The Five Biggest Films from This Summer

Main characters from Spider-Man, Obsession, and The Odyssey. Photo Creds: EXCL

Carrie Bradbury, Senior Editor and Review Desk Lead 

Going to the movie theatre for teens became an incredibly popular activity due to its ease and high level of entertainment. As a frequent visitor of the local theatre myself, it is easy to see why this summer was such a hit for the box office. While there were many interesting films in and out of the theatre that caught my attention, here are five in particular that stood out. 

5. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu”

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” ended a six year hiatus from filmmaking by the Star Wars industry, causing an immeasurable stir from fans before the movie was released on May 22. The movie served as an extension of the already successful Mandalorian show starring Pedro Pascal with only minor additions to the movie cast such as Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. 

While still an enjoyable and entertaining story, the movie ended up being a box office failure compared to other Star Wars films. Fans who were drawn out to watch the movie left the film feeling underwhelmed and disappointed, wondering if this story could have just been another episode. While there was nothing objectively wrong with the story line, it failed to add anything special to the already beloved characters and story. The failure of the Mandalorian movie puts extra pressure on Ryan Gosling’s “Starfighter” to be a hit before fans start to seriously question if Disney has ruined Star Wars forever. 

4. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”

Emotional, heartbreaking, and eye-opening, “Brand New Day” brings something completely new to the Spider-Man story. Left being the only person in the world who remembers the events of “No Way Home,” Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, is completely forgotten by his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), and the rest of the world. Living with crippling depression and painful headaches, Parker continues to rush around New York City stopping crime and trying to reconnect with the people of his past. 

Prior to the introduction of Jean Grey, played by Sadie Sink, no criminal is strong enough to beat Spider-Man. Telepathic mastermind and lonely teenager, Sink portrays Grey as an out of control criminal and threat to the city. Parker swoops in to save the day as usual but finds himself stuck between his super hero and real life responsibilities. The movie takes a turn, shocking to both the characters and the movie viewers. Dealing with topics of family, government control, and the importance of friendship, the movie stands as an excellent example of proper filmmaking. “Brand New Day” is by far the most interesting and thought provoking Spider-Man film and is definitely worth the time.

3. “Devil Wears Prada 2”

When we think about fashion icons, we should always include Miranda Priestly. Played by Meryl Streep, this character embodies what it means to be in style and up to date. Picking up right where “Devil Wears Prada” ends, “Devil Wears Prada 2” carries the same level of intensity and energy that was loved by fans from the first film.

“Devil Wears Prada 2” can easily be overlooked as being a simple fashion film about the dramas of modern newspapers and runway, but behind the show is a moving story about heartbreak, rejection, and the overbearing nature of one's boss. This long awaited sequel is definitely a must see and would be perfect for a movie night when paired with the original. 

2. “Obsession”

What happens when you wish for someone to love you more than anyone else in the world? In “Obsession” Director Curry Barker plays with themes of love, attachment, and possession to create an ultra realistic story that leaves viewers feeling haunted. Main character Bear (Micheal Johnston) uses a One Wish Willow to cast a spell over his best friend and crush Nikki Freeman  (Inde Navarrette) that will make her love him more than anyone else in the world. But what made “Obsession” such a hit was that viewers could almost see this happening to them. 

While it is obvious to identify that Nikki is possessed, some of her early acts of love towards Bear can be seen as romantic in the eyes of teenagers. Once the more horrid scenes commence, the movie becomes one of the best horror of the past couple years. “Obsession” is an amazing film for viewers who love horror but can also be enjoyable for those who don’t. 

1. “The Odyssey”

“The Odyssey” is a thrilling epic based off of the well-known Greek mythology character Odysseus. In interviews, director Christopher Nolan indicated that he allied his adaptation with the only female adaptation of the book, written by Emily Wilson in 2017. Because it was directed by Nolan, the movie was expected to be a big hit, yet no one knew just how good this movie could be. 

The trailing saga of Odysseus (Matt Damon) is one many fans are familiar with, but in this film Nolan was able to create something entirely new. Odysseus, the fabled warrior who was thought to have died in Troy, is depicted by Nolan as a flawless hero who leads his fellow warriors through trail and tribulation. The characterization of Odysseus paired with the acting job of Damon and world building done by Nolan made it impossible for the viewer to look away from the action surrounding Odysseus.

From the wardroom to the film production, “The Odyssey” was undoubtedly something special. The film is not simply an addition to the already historic year of movie making, but is the star of the show. “The Odyssey” stands as an excellent example of what happens when one of the most prolific directors is paired with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.