School is out, the sun is shining and summer is in full swing; what better way to pass the time off of school than at the dark, air-conditioned movie theatre in near solitude? Blockbuster season is here and to help you navigate this summer’s films, here is the “reel deal” on movies that are out now.

“The To Do List”

For those of us who enjoy a good laugh, it was disheartening to see Bill Hader depart from SNL at the end of the show’s most recent season finale. Fear not, fans can get a Hader fix right now, in the recent blockbuster “The To Do List.” In this awkward, but hilarious, coming-of-age film, main character Brandy Klark (Aubrey Plaza) creates a sexual to-do list to complete before she heads off to college.

According to Box Office Mojo, a comprehensive box office database, “The To Do List” raked in $1,579,402 at the box office during the film’s opening weekend; America’s slightly perverted humor can definitely appreciate the crude nature of this film.

With hilarious writer and director Maggie Carey, awesome ’90s references and a plot line centered around the uncomfortable (but funny) topic of teen sex, this film is a must-see. There are more than a few intentional cringe-worthy moments throughout the film, and a couple of references that might provoke a ‘Wait, what does that mean?’ so be advised to not see this with grandma or on a first date. This film isn’t of “Stand By Me” status in terms of growing up, but it will make you roll on the floor laughing and possibly pee your pants.

“The Way, Way Back”

“The Way, Way Back” offers as much heart as it does comedic content. The slew of characters are relatable while the plot line is a little too believable. Blockbuster newbie Liam James plays the main character, a painfully awkward teenager who is faced with a changing family dynamic.

James’ character, Duncan, is having a difficult time fitting in and is befriended by the local water park’s owner Owen (Sam Rockwell). If you can look past the borderline creepy factor that Duncan spends his entire summer hanging out with a middle-aged guy who owns a water park, their friendship is heartwarming. However, the anticlimactic nature of the film never really demonstrates the real impact that Owen has on Duncan, leaving the audience wondering what the point of their relationship was.

Despite the questionability of organization in the plot line, writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash did a good job in terms of wittiness and character development, especially with Owen who delivers laugh out loud-worthy one-liners throughout the film.

All in all, this film had a handful of funny moments, mostly provided by Sam Rockwell, but the plot was just too true to life to enjoy fully. I would have liked to see Duncan knock out his mom’s jerk boyfriend (Steve Carell), but that relationship proved to be anticlimactic as well.

“Girl, Most Likely”

When Imogene, played by SNL star Kristen Wiig, gets dumped by her boyfriend, her whole life comes crashing in around her and the fact that she has not developed her once promising career becomes a harsh realization. “Girl, Most Likely” documents Imogene’s painfully awkward attempt to get back on her feet and come to terms with going from “the next big thing to last year’s news.”

Imogene is forced to move back in with her mother and her dysfunctional lifestyle in order to get back on her feet post-breakup. This is a different character for Wiig who usually plays self-deprecating, witty characters; the character of Imogene, although self-deprecating indeed, has a lot of depth as a character. The progression of newly single (and possibly suicidal) failed playwright to a confident and successful writer for a Broadway production is skillfully crafted and executed successfully.

Richard Brody of the New Yorker, along with many other reviewers, was quick to harshly judge this film. It seems to me that these critics are either missing Wiig’s expertly honed skill of drawing comedy even in the most dire situations (her character’s elaborate fake suicide that landed her in the custody of her estranged mother, for example) or they have never experienced an extremely dysfunctional family’s (highly entertaining) Thanksgiving gathering.

The heartwarming moments and growing bond among a funny plot line and entertaining character development makes this film a recipe for success in my eyes. Produced by Maven Pictures, the film is not playing at all theaters, but is definitely worth seeking out.

“Blackfish”

Do you remember hearing about the whale trainer at Sea World who was attacked by one of her animals a couple of years ago? “Blackfish” is the documentary of that particular orca whale.

This film gives the term “killer whale” a radical new perspective. “Blackfish” demonstrates how keeping this whale in captivity could have been the reason for him killing three people. There is a lot of shocking footage included in this documentary – beware squeamish audience members.

Despite the interesting nature of the controversy of keeping such animals in captivity, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of timeliness of this film. According to CNN, in 2010 professional killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau was attacked and killed by an orca whale named Tillikun. The release date of the film, three years later, seems a bit ineffective in convincing the audience that these animals should not be held in captivity for reasons of entertainment.

I would definitely recommend checking this film out if you are particularly interested in the topic of animal captivity. However, you will have to research a theatre that is playing it due to its controversial nature.

“The Conjuring”

The terrifying hide-and-seek scene that is shown in the advertisements for this film is just the tip of the iceberg in the scariest movie of the summer. The film is centered on a family that moves into a new house and quickly realizes that there is a spirit tormenting them. “The Conjuring” is a conglomeration of all things scary: mysterious noises and happenings in the family’s house, a zombie-like being who makes frequent appearances, a possessed mother hell-bent on sacrificing one of her children, and a psychic who creates a portal into the past and is able to see all of the terrible things that previously occurred in the house.

Lili Taylor, a Chicago native, plays the mother of the family who eventually falls victim to the evil spirit that resides in the house and is possessed. Taylor plays the most believable (not to mention terrifying) possessed character that has graced the big screen since Jennifer Carpenter in “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” (2005).

This film is definitely the horror film of the summer, and possibly of the year. “The Conjuring” is even being considered a cult classic by several sources. If you are into horror films, you should definitely check this one out. However, if you have an overly active imagination, an irrational fear of basements or have had an experience with an evil spirit in the last year, avoid this one because you will not be able to sleep for a while after seeing it.