Half-year movie round up for 2018

By atmnl
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20 Jun, 2018
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The month of June reminds us that we're almost halfway through the year already! How are you holding up? Can you already say this is a good year? Or are you just about to start something big and spectacular?

Let's take it from the filmmakers and actors who made it through the first half of the year. We mean, just take it from Infinity War -- yes, we are all affected by that big Thanos film. Take note: it's all year round! So just think about it. Without holiday back, the movie industry was able to release kick-ass films that left many moviegoers wondering and asking for more!

After the huge success of the Avengers: Infinity War, lots of people (ahem, including us!) are still wondering if there is another film that could live up to that and technically, there is none (so far)! Perhaps until the second installment is released or another MCU/DCEU superhero is launched. 😉

For now, let atmnl give you a roundup of what you might have missed from the cinemas in the past few months.

JANUARY:

THE COMMUTER

IMDB Overview: An Insurance Salesman/Ex-Cop is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.
Main Cast: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson

The Commuter might not be the best action movie released this year, but just seeing Liam Neeson solve a mystery and do stunts is super thrilling and it definitely reminds us of 'Taken'! However, the difference is the tension building up while the train moves from one point to another.

And to make it more enticing, the director Jaume Collet-Serra has been been directing Neeson since the movies 'Unknown', 'Non-Stop', and 'Run All Night' which means they both know the formula for action-filled movies!

Maze Runner: The Death Cure

IMDB Overview: In the epic finale to The Maze Runner Saga, Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary last city, a WCKD controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all.
Main Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario

Following high standards for a trilogy is definitely challenging for filmmakers and actors, especially if it's the finale. There's a need to make it the biggest and most viral. But in the case of the Maze Runner franchise, it felt short in that department.

Many youngsters looked forward to the movie but it was released in January so our theory is that most of their targets are focused on starting something new - like working or new endeavors - and watching a movie isn't that big of a priority. But it isn't too late! If you want to see a thriller-slash-sci-fi film that really follows its book counterpart, you've got to see this!

FEBRUARY:

Fifty Shades Freed
IMDB Overview: Anastasia and Christian get married, but Jack Hyde continues to threaten their relationship.
Main Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eric Johnson

The final Fifty Shades is a fitting end for a franchise that could never get it's charm back.

Many movie goers would definitely agree that this is not a favorite film, but it holds a special place on our list simply because it is the finale of a very controversial and somehow badly reviewed adaptation. And with controversy, we just want you to see it and understand why.

MARCH:

Love, Simon
IMDB Overview: Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
Main Cast: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Langford

This movie is rated 7.9/10% on IMDB and with 92% of positive reviews on Rotten Tomato, aren't these enough to convince you to watch it? 😉

This coming-of-age romantic comedy film is said to be an excellent adaptation from the book of the same name. It's just so light and satisfying that it will make you believe that #LoveWins is more than just a hashtag. The charming characters and the story itself will surely make you happy that LGBTQ+ movies are being shown in theaters now.

Ready Player One
IMDB Overview: When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video in which he challenges all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune.
Main Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn

Book purists, please don’t get mad at us for this, but we think that even though Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One story arc is really different from the Ernest Cline’s polarizing novel, we want to consider this as one of the best movie released early this year.

Spielberg was able to deliver his own spectacular visuals and capture the 80's nostalgia by using appropriate soundtracks and scenes with lots of Easter eggs. With awesome CGI, virtual game characters that we are familiar with, and of course a very timely story that has a deeper meaning, it is definitely an entertaining movie!

APRIL:

A Quiet Place
IMDB Overview: In a post-apocalyptic world, a family is forced to live in silence while hiding from monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing.
Main Cast: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds

John Krasinki directed this chiller even though he was a bit nervous. He even mentioned in one interview that he "was never a horror movie guy" because he "was just too scared"! (Same here, John. Same here.) But after seeing the film, we have one question for him -- "Were you being serious?"

Costarring his wife, Emily Blunt, this was an exceptional film. A Quiet Place has a clever and innovative premise - the alien-style monsters can't see, but they have exceptional hearing so the humans in the film have to be almost wordless. Interested yet? Go see this now!

MAY:

Deadpool 2
IMDB Overview: Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (AKA. Deadpool), brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg, Cable.
Main Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Zazie Beetz

In an era dominated by superhero franchises, Deadpool is a refreshment! And similar to the previous movie, the sequel recaptures the original manic mix of comedy, action and adult humor.

Deadpool 2 has a special spot for every IDGAF heart because of it's unique characters and anti-hero premise. Adding up to the fun and craziness of the movie are the members of X-Force and, of course, Cable! But please don't fall over heels for them right away. ;) We also have to warn you about how gory this movie is! Most of the scenes involve a lot of knives, swords and a ball point pen!

The Kissing Booth
IMDB Overview: A high school student is forced to confront her secret crush at a kissing booth.
Main Cast: Joey King, Joel Courtney, Jacob Elordi

Are you one of the people who haven't seen this Netflix film yet? What are you waiting for?!

Some girls would definitely agree that this movie is so addictive! It will allow you to relive your romantic teenage girl fantasies. Too cliche? If you're not a fan of romcoms, you still have to give this movie a chance and watch it till the end! We're pretty sure you'll understand why this story written by 15-year-old Beth Reekles has a special spot on Netflix and in our hearts!

JUNE:

Oceans 8
IMDB Overview: Debbie Ocean gathers an all-female crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's yearly Met Gala.
Main Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway

This all-girl riff on Steven Soderbergh’s Oceans trilogy is a fun-enough spin-off that centers around a revenge heist orchestrated by Debbie Ocean, sister of George Clooney’s Danny.

If you're looking for a film that will give you the feeling similar to Clooney's original trilogy, you better watch this movie. It is fairly comedic and entertaining! You should also watch how Anne Hathaway delivers her lines and her forever-entertaining facial expressions. She's one of the gems in the ocean!

BONUS TREAT!

All Summers End
IMDB Overview: After a summer prank goes awry, a teenage boy falls in love while grappling with his guilty conscience. Main Cast: Pablo Schreiber, Kaitlyn Dever, Tye Sheridan

All Summers End is an indie film released in 2017 at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Its original title is Grass Stains . It was bought by Gravitas Ventures (International Film Distribution Company) and targeted to be released this month at selected theaters nationwide.

Most of the written reviews say that the movie is disappointing and that it lacks something special. But just to be fair, atmnl recommends this film because of its unforgettable and relatable characters. This coming-of-age movie resonates with the feeling of first love and first loss, which we think that everyone has felt at one point or another.

It made us cry and fall in love even more with indie films, not just the usual MCU and DCEU characters.

There are many more movies to be released this June and the coming months, such as Jurassic World, The Incredibles 2, Tag, and Hotel Artemis. Which are you most excited to see? Share it with us!