,If the grandkids are in high school…
,Asteroid City (PG-13, June 16)
The installation: Writer-director Wes Anderson, 54, brings his wacky, diorama-like vision of the American Southwest to this quirky 1950s comedy set in and around a Junior Stargazers convention. Anderson has created an expansive ensemble, which includes children with strokes and their parents, a Hollywood starlet (Scarlett Johansson), a motel manager (Steve Carell, 60), a scientist (Tilda Swinton, 62), a TV presenter . (Bryan Cranston, 67) and more.
Why they’ll love it: Wes Anderson-inspired TikToks – with plenty of symmetry, rich colors, corny humor and retro music – have become popular on the social media platform, and your grandchild will definitely appreciate mining the film for new ideas.
Why you’ll love it: Tom Hanks, 66, makes his debut in the Wes Anderson Cinematic Universe, joining a cast of regulars and newcomers.
Look at it: Asteroid CityJune 16 in theaters
,Theater camp (PG-13, July 14)
The installation: Broadway fans of all ages will get a kick out of this Sundance-heavy improvisational comedy about the ragtag staff of a theater camp in Upstate New York who must fight to keep the doors open when their founder (Amy Sedaris, 62 ) fall into a coma. The tone is reminiscent of comedies like Waiting for Gaffman and Wet hot American summer with a cast of the game for anything ensemble. Booksmart Molly Gordon co-directs the film with Nick Lieberman from a script they co-wrote with Tony winner Ben Platt and his fiance Noah Galvin (The good doctor).
Why they’ll love it: Thespians past and present will laugh at all the inside jokes about putting on a show.
Why you’ll love it: If you watch prestige television, you will probably recognize some of the cast members, including Ayo Edebiri (The bear) and Patty Harrison (Shrill).
Look at it: Theater campJuly 14 in theaters
,Barbie (PG-13, July 21)
The installation: Sure, it’s a movie about perhaps the most iconic game of the 20th century, but don’t let all that pink fool you: This is a subversive PG-13 comedy from Lady Bird director Greta Gerwig, partly inspired by Mary Pipher’s non-fiction book Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) leave the perfection of Barbieland behind to explore the real world, where they meet Mattel employees played by America Ferrera and Will Ferrell, 55.
Why they’ll love it: Pop culture-obsessed viewers will get a kick out of recognizing all the buzzy actresses who play various iterations of the iconic doll, including Dua Lipa as Mermaid Barbie, InsecureIssa Rae as President Barbie, BridgertonNicola Coughlin as Diplomat Barbie, Saturday Night Live’Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie…
Why you’ll love it: The witty, reference-filled screenplay was written by Gerwig and her Oscar-nominated partner Noah Baumbach, 53.
Look at it: BarbieJuly 21 in theaters
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