The TV Addict 

During the summer everyone is always talking about anticipating this film or other, but a lot of times the reason we’re looking forward to a particular film is not just its concept, but the acting performances it promises. So with my Top 10 Most Anticipated Summer Movies list already up, I thought I’d highlight a few of the actors – in no particular order - whose work I’m most looking forward to seeing this summer season.

Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly, STEP BROTHERS
These two are a perfect comedic duo, and the concept of STEP BROTHERs – purportedly devised by the two actors themselves – is a perfect, simple vehicle to let their humor shine. Above all else, I’m just so happy to see John C. Reilly finally breakout, even if after years of solid character roles it turned out to be comedy that would get him noticed.

Robert Downey Jr., TROPIC THUNDER
It’s really hard to imagine Downey Jr. could top his performance in IRON MAN, but I’m incredibly curious to see how he is going to pull off playing a white Australian actor who in the film is in turn playing an African American. Inherently it seems like a politically incorrect disaster (then again, the Wayans did turn themselves white a while back), but based on all the trailers it looks like he pulls it off perfectly and – most importantly – hilariously.

Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
Before you get the wrong idea, I’m not morbidly looking forward to Ledger’s performance in THE DARK KNIGHT because it was his last. I’m looking forward to it because it looks phenomenal. Based on the trailers, it just blows my mind how Ledger all but disappears into the role of the Joker, both in manner and appearance. It seems like such a seamless melding with the psychopathic spirit of the villain, that HYPERLINK “http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/14/discuss-could-heath-ledger-land-an-oscar-nod-for-his-dark-knig/” some are already wondering whether it may deserve an Oscar nomination.

Will Smith, HANCOCK
It’s always fun seeing actors who often play the clean and straight-forward heroes go the bad-guy or anti-hero route. I could care less about any potential excitement to be derived from Will Smith playing a superhero (because like all action movie stars, he sort of has already), I just can’t wait to see him act like a complete jerk.

Pixar, WALL-E
I can’t wait to see WALL-E, solely because of the infectious cuteness of its protagonist. But since WALL-E is a robot, and an animated one at that with no traditional actor voicing him, the “actor” behind the performance can really be no other than those at Pixar who created what I can only imagine will turn out to be one of my favorite movie characters ever. Seriously, I had no idea how empty my life was before I knew WALL-E.

Ron Pearlman, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Ron Pearlman playing a grumpy on the outside, softy on the inside character whose dour sarcasm is about as subtle as the skin color or first of Hellboy himself? How can you not anticipate that?

Anne Hathaway, GET SMART
Bit by bit Anne Hathaway has been breaking free from her family friendly and girl-next-door romantic comedy fare. Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s perfect for those roles, and enjoy her in them, but I’m looking forward to seeing her do a little action in GET SMART, and channel the as yet untapped sexiness she has while still fusing it with the strong, assured independence she exudes as well.

Ben Kinglsey, THE WACKNESS
Sir Ben Kinglsey, though an obviously fine actor, hasn’t been making the best, most artistic film choices of late. So it’s always welcome when he’s in a movie that actually looks to be good in a respectable way. It’s all the more welcome when he’s playing a fun, kooky role, one that you can obviously tell he relishes.

Meryl Streep/Amanda Seyfried, MAMMA MIA!
Though Meryl Streep has fun here and there, she’s obviously mostly known as one of our most accomplished dramatic actresses. So that’s why I am actually looking forward to her doing a much sillier film than she usually does, especially one that involves her singing and dancing to … ABBA. As for Amanda Seyfried, it’s hard not to look forward to the former “Veronica Mars” and “Big Love” star getting her shot at big-budget Hollywood film.

Bradley Cooper, MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN
Long-time readers of the REEL Addict may know that ever since “Alias” I’ve been a huge fan of the dreamy, dreamy Bradley Cooper. So really, any time he’s in a movie, I’m there. Regardless of what the HYPERLINK “http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427229/” film actually turns out to be.

Amber Head, ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE
Though the trailer doesn’t necessarily reveal much, in its few minutes Amber Head’s performance reveals why all the boys would love her. As Cinematical’s James Rocchi put it in his Toronto Film Festival review of the film, “Mandy’s neither a party girl nor a prude, approachable but distant, immediately familiar but still capable of surprising both her friends and us.” Pulling that off – let alone so effectively you can recognize it in a short trailer – is not an easy feat, and one I look forward to watching.