Tonight, people across the country will feast their eyes on the first big blockbuster of the summer season, "The Avengers: Age of Ultron." But that's just the gigantic, explosion-filled appetizer to what it building up to be an even bigger,  even more explosion-filled banquet of movies to come.

But which ones are looking bright, and which ones are looking a little cloudy? Allow me to put on my movie weather man cap and provide you with a four-month forecast (obviously these are far from final verdicts; all of these have the chance to surprise me – for better or worse) of everything Hollywood's most expensive time of year has to offer. Pack an umbrella and sunscreen, because the weather outside is weather. 

May 1

"The Avengers: Age of Ultron"

Marvel is on one heck of a winning streak thus far, making really good blockbusters AND making more than several small island nations’ worth at the box office in the process. They managed to turn a movie about a talking raccoon and a sentient tree into gold. But as DC is learning the hard way right now, slapping together a bunch of superheroes into a cohesive, coherent movie isn’t as automatic as it sounds. "The Avengers" made it look easy; can writer-director Joss Whedon pull it off again? Not to spoil my review coming tomorrow (shameless plug!), but you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Forecast: The meteorologist predicted a gorgeous 75-degree sunny day, and that’s exactly what happened.

May 8

"Hot Pursuit"

Well, somebody had to come out the week after "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and I guess "Hot Pursuit" – a buddy road trip movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara as a cop and a witness on the run – drew the short straw. It has now been sacrificed to the box office destroyer of worlds. Some might call that a sign of low confidence on the studio’s part; I would call that a sign of very low confidence on the studio’s part, and unfortunately, the only things the ads have shown are some tired gags (the stiff boring lady wears boring underwear! LOL!) and Vergara proudly displaying her title of Hollywood’s Loudest Actress. Then again, "Hot Pursuit" comes from director Anne Fletcher, the helmer behind surprises like "Step Up" and "The Proposal." Maybe she’s got one here too.

Forecast: The meteorologist predicted a gross 40-degree rainy day, and that’s exactly what happened.

May 15

"Mad Max: Fury Road"

At this point, I’ve poured enough drool on this long-awaited "Mad Max" prequel to turn its arid desert setting into the friggin’ Pacific Ocean. It just … looks … so … good. The practical effects and real post-apocalyptic automotive action looks incredible, the sandy setting already makes it stand out from the usual blockbuster template, it has Tom Hardy who – when he’s not Bane – is very good at acting and visually, it looks gorgeous (what else would you expect from the director of "Happy Feet"?). Also: there’s definitely a part involving a rock ‘n’ roll guitar flamethrower. GIVE ME ALL THE TICKETS NOW PLEASE!

Forecast: A perfect day. It’s 80 degrees with not a single cloud in sight. There’s just the perfect slight breeze, Skittles are falling from the sky and my childhood dog Bailey is alive again!

"Pitch Perfect 2"

The first "Pitch Perfect" should’ve been right down my alley. I’m a big fan of Anna Kendrick (aka the Anne Hathaway we like), and I even was in an a cappella group in college (shout out to the Gold ‘n Blues). Yet somehow I missed the tuneful hit; I tried to see it – with the a cappella group, no less! – and five minutes in, the power cut out. God said no, Matt; you will study for finals tonight. What a jerk.

Anyways, judging from the 1/21 of "Pitch Perfect" I saw, the comedy seemed sassy and fun – a sharp "Bring It On Again, But This Time With A Cappella." The sequel seems much the same. The cast of fun performers – including professional scene stealer John Michael Higgins – is deep, the addition of Hailee Steinfeld is intriguing (her post-"True Grit" filmography has been a bummer) and how awesome is it that Elizabeth Banks (Gail) is directing? Answer: very awesome. Yes, her only feature directing credit is (shudder) "Movie 43," but still: awesome.

Comedy sequels are notoriously underwhelming, but I’ve got good vibes for "Pitch Perfect 2." Also: The Packers show up.

Forecast: There’s a possible cold front coming through, but otherwise smooth sailing in the skies. And also: The Packers show up.

May 22

"Poltergeist"

Horror remakes are generally a bad idea. You’re usually just rehashing scares from before, but any terror is undercut by knowing you’ve seen this before. It’s just predictable, and yeah, maybe the nostalgia factor is nice … but just watch the original then.

That seems to be the formula right now for "Poltergeist," though I want to be optimistic. The cast is strong – I will watch Sam Rockwell in anything, and in case you don’t believe me: "G-Force" – and director Gil Kenan previously did clever things with horror in 2006’s animated feature "Monster House." The screenplay also comes from … Pulitzer Prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire? OK, then.

Still, even with all of that (there’s Jared Harris too! With a fun, thick accent!), right now "Poltergeist" looks like a lot of what we’ve seen before – just louder with more cheap CG enhancement, more obviousness and less originality. Which means less scary. And that scares me.

Forecast: The weather man says it’s going to rain, and it certainly looks like it’s going to rain, but then it turns out … to rain.

"Tomorrowland"

Close to everything about "Tomorrowland" on paper excites me. Brad Bird is a great, exciting director, whether working with animation ("The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles") or live action ("Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol"). George Clooney is a great, charismatic actor, and the mere premise – about going to a secret world of science and possibility – sounds encouraging.

So why am I lukewarm on "Tomorrowland"?

Most of it is the ad campaign’s fault, which has been very slow rolling out important plot details like … anything. Normally, less is more is a campaign strategy I like, but in this case, it feels like the actual hook to the film has been under wraps (no surprise here; J.J. Abrams "mystery box" enthusiast Damon Lindelof is a screenwriter and producer). I’m somehow sold and not sold on the movie at the same time, and right now, the silence from the lack of buzz feels deafening. There’s usually at least one big blockbuster that tanks; I’m not saying it’s "Tomorrowland," but I’m also not … not saying that.

Forecast: A calm, sunny 70-degree day, but the sky is starting to turn a pukey color, and man, the clouds over there just do not look good.

May 29

"Aloha"

Cameron Crowe is back! Again! Ish! 2011’s "We Bought a Zoo" didn’t quite resurrect the "Jerry Maguire"/"Almost Famous" writer-director’s career, but I’d bet "Aloha" helps. I mean, look at that cast: "American Sniper" Bradley Cooper, American sweetheart Emma Stone – coming off the Best Picture winning "Birdman," no less – additional American sweetheart Rachel McAdams, America’s favorite uncle Bill Murray, America’s favorite maniac Alec Baldwin and America’s favorite bored office drone John Krasinski. America should love this movie!

You know who doesn’t apparently love this movie? Sony. One of last year’s many leaked emails had co-chairman Amy Pascal panicking about test screenings and saying, "It never not even once ever works." Oy.

Forecast: Whatever about the emails. The movie takes place in Hawaii; how can I not be sunny?

"San Andreas"

Movies starring The Rock? Good things. Movies directed by the guy behind "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore"? Bad things. Still, the disaster movie "San Andreas" seems to have all the makings of a silly, dumb as bricks that were hit in the head by other bricks, fun summer blockbuster. I mean, it has Paul Giamatti giving terse, overdramatic warnings. That’s wonderful. I’m going to choose to hope "San Andreas" is more like the knowingly goofy Roland Emmerich that made "White House Down" and less like the ponderous destruction pornographer Roland Emmerich that made "2012," "Godzilla" and "Independence Day."

Forecast: A mildly cloudy but still warm and sunny day that at any moment could be ruined by a giant earthquake ripping through, eating your picnic and making everything a big bummer.

June 5

"Entourage"

I used to watch "Entourage." I used to enjoy watching Turtle try to mooch his way into all things and Drama be inept at life. I used to enjoy the inside Hollywood aspect of the show that felt crazy, inviting and invigorating. And now … ugh. So much navel-gazing and bro-gasming and name-dropping. Watching "Entourage" now is like seeing that one cool guy from high school 10 years later who hasn’t matured a day. Now he just seems sexist and shallow and gross and he only talks about how awesome he is and good God, why is he still wearing Ed Hardy shirts?

I can see the adventures of a clearly not very good – and not very smart – actor and his beyond first world problems working as nice escapism, like a "Sex and the City" for dudes (finally a movie that speaks to guys! Such an under-served demographic). But it’s also getting harder for convince myself that I’d actually want to spend more than 10 seconds with these horny, responsibility-devoid, short-sighted, careless, self-mythologizing d-bags.

Forecast: A pouring monsoon of Axe.

"Spy"

The speed in which Melissa McCarthy went from beloved to loathed could deliver whiplash it felt so fast (though not quite as fast as our current record holder for backlash speed, Trevor Noah). I believe she’s still a fine comedic actress, just one who Hollywood has pigeonholed as a loud, profane cartoon for mean-spirited "fatty fall down" jokes. Even "Tammy" – which she wrote with her husband Ben Falcone, who went on to direct – fell victim to tired, easy gags.

So here’s to hoping reteaming up with Paul Feig, the guy who guided her to fame with "Bridesmaids" and "The Heat," for "Spy" brings some life to her comedic persona. The footage from "Spy" makes me laugh, and the cast around McCarthy – the indispensable Rose Byrne, Jason Statham working out those underused comedy chops – is impressive. True, we’ve already had one strong Bond riff this year with "Kingsman" – and an actual Bond movie coming in the fall – but what the hell; if all are done well, the more the merrier.

Forecast: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers, but for the most part a pleasant day ahead.

"Insidious Chapter 3"

"Insidious" (chapter 1 now, I guess) was a nice little freak out. "Insidious Chapter 2" was creepy too, but also started shifting "Paranormal Activity" style toward some silly horror movie wack-a-doodle mythologizing. "Chapter 3" only seems to be continuing that trend as this entry goes "back to the beginning" according to the trailers. Plus, without horror maestro James Wan in command, the much-needed scares might take a hit. New director Leigh Whannell has worked plenty with Wan in the past, writing "Saw" and "Insidious," but this is his first directing gig. Judging by the belabored window scare in the trailer, it feels that way.

Forecast: The big exciting summer thunderstorm ends up just being a lot of boring rain and the only loud, scary boom sounds come from an annoying raccoon stuck thumping around in the attic.

June 12

"Jurassic World"

Is "Jurassic World" … not good? Because right now, things don’t seem right with one of the most anticipated movies of the summer. The first clip drew ire for sexism, but it probably deserved it more so for just being a bad, clunky clip. Chris Pratt seems distinctly like he’s playing Burt Macklin, Dinosaur Detective, the premise just seems goofy – from DNA-enhanced dinos to Pratt’s raptor team (better than the one in Toronto!) – and where’s the wonder? Even the marketing seems wrong. Why wasn’t there a sexy new trailer in front of "Furious 7"? Something smells wrong here, and it smells like the scene from "Jurassic Park" is digging through triceratops poop.

Forecast: Clouds. So many clouds. They’re all so angry.

June 19

 "Inside Out"

As of right now, what I’ve seen of "Inside Out" hasn’t super impressed me. However, that’s as much a part of Pixar tradition as winning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The trailer for "Up" didn’t particularly impress, and look what happened there. Sweet, beautiful tears; that’s what happened. "Wall-E" looked … fine, but the movie ended up being a delight. "Toy Story 3" looked weak until it arrived and gave me the most satisfying, well-earned nostalgia cry since the return of French Toast Crunch.

The lesson here? Pixar tends to make really good stuff, and considering this is the company’s first original movie in a frankly depressing while, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Forecast: Rain in the forecast, but it’s like a two percent chance so really, come on weather man.

June 26

"Max"

"Max" seems like five of the ultimate dog movies all mashed together and desperate to make me cry. There’s the military chapter, the boy and his dog chapter and then the Hardy Boys meets Scooby Doo chapter with a bonus action puppy chapter. Considering the director is Boaz Yakin – the adept genre filmmaker who turned "Remember the Titans" into a cultural touchstone – there’s a good chance this becomes a sleeper hit. There’s also a good chance Max doesn’t make it to the end credits. I’m just sayin’; he’s a dog in a movie.

Forecast: A deluge of rain made entirely of tears. Tears for years.

 "Ted 2"

I enjoyed the first "Ted." The format of a feature film seemed to calm down some of Seth MacFarlane’s lesser comedic tendencies – flashbacks to random pop culture references – there was a bit of heart in that old profane teddy bear and even though it went long, Wahlberg (secretly a really funny actor) and Ted made for a fun, entertaining tandem. I’m holding out hope for "Ted 2," but the trailers have currently done little for me in terms of laughs, and man, the taste of "A Million Ways to Die in the West" is still pretty rancid. Plus, as mentioned with "Pitch Perfect 2," comedy sequels are hard.

Forecast: It’d be a shame for the thunder buddies to learn the hard way that lightning doesn’t strike twice.

July 1

"Magic Mike XXL"

Yep. This is happening. With that title. And this poster. And my god, this trailer. I never knew I needed to hear Ginuwine’s "Pony" again. The bad news? Director Steven Soderbergh is all gone and retired, and Matthew McConaughey is off being awesome elsewhere. The good news? The boring Cody Horn has been usurped by Amber Heard, and the cast still includes the last film’s lineup of abs – plus Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover and … Michael Strahan? The great news? This freaking photo of Channing Tatum writing the script while gazing at a bust of Rust Cohle himself. Yep, "Magic Mike XXL" is genius.

Forecast: It’s raining men. Hallujah, it’s raining men. Amen.

"Terminator: Genisys"

Everything about the "Terminator: Genisys" lead-up has been one big warning sign – and this coming from the guy who enjoys "Terminator Salvation." First of all: that title (or should that be tytle?). Second of all: Jai Courtney. No.

Third of all: everything else, from the hilariously crummy press shots to the first trailer that muddies the timeline and seems to erase most of the Terminator films we like from existence (I think; it’s all very confusing). And now the latest trailer – which I have not seen – reportedly spoils a big reveal. There’s still much to like here. Emilia Clarke playing Sarah Connor looks and sounds awesome; she fits the role like a glove right now. Jason Clarke is never a bad thing, and director Alan Taylor did dorkily fun things with "Thor: The Dark World." And, well, I just like the Terminator movies a lot. Right now, though, I’m concerned that, much like the human race in these movies, this franchise’s best days are in the past.

Forecast: A very high chance of scattered showers, ruining all happiness and joy.

July 10

"Minions"

First of all, "Minions" will make all of the money this summer. Everybody loves these little sentient Twinkies and understandably so. They’re adorable and hilarious. A whole movie of these tykes sounds both like a great idea … and maybe too much of a good thing. I’m hoping for the former, and considering the voice cast surrounding the little pills – Jon Hamm, Sandra Bullock playing bad, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan – I’m thinking the former might even happen too.

Forecast: A gorgeously hot 80-degree sunny day. Too much bathing in sun, however might lead to bathing in aloe later.

"Self/Less"

"Self/Less," a Ryan Reynolds thriller about immortality, won’t be the highest grossing movie of the summer, but it might just be the oddest. And much of that oddity comes from how … normal it looks. The movie comes from auteur Tarsem Singh, who has a resume filled with visually mesmerizing features ("The Fall," "Immortals"). Call his movies what you want – pretentious and overly styled sometimes come to mind – but they’re certainly not generic for the eye. 

Which is why the generic preview for "Self/Less" right now is such a confusing bummer. Why have Tarsem Singh’s eye simply churn out bland imagery? And if the footage is more interesting, why is it hidden and out of sight? Who knows, though? Maybe after making visually impressive but blank films, perhaps a movie where Tarsem is the least interesting thing going on isn’t the worst idea.

Forecast: The storm of the century just winds up being a 10-minute light sprinkle.

July 17

"Ant-Man"

If any movie could bring Marvel back down to Earth, it’d be "Ant-Man." The small-scale comic book actioner has had a tortured trip to the big screen, with beloved cinephile director Edgar Wright parting ways with the film and leaving a big question mark on the project (one whose hero is nowhere close to a really known quantity). There was even a question at one point if Marvel would even bother keeping on with the project.

Then again, Marvel’s last big risk was "Guardians of the Galaxy," and I don’t think they’d complain about how that turned out. And while the pre-production process was a public disaster, the actual footage coming out now – under the guidance of new director Peyton Reed – looks good, the usual Marvel blend of quick humor and fleet action. Insiders have noted "Ant-Man" is much smaller in scale (ha!) than the big, gargantuan epics of "The Avengers," which I don’t mind. A human-sized blockbuster might be a bit of relief – even if the hero is ant-sized.

Forecast: You wake up to brutal dark skies and crushing storms only for it to be sunny and 70 by noon.

"Trainwreck"

Well, hey; Judd Apatow is back! After spending the last few years in a "This Is 40" induced hiatus, the comedy baron returns to the director chair for "Trainwreck," a rom-com starring and written by comedian Amy Schumer. It’s also the most intrigued I’ve been by an Apatow project in a while. Considering his last few films found the director firmly lodged in his own navel, it’s nice to see to see him branching his relationship-based comedy back out in new directions.

Maybe even more exciting, however, is his star. Schumer has been on the edge of breaking through for a while with her Comedy Central TV show, but this could – and should – be her moment. And if it continues the brand of scathing feminist insights wrapped in giggly laughs that marked her new season’s debut (cue up both her "Friday Night Lights" parody and "Last F***able Day" clip please), all the better.

Forecast: Sweet, luscious rain after seemingly years of draught, causing everyone to melodramatically reenact "The Shawshank Redemption."

July 24

"Paper Towns"

As I learned last year from "The Fault in Our Stars," crossing off a John Green adaptation based on early impressions is a good way to be pleasant surprised when you see the final product. So let’s hope that’s the case with "Paper Towns." The screenplay comes from power team Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, proven masters of capturing big, grand, swooning young romance without creating the usual gag reflex with "The Spectacular Now," "500 Days of Summer" and "The Fault in Our Stars."

But this … we’re not seeing eye-to-eye right now. The preview looks like the ultimate Manic Pixie Dream Girl movie, one where the female lead only exists to teach a young man how to love and embrace life. It also looks like two completely different movies – a one wild night bonding movie mixed with a happy version of "Gone Girl" (kind of … if you squint your eyes) – weirdly stitched together. I’ve been proven wrong before by Mr. Green. I look forward to it again.

Forecast: The weather man is not to be trusted, so who cares and let’s see what happens.

"Pixels"

I’m sorry; I can’t feign enthusiasm for an Adam Sandler movie. No matter how many giant Galaga ships you launch at my nostalgia-drunk mind, I just can’t anymore. Last year, I thought "Blended," with its reconnection of Sandler and Drew Barrymore, would drive the comedian to put forward resembling an effort. But no. So much no.

So yes, "Pixels," I see your inherently amusing premise of a video game alien invasion. And I see Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad, two actors I quite enjoy. But I also see Adam Sandler, and I see lame jokes and lazy video game name-dropping, and I hear so much yelling in the place of humor. I also see digitized special effects that look eye-scrapingly bad. It’s just not a good-looking movie. On any level. But hey, it can’t be "The Cobbler" right?

Forecast: Whatever the weather from "The Perfect Storm" was.

"Southpaw"

Is Jake Gyllenhaal becoming the new Leonardo DiCaprio? The guy we kind of make fun of for desperately trying to impress with acting and win awards? Not that I think that; I’m just … close to thinking that, especially after transforming from his scrawny murder dweeb in "Nightcrawler" to a freakishly buff boxer in "Southpaw."

It’s a pretty mind-blowing transformation, hopefully in the service of a worthy movie. Right now, it looks like a big meaty slab of melodrama, featuring dead wives, big fights with boxing rivals, recoveries and child services. For God’s sake, his character’s name is Billy Hope. Hope. It’s not even trying to hide it. Still, if there’s one thing the "Rocky" movies, "The Fighter" and "Warrior" have taught me, it’s that there’s no better place for big sappily crowd-pleasing sentimental stories than in the ring.

Forecast: Pummeling rain that starts annoying but soon you’re running around in the downpour and splashing in puddles.

July 31

"The Gift"

I like it when trailers pretty much tell me the entire movie in two minutes. It makes my life so easy. I hope that’s not the case with "The Gift," a horror thriller written and directed by actor Joel Edgerton. There’s creepy potential in an old friend from the past getting too clingy in the present, but I’m afraid the trailer’s already unwrapped most of the movie’s secrets. Hopefully that’s not the case, and even if so, hopefully the craft and the cast – namely Rebecca Hall and an interestingly out of his element Jason Bateman – can still entertain.

Forecast: The seven-day forecast turns out exactly how the weather man said, and everyday was overcast and 50.

"Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation"

Last year, Tom Cruise delivered one of the summer’s best action movies, "Edge of Tomorrow." Hopefully he pulls off the same with "Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation" – and hopefully this time people see it. It’ll be hard to match "Ghost Protocol" and its brilliant, vertigo-inducing set pieces, but judging by the preview’s big clinging-to-a-plane finale, it seems safe to say the contest will be tight. Past director Brad Bird is gone, but Christopher McQuarrie is a strong replacement, having previous experience with nifty tactile fisticuffs in "Jack Reacher." The makings of a fun spy summer punch-up are right here. The bigger question is will people see it? Was the "Edge of Tomorrow" struggle last year just bad marketing or Tom Cruise hate still in full effect? Hopefully this just gives people a reason to show up.

Forecast: A beautiful day – sunny but not too sunny – that you feel bad for wasting indoors.

"Vacation"

I’ll be honest; as of about a week ago, I had no idea this was really happening: a new "Vacation" film complete with Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo – as well as newcomers Ed Helms, Leslie Mann and Thor himself Chris Hemsworth. My first instinct is to push away another gaudy attempt to rekindle old name recognition for new money, but apparently the early footage shown at CinemaCon – the big theater owners convention – was really funny. There’s supposedly a "21 Jump Street" self-referential vibe, and the jokes are surprisingly dirty. OK then … I’ll buckle in.

Forecast: You walk into a hail storm onto to discover it’s actually marshmallows falling from the sky, and they’re delicious.

August 7

"Fantastic Four"

"The Avengers: Age of Ultron" currently holds the title of the superhero movie of the summer, and "Ant-Man" currently holds the title of "Oh yeah, that other superhero movie" of the summer. So what the heck is "Fantastic Four" then? Even the studio seems uncertain; the release of footage has been slow and coy on details – not good considering the rumors from production.

I like all of these actors, and I like Josh Trank (even if I’m less than thrilled about "Chronicle"). I don’t know if I need a serious, dark rendition of the Fantastic Four, but if anybody’s going to do it, it’s this group. But still, there’s no buzz, barely even a rumbling. True, August is still months out … but the only thing worse than bad buzz for a wannabe blockbuster is no buzz. 

Forecast: It might rain; it might be gorgeous. The weather man flips a coin during his report.

"Masterminds"

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night suddenly wondering whatever happened to the guy who made "Napoleon Dynamite"? Yeah, me neither, but now you know: He’s making "Masterminds," a strange comedy about a strange bank heist starring premium strange dude Zach Galifianakis and a bunch of SNL vets like Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Jason Sudeikis and Leslie Jones all probably acting strange as well. And two of the credited writers are "Eastbound and Down" partners Danny McBride and Jody Hill. Not sure what to make of it all quite yet – the poster is just a man wearing a diaper filled with cash, which … sure – but my money’s on it being strange.

Forecast: The sky looks … strange. I’m both entranced and horrified.

"Ricki and the Flash"

You probably haven’t heard of "Ricki and the Flash" yet, but you will. The only still available right now features Meryl Streep playing an electric guitar, and if that doesn’t get you pumped up, I’m just not sure what to do. Actually, I do; I’ll tell you more cool details. The music-drenched comedy stars Streep as a guitarist going home to make things right with her estranged family. Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer, fittingly enough, plays her daughter, Kevin Kline plays her ex and Rick Springfield plays her love-struck band member. And all of this comes written by "Juno" scribe Diablo Cody and directed by Oscar winner Jonathan Demme. There’s simply too much here to be excited about.

Forecast: A pretty much perfect forecast.

"Shaun the Sheep Movie"

The odds are good this little animated film will get a moderately sized release, but I have to mention it because it comes from Aardman – the folks who made the delightful clay-mation "Chicken Run" and "Wallace and Gromit" features. In fact, the character Shaun the Sheep is a spin-off from those latter films. I grew up on those films; I love those films. So yes, I’ve pretty much already bought my tickets, thanks.

Forecast: A perfect day that reminds you of childhood and then you start chasing the ice cream man, which just looks unnerving when you’re an adult but whatever.

August 14

"The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

When it comes to starring in modern reinterpretations of old shows no one particularly felt the need to revisit, Armie Hammer is your dude. He was the Lone Ranger in the Disney trainwreck of the same name, and now he is Illya Kuryakin to Henry Cavill’s Napoleon Solo in Guy Ritchie’s "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." As you’d expect from a Ritchie film, the footage looks slick as hell. But will it stick – especially with two not particularly big stars – Cavill never really blew up after "Man of Steel," and the same goes for Hammer after "The Lone Ranger" – in a TV adaptation that few of Hollywood’s target age range likely remember?

Forecast: A nice, pleasantly partly cloudy day that goes so fast that you barely even remember what all happened.   

"Straight Outta Compton"

Another year, another musical biopic. But considering the timing and the current state of America, "Straight Outta Compton" has a chance to really make a mark and say something – in addition to telling the story of NWA. The unrated trailer released back around the Grammys is much better than the predictably sanitized trailers that came after. Hopefully the final product lands closer to the former than the latter.

Forecast: A rough storm that you go out on the porch to watch.

August 21

"Sinister 2"

I never got around to seeing the original "Sinister" (my guess, considering there’s a sequel and it’s a horror movie, is that it ends poorly), but I heard rather strong things about it – a rarity for mainstream horror releases. It also made a good chunk of change, so now there’s a sequel with nary a sign of the original cast or its director Scott Derrickson (now off working on Marvel’s "Doctor Strange"). In comes Ciaran Foy from the Milwaukee Film Festival entry "Citadel" and a whole new set of screamers. I’m sure it won’t end well for them; hopefully it ends better for us.

Forecast: As mentioned before, lightning doesn’t strike twice, but this should land close enough to give a jolt (puns!).

August 28

"Hitman: Agent 47"

To the joy of tens, Hollywood is giving us another "Hitman" movie. The first on back from 2007 ­– starring a bald, strangely uncharismatic Timothy Olyphant – is relentlessly incomprehensible, so as long as this new one with a whole new cast (Zachary Quinto is the biggest name of the bunch) makes almost kind of sort of sense, it’s already an improvement. An early good sign? 47’s signature – and dumb – barcode in plain sight on the back of his head is now at least kind of looks blended in. Progress!

Forecast: At best, it’ll be a lazy sunny day where you don’t do anything but sit on the couch, and you feel really bad about it.