The Cinematic Seven: Superman, The Naked Gun, and Spinal Tap All Turn It Up To 11
We're back with the third instalment of The Cinematic Seven, our quarterly wrap-up in which we sidestep the ever-increasing glut of fee-hungry streaming services by encouraging you to forgo movie night on the couch and opt for an old-fashioned cinema experience instead.
This time around, we have the hard launch of James Gunn's DC Cinematic Universe with Superman, which promises a Man of Steel who's far removed from the dour Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill version. We're also looking forward to the Australian premiere of Tim Robinson's Friendship, a must-see comedy for fans of his Netflix series I Think You Should Leave ('You sure about that?'). We're similarly excited for Ari Aster's new western, Eddington (for those unfamiliar, he's the very talented chap behind Hereditary and Midsommar), as well as an unexpected but very welcome encore for the world's least self-aware rock band in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
As always, this is a streaming-free zone. Get your arse to the movies.
1. Superman
While I probably suffer from superhero movie fatigue more than most—the new Fantastic Four flick is absent from this list for that very reason—James Gunn's take on the OG has piqued my interest. The Guardians of the Galaxy director has repeatedly demonstrated a deft ability to combine engaging action with sharp humour and poignant character arcs, and the trailers for this effort suggest he's created a Superman in possession of a warmth and humility sorely missed from the DCEU incarnation.
With David Corenswet pulling on the iconic blue tights, he has a lightness of touch and a cheery humour that recalls versions of Superman from before he started trying to out-angst his Gotham-based, pointy-eared ally. Plus, this time they're even bringing his adorable dog Krypto from the comic page to the big screen. While the cast looks overcrowded, and I'm not sure Lex Luthor is as threatening as he should be, at least this Superman appears to understand his purpose is to actually, y'know, save people.
In cinemas: 10 July 2025
2. Friendship
The three seasons of Netflix's I Think You Should Leave are a spectacular showcase for comedian Tim Robinson's unique brand of off-putting, utterly hilarious, and highly meme-able humour. Now, Friendship pairs his singular talent with Paul Rudd and writer/director Andrew DeYoung and by all accounts, it's one of the funniest comedies of the year.
The film's trailers suggest it's something like The Cable Guy (a highly underrated Jim Carrey vehicle) projected through a …You Should Leave lens. According to the synopsis, 'Suburban dad Craig (Robinson) falls hard for his charismatic new neighbour, but his attempts to make an adult male friend soon threaten to ruin both of their lives.' While certain elements appearing in the trailer look like they could come straight from the forthcoming season of Robinson's cult Netflix series, others hint at something darker, and I could not be more on board.
In cinemas: 17 July 2025
3. Weapons
For those who loved 2022's Barbarian—I know there are a lot of you out there—this one deserves to be on your radar. While that was a flick I could take or leave, it did have some inspired moments, so I'm curious to see what writer/director Zach Cregger has up his sleeve now. Bizarrely, Cregger first made his name as part of the unhinged but undeniably funny sketch comedy outfit, The Whitest Kids U'Know, and he seems determined to bring a similarly off-the-wall energy to his horror movies.
While the trailers for Weapons have, as all good trailers should, focused on vibes rather than plot, which makes it hard to say exactly what's going on, there's something genuinely unnerving about dozens of small children running out of their houses in the dead of night and disappearing forever. With Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich leading the cast, there are plenty of reasons to check this one out. Plus, Cregger's off to helm the Resident Evil reboot after this, so it seems the film studio has plenty of faith in his horror chops.
In cinemas: 7 August 2025
4. Eddington
Writer/director Ari Aster's Hereditary and Midsommar were so good that I'll probably check out every film he makes for the next 20 years. With Eddington, he's trying his hand at a contemporary western with dark comedy elements, and the cast alone makes it essential viewing.
We're talking Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler coming together to tell a Covid-era tale in which a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbours are pitted against one another in Eddington, New Mexico. To be honest, I don't want to know much more, and neither should you, as I'm willing to bet this will be one of those in-cinema experiences where the less you know going in, the more you enjoy it.
In cinemas: 21 August 2025
5. The Naked Gun
I have to confess that I never much cared for Leslie Nielsen's The Naked Gun films while I was growing up. Maybe I'd find more to enjoy about them if I revisited them all these years later, but as it stands, they never made me laugh. I do, however, have fond memories of the hearty chuckles delivered by Liam Neeson's brief appearance in Ricky Gervais' Life's Too Short series. For that reason, and my suspicion that his appearance there was a large part of the reason he landed this job, I'm curious to see how this turns out.
The film appears to follow in the footsteps of its forebears by placing Neeson's Frank Drebin Jr. (yeah, he's playing Nielsen's son) in increasingly ridiculous situations that he never fails to take entirely seriously, alongside a similarly po-faced Pamela Anderson. Here's hoping it's all enough to give Neeson's career a shot in the arm after years of straight-to-streaming, sub-Taken action flicks.
In cinemas: 21 August 2025
6. One Battle After Another
I think Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most overrated actors working today. I said it. But if Paul Thomas Anderson thinks he's a good fit for his latest film, well, I'm not about to argue with the bloke who made Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, and Licorice Pizza. Plus, this looks like the kind of role old Leo should be taking on, as he seems far better suited to this kind of dressing-gown-clad loser than the Oscar-eyeing exercises in gravitas he's so fond of.
According to the synopsis, this film is about a group of ex-revolutionaries who reunite to rescue one of their own's daughter from an enemy who's resurfaced after 16 years. However it plays out, Benicio Del Toro will be the main reason I'm watching.
In cinemas: 25 September 2025
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