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10 Films To See In July (what are you watching?)

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10 Films To See In July



Even though the blockbuster that kicks off the month leaves much to be desired, there's still a great deal to look forward to in July. A handful of our festival favorites, with premieres counting back to over a year ago, are finally arriving in theaters, while one of Hollywood's top directors is given seemingly free reign to deliver one of the summer's biggest tentpoles. Our monthly round-up just looks at U.S. releases, but those in the U.K. will  be getting the premieres of Ben Wheatley's A Field in England and Edgar Wright's The World's End, so look forward to them in upcoming installments and check out our rundown below.

MatineesV/H/S/2 (7/12), Computer Chess (7/17), Broken (7/19), Grabbers (7/19), The To-Do List (7/26)

10. The Conjuring (James Wan; July 19th)

the_conjuring.jpg


Synopsis: Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: While Hollywood's prime time for scaring audiences is usually around Halloween, Warner Bros. is aiming to strike in the middle of summer with James Wan's The Conjuring. Not to be confused with his Insidious follow-up this fall (also starring Patrick Wilson) this forthcoming horror film has been riding off strong buzz from screenings and if tracking is any indication, it'll be one of the season's biggest sleeper hits.

9. Crystal Fairy (Sebastián Silva; July 12th)

crystal_fairy.jpg


Synopsis: Jamie is a boorish, insensitive American twentysomething traveling in Chile, who somehow manages to create chaos at every turn. He and his friends are planning on taking a road trip north to experience a legendary shamanistic hallucinogen called the San Pedro cactus.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: If one had any preconceived notions when it came to Michael Cera, the actor is clearly hoping 2013 will bring a change of mind. Yes, he returned to the role that gave him his breakout in Arrested Development, but he poked some fun at himself in This is the End, and most impressively, took part in two Chile-based independent features. Both directed by Sebastian Silva, the psychological thriller Magic Magic will land on DVD/Blu-ray next month, but first comes Crystal Fairy. Intended to be the lighter affair, our full review will be coming soon, but we think it's his best performance yet.

8. The Way, Way Back (Nat Faxon and Jim Rash; July 5th)

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Synopsis: Over the course of his summer break, a teenager comes into his own thanks in part to the friendship he strikes up with one of the park's managers.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: After picking up an Oscar for their scripting work on Alexander Payne's The Descendants, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash used their much-deserved clout to jump into directing. Premiering at Sundance Film Festival, The Way, Way Back was one of the largest acquisitions in the events history, with Fox Searchlight picking it up for just under $10 million. Set for a timely release in the middle of summer, the coming of age story is a fairly light endeavor, but has enough charms (notably a hilarious Sam Rockwell) to warrant a watch. Read our Sundance review.

7. Pacific Rim (Guillermo del Toro; July 12th)

pacific_rim.jpg


Synopsis: When an alien attack threatens the Earth's existence, giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: As a fan of Guillermo del Toro's previous work, I should be unequivocally excited regarding the prospects of his biggest budget work yet, but I'm still on the fence. If Pacific Rim succeeds, it could be one of the most purely entertaining studio efforts this year, but if it's a mindless smash-em-up, it might not be far removed from the latest Michael Bay blockbuster. I have enough faith in the director that it'll be the former and we only have a week left to find out.

6. Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler; July 12th)

fruitvale_station.jpg


Synopsis: The true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: Another Sundance Film Festival hit, picking up top jury and audience awards, will be arriving this month. With a no frills approach, Ryan Coogler's directorial debut serves as up-and-comer Michael B. Jordan's best performance yet and we called it “a telling and touching movie, serving as a pertinent social and cultural reminder not to forget the life and times of Oscar Grant,” a man who was gunned down by a police officer on New Year’s Day 2009 in Oakland.

5. Blackfish (Gabriela Cowperthwaite; July 26th)

blackfish.jpg


Synopsis: Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: While this one skipped my radar at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, it was the recent harrowing trailer for Blackfish that caught my eye. Seemingly a cousin to the eye-opening documentary The Cove, Gabriela Cowperthwaite‘s film tracks the captivity of killer whales, most notably SeaWorld orca Tilikum (and what led to the creature killing three people). It looks to be essential viewing and should hopefully bring awareness to these vital issues.

4. Blue Jasmine (Woody Allen; July 26th)

blue_jasmine.jpg


Synopsis: A life crisis causes a woman to head to San Francisco, where she reconnects with her sister.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: While the summer season signals the release of the biggest studio tentpoles, it wouldn't be the same without a new film from Woody Allen. Thankfully the helmer is still churning out features and his latest finds him in San Francisco, tracking Cate Blanchett and her romantic pursuits. Early buzz suggests it's one out the actress' finest roles, but she's also backed by an eclectic ensemble, including comedians Louis C.K. and Andrew Dice Clay, as well as Michael Stuhlbarg, Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins and more.

3. The Act of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer; July 19th)

the_act_of_killing.jpg


Synopsis: A documentary that challenges former Indonesian death squad leaders to reenact their real-life mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: If two masters of documentary, Errol Morris and Werner Herzog, back any film, it should be near the top of your must-watch list, but that is just the beginning of the acclaim this documentary has received. As we said in our SXSW review, "one of the most dark and emotionally deafening documentaries I’ve ever witnessed, there’s no easy way to comprehend The Act of Killing’s total impact and how affecting it truly is. This is darkness and pure evil explored, a look behind the proverbial curtain."

2. Only God Forgives (Nicolas Winding Refn; July 19th)

only_god_forgives.jpg


Synopsis: Julian, a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld, sees his life get even more complicated when his mother compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother's recent death.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: It wouldn't be a Nicolas Winding Refn film if it wasn't met with a divisive reaction and such is the case with his latest, the Thailand-set Only God Forgives. While we were mixed at its Cannes premiere, saying the work is "little more than a slightly shallow fetishization of Asian revenge flicks," I personally can't wait to see what he has in store here, reteaming with his Drive star Ryan Gosling.

1. The Hunt (Thomas Vinterberg; July 12th)

the_hunt_1.jpg


Synopsis: A teacher lives a lonely life, all the while struggling over his son's custody. His life slowly gets better as he finds love and receives good news from his son, but his new luck is about to be brutally shattered by an innocent little lie.

Trailer

Why You Should See It: In Thomas Vinterberg's finest film since The Celebration, The Hunt is a gripping character study exploring what can happen when one lie spreads throughout a small community. Powered by Mads Mikkelsen in one of his best performances yet -- earning him the top acting prize at last year's Cannes Film Festival -- the harrowing drama is the must-see of the month. Check out our Cannes 2012 review.

Full schedule:

• Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (Magn.) - 7/3
• Despicable Me 2 (Uni.) - 7/3
• Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain (LG/S) - 7/3
• The Lone Ranger (BV) - 7/3
• Absence (Cdgm.) - 7/5
• Hammer of the Gods (Magn.) - 7/5
• Just Like a Woman (Cohen) - 7/5
• The Look of Love (IFC) - 7/5
• Stuck in Love (MNE) - 7/5
• The Way, Way Back (FoxS) - 7/5
• Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Relbig.) - 7/12
• Crystal Fairy (IFC) - 7/12
• Dealing With Idiots (IFC) - 7/12
• Fruitvale Station (Wein.) - 7/12
• Grown Ups 2 (Sony) - 7/12
• The Hunt (Magn.) - 7/12
• Killing Season (MNE) - 7/12
• Pacific Rim (WB) - 7/12
• Terms and Conditions May Apply (Vari.) - 7/12
• V/H/S/2 (Magn.) - 7/12
• Turbo (Fox) - 7/17
• Act of Killing (Drft.) - 7/19
• Big Words (AFFRM) - 7/19
• The Conjuring (WB) - 7/19
• D-Day (Yash) - 7/19
• Girl Most Likely (RAtt.) - 7/19
• Only God Forgives (RTWC) - 7/19
• R.I.P.D. (Uni.) - 7/19
• Red 2 (LG/S) - 7/19
• The Rooftop (WGUSA) - 7/19
• Terraferma (Cohen) - 7/24
• Blackfish (Magn.) - 7/26
• Blue Jasmine (SPC) - 7/26
• Drug War (Vari.) - 7/26
• The To-Do List (CBS) - 7/26
• The Wolverine (Fox) - 7/26
• The Smurfs 2 (Sony) - 7/31
• When Comedy Went to School (ICir) - 7/31
• Oxygen for the Ears (Indic.) - TBD

What are you watching this month?
 

freshair

Member
The Way Way Back
Pacific Rim
Blackfish
Girl Most Likely (maybe)

I want to see Fruitvale Station, but probably a rental for me.
 
Important to note that Only God Forgives also hits VOD/iTunes on July 19th.

Doing a double feature of that and Pacific Rim a week from today -- should be fun.
 

RubxQub

φίλω ἐξεχέγλουτον καί ψευδολόγον οὖκ εἰπόν
1. Pacific Rim
2. Pacific Rim
3. Pacific Rim
4. Pacific Rim
5. Pacific Rim
6. Pacific Rim
7. Pacific Rim
8. Pacific Rim
9. Pacific Rim
10. Pacific Rim
 

Dan

No longer boycotting the Wolfenstein franchise
Pacific Rim is the only definite theatrical trip for me.

Only God Forgives and The Hunt are of interest. Theater or rental, I'm not sure. It'll depend on my free time and motivation.
 
that woody allen movie
the hunt
that movie with wallace/vince howard

will probably catch pacific rim and lone ranger on matinee
 

survivor

Banned
Will watch Pacific Rim if it doesn't turn out to be crap. Otherwise the only thing I'm gonna watch for sure is Blue Jasmine.
 
i like how the two end of the world movies are probably gonna end up being the best films of the summer (this is the end and world's end). Better to just go through the apocalypse rather than cancel it

i don't count dramas as summer movies
 

Tucah

you speak so well
Blue Jasmine
Only God Forgives
Maybe Pacific Rim, I want to trust del Toro but I'm still not entirely convinced.
 

Borgnine

MBA in pussy licensing and rights management
Synopsis: A documentary that challenges former Indonesian death squad leaders to reenact their real-life mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers.

Whoa whoa whoa this sounds awesome.

Hunt ain't even good.
 
Pacific Rim and The Hunt for me. Probably Blackfish as well because my wife will be very interested in seeing it.

If Pacific Rim succeeds, it could be one of the most purely entertaining studio efforts this year, but if it's a mindless smash-em-up, it might not be far removed from the latest Michael Bay blockbuster.

Wait, "success" and "mindless smash-em-up" are mutually exclusive concepts?!


Hunt ain't even good.
Really? The trailer looked good to me. Why wasn't it good?
 

Divius

Member
I also didn't care for The Hunt.

I will watch Pacific Rim / Only God Forgives and maybe The Way, Way Back
 

confuziz

Banned
PEOPLE.

Do not spend your money on Only God Forgives.

Total bullcrap.

No story (only symbolic), no emotions, no dialog (even worse than Drive) and Gosling is not that good in this movie.
 
well Winding Refn is a pretty crap director post-pusher trilogy so no worries

that killing documentary sounds terrifying, will check it out.
 

Borgnine

MBA in pussy licensing and rights management
No story (only symbolical), no emotions, no dialog (even worse than Drive) and Gosling is not that good in this movie.

Symbolical® sounds like a prescription medication for women, like for their fibromyalgia.
 

Sinatar

Official GAF Bottom Feeder
I'm probably watching a lot of terrible movies this month.

Lone Ranger (ugh)
Pacific Rim (Whooo!)
RIPD (eehhhh... Here's hoping Jeff Bridges makes it watchable)
Red 2 (didn't hate the first one)
Only God Forgives (looks awesome)
The Wolverine (I hope it's good, but I don't have high hopes)
 

Addi

Member
Oh, saw the trailer for The Act of Killing a couple of weeks ago, will definitely check it out when it's available here. I have already seen Only God Forgives, surprising it's already out on iTunes/VOD this month though! Might pick up Jagten (the hunt) on DVD, forgot about that one. Will wait for Pacific Rim and Blue Jasmin on dvd/bluray.

Only movie I might see in theaters this month is Man of Steel, haven't bothered seeing it yet, might end up not going.
 

Sonicbug

Member
The Way Way Back. I live in the area it was shot in, so I'm obligated. Plus it looks like fun.

Maybe pacific rim, if I can get a date.
 

jred2k

Member
Wow what a weak July for blockbusters. I'll be pretty surprised if anything other than DM2 or Smurfs 2 crosses $160M domestic.
 

BioHazard

Member
Saw the Act of Killing and The Way, Way Back already. Both absolutely fantastic. I probably see...well, pretty much everything else lol. There is a screening of Only God Forgives coming up near me with the director and some of the cast in person so I am going to try and snipe tickets for that
 

B33

Banned
My picks: The Conjuring, The Hunt (if it screens near me), and Pacific Rim. I may give Only God Forgives a watch via VOD/Digital, as I don't think it's going to end up in a theater within a reasonable radius.

If I don't catch The Crystal Fairy and The Way Way Back in theaters, I'll watch them when they make their respective rounds on streaming, VOD, et al.
 

RubxQub

φίλω ἐξεχέγλουτον καί ψευδολόγον οὖκ εἰπόν
The Internship or whatever it's called, my friend wants to see it so might as well go.

Friends don't let friends go see the Internship.
 

Danielsan

Member
Damn, The Hunt looks absolutely amazing.

Edit: Wait a minute. I knew it looked familiar. It's originally called "Jagten" and it's already out in Europe. Definitely have to pick that up.
 
Out of those, I'll probably only see The Conjuring and Pacific Rim because those are the only two my theater has any chance of showing; meanwhile, blockbuster trash like the Lone Ranger will get two auditoriums all to itself :/
 
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