From Bad Boys to Bikeriders, the hot movies to look out for this summer
Our movie critic Gavin Miller previews the films to look out for this summer…
After a slow start to the summer season, it seriously kicks into life next month, with three stellar releases – and several more ‘genre’ films for your consideration – before the blockbuster event that is Deadpool & Wolverine on July 25.
BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE
Released: June 5
In Will Smith’s first major theatrical outing since his infamous Oscars outburst a couple of years ago, it’ll be interesting to see if the box-office cume of this fourth instalment in the popular action franchise is unduly affected.
Detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) investigate corruption in the Miami police department, after their late boss is posthumously accused of involvement with the Romanian Mafia.
But a set-up turns them into fugitives – forcing them to work outside the law to try and solve the case.
INSIDE OUT 2
Released: June 14
This highly-anticipated sequel to one of Disney/Pixar’s best films – is hoping to be the critical animation ‘darling’ of the season.
The follow-up to the 2015 movie returns to the mind of recently-turned teenager Riley, which throws Amy Poehler’s Joy – along with Sadness, Fear and Disgust – completely off their game when ‘headquarters’ undergoes a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected.
These turn out to be new emotions, and they don’t know how to react when Anxiety (Maya Hawke) shows up – and it looks like she’s not alone.
A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE
Released: June 28
After two exhilarating previous instalments (particularly the first) we go back to the beginning to see how this horror series started.
Previous director John Krasinski is on production duties for this sequel which sees Sam (Us actress Lupita Nyongo’o) and Eric (Stranger Things’ fourth season star Joseph ‘Eddie Munson’ Quinn) battle for survival before the events of the Abott family.
New York City is thrown into chaos when bloodthirsty alien creatures – with ultrasonic sound-hearing ‘to track their prey’ – invade with efficiently deadly aplomb.
THE WATCHED
Released: June 7
The daughter of (sometimes) acclaimed filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, Ishana, makes her directorial with this horror story led by Dakota Fanning (The Equalizer 3).
When her 28-year-old artist Mina gets stranded in an untouched forest in western Ireland, she gets trapped alongside three strangers who are stalked by mysterious creatures.
THE BIKERIDERS
Released: June 14
This drama with a great ensemble cast finally sees the light of day after writer’s strike delays.
After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy (Jodie Comer) is drawn to Benny (Austin ‘Elvis’ Butler), a member of a midwestern motorcycle club known as the Vandals in sixties America – much to the chagrin of leader Johnny (Tom Hardy).
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA
Released: June 28 & August 16
Kevin Costner stepped away from his Yellowstone duties to direct and star in this two-part American Civil War western epic, split over two release dates. Sam Worthington (Avatar), Sienna Miller (American Sniper) and Jamie Campbell-Bower (Stranger Things) join him for this drama that chronicles the expansion of the American west.
