You don't have to be a rocket scientist in order to spot the pattern developing during this much-hyped summer of sequels. Following two highly-entertaining and well thought-out installments in the Spider-Man franchise, we were offered a discombobulated third part that couldn't clean up its room without making it messier. Though Spidey is certainly not a tough act to follow, our lovable green ogre was in a similar position. Both Shrek and Shrek 2 were gems; ideal family comedies. A little something for the kids, a little something for the adults, and a lot of something at the box office. But when you begin to venture into threequel territory, there's a certain amount of risk that continuously whispers in your ear -- "How do we keep this thing fresh?" it asks. After all, even a little kid -- the kind that jumps up and down, screaming "Do it again, daddy!" -- will eventually become bored and move onto something else.

Although it's become increasingly more difficult to stand out in an animated marketplace flooded with generic knock-offs, Shrek the Third makes a bold attempt to reignite the magic using familiar ingredients and a whole new cast of characters. That said, the series is beginning to lose its flavor; Shrek (Mike Myers) and his cohorts continue to remain sharp, witty and adorable, but that inventive shine is fading. And what remains is an enjoyable, yet predictable version of something we used to love ... when it was new, when it was fresh and when it wasn't trying as hard to send multiple messages through a few neatly-placed Hallmark-esque monologues. For parents (especially soon-to-be fathers), Shrek the Third might seem therapeutic in a way, and it's also a great film to show those kids struggling to fit in at school. As far as the rest of us go, well, Shrek himself summed it up nicely when, half-way through the film, he blurted out, "Would you like some eggs with that ham?"

So much for my belief that St. Trinian's is the best cast movie in production right now. The film, which began shooting in March with top-notch British talents like Emily Watson, Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, has just added a young, American actress to sour up the mix. According to Variety, in a report from Cannes, Mischa Barton has joined the cast, which also includes Brits Toby Jones, Lena Headey, Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Anna Chancellor, Lucy Punch, Fenella Woolgar and possibly (still rumored, and not actually British) Richard E. Grant. To quote my favorite Sesame Street game: "One of these things is not like the other."

Hopefully Barton will simply be playing the bland girl from the States who happens to be studying at an English girls' school, and will not be expected to pull off an accent. Either way, she'll at least make the elder cast appear even greater. The former O.C. actress joins rising stars Jodie Whittaker (Venus), model Lily Cole, Talulah Riley (Pride & Prejudice), Tamsin Egerton (Driving Lessons), Juno Temple (Notes on a Scandal), Gemma Arterton and possibly (still rumored) singer Amy Winehouse, all of whom presumably play students at St. Trinian's, which they save from going bankrupt. St. Trinian's still seems to be, as Cinematical writer Monika Bartyzel called it, "a British film fan's wet dream," but thanks to the casting of Barton, the dream has gotten a little bit drier.

In the span of two minutes and 24 seconds, this Stardust has gone from a movie I couldn't care less about to something I'm pretty stoked to see. Head over to kino-express to check out the new trailer, which looks pretty darn cool to me. (It's a foreign site, but don't be afraid. Just click the play button). This is an unusual preview -- for the first minute it's just Sienna Miller cutting a deal with a suitor. He's got one week to cross "The Wall" into a magical land and bring her back a falling star, or she's going to marry someone else. It's a minute and a half in before we get any action, but once things gets moving, it's got a very Princess Bride feel to me. And if it's 1/10th as good as that movie, we'll really have something. The film stars Robert DeNiro (who's swordfighting in the trailer) as pirate Captain Shakespeare, Michelle Pfeiffer (who appears to get naked in the trailer) as witch Lamia, and Claire Danes (who...runs around looking scared in the trailer) as Yvaine.

Stardust is being described as an "adult fairy tale," a genre that is tonally very difficult to nail. It was directed by Matthew Vaughn, who did the super cool Daniel Craig flick Layer Cake, also with Miller. Vaughn wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman, based on Neil Gaiman's beloved book. The movie has a terrific British supporting cast, with Peter O'Toole as a King, Rupert Everett, Waking Ned Devine's David Kelly, and one of the funniest men alive, Ricky Gervais (If you've never seen his BBC series Office, do yourself a favor and throw it in the Netflix queue). Ian McKellen is the narrator. It's currently scheduled to be released here on August 10th. What do you think -- are you excited?

For five years, there have been rumors floating around about another St. Trinian's movie. Based on cartoons from British cartoonist Ronald Searle, there were a series of films in the 50's and 60's, followed by one terribly-received stab in 1980. St. Trinian's is a fictional girl's school full of wicked girls and questionable teachers. In 2002, there was talk about Rupert Everett and Kylie Minogue starring in the feature. However, word fizzled until now, and it is looking, frankly, delectable! Variety has listed the cast set to star in the latest remake -- Emily Watson, Colin Firth, Russell Brand and as earlier reports hoped, Rupert Everett.

I'm not sure on Watson's role. Variety has her in the "central teacher" part as previously played by Joyce Grenfell, but she actually played Sargeant Ruby Gates. Firth will play Geoffrey Thwaites (according to IMDb) and Brand will be Flash Harry, a small-time crook and bad influence on the schoolgirls. But, the best is Everett -- he will cross-dress for this role, playing both the headmistress and her brother. That's enough of a reason for me. Other cast includes Caterina Murino from Casino Royale, Jodie Whittaker from Venus, Talulah Riley (Pride & Prejudice) and Tamsin Egerton. As if that's not enough, there's also cameos scheduled for Richard E. Grant and Stephen Fry. This isn't a film, it's a British film fan's wet dream! Production will start at the end of this month, and will be the directorial debut of Barnaby Thompson, who is co-directing with Oliver Parker.

Usually I try to ignore gossip related to the private anatomy of actors and celebrities. I quite frankly don't want to know about size, although I'm not unwilling to watch male frontal nudity in films. I don't want to know about anyone's quirky little habits in that area, either. But this week's celebrity news has made the topic unavoidable, from book-promotion interviews to the red carpet itself. You have been warned.

• I suppose if you want innovation at red-carpet events, you have to break taboos: Steve-O (pictured above), star of Jackass: Number Two, broke ground -- or at least dampened it -- by urinating on the red carpet at the film's premiere. (Caution: The linked story does include photos.)

Okay, they can't be serious with this one: Shrek-back Mountain? For real? Actually, I'm not serious (am I ever?), the title for the highly anticipated third Shrek film will be Shrek the Third. As in, this will be the third Shrek film to make a killing at the box office. Probably the most exciting aspect of the new film is the fact that real life lovers Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz are both in it. Holy crap, I just had a brain freeze for no apparent reason. Go figure.

Shrek the Third will find Shrek and Fiona reigning over the kingdom after Fiona's dad dies. However, all they want to do is return to the swamp because, well, swamps are sexy. Needless to say, it becomes their mission to find a new King. While Shrek, Donkey and Puss search for an heir, Fiona stays put, attempting to deal with Prince Charming, who would like the kingdom to himself. Returning once again will be the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett and Antonio Banderas. Timberlake will be voicing Artie, a young King Arthur. Shrek the Third is set to hit theaters on May 18th, 2007.