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4. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (July 30, 2010)

Here's a follow-up oft-rumored after the release of the first film (way back in 2001), but strangely greenlit only last year (see the upcoming Planet of the Apes prequel for more of this phenomenon). Look, after all the talking critter films we have seen (or have elected not to see) during the last few years, what more is there to say about this one? It would appear to be bright, sunny, inoffensive, and possessing the requisite amount of child-friendly humor. And without much in the way of special effects entertainment during the month's second half, what's there to stop it from breaking out? Not much, I think, and so it'll come in just under G-Force ($119 mil), whose release frame it has adopted as its own.

Opening weekend: $31 million / Total gross: $88 million

5. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (July 14, 2010)

Yet once more to the well we go with Nicolas Cage and Jerry Bruckehimer, with this particular entry in Brucky's road show reuniting some of the screenwriters, and cast (Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell), of the recent Prince of Persia, and hoping for better luck, this time. As far as these things go, Sorcerer's Apprentice definitely has some intriguing visuals, even if the fantasy-adventure-dragons angle has slowly played itself out throughout the year. Basically, it's another one of those mid-level genre performers we're going to see a lot of this month, though I'm tempted to predict $100 million. Look to the reviews to decide this one's fate.

Opening weekend: $29 million / Total gross: $73 million

6. Salt (July 23, 2010)
Here's one of those mid-summer thrillers about government conspiracies, secret assassins, and car chases through New York - right in the tradition of The Manchurian Candidate and Pelham 1 2 3. The actors are respectable (Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber), the plot is intriguing, and the explosions are well spaced out through the trailer - but gee, action movies haven't been doing very well this summer, have they? Aside from that, through some inexplicable twist of cosmic fate, Angelina Jolie films can only gross $100 million if they're released in June (Shark Tale is the only exception). Therefore, when it comes to reaching three digits, I believe Salt is simply a month too late, although June 2011 still has a few slots open.

Opening weekend: $29 million / Total gross: $68 million

7. Ramona and Beezus (July 23, 2010)
Taking up the available family film spot, this seems like a pleasant enough concoction, with the source material a well-known if somewhat dated (1955) children's book. Wisely, this one's plugged in Disney starlet Selena Gomez, who's making her triumphant (?) big screen debut. Gomez is big in the right circles, and there's a large enough horde of adult actors around (Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel, and the inimitable Sandra Oh) to attract the over-14 set. If critics give it the go-ahead, this could really be one of the month's breakouts. All the elements are definitely in place.

Opening weekend: $22 million / Total gross: $65 million

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