While living in San Diego, I found it strange hearing people refer to “June gloom” when complaining about a few cloudy days during that particular month each year. Perhaps this term would be more appropriate for the movie offerings of June 2007. Looking over the schedule, I couldn’t help noticing the emphasis on unpleasant characters and themes in so many of these June releases. Zombies, vampires, serial killers, torturers, terrorists, fatal illnesses, revenge and tragedy are on the way big time in June -- with some comic relief coming from penguins, rodents and Steve Carell.

Here’s the June line-up:          

Gracie. When her soccer-star brother dies, Gracie decides to excel at the game herself. Carly Shroeder plays the title role of a bereaved sister defying many obstacles to reach her goal. You go, girl!  (June 1)  

Knocked Up. Katherine Heigl, from TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, and funnyman Seth Rogen co-star in this romantic comedy about a surprise pregnancy. (June 1)

Mr. Brooks. This thriller features Kevin Costner as a serial killer and Dane Cook as the photographer who films one of his murderous outings. The cop on Costner’s trail? None other than Demi Moore. (June 1)

Rise: Blood Hunter. Lucy Liu fights vampires in this one -- and she means business, as usual! (June 1) 

Hostel: Part II. More blood and gore as three female college students face torture in a Slovakian hostel. (June 8)

Ocean’s Thirteen. George Clooney and his usual Ocean’s gang seek revenge for the wrong that Al Pacino’s character does to one of their group in -- where else -- Las Vegas. (June 8)

Surf’s Up. Animated penguins take over the big screen again, but this time in a mockumentary about the Penguin World Surfing Championship. No kidding. These little dudes are everywhere now. (June 8)

Evening. Claire Danes, Vanessa Redgrave, Toni Collette, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep bring star power to this film adaptation of Susan Minot’s novel about an ailing mother and her two daughters. Tissues required. (June 15)  

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.  The very photogenic Ioan Gruffudd returns as Mr. Fantastic in this special-effects driven sequel. Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis and Jessica Alba are also back for the second FOUR movie outing. Our heroes must deal with the Surfer, an enigmatic creature with the power to transform matter. (June 15)

Fido. After zombies lose the war to the non-zombies, they become subservient to the human race. Carrie-Anne Moss and Billy Connolly co-star. (June 15) 

Nancy Drew. Famous teenage sleuth Nancy Drew, played by Emma Roberts, moves with her family to Hollywood and tries to solve a long-ago murder that took place in their new house. (June 15)

1408. Writer John Cusack tries to disprove horror stories about an infamous hotel room, even after manager Samuel L. Jackson warns him not to stay in Room 1408. Horrifying events soon transpire. (June 22)   

Captivity. In this psychological thriller, Elisha Cuthbert is one of two kidnap victims held by a captor who wants to drive them mad. Didn’t she suffer enough in TV’s 24?  (June 22)

D.O.A.: Dead or Alive. Four female fighters enter a martial arts tournament and must forget their rivalry to defeat a very different force. Jaime Pressly and Eric Roberts are among cast members featured in this movie adaptation of a popular video game. (June 22)

Evan Almighty. Steve Carell stars as a modern-day Noah in this comedy follow-up to Bruce Almighty. Thank heavens Morgan Freeman is back as the Almighty. (June 22)  

A Mighty Heart. Oscar buzz has already started about Angelina Jolie’s performance as the wife of murdered reporter Daniel Pearl in this terrifying drama based on true events. (June 22)

September Dawn. A love story reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet is presented in this Western set in 1857 Utah. The film depicts the tragic clash between a group of settlers and the Mormon natives. (June 22)  

You Kill Me. An alcoholic hit man, played by Ben Kingsley, tries to turn his life around. Will he find  that being sober is more important than murdering people? I certainly hope so. (June 22)

Live Free or Die Hard. Tough guy John McClane, portrayed once more by Bruce Willis, takes on international terrorists in this action-packed thriller. (June 27)

Ratatouille. A Paris rodent wants to become a chef in another colorful animated movie by Pixar. Bon appétit! (June 29)

Death at a Funeral. The Brits have their dysfunctional families just like we do on our side of the pond. Comic mayhem results when a man attempts to expose a secret about a recently deceased member of one such family. (June 29)

Sicko. Michael Moore battles the health care system in his latest scathing documentary. (June 29)

Reminder:  All Release Dates Are Subject to Change.