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Just when it looked like the summer movies were about to fade into oblivion, a pair of unlikely releases debuted to offer a glimmer of hope. Here's a look at new releases.

Jonah Hex

Starring: Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, and John Malkovich

Quick Take: This isn't one of the releases that offers a ray of hope. Based on a graphic novel of the same name, this is a film that presents an interesting combination of genres. Set in post Civil War times, the film feels like a hybrid of a western and a comic book film. Brolin stars as Jonah Hex, a confederate officer whose bout of conscience leads him to turn his unit into the Union Army when his commanding officer, General Quentin Turnbull (Malkovich) starts targeting civilians. Turnbull's son was killed in the process, and he blamed Hex, exacting revenge by killing Hex's wife and son and leaving him for Dead. Hex survives but brings a little bit of Hell back with him. His only real companion is a prostitute named Lilah (Fox) whose got some combat skills as well. The film is only 80 minutes and boasts a strong ensemble cast — including Aidan Quinn, Michael Fassbender, Michael Shannon, Will Arnet, Wes Bentley, and Lance Reddick, but mostly there are given little to do. This is a revenge begets revenge begets revenge tale with a few "jokes" thrown in. It's a passable action film and the performers do fairly well, although Fox isn't as believable as one would like and her accent could use some serious work. The best thing you can say about the movie is it is OK. It's not particularly memorable, but it's not the worst film I've seen. In short, it's a perfect 2010 release in that it cost a lot to make and isn't all that memorable.

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, disturbing images and sexual content.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Knight and Day

Starring: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Peter Sarsgaard

Quick Take: Tom Cruise is a weird guy, but he's an under rated actor. He's especially great, in my opinion, at a certain type of comedy. Earlier in the summer, the movie "Killers" wanted to create comedic energy through a situation with a secret agent and a regular woman who gets drawn into his world. It flopped in large part due to a poor story, poor performances, and poor execution. You can see the flaws of that film even better when you watch something like "Knight and Day," which takes the same basic premise and actually delivers a witty, memorable film. Cruise is in top form, easily selling the part that is like a hybrid of his character from "Mission Impossible" and Maxwell Smart. Diaz, too, seems to slide easily into the role and the pair have great screen chemistry — a necessary part of the formula that seems to be the hardest part to pull off these days. The film has fun action sequences, great lines, and a story that's easy to follow. It's not always believable, but it creates a fun enough world that you're able to escape into the story. This film is one of the more pleasant surprises of the summer.

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of action violence throughout, and brief strong language.

Verdict: Three stars out of four

Toy Story 3

Starring the voices of: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Wallace Shawn, and Don Rickles

Quick Take: This is the best film of 2010 so far, and I am just as surprised to write that as you are to read it. "Toy Story" put Pixar on the map in 1995, earning three Academy Award nominations. The company continues to produce top-notch animated features because they not only come up with a beautiful cinematic look but a story to match. This film truly appeals to all ages. It is the class of animated releases and non-animated releases so far this year and should be a lock to receive a Best Picture nomination in the expanded field this year. This film not only offers cute characters and a cool story for kids, it has a message that only those that have experienced the tough times of transition in our lives will be able to relate to. There's hardly a dry eye in the house during the third act, and that is truly a testament to the genius of this animated film. With "Up" last year one of my problems was that the whole film didn't match the brilliance of the first 15 minutes. With "Toy Story 3" the film works as it should, as a dramatic crescendo to a beautiful resolution. The film is a testament to the fact that Woody and the gang still have it going in spades.

Rating: G

Verdict: Four stars out of four.