Summer movie preview

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**MUST COURTESY SONY PICTURES FOR USE OF "THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY WARNER BROS. FOR USE OF "THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES FOR USE OF "SNOW WHITE WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY LIONS GATE FOR USE OF "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY PARAMOUNT PICTURES FOR USE OF "THE DICTATOR" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY COLUMBIA PICTURES FOR USE OF "HOPE SPRINGS" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY NEW LINE CINEMA FOR USE OF "ROCK OF AGES" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE / MUST COURTESY WALT DISNEY PICTURES FOR USE OF "BRAVE" AND "THE AVENGERS" WITH NO ARCHIVAL OR WIRELESS ACCESS AND NO RESALE**

As the heat rises this summer, let the pack of superheroes, reboots, and sequels in cinemas help you simmer down.

"The Avengers" kicks off the season combining IronMan, The Hulk, Thor, and Captain America, in one blockbuster.

Reprising his role as Batman, Christian Bale will lead the action in "The Dark Knight Rises" in July.

Another heavy hitter is the reboot of "The Amazing Spider-Man" with Andrew Garfield taking the reins from Toby McGuire.

Reuters entertainment editor Bob Tourtellottte says Spider man will be a tad different.

SOUNDBITE: Bob Tourtellotte, Reuters entertainment editor, saying (English):

"We have Andrew Garfield taking over the franchise from Tobey Maguire, a little bit of an unknown there, although that said, these movies do really well in the summer because boys are in theaters and boys like Spider-Man."

One of the most anticipated comedies is Sacha Baron Cohen's "The Dictator," which has been building buzz since the Oscars.

Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Russell Brand will jam into theaters in "Rock of Ages," based on the Broadway hit of the same name.

Though it seems like this year's films are a feast for male audiences, girl power is getting equal play.

Kristen Stewart breathes new life into "Snow White and the Huntsman" and battles it out with Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen.

In addition, Pixar's "Brave" will introduce its first lead female animated character, a Scottish red-headed warrior.

Light hearted films will also help keep your cool as Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and an ensemble of comedic actresses show you "What To Expect When You're Expecting."

And Meryl Streep will bring the laughs in "Hope Springs."

Alicia Powell, Reuters.