Summer Movies II: The Non-Sequels Strike Back!

(The second in a series of three that look at the upcoming summer movie season)

"In a world, in a time, in a place...one article stands alone..." It seems like every movie trailer starts off like this, so it is only fitting that we do the same. So, when we last left our ragtag group, the Sequels left the Non-Sequels for dead. Which summer movies will survive? Will they make a comeback? Let's find out.

Are you ready for this one? The Summer Non-Sequel Season starts off wonderfully with 'Delta Farce'. Larry the Cable Guy, always a good start for a hilarious comedy, and his buddy are mistaken for Army reservists and shipped off to Iraq. Are you laughing yet? Along the way they get ejected over Mexico. Someone bet me he uses the old 'speak louder to people who don't understand your language' gag. I dare you. By the way, Larry isn't even from the south and the accent isn't real.

'Captivity' is one of the first films for thriller lovers. A chauffeur and a fashion model are held hostage by a serial killer and along the way the captives fall in love. There are no trailers available for this one, which is odd. The other confusing element is the whole serial killer thing. Why doesn't he just kill them? He isn't a serial hostage-taker.

'Bug' is sure to be creepy; the trailer gave me the goose bumps! Imagine these little insects in your body that also eat away at your brain too. Ewww. Horror fans will be happy, and probably scratch a lot. Summer starts off itchy doesn't it? Ok, enough with the bug jokes.

'Hot Rod' features Andy Samberg, who starred in one of the best SNL sketches in recent years (the, ahem, holiday one with Justin Timberlake) as a bad daredevil motorcycle rider who plans on jumping Snake Canyon.

'Knocked Up' is your classic 'one night stand turns into a lifetime' movie. They sleep together, she gets pregnant, and they try to make it work. But the cast is talented so I think this will be a funny movie. This is my prediction for one of the sleeper films of the summer.

'Mr. Brooks' is another thriller coming out and once again Dane Cook shows he's the luckiest guy in film today. Kevin Costner stars as a doctor who has a secret double life-he's a killer-for-hire! He looks good as the bad guy, very stoic and serious. But doesn't he always? Who wins in a staring contest, Costner or Cage?

Here you are ladies; it's the 'Rudy' for your gender: 'Gracie'. This one is the story of a 16 year-old girl must overcome her brother's death and fight the odds to achieve her goal to play competitive soccer. This film isn't my cup of tea, but I think it will be a good one.

'Nancy Drew' should attract a sizable audience this summer. Moms can go, remembering the books from their youth and young girls of a new generation will be introduced to a good literary role model. Expect a Hardy Boys flick to follow if 'Nancy Drew' catches on.

'Transformers', I am not big on. Why? The trailer looks pretty cool, and the special effects look great, but it's still a kid's toy. If you are an adult, saying you can't wait for this movie means one of two things: you really need to think about moving out of your parents' basement, or you'd really dig the concept of a Lego movie. Maybe I am onto something here...

(Part Three will look at the non-sequels for the late half of summer...coming soon)