Fantasy, politics, sci-fi, comedy, drama, action, romance, teens, horror, sports, wine-making -- all find a place in the August 2008 movie spotlight. Plus, don’t forget the first Star Wars animated feature, The Clone Wars, and the first full-length 3D animated movie, Fly Me to the Moon, which will be zooming into our multiplexes during this busy movie month. Check out the schedule below.      

AUGUST 1:

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Brendan Fraser returns for his third Mummy adventure. This time the action takes place in China where his character must stop a mummy who has awoken from a curse and threatens to make everyone in the entire world do his bidding. Jet Li, Maria Bello and Luke Ford also appear in this special effects-driven summer flick. 

Swing Vote. As the result of very strange circumstances, one man holds the key to the Presidential election. No, not Stephen Colbert. It’s Kevin Costner, playing an apathetic loser forced to vote by his precocious daughter, portrayed by newcomer Madeline Carroll. Interesting concept, but will Costner be able to carry it off?  I vote “Yes.”    

The Midnight Meat Train. A photographer tries to hunt down a serial killer in this film adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story. It’s a horror movie, of course!

AUGUST 8:

Pineapple Express. Seth Rogan and James Franco co-star in this comedy crime thriller about a stoner and his dealer who go on the run from the police after one of them witnesses a murder committed by -- gasp -- a cop.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.  Four lifelong friends go their separate ways during their first year of college, but they still keep in touch with each other. Sounds like a good antidote to all the crime and violence in so many summer offerings. Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Amber Tamblyn reprise their roles from the original movie.  

The Perfect Game. This true-life sports drama focuses on a group of boys from Mexico who become the first non-U.S. team to win the Little League World Series. Cast includes Clifton Collins, Cheech Marin, Gabriel Morales and Ryan Ochoa.  

Bottle Shock. If you’re interested in the early days of California wine making, this drama starring Chris Pine, Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman is for you.

Elegy. A passionate relationship develops between an eminent college teacher and his beautiful student in this steamy film co-starring Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz. 

AUGUST 13:

Tropic Thunder. What happens when a group of actors shooting a war movie have to be real soldiers? With its star-studded line-up that includes Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., this action comedy should be a big hit. Stiller also directs.

AUGUST 15:    

Fly Me to the Moon. Betcha didn’t know that three animated insects played an important role in our space program. Here’s a 3D film to explain how that happened.

Mirrors. In this remake of a Korean horror film, Kiefer Sutherland and Paula Patton take on the roles of an ex-cop and his wife who try to protect their family from an evil force which uses mirrors to get to them.   

Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Do we need to know what happened between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith? As a Star Wars fan, I think so. But I’m not so sure about finding out by watching a fully animated feature. Guess I’ll have to trust George Lucas about this.

Henry Poole Is Here. Luke Wilson portrays a disillusioned man who wants to be left alone -- but whose life changes when a stain on his stucco wall seems to have miraculous powers.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Woody Allen’s new film stars Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Oscar-winner Javier Bardem. Is it a comedy? Is it a drama? Is it a romance? Probably all three.

AUGUST 20:

The Rocker. Rainn Wilson, who's won so many fans in TV's The Office, attempts to drum up more support in this rocker comedy.    

AUGUST 22:

Death Race. Jason Statham in another action thriller! This one is about an ex-con who’s forced to compete in a car race -- but not a regular race, for the inmates have to kill one another while trying to win. The woman behind all this brutality just happens to be the evil warden, played by lovely Joan Allen, of all people.

Hamlet 2. After failing as an actor, Steve Coogan’s character becomes a drama teacher and works with high school students to stage an outrageous musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet. A musical? Hey, more power to him.

The House Bunny. A former Playboy bunny changes the lives of seven clueless college girls when she becomes their social mentor. Anna Faris plays the title role in this comedy directed by Fred Wolf.  Added attraction? American Idol’s Katharine McPhee. 

The Longshots. Based on a true story, this sports movie stars Keke Palmer and Ice Cube. It’s about a preteen’s experience as a female playing in the Pop Warner football tournament. You go, girl!

AUGUST 29:

Disaster Movie. Poking fun at the disaster movie craze, this comedy follows a group of individuals who are bombarded with natural disasters and other horrible events. Carmen Elektra, Johnny Rock and Nicole Parker are among the cast members. 

Babylon A.D. Vin Diesel portrays a mercenary who agrees to escort a woman from Russia to China in this sci-fi thriller concerning a cult’s desire to produce a genetically modified Messiah. 

Traitor. Is a U.S. Special Operations Officer involved in a dangerous international conspiracy? That’s what one FBI agent intends to find out. Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce head up the fine cast, which also includes Jeff Daniels and Neal McDonough, in this intriguing drama.  

College.  When three high school seniors -- played by Drake Bell, Kevin Covais (another American Idol fugitive) and Andrew Caldwell -- visit a local college, a wild and raunchy weekend ensues.     

Remember All Release Dates Are Subject To Change.

(Tropic Thunder poster, © 2008 DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.)