This Summer at the Movies

Two blockbuster films highlight a summer that reminded audiences why the big screen still matters.

It was a delightful summer at the cinema. From historical epics and superheroic crusades to family friendly adventures, there was a film for almost everybody. And almost everyone showed up. Ticket sales reached an all-time high, with a slate of blockbuster events fans couldn’t get enough of. But for those who missed out, there are two must-watch films that encompass this summer’s cinema experience.  

First, there is The Odyssey, my personal favorite film of the year. Christopher Nolan adapts Homer’s epic poem in staggering fashion. He stays true to the source material while reinterpreting it. Matt Damon is perhaps the best he’s ever been. He disappears into the role

of Odysseus, embodying the clever, but regretful king perfectly. The cinematography and special effects are phenomenal. Nolan’s determination to use as little CGI as possible paid off spectacularly, creating some of the most stunning and tangible visuals in modern film history. The sheer scale recalls films like Lawrence of Arabia, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. I had the privilege of attending an IMAX 70mm presentation of the film and was completely blown away. That said, the film is astounding in any format. Overall, The Odyssey reminds us why cinema is such a special art form, honoring it while evolving it. 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is certainly the biggest film of the summer. Effortlessly becoming the third highest grossing film ever, its box office run is nearly unparalleled. Luckily, the film deserves its huge cultural impact. Brand New Day is a back-to-basics Spidey story that recalls the heroics and heart of Tobey Maguire’s films. It’s highly entertaining, with stellar action sequences and a surprising amount of emotion. Also, for die-hard Marvel fans, there are a handful of surprising cameos. My only gripe is that the film’s ending is uncannily similar to another recent Marvel movie. In a sea of mediocre comic-book movies, Brand New Day shines, giving fans everything they could possibly want from a Spider-Man experience. 

Overall, this summer was incredible, but the year isn’t over yet. Many of the year’s most anticipated films are still on the horizon. Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning, Laika’s new film Wildwood, and a new Hunger Games movie pave the way for the biggest cinematic events of the year, Dune Part Three and Avengers Doomsday.  

Movie theater mania is back, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.