We’re back with another Summer hot list the blockbusters have arrived, get your popcorn ready! To celebrate the beginning of the summer movie season we’re going to countdown our top ten most anticipated for this summer 2017. Any movie coming out from May 3rd to August 19th (excluding Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 since it’s out almost everywhere and I’ve already seen it) is eligible. I’m going to tell you a bit about the films, as well as why I am hyped to see it. So without saying too much else let’s get to the good stuff…
Dean (June 2nd)
This comedy (written and directed by the hilarious Demetri Martin) features Dean (Martin) a man struggling with grief at the loss of his mother. Meanwhile, his father (Kevin Kline) is struggling in a different way. Both try to deal with everything including each other. When both of the men meet ladies that might be able to help them cope they begin to realize that perhaps the emotions of another person may or may not be what they need at this moment in their lives. Look I wanted to focus on an awesome looking indie film that wasn’t going to get any attention and there’s not much coming out better than this!
Why I’m Hyped: I LOVE Demetri Martin’s stand up. I think his special Person is incredible. His deadpan delivery seems to work with the introspective and existential nature of the material here. Likewise, anyone who saw In a World… can tell you this guy can work the awkward dude romance. I am concerned about him directing the film but if there’s anything I’ve learned from things like Garden State and Drinking Buddies it’s those funny guys putting themselves in their own films can work just fine.
The Mummy (June 9th)
Looking to rekindle the Universal Monsters in their own cinematic universe Universal hopes that The Mummy can do what Dracula Untold could not. Here we have the standard movie trope of Tom Cruise running. This time, however, he’s flying and crashing as well. Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service fame stars in this opposite Cruise as a woman scorned and we know what hell hath thought of that in regards to the fury.
Why I’m Hyped: I hope nothing but good things for this film because I’m a huge fan of Cruise and always enjoy watching him pull crazy stunts. I want to see what sort of juice Universal are going to put on this thing. Especially if they want this cinematic universe to work. Russell Crowe coming in as Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde intrigues me and again these are the sort of decisions that’ll make or break this universe. Luckily we won’t have to wait too long to have our curiosity quelled.
All Eyez on Me (June 16th)
A biopic of the west coast’s original king of rap Tupac Shakur. In this, as we can see we’ll get a good glimpse into the Bad Boy that lead Death Row in the mid-90’s From his stint in jail, his beef with East Coast rappers and labels to his final night on September 13th, 1996. On this day, as it has been told a car pulled up on Shakur and shot into the car he was in hitting and killing him. An inspiration for his tales of “California Love” and the appreciation and admiration he had for his “Dear Mama”
Why I’m Hyped: I’m originally from Los Angeles and grew up in the mid-90’s so I was well versed in Tupac and his music despite not being a fan of rap/hip-hop. It seems like they’ve really pulled the veil off of his life, and best of all the film features his iconic tunes! There’s a lot to be excited about. One moment of caution I seem to be thinking about is its summer release. Although if recent history tells us anything it’s that it might be good. Get On Up likewise was a summer biopic and though it wasn’t a financial success it was a pretty good film. That’s what is keeping my excitement on an even keel.
Baby Driver (June 28th)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9XXuOsB3xo
Need a driver? Baby is your man. At least he will be so long as he can keep the noise out. Suffering from an ear problem Baby drives with earphones in and music blaring to help get his client from point A to point B. Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs the World) returns with his newest film. One that seems to feature all the things you expect from Edgar Wright’s films. Looking equal parts Drive and Gone in 60 Seconds that’ll for sure prove to be one of summer’s best critically speaking (it currently holds a 100% on RottenTomatoes).
Why I’m Hyped: To start Edgar Wright’s movies are dope! Ansel Elgort is an up and coming star and this film looks visually stunning. What’s not to get excited about! Looking at the summer there isn’t really a film coming out that resembles this. That is par for the course for Edgar Wright and that’s what he does well. It’s that uniquely different approach that makes all of his films much see when they come out.
The Big Sick (June 23rd)
This particular film starring Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan is actually based on the courtship between Nanjiani and his real-life wife Emily V. Gordon. Nanjiani plays Kumail a man dealing with falling for a caucasian woman named Emily (Kazan) while his mother tries to set him up with a nice Pakistani woman. As a stand-up comedian, his self-deprecation helps him cope with his emotions. When Emily gets ill with a mystery sickness Kumail now has to deal with that as well. Kumail must do this with Emily’s parents (who he hasn’t ever met).
Why I’m Hyped: You tend to win me over with a dope trailer song. Picking a Vampire Weekend song, and let alone my favorite one in “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” you’re going to catch my attention. What keeps me here is knowing that Michael Showalter (Hello, My Name is Doris) is behind the camera, well my body is ready! Nanjiani is really funny. Often time the dudes just steal scenes in Silicon Valley. There seems to be some genuine emotion in this and you’ll probably need a tissue or two…or three. Ray Romano looks like he may actually be funny. Let’s make Ray Romano great again.
Dunkirk (July 21st)
In World War II France the Nazi began to take hold. One of the most important events in the second world war took place in Dunkirk, France. In this battle, both French and British soldiers were attempting to escape Nazi forces and get out of the war zone. Along with Danish, Polish and Belgian soliders’ an evacuation was in order but Germany and their Nazi’s would not go quietly into the night. Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception) brings us a war drama in beautiful IMAX.
Why I’m Hyped: Nolan’s been to Gotham, our subconsciousness, and even through time and space. Now he’ll give us an important albeit rarely discussed battle in the war that changed the face of Europe. I mean it’s Chris Nolan and there isn’t much else in 2017 that you need to open a film. When you throw in Tom Hardy and (for the ladies) an appearance by One Direction’s Harry Styles for all you ladies out there.
Spiderman: Homecoming (July 7th)
After his appearance in last year’s Captain America: Civil War Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker. This time though we get to know your friendly neighborhood Spiderman a little bit more. With The Vulture (Michael Keaton) looking for vengeance against someone who’s wronged him Spidey might need all the help he can get. Luckily Peter has Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) aka Iron Man and all his awesome friends on his side. After his appearance in the Avengers, we get to finally catch the web-slinger back on the big screen.
Why I’m Hyped: I love Spiderman! That alone has me hyped when you couple I like how they handled him in Captain America: Civil War.You have RDJ showing up which should prove awesome! I really am excited to see Michael Keaton as The Vulture. If you look on the surface of John Watts’ Cop Car I don’t think it will give us much indication. However, it’s his handling of the kid in that film, something I enjoyed, should translate here. In addition, the fast pace from that should also be a welcomed factor! If you haven’t seen the film do so it’s pretty good.
A Ghost Story (July 7th)
When a young woman (Rooney Mara) loses her husband to death she can’t help but feel like his spirit is still in the house somewhere. That might be because it is. Running around in the stereotypical white sheet with holes in it her husband (played by newly minted Best Actor winner Casey Affleck). He’s here to try and reconnect with the wife he lost. From the mind of David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, and Pete’s Dragon) In what should prove to be a stunning story of lose, love, life and the existential.
Why I’m Hyped: Have you seen this cast? Casey Affleck coming off of his heartbreaking (and award-winning) turn in Manchester by the SeaI think he’ll be back to do this once again. Why this is being released here I don’t know and it has me slightly worried. Was Oscar season not a better time for something of this caliber case-wise and coming from superstar studio A24 who I’ve written might be the best studio going. I sometimes love to highlight films I think are going to be good but make no money and get lost in the shuffle of big budget superhero flicks and the sequel which leads me to the last two entries…
War of the Planet of the Apes (July 14th)
The final chapter in the fantastic relaunch of the Planet of the Apes series this one sees the war started in Dawn of the Planet of the Apesescalated to perhaps its crescendo. Caesar (Andy Serkis) is back leading the apes against a dangerous and militant captain of the human army dead set on taking out the apes figurehead and leader. When the simian stumbles onto a human child that could turn the tide or fuel the fight Caesar must make whatever decision is best for him and his crew of merry apes.
Why I’m Hyped: I’m such a huge fan of the previous two and I thought that Dawn of the Planet of the Apeswas one of the best films of 2014. Woody Harrelson is one of the most under-appreciated actor working today. This is a man who started out on 80’s sitcom Goliath Cheers. In that he was an affable loser since then he’s done it all and here he looks at his most sinister. I cannot wait to see how this trilogy will finish.
Wonder Woman (June 2nd)
Gal Gadot returns as Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman following her debut in last years DC Comics train wreck Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.Gadot stole the show and kicked ass doing it. Here we take a step back in time to “The Great War”. On the island of Themyscira a warrior has risen and when an American pilot gets caught on the island she gets a glimpse of the world outside her island. A new hero will arise and be needed to save the world from destroying itself.
Why I’m Hyped: Are you kidding? Why wouldn’t I be? Let’s go ahead and circumvent all the feminism BS that’ll surround this film. We’re getting a kick ass character on the screen. One that has taken wayyyy to long to get there. Gadot looks ready to be a star in this and Chris Pine is on a freaking roll! Patty Jenkins knows how to direct her actors to Oscars (looking at you Charlize Theron) and so we know what to expect here. This is the one to watch and I HOPE, with all the hope I have that this will be the first DC film to garner critical and financial success.
Did I miss a film your excited about? Let me know in the comments below! What films are you excited about? Catch me on Twitter and Instagram @FilmSnobReviews
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