I have a confession to make: I’m a geeky fangirl and have been for quite a few years. I come by the trait honestly, since my mother is just as big a fan as I am. This summer and fall we’ll have plenty to be happy about – five new movies will be released and we’ve been looking forward to all of them. Some are sequels and a couple are reboots of an old franchise, which we hope will be worth the wait.

1. First up is Iron Man 3, starring Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley. Even though there are references to the events that unfolded in The Avengers (released last spring), I believe this movie is not a direct sequel to that flick. Ben Kingsley plays the villain, “The Mandarin.” I hear there are action sequences so elaborate they make the ones in the first two movies seem tame. Of course, we will still get treated to the usual sharp-witted dialogue from the main character Tony Stark. The release date is May 3, but the movie has already premiered overseas and has broken big box office records. I’m sure it will do the same here in the States.

2. Next in line in order of release date is Star Trek Into Darkness, opening May 17, and starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Anton Yelchin. The villain is played by Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock Holmes fame. More explosive action and familiar one-liners, which a true Trekkie can’t do without. As a long-time Star Trek fan, I have to say I was extremely pleased with the first film. The casting directors couldn’t have done a better job choosing actors to play these “sacred” roles. The chemistry between them all is absolutely perfect. (And unlike some fans, I found the romance between Uhura and Spock to be perfectly logical.)

3. On June 14, a rebooted Superman franchise will kick off with the release of Man of Steel. Henry Cavill takes over the role of Clark Kent. The trailer looks very promising and is noticeably different than all the other versions of Superman I’ve seen in the past. The film also stars Amy Adams as a not-so-typical Lois Lane, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, and Michael Shannon as the villain, General Zod.

4. Next up, with a release date of July 3, is another franchise reboot, The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as John Reid (Lone Ranger). Depp has been my favorite actor for over a decade and I can’t wait to experience his vision of this old familiar western. I hear he’s promised the Native American communities that Tonto will be portrayed much differently than in the disrespectful TV version. And before everyone goes, “I can’t believe they picked Johnny Depp to play a Native American character,” you should be aware that he’s actually part Cherokee.

5. Finally, coming in last with a release date of November 8, is a sequel, Thor: The Dark World, starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins. I didn’t think I’d like the first Thor film, but I’m glad my mother talked me into seeing it. I hope we’re not disappointed with this follow up. I still haven’t seen a trailer for this flick yet, but I’m sure we won’t have too much longer to wait.

If you’re interested in reading my reviews of certain upcoming films, check back here every week or two. I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to say.