This week at the movies: The Independence Day sequel hits theaters just in time for, well, Independence Day; Blake Lively stars as a lone surfer who must singlehandedly fight off a vicious great white shark; and Matthew McConaughey is an abolitionist farmer during the Civil War who leads a rebellion for the books.
Independence Day: Resurgence
As the 4th of July nears, satellite engineer David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000-mile-wide mother ship that's approaching Earth. Fortunately, 20 years earlier, nations across the world started to use recovered extraterrestrial technology to develop an immense defense program. When the alien invaders attack with unprecedented force, the U.S. president, teams of scientists and brave fighter pilots spring into action to save the planet from a seemingly invincible enemy. Also starring Bill Pullman, Liam Hemsworth, Brent Spiner, and Vivica A. Fox.
Perfect for: Avid sci-fi fans (this is the long-awaited sequel to the first Independence Day film, which has become an iconic classic in the sci-fi movie world).
What the Critics Say: Although Will Smith (sadly) does not return in this sequel, the film will still knock your socks off. Empire says it’s “[a]s spectacular as you’d hope. You’ll enjoy yourself enough that you won’t even miss Will Smith.” The review goes on to praise the rest of the returning cast and the movie’s fantastic, nostalgic aura: “Whether it’s Goldblum reliving his co-pilot jitters in another spacecraft, Bill Pullman pulling on his flight suit once more as PTSD-stricken ex-president Whitmore, or Brent Spiner making a welcomely deranged return as surprisingly not-dead professor Brakish Okun, you’ll likely thrum with the same sweet, not-able-to-take-it-too-seriously joy you felt during the first film.”
Our Take: With the 4th of July coming up soon, this is the perfect movie to see right now. Just make sure you watch out for aliens! Just kidding…
The Shallows
Still reeling from the loss of her mother, medical student Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) travels to a secluded beach for some much-needed sun and solace. Knowing the dangers of surfing alone, Nancy decides to hit the water to find the peace that she's looking for. Suddenly, a great white shark attacks, forcing her to swim to a giant rock in its feeding ground. Now stranded 200 yards from shore, the traumatized young woman must fight for her life as the deadly predator circles her.
Perfect for: If you like shark movies (i.e. Jaws), this might be right up your alley. Also, Blake Lively fans.
What the Critics Say: The critics all agree that this shark epic is the greatest they’ve seen in a long time. IndieWire calls The Shallows “[u]nequivocally the best shark movie since Jaws (yes, even better than Open Water and Deep Blue Sea),” naming it a “back-to-basics thriller.” And Vanity Fair says Blake Lively is a star: “We’ve seen the grief drama-as-thriller genre before, the literal fight for survival meant to serve as a metaphor for the internal fight to move past tragedy…Lively is a fine choice for this kind of thing – she’s gorgeous, yes, but, more important, she’s possessed of a curious glow that makes you root for her, an odd mix of goofy earnestness and angelic, otherworldly knowing that provokes both trust and concern.”
Our Take: Surfer vs. shark? We are already anxious (in a good way). Da-dum… Da-Dum…!
Free State of Jones
In 1863, Mississippi farmer Newt Knight (Matthew McConaughey) serves as a medic for the Confederate Army. Opposed to slavery, Knight would rather help the wounded than fight the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns home to Jones County to safeguard his family but is soon branded an outlaw deserter. Forced to flee, he finds refuge with a group of runaway slaves hiding out in the swamps. Forging an alliance with the slaves and other farmers, Knight leads a rebellion that would forever change history. Also starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri Russell, Mahershala Ali, and Sean Bridges.
Perfect for: Civil War/history buffs; Matthew McConaughey aficionados.
What the Critics Say: This movie is very, very long, but it’s based on a true story and Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey demonstrates some exceptional acting. The New York Daily News explains: “It’s a meaty role. McConaughey is front and center almost every minute – all 139 (oh, brother!) of them… But if he was also looking for a project that rose above being earnest but unexceptional, the choice wasn’t so alright, alright, alright… Gritty – and gory – combat scenes summon edge-of-your-seat intensity. They’re so good that the bulk of the movie – set amid Reconstruction and roiling with racial hatred and violence – comes off slack and predictable.”
Our Take: We are nearly always impressed with Matthew McConaughey, and it sounds like he definitely rocks his role in this one…