Unlikely Champions

Summer is technically over. Usually I would post a Summer Re-cap post which usually falls on October-ish (blame the weird movie schedules of Japan). I still have Star Trek Beyond and Jason Bourne to go. I intentionally skipped Ghostbusters though. But even right now I can already single out two champions for this summer. For the record, 'summer films' is a really broad term but I'd only like to include the studio films, so sorry Sing Street and other indie gems.

Runner up for the summer,
The Conjuring 2
I remember the first film as a very expertly-crafted piece of horror. However I did not remember it to bring something new and also engaging at the same time. It was good but never great. Nevertheless I'm really excited to see the second installment. And yes The Conjuring 2 delivers. It is far superior than the original while also showcasing James Wan's inimitable expertise on building tension and showing off horror money shots. Wan has so many moments in the film that might be bad in other director's hands. The cast is also great, headed by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, the film has child actors better than those guys you see on the overrated Stranger Things. It's a great film and a great time at the movies. The Conjuring 2: rated 3.5/4


Champion of the summer,
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Yes it has a formulaic story but what happens with Popstar: NSNS is that the premise does not grow old. Great premise on comedy films usually makes the film barely standing to the end credits, like The Dictator, This is the End, and so many other films. Popstar is still standing tall and even wanting the audience to have more by the time the credits roll. Props to The Lonely Island crew for making a such engaging mockumentary, complete with 'interviews' with other singers and music industry faces. Andy Samberg is on his A-game here, usually he just comes off as annoying in some films but this is the role he's born to be. The cameos are all unexpected and great. And the songs are just so funny. Conner's 2nd single caught me off guard and I ended up laughing so hard at that sequence. There are so many other great comedic sequences in the film. The film also does not overstay its welcome as it is greatly edited and packed making it, bar none, the most entertaining summer film of the year and the funniest comedy I've seen for so long. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping: rated 4/4


Let's see if Star Trek Beyond could overtake the champion position after I finally watch it on October.
God that's so far away. But I boldly go. (stop. just stop).