Fast-Paised summer movie preview

We look at 20 of the seasons flicks, 14 (!) of which continue existing franchises

By Matt Pais

In case you forgot, last summer's movies stunk. "The Da Vinci Code." "X-Men: The Last Stand." "Nacho Libre." "The Break-Up." "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." See anything you loved?

Don't worry. This summer is practically guaranteed to blow the roof off the summer of 2006, with several "highly anticipated" flicks that we're actually anticipating highly. There are an insane amount of part-three sequels--including "Spiderman 3," "Shrek the Third," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "Ocean's Thirteen," "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Rush Hour 3"--plus new installments of "Harry Potter," "Die Hard" and "Fantastic Four." But this summer also finally brings the release of fun-filled stuff like "The Simpsons Movie" and "Transformers."

Here's a look at the laughs, the explosions and, yes, the sequels that we're eager to see this summer.

MAY

4: "Spider-Man 3"
This could be the last web spun by Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and director Sam Raimi. Let's hope part three -- featuring a trio of villains played by James Franco (Goblin), Topher Grace (Venom) and Thomas Haden Church (Sandman) -- is as awesome as "Spider-Man 2."

11: "28 Weeks Later"
"28 Days Later" is one of the few legitimately scary horror movies of the decade. Even though Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting") isn't directing the follow-up, we can't wait to see more havoc from the zombies.

11: "Georgia Rule"
Lindsay Lohan is a rebellious teen, Felicity Huffman is her fed-up mom and Jane Fonda is the grandma with the task of whipping the young girl into shape. This is the movie Lohan was filming when she was hospitalized for "exhaustion." Tabloid issues aside, it will be good to have a reminder that she's a working actress, not just a walking headline.

18: "Shrek the Third"
More of our favorite ogre, including a possible new heir to the land of Far, Far Away who's voiced by Justin Timberlake. That means Timberlake and his ex Cameron Diaz (voicing Princess Fiona) are in a movie together. Sweet.

25: "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"
Jack Sparrow's (Johnny Depp) hiney is on the line, so Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) team up with former foe Captain Barbosa (Geoffrey Rush). Hopefully this buckles our swashes better than the confusing "Dead Man's Chest." One thing sure will: the appearance of Keith Richards--Depp's reported inspiration for Sparrow's mannerisms--as Jack Sparrow's dad.

JUNE
1: "Knocked Up"
Oops: Seth Rogen ("The 40-Year-Old-Virgin") gets Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy") pregnant during a one-night stand. We predict the team behind "Virgin" makes this one of summer's biggest hits. At least, for a non-sequel.

8: "Ocean's Thirteen"
A casino owner (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of the gang, so Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up the crew for another heist. Looks snazzeriffic!
• Video: Watch our red carpet coverage with George Clooney!