Aaron’s Top Ten Films of Summer 2016 & More
September 8th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
The summer of 2016 was a weird one. While there was plenty of anticipation for potential big hits, more than a few of the supposed blockbusters ended up underwhelming. Some of the expected hits delivered as well, but there was plenty of disappointment among the big hits. As usual though, many of the smaller films and arthouse fair ended up being the most satisfying. Now it is time to take a look back at what the summer had to offer and which films stood the highest (and the lowest). Of course, feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments as well!
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Its a good thing that films aren’t always dead on arrival. Some just take longer to resonate or to reach their appreciative audiences. Today, we are here celebrating the 17th anniversary and debut on Blu-ray of the much beloved animated film, The Iron Giant. Its not that it hasn’t always been beloved (The film was well reviewed back in 1999), but it took a while to spread that love. It pretty much bombed or disappointed at the box office in 1999, which was a big let down considering how good the film was. However, as the years have gone on, many were able to right their wrong and be able to see it via VHS, DVD or television and now its rightfully placed on a mantle of one of the greatest animated films. Its also the launching point of the once flawless Brad Bird, and has a nice footnote of international action superstar Vin Diesel voicing the titular character. Here, on Warner Bros first Blu-ray release, you not only get all the old bonus content, but a new documentary and the “Signature Edition” featuring Bird’s preferred version of the film.
Giving smaller cinema a place to hang it’s hat, on the film docket this week there are tales of women withholding sex (all in the name of getting rid of guns!), found footage anthologies, a lesson in still frame narrated performance art and even a little wedding day possession to keep things interesting. So check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of Is That A Gun In Your Pocket?…, The Dark Tapes, The Royal Road and Demon below!
The summer blockbuster hit, Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory, swims home just in time for the holidays on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Oct. 25 and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Nov. 15. Viewers can watch Dory’s hilarious and heartwarming quest to find her family and continue the underwater adventure with hours of immersive bonus features. The film’s playful and plentiful bonus offerings include “Piper,” the theatrical short film starring an irresistible sandpiper hatchling; an all-new mini short featuring interviews with Dory’s pals from the Marine Life Institute; a behind-the-scenes look at the most challenging character Pixar has ever created; never-before-seen deleted scenes, including a digital exclusive featuring the Tank Gang from “Finding Nemo” who make it their mission to get Marlin and Nemo to the Marine Life Institute; and much, much more.
A female homage to The Dirty Dozen directed and written by David A. Prior (Deadly Prey,Killer Workout), Mankillers stars Edd Byrnes (TV’s77 Sunset Strip), Gail Fisher (TV’s Mannix), Edy Williams (The Naked Kiss), Lynda Aldon (Doctor Detroit), William Zipp (Deadly Prey), Christine Lunde (The Masque of the Red Death) and Suzanne Tegmann (Death Chase). It’s wall-to-wall action and adventure in Mankillers.
It can be tough to imagine why Sully is a film that needs to be seen. Working as a dramatization of an event that took place not too long ago, it would appear as if audiences already have a good handle on what took place with the “Miracle on the Hudson”. However, it appears director Clint Eastwood had set out to prove something, as he delivers a film that is characteristically well-acted and efficiently made. There is also some sly commentary underneath the surface in addition to the visual grandeur that came from filming with IMAX cameras. The film may feel a bit padded to tell a feature-length story, but there is some cleverness here that is much appreciated.
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” has conquered both audiences and critics, debuting to $179.1 million—the fifth-biggest domestic opening of all time—and earning a 90% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “Captain America: Civil War” is the highest-grossing film of 2016 domestically, internationally and globally, earning more than $1.14 billion at the worldwide box office. It also continues Marvel Studios’ winning streak as the 13th consecutive film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to debut at #1 at the domestic box office. 
The Flash was both my favorite new and overall show of the 2014-2015 season. It triumphantly took the tired 20-23 episode season order and made it all count and be interesting again. Truly embodying the symbol of hope the character has always been, the show really thrived off of an emotional and familial core. It took a structure working for Arrow and brought in a different light and improved upon it. The show had impressive effects and just a dynamite sense of purpose and stakes. Its first season was so perfect that we at least had that to hold onto forever, no matter where it went in the future. And I’m happy to say, the second season is pretty damn great too. The Flash stars Grant Gustin (Arrow, Glee), Candice Patton (The Game), Danielle Panabaker (Justified, Necessary Roughness), Carlos Valdes (Arrow) and Keiynan Lonsdale (Insurgent), with Tom Cavanagh (Ed, The Following), and Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order). Based on the characters from DC Comics, The Flash is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, Supergirl, Blindspot, The Mysteries of Laura), Andrew Kreisberg (Arrow, Supergirl), Gabrielle Stanton (The Vampire Diaries), Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing (Spartacus, Black Sails) and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, The Mysteries of Laura, Supergirl). 
The prolific Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe producer (as well as the director of several episodes) Franklin Adreon, would helm a number of the highly popular and entertaining Republic Pictures theatrical serials including The Invisible Monster and Radar Men from The Moon. All twelve pulse-pounding episodes of Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (includingEnemies of the Universe, Nightmare Typhoon, Robot Monster from Mars and the exciting final installment, Captives of the Zero Hour), directed by Fred C. Brannon (The Invisible Monster, The Crimson Ghost), Harry Keller (Tammy and the Doctor) and Franklin Adreon (Panther Girl of the Kongo) are now available for your home viewing enjoyment in one exciting package from Olive Films on September 13th. 
The legendary Sammo Hung directs and stars in The Bodyguard. Ding (Hung), a retired officer from the Chinese Central Security Bureau, befriends a little girl who’s father’s criminal connections have put them both in danger. While at the same time suffering from dementia, Ding must use his incredible combat skills to defend his neighborhood and his new found friend.
Emma Roberts (TV’s “Scream Queens”) and Dave Franco (Now You See Me franchise) star in Nerve, the suspense-filled romantic thriller for the Millennial generation, arriving on Digital HD on October 11 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand October 25 from Lionsgate. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman (Catfish) with a screenplay by Jessica Sharzer (TV’s “American Horror Story”), Nerve captures the phenomenon of today’s social media climate where thousands of anonymous voices can determine the future of a few individuals. The film also features cameos from social media sensations The Fat Jewish, Arielle Vandenberg and Casey Neistat.
From four-time Academy Award® winning writer and director Woody Allen comes the 1930s romantic comedy CAFÉ SOCIETY. Featuring an all-star cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carell, Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively and Jeannie Berlin, CAFÉ SOCIETY will arrive on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital), Digital HD and On Demand October 18 from Lionsgate 
Ever since it was announced way back when that the beautiful, thumb challenged, mother of three Megan Fox would star as April O’Neil in an all-new live action adventure/reincarnation feature film of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I knew things were completely on the right path. Cowabunga! I was so right! While the 2014 outing was rather silly and probably inconsequential to the survival of the TMNT brand as a whole (the Nickelodeon cartoon carries it alone), the end result was helluva lot of fun to be had (see my movie review 
Alright everybody, listen up. The best full season of “South Park” in the 20 years of the show’s existence has arrives soon on Blu-ray and it is a must watch for fans, ex-fans, and non-fans of the series alike. Making their first foray into a serialized style, where the season has a full arc and things are carried over from one episode to another, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have crafted a work of hilarity and thoughtfulness. There is so much to like about what this season means for the series and for the four foul-mouthed little boys from that sleepy Colorado town. 
