FILMBROS–I’ve got another article for you guys. I know you’re probably too busy cooped up in your bedroom with the blinds drawn watching a Tarkovsky film only half-paying attention because you’re trying to think of a perfectly witty one-liner Letterboxd review, but hear me out. There are some interesting CONTEMPORARY films to watch out for this summer. Very shocking, I know. Good cinema from the 21st century? Nuts. 

Twee fans rejoice, because your boy Wes Anderson is putting out a new movie this June. Asteroid City (2023) hits theaters on June 16, so less than a month away. From the trailer, I can already tell that Anderson is returning to form. The French Dispatch (2021) kind of drifted off from his typical colorblocked static-shot kitschy vibe, but Asteroid City falls right back into it, which I’m glad for. I do think the movie is his most saturated flick yet, and I don’t love that, but I appreciate that he’s going back to his beloved schtick. The plot itself is also very Anderson-standard–crazy things happen to quirky characters on a vaguely New Mexico-inspired set. 

Another big-ticket movie is Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023). I have to say this before continuing, but, I personally really LIKE Greta Gerwig movies. I think they’re fun and cute and, first and foremost, they are for the GALS. Gerwig-hate based on the premise of her movies seeming trivial because they’re about girls just doing things and existing will not be tolerated! If you have a problem with her directing or whatever that’s fine, I don’t care. Anyway, star-studded cast for this one, and it looks very vibrant and colorful. I’ve heard some rumblings, though, that it’s actually going to be spooky and scary, so I guess we’ll see. This one’s out July 21st this year.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqnn2-VJ2V1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Guess what? July 21st will truly be a day of decisions, because Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is ALSO coming to theaters. Which way, Western individuals–Barbie or Oppenheimer? This movie is about the guy that worked on the Manhattan Project developing nukes. It is two and a half hours long. War drama. Me? I actually eat that kinda stuff up. I watched Full Metal Jacket (1987) at age 14 and was never the same. 

I actually have no idea if I’m going to see Oppenheimer or Barbie first, but chances are good that I will be working that day anyway, and will not have the time to see either in theaters. Those will most likely be laptop viewings for me. 

Are you planning on seeing any of these? Which one are you most excited for?