Sizzling summer movie parade

Summer is the time of popcorn entertainment at the multiplex. Rule of thumb from mid-May through August: You're not going to get much sustenance out of the biggest blockbusters.

This year might be different. Already, "Iron Man" has emerged as both a box-office smash and the year's best-reviewed film so far. In the wings: the first "Indiana Jones" picture in nearly two decades (with Harrison Ford darn spry as Indy) and "The Dark Knight," the sequel to "Batman Returns."

Want something for the kids? How about "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" or Pixar's "Wall-E"? For comedy, the buzz is good on Judd Apatow's "Pineapple Express." For romance and urban sexual angst, try the film version of "Sex and the City." Also promising: Will Smith's "Hancock," with its sardonic take on superhero films.

It looks like a solid summer, with these films the most intriguing:

"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," opening May 16.

The basics: The Pevensie children from 2005's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" have been away from Narnia for only a year in their time, but 1,300 years have gone by in the magical land of the White Witch and Aslan the lion. When the Pevensies return, they are swept up in a rebellion against the despot Miraz, led by Prince Caspian (newcomer Ben Barnes).

Heat factor: High. The first "Narnia" film took in a robust $292 million and garnered mostly strong reviews (while neatly avoiding writer C.S.

Lewis' more obvious Christian allegories). Getting things right twice in a row can be tricky, but there's no question that anticipation for the film is high.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," opening May 22.

The basics: Nearly 20 years after "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," the man with the fedora and the bullwhip is back in action with the principal players — Harrison Ford, creator-producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg — in place. The film does not hide the fact that Ford will be 66 in July, so the tale is set in the 1950s, with Communist spies and a touch of Area 51-style paranoia. Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy's main squeeze in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf), a greaser-biker who may be Indy's love child, also play roles.

Heat factor: Scorching. The first trailers drew applause from audiences, and the Ford-Lucas-Spielberg combo is hard to beat.

"Sex and the City," opening May 30.

The basics: It's been four years since our ladies of HBO's "Sex and the City" last stepped into their Manolos and Jimmy Chos, and it looked as if Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte would never get a chance to be fabulous again. But now they're back: Carrie about to get married to Mr. Big, Miranda struggling with life as wife and mother, Samantha having moved to L.A. and Charlotte unexpectedly pregnant.

Heat factor: Baking. Probably the female film of the summer; the series' syndication since its finale has created a whole new audience. Big question: How artfully can writer-director Michael Patrick King shift the women from their fab 30s to their more-settled early 40s?

"Kung Fu Panda," opening June 6.

The basics: Po, a slacker-esque panda voiced by Jack Black, joins a group of kung fu masters to battle an evil snow leopard (Ian McShane). Dustin Hoffman plays Po's chief mentor. It's classic, animated good vs. evil aimed directly at kids.

Heat factor: Torrid for kids and parents. The mix of comic martial arts and cute pandas ought to be irresistible.

"Wall-E," opening June 27.

The basics: Pixar follows "Ratatouille" with this yarn about a lonely robot, charged with cleaning up garbage on a now-uninhabited planet Earth, who travels into deep space on a life-changing odyssey. The film's almost dialogue-free, with Wall-E's vocal mannerisms devised by Ben Burtt, who gave "voice" to R2-D2.

Heat factor: Very high. Directed by Andrew Stanton.

"Hancock," opening July 2.

The basics: In a summer of superheroes, "Hancock," directed by Peter Berg, may come across as a bracing alternative. Will Smith stars as a flawed, alcoholic, slacker dude who just happens to have superpowers. Since he isn't getting much respect, he hires a media expert (Jason Bateman) to perk up his image. Hancock also gets a chance to hit on the expert's gorgeous wife (Charlize Theron).

Heat factor: Steaming. Smith is pretty much a sure thing at the summer box office, and this high-concept, cynical fantasy has appeal on its own.

"The Dark Knight," opening July 18.

The basics: "The Dark Knight" was a highly anticipated sequel even before interest took a huge, if slightly morbid, leap following the death of co-star Heath Ledger, who gives his full performance as the Joker. Christopher Nolan, writer-director of "Batman Returns," is back, as are Michael Caine as Alfred, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon. Maggie Gyllenhaal steps in for Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes, and Aaron Eckhart pops up as Harvey (Two-Face) Dent.

Heat factor: Soaring. The sequel has instant fanboy cred, and even casual comic book fans may want to see the talented Ledger in a defining role.

"Pineapple Express," opening Aug. 8.

The basics: This comedy from the Judd Apatow stable appears to have a decidedly sardonic edge. James Franco ("Spider-Man" ) and Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up") star as stoners on the run from the law after one witnesses a bad cop killing a drug dealer. Word is that director David Gordon Green handles the film's dark humor with a nice touch.

Heat factor: Boiling. The online buzz is strong, and producer Apatow has an unparalleled track record with modern-day comedies.

"Tropic Thunder," opening Aug. 15.

The basics: An A-list cast: Ben Stiller (who also directed), Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise. The story: Prima-donna actors making a Vietnam War film get stranded in the jungle and end up having to fight real bad guys.

Heat factor: Mercury rising! Recent screenings of the film have pumped up the volume, and it's starting to look like it could be a box-office smash.