Way back when magazines like Entertainment Weekly were actually a thing I always looked forward to their “Summer Movie Preview.” It was handy having a run down of what would be coming out between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This will come to no surprise to you at all, but I planned my summer around movie releases.
I was able to take a lot of 2020 in stride but the summer movie season, a season that included a new Christopher Nolan film, being called off really hit me. In fact, one of the things I did that year that really helped my mental health was going to go see Tenet at The Music Box. Sitting in a movie theater and watching that Christopher Nolan movie for a few hours was the hard reset I really needed to get through the rest of the year.
Flash forward two years and we are on the verge of a good old fashioned summer of some pretty big movies.
Here are a few that I’m looking forward to seeing:
Top Gun: Maverick - May 27th
Whatever else you might say about Tom Cruise, the man is a dynamic screen presence. When I heard that they were doing a sequel to Top Gun my first thought was, “why.” Then when I saw the first trailer way back in 2019 I thought, “okay I’m in.” Between now and then Cruise refused to let this movie go to streaming. I’m glad he did. Every bit of this movie looks like something that needs to be seen in theaters.
Lightyear - June 17th
This isn’t another Toy Story movie, this is a movie about the character the toy is based on. I don’t know what this says about me, but it makes total sense. More than that, I’m pretty intrigued by it.
FYI: That’s Chris Evans voicing Buzz Lightyear.
Elvis - June 24th
I don’t know that an Elvis biopic alone would be exciting, but an Elvis biopic directed by Baz Luhrman and with Tom Hanks in the cast? Buddy, you got my attention
Thor: Love and Thunder - July 8th
It’s a Marvel movie, you know I’m there. I’m sure I will write more about it as we get closer. For now I will just confuse that I’m truly jealous of Natalie Portman’s arms.
Nope - July 22nd
Both Get Out and Us were incredible theatrical experiences. This looks like it should be just as much fun.
Bullet Train - 8/5
This just looks like a blast. You got Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, and a bunch of character actors just having fun.
That’s all for this week, folks. I’ll see you at the movies.