While summer probably feels short for most people (myself included), it is always guaranteed that it will at least come with a long list of must-see movies. We’ve come a long way from July 4th being the start of blockbuster season; this year it kicked off with Avengers: Endgame in April! Whenever the tent poles start appearing in theatres, this summer like most summers offers blockbuster movies in a wide variety of genres - Horror, Comedy, Action, Fantasy, Family and many more. 

I have already crossed a few of these off my list, the most recent being Midsommar. Where do I even begin when describing this movie? Horror, mystery, suspense, psychological thriller?  This movie has all of it. While it has enough violence and nudity to give it a rating of 18A, it has all the elements of an Oscar winner. The costumes were amazing, the setting of the film was beautiful, and the actors were incredibly convincing. The movie itself? Terrifyingly mind-blowing. A must-see, but definitely not for the weak of heart.  This movie is still in theatres, and watch for its release on Blu-ray 3723218 and DVD this fall. 

Releasing on Blu-ray and DVD on July 30th is the new romantic comedy Long Shot, starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. Everyone knows fellow Canadian Seth Rogen from his hilarious (and usually raunchy) films such as Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, This Is The End, and The Interview just to name a few. While this role is a bit different than his usual comedy, it seems to work. The film is rated 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics are loving it. Charlize Theron plays a Presidential candidate who hires Rogen’s character as her speechwriter, and well, it’s a romantic comedy so we all know how this one will end. Regardless, it looks like this would be a great way to spend a cool evening indoors.

An exciting title for the family is coming out on August 6th. The long awaited Pokémon Detective Pikachu is coming out on Blu-ray and DVD. Voiced by another incredibly funny and talented Canadian, Ryan Reynolds plays the voice of none other than the world’s most famous Pokémon - Pikachu. In a deerstalker cap. The movie is based on the video game of the same name, released in 2016, and follows Pikachu and a Pokémon trainer (Justice Smith) while they look for the trainer’s missing father. A must see for families and Pokémon lovers of all ages.

The controversial film Unplanned is set to release on DVD August 30th. This is the story of Abby Johnson, the youngest clinic director in the history of Planned Parenthood, who later became an anti-abortion activist.  While the film is not getting great reviews, it seems to be an incredibly divisive topic in the media. Many people are referring to the film as ‘hate propaganda’ or ‘anti-abortion propaganda’, while others see the film as art.  Protests were held at movie theatres across Canada, by Pro-Choice groups and others who see the film as harmful to women. The film is currently being shown in 56 theatres across Canada, and Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob has released a statement defending the decision to show the movie in theatres, saying that it is ultimately up to the viewer to decide. Likewise, when it comes to DVD, libraries will be making the same decision.

One of the breakout films of the year has unquestionably been Booksmart, the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde. It was heralded upon release as the touchstone film of a generation, joining the likes of Heathers, Clueless, and Superbad as a film that perfectly captures the youth of the day. The film follows overachievers Amy and Molly as, on the brink of graduating high school, they embark on a single night of partying in an effort to have some of the fun they’ve missed, and some of the opportunities they missed out on. With strong, positive female perspectives and LGBTQ themes, this film truly is a snapshot of the modern day. It is out on DVD and Blu-ray August 6th. 

No summer would be complete without superheroes, and this summer we’ve had two of the biggest superhero movies ever. Avengers: Endgame blew every record except one out of the water when it was released this spring, and is currently only $8 million shy of being the highest grossing movie of all time. Bringing an end to eleven years and more than 20 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Endgame is also the final appearances of Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, and Chris Evans’ Captain America. Not to mention, concluding the cliffhanger of last year’s Infinity War. It comes to DVD and Blu-ray on August 13th.

Serving as an epilogue to Endgame is Spider-man: Far From Home. Spider-man continues to be the most popular superhero in the world, despite this being the 7th solo film for the webslinger in the last twenty years, not to mention his appearances in other recent Marvel movies (despite it being only the second in the MCU spidey series, this is actor Tom Holland’s fifth appearance as the character). It will swing onto DVD and Blu-ray later this fall.

What might have skipped by your notice was a smaller superhero movie, Brightburn. This film, starring Elizabeth Banks and produced by James Gunn, has a simple premise: what if Superman were a bad guy? Brandon is a mild mannered preteen, living with his parents on a Kansas farm. Until he begins manifesting strange powers and discovers his extraterrestrial origins. Instead of using his powers for good, he does what any teen likely would: he does what he wants, and no one can stop him. This horror movie twist on truth, justice, and the American way wasn’t in theatres long, but has a connection to Gunn’s previous vigilante movie Super, and will be on DVD and Blu-ray in August.

August has traditionally been the slow down month, where studios burn off the also-rans and maybe drop in a few surprises (remember when Guardians of the Galaxy made a splash a few years ago). The fall is a quieter time for us to reflect on all the computer generated mayhem and gratuitous violence. All to get us more in the mood for… Award Season, when movies make us think, make us cry, and make us try to figure out who is playing Churchill under all that make up this time.

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Happy watching!