So we’re more than seven months into the year, and I’ve seen 21 films. That’s a little less than three per month — not a bad average, but off the pace of one-per-week that I like as a yearly average. But it is the fall and winter that generally deliver the must-see films, and lots of them, so I should be able to hit my target by Oscar time.

Before looking at the films to come, I’ll mention some films from earlier this year that I have in my NetFlix queue and hope to see soon on DVD (in order of preference): Once, Away From Her, Talk to Me, Grindhouse, Black Book, Waitress, La Vie en Rose, The Ten, The Hoax, Diggers, 2 Days in Paris, Disturbia, Curse of the Golden Flower, Bug, Smokin’ Aces. So many movies, so little time.

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Update: As Amy points out in the comments section, I forgot to mention Hairspray in this write-up. So I actually saw 10 films this summer. And I would include Hairspray among the best of them. John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky deserve particular praise for their exuberant and touching performances as the Turnblad mother and daughter.

On May 8, I posted this entry listing the films I planned to see over the summer. I wound up seeing 9 of the 11 films mentioned (plus Spider-Man 3, which I saw right before making the list), eschewing Rush Hour 3 because it just looked bad and deciding Stardust could wait for video.

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Here’s a look at the movies I’ll likely catch in theaters this summer. Some might drop off for one reason or another and others might make the list. (Click on the filmstrip to see my fine PhotoShop work)

May 18
Shrek the Third

May 25
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

June 1
Knocked Up

June 8
Ocean’s Thirteen

June 27
Live Free or Die Hard

June 29
Ratatouille

July 13
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

August 3
The Bourne Ultimatum

August 10
Rush Hour 3
Stardust

August 17
Superbad