Iron Man is an impressive start to the summer movie season starring Robert Downey Jr. in an iron suit and giving one of the best performances of his career. Iron Man is a terrific summer surprise.

Speed Racer

Speed Racer drives on to the big screen on May 9th from the creators of "The Matrix." A PG kids movie with Emile Hirsch hoping to win the biggest road race of all.

On May 16th, The Chronixcles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian, another elaborate family adventure following in the C.S. Lewis footsteps of the immensely popular The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull

On May 22nd, the big one, directed by Steven Spileberg, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull starring 60 something Harrison Ford as the all time great cinematic archeologist.

On May 30th, the adult Sex And The City: The Movie starring HBO's R rated female leading ladies and their highly personal Manhattan adventures.

In June, Kung Fu Panda arrives animated as a martial arts showcase for slow moving animals forced to defend their way of life.

Also in June, Steve Carell as agent 86 in the big screen version of TV's Get Smart, with Anne Hathaway as 99. Re-cycled TV comedies rarely make good feature films.

I can't wait to see Wall-E because Pixar has yet to make a bad film, it's from the director of Finding Nemo, and is by far the best trailer I have seen all year.

In July, Will Smith jumps back to the future in Hancock, playing an alocholic super-hero, a serious work from director Peter Berg. Don't mistake this one for a comedy.

Batman: The Dark Knight

ABBA fans have something to sing about, the big screen version of Mama Mia opens in July and yes that's Oscar winner Meryl Streep singing and dancing.

And finally, The Dark Knight arrives on July 18th with potential for greatness. That's the Batman sequel starring the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. A franchise that finally got it right when Christopher Nolan started directing.

E-mail gcogill@wfaa.com