Horror and Science Fiction dominate a busy July.
From a release perspective, June 2014 was an odd month in terms of releases. What started with exceptional dare (Edge of Tomorrow) became mostly flled with the blah (Jersey Boys) and the boisterously long (Transformers: Age of Extinction). WIll July get us back on track? Fans of Science Fiction and Horror have some promising fare, even if they don't deliver on a strictly monetary value.
The schedule features possession, an angry ape, an entire angry murderous people, and a woman who's about to get a huge upgrade.
Deliver Us From Evil (July 2nd)
Plot: NY police officer Ralph Sarchie investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city.
Director: Scott Derrickson
Starring: Eric Bana
Why We're Interested:
While we're not really impressed with the “based on a true story” subtitle, we are excited about seeing Sinister Director Scott Derrickson take another crack at telling great horror stories without the typical scare, blood, or porn tactics. Eric Bana is another of our favorite actors, so perhaps this can deliver yet another solid and scary product and strengthen our hope that the entire genre is in a renaissance.
Watch the trailer for Deliver Us From Evil.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (July 11th) >
Plot: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke
Why We're Interested:
Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a surprise hit, returning the franchise from the brink of cheese and melodramatics that seemed to plague the Mark Wahlberg production in 2001. And even now, there's very little buzz surrounding the current release, as if any capital it had gained was lost in the past three years. Perhaps it's the expectations of a better cast, including Clarke and Oldman, as well as the real star Andy Serkis as Caesar. With early reviews very favorable, we hope the fans of Science Fiction who stayed away from Edge of Tomorrow will arrive in droves for Dawn.
Watch the trailer for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
The Purge: Anarchy (July 18th)
Plot: A young couple works to survive on the streets after their car breaks down right as the annual purge commences.
Director: James DeMonaco
Starring: Kiele Sanchez, Frank Grillo, Zach Gilford
Why We're Interested:
While we loved the idea behind the first Purge – a single night each year where nearly any form of crime were legal - the final version failed ultimately to deliver. With The Purge: Anarchy, DeMonaco is hoping to improve on the original and usher in a bonified franchise. Rather than the fortress concept centered in the original, this one features a young couple struggling to stay alive. SJF favorite Grillo also makes an appearance as an out-of-control father. From all we've read, The Purge: Anarchy has all the makings of a great horror flick. But so did the first, so we'll see.
Watch the trailer for The Purge: Anarchy.
Lucy (July 25th)
Director: Luc Besson
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Analeigh Tipton, Morgan Freeman
Why We're Interested:
Johansson is entering a golden period of her career. Once passed off as just another pretty face, her star has risen with the success of The Avengers. Add to this that Besson hasn't directed much since The Fifth Element and Leon: The Professional, and you might have a really great action/Sci-Fi adventure on your hands. Our only concern is Freeman, who stars in almost anything these days, and is portrayed in the trailers as a repeat of his character Joseph Tagger from Transcendence. And we all know how that one worked out. Still, we're impressed with the idea of the evolution of the human brain and how a seemingly random party girl is impregnated with this 'gift.' We also love the new trend of tougher women in film, as evidenced from 300: Rise of an Empire and Johansson in Captain America: The Winter Solider. Whether the general audience is interested in anything more than her looks is yet to be determined.
Watch the trailer for Lucy.
Can July Put the Industry Back in Black?
With domestic ticket sales down year to year, Hollywood enters a critical July. There's a good mix of films upcoming that could open those doors wide, so long as directors and writer continue to follow the precepts of good story-telling. One of those that seems to be missing this element is Hercules (releasing July 25th). To be truthful, the idea of yet another Hercules appeals to us in no way, but we know that many of you find the yoked Johnson to be a draw. Perhaps the idea of two Hercules movies in the same year - and the first amounting to what you throw against a wall hoping it will stick - has dulled our expectation for this one.
We're also not impressed either with the Melissa McCarthy comedy Tammy, which doesn't look funny at all. Although this one was created by her and husband Falcone, the trailers for yet another overweight, crass, and socially dysfunctional character haven't impressed.
While some might think July is horror- and Science Fiction-friendly, there are a couple of comedies that could impress. The Cameron Diaz/Jason Segal comedy Sex Tape (July 18th) could be a surprise hit, or disappear after a critical panning. The same could happen to Wish I Were Here (July 25th) starring Kate Hudson, Zach Braff, and Josh Gad. Trailers for it show a funny comedy with heart, but that might not connect with audiences looking for something bigger from their Summer experience.
The king of July should be Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, but marketing will have to build more anticipation than it's done so far. For now, be sure to add these to your Movies To-Do List:
July 2: Deliver Us From Evil
July 11: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
July 18: The Purge: Anarchy, Sex Tape
July 25: Lucy, Wish I Were Here
Which films are you looking forward to this month? Comment below and join the conversation!
Discuss this review with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.
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