FOG! is back with the second installment of the Summer Movie Buzz.
While Neighbors 2 and Angry Birds hits theaters this week, that’s not what you came here for.
We have what you want, what you need, and right here.
Independence Day: Resurgence
Official Synopsis:
We always knew they were coming back.
After Independence Day redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.
The Buzz:
In 1996, Independence Day became a box office juggernaut bringing in over $817 million dollars, making it the year’s highest grossing film. While some argue that the film’s plot is paper thin, it didn’t matter because Director Roland Emmerich was able to shepherd an amazing movie theater experience that was second to none and was rounded out by unforgettable visual destruction and characters that were fun and easy to root for.
Now 20 years later, Emmerich will try to replicate the magic with some new blood, along with the original cast, besides the glaring omission of Will Smith’s Capt. Steven Hiller. Smith and 20th Century Fox were unable to come to terms on a deal that would have the actor return to the role that launched his movie career.
This is one of my most anticipated movies of the year, but I’m also wondering if too much time has gone by. Nostalgia is going to bring in those who grew up in the 90’s, however, two decades have passed and there is a new generation of moviegoers who not only need to be drawn in, but also be impressed with the film, in order to match the success of its predecessor.
The casting of Liam Hemsworth in the lead as U.S. pilot Jake Morrison is certainly a step in the right direction to draw in the youngsters. Hollywood loves him and he’s easy on the eyes, but tell me if you can remember the young Hemsworth most memorable performance?
Don’t worry I’ll wait.
It doesn’t take the acting chops of Daniel Day Lewis to pull off this type of role that Hemsworth will undertake, or any role in the film for that matter. Still, one of the things that made Independence Day great is that all of the characters were fun and therefore memorable.
We remember Steven Hiller welcoming an alien to Earth with a right cross to its jaw. We marveled at Jeff Goldblum’s plucky David Levinson ingenuity when he uploaded a computer virus to the alien mothership ship using a Macintosh Powerbook 5300. All sorts of laughter ensued while Judd Hirsch annoyed everyone while being the atypical voice of reason as Julius Levinson and President Whitmore’s motivational speech before the final battle with the aliens inspired a generation.
Fox has done a great deal of promotion for the movie including a website that fills in the 20 year gap between the two movies. www.warof1996.com
Independence Day: Resurgence Opens June 24
Finding Dory
Official Synopsis:
With help from Nemo and Marlin (Albert Brooks), Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) the forgetful fish embarks on a quest to reunite with her mother (Diane Keaton) and father (Eugene Levy).
The Buzz:
I remember seeing an early morning showing of Finding Nemo on the first day of its release. Upon entering the auditorium I was surprised to see how packed it was with children and their parents, on a school day. I was a little jealous because back in my day, I had to be damn near dead for my father to even consider letting me stay home from school.
That is the magic of Disney!
While the little clown fish named Nemo swan his way into our hearts,
there was a blue tang fish that was anything but forgetful. Even is she herself can’t remember anything.
Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, stole the show and now 13 years later, she stars in her own movie/sequel. While that appears to be too long for a follow up story, however, in this case, it’s perfect timing.
Ellen DeGeneres is everywhere. She is everything. She is the messiah and ruler of day time television, which is why Disney is striking while the iron has never been hotter. Some have said this movie is merely the mouse’s latest cash grab, however, fans have wanted a second visit with Nemo and Dory.
A plot description for Finding Dory states that the adventures of our favorite aquatic friends pick up six months after the events in the first movie, where Dory sets off on a journey to find her parents.
Dory is as adorable as she is amnesic. That coupled with everything else Pixar/Disney Animation have in store for audiences everywhere is going to sea of cash for the box office.
Finding Dory Opens June 17th
The Legend of Tarzan
Official Synopsis:
Many years after he left Africa behind, Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård) returns to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary, unaware that he is actually a pawn in a Belgian captain’s (Christoph Waltz) deadly plot.
The Buzz:
I’m going to come clean here. Tarzan has never been my cup of tea. The mythos and the character never appealed to me in any way, shape, or form. The first trailer did nothing for me, but then the second trailer dropped on Tuesday and now July 1st is circled on my calendar.
Alexander Skarsgård is featured in the titular role while Margot Robbie plays Tarzan’s beloved, Jane Porter. This duo oozes Hollywood good looks and talent but so far, it’s only Robbie who has been in the spotlight with several A list movie roles on her resume. Skarsgård, hopes to finally breakthrough on the silver screen and seems to have a good chance of doing so as Director David Yates stated that the former True Blood star is “perfect” for the role.
The premise of the film takes a different approach to Tarzan as he has been removed from his jungle dwellings for over a decade until he is called back and swings into action. Will he want to go back or have difficulty socializing with animals at first? Tarzan’s story transcends pop culture, which will make this movie easy to follow, even if you never read or watched any previous adventures.
Christoph Waltz seems to be every studio’s first choice to play the antagonist in their films. I can’t say I blame them as the Austrian born actor brings a villainous flair to each role that calls for it. In the trailers, Waltz’s Captain Leon Rom appears to have fierce motivation and resolve regarding his dislike for Tarzan.
Samuel L. Jackson and Djimon Hounson round out an impressive cast that should do nothing but augment all of the action and adventure in store for moviegoers as Tarzan aims to make a triumphant return to the theaters everywhere.
The Legend of Tarzan Opens July 1st
Ghostbusters
Official Synopsis:
A paranormal researcher (Melissa McCarthy), a physicist (Kristen Wiig), a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and a subway worker (Leslie Jones) try to rid New York of ghosts that can possess humans.
The Buzz:
Man, it seems that this movie just can’t do anything right. From the first trailer to its Empire Magazine covers, this reboot of a heavily revered franchise is getting zero love from fans. I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet, but I understand the at-best extremely cautious approach that people are taking here.
There is no dispute that Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones have a large fan base that find them hilarious. The first trailer showed more of a slapstick type of humor as opposed to the subtle and superbly creative humor that Bill Murray and company delivered in the original film.
The second trailer that recently dropped was a vast improvement form the first one, but it might be too little too late. Fans seem to have given Ghostbusters an F+ without the slightest hesitation. I have even read pages and pages of venomous message board posts regarding the FUNKO POP figures of the film’s characters.
Come on people, they’re just toys.
People are claiming that they’re not going to see the film, but who are they kidding, of course you’re going to see the movie. We’re all going to see the movie. We might absolutely hate what has been presented thus far, however, we also have that little glimmer of hope that Paul Feig will give us something that is worthy of the name Ghostbusters.
Ghostbusters Opens July 15th
