BY LINDSEY HANNAH
Summer is a time for enjoying glorious South Florida sunshine at the beach or your own backyard. What they don’t show on hotel advertisements, however, are the routine afternoon thunderstorms we get almost every day for a solid three months. Fret not, SoFlo natives; those rainy afternoons are the perfect time to catch one of the many movies hitting the big screen this summer.
“Wonder Woman”- June 2
Movie culture today is all about superheroes, but the genre is generally lacking in representation for women and minorities. One of the most exciting changes to this trend is the revitalization of Amazonian-princess-turned-hero Diana, better known as Wonder Woman. Although DC has been playing second fiddle to cinematic superpower (pardon the pun) Marvel, this latest attempt, following busts like the Superman and Batman franchises, is the most promising. Set in World War I, it follows Dianna (Gal Gadot) as she teams up with Army Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) while at the same time becoming the iconic Wonder Woman herself.
“The Mummy”- June 9
Tom Cruise stars in this reboot of the Mummy franchise, kicking off a new series based on, you guessed it, mummies. In the film, an ancient Egyptian princess is accidentally released from her eternal prison, freeing her to unleash her powers and wrath on the modern world.
“Baby Driver”- June 28
Ever since a childhood accident, Baby (Ansel Elgort) has had a ringing in his ears. To drown it out, he constantly listens to music. This is part of what makes him the best getaway driver around. After premiering at South by Southwest, “Baby Driver” has received acclaim from critics and fans alike.
“The House”- June 30
Starring comedy legends Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler, “The House” follows the escapades of two parents as they create an illegal casino in their suburban home to try to pay for their daughter’s exorbitant college tuition. As relatable as it is outlandish, this movie surely won’t disappoint, especially for former seniors embarking on this next exciting and expensive time of life.
“Spider-Man: Homecoming”- July 7
With yet another recasting of Spidey, this time as newbie Tom Holland, fans were skeptical. When introduced in “Captain America: Civil War,” though, all concerns were remedied. Holland portrays Peter Parker in yet another origin story, this time under the wing of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), AKA Iron Man. This reboot will undoubtedly capture the funny and youthful vibe that the franchise has always embodied.
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”- July 21
Based on the 1967 French graphic novel series “Valerian and Laureline,” this film adaptation was written and directed by Luc Besson, of “The Fifth Element” and “Lucy” fame. It is sure to be a cinematic marvel, with the largest budget of any French film ever made and being available to see in 3D. This science fiction film follows space-and-time-traveling agents Valerian and Laureline as they race to stop an unknown threat to the peace of the City of a Thousand Planets, a place of convergence of intergalactic knowledge and culture from across the universe.
Featured image courtesy of DC films
