Farewell Mayflies, greetings June Bugs. Whether or not that’s how the seasonal cycle actually functions, it should be clear that the road has been paved for summer’s grand return. The recurring three-month period that Minnesotans worship like an ancient astronomical object brings with it excessive heat, yardwork and, everyone’s favorite, the Culicidae. (Sophisticated terminology for mosquitoes.) Luckily, these cons are outweighed by at least one supersized pro: more entertainment for everyone!

The imminent equinox is Hollywood’s sign to turn out the best of the best blockbusters. From Ryan Gosling to oddly realistic chimpanzee royals, May’s impressive roster of enthralling adventures set the stage for June to continue wowing audiences. Gracing the silver screen first this month is Bad Boys: Ride or Die which (guess what?) sees substandard males drive or perish, to put it fancifully. Marty and the Fresh Prince dig into Miami’s suspicious police department, but justice comes at a price when the tables turn and place their names on the wanted list. Jaw-drop emoji! Nearly 30 years after the first installment, things have changed for the Bad Boys. Maybe not for the characters (they’re still movie detectives, get a life!), but the stars have come a long way: Martin Lawrence finished his popular sitcom, while Will Smith won an Oscar…and let’s just say that things really haven’t been the same for him, or live tweeting, since then. Anyway, take a Ride on June 7.

Pixar is known to play with our emotions, manipulate them akin to a ventriloquism show. However, I promise not to violently sob when watching their June 14 release, Inside Out 2. Disney’s vulnerability exploiters have returned to the mind of now-adolescent Riley, who’s receiving a whole new wave of eclectic emotional characters. That must be fun for the parents. As the influence of the chaotic new feelings becomes destructive, the “traditional” emotions from the first film must embark on a journey to set things right. I do hope that there will be more emotional representation in this continuation; things that everyone can relate to, like “Excessive Water-Phobia” or “Ecstatic Love of Sprite.” Debuting just in time for Father’s Day, Inside Out 2 has earned my Must-See Movie of the Month (MSMM) title. Rejoice, Bob Iger, your woes are resolved! Riding Pixar’s tail of popularity is The Bikeriders, an anticipated drama film not about Tour de France competitors, but motorcyclists. So, just spitballing here, perhaps a better title would have been The Motorcyclists. Nonetheless, Focus Features’ feature focuses – see what I did there? – on a fictional (or, non-nonfictional) Chicago motorcyclists’ club that grows in numbers…and in danger. Cue the mysterious organ music! Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy will don leather jackets and chew tobacco in this film that premiered to praise and aplomb at last year’s Telluride Film Festival. Get your motor runnin’ on June 21.

The final weekend of June sees the arrival of an apocalyptic flick where citizens run for their lives from man-eating extra-terrestrials…and a western. Whichever you choose says a lot about your personality. A Quiet Place: Day One acts as a prequel to John Krasinski’s successful horror franchise, taking moviegoers back to when humanity’s fight for survival first began, so beware that hearing-sensitive aliens will be eavesdropping on your popcorn-eating. (Don’t worry, they won’t. But over-munching can trigger the beast inside your fellow audience member.) Featuring intense, heart-pumping, artery-pounding, vein-filling tension (sounds a bit unhealthy) as well as Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o in the lead role, Day One will be number one…on its day. Sure, I’m going with that. Also on the movie calendar is chapter one of director-producer-cowriter-star Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga, an ambitious multi-film chronicle with a second part already set for August. Employing an enormous ensemble to tell a sprawling narrative of the west’s origin during the antebellum era, the big-screen adventure seems to sport some similar vibes to the cinematic classic How the West Was Won. If any non-Boomer comprehends that reference, let’s become best friends. Enjoy both films, collectively A Quiet Horizon: American Day, on June 28.

With social hibernation ceasing until the first snowstorm hits two months from now, families are, as the adage goes, screaming for ice cream (a disturbing condition for which there is unfortunately no cure). At the behest of their children and more than likely their own urges, parents are exploring the ever-expanding menu of treats and entering an enchanting realm of flavors! The best place to fulfill your dairy desires is The Blast in downtown Northfield. From cones to sundaes to floats to shakes to smoothies to exclusive flurries and everything in-between (somehow there’s more), the tremendously popular Blast is about to become even more admired with my inaugural Ice Cream Shop of the Month (ICSOTM) award. To be clear, there’s no trophy or plaque, or actual award of any kind. But isn’t my word accolade enough?

The final entertainment endorsement belongs to a new podcast airing monthly on KYMN Radio (www.kymnradio.net). Chronicling vibrant stories of the local past, Trek Through Time is produced by the Northfield Historical Society and hosted by, as the French say, moi. Zero conflicts of interest here! In honesty, I’ve had a delightful time developing the show thus far and delving deeper into rich events of bygone days. If you’re looking for a fun and fascinating conversation, embark on an exploration across the archives by listening to what I have dubbed triple T; though if you’re not a fan of my voice, you’re out of luck.

With all this entertainment approaching, cheers to plenty of seasonal jollification and merrymaking! (*Classy clink of ice cream dishes*)