Summer was an exciting time to be a movie-goer. Movie-goers felt joy rushing to theatres to see films they enjoy. Whether its feminist characters, tornado disasters or emotions affecting teenagers, the summer offered something for everyone. Given the number of movies I saw, making a top 10 list proved to be challenging. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of the summer that are worth watching.
1. Inside Out 2
Anxiety is a powerful emotion that has shaped my personality. As far back as I can remember, I have always been an anxious person. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with the pressure posed by studies, I faced a nervous breakdown that impacted my mental health adversely. I felt humiliated having a panic attack in front of teachers I respected. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the emotional turmoil I went through as powerfully as “Inside Out 2”. Pixar’s powerful sequel captured emotions inside the mind of a teenage girl unable to leave anxiety behind. Boasting breathtaking animation, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best movies the studio has ever made. It showcased the studio’s strength at making movies that appeal to both kids and adults alike. Ultimately, though, what made “Inside Out 2” my favourite film of the summer was its meaningful message. Unlike most animated movies, it tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a powerful message that would resonate with everyone that has faced anxiety causing damage. The scene in which Riley faces a panic attack may be the most realistic depiction of anxiety I’ve ever seen in a movie. Watching Riley facing a nervous breakdown brought back frightening memories of anxiety that impacted my mental health. As powerful as emotions inside Riley’s mind, it has motivated me to leave my painful past behind learning joy in hopeless situations is possible to find.
2. Dune: Part Two
The Middle East is a country that has shaped my identity. I remember growing up in an Arabian country that I grew up to treasure. I recall with nostalgia joyous memories of growing up in Saudi Arabia. Whether it’s the gorgeous desert landscapes or prosperous oil economy, I grew up to value a country that I regarded highly. As someone that has grown up to value the Middle East as a country where dreams come true, I loved “Dune: Part Two”. A spectacular science-fiction sequel, it celebrated a famous novel about Arabian culture. Packed with breathtaking special effects, sharp storytelling and powerful performances, it’s one of the greatest sequels ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Timothee Chalamet, who proves why he’s one of the greatest young actors working today. Ultimately, however, what makes “Dune: Part Two” a masterpiece is its depiction of Arab countries. Unlike most movies that depict the Middle East as a land of terrorism, the. film captured the beauty of a country. The film celebrates the source material by portrayal of Arab countries that’s respectful. As precious as dune planets, it’s reassuring to be reminded about beauty of Middle East by a strong sequel I will not forget soon.
3. Longlegs
Serial killers are terrifying figures which have always scared me. At an early age, I developed a fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death in the shower, my housekeeper became the victim of a gruesome murder. Police never investigated the reason behind a murder that left my family affected. In this regard, I loved Osgoode Perkins’ “Longlegs”. Oz Perkins’ movie captured the enduring appeal of serial killers committing crimes which are frightening. Boasting breathtaking production-design, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a spectacular serial killer thriller. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Nicholas Cage, who embodies a psychopathic killer that loves to commit murders causing outrage. Ultimately, however, what makes “Longlegs” special is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message that would resonate with everyone facing trauma at an early age. Watching agent Lee struggling to catch a serial killer reminded me of my grief mourning loss of a housemaid that left my family emotionally affected. As shocking as crimes Longlegs has committed, it has motivated me to move on years after the murder of a housemaid left my family emotionally affected by honouring movies about serial killers that deserve to be celebrated.
4. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Mad Mad is a franchise that I’ve never been madly in love with. Growing up in the 1990’s, I didn’t get a chance to see Mel Gibson’s original trilogy of movies. My first introduction to the franchise came in 2015 when I saw “Mad Max: Fury Road” in theatres. My main issue with the movie was that it focused on spectacle at the cost of storytelling. As someone that has never been a big fan of the “Mad Max Saga”, I was surprised by how much I adored “Furiosa”. George Miller’s breathtaking blockbuster celebrated a furious feminist heroine in a famous franchise. From a technical perspective, there’s no denying that the film is a groundbreaking achievement. Miller crafted breathtaking action sequences that demanded to be seen on the big-screen. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Anya Taylor-Joy, who embodied a strong feminist character. However, makes the film special is its fantastic feminist message. Unlike previous films in the Mad Max franchise, it found a strong balance between the storytelling and spectacle. It delivers a heartwarming message that would resonate with everyone that has experienced childhood trauma at an early age. 40 years after creation of a franchise about mad emperors that are furious, it’s a powerful reminder of fantastic films about courageous women that audiences consider precious.
5. Challengers
It’s challenging to pursue romantic relationships in sports. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl that was fond of playing tennis. Fond of holding a tennis racket, she treasured a game she grew up to respect. However, sports ruined our relationship forever. Her desire to succeed in tennis championships caused our relationship to face hardships. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the challenging barriers faced by lovers pursuing romance in sports as powerfully as “Challengers”. Luca Guadagnino’s movie painted a powerful portrait of competition leading romantic relationships in sports to deteriorate. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Zendaya, who embodies a sports player facing a dilemma. Ultimately, what made “Challengers” one of my favourite films of the summer was its message. The film delivers a poignant message about the challenges faced by sports players that pursue romantic relationships. Watching Tashi giving up romantic relationships to pursue championships brought back memories of my affair with a sports-playing girl that faced hardships. As strong as Tashi’s desire to become a commemorated sports player, it has motivated me to move on several years after parting way with a girl that grew up to treasure tennis games by learning romantic relationships in sports rarely last forever.
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6. A Quiet Place: Day One
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old when bombs struck my household. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. As someone haunted by memories of a country that wasn’t a quiet place, I loved “A Quiet Place: Day One”. Joseph Kosinski’s quietly powerful horror prequel captured struggle experienced by a woman to survive in a world that’s silent. Kosinski effectively uses diegetic sounds to create an apocalyptic world of silence. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Lupita N’yongo. Ultimately, what sets it apart from other films in the horror genre is its strong message about survival. It delivers a powerful message that would resonate with everyone that has experienced traumatic situations at an early age. A powerful portrait of people seeking a quiet place, it has motivated me to move on several years after my family was forced to face bombings by celebrating a franchise holding a special place in my heart I will forever embrace.
7. Twisters
Tornadoes are terrifying disasters that have always scared me. Ever since I was a young child, I have always been afraid of tornadoes causing consequences that are wild. With their powerful structures, strong winds and destructive tide, tornadoes have always left me absolutely terrified. As someone that can’t stand the sight of tornado disasters, I was surprised by how much I loved “Twisters”. Lee Isaac Chung’s breathtaking blockbuster captured tornadoes evoking terror. Headlining the film is Glen Powell, who embodies a charismatic storm chaser fascinated with tornadoes that are terrifying. Ultimately, what makes “Twisters” a great disaster movie is its meaningful message. It delivers a strong message that would resonate with everyone that has experienced natural disasters at an early age. A breathtaking disaster blockbuster with surprising emotional depth, “Twisters” was the most fun at I had at the theatre all Summer. A terrific tribute to a classic film about terrifying tornadoes that evoke terror, it’s a breathtaking reminder that stories of natural disasters haven’t lost the abilities to attract audiences to the theatre.
8. The Fall Guy
Not many actors in Hollywood have built a legacy as lasting as Ryan Gosling. With his larger-than-life persona, charming personality and sense of humour, Gosling has earned a huge fan following. I’m a huge fan of Ryan Gosling and adore all the movies he has made throughout his illustrious career. So, it’s no surprise that I couldn’t help but fall in love with “The Fall Guy”. David Leitch’s movie gave Ryan Gosling an opportunity to showcase his strengths as an actor. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most likeable role to date. It’s a larger-than-life character giving the actor an opportunity to showcase natural charisma. Ultimately, what makes “The Fall Guy” a great summer movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a poignant message celebrating stunt communities rarely recognized in the film industry. As powerful as stunt performers falling in the skies, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to surprise whose timeless movies audiences prize.
9. Deadpool and Wolverine
The Wolverine is a great superhero that has shaped my grandfather’s identity. Many years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of the comic-book hero. A big comic-book nerd, he loved a hero that made him feel heard. Drawn to a superhero that was excellent, he loved first-class entertainment. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved the Wolverine, I adored “Deadpool and Wolverine”. It was a joy to see Hugh Jackman return to the iconic role of the superhero. Packed with exciting action, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a captivating blockbuster. Ultimately, what makes “Deadpool and Wolverine” a great comic-book film is its message. It delivers a strong message about friendships that will resonate with everyone. Watching the Wolverine team up with Deadpool was the perfect way to end a strong summer for movies that deserved to be seen on the big-screen.
The Film Buff 
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