USA TODAY International Edition
Hot summer’s winners, losers
Blockbusters rescue the box office from dog days
With its final Labor Day weekend approaching, the summer movie season already is a winner.
Hollywood’s blockbusters have boosted the box office nearly 14 percent from last summer’s disastrous showing, according to comScore, with hits such as “Deadpool 2,” “Incredibles 2” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.”
The suddenly rediscovered formula? Great, appealing movies and memorable performances that will endure long after the dog days end.
Our winners and losers:
Best victory from utter disaster: Tom Cruise in ‘M:I Fallout’
Tom Cruise somehow turned a major stunt injury and expensive delay on “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” into a stupendous positive. The sixth installment of the 22-year-old franchise soared at the box office ($538 millionworldwide) with its best reviews, with a 97 percent favorable rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The well-told tale of the star’s broken ankle only adds a memorable chapter to Cruise’s legend.
Best villain: Thanos from ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
The wait for archvillain Thanos to take center stage was worth it for Marvel fans. Josh Brolin brought complicated, nuanced badness to the Dark Lord in “Avengers: Infinity War” – and clearly enjoyed beating The Hulk to a pulp. And that snap of Thanos’ fingers which led to mass superhero deaths is still reverberating throughout the Marvel universe, building anticipation for 2019’s “Avengers 4.”
Summer breakout: Awkwafina steals two films
There was a common thread linking the history-making female-led blockbuster cast of “Ocean’s 8” and the history-making “Crazy Rich Asians” – rapper Awkwafina (aka Nora Lum). From her pick-pocket character Constance in “Oceans” to Rachel’s best friend Peik Lin, she stole both films.
Movie that should have been whacked: ‘Gotti’
Kevin Connolly somehow turned a John Gotti mob movie, which received a Cannes Film Festival premiere, into a movie everyone just had to refuse. With John Travolta chewing the scenery as the New York crime boss, “Gotti” earned a 0 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was swimming with the box office fishes after banking less than $5 million.
Best new superhero duo: ‘Notorious RBG’ and Mister Rogers
Audiences searching for decency in troubled times flocked to two documentaries. Director Morgan Neville shined a spotlight on the life of Fred Rogers. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” wowed with a $21.7 million box office 50 years after the debut of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.” Meanwhile, “RBG” has ensured that 85-year-old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be forever known by her rapper-esque nickname “Notorious RBG.”
Most surprising summer lothario: Andy Garcia
Garcia, 62, is the surprise contender as summer’s greatest lover after his role as Diane Keaton’s beau in “Book Club.” But he cemented the deal as Fernando, sparking a long-dormant flame with Cher’s Ruby in “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Their embrace sparked a fireworks-filled ending, even if the dancing was awkward.
Biggest franchise wake-up call: ‘Solo’
Disney’s “Star Wars” factory has churned out anticipated hit after hit since 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” But off-screen drama from the high-profile director switch on “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” along with fan fatigue, proved that even “Star Wars” films can turn routine and forgettable.
It’s a lesson we hope Disney will take to heart.
Movie that scared the crap out of us: ‘Hereditary’
Writer/director Ari Aster’s debut horror film “Hereditary” has pulled in a healthy $44 million. And the tale of a family (headed by Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne) dealing with their spirited teen Charlie (Milly Shapiro) will live on for generations, keeping viewers awake in fear.