This summer’s movie fare brings yet another round of comic book flicks, and I’m in Geek Heaven.

It all starts with an iron fist as “Iron Man” roars to the screens tomorrow. Robert Downey Jr. stars as the Tony Stark, the billionaire weapons manufacturer who creates a modern day suit of armor and takes to the skies. It’s an all-star cast with Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Terrence Howard and directed by Jon Favreau, whose comic pedigree includes a role in “Daredevil.” Anticipation is high and reviews have already been very positive.

Next week brings us the psychedelic “Speed Racer,” as the Wachowski brothers bring the classic anime to the big screen. The director siblings are film innovators who completely changed everything we know about special effects with the “Matrix” movie. “Speed Racer” looks like nothing I’ve ever seen before, so that has to be a good thing. I’m looking forward to this one.

Also out soon (May 16) is the next film in the “Chronicles of Narnia” series, called “Prince Caspian.” May 22 brings the long-awaited return of one of the biggest icons in pop culture: Indiana Jones. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” reunites Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, and George Lucas in the fourth feature of the franchise. The “Sex In the City” movie bows the next week for those interested. I’m sure it’ll make some good change, not mine though.

June offers an interesting selection of movies. “Kung Fu Panda” and “Mongol” debut on June 6. One is a CGI animated flick about a martial artist Ailuropoda melanoleuca, and the other is about Genghis Khan. I’ll let you decipher which is which. Friday, June 13 is when “The Happening” happens. The plot is about stuff that, apparently, happens. It’s by M. Night Shyamalan, so expect moody atmosphere and a twist ending.

Also out the same day is the retcon “The Incredible Hulk.” Now I love the Hulk. He’s great. He’s so angry and loveable. The first “Hulk” movie is unliked by many, but not me. I thought it was the bee’s knees, only there just wasn’t enough of Hulk smashing. The producers of this new one have promised lots of smashing, so I’m looking forward to it.

The end of June has the latest from Pixar, “Wall-E,” which is about a little robot trash compacter in the future. It looks swell, and Pixar can do no wrong. “Wanted” also comes out that day for aficionados of films that begin with “Wa's.” It started life as a comic series about super villains taking over the world and killing all the super heroes. Apparently this would have cost more money to make than the producers would have liked, so it’s now a nifty-looking action flick about low-powered assassins with big stars Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie and up-and-coming James McAvoy.

Will Smith stars as a super hero (oddly not from any comic series) in “Hancock” on Smith’s favorite movie weekend, July 2. It’s an original tale about a jerk with powers who pretty much sucks at his job as a hero. “The Wackness” comes out the next day. It’s about New York City or something like that. It might be cool, the trailer looks keen, I just love the title. I’ll go see it just for that.

Whoo-hoo! More super-heroes! “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” comes out July 13 starring Ron Perlman as the big red devil child. “The Dark Knight” would have done bonzo box office even without the morbid curiosity of Heath Ledger in one of his last movie roles as the Joker in this “Batman Begins” sequel. Ledger truly looks like an absolute horror of a character in this, it should bring the awesome.

The end of July re-teams the “Talledega Nights” comedy duet of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as “Step Brothers.” Reilly could recite tax laws and I’d be in stitches laughing.
“X-Files: I Want To Believe” is the sequel to the 1990s conspiracy cult TV show and movie. It reunites everyone from the original series.

August looks to have some interesting movies as well. It starts off with a “Mummy” sequel. There’s a stoner comedy starring Seth Rogan and James Franco called “Pineapple Express.” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” gets a sequel as well, and I truly hope they’ve washed them since the first. “Tropic Thunder” could get some people talking as it stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. as a trio of diva-like actors dropped off in a war zone. They believe they’re filming a movie. Downey plays a method actor who surgically changes his race. It could cause a stir, since he’s essentially in very well done black face.
So there you have it, a flick-filled, ‘fore fall, fantastic fiesta of film. Go spend that hard-earned lawn-mowing money on some greasy popcorn and gallons of Coke. Have a great one!