Summer film preview: Can the box office rise above a season that's potentially just "meh"?
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There existed a time when summer movie schedules were so filled with intriguing possibilities that marking calendars was the norm, not the exception.
We’re in a new normal, because from this viewpoint, it’s a stretch to find much in the way of must-see film-going based on the upcoming summer schedule.
That is going to seem like a letdown given the hype that surrounded “Barbeneimer” last year. Years ago, when two heavyweight films opened on the same weekend during the summer, it wasn’t cause for combining their titles and hyping it to the Nth degree. It was called 1996.
It’s amazing the havoc a little global pandemic and a couple of strikes by the talent associated with movie-making can cause. It’s not just a dearth of new releases on a weekly basis, but also the fact that many of them seem so “meh.”
Given it’s the summer season, the usual mix of sequels and more sequels is on the agenda. And, of course, there will be films based on other intellectual property.
If I’ve learned anything during my time surveying the film landscape over the course of nearly three decades, it is to be hopeful and always, always expect to be open-minded. I’m trying, y’all.
That being said, I present my list of potentially intriguing summer movie releases and, yes, I may even be looking forward to a sequel or two. It’s by no means comprehensive, but instead a portrait of what will likely get the most attention in theaters this summer.
“The Fall Guy”
Opening: This past Friday
The hook: Ryan Gosling stars as stuntman Colt Seavers with Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”) portraying his director. This remake of the 1980s-era Lee Majors series would be considered a summer also-ran if not for one factor – Gosling took the role of a doll and turned it into angsty, comedic gold last summer. Color me intrigued.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”
Opening: May 10
The hook: Talking apes are always cool. But “The Planet of the Apes” has been cool (even through some dubious sequels in the ‘70s) ever since Charlton Heston told one of the simians to get her damn dirty paws off of him and referenced her body odor in the process in the original in 1968. Tim Burton didn’t have much luck with his Mark Wahlberg reimagining in his 2001 remake, but the current series, rebooted in 2011, has offered some of the most thought-provoking science fiction on film in the past two decades. “Kingdom” holds the promise of continuing that.
“IF”
Opening: May 17
The hook: Hollywood’s other Ryan – Reynolds, that is – brings some imaginary friends (“IF,” get it?) to the screen in this modern-day fairy tale about the creatures that inhabit everyone’s psyche. Admit it: You have an imaginary friend to this day. We all do. Some of us are just more in tune with that being than others.
Other May movies to look for: “Back to Black,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “The Garfield Movie.”
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die”
Opening: June 7
The hook: For those reading this, I know what you’re thinking: Who asked for another movie in this franchise? Welp, after waiting 17 years between the second and third films, apparently the fans did. The third installment, released in 2020, was the most popular yet, grossing more than $425 million at the worldwide box office, enough for all those involved to see what’s left in this franchise. Considering one character was in retirement the last time out, perhaps not much.
“The Bikeriders”
Opening: June 21
The draw: Austin Butler (“Elvis”) returns to the big screen in this story of a young man forced to choose between his loyalty to a motorcycle club or the love of a woman. I'm curious to see whether Butler’s ascension continues after coming off the dramatic effort in the Apple TV World War II epic series “Masters of the Air.”
“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” and “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2”
Opening: June 28
The draw: There’s just something about Kevin Costner and western epics – whether covering the 19th century (“Dances with Wolves”) or the current time (“Yellowstone”). “Horizon” is his latest and his take on how the West was won before and after the Civil War. Here’s the intriguing part: Part one comes in June, and the second chapter will be released Aug. 16.
Other June releases to look for: “Inside Out 2," "A Quiet Place: Day One,” “The Watchers.”
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”
Opening: July 3rd
The draw: The major studios aren’t the only ones lacking a sense of originality. Witness this entry from Netflix. The first two “Beverly Hills Cop” films are 1980s-era classics. It’s best that no one talks about the third. That’s why this film makes this list. The trailers actually look promising, and Eddie Murphy has shown that he still possesses comedic chops, even if his recent projects – I’m judging you, “Candy Cane Land” – have been borderline putrid.
“Longlegs”
Opening: July 12
The draw: This one had me at Nic Cage. Billed as a psychological horror thriller, such a film is right up Cage’s quirky alley in this story of an FBI agent seeking a serial killer.
“Fly Me to the Moon”
Opening: July 12
The draw: A summer flick conspiracy theorists will love. A marketing executive is hired to make sure NASA’s lunar mission doesn’t fail. What’s marketing have to do with that? Well, the exec’s expertise is needed to stage a landing in the event that the actual mission fails. Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson star in this movie along with Woody Harrelson.
“Twisters”
Opening: July 19
The draw: And the winner for longest wait between sequels: “Twisters.” See what they did there? They added an “S,” presumably to differentiate this film from its predecessor from nearly 30 years ago. The original “Twister” blew through theaters in 1996. The cinematic toys are more effective these days, so let’s see what they've got. I doubt, however, they’ll have a tune as killer as Van Halen’s “Humans Being” on the soundtrack.
“Deadpool & Wolverine”
Opening: July 26
The draw: Ryan Reynolds gets his fondest wish – working with Hugh Jackman to bring Wolverine into his universe in this film, which is sure to please Marvel geeks worldwide.
Other July releases to look for: “Despicable Me 4”
“Alien: Romulus”
Opening: Aug. 16
The draw: Because sure, why not? We can always use another film in the “Alien” franchise. Press materials boldly state that director Fede Alvarez is taking the series back to its roots as “young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.” Ummm…young…huh? We can’t be talking “Alien” young – that crew was well into its 30s with some edging older. Ditto for “Aliens.” So, is this going to be “Alien” meets “Halloween,” given the demographic? We shall see. Veteran tip: “Aliens” recently hit 4K Blu-ray for the first time. Check that out.
“The Crow”
Opening: Aug. 23
The draw: The 1990s-era cult classic gets the remake treatment with Bill Skarsgard in the title role as a murder victim re-animated as a supernatural avenger who returns to avenge his and his girlfriend’s deaths.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: The 13 most anticipated movies premiering this summer
