The big screen extravaganza this summer is Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which already has classicists and pseudo-classicists afroth. Odysseus’ son refers to him as “dad,” rather than the more formal “father” — the horror! The cast is using American accents rather than the more typical British pronunciations that tend to populate (and supposedly elevate) most of Hollywood’s reimagining of the past — another choice for audiences to argue about!
Ultimately, all that matters is if people are swept up by Nolan’s vision.
Despite Hollywood’s predisposition for remakes, sequels and the like — even “The Odyssey” is IP — there are plenty of original stories on tap this summer. Especially comedies. Who couldn’t use a decent comedy right about now? With that in mind, here’s a look at what’s on tap in the coming months in chronological order:
“Tuner”
A piano tuner finds that his talents — specifically his heightened sense of hearing — also turn out to be suited to safecracking. This sideline could potentially complicate his romance with a composition student, as he’s pulled into increasingly dangerous circumstances. Starring Leo Woodall (“Nuremberg,” “The White Lotus”) and Dustin Hoffman as his mentor (May 29 in theaters).
“Pressure”
The World War II film, based on a play by David Haig, transpires over the 72 hours leading up to D-Day when General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) and Captain James Stagg, a meteorologist with the Royal Air Force (Andrew Scott) debate whether to launch the invasion. (May 29 in theaters)
“Power Ballad”
A musical comedy starring Paul Rudd as a washed-up wedding singer and Nick Jonas as a fading boy band star who bond during a late-night jam session. Tensions flare and comedy ensues when the younger guy takes the older guy’s song and turns it into a hit. (May 29 in theaters)
“Office Romance”
Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein team up for what Netflix is calling a raunchy romantic comedy about a “secret office romance and the trouble two workaholics get in when they start thinking with their hearts.” Rom-coms are Lopez’s sweet spot, although it’s been a while since she’s been in one with any spark. Let’s hope this outing improves upon her last, 2022’s dreadful “Marry Me” with Owen Wilson. (June 5 on Netflix)
“Disclosure Day”
The sci-fi film is director Steven Spielberg’s latest, about a secret that’s been kept from humanity — until now. A truth that will “upend all established order across the entire world!” Well, alrighty then. What that secret actually is remains murky, at least based on the trailers. But there’s going to be “full disclosure, to the whole world” if Josh O’Connor has anything to say about it. Also starring Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson and Colman Domingo. (June 12 in theaters)
“Toy Story 5”
“Toy Story 2” is widely considered the best in the franchise, which is now on No. 5 because … because there’s money in those “Toy Story” hills. But a seasoned hand is directing. That would be Andrew Stanton, who has not only been a co-writer on all the films but is also the director of “WALL-E” and “Finding Nemo.” This time out, Woody helps abandoned toys find their owners, while the human child in their midst becomes consumed with not a toy but a tablet (of course!) called Lilypad. (June 19 in theaters)
“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass”
An antic comedy that premiered earlier this year at Sundance is directed by David Wain (“Wet Hot American Summer”), who co-wrote the script with Ken Marino. A couple on the verge of marriage, each has a celebrity crush: His is Jennifer Aniston, hers is Jon Hamm. When he somehow finds himself with an opportunity to fulfill his fantasy, she decides she must even the score. “On paper, it sounds like a bawdy rom-com romp,” according to Variety, and “could have been a plausible romantic comedy — a riff on love and sex and celebrity and fantasy and where all of them intertwine.” Instead, it has a tone “that’s broad, antic, overemphatic, and a bit wacked. Everything in it is stylized and exaggerated.” (July 10 in theaters)
“The Odyssey”
The ancient epic Greek poem comes to the big screen courtesy of Christopher Nolan (courtesy of Homer) and a whole lotta Hollywood stars, including Matt Damon as Odysseus — whose trip home after fighting the Trojan War might be the worst commute on record — and Anne Hathaway as his long-suffering wife who must hold her many suitors (including one played by Robert Pattinson) at bay. (July 17 in theaters)
“The Dink”
Pickleball is finally making its way into the movies. The sports comedy — huzzah! — stars Jake Johnson as Dusty Boyd, a washed-up tennis pro who takes up pickleball: “Thanks in part to his enchanting new partner Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he finds himself actually enjoying it. Torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood nemesis, Andy Roddick (Andy Roddick).” (July 24 on Apple TV)
“One Night Only”
Here’s a twist on the romantic comedy formula: Two people look for love on the one night a year when pre-marital sex is legal. Like “The Purge,” but instead of chaos and violence, everyone is looking for a good time. From Will Gluck, the writer-director of “Easy A” and “Anyone But You.” Starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. (Aug. 7 in theaters)
