If summer 2022 gave us movies and music blasts from the past, like Top Gun and a new Beyoncé album, this summer delivered on old promises, featuring franchise expansions, remakes, and sequels. From The Little Mermaid and TMNT to franchise conclusions from Fast & the Furious, Guardians of the Galaxy, and even Indiana Jones, we had a lot of content to get excited about this summer.
We checked in with the movie fanatics and entertainment enthusiasts at MarketCast to uncover what franchises, sequels, and remakes they dove into this summer, in their own words:
TV Series
Kristina Nastoska, Analyst, Custom Research
Interview with a Vampire
“A compelling new take on the Anne Rice gothic horror novel, Interview with the Vampire greatly surpasses its 1994 predecessor. This series’ masterful writing, impressive performances, and grandiose visual style lured me in from the beginning and left me mesmerized by the end. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys questionable characters, whimsical carnage, delightful dread, and is looking for a new TV obsession.”
Kimberly Gerhart, VP, Real Time Analytics
Based on a True Story
“Finally fatigued of fangirling true crime? Based on a True Story pokes fun at the true crime obsessed, and builds a hilarious, fun show for the summer that centers around a true crime podcast that hits the need of media-obsessed listeners, real-time murders.”
Stephanie Diehl, Senior Analyst, Custom Research
Justified: City Primeval
“8 years after the original series ended, U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens is back in a new city with a new criminal to catch (but not to worry, he’s still in the same hat). I love seeing this new side of Timothy Olyphant’s iconic character as he juggles parenting his rebellious teen daughter with his relentless pursuit of the bad guys. I’m still getting to know the new supporting characters but I’m excited to learn more and see how they push Raylan’s buttons.”
Hamza Tahirovic, Research Analyst, Ad Solutions (Financial Services)
The Witcher: Season 3
“The Witcher carries a fanbase originating from the novels and the video games, in which viewers sense a feeling of belonging and ownership to the characters and stories. The Witcher series continues to embrace the development, characteristics, and growth of characters in a suspenseful and action filled way. (Henry Cavill will always be our Geralt!)”
Movies
Aditya Tiku, Senior IT Support Specialist
Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse
“Everything about this movie is awesome. The animation, the story, the action sequences, background music, it’s just fantastic. Must watch of 2023!!”
William Quezada, Senior, User Experience Design
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
“Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning delivered and had me surprised. The action, stunts, and tense pace made me glad I went to see this movie. I recommend people make their way into the theater to watch this one ASAP.”
Andrew Princep, VP, Data Science
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
“A love letter to the franchise, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny took no risks with a tried and tested formula that was freshened up by an amazing performance from Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Waller-Bridge absolutely owned her place in the spotlight shoulder-to-shoulder with Harrison Ford, and some tightly directed and not-overlong action pieces rounded out the film. The final chapter in the series manages to throw in enough fan service to really reward longtime fans without succumbing to nostalgia, ending on what was, for me, certainly a high note.”
Anthony Petrosino, Sports, Auto & Brands, Summer Intern
Oppenheimer
“Oppenheimer dazzled audiences with its chopped storytelling and excellent cinematography courtesy of Academy Award-winning director Christopher Nolan. The story of Robert J. Oppenheimer, the lead physicist in developing the atomic bomb, is told from three different points of view at three different points in time. As a history buff, I loved the film as it dove deep into the struggles of the American country throughout the war. Nolan also did a wonderful job of showing the guilt and mental toll it took to develop and use such a weapon”
Alice Cappelli, Director, Custom Research
The Barbie Movie
“The Barbie movie was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. It encompassed a delightful blend of elements, including humorous jokes, heart-warming moments, and eccentric characters. The storyline kept viewers intrigued, constantly guessing and never quite knowing where it would lead. Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken was absolutely captivating, stealing the spotlight with his remarkable performance.”
Music
Jourdan Pignatelli, Senior Manager, Marketing
Yellowcard/Linkin Park New Music Releases
“The pop-punk band Yellowcard is making my emo millennial dreams come true with a newly-released single, Childhood Eyes. The band that gave us Ocean Avenue, a critical component of everyone’s summer of 2004 soundtrack (and undisputed wedding banger), has recently announced a brand new EP that will be released this summer. Between that and Linkin Park’s 20th Anniversary re-release of their album Meteora (complete with a few new songs), my car karaoke sessions just got a serious upgrade.”
Aditya Tiku, Senior IT Support Specialist
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack)
“Artist Metro Boomin has done a splendid job. It also features great American Rappers like Lil Wayne, TY Dolla Sign, ASAP Rocky. All songs are really good to chill and vibe. Been listening to it for weeks now.”
Stephen Popiel, VP, Regional Director – Canada
Eli Paperboy Reed: Hits And Misses
“Eli Paperboy Reed, a master of Soul, R&B and all things Americana has pre-released a spectacular soul version of the Motörhead classic Ace of Spades.”
Gabriela Santacruz, Campaign Analytics Summer Intern
Taylor Swift: Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
“Speak Now returns after 13 years of its original release and is now completely owned by Taylor Swift herself! Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is undoubtedly a captivating masterpiece where Taylor explores her feelings and experiences as a 20-year-old woman. This album immerses the listener in various tales about love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, reminding us why she is one of the most talented songwriters of our time. The experience of listening to Haunted or Back to December with her matured vocals is already sensational, but that wasn’t enough, she has gifted swifties an additional 6 “From the Vault” tracks that perfectly blend with the storytelling characteristics of this record.”
Video Games
Phillip Barone, Vice President, Custom Research
Legend of Zelda, Tears of the Kingdom
“This franchise continues to dazzle after many years. Enough to justify a new Nintendo Switch 4K to fully enjoy it!”
Alex Davis, Show Specialist
Diablo IV
“Diablo IV returns you to darkness as you are dropped right into the middle of the Eternal Conflict and the ongoing struggle between Lilith and Inarius over Sanctuary. Start your journey as a Necromancer, Rogue, Sorcerer, Barbarian, or Druid while you blast through mobs and bosses alike in this top-tier action role-playing game. You’ll come for the beautiful and grotesque environments and stay for the power spikes and excitement you’ll experience as you receive rare loot drops and legendary items.”
