Arts & Entertainment

Movies Out July 4th Weekend: 'Despicable Me 3,' 'Okja' And More

A massive pig, the lovable Minions and a few misguided nuns. Get the verdict on your holiday weekend movie options.

You know it's going to happen. At some point this Fourth of July weekend you will hit your sunshine quota. When you and/or the entire family are sunburned and begging for indoor activities, don't get caught without a movie plan. The good news is you have options.

Here's what to see and what to skip this holiday weekend.


Movies Out This Weekend

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“Despicable Me 3” — Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, directed by Eric Guillon and Kyle Balda

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Remember Gru (Carell), Lucy (Kristen Wiig) and their daughters from the “Despicable Me” franchise? Well, they’re back for a three-quel. This time around, their adventures continue with a new baddie named Bratt (Trey Parker) and the startling revelation that Gru has a twin brother, Dru (also Carell). The leads are excellent despite working with a poorly structured script.

Skip it. Although “Despicable Me 3” could be a crowd-pleaser, the narrative just loses its fire by the end. Watch the original, "Despicable Me," instead.


Ansel Elgort and Lily James seen at TriStar Pictures "Baby Driver" Los Angeles Premiere. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)
Ansel Elgort and Lily James seen at TriStar Pictures "Baby Driver" Los Angeles Premiere. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

"Baby Driver” — Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, directed by Edgar Wright


In this action-comedy film, Ansel Elgort plays Baby, a young and talented getaway driver with big dreams of trying to straighten out his sordid life. The catch? There's always that one last job. Meanwhile, he romances waitress Debora (Lily James) and they plan to head west. In “Baby Driver,” writer-director Edgar Wright melds images with tasty eclectic music. Every moment happens on a beat.

See it. Despite its oh-so-familiar plot and a weak third act, this musical flick is wildly inventive, well-executed and visually thrilling.


Aubrey Plaza and Dave Franco attend the LA premiere of "The Little Hours" during the 2017 LA Film Festival
Aubrey Plaza and Dave Franco attend the LA premiere of "The Little Hours" during the 2017 LA Film Festival

“The Little Hours” — Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci, directed by Jeff Baena


A film adaptation of Giovanni Boccaccio’s “The Decameron,” “The Little Hours” is the story of three 14th century nuns (Brie, Plaza, Micucci) who are tempted to commit mortal sins with the convent’s gardener (Dave Franco). The characters are rather one-dimensional, but as a whole, they are perfect. Humorously indecent as it is, “The Little Hours” has a good amount of belly laughs.

See it. Silliness makes “The Little Hours” a summer must-see.


"Okja" stars Paul Dano, left, Steven Yeun, Giancarlo Esposito, An Seo Hyun,Tilda Swinton, Lily Collins and Devon Bostick pose with executive producer Brad Pitt. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
"Okja" stars Paul Dano, left, Steven Yeun, Giancarlo Esposito, An Seo Hyun,Tilda Swinton, Lily Collins and Devon Bostick pose with executive producer Brad Pitt. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Netflix's “Okja” is South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho’s second English-language film — his first was critically acclaimed “Snowpiercer” — and it's also being released in theaters around the country. This story centers on young Mija (Ahn Seo Hyun) and her massive animal friend, Okja, whom she's cared for at her home in the mountains of South Korea for 10 perfect years. But all that changes when her constant animal companion is taken away from her. The unbreakable bond between Mija and Okja will win you over.

See it. You’ll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll fall in love with Mija and Okja.


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