George Clooney, Jodie Foster, Hugh Jackman, Renee Zellweger, Al Pacino, Gerard Butler, Jet Li, Abigail Breslin, Ellen Page, Keanu Reeves, Tina Fey, Jackie Chan. What do these major stars have in common? You guessed it! They all appear in movies scheduled for release during April, 2008.

Here’s the line-up, but remember release dates are subject to change:

APRIL 4

Leatherheads. George Clooney and John Krasinski play rivals for Renee Zellweger’s attention in this comedy about football back in the 1920s.

Shine a Light. Martin Scorsese directed this concert film starring The Rolling Stones.

Nim’s Island. Island adventure takes center stage in this comedy with Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler and Abigail Breslin. It’s rumored that Foster reveals a special flair for slapstick here. I wouldn’t be surprised at all. As a fan, I think she can do anything.   

The Ruins. This film adaptation of Scott Smith’s scary bestseller follows American tourists who face something evil in the jungles of Mexico. Jungles and danger and chills, Oh my!

APRIL 11

Street Kings. A crime drama, co-written by James Elroy and featuring Keanu Reeves as a Los Angeles cop who must prove he didn’t kill a fellow officer. No Matrix, for sure, but I think Keanu is very easy on the eye in almost any film.     

Prom Night. Murder and mayhem ruin Brittany Snow’s big night at the prom.  

Smart People. Dennis Quaid plays a grumpy college professor who starts dating a former student (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Ellen Page portrays his rebellious daughter in this dramedy directed by Noam Murro. After seeing Page in Juno, I don’t want to miss this one! 

College. Visiting a college campus results in a weekend to remember for three prospective freshmen. The cast includes Drake Bell, Kevin Covais and Andrew Caldwell. .

APRIL 18

88 Minutes. Al Pacino, playing a psychiatrist, finds himself with only 88 minutes to live unless he can uncover the culprit who sent him a death threat. Now there’s something for Pacino to really shout about!

The Forbidden Kingdom. An American teenage boy travels to China and helps a group of martial arts warriors with an important mission. Michael Angarano, Jackie Chan and Jet Li share the screen in this action-packed adventure.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Kristen Bell (simply spellbinding in TV’s Veronica Mars) is the lady who breaks Jason Segel’s heart in this raunchy comedy from producer Judd Apatow -- did I mention raunchy? -- and director Nicholas Stoller.

Pathology. This thriller, starring Alyssa Milano and Milo Ventimiglia (from TV’s Heroes), follows a group of medical students who play a game to find out if any of them can commit “the perfect murder.” .

APRIL 25

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Accused of terrorism after smuggling a bong onto a plane, two stoners must face dire consequences they weren’t expecting. Don’t worry, H&K fans. It’s a comedy.

Deception. Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor are co-workers who explore New York City sex clubs in this dark drama that also stars Michelle Williams.  Jackman AND McGregor? Be still my heart.

Baby Mama. The smart casting of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Greg Kinnear in a comedy about a female executive (Fey) who recruits a crude woman (Poehler) as a surrogate mother just might save this movie from being nothing more than an extended SNL skit.    

Deal. After a college student learns about playing cards from an ex-gambler, the two become competitors in the world series of poker. Burt Reynolds, Shannon Elizabeth and Bret Harrison play key roles here. But forget about poker; place your bet on whether or not Reynolds chews up all the scenery instead. 

("Cute little star gizmo" drawing by San Francisco artist Martin Whitney. Visit his Website at www.blessmyheartart.com.)