“The Simpsons Movie”Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Albert BrooksDirector: David SilvermanStory: The plot of this film has been kept under wraps. Even if you’ve seen the trailer, you really don’t know what the film is about, because as writer-producer James L. Brooks told Entertainment Weekly, “70 percent of things in (the trailer) are no longer in the movie.” Creator Matt Groening told Newsweek, “It’s an epic story, but at the heart it’s about the family staying together.” Groening also told EW, “We tried to squeeze every character we could into the movie.” Buzz: Brooks and Groening basically gathered their favorite show writers to write the script. True “Simpsons” fans will recognize some of the names: Sam Simon, Mike Scully, David Mirkin, George Meyer. These are the all-stars of “Simpsons” writers. Director Silverman is also a tried and true “Simpsons” TV director; he also co-directed “Monster’s Inc.” With all this talent, it’s hard not to get a little excited.Web site: http://www.thesimpsons.com/index.htmlRelease date: July 27 “Ratatouille”Starring: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Peter O'Toole, Brad Garrett, Janeane GarofaloDirector: Brad BirdStory: A rat named Remy (Oswalt) who dreams of being a chef finds himself in Paris in the restaurant of his culinary hero Auguste Gusteau (Garrett). There he befriends garbage boy Linguini (Romano), and the two of them devise a way for Linguini to do the cooking, while Remy pulls the strings. Buzz: In a summer bereft of original ideas, leave it to Pixar and Brad Bird (“Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles”) to swoop in and save the day. Bird even told Entertainment Weekly that he adopted a couple of rats to study their movements. Not only is this looking like the best family film of the summer, it may also take home that animated Academy Award come Oscar time. Web site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/ratatouille/Release date: June 29 “Underdog”Starring: Jason Lee, Jim Belushi, Peter Dinklage, John Slattery, Patrick Warburton, Brad Garrett, Amy Adams, Alex NeubergerDirector: Frederik Du ChauStory: A laboratory experiment gives a beagle named Shoeshine Boy superpowers and the ability to speak with a human voice (Lee’s). He’s befriended by a lonely 12-year-old boy (Neuberger) and develops a secret identity as Underdog. When a mad scientist (Dinklage) and his henchman (Warburton) threaten to destroy the city, it’s up to Underdog to save the day. Adams provides the voice of spaniel Polly Purebred. Buzz: Our own Stuart Levine called this film one of this summer’s sleepers. If you’re skeptical, you’re not alone, even the tag line is a groaner: “One nation under dog.” The cartoon had an almost “Rocky & Bullwinkle” level of corniness, which means this will probably be best for small children. Du Chau is the man responsible for “Racing Stripes” and “Quest for Camelot.”Web site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/underdog/ Release date: August 3 “Nancy Drew”Starring: Emma Roberts, Josh Flitter, Max Thieriot, Rachael Leigh Cook, Tate DonovanDirector: Andrew FlemingStory: Based on the characters created by Carolyn Keene, this film tells the story of teen detective Nancy Drew (Roberts) as she leaves her hometown of River Heights for Los Angeles. There, her preppy looks and old-fashioned spirit make her the target of teasing at first, but soon everyone learns just how cool being a girl detective can be. She tries to solve an old Hollywood murder.Buzz: Roberts (“Unfabulous”) is best known for being the Julia’s niece and Eric’s daughter. The studio has already greenlighted a sequel to this film, so there’s some pressure for it to do well. The story does seem timeless — a great chance for mothers and daughters to go to the movies together. Web site: http://nancydrewmovie.warnerbros.com/Release date: June 15 “Daddy Day Camp”Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rae, Lochlyn Munro, Richard Gant, Buck Hinton, Spencir Bridges, Josh McLerran, Talon G. Ackerman, Tamala Jones, Brian Doyle-MurrayDirector: Fred SavageStory: After having success with the day care, Charlie Hinton (Gooding, Jr.) decides to start a day camp with pals Phil Ryerson (Rae) and Lance Warner (Munro). Buzz: Replacing Eddie Murphy with Gooding Jr. is a bit like flashing a “warning: this movie is going to be crap” sign. Not to mention the fact that not even Steve Zahn or Jeff Garlin signed on for the sequel. Intriguingly, Savage (“The Wonder Years”) makes his feature-directing debut. But, still, at your own risk.Web site: NARelease date: August 10 “Bratz”Starring: Paula Abdul, Skyler Shaye, Logan Browning, Malese Jow, Janel Parrish, Kim Morgan Greene, Daniel BookoDirector: Sean McNamaraStory: Based on the popular tween fashion dolls, this film tells the story of four best friends: Yasmin (Ramos), Jade (Parrish), Sasha (Browning) and Cloe (Shaye) who are getting ready to start high school. There they encounter cliques enforced by popular senior Meredith Baxter Dimly (Chelsea Staub). The girls band together and rise up as “The Bratz” — a group opposed to peer pressure. Buzz: If you have a daughter from age 8 to 12, like it or not you will probably be taking her to this film. For girls out to fight cliques and conformity the actresses are uniformly gorgeous — thus bringing to mind the complaints that some parents have about the dolls. Director McNamara is no stranger to kids’ movies (“Raise Your Voice”) or kids’ TV (“That's So Raven,” “Beyond the Break”). Web site: Release date: August 10 “Surf’s Up”Starring: Jeff Bridges, Shia LaBeouf, Zooey Deschanel, James Woods, Jane Krakowski, Jon Heder, Mario Cantone, Brian Benben, Michael McKeanDirector: Ash Brannon, Chris BuckStory: This animated mockumentary puts forth the comical premise that surfing was invented by penguins, and tells the story of Cody Maverick (LaBeouf) a penguin who dreams of winning the annual Penguin World Surfing Championship. Bridges voices his surfing mentor (and what a perfect match of voice and character), while Heder provides the voice for a stray chicken who finds himself among the penguins. Buzz: On the heels of “March of the Penguins” and “Happy Feet,” we have yet another penguin story hoping to cash in. This one does have a good pedigree, however. Director Brannon helmed “Toy Story 2,” while co-director Buck helmed “Tarzan.” LaBeouf continues his quest for world (or at least Hollywood) domination. Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/surfsup/index.htmlRelease date: June 8 “Gracie”Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney, Carly Schroeder, Andrew ShueDirector: Davis GuggenheimStory: Set in Orange, N.J. in 1978 and based on real events from the Shue family, this film tells the story of Gracie Bowen (Schroeder) who, after the sudden death of her star soccer-playing brother (Jesse Lee Soffer), decides she wants to take his place on the men’s team. She has to convince her father (Mulroney) to believe in her, the school to let her on the team, and her family to come together. Andrew Shue co-stars as the soccer coach, while Elizabeth Shue plays Gracie’s mom. Buzz: This film is a definite family affair — no only do both the Shues co-star, director Guggenheim (“An Inconvenient Truth”) is Elizabeth Shue’s husband. A movie to inspire the young girls in your life, don’t be surprised if you find yourself tearing up. Let’s hope they keep the sports film clichés to a minimum. Web site: http://www.findinggracie.com/Release date: June 1