5.) Marvel's Ant-Man - Even if you're not a Marvel fan, you owe it to yourself to check out the most recent entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Introducing a lovable cast with all-star power, this movie packs action, drama, intrigue and comedy into one small-sized superhero showcase. With stunning visuals sure to look stellar on your HD televisions and a compelling heist tale, Marvel's Ant-Man is a great reminder that superhero movies can be fun and engaging without necessarily being dark and pessimistic. It's popcorn fun at it's finest, and the best part is it's totally approachable, even if you aren't a hardcore Marvel fan to begin with.
4.) Pitch Perfect 2 - Three years after the surprise success of the a capella movie, there's been a bit of a cultural upheaval in the world of a capella: specifically, mainstream attention and care to the style of performing. Pitch Perfect 2 honors the evolution of this by presenting the girls in a scenario where they're not at liberty to break the rules anymore. Now, they have to work their way back up to the top, competing against other competitors from all around the world, and bring back some real street cred to a capella. The movie is a really fun time, and although it doesn't necessarily achieve what the original did, the story this time around is even more compelling. While the Barden Bellas (the a capella group) have to train for the world championship, Beca (Anna Kendrick) works to understand and realize who she is before she graduates, a theme I think many people in the next year could really relate to. With even more music, more laughs, and more of what you loved the last time, Pitch Perfect 2 makes for a great weekend movie with friends and/or family. Just...be careful of who you watch it around, because there's a LOT of misogynistic jokes.
3.) Furious 7 - Depending on where you live in the world, the title could be different. That being said, this movie was a hell of a fun ride! Where it places us is at the main casts' downtime, ready to retire from the fast life, when lo and behold, super tough British guy Jason Statham comes to shoot people and punch Dwayne Johnson in the face. This was my very first experience with The Fast & The Furious, and what a great place it was to come in. With this film surrounded by a ton of production hang-ups due to the death of alum Paul Walker, I was also morbidly curious to see how director James Wan, of Insidious and The Conjuring fame, would handle it. The answer? Masterfully. Wan gives us ample to enjoy, from sweet car chase scenes to outrageous moments to exotic locations, with a dash of absurdity here and there. Not only was the film a fun ride, it does a good job of giving tribute to Paul Walker and his legacy with these films. I couldn't tell when his brother came in to play him, and the send-off was organic and true enough that I don't know how any other movie could have done it, let alone done it as well. Do yourselves a favor and check it out.
2.) Cinderella (2015) - Yeah, it is technically a spring movie, but since we were speaking of masterful movies, director Kenneth Bragnah (Thor (2011) , Hamlet (1996)) puts a fresh coat of paint on a beloved property. Whimsical, fun, and beautifully shot, this new take gives us a refresher course on why those classic Disney films are so revered. However, don't go in thinking this is just a straight shot-for-shot remake. The story is updated for a post-Mulan world, complete with story beats that don't keep our leading lady from being a vapid, dipsy princess. Not only that, but we get to see in the life of the wicked stepmother, expertly executed by actress extraordinaire Cate Blanchett. While it isn't a re-hash of Maleficent (in that we feel sorry for the villain), we do get to see her convictions and why she is the way she is. The only thing fans of the original may find disappointing is the lack of dialogue from some famous talking animals, but if you're like me, you'll find the rest of the movie charming enough that the nostalgia stab will pass, and you can enjoy yourselves as you see the magic return to Disney classics. And if for nothing else, this might get you intrigued in several other upcoming live-action reboots Disney has in the works.
1.) Ex Machina - For the final movie I recommend to you all, Ex Machina is an achievement worth noting. It's style is unique, it's narrative is compelling, and it's story will have you questioning what's going on the entire time - but in a good way. See, Ex Machina puts you in an environment that's isolated from the outside world, and gives you three characters to interact with, all that are marvelously performed by three of the biggest up-and-comers in the business. With all that said, Ex Machina also takes the time to let you examine what it means to be human, and lets you experience a point of view from remoteness of things you may take for granted - the trees, water, even the clothes on your back. This movie does an incredible job at bringing the audience the right amount of suspense and unease from interacting with a nobody, a hermit, and a robot, all awkwardly trying to figure out what being human means to us, whether that's the will to survive, the readiness to fight for what we want, or the desire for us to be better than what you are. It's heavy stuff, and something you should definitely watch with someone who you respect intellectually - this movie could be a great starting point for a lot of discussions between viewers.
Anyway, those are the five movies I think you need to check out. What do you think? Have you seen them already? Are you even interested in any of these? Are there any you, yourselves, would recommend to me?
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