Every Blockbuster Movie Coming Out This Summer: What To See, What To Skip
Let’s go to the movies. Image by iStock
It’s burning hot outside and world news couldn’t be worse. So let’s go to the movies.
The Forward has compiled a list of all of the remotely popcorn-friendly movies that have come out or will come out this summer. We’ll tell you what we thought, what we expect, and of course, anything Jewish you should know. Look out for our “Forward Picks” and comments from movie addicted Forward staffers.
Overboard
The endearing Anna Faris stars in this gender-reversed remake of the 1987 movie of the same name, opposite Eugenio Derbez.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%
Jew-ishness: Directed by Rob Greenberg
Forward thoughts: This looks vile, like the movie-version of dentistry, and that’s coming from someone who has watched “Princess Diary II” upwards of a dozen times. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Tully
From both the writer and director of the phenomenal “Juno” comes a painful and sometimes comic movie about a mother’s relationship to her child’s nanny.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Jew-ishness: Directed by Jason Reitman
Forward thoughts: “Tully” is not a date movie, and I learned that the hard way. It is also not a great movie — it can’t hold a candle to “Juno,” but it’s daring, and Charlize Theron is a true light unto the nations. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
RBG
A documentary about the life and career of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Julie Cohen and Betsy West.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Jew-ishness: Could not possibly be more Jewish
Forward thoughts: If you’ve ever wondered just how abysmally your own work ethic compares with that of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “RBG” is the movie for you. The film will leave you both marveling at how one tiny Jewish woman became a beloved symbol of progressive politics, and worrying about how useful political symbolism really is to steering our country away from the brink. — Forward staff writer Ari Feldman
Breaking In
A thriller about a mother (Gabrielle Union) who will do anything to reach her children.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 24%
Jew-ishness: This is about a mother trying to save her kids from bank robbers, so… it’s a stretch.
Forward thoughts: “Breaking In” looks like it has the potential to be a potent political parable about a black woman who kicks the asses of a bunch of white dudes who used trickery and brute force to take what is rightfully hers and endangered the lives of her children — or it could just be Gabrielle Union picking off some burglar punks in delicious and desperate ways, like with the stem of a broken wine goblet. — Forward staff writer Ari Feldman
Life of the Party
Another broad comedy that brings together the talented Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone, this time concerning a mother who goes back to college alongside her daughter.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 28%
Jew-ishness: Maya Rudolph co-stars.
Forward thoughts: Yet another movie in which Melissa McCarthy is charming and the script and plot are mediocre. Just watch “Bridesmaids” and wait for Melissa to figure out that she needs to work exclusively with brilliant women writers. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Deadpool 2
The sequel to the hit anti-superhero comedy “Deadpool,” starring Ryan Reynolds.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Jew-ishness: Deadpool watches “Yentl” and sings the Streisand classic “Papa, Can You Hear Me?”
Forward thoughts: “Deadpool II” ups the ante of its predecessor. Where the first film featured a disturbing baby hand on a man-sized Ryan Reynolds, the sequel outfits him with even more unsettling neonatal legs and feet! — Forward culture intern PJ Grisar
Book Club
Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen, and Candace Bergen reclaim their sexualities and drink white wine.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
Jew-ishness: Pretty goy-heavy. Alicia Silverstone has a bit-part.
Forward thoughts: You can enjoy this movie and see it as a celebration of older women’s sexuality without wine or a knowledge of “50 Shades of Gray” if you are in the right mood and bring decent snacks. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
On Chesil Beach
Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, Saoirse Ronan stars in this movie about sexual politics on an English honeymoon in the 1960’s.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%
Jew-ishness: Not much.
Forward thoughts: From what I heard, it was a fairly reductive exploration of human and specifically female sexuality, and I am not interested in that! – Forward deputy culture editor Talya Zax
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Another moneymaker for the “Star Wars” franchise, this time a backstory for space-cowboy Han Solo.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
Jew-ishness: Han Solo himself is played by Alden Ehrenreich. You do the math.
Forward thoughts: I have no desire to see the Han Solo movie — leaving aside that the lead actor seems like a pale imitation of Harrison Ford, all the reports about the problems making the movie just bummed me out. But I would definitely watch a Lando Calrissian movie. – Forward deputy news editor Aiden Pink
My 10 year-old son is a huge fan of “Star Wars” and even he did not think it looked good. – Forward news editor Helen Chernikoff
Action Point
A raunchy comedy about a rickety amusement park, starring Johnny Knoxville.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%
Jew-ishness: We hope and pray that zero Jews were involved in this.
Forward thoughts: This looks just abysmal. Watching the trailer feels like eating old Jell-O naked in a gym locker room. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Adrif*
Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin are young lovers trapped and starving in a hurricane-struck sea, based on a true story.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
Jew-ishness: Meh.
Forward thoughts: “This one looks interesting — I don’t like romantic comedies but this seems more realistic. When there’s a nonfiction element it feels more rooted to me.” — Forward Database Specialist Rashiida Richardson
Hereditary
A horror film on unusual themes — loss, regret, and familial drama.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Jew-ishness: Oh yeah.
Forward thoughts: The only person in the Forward office who has seen “Hereditary” (VP-Product/Engagement Jay Ehrlich) can’t stop talking about how brilliant this movie is. If you have the nerve (and I do not) you will probably enjoy this strangely neurotic horror movie. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Ocean’s 8
Another “Oceans” heist movie, this time with a delightful cast of women: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, and more.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Jew-ishness: Oh, barely.
Forward thoughts: Delicious summer nonsense with incredible beauty, luscious gowns, and Sandra Bullock’s indefatigable inner strength. You could do worse. – Forward deputy life editor, Jenny Singer
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
A documentary about Fred Rogers, the beloved star of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Jew-ishness: Rogers talked about tikkun olam on his show in response to September 11.
Forward thoughts: Editor in Chief Jane Eisner covered this film in her newsletter “Jane Looking Forward.” She said: “I was not weaned on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, and frankly, it was not a mainstay of my children’s childhood. But after watching this film, I came to deeply appreciate his extraordinary understanding of a child’s inner mind, and the courageous stands he took — against racism, homophobia and fear of the disabled — in his own quiet, nerdy way. Mr. Rogers’ message of love and respect for all cannot be heard enough these days. Watch it.”
Hotel Artemis
Jodie Foster, Jenny Slate, Sterling K. Brown, and Jeff Goldblum star in this ensemble crime thriller about an illicit hospital.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
Jew-ishness: Jenny and Jeff!
Forward thoughts: Every famous person in the world is in this and it still looks dreadful.
Incredibles 2
The long-awaited sequels to Pixar’s smash hit spin on the superhero genre, “The Incredibles.”
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Jew-ishness: Stephen Schaffer, the movie’s editor, is Jewish.
Forward thoughts: If Disney is going to insist that Pixar keep making sequels rather than taking the time to craft terrific original films like “Coco” and “Inside Out,” then they could certainly do worse than “Incredibles 2,” a B+ effort that still far outdoes most other studios’ output. It’s certainly the scariest-ever Pixar movie — I would definitely want to see writer/director Brad Bird make a live-action thriller. – Forward deputy news editor, Aiden Pink
Tag
Based on a true story — a group of five adult male friends (Hannibal Buress and Jon Hamm included) have been playing a single game of tag one month a year since they were kids.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%
Jew-ishness: Isla Fisher and Rashida Jones star.
Forward thoughts: Dammit, “Tag.” I wanted to love this, but also felt conflicted about it, because how many more times in my life am I going to have to pay to see a group of men (all white except one, of course) doing “comedy” for two hours while women look on beatifically? The bittersweet news is that this movie was very average. A more diverse cast and better jokes next time please, “Tag!” – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
The second installment of the “Jurassic Park” reboot, starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%
Jew-ishness: Jeff Goldblum!
Forward thoughts: Well…my friend really liked it. Wait, is Jeff Goldblum in this one? It might be worth it for him! He’s such a charismatic guy. – Forward staff writer Alyssa Fisher
Boundaries
A road trip movie chronicling the voyage of a downtrodden single mother (Vera Farmiga) and her wayward, weed-loving father (Christopher Plummer.)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 59%
Jew-ishness: Doesn’t look like it.
Forward thoughts: I want to support Christopher Plummer’s post-“The Sound of Music” career but I don’t think it’s going to happen this time around. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Action-adventure on the US-Mexico border with Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
Jew-ishness: Never, ever forget that Josh Brolin is Barbra Streisand’s step-son.
Forward thoughts: The first Sicario was a taut, smart thriller by Denis Villeneuve, but the most viscerally satisfying moments in the film came in the form of an unexpected third-act rampage by Benicio Del Toro’s character. The sequel (directed by Stefano Sollima) doesn’t seem quite as cerebral, but it promises a whole lot more of Del Toro taking out cartels. That’s something I can get behind. – Forward culture intern PJ Grisar
The First Purge
Another “Purge” horror movie, focusing on a period of time outside of rule of law.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
Jew-ishness: God, we hope not.
Forward thoughts: There is nothing to say about “The Purge.” – Forward deputy Yiddish editor Jordan Kutzik
Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6)
A sequel to the “Ant-Man” Marvel comics superhero movie starring Paul Rudd.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Jew-ishness: Paul Rudd! Michael Douglas!
Forward thoughts: We don’t like that whole thing of superheroes being bugs. It’s very disappointing. We can’t make that leap. ‘We’ is ‘me and my kids.’ — Forward news editor Helen Chernikoff
Sorry to Bother You (July 6)
A buzzy sci-fi comedy about race, starring Lakeith Stanfield.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Jew-ishness: Armie Hammer and David Cross co-star.
Forward thoughts: Lakeith Stanfield, the star of ‘Sorry to Bother You,’ has impeccable comedic timing and is brilliant and underrated. So I’d go to see a movie staring him anyway but as a sociolinguist a Hollywood film where a major plot point revolves around how people perceive language and dialects is something I need to see. It doesn’t hurt that there are some other great actors in the cast such as Danny Glover and Forest Whitaker. – Forward deputy Yiddish editor Jordan Kutzik
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (July 13)
The third installment of the animated Dracula franchise for children.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Jew-ishness: Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, aka God and Moses.
Forward thoughts: Hotel Transylvania 3 is about a vampire who needs a vacation, but frankly I need a vacation from yet another animated sequel aimed to pump the most possible cash out of tired parents. – Forward news intern Juliana Kaplan
Skyscraper (July 13)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson scales buildings as a former FBI agent forced to clear his own name.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: None to speak of.
Forward thoughts: “Skyscraper” is a prime example of Dwayne Johnson having biceps and boy does he ever in this upcoming thriller. – Forward food writer Shira Feder
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot (July 13)
A Gus Van Sant dramedy based on a true story about a quadriplegic cartoon artist.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
Jew-ishness: So Jewish! Joqauin Phoenix’s mother is Jewish, did you know that? Plus we’ve got Jack Black and Jonah Hill.
Forward thoughts: Jonah Hill gears up for his next Oscar bid, though the film itself, about an alcoholic party boy, looks like it will be a smidge too harrowing for mainstream enjoyment. – Forward news intern Juliana Kaplan
Eighth Grade (July 13)
Comedian Bo Burnham’s freshman effort – a coming-of-age story about an 8th grade girl.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Jew-ishness: Again, we said his name is “Bo Burnham.”
Forward thoughts: Bo Burnham is funny! My experience of 8th grade was fairly standard for a nerdy girl, but it’s often a mixed bag. – Forward deputy culture writer Talya Zax
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (July 20)
The sequel to the movie-version of the Broadway musical “Mamma Mia,” a Greek-island based musical comedy that utilizes ABBA tunes.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: They don’t call it “ABBA” for nothing.
Forward thoughts: Ever since the first “Mamma Mia” film came out a decade ago, I have been waiting for another film to be just as uplifting and cheesy, and now it is around the corner! I am highly anticipating the soundtrack that will follow. – Forward life intern Nicola Lewis
Blindspotting (July 20)
“Hamilton” alum Daveed Diggs and his childhood friend Rafael Casal co-wrote and co-star in this terrifying-looking, utterly believable drama about police violence and race in Oakland, California.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Jew-ishness: The gorgeous, audacious Daveed Diggs is one of our very favorite Jews.
Forward thoughts: Who can bear to have their heart broken one more time? But who can afford to miss what looks like a masterpiece by Daveed Diggs? – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (July 27)
Yet another of Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible” movies.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: The whole “Mission Impossible” series was originally created by Bruce Geller as a TV show.
Forward thoughts: The MI franchise does action set pieces like no other. That life-and-limb “do my own stunts”-thing Tom Cruise has been doing may catch up to him someday, but until then I will always put down $15 to see him dangle from a huge skyscraper, or helicopter or weird hydraulic parking garage. – Forward culture intern PJ Grisar
Hot Summer Nights (July 27)
Young sensation Timothée Chalamet stars in his first follow-up to “Call Me By Your Name” as a disaffected teen one hot summer in Cape Cod.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Jew-ishness: Timothée Chalamet we tell you!
Forward thoughts: In the event that I ever get the chance to meet Timothée Chalamet IRL, I may die at his feet. So, with that sentiment out in the open, I am counting down the days till he graces theaters in “Hot Summer Nights”. The trailer, set in the 90’s, is full of platitudes. Chalamet smokes weed, drinks slurpies, falls in love with a girl played by Maia Mitchell that he meets at a movie drive in. And then the lanky teen starts dealing drugs. We’re not sure where he goes from there, but I’m betting on his million dollar business. – Forward life intern Bonnie Azoulay
The Darkest Minds (August 3)
Amandla Stenberg stars in this timely sci-fi movie based on a young adult novel that pits children against a corrupt government.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Stenberg has Jewish heritage.
Forward thoughts: “Darkest Minds” does prey on my greatest fear of children becoming even more powerful, but the winning combination of an intriguing sci-fi plot and Amandla Stenberg promises thrills and delights for the “Hunger Games” loving crowd. – Forward news intern Juliana Kaplan
Christopher Robin (August 3)
A family-friendly fantasy backstory about A.A. Milne, “Winnie the Pooh” author, with CGI.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Just a wee bit.
Forward thoughts: The trailer for “Christopher Robin” has inexplicably made me cry every time I’ve seen it, so while I don’t think it’ll be as emotionally devastating as “Coco,” I’m already practicing some deep breathing for when it hits theaters. – Forward news intern Juliana Kaplan
Searching (August 3)
A thriller about a missing girl, and the father who tries to trace her whereabouts online.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Jew-ishness: Debra Messing.
Forward thoughts: “Searching” is a hate crime against John Cho, shoehorning him into the role of anxious, emotionally fragmented father of lost 15-year-old child, even when we all know he is still a romantic comedy leading man in his soul. – Forward food writer Shira Feder
The Spy Who Dumped Me (August 3)
Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon play best friends in this action-comedy about a woman who is jilted by a spy.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Susanna Fogel directs and Mila Kunis co-stars.
Forward thoughts: “The Spy Who Dumped Me” has all the markers of a summer hit: Appropriate respect for Britney Spears, a stellar cast, a flimsy spy plot, and, most importantly, the power of female friendship. – Forward news intern Juliana Kaplan
BlacKkKlansman (August 10)
Spike Lee tells the thrilling and comedic story of the black detective who infiltrated the KKK — using a Jewish co-worker as his body double.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Jew-ishness: This movie is so exciting for Jews that we need to lie down.
Forward thoughts: I have rarely been more excited to see a movie in my life. This one’s a true and timely story about Black-Jewish relations — the good and the painful — co-produced by the “Get Out” team, so I will take it as a sign from God. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Dog Days (August 10)
A family-friendly comedy about the inner lives of dogs during the hottest months of the year.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Adam Pally and Finn Wolfhard co-star.
Forward thoughts: If you are not a dog lover, you may as well be a serial killer. Or at least, that’s what I’d like to think. Fluffy creatures walking this earth emit a feeling of happiness. So like a rainbow of light in an otherwise turbulent world, comes “Dog Days”, a timely movie about canine lovers set to be released during the “dog days” of summer. And almost as cute as the puppies in the film, stars “Stranger Things’” Finn Wolfhard. The all-star cast also includes Vanessa Hudgens, Eva Longoria, and Nina Dobrev. We will be paw-tiently (too much? I think not!) waiting for the movie’s grand debut. – Forward life intern Bonnie Azoulay
The Meg (August 10)
A Jason Statham action-thriller, this time featuring sharks.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Jon Turteltaub directs, based on the book by Steve Alten.
Forward thoughts: “The Meg” is an instantly iconic piece of horror shlock that will delight both adrenaline junkies and anyone looking for their Jason Statham fixes.
Crazy Rich Asians (August 15)
The long-awaited movie version of Kevin Kwan’s hit novel about star-crossed love between a member of the uber-rich of Singapore and an American commoner.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: None to speak of, and we can accept that.
Forward thoughts: “Crazy Rich Asians” may be the only important movie coming out this summer, as far as the Schmooze is concerned. If the title sounds problematic, it’s not — Kevin Kwan’s addictive story coming to mainstream Hollywood is a big win for Asian representation and a huge treat for all of us. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
Mile 22 (August 17)
Mark Wahlberg plays an intelligence operative in this Peter Berg film.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Berg has Jewish parentage. Wahlberg does not, despite the name.
Forward thoughts: The plot sounds like a conventional thriller at best, but as the trailer nosedives into a bloody operation to transport a crucial police officer at Mile 22, things take a sudden twist. Be prepared for gunshots, explosions, and topless Wahlberg (well, a girl can dream.)
The Happytime Murders (August 24)
A controversial crime-comedy involving sexualized muppet-like puppets and Melissa McCarthy.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Elizabeth Banks and Maya Rudolph star.
Forward thoughts: “The Happytime Murders” is an artistic piece of majesty that cannot be summed up in a sentence, so I will just say that even though it commits the capital crime of making cheap jokes about Melissa McCarthy’s appearance, it is also a movie about the R-rated lives of the puppets you adore, so yes, I’ll be the first to crash the premiere. – Forward food writer Shira Feder
Replicas (August 24)
A scientist tries to bring his dead family back after a car crash.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Jeffrey Nachmanoff directs.
Forward thoughts: “Replicas” is an example of a film I would abhor because it as a sad mash-up of Frankenstein and Robocop, except it has Keanu Reaves in it, thereby making it an original cinematic soon-to-be classic. – Forward food writer Shira Feder
Slender Man (August 24)
A horror movie about teen girls haunted by a supernatural being after the disappearance of their friend.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Jew-ish Joey King stars.
Forward thoughts: “Slender Man” struck a very genuine chord of fear into my soul, even though I could not tell exactly what it was about, but the zoom-ins on wriggling worms seemed highly ominous. – Forward food writer Shira Feder
Kin (August 31)
An action-y sci-fi from the makers of “Stranger Things” about brothers who band together as a criminal threatens them both.
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not yet.
Jew-ishness: Stars Zoey Kravitz and James Franco
Forward thoughts: Written and directed by a shockingly sexy pair of Australian twin brothers, “Kin” is nonetheless a movie that I will see only if it is very, very hot in New York in September. – Forward deputy life editor Jenny Singer
See you at the movies.
Jenny Singer is the deputy lifestyle editor for the Forward. You can reach her at Singer@forward.com or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny
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