I addressed this in the last Screening Room, but try as I may, I cannot work up any interest in—let alone enthusiasm for—a big-screen version of The A-Team or a remake of The Karate Kid. Thank goodness, the Fine Arts is opening The Secret in Their Eyes and the Carolina has Casino Jack and the United States of Money. Otherwise, this week would strike me as a total bust.

Here we are into June. According to the movies, summer started about a month ago with the release of Iron Man 2, which was rapidly followed by Robin Hood, Shrek Forever After, Sex and the City 2 and Prince of Persia. Iron Man 2 was good. The others range all the way from OK to let-me-get-my-hands-on-the-people-who-made-this-thing bad. In short, the first month of the 2010 summer movie season has underwhelmed. The question is will it get any better?

If a tidal wave were headed your way, I’d alert you to this fact. If a cassowary stampede was imminent, I’d clue you in. If hot gospelers were about to descend on your neighborhood spreading the word, yes, I’d let you know. It is in this same spirit of good fellowship that I warn you that the film version of Marmaduke arrives on thousands of screens across the country this Friday.

Of course, in one’s early moviegoing years, the question of where to sit doesn’t arise. Assuming you’re not one of those children who do Elvis impressions during Loving You (1957) — I name no names here (and besides I don’t remember doing it)—you sit wherever your parents decide to sit. It’s later on that where to sit becomes an issue.