Books, Movies, and Shows For Your Summer
Summer is fast approaching and with it comes time to spend with family/friends or to just chill out by yourself. So I’ve made a list of movies, books, and shows that are worth checking out during your summer vacation.
Movies
Incredibles 2
Synopsis: Elastigirl is back in action as a superhero the people love, meanwhile Mr. Incredible is taking care of the kids at home.
The much awaited sequel to the hit Pixar film Incredibles is set to come out June 15th. Though Pixar films tend to be skewed to a younger age range, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them too, especially since we have waited thirteen years for this one to come out. It’s a nice movie to see with some friends to reminisce over childhood classics or to go with your family to relate to the family on-screen. The trailers that have been released have shown it to be just like the first one: a funny, but sweet, movie about your modern family that just happens to be full of superheroes.
Ocean’s 8
Synopsis: Mastermind Debbie Ocean and seven other female thieves work to pull off a grand heist at the Met Gala, targeting a 150 million dollar necklace.
This movie promises to be a funny and action packed spinoff to The Ocean’s Trilogy, featuring some of the coolest female actresses of this century: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter just to name a few. Rihanna also plays a role in the movie as Eight Ball, the team’s talented hacker. Overall this movie is looking like it’s going to be great to see with friends and will have you come out feeling like you can rule the world. Comes out on June 8th.
Annihilation
Synopsis: A group of military scientists enter “The Shimmer”, a region set apart from everywhere else on Earth by its changing landscape and strange creatures, in hope of figuring out just what it is.
This psychological horror film came out earlier this year in February and made over 42 million dollars in he worldwide box office. It’s been praised for its visuals and storyline, keeping audiences on their feet throughout the movie. I saw it with my brother when it was in theaters and I can honestly say it was one of the most amazing movie I have ever seen. The effects were stunning and the performances the actors gave were some of the best I’ve seen. This movie is perfect to watch late at night at a sleepover and the ending guarantees to cause a long discussion afterwards.
Books
The Poet X
Synopsis: Teenage Xiomara Batista is having a hard time juggling the teenage experience with her mother’s beliefs and an even harder time dealing with how people are treating her and her brother in her Harlem neighborhood. Struggling to put her feelings into words, Xiomara turns to slam poetry to say everything she wants to.
Told entirely in poetry, this book manages to entrance the reader with each page. It’s a powerful story that brings out a range of emotions and encompasses what it means to be a teenager that everyone can relate to while also touching on religious and racial problems.
Rot and Ruin
Synopsis: 15 year old Benny Imura has lived almost his whole life in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse and his knowledge of the world doesn’t extend much past his town’s fence. In this town, once a person turns 15 they must find a job and. After some feeble job searching, Benny ends up having to apprentice under his older brother Tom as a zombie hunter. His relationship with his brother is tense and he’s sure that he’ll be miserable the whole time, but what happens outside the fence challenges everything he’s ever believed.
This book is the first of four and tells a compelling story about a boy relearning everything he thought he knew about the world he lived in. Throughout the series we see how in this post-apocalyptic world zombies aren’t even close to being the biggest threat, it’s the people. Fear and stubbornness drive many of the adults to make dumb decisions that don’t make any permanent solutions. The point of view being from a teenager who has grown up only knowing this world highlights all the frustrations with the older generation and shows how sometimes just because someone is older or you admire them doesn’t mean they’re right. It’s overall an extremely compelling story and I’d recommend reading the whole series.
Shows
Parks and Recreation
Synopsis: This show follows Leslie Knope, the deputy director of the Parks and Rec department of Pawnee, Indiana, and other residents of Pawnee. Though filled with passion and love for her job Leslie Knope has a hard time getting work done inside of her town due to the people of the city’s ignorance and reluctance. A funny but sometimes emotional comedy starring Amy Poehler.
This show is seven seasons long and if you watch it you are going to wish there were twice as many. The series starts off a bit rough in the first season as the writers and actors try to find their feet but it gets much, much better as the show goes on- especially with the introduction of two key characters, Ben and Chris, during the second season. Admittedly you don’t have to start at the beginning to watch this show, but you soon grow such an attachment to the characters that you’ll want to spend as much time with them as you can. Overall, this show has a great balance of comedy and heart and is incredibly easy to watch either on your own or with friends.
Available on: Netflix and Hulu
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Synopsis: Talented but slightly immature Jake Peralta is a Brooklyn cop who is used to doing his own thing. The introduction of a new captain in his precinct challenges him to work harder and follow the rules closer than he ever has, causing a hatred between them but bringing the whole precinct closer than they ever were before. It’s a light-hearted comedy starring Andy Samberg.
Though this is what the show is based around, you’ll notice that this storyline doesn’t really make is past the first season. I’d say the show is really about cops, each with a very particular personality, who get things done in very strange ways. I’d honestly suggest starting this show in the second or third season, the writing seems to drastically change around that point and I think it’s honestly much better from then on.
Available on: Hulu
The Flash
Synopsis: Barry Allen’s mother died when he was just eleven years old and his father was convicted of her murder. Now older and convinced that his father is innocent, Barry dedicates himself to learn the truth of the killing. When a particle accelerator explodes and creates lightning that strikes Barry, he finds himself with the power of super speed. Still trying to solve the mystery from his childhood, he now also works to stop wrongdoers.
This cheesy, light-hearted, but action packed show starring Grant Gustin is an easy but fun show to watch. The twists and turns make it good to watch with friends to discuss and share theories. If you are into just light watching but like shows with plotlines then The Flash might be worth checking out.
Available on: Netflix
Greenhouse Academy
Synopsis: The two teenage children of a famous astronaut get accepted into an elite boarding school called The Greenhouse. Problems arise between the two and between the different students but they all must work together when they discover something more sinister is happening within the school’s campus.
I’m not sure what it is about this show but it is one of the most fun shows to watch with friends. By itself, the show isn’t all that incredible. There’s nothing all that special about the acting and details can get confusing sometimes - but when you watch it with friends it can get addictive. You suddenly get incredibly invested in the characters and their lives, guessing what each new twist will lead to and screaming when something new is revealed. If you’re ever just bored at a sleepover and want to make fun of a show before then getting weirdly invested - this is the one for you.
Available on: Netflix