Well, the summer movie season is well under way and the weekly tent-pole release slate is in full effect. This week's big movie is Angels & Demons, the second adaptation from Dan Brown's series of religious themed mystery novels. But should we be holding our breath for this one or just shrugging it off? It certainly has a number of things going for it. With fingers crossed, lets count them, shall we?

1.) Ron Howard
Hot off of one of the best films of his career, Frost/Nixon, Howard has a lot to prove. The critics railed on him last time at the Cannes premiere, but this time he's releasing before Cannes and letting the local press decide for themselves before the buzz hits.

2.) More action
Just take a look at that trailer. It's tight. It feels suspenseful. There seems to be a lot more going on than "We need to get to a library!": There are explosions, murders, and chases. If there's one thing Howard has done well in the past it is these elements. And some have already quipped that it is the "Bourne" Da Vinci, meaning fast-paced and breathless from beginning to end. Always a good sign.

3.) Tom Hanks
He's got two Oscars. He's got scads of money. If this film was worth coming out for, there had to be something to it. While his record isn't impeccable, it is pretty solid with even the failures being "interesting" failures.

4.) Stellan Skarsgard
OK, I'm just gonna come out and say it: I can't get enough Stellan Skarsgard. He's everything that is cool and right about Sweden. Tough, fun, and he even goes home to make a movie in his home country in between almost every Hollywood blockbuster he makes. If you've never seen him in the original Insomnia, you probably have no idea how awesome this guy is -- especially in his native tongue. And he looks perfectly cast here.

5.) Ewan McGregor
Who can get enough Ewan McGregor? My favorite part about McGregor is that they keep putting him in big boy parts and he still comes across as if he's 26. Here he's cast as the young priest (or at least I suppose he's the young priest) and looks to be playing considerably off of Tom Hanks. Watching these two on camera should be at the very least interesting.

6.) The Catholic Church isn't mad
Apparently, there isn't heresy this time around. While the mere mention of anything Catholic has shaken a few nuts from the tree, the Church kind of shrugged at this movie and seems completely unoffended by it. That means you can see it without any guilt! Hurray Catholicism!

7.) This trailer right here
If that doesn't get you interested in this, nothing will.

8.) Word is this one is better
I actually liked the first one, although I have to admit I giggled at the library line and can barely remember most of the movie (although I very much remember the core of the controversy and what the movie/book proposed). The few people I know who have laid eyes on this adaptation have said it's enjoyable and really fast-paced, which is exactly what people look for in a summer film. Here's hoping -- with fingers still crossed -- that this one is solid and really entertaining.

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