Summer movie preview: What to watch if you're looking to laugh
The summer movie season is upon us, flooding our theaters with intriguing new releases. So here we are to help you navigate that storm, with a look ahead at some of the most exciting titles to come.
It's that time again.
You know what I'm talking about. Your local multiplex is filling up with blockbusters. The indie cinema around the corner is rolling out new titles faster than you can keep up. And every movie you get to is preceded by a zillion trailers for still more movies you need to make time for.
It's summer movie season, baby -- and fortunately for the sake of your wallet, your calendar, and your sanity, we're here to help, with our annual guide to the titles you need to know.
In the spirit of starting on a high note, we'll kick off our summer movie preview today with the movies to watch if you're looking to laugh...
… and you have a crush on Seth Rogen: Long Shot (May 3)
On its face, Long Shot looks like a story about a wildly mismatched couple -- Fred (Seth Rogen), a schlubby writer, and Charlotte (Charlize Theron), an accomplished politician who used to be his babysitter. But what's surprising and sweet about Long Shot is how genuine their connection seems once they do get together. Less surprising? How hysterically funny everyone in this movie is.
… if you miss early-aughts SNL: Wine Country (May 10)
Directed by SNL alum Amy Poehler, written by SNL alums Emily Spivey and Liz Cackowski, starring SNL alums Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, and Poehler herself: We haven't seen this many early 2000s SNL talents in one place since, well, early 2000s SNL. Round up some of your buddies, uncork a few bottles of wine, and prepare to get nostalgic over the good old days.
… if you're a fan of ladies doing crime: The Hustle (May 10)
If you enjoyed watching Anne Hathaway do crime in Ocean's 8, you're gonna love watching her mastermind crime in The Hustle. A distaff remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the film has her and Rebel Wilson playing a pair of con artists who are only too happy to let men underestimate their strength and their wits -- all the easier to screw them over, you see.
… and you’re with your BFF: Booksmart (May 24)
There's nothing quite as satisfying as a really great teen comedy, and Olivia Wilde's Booksmart has the goods: a classic one-crazy-night premise, a cast of colorfully drawn characters (including an absolutely scene-stealing turn by Billie Lourd), and a gleefully inappropriate sense of humor, all built around one of the most sincerely touching BFFships in recent memory.
… and you're craving Devil Wears Prada vibes: Late Night (June 7)
Rom-com aficionado Mindy Kaling wrote and stars in this love letter to comedy, playing a young writer who's short on talent but long on moxie. She finds her Miranda Priestly in the form of Emma Thompson's Katherine Newbury, brilliant but prickly host of a long-running late-night talk show. Um, how do we transfer over to this alternate universe where Emma Freakin' Thompson is on television every single evening?
… and you can quote Superbad from memory: Good Boys (August 16)
What if Superbad, but way too young to even watch Superbad, let alone live Superbad? That's roughly the premise of Good Boys, about a trio of sixth-graders embarking on a wild adventure involving drugs, violence, and sex toys that they're too inexperienced to understand are sex toys. If you've only known Jacob Tremblay as the angelic little moppet from Room, prepare to feel really old and mildly scandalized.
All this week, we'll be adding to our 2019 summer movie preview. Stay tuned to find out what to watch if...
Monday: ... you're looking to laugh Tuesday: ... you feel the need for speed Wednesday: ... you're with the family Thursday: ... you want to feel something Friday: ... you just want the best
