Boldly going into the summer movie season
So far, it’s been a popcorn-ready summer cinema season. Captain America saluted the superhero flag. X-Men marked the spot. And Finding Dory found a large audience, writes Bob Thompson. Yes, summer’s been sensational, but there’s more where that came from
GHOSTBUSTERS (JULY15)
The hook: Director Paul Feig reunites with Bridesmaids cast members Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig. They join Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones for an update on the goofy goblin business complete with nostalgic cameos.
The catch: Great expectations scary to live up to.
STAR TREK BEYOND (JULY22)
The hook: Third in the rejuvenated series goes on a space mission minus director J.J. Abrams. While the movie may not have Abrams’ creative force, it does have his perfect casting of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban et al.
The catch: Boldly carrying on regardless.
ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE (JULY22)
The hook: Scrat’s finally the star he’s always yearned to be. The catch: The franchise keeps going and going and going ...
LIGHTS OUT (JULY22)
The hook: When the lights go out, creepy gets unnerving in a freaky jump-cut way. Just ask Teresa Palmer and Maria Bello, who try to survive it all.
The catch: From the James Wan factory of frightening that brought you the Saw, Insidious and Conjuring flicks.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (JULY22)
The hook: London party dolls Patsy and Eddy are in excess during a cinematic frolic.
The catch: They are in need of camp counselling, and followers think that’s a good thing, sweetie, darling.
BAD MOMS (JULY29)
The hook: When bad things seem like a good thing to do, a few moms go on a binge to the shock of a PTA goody two-shoes; with Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Christina Applegate.
The catch: A bucket-list comedy for moms suffering from cabin fever.
JASON BOURNE (JULY29)
The hook: Who can remember if Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne is all there? What matters to Damon is that director Paul Greengrass returns with quick cuts, martial arts fights and more than a few fast and furious chases.
The catch: Will Damon’s Bourneagain enthusiasm be enough?
SUICIDE SQUAD (AUG. 5)
The hook: It’s a different kind of loony tune played dissonantly while featuring former supervillains assigned to save the world. Reversal rascals include Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and a jangled Joker (Jared Leto).
The catch: For fantasy lovers who like lots of subversiveness in their super-anti-heroes.
PETE’S DRAGON (AUG. 12)
The hook: Nostalgia is what it used to be in this remake of the charming 1977 Disney fantasy about an orphan and his imaginary dragon. It co-stars Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard. The catch: Innocence with a capital adorable.
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (AUG. 12)
The hook: Meryl Streep is Florence, an opera singer who can’t sing but is rich enough to finance her singing tour.
The catch: On target and off key is an interesting formula.
SAUSAGE PARTY (AUG. 12)
The hook: Just what the season needed. It’s an R-rated animation featuring the voices of Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, James Franco and Kristen Wiig.
The catch: Crude blends with rude shrouded in a chronic absurdist haze.
BEN-HUR (AUG. 19)
The hook: A swords-and-sandals redo features 21st century special effects showcasing biblical chariot races.
The catch: A swords-and-sandals redo features 21st century special effects ...
WAR DOGS (AUG. 19)
The hook: Jonah Hill and Miles Teller play arms dealers based on the fact-based book Arms and the Dudes. The catch: The Hangover’s Todd Phillips directs.
KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (AUG. 19)
The hook: Set in ancient Japan, the Laika Studios stop-motion animation features young boy Kubo who must find the suit of armour his Samurai warrior father wore before spirits overwhelm him.
The catch: It has an all-star voice cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron and Ralph Fiennes.