Seven Memorable Summer Movies

Another summer down, another season of blockbuster movies behind us. To say the truth we had few blockbusters to be excited about this summer, and only several of those really delivered, but with my favorite time of year now directly behind us its time to honor what movies really stole the show. Just to be clear, the summer movie season tenacity begins in May considering thats when the biggest blockbusters begin rolling out on a weekly basis, any movie that came out in May or early June is eligible even though summer began on June 21st. Also Im only considering movies that I've seen and that got a wide release, I live in a small community in Massachusetts, I don't get to see everything let alone the movies that only get released on 100 screens. I also tried to vary the list as much as possible, keeping if fresh with a variety of action, comedy and family affair. With that in mind, let's see if your favorites were my favorites too:

Captain America: Civil War

Half a year gone and Captain America: Civil War is still my favorite movie of 2016. This movie delivered much of what I wanted and even some spoonfuls I wasn't expecting. In the year we got Deadpool, Civil War was a stronger story about revenge. In a year with Batman v Superman, the battle between Cap and Tony represented a greater collision of ideals. It's easily the best comic book movie of the year, by far the greatest action movie of the year and still a clear winner for my favorite of 2016 so far. But there are still six other films from this summer that will stick in my memory.

The Nice Guys

Too few people saw The Nice Guys, and its really a shame. It seems everybody wants to jump down Hollywoods throat when it comes to reboots, sequels and spinoffs but here is an original film that nobody seemed to care about. Not only was it completely original, it was terrifically acted, expertly directed, delightfully funny and absurdly compelling from beginning to end. Crow, Gosling and Black put a big smile on my face for two whole hours, its too bad it only stuck around for several weeks in May.


Popstar: Never Stop, Never Stopping

When I recommended this movie at the box office, I was usually laughed at. One person even called me gay because suggested it to him. Jokes on those guys because I wasn't lying Popstar is my favorite comedy of 2016 so far. It's a complete satire of other documentaries that stars like Justin Bieber (if you can even call them that) put out for their fans, and its spearheaded by the creative minds of Lonely Islands for SNL. I laughed really hard at this movie, and some of the songs are so good (in a comedic since) that I still listen to them for a gentle laugh.


The Secret Life of Pets

Ya, there is no Dory on this list, but I have to stick what was more memorable to me and after a month and a half that movie is The Secret Life of Pets. This movie is just plain harmless fun, nothing remarkable or distinctly compelling but just fun. It's the first movie from Illumination Entertainment that I actually enjoyed, and thats saying a lot considering Illumination has had some of the biggest animated hits since PIXAR. Now Pets holds the record for the biggest opening for an original movie, a record I don't anticipate going anywhere soon.

Star Trek: Beyond

Star Trek: Beyond was so good. I was nervous when Justin Lin replaced Orsi (not because I disliked Lin but I didn't want Paramount to turn Star Trek into a pure action franchise) and I was even more nervous when that first trailer dropped and the studio said they wanted Star Trek to be more like "Avengers". I'm really glad after all that drama this is the final result. Star Trek Beyond worked as a character piece, as a space opera, as a fun adventure film. More importantly Star Trek: Beyond was everything it needed to be to ensure the franchises legacy going forward. If you haven't seen it yet, go to the theatre, there is still time.

Sausage Party

I never assumed Sausage Party would stick with me like it had. Not only is it really funny, but its a surprisingly deep allegory for the nature of faith and organized religion.Well acted and hilariously realized, Sausage Party is worth checking out not only because you'll probably laugh yourself stupid (especially at the food orgy at the end) but you'll also have a bit a substance with the stupid.

Kubo and the Two Strings

Ah Kubo, the kids epic to release this year that really isn't for kids. Remarkably animated and passionately crafted, Kubo and the Two Strings is one of the best animations to come out in a year with plenty of competition. Please if you have not yet, I recomend seeing this film in theatres. Its one of the best 3D experiences I have had in a long time, one of the best original stories to come out this year, and one of the most ballsy movies in family animation since The Lion King. Kubo and the Two Strings isn't being forgotten anytime soon.


Well that's it. Thanks for reading as always, and if your favorite this movie wasn't on the list, don't worry, this is a list of my most memorable movies this summer so nobody is going to have the same seven (well maybe we will but you get where I'm coming from). Feel free to post any thoughts or your own list in the comments below, or check out my other reviews from this summer from the side bar. Summer is coming to a close, but, like every year, we have new tokens to remember it by. Bring on the fall!