Ricky’s Top 10 summer movie picks

‘Oppenheimer’ (Opens July 21)

Christopher Nolan helms this biopic about the creation of the nuclear bomb. Starring Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, the American scientist who invented it.

#2 #3

‘Ghosted’ (Streaming)

This all-new comedy features the two stars who supported in Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out,” a great tale about a murder most foul. I’m talking about Chris Evans and the Oscar-nominated Ana De Armas. This new tale streaming exclusively on Apple Plus has been receiving mixed reviews, but it is just a stupid silly comedy.

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ (June 9)

This one is a prequel following the events that occurred before past adventures with Shia LaBeouf and Mark Wahlberg. Ridiculous dumb fun for the kids. It is set in the early to mid-1980s. From director Steven Caple Jr., who helmed “Creed II”.

#4

‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3’ (May 5)

The latest installment of director James Gunn’s action-comedy series set within the Marvel Universe will feature the last appearance of Dave Bautista’s Christmas-colored alien Drax.

#5

‘Asteroid City’ (June 23)

Filmmaker Wes Anderson is a director I am always excited about. This summer, his signature style hits the screens yet again with a story about a remote town hosting a space cadet convention. Boasting an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie and Edward Norton.

#6

‘Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One’ (July 12)

This action-thriller is the seventh entry into the lucrative series that has kept star Tom Cruise at the top of the A list. Director Christopher McQuarrie returns as well, with Part Two slated to release in Summer 2024.

#7

‘The Little Mermaid’ (May 26)

This live action update of the 1989 Disney classic stars relative unknown Halle Bailey as Ariel. Also featuring Melissa McCarthy as the villain Ursula, who wants to steal Ariel’s voice for her own self-serving interests.

#8

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ (June 30)

This adventure must overcome the absence of franchise helmer Steven Spielberg, instead featuring James Mangold as director. With Harrison Ford, of course, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and John Rhys Davies.

‘Fast X’ (May 19)

10 movies in, and this Vin dDiesel-powered soap opera remains a blockbuster sensation. This one features Jason Momoa as the villain who seeks to destroy Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel’s) entire family.

#9 #10

‘The Flash’ (June 16)

With a $200-million production and the pressure of fitting into the DC universe, this superhero romp stars the controversial Ezra Miller as the titular Flash. The film also combines a number of cameos from DC’s past, including Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton reprising their roles as Batman.

“Polite Society” -- This Indian comedy finds a girl dreaming big of becoming a stuntwoman while her older sister wants to get married to a man with ulterior motives. Very enjoyable tale is good family fun.

“Renfield” -- Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage hams it up as Count Dracula in this actioncomedy about his assistant Renfield, played by Nicholas Hoult. Renfield puts up with the count’s hijinks and the ridiculous day-to-day life as a vampire.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”

-- This one greatly improves over the past entries that were too serious for their own good. Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Hugh Grant star in this engaging tale that is just sheer fun splashed with a lot of whimsy.

“Tulsa King” -- Sylvester

Stallone stars as a criminal who is released from jail only to find his new assignment is running things in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This one is a one season limited series featured exclusively on Paramount +.

“Scream VI” -- Ghostface is still around, tormenting various members of the film community and scaring the pants off people in the Big Apple. With Courtney Cox and Jenna Ortega, fresh from her role in “Wednesday.”

-Ricky Miller