By, Sean Hancock
This summer’s movie lineup is a return to form for the film industry. It is no secret that the past few years for movies have been a rough patch, specifically because of the pandemic. Movie goers have been dissatisfied with the product that studios have produced, resulting them to pick staying home and watching streaming services over going to the theaters.
This Summer however was a different story, there is a feeling that movie studios are now going back to making good original films and unique and dynamic franchise movies. The films below are the three standout released this summer.
‘Weapons’
Directed by Zach Cregger
“Weapons” is extraordinary in the horror world. The director Zach Cregger is a cutting edge filmmaker that creates a world that is terrifying. The performances from Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich are amazing. The film’s ability to immerse the audience is effective and the visuals are extraordinary. At the core of this film is a mystery that is both intriguing and terrifying. The symbolism throughout the film creates reachability and an interesting conversation around the film. Cregger is an up and coming filmmaker, and Weapons is just the start for him. You can still watch Weapons in theaters which I highly recommend.
‘Sinners’
Directed by Ryan Coogler
With this film Ryan Coogler makes his statement as a true play in the film industry. “Sinners” is an epic and also an intimate story about race and classism. “Sinners” is about what the Jim Crowe south looked like and felt like, but what this film also does is through vampires in the story and sees how they impact the story. Michael B. Jordan’s performance is spectacular especially because he is pulling double duty, he plays a set of twins named Smoke and Stack. Coogler uses the IMAX cameras expertly, by showing the epic nature of his story and the beauty of the American south. This is Coogler’s magnum opus, and puts him in the elite status of filmmaker with the likes of Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve and Steven Spielberg. You can now stream “Sinners” on HBO Max and rent it online.
‘Superman’
Directed by James Gunn
This film is probably the most anticipated movie to come out in the past three years. There was a lot to live up to, and Superman meets the expectations. James Gunn didn’t just have the challenge to reimagine the iconic Superman story, but he also had to create a new cinematic universe being the DCU. This film is colorful and vibrant, the film also a story that is both sincere and deeply emotional.
David Corensweat is the epidemic of what Superman should look like and act like. The villain Lex Luthor played by Nicholas Holt is a great opposite to Superman, Luthor is both sadistic and intelligent. The action in this movie is both fast paced and hard hitting, with unique camera movements and cinematography. Gunn’s passion for the source material is evident and it shows in this film. You can still watch “Superman” in some select theaters and you can also rent it online.