Obi Wan Kenobi; stranger things; Top Gun: Maverick.
Photo: Disney; Netflix; Outstanding
On Memorial Day weekend, the gates of summer open wide. You will have a barbecue, you will take a dip in the pool. But the best way to cool off and have fun? Watch a movie of course. (Or a TV series, which actors like to insist on, is a long film divided into parts – we’re looking at you, ewan!) So, before heading to the cinema for some giant popcorn or cheering on your plethora of streamers, here are our recommendations:
There’s nothing quite like seeing Tom Cruise experience the rush of a possible death in the name of entertainment, and Top Gun: Maverick is just that: an adrenaline-pumping, death-defying sequel to the hit 1986 film. It’s been reported to make even grown men cry as director Joseph Kosinski follows Maverick’s (and Cruise’s) return to Top Gun, the fighter pilot school, more than 30 years later , to help train a group of graduate pilots for a challenging mission. (And here’s a little tip: The ’86 top gun is available on Netflix until May 31st, so happy streaming.)
No matter how you cut or slice it, Bob’s burger is always a fun time. After years of COVID-related delays The Bob’s Burgers Movie is finally coming to the big screen and heralding the summer cinema season. How fitting when the film itself is a musical mystery-adventure bonanza of the Belchers trying to get their summer back on track.
Nothing says Memorial Day weekend like spending two hours with a family of staid and orderly Brits, so pull out your finest tank tops and bring your fine dining (popcorn and twizzlers) for the Crawleys’ journey to the south of France to see. Take your moms, aunts and grandmothers for an ooh-la-la lavish time at the movies, darling.
So first things first: Multiverse of Madness is being directed by Sam Raimi, so damn it’s worth going to theaters this weekend — well, if you’re into Marvel at all. And as Raimi’s first superhero venture since his Spiderman trilogy, the style of Multiverse of Madness swings further for the fences than any other MCU film. Raimi brings the horror while Danny Elfman’s electric guitar blazes through the score, adding dimension to what could have been a flat film. Oh, and in case you weren’t already convinced WandaVision, Elizabeth Olsen completely cements herself here as a great MCU player. Her performance – despite the weak writing – reigns supreme.
Jamie Lee Curtis’ favorite movie is still doing well in theaters. And why shouldn’t it! It’s a beautifully dizzying raccoon, rock and bagel multiverse film that features a stunning performance from Michelle Yeoh and, quite frankly, the entire cast. Everything everywhere at once was – and still is – the Movie of the Year, so make sure you see it the way it was meant to be seen: on the big screen.
Against all odds, it turns out that Chip ‘n Dale: Save Rangers is actually quite good. The film, directed by John Mulaney and Andy Samberg, breaks with Disney live-action reboot mold to deliver a hilarious satire that’s clever and full of cheeky animated Easter eggs – including a wild Ugly Sonic cameo – which it rather is makes it a more satisfying watch for adults than children.
You know what, I laughed! While The Lost City doesn’t quite do justice to an incredible Brad Pitt sequence that Romanticize the Stone–Esque adventure is still a fun romp. Sandra Bullock’s reclusive novelist is thrown back into the world in the craziest way, with only her clueless cover model to save her. It is fun! And Tatum compares his butt to Jamba Juice, so you know there’s something for everyone here.
OK, so Old is kind of an oldie: it was released last Memorial Day weekend, but M. Night Shyamalan’s wacky movie recently dropped to HBO Max. With a wonderful cast (including Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Thomasin McKenzie and Alex Wolff), Old is a tense and occasionally silly horror story about a group of families stranded on a beach that quickly ages them to horrific results. As if getting older wasn’t hard enough.
Maybe it’s because I keep going in with low expectations, but sound creates a good time (yes, even for the second time). Secure, sound 2 is too long – children’s films really shouldn’t be longer than two hours – but there’s still some charm and laughs to be found. Idris Elba as Knuckles, a ravishingly ferocious Echidna warrior is a great addition. And Paramount, we need one sound Spin off, that’s just about The whole relationship between Natasha Rothwell and Shemar Moore. Thanks very much!
The newest Fantastic Beasts is a film that literally none of us have seen in the cinema. Did you, reader, even know it was coming out? Well, if you’ve been waiting for streaming to come, now is your time The Secrets of Dumbledore is finally on HBO Max. Tune in to learn all of Dumbledore’s secrets. One of the secrets? That Dumbledore is having an all-gay moment.
If I could summarize the return of stranger things In one line, it would be Gossip Girl saying, “You know you love me, XOXO.” Because while you can act cool and complain about those long running times or claim that you’re behind this immensely popular show, you know, as soon as those hot theme song synthesizers start pounding, you’re hooked. We’re really just too deep. Count us incredibly invested in Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Steve, Robin and Nancy. (God, there are so many cast members.) At least Netflix gave viewers the courtesy of releasing this long season over a long weekend.
Exactly as I thought war of stars lost me, they pull me right back with hot, bearded Obi-Wan (aka Ewan McGregor). Set ten years after the end of Vengeance of the Sith, the new limited series follows Obi-Wan as he continues to hide from the Empire – which also includes a badass Inquistior (played by Moses Ingram) and Hayden Christensen (!) who returns as Darth Vader – while caring for Baby Luke Skywalker takes care of it. Rounding out the cast are Kumail Nanjiani, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Benny Safdie and Sung Kang.
All stars usually delivers, but season 7 features an all-winner cast Drag Race favorites and it slaaaays. As the winners of past seasons compete for a chance to be the “winner of all winners,” the competition is tighter and fiercer than ever. The impressions of Jinkx Monsoon’s Snatch Game in Episode 2 are perhaps the best there is Drag Race (or on TV, period!). Even if you’ve stopped keeping up with RuPaul’s empire in recent seasons, All stars 7 is the perfect place to pick it up again.
Emmy Rossum is unrecognizable as Angelyne, the “Billboard Queen” of Los Angeles. A homemade local celebrity, hustler, model and more, Angeline takes a refreshing look at the real-life personality and uses the five-episode series as one fake Documentary.
If you were a fan of the Sally Rooney adaptation normal people then congratulations because Hulu has a new Rooney series about sad, sexy people. Starring newcomer Alison Oliver and Sasha Lane as best friends/ex-girlfriends, conversations with friends follows the pair as they become entangled with married couple Nick and Melissa (Joe Alwyn and Jemima Kirke). Like the last Rooney adaptation, expect plenty of love scenes, tears and a whole lot of misunderstood feelings.
After losing her Las Vegas residency, Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance takes her show on tour, bringing her author Ava (Hannah Einbinder), whom she hates so much, with her. Chop became such an awards darling that season two has almost as much shoulders on its shoulders as its main character, Vance. Some Chop Works, some doesn’t, but hey, if you’re looking for more Jean Smart here you won’t be disappointed.
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