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Black History Month 2025

Film preview: Spirited adventures, heartwarming tales spark theater heat waves this summer

(Joy Chen/Daily Bruin staff)

By Natalie Ralston, Reid Sperisen, Puja Anand, Yuna Choi, and Ruwani Jayasekara

July 18, 2024 7:48 p.m.

As temperatures rise, cinema’s best films are being uncovered.

Movie theaters will offer a chilling escape from the scorching heat this summer. Thrillers, comedies and coming-of-age nostalgia films will be released throughout this year’s most vibrant months.

Read on to discover the Daily Bruin’s cherry-picked favorites for the summer.

Daisy Edgar-Jones faces her "Twisters" co-stars inside a car. The sequel to the 1996 blockbuster "Twister" will hit cinemas Friday. (Courtesy of IMDb)
Daisy Edgar-Jones faces her “Twisters” co-stars inside a car. The sequel to the 1996 blockbuster “Twister” will hit cinemas Friday. (Courtesy of IMDb)

“Twisters” (Universal Pictures)

Climatic conditions stir climactic consequences this summer.

With extreme weather continuing nationwide, it seems fitting that the meteorology-focused disaster film “Twisters” rolls into theaters Friday. “Twisters” is a standalone sequel to the Oscar-nominated blockbuster smash “Twister,” which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton and became the second-highest-grossing film of 1996. In both stories, a group of storm chasers and tornado researchers must band together to survive the chaotic whirlwind brought by tornado season on the desolate plains of Oklahoma.

[Related: Theater preview: Summer shines spotlight on reimagined classics, award-winning dramas]

Two-time Academy Award nominee Lee Isaac Chung directed the new film, his first picture since 2020’s Oscar-winning “Minari.” Glen Powell stars as Tyler Owens, a social media personality with a taste for the thrill of storm-chasing, who crosses paths with Daisy Edgar-Jones’ retired storm chaser Kate Carter. With an estimated $200 million of Hollywood production budget gusting behind them, Powell and Edgar-Jones will ensure that plenty of devious dust devils hurl their way.

If the film’s pedigree delivers, it’s safe to say that audiences are sure to be blown away by this summer blockbuster long after the dust has settled.

– Reid Sperisen

A still from the coming-of-age film "Dìdi (弟弟)" is shown. The movie, releasing July 26, will follow the adolescence of a Taiwanese American boy in the age of social media. (Courtesy of IMDb)
A still from the coming-of-age film “Dìdi (弟弟)” is shown. The movie, releasing July 26, will follow the adolescence of a Taiwanese American boy in the age of social media. (Courtesy of IMDb)

“Dìdi (弟弟)” (Focus Features)

From a camcorder to the big screen, “Dìdi (弟弟)” is capturing nostalgia in a new way.

In his feature film directorial debut, Oscar nominee Sean Wang focuses the lens on 2008 in his semi-autobiographical feature, reflecting on the growing pains of adolescence. Hitting theaters July 26, the coming-of-age film follows 13-year-old Wang-Wang (Izaac Wang), a first-generation Taiwanese American boy, as he embraces the authentic awkwardness of growing up in his last summer before high school. “Dìdi (弟弟)” reflects the universal challenges of belonging and self-discovery, exploring the tumultuous relationships in his life with an added element – the emergence of social media.

Receiving the United States Dramatic Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, “Dìdi (弟弟),” which shares its charismatic and honest story with audiences of all ages, is poised to make waves in the box office. Boasting a cast of fresh faces, the film’s trailer balances its humorous wit with genuine storytelling, spotlighting the creative vulnerability enhanced by the independent nature of the film.

The story of a misfit Californian, “Dìdi (弟弟)” is sure to bring a healthy dose of painful relatability all summer long.

– Ruwani Jayasekara

Ryan Reynolds (right) and Hugh Jackman (left) star as the titular heroes in "Deadpool & Wolverine." The action-comedy from Marvel Studios will release July 26. (Courtesy of Disney)
Ryan Reynolds (right) and Hugh Jackman (left) star as the titular heroes in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The action-comedy from Marvel Studios will release July 26. (Courtesy of Disney)

“Deadpool & Wolverine” (Marvel Studios)

Claws and comedy will clash in the newest summer blockbuster.

Directed by Shawn Levy, Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” releases in theaters July 26. In the action-comedy, the chaotic ensemble of characters will embark on a mission set by the eminent Time Variance Authority to determine the fate of the MCU. The newest film serves as the third installment in the “Deadpool” franchise and stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Emma Corrin.

The film follows a developing complex male friendship between two iconic characters, Deadpool (Reynolds) and Wolverine (Jackman), as they navigate a high-stakes adventure. As one of the few superheroes who regularly breaks the fourth wall, Deadpool offers metacommentary on superhero tropes and the MCU itself, offering a refreshing self-awareness. “Deadpool & Wolverine” promises to deliver an exhilarating mix of action and humor, featuring the pair’s trademark witty banter guaranteed to keep viewers in high spirits.

Audiences can look forward to slashing their way to theaters this summer to witness the dynamic – or better yet, chaotic – duo in action.

– Yuna Choi

The ensemble cast of "Borderlands" peers into a hole. Based on the hit video game of the same name, the action film is slated to hit theaters Aug. 9. (Courtesy of IMDb)
The ensemble cast of “Borderlands” peers into a hole. Based on the hit video game of the same name, the action film is slated to hit theaters Aug. 9. (Courtesy of IMDb)

“Borderlands” (Lionsgate)

It’s time for a manic, havoc-wreaking journey through Pandora.

The bestselling video game, “Borderlands,” is coming to cinemas Aug. 9. The movie follows the story of bounty hunter Lilith (Cate Blanchett) returning to her home planet Pandora on a mission to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Edgar Ramírez). As chaos envelopes her, she befriends an unlikely group of misfits – including preteen stubborn nightmare Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart) and know-it-all robot Claptrap (Jack Black) – to face the dangers of Pandora and discover a galaxy-altering secret.

[Related: Film preview: Spring 2023 blossoms with anticipated theater releases]

The bleak landscape, explosive violence and improbable camaraderie seen in the trailer evoke elements of DC’s “Suicide Squad.” The movie seems to blend the DC world’s quirky yet lovable characters and Marvel’s slapstick, feel-good humor. However, the star-studded, talented cast brings new life to the familiar plot and setting. From Kevin Hart’s one-liner quips to Jack Black’s classic deadpan humor, the movie is sure to have audiences enthralled as they take in this fresh take on unlikely heroes saving the world.

Far from being on the border, viewers will be in the middle of the action this summer.

– Puja Anand

Hunter Schafer stars as Gretchen in "Cuckoo." Directed by Tilman Singer, the thriller will premiere in theaters Aug. 9. (Courtesy of IMDb)
Hunter Schafer stars as Gretchen in “Cuckoo.” Directed by Tilman Singer, the thriller will premiere in theaters Aug. 9. (Courtesy of IMDb)

“Cuckoo” (Neon)

Visions of the past plague the future this summer.

Coming to the big screen Aug. 9, “Euphoria” sensation Hunter Schafer reemerges in another starring role as Gretchen in “Cuckoo.” A thought-provoking thriller, the film promises to deliver a terrifyingly peculiar plotline. When a 17-year-old finds herself alone in the German Alps coming from America, she begins to uncover some troubling familial secrets.

After moving countries to work for her father in an isolating resort, she is greeted by her new boss, Mr. König (Dan Stevens), who later proves to be a key figure in future mischief. As tensions rise, Gretchen attempts to dismiss accumulating oddities that perpetuate. What initially seemed like a pleasant summer transitions into an unforgettably painstaking narrative. Directed by Tilman Singer, “Cuckoo” provoked worldwide interest after premiering at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.

With blood, gore, memories and secrets, “Cuckoo” invites viewers to uncover and discover.

– Natalie Ralston

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Natalie Ralston | Theater, film and television editor
Ralston is the 2024-2025 theater, film and television editor and Arts contributor. She was previously an Arts staff writer. Ralston is a fourth-year English student minoring in film, television and digital media from Murrieta, California.
Ralston is the 2024-2025 theater, film and television editor and Arts contributor. She was previously an Arts staff writer. Ralston is a fourth-year English student minoring in film, television and digital media from Murrieta, California.
Reid Sperisen | Music | fine arts editor
Sperisen is the 2024-2025 music | fine arts editor. He was previously an Arts contributor from 2023-2024. Sperisen is a third-year political science student minoring in professional writing from Stockton, California.
Sperisen is the 2024-2025 music | fine arts editor. He was previously an Arts contributor from 2023-2024. Sperisen is a third-year political science student minoring in professional writing from Stockton, California.
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