Whether it's family night, girls' night, or date night, this summer's releases are sure to please!
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass • PG (Adventure) Ready for a little madness? Yes please! Has there ever been a better Mad Hatter than Johnny Depp? Lewis Carroll's most whimsical characters return and Alice continues her adventures in this sequel to the 2010 movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiEG3Zr_Jxs
The Lobster • R (Romantic Comedy) In this very quirky story, David (Colin Farrell) must find a mate within 45 days or be transformed into an animal. The movie was nominated for the Palme d'Or, the highest prize awarded, at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.
X-Men: Apocalypse • PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action/Adventure) The 9th installment in the X-Men series features Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and Professor X (James McAvoy) leading a team of young X-Men to stop Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant, from destroying mankind.
JUNE 3
Me Before You • PG-13 (Romance) Love blossoms between a recently-paralyzed wealthy Englishman (Sam Claflin) and the woman (Louisa Clark) he hired to be his caretaker. Adapted from the NYT-best selling novel by Jo Jo Moyes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEv57GJzHMw
Popstar: Never Stop Never • R (Comedy) The hilarious Andy Samberg plays a former boy band member who is trying anything to keep his star status as an adult solo act. It looks raunchy, over the top, and completely hilarious!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows • PG-13 (Action/Adventure) Not your average turtles, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael continue to fight crime in this sequel to the 2014 hit movie. Cowabunga!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNwqg3o63MI
JUNE 10
Genius • PG-13 (Biography/Drama) Based on the book and real life story of Max Perkins when he was the book editor at Scribner, when he oversaw works by Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and other iconic authors.
Now You See Me 2 • PG-13 (Action/Thriller) The Four Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Lizzy Caplan) return for another mind-bending heist. Our whole family loved the first one ... hoping the sequel is as exciting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMrUHV0VJe4
Warcraft • PG-13 (Fantasy Adventure) An epic fantasy adventure based on the popular video game series. Personally, I called "1-2-3, NOT IT!" on this one, but Hubby promised to take our tween boys, who are begging to see it.
JUNE 17
Central Intelligence • PG-13 (Comedy) A mild-mannered accountant (Kevin Hart) reconnects with an old high school friend (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) on Facebeook and, as a result, gets lured into the world of espionage. A spy movie with a sense of humor.
Finding Dory • PG (Animated Comedy) Marlin, Nemo, the Tank Gang, and (obviously) Dory return in this follow-up to the 2003 Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Feature. Ellen DeGeneres says the movie "has everything I loved about the first one. It's got a lot of heart, it's really funny, and the best part is — it's got a lot more Dory."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG0P6bjyUNI
Swiss Army Man • R (Adventure) A man (Daniel Radcliffe) transforms to become exactly what another man (Paul Dano) needs at any given moment. The trailer says it's "unlike anything you will ever see" and one viewing had me thinking that is a very true statement. Don't believe me? Just watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrK1f4TsQfM
JUNE 24
Independence Day: Resurgence • TBD (Sci-Fi Adventure) In 1996, Independence Day redefined the epic event movie genre. Twenty years later comes the next chapter in the story with the return of Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, and Bill Pullman ... but not Will Smith, oddly enough.
JULY 1
The BFG • PG (Fantasy Adventure) Based on the enchanting Roald Dahl story and directed by the amazing Steven Spielberg ... that's pretty much all you need to know, right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1d7wgKWANA
The Legend of Tarzan • PG-13 (Action/Adventure) The action adventure based on the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs stars Alexander Skarsgård as Tarzan.
The Shallows • TBD (Drama/Thriller) Blake Lively plays a surfer who gets attacked by a great white shark and must figure out how to get safely to shore while it stalks her. You may have to cancel that beach vacation after seeing this generation's Jaws movie. Opening on Wednesday, June 29, in advance of the holiday weekend.
JULY 8
Captain Fantastic • R (Drama) A father (Viggo Mortenson) who has been living "off the grid" with his six children returns to the city, where his parenting style is questioned by family members. Winner of the Directing Prize at Cannes Film Festival.
The Secret Life of Pets • PG (Animated Comedy) What do our pets do while we are away at work and school? You'll have to see the movie to find out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWI_Jsw9qUs
JULY 15
Ghostbusters • TBD (Comedy) The reboot of the 1984 hit movie features an all-female team of Ghostbusters (Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones) and their male receptionist (Chris Hemsworth). This is one remake I am REALLY looking forward to watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ugHP-yZXw
JULY 22
Absolutely Fabulous • R (Comedy) Based on the popular TV show, the movie finds Patsy and Edina still shopping, drinking, smoking, and living it up at London's hottest clubs.
Ice Age 5: Collision Course • TBD (Animated Comedy) In the fifth movie of the popular Ice Age series, Scrat sets off a series of cosmic events in his pursuit of the elusive acorn and Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and set off on a new quest in order to save themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPmm1JhygIo
Star Trek Beyond • TBD (Sci-Fi Adventure) This is the third installment of the new Star Trek franchise starring Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Dr. Spock.
JULY 29
Bad Moms • TBD but I'll bet it's R (Comedy) It's time for a Girls' Night Out that will leave you feeling better about the job you're doing as a mom! Mila Kunis, Kristen Bill, and Kathryn Hahn star as the moms who are tired of trying to be perfect and just have fun while doing their best!
Jason Bourne • PG-13 (Action) Director Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon reunite for their first Bourne film together since 2007. It will be an action-packed spy movie that is sure to make for an exciting date night movie!
AUGUST 5
The Founder • PG-13 (Biography/Drama) The founder of McDonald's created a fast food empire in his 50s. The movie has a great cast, including B.J. Novak, Laura Dern, Nick Offerman, and Michael Keaton, who has starred in the last two Best Picture winners, so I'm definitely intrigued.
Nine Lives • PG (Family Comedy) A workaholic (Kevin Spacy) who is neglecting his family for his job finds himself trapped inside the body of his family's cat. He has one week to reconnect with his wife (Jennifer Garner) and kids or he'll never return to human form.
Suicide Squad • TBD but probably PG-13 (Action) Another super hero movie, and Warner Bros. is hoping it will be a hit. I'm hoping it's a better movie than the colossal disappointment of Batman v. Superman. This one brings back Ben Affleck as Batman and reintroduces many of the DC Comics villains, including The Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Deadshot (Will Smith), and Enhantress (Cara Delevingne).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmRih_VtVAs
AUGUST 12
Florence Foster Jenkins • TBD (Biography) Based on the incredible true story of Madam Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamt of becoming an opera singer despite her inability to carry a tune. Meryl. Streep.
Pete's Dragon • PG (Adventure/Fantasy) An orphaned boy named Pete forms a special bond with a dragon named Elliott. The 1977 version is the first movie I remember crying at when it ended.
AUGUST 19
Ben-Hur • TBD (Adventure/Drama) A remake of the 1959 classic from Hollywood's Golden Age, Ben-Hur tells the story of a Jewish nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend, the man who betrayed him.
Kubo and the Two Strings • TBD (Animated Adventure) Kubo must locate a magical suit of armor once worn by his late father, a legendary Samurai warrior, to fight off gods and monsters. Featuring the voices of Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, and Ralph Fiennes ... what a cast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4-6qJzeb3A
War Dogs • R (Comedy) Based on the true story of two young men (played by Jonah Hill and Miles Teller) who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan, despite being inexperienced and pretty inept.
SEPTEMBER 16
Bridget Jones's Baby • TBD (Comedy) Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), now in her 40s, is trying to have a baby before it's too late. Colin Firth returns as well, but Hugh Grant does not.
SEPTEMBER 23
The Magnificent Seven • TBD (Western) This remake of the 1960 film (which was a remake of a 1954 film) stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke.
Storks • TBD (Animated Comedy) Storks used to deliver babies, now they deliver packages. Featuring the voices of comedian Andy Samberg as well as the hilarious duo known as Key and Peele.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF6jd0-xRrI
SEPTEMBER 30
Masterminds • PG-13 (Action/Comedy) Based on true events, David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) is lured into an absurd heist plan by his flirty work crush Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig) and a band of half-brained thieves (including Owen Wilson and Jim Carrey). Ghant pulls it off and makes off with $17 million in cash ... but then hands over the money and has been set up to take the fall.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children • TBD (Adventure/Fantasy) Based on the novel, looks mysterious, dangerous, slightly dark, and altogether interesting. We're going to read it, then see it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV_IhWE4LP0
