By Sean Reis
Staff Writer
When most people think about the summer, their mind immediately jumps to the beach — the feeling of the sand on their feet, the sound of crashing waves and the smell of the boardwalk.
I do too, as any good New Jerseyan should, but another scene comes to my mind before the shore: the movie theater, from the feeling of the sticky floors with every step, the sound of a beautiful score and, obviously, the smell of the popcorn drowning in butter.
The summer blockbusters have always been a personal staple for me each year, and although the theaters may not fill seats quite like they used to, the season’s films have continued to live up to the Oscar-winning movies of past years.
Popcorn (envato elements).
Summer 2017, specifically, may have been one of the best years for movies during my young lifetime with films breaking the box office across all genres.
The superheroes undoubtedly dominated, however “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Wonder Woman” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” weren’t the only movies to see this past summer.
“Baby Driver” surprised fans with action-packed cinematography accompanied by a flawless soundtrack. “Dunkirk” kept audiences on the edge of their seats for a symphonic war story told unlike any other.
“The Big Sick” brought loved ones together on an emotional rollercoaster filled with such strong feelings that sometimes they would find themselves awkwardly laughing and crying at the same time.
Furthermore, while Ansel Elgort proved himself as an actor, Harry Styles made his debut and Kumail Nanjiani headlined Oscar buzz; other movies such as “War for the Planet of the Apes,” “Lady Macbeth” and “Atomic Blonde” — all of which I regrettably missed in theatres — also received high praises from critics and fans alike.
I personally can only stamp the first six movies mentioned for approval, all six of which I made the seemingly forgotten trip to the theater to support. Though it is impossible — or at the very least difficult — to pick the summer’s “best” film due to varying genres, there was one movie that stood out the most.
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” starring Tom Holland had easily been the best of the summer’s superheroes, but director Edgar Wright’s surprise masterpiece “Baby Driver” ultimately had to take the cake.
With Elgort and other well-casted supporting roles from co-stars Kevin Spacey, Lily James and Jon Hamm, “Baby Driver” was definitely an experience born for the big screen.
As a gifted getaway driver, Baby (Elgort) lives a criminal lifestyle until he suddenly meets his dream girl, Deborah (James), and he must find an escape.
The audience follows Baby’s adventure between action and love as though we are not only in his shoes, but also in his ears as the audience listens to Baby’s favorite music for the film’s soundtrack –– synchronized, mixed and mastered with Wright’s cinematography.
Unprecedented, “Baby Driver” ultimately stood out as a theatrical joyride and the surprise summer 2017 blockbuster.
