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Why you should see it: Depp's Jack Sparrow is one of the most entertaining characters in cinematic history.

July 14

Pulse Starring: Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder (Lost) and Christina Milian

Directed by: First-timer Jim Sonzero

Written by: Stephen Susco, with Wes Craven (Nightmare on Elm Street), Tim Day, Vince Gilligan and Ray Wright, based on the film by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

What it's about: A remake of the J-horror flick Kairo: When the souls of dead kids start popping up on her server, Kristen Bell needs to seriously think about getting a firewall.

Why you should see it: Bell is fantastic as a teenage private eye on Veronica Mars, so she should be up for teen ghostbuster, too.

Why you should not: If Hollywood is good at anything, it's taking a subtle, moody piece of art (like Kairo) and turning it into one long, steaming, bespangled turd.

You, Me and Dupree Starring: Matt Dillon, Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson and Michael Douglas

Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo (Welcome to Collinwood)

Written by: Mike LeSieur

What it's about: Wilson's the best man in Dillon and Hudson's wedding, and when he loses his job after traveling to Hawaii for the wedding, they let him stay in their house.

Why you should see it: The Russos have estimable TV credits, including stints on Arrested Development and FX's woefully unappreciated Lucky.

Why you should not: There hasn't been a lovable Owen Wilson movie since ... since ... Bottle Rocket? That can't be right.

July 21

Clerks II Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson and Rosario Dawson

Written and directed by: Kevin Smith (Clerks)

What it's about: Dante (O'Halloran) and Randall (Anderson) are still slacking away their lives, except their twenties have turned into their thirties and both work at fast-food joint Mooby's. In other words, this is what Kevin Smith does when his attempt at maturity (Jersey Girl) tanks and he's left going back to the well. Again. And again.

Why you should see it: Because it's just like Clerks. With a Jason Lee cameo.

Why you should not: It really is just like Clerks.

Lady in the Water Starring: Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Cinderella Man), Bryce Dallas Howard (Manderlay) and Freddy Rodriguez

Written and directed by: M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, The Village)

What it's about: A lonely apartment building superintendent (Giamatti) discovers a beautiful woman (Howard) in the building's swimming pool who turns out to be a mermaid. And there are other supernatural creatures after her.

Why you should see it: Advance word says there's no gratuitous twist ending this time. Shyamalan's a good director when he doesn't paint himself into a corner; even The Village had its moments until that terrible "surprise" finish.

Why you should not: This film's been labeled a "bedtime story." What does that even mean?

Monster House Starring: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee and Nick Cannon

Directed by: First-timer Gil Kenan

Written by: Pamela Pettler, Dan Harmon and Ron Schrab

What it's about: Sounds like The 'Burbs meets Poltergeist: Three kids live next door to a creepy house that turns out to be ... duh-duh-dunh ... a monster.

Why you should see it: Uh ... uh ... it's animated?

Why you should not: Have you seen the trailer? Was it made in 1992?

Super Ex-Girlfriend Starring: Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson and Anna Faris

Directed by: Ivan Reitman (Old School)

Written by: Don Payne (The Simpsons)

What it's about: Wilson plays a normal dude who dumps the super-needy superhottie G-Girl (Thurman), who proves hell hath no fury like a superwoman scorned. In other words, what if Lois Lane broke up with Superman and he didn't take it well? At all.

Why you should see it: Ivan Reitman directed Ghostbusters, Stripes and Meatballs.

Why you should not: Ivan Reitman directed Six Days Seven Nights, Father's Day and Evolution.

July 28

Barnyard Starring: Kevin James, Courteney Cox Arquette and Danny Glover

Written and directed by: Steve Oedekerk (Kung Pow: Enter the Fist)

What it's about: The owner of a farm leaves his animals to go udderly (that's all mine, baby) nuts when he leaves the place under their control.

Why you should see it: You have to assume that nobody saw this the first time, when it was called Home on the Range.

Why you should not: The only people who haven't tired of talking-animal animated movies haven't been born yet.

I Could Never Be Your Woman Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and Tracey Ullmann (I Love You to Death)

Written and directed by: Amy Heckerling (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Clueless)

What it's about: Pfeiffer plays a lady growing long in the tooth (but still looking like Michelle Pfeiffer) who falls for a younger man (Rudd). Romantic comedy blooms all around, and Ullmann as Mother Nature gets all up in everybody's business.

Why you should see it: When Heckerling is on, she makes movies like Clueless and Fast Times at Ridgemont High . Plus, Rudd is due for a role that pushes him into the big leagues, where he belongs.