[Editor's Note: For reviews of all the summer's biggest blockbusters, be sure to visit the Daily Loaf Movie Reviews Index.]

I know it’s not standard for movie critics to profess their love of the summer movie season — roughly the period from May 1 to August 31 in which Hollywood showcases its biggest, most audacious and often most brainless productions — but love it I do. Sure, the season goes on so long that critics like me eventually go wild over the first whiff of Oscar bait that drifts in from September, but there’s plenty of fun to be had at the multiplex before all the explosions and chases and gunfights turn your eyeballs to mush.

So if I love Hollywood’s silly season so much, why is it that I’m seriously underwhelmed by this year’s slate of blockbusters? I’m blaming James Cameron. Cameron’s last two films, Titanic and Avatar, both came out at Christmas and now sit one-two atop the list of the highest-grossing films of all time. As such, two of 2010’s biggest potential blockbusters — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and TRON Legacy — are both chasing the big dollars that can come with a holiday release date.

Still, there’s much to get excited about. The season gets off with a bang with this week’s debut of Iron Man 2 (review will be up in the next few days), and keeps on rolling with big sequels, big stars and some eagerly anticipated TV adaptations. What follows will get you up to speed on everything until July 4th weekend. For the rest of the summer line-up, including early word on Eat Pray Love, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Predators and more, check back on Thursday when Part Two of this preview goes live.

This article appears in Apr 28 – May 4, 2010.