orphan

A young couple suffering from the recent loss of their unborn child adopt a seemingly angelic little girl who is not what she appears to be. With Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Screenplay by David Leslie Johnson; story by Alex Mace. Dark Castle Entertainment

Shake Hands

With the Devil

The story of Canadian commander Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire’s personal journey through the 1994 Rwandan genocides. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode. Written by Michael Donovan. Regent Releasing

Tropical Flavor (Sabor Tropical)

A foreign journalist travels to Panama to cover the carnival of Las Tablas. With Matthew Leitch. Written and directed by Jorge Ameer. Hollywood Independents

The Ugly Truth

A romantically challenged morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single is teamed with her chauvinistic correspondent. With Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler. Directed by Robert Luketic. Screenplay by Nicole Eastman and Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten Smith; story by Eastman. Lakeshore Entertainment

July 29

Adam

An oddball New Yorker who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, begins a romance with his neighbor. With Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Pater Gallagher, Amy Irving and Frankie Faison. Written and directed by Max Mayer. Fox Searchlight

July 31

The Cove

The true story of ‘60s dolphin trainer Richard O’Barry and his mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan. Directed by Louie Psihoyos. Written by Mark Monroe. Roadside Attractions

Funny People

A famous comedian has a near-death experience. With Adam Sandler, Leslie Mann, Seth Rogen, Eric Bana. Written and directed by Judd Apatow. Universal

Lorna’s Silence

A woman is caught between love and the law of the underworld. With Arta Dobroshi, Alban Ukaj and Fabrizio Rongione. Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne. French with English subtitles. Sony Pictures Classics

They Came From Upstairs

Kids on a family vacation must fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders while the parents remain clueless about the battle. Directed by John Schultz. Screenplay by Mark Burton and Adam F. Goldberg. Story by Burton. Twentieth Century Fox

July TBA

Lion’s Den

An incarcerated woman struggles to raise her son from prison. With Martina Gusman, Elli Medeiros and Rodrigo Santoro. Directed by Pablo Trapero. Written by Trapero, Alejandro Fadel, Martin Mauregui and Santiago Mitre. Strand Releasing

I Hate Valentine’s Day

A florist wants to date a restaurant owner and tries to convince him it won’t lead to a serious releationship. With Nia Vardalos, John Corbett. Written and directed by Vardalos. Story by Vardalos and Stephen David & Ben Zook. IFC Films

Aug. 7

Cold Souls

When souls can be extracted and traded as commodities, a man must track down his chickpea-sized soul that was borrowed for a Russian soap-opera actress. With Paul Giamatti. Written and directed by Sophie Barthes. Samuel Goldwyn Co.

G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra

The G.I. Joe team uses the latest in spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro. With Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid. Directed by Stephen Sommers. Screenplay by Stuart Beattie and David Elliot & Paul Lovett. Story by Michael B. Gordon and Beattie & Sommers. Paramount Pictures

Julie & Julia

A government secretary cooks all 524 recipes from Julia Child’s bible of French cuisine in just 365 days. With Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina and Linda Emond. Directed by Nora Ephron; screenplay by Ephron. Columbia Pictures

Paper Heart

A love skeptic embarks on a quest across America to make a documentary on love. With Charlyne Yi, Michael Cera and Jake Johnson. Directed by Nicholas Jasenovec. Written by Jasenovec & Yi. Overture Films

Play the Game

A ladies’ man teaches his dating tricks to his widowed grandfather, quickly transforming him into the Don Juan of the retirement community. With Paul Campbell, Andy Griffith. Written and directed by Marc Fienberg. Slowhand Releasing

Shorts

A magical rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky and grants a boy’s every wish. Mayhem ensues when grown-ups get their hands on it. With Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett. Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Warner Bros. Pictures

Aug. 14

Bandslam

A teenage singer-songwriter goes head to head against her egotistical musician ex-boyfriend at a battle of the bands. With Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Gaelan Connell and Lisa Kudrow. Directed by Todd Graff. Screenplay by Josh A. Cagan and Graff; story by Cagan. Summit Entertainment

District 9

Extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa. With Sharlto Copley and David James. Directed by Neill Blomkamp. Written by Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell. Sony Pictures

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

A used-car salesman finds unexpected love when he descends on a town with his ragtag crew to help save an ailing local car dealership from bankruptcy. With Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, Ed Helms, James Brolin and David Koechner. Directed by Neal Brennan. Written by Andy Stock & Rick Stempson. Paramount Vantage

It Might Get Loud

The personal stories of three generations of electric guitar virtuosos: U2’s the Edge, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and the White Stripes’ Jack White. Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Sony Pictures Classics

A Perfect Getaway

Two couples on a romantic Hawaiian getaway discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands. With Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez. Written and directed by David Twohy. Rogue Pictures

Ponyo

A young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo sets off on a quest to become human. With the voices of Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey and Frankie Jonas. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Walt Disney Pictures

Spread

A fun-loving sexual grifter sleeps his way to a life of privilege in Los Angeles. With Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche. Directed by David Mackenzie. Screenplay by Jason Hall; story by Hall & Paul Kolsby. Anchor Bay Films

Taking Woodstock

A true story about a Greenwich Village interior designer who inadvertently played a pivotal role in making the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into a history-making event. With Demetri Martin, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirsch and Eugene Levy. Directed by Ang Lee. Screenplay by James Schamus. Focus Features

The Time Traveler’s Wife

A Chicago librarian’s genetic disposition to involuntarily cross time puts a strain on his relationship with his one true love. With Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana. Screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin. Directed by Robert Schwentke. New Line Cinema

Aug. 21

Inglourious Basterds

In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by engaging in brutal acts of retribution against the Nazis. With Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, Eli Roth, Samm Levine, Mike Myers and Cloris Leachman. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The Weinstein Co.

Post Grad

A recent college graduate is forced to move back into her childhood home with her eccentric family while she attempts to find a job and the right guy. With Alexis Bledel, Zach Gilford, Rodrigo Santoro, Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett and Michael Keaton. Directed by Vicky Jenson. Written by Kelly Fremon. Fox Searchlight

World’s Greatest Dad

A single dad and high school teacher with dreams of being a rich and famous writer learns that the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy. With Robin Williams. Written and directed by Bob Goldthwait. Magnolia Pictures

Aug. 28

The Boat That Rocked

A band of rogue DJs blasts pirate radio to the U.K. from the high seas 24 hours a day during the 1960s. With Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh. Written and directed by Richard Curtis. Universal Pictures

Final Destination: Death Trip

Crash survivors must figure out how to cheat death before reaching their final destination. With Shantel VanSanten, Krista Allen, Andrew Fiscella, Richard T. Jones and Mykelti Williamson. Directed by David R. Ellis. Written by Eric Bress. Also in 3-D. New Line Cinema

The aftermath of Michael Myers’ murderous rampage through the eyes of heroine Laurie Strode. With Scout Taylor-Compton, Brea Grant, Tyler Mane, Malcolm McDowell, Sheri Moon Zombie and Brad Dourif. Written and directed by Rob Zombie. With characters by John Carpenter and Debra Hill. Dimension Films

Mesrine: A Film in Two Parts

The true story of Jacques Mesrine, France’s most notorious bad guy throughout the 1970s. With Vincent Cassel, Gerard Depardieu, Mathieu Amalric and Ludivine Sagnier. Directed by Jean-Francois Richet. Screenplay by Abdel Raouf Dafri. Senator Entertainment

Aug. TBA

Patrik, Age 1.5

A gay couple mistakenly adopt a 15-year-old homophobic boy. With Gustaf Skarsgard, Torkel Petersson and Tom Ljungman. Written and directed by Ella Lemhagen. Regent Releasing

Taxidermia

A grotesque tale of three men, their surreal desires and the aesthetics of brutality. With Csaba Czene, Gergely Trocsanyi, Piroska Molnar. Directed by Gyorgy Palfi. Written by Palfi and Zsofia Ruttkay. Regent Releasing

Sept. 4

Black Dynamite

A 1970s African American action hero fights “The Man,” who murders his brothers and floods the ghetto with heroin and malt liquor. Directed by Scott Sanders. Screenplay by Michael Jai White & Byron Minns & Scott Sanders; story by White & Minns. Sony Pictures

Citizen Game

A high-concept chiller set in a dystopian future where players can control other humans in an elaborate online competition. With Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Zoe Bell, Kyra Sedgwick. Written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Lionsgate

Extract

The owner of a flavor extract plant finds himself faced with a series of unfortunate predicaments at work and at home. With Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Kristen Wiig, Clifton Collins and J.K. Simmons. Written and directed by Mike Judge. Miramax Films

Pandorum

Stranded on a spacecraft, two astronauts awaken from a hyper-sleep and realize they are not alone. With Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Cam Gigandet. Directed by Christian Alvart. Screenplay by Travis Milloy; story by Milloy and Alvart. Overture Films

Sept. 9

A post-apocalyptic fantasy in which a band of courageous rag dolls battles for the survival of civilization. With the voices of Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover and Martin Landau. Directed by Shane Acker. Written by Pamela Pettler. Focus Features

Sept. 11

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

In this remake, an ambitious journalist frames himself for murder to catch a corrupt D.A. With Jesse Metcalfe, Amber Tamblyn and Michael Douglas. Written and directed by Peter Hyams. Anchor Bay Films

I Can Do Bad All by Myself

When Madea catches 16-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home, she delivers the delinquents to their aunt, a heavy-drinking nightclub singer. Written and directed by Tyler Perry. Lionsgate

Whiteout

The lone U.S. marshal assigned to Antarctica must solve the continent’s first murder three days before darkness falls for the winter. With Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Tom Skerritt. Directed by Dominic Sena. Screenplay by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber and Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes. Dark Castle Entertainment

Sept. TBA

The Burning Plain

A woman on the edge takes an emotional journey back to the defining moment of her life connecting her to similar disparate characters, all of whom are grappling with their own romantic destinies. With Charlize Theron, Kim Basinger. Written and directed by Guillermo Arriaga. Magnolia Pictures

The Blue Tooth Virgin

A writer gives negative feedback to another’s screenplay, causing a rift in their friendship that causes them both to reevaluate their motivations to write. With Austin Peck, Bryce Johnson, Tom Gilroy, Roma Maffia and Karen Black. Written and directed by Russell Brown. Regent Releasing

The Little Traitor

In Palestine in 1947, a few months before Israel becomes a state, an 11-year-old boy befriends an officer of the British occupying force and is sent to trial for being a traitor. With Ido Port, Alfred Molina, Jake Barker and Theodore Bikel. Written and directed by Lynn Roth. Regent Releasing

Manuela and Manuel

An effeminate man must reaquaint himself with his masculine side when he is asked to pose as a friend’s fiance when she becomes pregnant. With Humberto Busto and Elena Iguina. Written by Jose Ignacio Valenzuela. Directed by Raul Marchand Sanchez. Here! Films, Regent Releasing

Sing Praise to the Lord

A look at the artists and times that fostered the growth of America’s gospel music. Directed by Don McGlynn. Magnolia Pictures

Summer TBA

Sugisball

The inhabitants of an apartment tower cope with alienation, loneliness and despair in late Soviet-era Estonia. With Rain Tolk, Taavi Eelmaa, Juhan Ulfsak. Written and directed by Veiko Ounpuu. Strand Releasing

A Woman in Berlin

In 1945, during the Red Army invasion of Berlin, a rape victim meets a Russian officer, hoping he will protect her. But their relationship develops into something more complex. With Nina Hoss and Evgeny Sidikhin. Directed by Max Faerberboeck. Screenplay by Faerberboeck, Catharina Schuchmann. Strand Releasing

“Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?”

“Raiders of the Los Ark” June 12, 1981

‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner!’

“Dirty Dancing,”

Aug. 21, 1987

‘Heeeere’s Johnny!’

“The Shining,” May 23, 1980

A word about the Sneaks list

The 2009 Summer Movie Sneaks list is a broad snapshot of films opening this summer. Release dates and other details are subject to change.

-- Capsules Compiled by Liesl Bradner