This summer was loaded with tons of amazing movies, giving you the chance to take a break from the heat to step into the cool atmosphere of the theaters. All kinds of films were released, including action packed adventures, horrors that would leave you on the edge of your seat, and multiple sequels to fan favorites. This summer was a time to sit back and enjoy the movies you waited for, finally back on the big screen once again.
With temperatures dropping, and the snow falling, it’s a perfect time to sit down in front of the fire with hot chocolate in hand and enjoy the movies you might have missed over the summer!
Elvis
The “King of Rock and Roll”, Big E, The King, whatever way you have heard of him, everyone knows his name: Elvis. The biographical musical that broke charts this summer brought back the heartthrob from Generations X to Z and captured the interest of every age and people from all demographics. Director Baz Luhrmann brought forward the true life behind Elvis and the health and relationship issues he faced behind the stage. Austin Butler portrayed Elvis very accurately as he nailed his facial expressions and mannerisms in such a way that at times you really felt like you were watching Elvis. Audience raved about the movie, while critics did not have quite the same amount of enthusiasm, as the Rotten Tomatoes score was 78% while the audience score was 94%. One complaint the audience has that has been observed from movie critics is that the movie is entertaining, but the run time is too long for many viewers to keep their attention for the full 2 hour and 46 minute run time. The soundtrack really pulled people in as it featured many of Elvis’s classic songs: “Jailhouse Rock”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “Hound Dog”, “Burning Love” and many more songs that bring the audience right back to the time period. Did you watch “The King” perform on the silver screen this summer?
Top Gun: Maverick
Breaking records, stealing teenagers’ hearts, and risking his life while performing jaw-dropping stunts, ever-so-handsome Tom Cruise is back in the thriller Top Gun: Maverick. This is a movie for everyone. With people drooling over the attractive cast and the breathtaking visuals this movie shows, there is no question how this film reached more than $1.4 billion at the global box office. Director Joe Kosinski took no shortcuts making this film. Kosinski does the unimaginable by showing the audience what it’s like to be a fighter pilot through just the lens of a camera. However, Kosinski definitely did not do it alone, as the cast went through a super intense three month training program that involved different tests and physical training, equipping them with the necessary skills it takes to be a real fighter pilot. Top Gun: Maverick follows main character Maverick as he trains a group of young fighter pilots for the mission of their lives. Top Gun: Maverick doesn’t just continue on the legacy of the epic original Top Gun; it transforms the film world and takes doing your own stunts to a different level. Did you fly by the theaters this summer to watch it?
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Have you recently seen a sophisticated, well-dressed group of teenagers entering the theaters? Well, chances are they are going to see Minions: The Rise of Gru. Not only did this movie start a viral trend that spiraled out of control, but it also takes the audience on a journey as Gru and his Minions go on the run from the infamous Vicious 6 and shows the audience that in the end, even the villains need some help from their friends. The “gentleminions”, as they are called, attended this film dressed in full length suits, gaining enough attention to cause some of the theaters to put signs outside banning people from wearing the suits, as the gentleminions might not have been acting quite so gentlemen-like. Minions: The Rise of Gru is a great film to see with the whole family, with friends, or if you need a little cheering up, go alone! This film is a creative, comedic, heartwarming animation that is sure to entertain. However, if you do end up going to the movie, make sure to watch out for those not-so-gentle-minions.
Thor: Love and Thunder All Marvel fans big and small were ready for this film to be released on July 8, kicking off July with some thunder and lightning. Chris Hemsworth was back once again, looking better than ever, playing the fan favorite God of Thunder, Thor. Alongside stars such as Christian Bale and Tessa Thompson, this film was truly epic, with a budget of over $250 million. The Marvel universe has been busy, bringing back old time favorites to reappear in the franchises. Similar to Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, in Thor: Love and Thunder, Natalie Portman returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the female version of Thor. Portman was casted in the first two films as Jane Foster, but did not make an appearance in the third movie. Director Taika Waititi did an incredible job bringing back Portman to portray the female goddess and making a film that made everyone laugh and enjoy. Did you pick up your hammer and wield it towards the theaters?
