This year’s July movie schedule offers lots of fantasy, romance, special effects, action and comedy. Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, Laurence Fishburne, Zac Efron, Steve Carell, Annette Bening and Leonardo DiCaprio are among the month’s star attractions at the multiplex. Check out the releases below, but remember all release dates are subject to change. 

Theatrical Releases

JULY 1:

The Last Airbender. Noah Ringer stars as a youngster with the special powers needed to end a very long war. M. Night Shyamalan directs this special-effects laden fantasy. Here’s hoping it lives up to those eye-popping previews.   

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Will Bella marry sexy vampire Edward or choose hunky werewolf Jacob instead? Will she be able to escape from a group of evil vampires out for revenge against her? I’m expecting answers to both questions from this third offering in the popular Twilight franchise. (Released on June 30)  

JULY 9:

Despicable Me. Gru and his unusual-looking minions take center stage in this animated comedy. Steve Carell provides the voice for the deplorable villain who’s forced into caring for three orphan girls.

Predators. Laurence Fishburne, Adrien Brody and Topher Grace star in this sci-fi action film about a group of warriors hunted by merciless alien creatures. Yikes!

The Kids Are All Right (limited). A comedy about artificial insemination? Yes indeed – and it features such serious actors as Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo.

JULY 14:

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Who ya gonna call when the forces of darkness threaten New York City? A modern-day wizard and his young assistant (who needs some training first), of course. Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel portray these two characters in this action fantasy. Alfred Molina plays the bad guy -- and probably with his usual gusto.  

JULY 16:

Inception. Christopher Nolan mixes corporate espionage, dream-stealing and redemption in his new thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Others included in the film’s star-studded cast are: Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Berenger, Cillian Murphy and Ken Watanabe.  

JULY 23:

Salt. Is Evelyn Salt a loyal CIA agent or a Russian spy? Angelina Jolie lends her considerable talents to the title role in this thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, one of my favorite filmmakers.

Dinner for Schmucks. Paul Rudd plays an ambitious executive who hopes to bring “the dumbest guest” to a special event hosted weekly by his boss. Amusing complications are supposed to ensue. Steve Carell co-stars as the guest.     

Ramona and Beezus. Based on Beverly Cleary’s children’s books about the misadventures of a grade school student, this family comedy boasts a strong cast including John Corbett, Josh Duhamel, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Sandra Oh. Joey King stars as Ramona, and Selena Gomez is Beezus.    

JULY 30:

Get Low (limited). Did you hear the one about the hermit who threw his own funeral while he was still alive? Well, this comedy/drama is the movie version. Bill Murray, Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, and Sissy Spacek appear in key roles here.

Charlie St. Cloud. In this romantic fantasy, Zac Efron portrays a man who has a special bond with his dead brother. Zac’s character must choose between a promise made to his brother or going after the girl he loves. Clearly, this is NOT High School Musical Four.   

Beastly. Another retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” but this time it takes place in New York and involves teens. Alex Pettyfer plays an arrogant teenager transformed into an ugly version of himself; Vanessa Hudgens portrays the lovely girl who might learn to love him.

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore. Canines and felines must work together to defeat the sinister Kitty Galore in this animated comedy. If it’s as amusing as Cats & Dogs -- released in 2001 -- I’ll be a happy camper.   

DVD RELEASES

JULY 6:

Brooklyn’s Finest

A Single Man

JULY 13:

The Bounty Hunter

Chloe

The Greatest

Greenberg

Our Family Wedding

JULY 20:

Cop Out

Elvis and Anabelle

The Runaways

JULY 27:

Repo Men

(Poster for Charlie St. Cloud © 2010 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.)