By John Lutz
The summer is great time to nuzzle up with a good book on the beach. With the sun shining down, cool water, and laughter all around it can be hard to imagine a better time of year. Summer also remains a great time for film – “Jurassic Park,” “Independence Day,” and “Spider-Man” are just a few examples of summer blockbuster films. 2019 is no exception, as films of various genres will hit theaters. Without further ado, here are my top nine films to watch out for this summer.
- “Avengers: Endgame”
Summer begins a little early for theaters, as Marvel Studios decided to release their epic finale “Avengers: Endgame” in the last weekend of April. This week head start proved extremely successful for the studio, as the film has already crossed $2 billion globally. Critics have praised this film for its smart storytelling and emotional beats, so expect it to remain prominent in theaters as the summer rages on. In my own opinion, this film certainly lived up to the hype and is one I plan to catch in theaters again.
2. “Booksmart”
This directorial debut from actress Olivia Wilde tells the story of two high school senior girls who spent their high school career hitting the books and avoiding fun. Yet once they get into college, they decide to party and take back all of the good times they sacrificed. This film received some very positive reception when it premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in March, and it definitely has a tone reminiscent of recent popular comedies (i.e. “21 Jump Street”). In my opinion, this film looks like a lot of fun and I think it could be a big crowd pleaser.
3. “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”
It’s been five years since we last saw the humongous lizard strut across the silver screen. He finally makes his return debut to theaters at the end of May, and if the trailers have been any indication, this film will certainly be epic. Director Michael Dougherty has also assembled a stellar supporting cast, a nice touch for a film where the focus will be on gigantic monsters. I personally find these monster/disaster movies to be one of my guilty pleasures. Strong scripts and storytelling aren’t usually the strong suits of these kinds of films, but as long as I get some great action and set pieces, I (and lots of audience members) should be pretty satisfied.
4. “Late Night”
Actress Mindy Kaling has been making a name for herself ever since her television turns on NBC’s “The Office” and Fox/Hulu’s “The Mindy Project.” This summer will see her take a major turn towards the silver screen, writing and acting in this comedy detailing the writing staff of a late night talk show. Starring opposite Emma Thompson is no small feat, yet I believe Kaling will really come into her own through this movie. I definitely can see this movie being a big hit, much akin to “The Big Sick” in 2017.
5. “Toy Story 4”
It’s been nine years since we’ve last seen Woody and the gang in what we thought to be the conclusion to a beautiful trilogy. Yet it seems Pixar has thought otherwise. I have a lot of faith in the cast and team behind the project, but this film will really need to prove to me (and lots of audience members) why we need another adventure with these toys. As for its financial prospects, I think the folks at Disney can rest easy as this will be a surefire hit.
6. “Spider-Man: Far from Home”
Tom Holland has proven to be an extremely popular Spider-Man, and after Marvel’s great (and continuing) success with “Avengers: Endgame,” audiences are likely eager to see his next adventure. A global field trip is something that no other film about Peter Parker has shown us. Add in the new villain of Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio, and this film will definitely resonate with audiences when it hits theaters in July. In my opinion, Holland is a great Spider-Man, and I’m very much anticipating his character’s next adventure.
7. “The Lion King”
Disney has been making big strides lately to transition their successful animated films into live action versions. It proved very successful in 2016 for “The Jungle Book,” and I expect even more success with July’s “The Lion King.” The marketing appears to be sticking pretty close to the original, a smart choice for what many find to be their favorite Disney movie. I have a lot of faith in this film, as the same director of “The Jungle Book,” Jon Favreau, is also helming this movie.
8. “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood”
It’s been four years since a film from acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino has hit theaters. This July, he returns to form with “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood,” starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is expected to touch on the Manson murders, as well as the overall atmosphere of Hollywood at this time. I expect this one to be a big hit with avid film fans, and the setting and subject matter truly lend themselves to Tarantino’s brilliant style of dialogue.
9. “Hobbs and Shaw”
If the latest “Fast and Furious”
movies haven’t been crazy enough, this August will see the release of “Hobbs
and Shaw,” a spinoff film starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. Both
characters are fan favorites of the franchise, and I expect this movie to be
even more bonkers than the last. This movie looks like an off-the-wall,
action-filled adventure, and one that will certainly rule the box office in
August.
Images courtesy of Pexels
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