Movies of the Summer

Summer is the perfect season for movies, with an abundance of time available for typically busy Exonians to relax and take in the best releases. This year we were lucky enough to have new releases appealing to a broad variety of tastes, from dumb comedies to sweet kids movies and esoteric indie pieces. While some films from this past summer missed the mark (“Suicide Squad”), others proved to be a good use of two and a half hours. For those of you looking to catch movies from over the summer, below are my top picks.

Expectations were high for this sequel to a Disney classic and “Finding Dory” did not disappoint. To follow a film as beloved as “Finding Nemo” is no easy feat. Sequels often fall into the trap of trying to imitate the original film to pander to the high expectations of the original fan base, leaving the new film with no unique identity. This film had to dodge that trap by not only appealing to fans of the first film, but also to a younger generation that didn’t grow up with Nemo. It had to maintain a certain sense of nostalgia and familiarity while also seeming fresh. It needed to be more than just a continuation of “Finding Nemo,” but a strong story in its own right. Bringing back beloved characters such as Dory, Marlin and Nemo, while introducing touching and hilarious new characters (such as my personal favorite, the meme-able Gerald the sea lion), the film toes this line perfectly. The movie shows off Pixar’s skill at creating heartwarming animations that appeal to audiences of all ages. In addition to the plot, the visual aspects of the film were fantastically executed, leading to an overall enjoyable experience.

“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” is indubitably dumb. The characters lack depth, while the humor is largely reliant on cheap jokes and crass gags. However, this film is extremely enjoyable, and the cast is excellent. Stars Aubrey Plaza, Anna Kendrick, Adam Levine and Zac Efron land their jokes and push their caricature like characters to comedic extremes. Plaza in particular was incredible. Her quirky personality and deadpan delivery provide some of the highlights of the film. The supporting cast also did a wonderful job, particularly Sam Richardson as the groom of the titular wedding and Kumail Nanijani in his short appearance as a masseuse with certain unusual talents. The film admittedly pushes its fun and careless schtick a bit too far to the point of boredom. The immaturity of Mike and Dave can get annoying once the humor fades. One scene that involved a nude, drug fueled romp with horses was a bit too much. Nevertheless, the movie was still funny. Kendrick and Plaza proved to be fantastic foils to each other, partnering up perfectly. This film is the perfect comedy to watch for an easy laugh.

I’ve watched “The Lobster” three times this summer and I still don’t really get it. I remain unsure quite what genre this film fits in. The narration can be quite comedic at times, but the dystopian themes of the film are dark and the imagery is graphically violent. However, it is not necessary to have a full grasp on the film to be utterly captivated by it. The alternative universe it presents— this universe is very similar to our own, yet with an utterly different social structure that leads to devastating consequences—is fascinating. In an industry flooded with similar takes on love and life, “The Lobster” provides a completely new outlook and message, criticizing undue pressure put on those to find a soulmate as well as those who pressure others to avoid romance altogether. Meanwhile, the film satirizes the artificial connections people make between themselves in an effort to connect. The film expertly juxtaposes two opposing forces: the mainstream culture that shoves coupledom down the throats of its citizens with the threat of being turned into an animal, and a rebel faction that punishes romance with death. Although the two factions are on the opposite ends of the spectrum ideologically, they prove to be quite similar. Overall, this film is intelligent and quirky, just as much a thought exercise as a visual experience.