Jacob’s Top Ten Anticipated Movies of Summer 2019

May is only a day away, which means that the month of summer movies is nigh. While ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is busy making bank and breaking all kinds of records (and what a movie that was), it is now time to give attention to all the movies set to keep me busy during the summer months. Will I see them all? Probably not. But these are the Top Ten movies I am keeping on my radar prior to release!

 

#10. ‘Aladdin’

Out of all the live-action Disney remakes set for release, ‘Aladdin’ was the one I was least excited for. Yet after seeing its second official trailer, my skepticism and worries faded away. It has a bright and dazzling style akin to the original animated classic, and while Will Smith may not have the same comedic timing as the late Robin Williams when it comes to the role of Genie, he seems to be having fun in the role. With ‘Aladdin’, Disney seems to be on the right track.

 

#09. ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’

Last we saw John Wick, he was on the run from the international assassin’s guild after being declared a fugitive; now in ‘Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, the stakes seem to be higher, and the action nonstop as we see Wick take on a new slew of people who want him dead. Joining Reeves as Wick are more celebrites being added to the fray, such as Halle Berry and Anjelica Huston who may help him in the fight. Whether this is the concluding chapter or a set-up for more in the franchise, ‘Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ looks to be the most thrilling time at the movies.

 

#08. ‘Toy Story 4’

One question that ran through everyone’s minds was ‘How can a sequel to the greatest animated trilogy top its predecessor?’ ‘Toy Story 3’ ended on a perfect note, so it would seem pointless and money-hungry to make another one? Based on the official trailer, it seems that Pixar has found a way to make it work. While time will tell if ‘4’ lives up to the previous three films’ standards, it looks to bring in the feels guaranteed to not only release your inner child, but to make you cry as well. Even Tom Hanks and Tim Allen agree about how tearjerking its ending is, so we can trust them on this one!

 

#07. ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’

Honestly, I have no words to describe how awesome ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ looks! Besides the “King of the Monsters” himself, we have Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra to join in the fight! While it may be a year before Godzilla faces Kong (Remember ‘Kong: Skull Island’?), this is the movie we have been waiting for! Long live the king!

 

#06. ‘The Lion King’

Who else is not looking forward to this one? While there might be naysayers and those skeptical to see one of the greatest animated movies of all time get an HD remake, this offering from Disney seems to be something special. First off, this may be the first talking animal picture to contain no trace of humans, while it would also be great to see what scenes will be replicated in full CG glory. The casting is also perfect with Donald Glover as Simba, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, and the return of James Earl Jones as Mufasa. 

 

#05. ‘Midsommar’

Ari Aster disturbed us with the surprisingly effective ‘Hereditary’, now he is doing it again with ‘Midsommar’, a horror film dealing with a different kind of cult during a summer festival. ‘Midsommar’ looks to take viewers back to old-school horror films like ‘The Wicker Man’ and uses its cinematography and white bars to capture a sense of disturbing dread. I have a feeling that it will be as suspenseful, frightening, and chilling as Aster’s previous film did. Summer is about to be scary.

 

#04. ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’

I remember being read the book ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ by Alvin Schwartz in middle school. It had a selection of creepy and chilling urban legends that have managed to stick with me and keep me interested in lore for years to come, which is why the fact that it is now a movie makes me happy. Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and directed by André Øvredal; ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ takes pages from classic scary stories such as ‘Harold’ and ‘The Big Toe’ in order to scare a new generation of children and those who remember the books.

 

#03. ‘Child’s Play’

Horror movies with legendary serial killers tend to overstay their welcome (‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ with Freddy, and ‘Friday the 13th’ with Jason), yet somehow, I cannot get enough of Chucky, the doll with a serial killer’s soul trapped in him, yet this remake is taking a different approach, focusing on a more technological horror with Chucky’s AI being malfunctioned. If that is not enough to sell me, then the fact that Mark Hamill is hired to replace Brad Dourif as the iconic voice of the doll will, and he does not sound bad at all.

 

#02. ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’

The Pokémon phenomenon is still going strong with ‘Detective Pikachu’; which combines live-action with CG. Being a fan of the first generation, I am really looking forward to seeing a live-action version of my childhood be brought to the big screen. Whether it becomes good, or just another cash-grab, I will still be glad to see it when it comes out.

 

#01. ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’

From being low on my anticipated movies list to being my must-watch of the summer, Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ looks fun, spectacular, and everything a Tarantino movie should be! Though it may be a controversial one to say the least with it being a light-hearted comedy set in the times of Charles Manson and Helter Skelter. The fact that Tarantino is back is enough to get me excited.

 

Honorable Mentions:

‘Brightburn’

Two things! James Gunn and evil Superman are a combination made in movie heaven. Though Gunn may not be directing, ‘Brightburn’ looks to be a chilling alternative to what being a superhero is all about.

 

‘Booksmart’

To those who say that originality does not exist in Hollywood. Have no fear, because AnnaPurna Pictures, Olivia Wilde (in her directing debut), and the two charismatic leads of Beanie Feldstein and  Kaitlyn Dever are here to make summer interesting. ‘Booksmart’ is about high school, but it is also about what happens after graduation ends and college life begins.

 

‘Rocketman’

Ever since his first voice-over role in ‘Sing!’, ‘Kingsman’ star Taron Egerton was born to play music icon Elton John. Now he gets his chance, which may lead to the best role in his career. No longer is Egerton Eggsy from ‘Kingsman’, he is now Elton John!

 

‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’

I have to be honest here! I was not too keen on the first ‘Secret Life of Pets’ and was not wanting a sequel until I saw the marketing for ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’. The in-depth look at emotions pets go through were what I needed, and this could actually be the sequel I never knew I wanted, even with Patton Oswalt replacing Louis C.K. as the voice of Max.

 

‘Men in Black: International’

You could call this ‘Thor and Valkyrie Save the World’, and that is all ‘Men in Black: International’ needs. Knowing the chemistry Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson shared in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ will make this reboot an entertaining one.

 

‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’

‘Avengers: Endgame’ may be the end of an era, but at least, we have ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ to hold us until Marvel introduces its slate full of new stories and characters to welcome in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; however long it takes.

 

‘Good Boys’

Anything that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg produce are enough to make me excited to see what raunchy shenanigans their characters get into this time!

Advertisement