Hot Picks: The Best Films to Catch This Summer

When we think of summer, we think of the whole new adventures, experiences and overall just the joy of the time off that you can get. For me I always love the experiences of going out and enjoying the many great events the summer can provide. 

But as a film buff, summer is also an exciting time for the new works that will be gracing theatre and streaming. So to help kick this summer off a bit, here’s a little two part list of some of the interesting new movies and music to keep your eyes out for to add to your summer entertainment.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (May 10)

Starting with the prequel series led by 2012’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes and concluded with 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes, 20th Century Studio’s follow-up Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, has a lot to live up to. I spoke about this back in February following the trailer’s release during the Superbowl and while we still wait to see its successful continuation of the franchise, it can be said that the film still holds the familiar look and style of its recent predecessors. Helmed this time by Wes Ball, taking the place of Matt Reeves as he works on The Batman franchise for Warner Bros., the film boasts impressive visuals, promising narrative and motion-captured performances, particularly that of The Orville’s Peter Macon taking the role of a wise mentor Orangutan and Canadian actor Kevin Durand chewing the scenery as the film’s primary antagonist, Proximus Caesar. With less than 3 weeks away as of writing this, we will soon see if the Planet of the Apes is still worth revisiting.

IF (May 17)

A passion project for John Kransinki, whose track record as a director has already achieved him considerable praise, IF features a rather unique plot featuring young actor Cailey Fleming and Ryan Reynolds as two individuals gifted with the ability to see imaginary friends (IFs). Joining forces to reunite these imaginary creatures with their former kids, the film boasts an impressive variety of animation styles coupled into live-action, with a plethora of cameos providing the voices to the titular IFs. For any fans who love movies like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? or 2022’s Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers, with a bit of tug-at-heartstrings twist but humour to boot, it’s a promising family movie to check out.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 24)

What’s most impressive about the Mad Max franchise is the fact that George Miller, outside of his success in directing films about singing and dancing penguins, has managed to continue helming it dating all the way back to its humble yet violent beginning in 1979. The long awaited prequel and follow-up to 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, the film features the titular Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy, taking over for Charlize Theron) as it explores her origins to coming to the service of the tyrant Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) during his war against the Biker Hordes of Warlord Dementus, played in absolute over-the-top insanity and glory by Chris Hemsworth. Boasting a mixture of elaborate physical stunts and digital effects, the movie is already promising on its own outside of its roots, showing the absolute chaos and lawlessness of the post-apocalyptic wasteland. It took nearly 10 years for this film to finally see the light of day, and what a day, what a lovely day, it seems to be.

Inside Out 2 (June 14)

As if it needed to be said that a Pixar film being released is already on people’s minds, here is a movie that literally goes into the mind. Following the success of 2015’s Inside Out, the film reunites audiences to the emotions housed in the mind of newly minted teenager Riley. However, with the passing of the years, so comes new emotions in their headquarters. While RIley has been long helmed by Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust to great success, challenges arise when Anxiety and her “friends” show up. While it’s still a wait to see if the follow-up will match up to the previous dramatic and thematic weight, Inside Out 2 still promises the same potential in how emotions shape us.

Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 (June 28) & Chapter 2 (Aug. 16)

When Kevin Costner directs a feature, he tends to go all out…it’s almost surprising that given the epics that he’s tried before, it is only now after 20 years that he created an epic so large that it spreads out into 2 parts. Set during the American Civil War and the expansion of the American west over the span of 15 years, Kevin Costner leads an enormous supporting cast as he returns to roots previously planted with his Oscar winning debut Dances with Wolves (1990) with elements of other classics by the likes of Sergio Leone and Michael Cimino. White the exact direction the movie will take is up for debate until its release, Horizon may be a feature to watch for as it explores the dark, intense and violent times of a country tearing itself apart through war, and the very means of survival that one will take in an unforgiving world looking through the eyes of friends, foes, and family.

MaXXXine (Jul. 5)

Taking a wildly different direction, this summer features the darkly fun-looking follow-up in Ti West’s film series featuring sex, murder and mayhem in the film industry and tied to character’s with the dream of becoming a star! Ti West is a director who has to be strongly admired for the journey that took him where he is. Previously working in very low-budget features, which were made from his admiration for 1970s and 80s horror cinema, it was in 2022 that he achieved his first cinematic franchise through studio A24 with X, followed the very same year with a prequel, Pearl (2022). Now following Mia Goth’s role as…heroine?…Maxine from the events following X, we enter into the seedy and glamorous world of 80s Los Angeles as she pursues her dream of becoming a world-famous actress. But aside from doing whatever it takes to achieve that dream, Maxine is also going to need to keep her wits about her as LA is currently held under the fear of the “Night Stalker” (also the alias for real-life killer, Richard Ramirez) whose picking off victims one-by-one. This movie may not be for everyone, but with a very strong cast, clear sense of style, and dripping with 80s aesthetic (among other things) this is a definite movie to keep an eye out for to engage in something a little darker…

Deadpool & Wolverine (Jul. 26)

I brought this up as well during my Superbowl trailer entry, but it still very much bears repeating as each and every step toward this movie draws more and more excitement. As one of the final bridging gaps between the MCU and 20th Century’s pre-Disney-bought X-Men franchise, this movie has a lot to live up to. Not only as the first R-rated feature in the MCU but also the movie that many long-time fans hope will breathe new life into the franchise. With Ryan Reynolds’ Merc-with-the-Mouth still very much on point, as well as partnering with Hugh Jackman dawning the claws and mutton chops as Wolverine one more time, Deadpool & Wolverine promises to be a chaotically driven good time with as many callbacks as can they can fit into it. How this movie will hold up or what it will bring into the MCU ongoing remains to be seen, but as with any fun summer blockbuster it’s usually best to take it for the fun ride that it is.

Alien Romulus (Aug. 16)

So it needs to be said that the Alien franchise has, in recent years, struggled even with an ambitiously engaging premise and lore since its debut in 1979. Starting as a sci-fi Lovecraftian-style close-quartered horror thriller, then evolving into a horror-action franchise an identity was already set. Continuing into the decades since with experiments in either crossovers with other franchises or experimenting on its potential, many feel that while admirable the franchise somehow lost its way in all the glamour. If one thing can be said about this film, helmed by Fede Álvarez whose past credits include chillers like Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe (2016), right from the get-go you immediately connect it to Alien. With the aesthetic, brought by technical crews from Aliens (1986) itself, already calling audiences back to franchises roots and with promising actress Cailee Spaeny taking the lead, this might be the breath of fresh air that this franchise needs.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Sep. 6)

With rumours frequenting online for almost over 2 decades of a follow-up to the 1988 classic, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has finally come to life and reunites Tim Burton and Michael Keaton as he once again dawns the make-up for the titular ghost with the most. While the exact plot details are still under wraps, save for Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz returning to her hometown following a death in the family, it’s already impressive from the get-go just how easily Michael Keaton slips back into one of his most memorable roles. How much it will hold up in comparison to its predecessor remains to be seen, especially with the promise of utilizing modern technology with the practical effects it is known for, it can’t be denied how refreshing it is to see a darkly comic film of its like hitting theatres this fall. Here’s hoping though that as promising that it looks, it’s not already dead on arrival.

And that is just a few of the movies to look out for this summer. While there are certainly more than a few others to keep in mind, one can’t always see every movie that comes out. It’d be a miracle if you could. But if there are any that I missed, please let me know if there are any other films that are worth checking out this summer or what movie you are most excited for.

Images by Kendrick Sims / Movie posters belong to respective copyright and studios

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