Well, I would have gotten this out earlier, but I don’t have a funny or valid excuse as to why that happened. Just know that the only movie in July that will ever matter is The Dark Knight Rises. Now there are other movies out there, which I will cover, but if you aren’t excited for the latest Batman flick, I don’t even want to talk to you. So below is my list of must see, must avoid and toss ups. Enjoy!
Winners
The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3rd)
You know, I am still apart of that group of people who are questioning why the hell is there a reboot of Spider-Man happening when the first film of the series was like a decade ago. I know why they are remaking it and from a business perspective I can understand that. But to try and wash away the emo Spider-Man from the third movie is going to take a lot of work and so far, the darker, grittier reboot that Hollywood loves to do with comic book movies seems to actually hit some strong notes. Early reviews show positive things for the series and that Andrew Garfield guy is just so darn adorable. Also anything with Emma Stone in it already has my money, except for The Help, I refuse to watch that movie.
The Queen of Versailles (July 6th)
I completely missed my chance back in March at the True/False Fest to see this documentary and everyone at the festival was buzzing about it. The sort of riches to rags story must have been a fit with the middle class folks, but I jest really. Everything about this documentary looks fantastic and the story of banking on wealth and then coping with the sudden loss of it seems to be a new genre of the typical rags to riches documentaries that pull on the emotion strings. This looks wonderful and I can’t wait to see the limited release schedule for this.
China Heavyweight (July 6th)
Again, I am a sucker for documentaries and anything dealing with the closed off nation of China, already intrigues me enough to get psyched for the documentary. Following the story of a boxing coach taking the poor youth of China and giving them the means to fend for themselves or the country of China seems like such a compelling story to tell. It gives us a bit of insight into the lives of the Chinese youth, who are wondering about their place in life. Should they fight for their country or look after themselves? If this comes anywhere close to me, I am seeing this in a heartbeat.
The Do-Deca-Pentathalon (July 6th)
I swear, Mark Duplass is like in everything these days. From Safety Not Guaranteed to the recent Your Sisters Sister, he is poised to break out of the indie spotlight and wiggle into the mainstream Hollywood scene. Honestly, I would love to see him do that as he is incredibly talented and an amazing actor in the mumblecore scene. This time around though, he teams back up with Jay Duplass to write and direct this interesting film about brothers who are trying to see who is the best athlete out of 25 ridiculous events of strength and skill. Sure to have a lot of strong writing and wit, I am excited to see this eternal struggle between two brothers.
The Imposter (July 13th)
Holy hell! I saw this suedo documentary at the True/False Fest and will be getting a review out soon, but to say the least, I was blown away by this film that skirts the line between fiction and non-fiction. Taking cues from a real life event and recreating the the moments of this event, The Imposter is a must see if you get the chance. Check back soon for my review.
Red Lights (July 13th)
I was a little unsure about this movie since everything that has come out trailer wise was never really impressive and seemed a bit too pretentious in the “overly eccentric suspense thriller”. But as more and more info has come out about the movie and the actors involved, I am getting a little psyched for the Rodrigo Cortes directer film. If you aren’t familiar with Rodrigo Cortes, he directed the one scene, Ryan Reynolds film Buried.
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20th)
Like I even need to explain myself.
Shut Up and Play the Hits (July 20th)
I fucking love LCD Soundsystem. I was rather heartbroken that I their final concert ever happened and that the band is no more. So when faced with the decision to watch the final moments of the band I love coming to a theater near me, I am there in a heartbeat. The trailer looks gorgeous, the subject itself interests me to no end and it looks to be an emotional final farewell show for the LCD Soundsystem. All I know is that I might shed a tear if the final song of the documentary/concert is “All My Friends”.
The Watch (July 27th)
A buddy comedy ensemble piece about a group of neighborhood watch guards trying to stop an alien invasion in their neighborhood and also R-rated? After watching the red band trailer I am excited for this movie. I like the wacky premise and the fact that Akiva Schaffer of Hot Rod is directing and Richard Ayoade of The IT Crowd is staring in this movie just adds to the pot. It looks hilarious and I am a sucker for raunchy comedy with a science fiction twist.
Killer Joe (July 27th)
So far I have been reading reviews that are nothing short of glowing for this hyperviolent film about a guy who puts a hit out on his mother to collect the insurance and get out of debt. The final part of the film is apparently violent enough to warrant a NC-17 rating, but also that there is some gallow style humor to put more of an edge on the already edgy film. This looks to be incredible and a must see for me.
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (July 27th)
I caught this documentary back at the True/False Fest and it is nothing short of powerful. An in depth and thought provoking documentary about one of China’s most dissident and outspoken artists looks to break the mold on freedom of expression in current China. If you are unfamiliar with the activist/artist and his fighting with the Chinese government and recent house arrest, check out this article from The Wrap to know more about the background and history of Ai Weiwei. I will be getting my review out shortly.
Klown (July 27th)
I don’t know what the fuck I just watched, but I want to see it. Being distributed by the Alamo Drafthouse company only entices me more to see this whacked out film from Denmark.
Losers
Savages (July 6th)
I read the Don Wilson book that this film is based on, but seeing the trailer numerous times is really not doing it for me. It seems just to forced and the trailer makes it look like Stone and Tony Scott got together and swapped editing software to get this jump, frenetic trailer that doesn’t distinguish the film from any other drug related action movies. Sorry, but I will wait for some solid reviews before I attempt to see this adaptation.
Katy Perry: Part of Me (July6th)
Unless the part of Katy Perry they are showing is essentially the area between her navel and neck, I am not even interested.
Ice Age: Continental Drift (July 13th)
Is this going to be the next Land Before Time franchise?
Step Up Revolution (July 27th)
No C-Tates (Channing Tatum) No Seeing.
Well that is it for this month. It seems that there are few major releases as studios are banking on The Dark Knight Rises to essentially murder every single film at the box office in the cover of night. I don’t blame them at all since The Avengers steam rolled all the new releases for 5 weeks. Other than that, a lot of limited release films and documentaries which will help alleviate the blockbuster picture headache that might ensue.
