Salt
Why You Should See It: Because it’s Angelina Jolie in an espionage actioner directed by vet helmer Phillip Noyce (the beard behind Tom Clancy adaps Patriot Games and Clear And Present Danger).
If It Was A World Cup Team: It would be Switzerland. Like the Swiss team, Noyce has always been unspectaculary solid - but with his new star, this could be his year.
MacGruber
Why You Should See It: Because this spy-spoof looks set to follow in the footsteps of The Blues Brothers, Wayne’s World and, uh, Coneheads, and become the next Saturday Night Live sketch to hit big as a feature film.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It'd be Honduras - a little known nation trying to make a name for itself this summer. It's OK, we wrote these in reverse order - they get better...
Streetdance 3D
Why You Should See It: Aside from the fact it’s the first British film to be shot in 3D it’s also as near as you’ll get to a movie adaptation of Simon Cowell’s brain – the film sees a group of street dancers trading tips and rehearsal space with a ballet group, and features bouncy Britain’s Got Talent stars Diversity. Oh, and Total Film are in it...
If It Was A World Cup Team: Ghana - the dancing kings of international football.
The Last Airbender
Why You Should See It: Because despite the fact the name is properly rubbish, there's enough in the trailer to get us excited (that kid looks hard as). And while director M. Night Shyamalan can be hit and miss, when he does hit it's usually hard.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It would be Japan, home of many of the manga traditions and fighting styles soaked up by both the original cartoon series and Shyamalan's adaptation.
Karate Kid
Why You Should See It: Because even if the idea of updating Ralph Macchio’s career highpoint feels a little like doing a graphic novel version the bible, this one does as least the dream casting of Jackie Chan as Mr Miagi 2010.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Kicking Cameroon - anyone who remembers the Africans' performances in 1990 (two penalties conceded in the last ten minutes to England) and 1998 (more red cards than any other team) will know why.
The Losers
Why You Should See It: Because it's based on the smart and well-regarded comic book series of the same name, and because it involves a special forces team betrayed by their CIA handlers. Yes, a bit like The A-Team.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Uruguay - very similar in style to another team (think Argentina for A-Team) but not quite as well know. Or good.
Black Death
Why You Should See It: The reasons need go no further than the fact Sean Bean is wearing chainmail and waving a sword around, but we'll also throw in director Christopher Smith, the steady hand behind recent horror chillers Creep and Triangle.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Given that we can't have Sheffield United (sorry, Sean) we'll say Denmark. Not just because Sean's crew all look like Scandinavian metal fans, but because it was one of the countries hardest hit by the real black death when arrived in 1350.
Bad Lieutenant
Why You Should See It: Because whether it turns out to be genius or a disaster bigger than Hurricane Katrina (in the aftermath of which the film's plot unfolds) this will definitely be something , and something worth watching.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Argentina, with an explosive star player (Nic Cage is Lionel Messi) and a guy calling the shots who's very possibly nuts (Werner Herzog channels Diego Maradonna).
When You're Strange
Why You Should See It: Because Tom DiCillo's accomplished documentary on The Doors has been given the stamp of approval by the band's keyboardist Ray Manzarek (and he was there , man), plus DiCillo's much criticised deadpan voiceover has been redubbed by the very rock 'n' roll Johnny Depp.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Algeria - there's a good chance you've never really heard of them, but they're a decent outfit and we'll be meeting them soon (England play Algeria on 18 June, and the film's set for 2nd July).
The Killer Inside Me
Why You Should See It: Because the credentials all over are red hot: a searing Jim Thompson source novel, Casey Affleck as the intense Deputy Sheriff hiding what he calls a 'sickness', and directed by the always intelligent, always watchable Michael Winterbottom.
If It Was A World Cup Team: South Africa - not given the highest billing but, as the host nation, one of the teams we're most looking forward to watching.
Cop Out
Why You Should See It: Because the script (originally called A Couple Of Dicks) is renowned as one of the funniest unmade movies. And now it's been made. Plus, Tracy Jordan would be funny giving the last rites to your grandma, and Bruce Willis began his career with a smirk and a gag in Moonlighting.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Slovakia - it's undergone a name-change and we're not expecting great things, but still worth watching.
Prince Of Persia
Why You Should See It: Because even though videogame adaptations have a record bordering on criminal, this one has a top cast, a savvy director in Mike Newell (who did a fine job on Potter flick Goblet Of Fire) and is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, who worked magic with much more dubious source material in Pirates Of The Caribbean.
If It Was A World Cup Team: New Zealand - better known for excelling in a different medium (rugby, in this case), now trying it s hand at something a little more mainstream.
Predators
Why You Should See It: Because the original Predator was awesome, and (also awesome) producer Robert Rodriguez is talking this up as a direct sequel, skipping the Danny Glover follow-up, and naming it Predators in homage to best-ever sci-fi sequel Aliens.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It'd be Australia - a very physical bunch of underdogs (like the film's hunted cast) who might just provide a few surprises during the competition.
The A-Team
Why You Should See It: Because this elite commando unit were sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit ! Liam Neeson looks impossibly right as Hannibal Smith, and enough things explode in the trailer to convice us this'll be a winner.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Korea - not the greatest pedigree in the world, but capable of some explosive moments and always entertaining to watch.
Knight And Day
Why You Should See It: Because it's about time we all remembered what made recently troubled star Tom Cruise a household name in the first place - a million dollar smile and a world-class charm, both of which are all over the trailer for this breakneck spy comedy.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It would be the Netherlands - like the Cruiser they were huge in the '80s, but have the underlying class to pull it out of the bag at any stage.
Get Him To The Greek
Why You Should See It: Because it's a spin-off from the smart and funny Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and gives flamboyant flouncer Russell Brand his first shot at leading a Hollywood movie.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Serbia. Is it wrong to describe Serbia as a 'spin-off' of Yugoslavia? Hope not, because that's what we're doing right here.
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Why You Should See It: Freddy without Robert Englund? Sacrilege! But also a fresh start - this new Nightmare scaps the gags that softened the old series and gives the helming chair to David Fincher and Michael Bay contemporary Samuel Bayer, who's sure to bring a visual edge to the movie.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It'd be Portugal, who are also in the process of remaking their team following the passing of their 'Golden Generation'. What? That sound you hear? Definitely not a creaking metaphor.
Clash Of The Titans
Why You Should See It: Because new Perseus Sam Worthingon is fast becoming Hollywood's much-watch action man, and because ace thesping duo Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes are playing big-gun gods Zeus and Hades.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Oh come on . Greece.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Why You Should See It: Because Twilight is a juggernaut that can't be stopped at this point. You can either climb aboard or be crushed.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It would be the USA - a huge fan-base but of limited quality.
American: The Bill Hicks Story
Why You Should See It: Because it's an intimate documentary portrayal of legendarily searing comic Bill Hicks, told unconventially through the memories of the ten people who where closest to him before his death.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Brazil - like Bill they're fractured and prone to inconsistency, but when they pull it all together they're unstoppably brilliant.
Robin Hood
Why You Should See It: Because even if you're not convinced about another Robin Hood retread, the last time director Ridley Scott and star Russell Crowe made a crunchingly violent historical actioner together the result was a little film called Gladiator.
If It Was A World Cup Team: France - not just because of the whole Norman vibe, but because both will be looking to recapture former glory after a less than stellar patch.
The Expendables
Why You Should See It: Because Sylvester Stallone has assembled the meatiest, manliest crew of Hollywood muscle ever (Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin) and every image of the film released so far has a gun or explosion in it.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It would be Italy - a desperate group of over-the-hill chancers giving it one last go.
Toy Story 3
Why You Should See It: Because the first two are still the best CG films of all time and changed the face of animation forever. And, you know, because it's in 3D.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It'd be England - like Gerrard and Lampard, it looked initially like Woody and Buzz couldn't play together. But once they clicked, truly great things happened...
Hot Tub Time Machine
Why You Should See It: Mostly because it's a film about four guys who travel to 1986 using a hot tub, but also because it looks funny as hell (the initial question that proves they've moved through time: "What colour is Michael Jackson?") and has John Cusack in it.
If It Was A World Cup Team: It would be Mexico, a team also hoping to roll time back to 1986 (when they were the World Cup host nation and reached the quarter finals, their best ever performance.
Four Lions
Why You Should See It: Because director Chris Morris takes the unthinkable - a comedy about aspiring suicide bombers? JESUS - and not only thinks it, but writes it down and makes a dangerously funny film about it too. Truly biting, on-the-edge satire.
If It Was A World Cup Team: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea - controversial, and likely to be unpopular in many quarters, but capable of stealing a few hearts come competition time.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Why You Should See It: Because Edgar Wright (director) and Michael Cera (star) is a match made in geek heaven, and because the just-released trailer looks seven types of amazing. Love! Seven evil exes! Fighting!
If It Was A World Cup Team: The Ivory Coast - a plucky underdog with some serious star power.
Inception
Why You Should See It: Because even though the trailer leaves the film almost totally inexplicable, director Christopher Nolan is on the kind of hot streak Hollywood only sees every quarter century or so (Memento, Insomnia, Batman, The Prestige, Batman again) and after the megabucks of the Dark Knight he's been given free reign to simply make this amazing.
If It Was A World Cup Team: Spain – beautiful technique, intelligent work all over, and in with a chance of winning the big box-office prizes.
Read our Inception review .
Iron Man 2
Why You Should See It: Because director Jon Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr combined to make the first Iron Man one of the freshest blockbusters in years, and this one has extra Mickey Rourke (playing villain Whiplash) and Scarlett Johansson (playing being really hot).
If It Was A World Cup Team: Germany – mechanical (Eh? Get it? Eh?) but incredibly effective and successful
