What the heck is Tyler Perry doing in summer? After the so-so performance of February's "Tyler Perry's Good Deeds" (his debut as a romantic leading man became his second lowest grossing film ever), Lionsgate has scheduled "Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor" to open just a week after the release of "The Dark Knight Rises." Seven of Perry's 11 films have opened sometime between February and April, while the others debuted between September and November, so this is strange indeed.

"Marriage Counselor" has already stirred up some buzz among his fans over his controversial casting of Kim Kardashian (in a movie with "marriage" in the title, no less), but the romantic comedy lacks Perry's most reliable draw, Madea, and focuses on a younger cast than usual. Gifted "Friday Night Lights" alumna Jurnee Smollett stars as a relationship expert torn between two men. Vanessa Williams and Brandy Norwood are among the supporting cast. But it still seems like an odd fit for the heat of summer (and will face extra competition for young women from "Step Up Revolution").

And if this doesn't work, Perry has a back-up plan. He's already commenced production on "Madea's Witness Protection."

- Geoff Berkshire