Hollywood Releases this summer

When summer movies hit daylight, some turn golden and others get scorched.

Those with the strongest combination of stars, story and special effects are most likely to be shielded from the harmful rays of critical barbs and multiplex competition. With that in mind, here are a few sunscreen-protected films - surefire hits for summer:

- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (May 19)
This is the final piece of a pop-culture puzzle that started with 1977’s original Star Wars. The five previous movies earned a collective USD 1.5 billion domestically, and all those fans want to see how George Lucas wraps it up. Online ticket-seller Fandango reports that in a recent poll, 67 per cent of moviegoers said Episode III was the summer movie they “most want to see.”

- The longest Yard(May 27). This Adam Sandier comedy is a uniter, not a divider, with something for every demographic of guy. As comical convicts square off against oppressive guards in a prison football game, jokers can cheer on the wisecracks of Sandier and Chris Rock. Wrestling fans have Bill Goldberg and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Hip-hop star Nelly acts and sings on the soundtrack. Even Burt Reynolds return: from the 1974 original, this time as a coach.

- Madagascar(May 27). DreamWorks follows Shrek 2 and Shark Tale with this story of zoo creatures who find themselves ill-equipped for release in the wilds of Africa. Tie-in promos at Denny’s restaurants and Krispy Kreme doughnuts will ensure kids get an eyeful of the cartoon characters. “Other studios are clearing their films away from this spot on the calendar,” Bucksbaum says. “You can’t beat the family movies.”

- Batman Begins (June 15). Memento director Christopher Nolan brings indie credentials and Christian Bale, known for the intensity of his characters. Bale vows this will be a more sinister superhero. “He’s having to restrain himself from allowing his hunger for revenge to turn him into a criminal,” Bale says.

- War of the Worlds (June 29). Director Steven Spielberg’s take on H.G. Wells’ alien invasion saga places the Earth again on the cusp of annihilation. But amid the exploding overpasses and collapsing cities, Tom Cruise stars as a deadbeat dad trying to get his kids to safety. “As far as he’s concerned, the biggest child in his life is himself,” Spielberg says. “Then this cataclysmic event occurs, and he has to grow up fast.”

- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July 15)
Factory (July IS). Tim Burton’s take on the Roald Dahl storybook has something for all tastes. The fantasy world of the giant chocolate emporium is the sweet part, while Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka doles out salty put-downs of the movie’s sour children.