A Matt Damon movie floats, while a Dwayne Johnson remake drowns.
Now, me and the toys have been working all summer trying to help classics make a friend. That means there were big blockbusters, welcoming independent films, and family entertainment that actually knew the meaning of the word “family.”
5.) “The Invite”
In her third directing job, Olivia Wilde delivers some hilarious and insightful intentions as she and Seth Rogen play a bickering married couple inviting their upstairs neighbors (Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz) for dinner. But there’s more to it than cheese platters and champagne.
4.) “Toy Story 5”
You need to check your pulse if you’re not moved by Jessie returning to her original owner’s home and Bonnie struggling to make friends. This Pixar sequel cares about both of them, and each movie contains the humor, heart, and visual appeal we deserve in the franchise.
3.) “The Sheep Detectives”
If somebody changed the title to “A Hugh Jackman whodunit with the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and Bryan Cranston,” then it still would be a great movie. It’s a smart, funny, heartwarming, and equally delightful family film I’m glad ewe chose over the awful “Animal Farm.”
2.) “Power Ballad”
The Indie film I most wanted to share with movie goers was John Carney’s latest gem. I feel sorry for those who missed it in theaters, because Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are both excellent when they sing and act. The case of who created the hit song would be handled aggravatingly in sitcoms, but this is a movie with truth and consistency inside.
1.) “The Odyssey”
Christopher Nolan’s take on Homer’s story is further evidence that he is a filmmaker who knows how to make a blockbuster with a story and great performances. Not even the early criticisms could stop us from seeing the best film so far this year.
But unfortunately, there were summer bombs that not even Keanu Reeves could deactivate (obligatory “Speed” throwback). So here are the five worst I saw this summer.
5.) “Supergirl”
As much as I believe that Supergirl deserves a movie as equal as her cousin Superman (the best being the 1978 movie), her solo feature debut was overdosed on Kryptonite. She’s saddled with an annoying young sidekick and villains with more piercings than Jared Leto’s Joker. And it’s not much better when her CGI dog Krypto is poisoned and needs a cure from those same villains.
4.) “Spa Weekend”
Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Anna Faris, and Michelle Buteau are all funny actresses, but their new comedy was a cynical and crass mess. You would think that the writers who gave us “The Hangover” and “Bad Moms” can do better than act so desperate with the humor level. It’s not a vacation I would book.
3.) “Moana”
I’ve heard that this live-action remake was supposed to share its love for Polynesian culture, but somebody should have shared it in another movie. We didn’t need a live action remake of an already delightful Disney animated musical. And if you think we did, then you’re as spoiled as Veruca Salt.
2.) “Animal Farm”
Andy Serkis said this film version of George Orwell’s story was a 15-year-journey for him, but it should have been just a 15 second movie. It couldn’t even decide if it wanted to be a kids movie with fart jokes and Seth Rogen’s laugh or a political movie that kept families away. It was a pigsty.
1.) “Super Troopers 3”
I liked the first movie in my teens, but now that I’m an adult, I have to say this threequel was the worst of the bunch. Mean-spirited, stupid, tone deaf, and cynical, a wise cartoon film critic named Jay Sherman once said: “After Roman numeral II, give it a rest,” and I’m glad most of you did.
Remember, as with any Midway Point list, these movies are not my final of the best and worst of the year. And you know which month to check back with me on.