The Summer Movie Season is upon us and it seems like it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. From superhero movies to clever-looking comedies, there’s a whole bunch to look forward to. So let’s get started by looking ahead.
MAY
MORTAL KOMBAT II
THE MANDOLORIAN AND GROGU
In May, we get Mortal Kombat 2 and the Mandolorian and Grogu. While there might not be a need or demand for a Star Wars movie that uses the same characters as the Disney Plus TV show (Why should people pay to see this in theaters? They need to give us a reason,) at least with the Mortal Kombat movie, we are being Ruben s blood-soaked hard R action packed flick for adults. Think of it like John Wick in a karate tournament, crossed with nostalgia comedy. Including Johnny Cage (played by Karl Urban,) as a washed up former 80s action star, looks like a tenuous move. This one should be a blast.
In June, we get a whole bunch, starting with Masters of the Universe and Scary Movie right at the start. With Masters, the more they lean into nostalgia and campy fun, the better. The same goes for the action. The tone seems perfect, embracing the fantasy elements and fun, colorful characters from the 80s cartoon.
With Scary Movie, the Wayan Brothers are back. This is their franchise that they got started back in the day, with a parody of Scream. And now, decades later, after the franchise was taken away from them and relaunched with other actors (like Charlie Sheen,) it’s gonna be great to have these guys back. Especially if they combine horror spoof with social commentary, which is what it looks like we’ll be getting here.
After Masters of the Universe and Scary Movie, we are getting four other big time movies in June. Those movies are…
Disclosure Day (June 12th)
Toy Story 5 (June 19th)
Supergirl (June 26th)
The Invite (June 26th)
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PREDICTIONS:
Disclosure Day (June 12th)
All of these look pretty solid. With Disclosure Day, it’s Spielberg making another alien movie, and he’s the guy you want at the helm for this sort of thing. From Close Encounters to ET, alien movies are his specialty. Granted Spielberg hasn’t made anything great since Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Minority Report (2002,) but if there’s a genre he’s known for being the best at, this is it.
Toy Story 5 (June 19th)
With Toy Story 5, this is a tried and true series that was outstanding for three films before stinking it up with the last one (Toy Story 4 seemed like mostly a cash grab.) Still those first three movies make up one of the best animated trilogies of all time, and this new entry has an interesting enough premise about kids who want to be on tablets and devices instead of actually playing with physical toys. It should be interesting, and pretty clever and funny as well.
Supergirl (June 26th)
With Supergirl, it’s hit or miss. All of the pressure was on James Gunn’s Superman last year, a movie that had a little too much to live up to. That movie wasn’t bad, but it was packed with far too many characters, who just already existed in this new world they were introducing us too. Supergirl, on the other hand, looks like the more stripped down, refined version. The movie appears to only feature two super powered characters…Supergirl and Lobo (Jason Mamoa.) This might just be the tight formula to get it right concentrating more on the story than the spectacle. Fingers crossed on this one.
The Invite (June 26th)
A Seth Reth comedy, or maybe black comedy, about couple and an apartment dinner turned potential threesome. What’s not to like? Rogen is at the height of his powers as a writer, having knocked it out of the park with shows like The Boys (which he produced,) and the Studio (which he stars in.) This movie features a good cast and a one night in one location scenario. All ideas seem to be alligned, but let’s just hope they get the tone and storylines right.
JULY
Unfortunately July is really the last month of summer movie releases, with August only having two decent looking movies…. Coyote Vs Acme and The End of Oak Street. But in July, we get a bunch, and thank goodness for that.
Moana (July 10th)
The Odyssey (July 17th)
Spider Man Brand New Day (July 31st)
Of the July releases, Moana (live action,) looks the weakest, snd that’s really only because the other two look so good. For Moana, there’s nothing wrong with this one, and I’m glad they got the Rock to reprice his role (this time as live action,) that he did voice over work for in the past. This is a tremendous decision, as he was so good in the role of Maui. Still we’ve had so many live action Disney “remakes,” in the past ten years or so, and most of them aren’t very good. More and more I’ve learned that the closer these movies stay to the source material, (the original Disney animated movie,) the better. And the more they try to bring in new subplots or omit important songs or ideas, the worse. I’ll never forgive the live action Little Mermaid movie, for example, for ditching the song “Le Poison,” and chase scene between Sebastian the crab and the Chef around the kitchen. Easily one of the best Chaplin-esque slapstick scenes in the animated movie, just to be completely left out of the live action remake. Here’s hoping Moana, the live action version doesn’t do anything like that.
And that brings us to our two big ones. Probably the two biggest movies of the summer. Spider-Man Brand New Day and the Odyssey. Both of which featuring Tom Holland and Zendaya. They are obviously the stars of the Spider-Man movie, which looks to be a solid fourth film, using everything from The Hand Ninja Assassins to the Punisher to the Hulk to the Scorpion. Will it be overstuffed? Maybe. Am I insanely curious? Definitely. Especially after how goof the original three were. This incarnation of Spider-Man (the Holland version,) is by far my favorite. I’m not nostalgic about the Tobey Maguire ones (the same way I am about Keaton’s Batman.) In the case of Spider-Man, Holland is just the one that finally got it right. Can’t wait to see what they do with this character next.
And then there’s the Odyssey. Who some would say is the greatest novel of all time. Certainly an epic. In the hands of Christopher Nolan, who many claim to be the greatest working filmmaker we have right now, (although for my money, it’s Tarantino,) this one Is sure to be fantastic. Will it be long and slow at times? Sure. Will it be exciting and thrilling at other times? Absolutely. Should be pretty great.
And there you have it folks. My summer list. In looking at just June and July, my most anticipated films are definitely Spider Man and the Odyssey. Other than those, I do think Supergirl and the Invite should be pretty solid. And then there’s all of the nostalgia bait that came in May or early June, from Mortal Kombat II to Masters of the Universe. All pretty good. It’s sure to be an amazing summer season at the movies.