But I want to try and convince you that the absolute best way to experience a movie is to see it in a movie theater. There is just no way to replace it.
Granted - there are some possible distractions. High ticket prices and the person siting behind who crunches their popcorn for the full 2 hours . . . .
But overall, the benefits far outweigh the costs.
If I really want to see a movie, I will make sure to see it in the theater. A mix of nostalgia, excitement, and immersion - the theater provides the ultimate environment to fully experience what the filmmaker intended. Whenever I watch a movie I have seen in a theater at home, the depth the experience feels slightly diminished.
By the time I send out my Top 10 list in January, many of the movies on the list won't be available in theaters. So I thought I would recommend a few movies that can be seen in theaters right now.
If you are looking for summer fun - go see these . . . in the theater.
I promise it will be worth it.
6 Movies for Summer Fun
#1 Baby Driver - R
Baby Driver is by far the best movie I have seen this year. I have never seen a movie that incorporated music so seemelssly and powerfully into the story and scenes. The director Edgar Wright has created something incredibly original here - especially the character of Baby. It is smart, well acted and brilliantly directed. The driving sequences alone make this worth seeing. I hope to see it again soon - before it leaves the theater!
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| Ansel Elgort is amazing in this role |
#2 War for the Planet of the Apes - PG-13
I know, I know -- a movie about apes battling humans for the planet doesn't really sound like a good time. But there is A LOT to like about this movie. From a storytelling perspective, it works on just about every level. It is beautifully directed (Matthew Reeves is incredibly talented), and he creates a film that is smart, thoughtful, and slow paced. You don't even need to have seen the first two movies to enjoy this one. To me, it is the best movie in this trilogy and probably ranks as one of the best final movies in a trilogy I have ever seen.
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| Andy Serkis is the king of the CGI character |
#3 Wonder Woman - PG 13
I want to be just like her when I grow up
Just about everyone saw this movie - so if you reading this, you probably have seen it. And you probably loved it. And you probably thought it was just awesome. Which it was! Gal Gadot is amazing in the role, and Patty Jenkins is the first female director to take on a big budget superhero movie. Considering the universal appeal and financial successes of her movie, studios would be wise to hire more women to direct!
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| I want to be just like her when I grow up |
#4 Dunkirk - PG-13
Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated WWII drama was shot almost entirely using 70MM IMAX cameras. It is the most ambitious movie in history to do this. So we paid big money to see it that way and the result was pretty unbelievable. It is beautifully shot, and you will be astounded by the size, color, and detail in the imagery. But it is the arial sequences that truly are special from a filming perspective. For the first time ever, they mounted 45 pound IMAX cameras on the wings of real WWII Spitfire planes. The end result is seeing arial dogfights that feel like you are actually there.
From a storytelling perspective, I have to admit that I was a disappointed. There is very little dialogue and much of what is said is not understandable. I would been more drawn in had there been additional perspectives to help the story resonate on an emotional level - perhaps scenes with Churchill and his cabinet discussing why they weren't going to rescue these soldiers. But overall, the film is well acted and it is suspenseful from beginning to end. You truly feel the plight of the 400,00 soldiers who are trapped helplessly on the beach at Dunkirk and the bravery of the English sailors who assisted in their rescue.
From a storytelling perspective, I have to admit that I was a disappointed. There is very little dialogue and much of what is said is not understandable. I would been more drawn in had there been additional perspectives to help the story resonate on an emotional level - perhaps scenes with Churchill and his cabinet discussing why they weren't going to rescue these soldiers. But overall, the film is well acted and it is suspenseful from beginning to end. You truly feel the plight of the 400,00 soldiers who are trapped helplessly on the beach at Dunkirk and the bravery of the English sailors who assisted in their rescue.
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| This poster now hangs in my son's room |
#5 Cars 3 - G
Not a lot of people went to this movie. They missed out. This movie is quietly ambitious in the themes it wants to convey and the writers were able to create a brilliant story to deal with the progression of Lightning McQueen's career and character. About half way through, I thought it was just alright, then the story took an unexpected turn and began to fire on all cylinders (Delaney - that Dad joke was for you). It is a fantastic movie for kids and adults. You should definitely see it.
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| Brilliant progression of Lightening's character |
#6 Spider Man Homecoming - PG-13
Yes, there have been 3 different actors playing Spider Man over the last 15 years. And yes, we may have probably all grown a little tired of the character. But Tom Holland bring something fresh to the role, and the story returns to its roots of dealing with the troubles of high school life. The integration with the Marvel world with Tony Stark works well. And there are some great action sequences and funny moments. Overall, the movie does what it sets out to do - it provides you with some good summer fun!
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| Saving the world or trying to get a date to Homecoming? |
