WHEN DOES SUMMER start? It is a question that has preoccupied mankind since the sun first rose. Astronomy dictates that it begins on 20 or 21 June. Meteorologists maintain that it is 1 June. In fact, neither is true. As all cinemagoers know, summer actually starts when the first fireball ignites in a movie that cost more to create than the Palace of Versailles. That or when Vin Diesel drives a truck into a boat —whichever comes first. WHEN DOES SUMMER start? It is a question that has preoccupied mankind since the sun first rose. Astronomy dictates that it begins on 20 or 21 June. Meteorologists maintain that it is 1 June. In fact, neither is true. As all cinemagoers know, summer
Yes, blockbuster season is upon us. We bid a temporary farewell to film festivals and subtext, and welcome back big, pumped-up slabs of entertainment that have popcorn butter running through their veins. Within this issue, you’ll find exclusive previews of some major incoming crowdpleasers. Like Twisters, a sequel to the greatest-ever movie about wind (sorry, The Happening). Or Alien: Romulus, a sequel to the greatest-ever movie about killer space-beasts (apologies, Critters 4). Or AQuiet Place: Day One, a prequel to the greatest-ever movie about John Krasinski putting a finger to his lips (okay, that one is a niche field).
And then there’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Of all Tim Burton’s spooky ooky extravaganzas, 1988’s Beetlejuice is perhaps the most beloved — rumours of a sequel for Michael Keaton’s stripy-suited human gremlin have persisted for decades. Finally, it’s here. And for our cover story, Alex Godfrey got so close to the action —visiting the baroque set, meeting Keaton in his Betelgeuse threads, seeing all manner of macabre wonders —that he’s been muttering about shrunken heads and undead cat ladies ever since he returned. I think you’ll agree that the resulting read was worth every drop of his sanity.
Finally, speaking of close to the action, a big thank you to members of the Empire VI
