Can you believe the year is already half over? There has been a smattering of fun releases this year, lead by the entertaining-but-not-exactly-mind-blowing Jurassic World. It doesn’t look like anything will top that this summer, though that doesn’t mean some good films aren’t on the way. While Terminator Genisys wasn’t quite what we hoped, July is still filled with some exciting releases.
There’s actually a pretty solid mix of sci-fi, comedy and horror this month. Ant-Man is probably the biggest name on the list, though there’s also Southpaw, Pixels and Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation, which was moved up a few months to hit before 007’s Spectre. July is going to be a good month; maybe not one full of Oscar material, but good old fashioned entertainment. What more can you ask for?
Magic Mike XXL
A movie about strong men gesticulating while music is playing. It might not appeal to the average male, but that doesn’t make Magic Mike any less of a phenomenon. The first movie was a surprisingly emotional tale that critics and audiences loved, and by all accounts the sequel is more of the same. Which is to say, more of Channing Tatum, who is proving to be one of the more formidable Hollywood forces, dancing with no shirt on.
Release Date: In theaters
Actors: Channing Tatum, Kevin Nash, Joe Manganiello
Director: Gregory Jacobs
Terminator Genisys
Terminator Genisys wasn’t good. But here’s the thing: Arnold is so fun to watch as an old T-800 that I still recommend the movie. The plot is confusing, and the entire Terminator universe has been re-written. But seeing Arnold bash on other Terminators is what makes Genisys work, even if it’s more of the same. Will this film lead to an all-new trilogy? Based on how it has been received so far, that’s looking unlikely, but I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing old Arnold as the T-800 one last time.
See full gallery on TechnoBuffaloRelease Date: In theaters
Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney
Director: Alan Taylor
The Gallows
Who comes up with these stories? Here is the official plot:
Twenty years after an accident caused the death of the lead actor during a high school play, students at the same small town school resurrect the failed stage production in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy—but ultimately find out some things are better left alone.
Release Date: July 10
Actors: Cassidy Gifford, David Herrera, Melissa Bratton
Director: Chris Lofing and Travis Cluff
Minions
According to early reviews, Minions is pretty much what you’d expect: a bunch of yellow blobs running around while muttering nonsense. And that’s exactly what makes Minions so charming. They might be better in small doses—apparently the movie kind of loses steam—but based on the early trailers, the film looks absolutely hilarious, and will no doubt be a hit among young children (and me.)
Release Date: July 10
Actors: Allison Janney, Michael Keaton, Sandra Bullock
Director: Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin
See full gallery on TechnoBuffaloSelf/less
While it looks like complete fantasy, Self/less is actually rooted in real science. Mostly. Scientists won’t be transferring your consciousness to a body anytime soon, though it is a possibility. For now, you’ll have to imagine what the world would be like if Ben Kingsley and Ryan Reynolds underwent the procedure. Self/less raises all kinds of questions about class and mortality. How will society react when “shedding” becomes reality?
Release Date: July 10
Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley, Matthew Goode
Director: Tarsem Singh
See full gallery on TechnoBuffaloAnt-Man
It might not look like an important part of the MCU, but according to Marvel Studios chief, Kevin Feige, it plays a huge role. We actually had the opportunity to check out Ant-Man last week, though we’re not allowed to talk about our thoughts just yet. Just know that whatever reservations you had about seeing Paul Rudd as a superhero, you can put those to bed.
Release Date: July 17
Actors: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly
Director: Peyton Reed
See full gallery on TechnoBuffaloTrainwreck
Any movie with Bill Hader in it is going to be hilarious. Add in Amy Schumer, and you’re guaranteed some big laughs. Early reviews for Trainwreck have been overwhelmingly positive. Considering who’s involved, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Judd Apatow, who is responsible for Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and more, directed the movie; plus, LeBron James is in it, for whatever that’s worth. He’s funny, right?
Release Date: July 17
Actors: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson
Director: Judd Apatow
Pixels
Adam Sandler is a former video game champion who is asked to save the world. Or is it the aliens are coming down to eliminate Adam Sandler? Pixels looks to feature some incredible visuals, and given the nostalgia factor, I’m sure there will be a decent amount of interest from gamers. Adam Sandler hasn’t made a funny movie since Big Daddy, so let’s hope Pixels isn’t a complete disaster.
Release Date: July 24
Actors: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage
Director: Chris Columbus
See full gallery on TechnoBuffaloSouthpaw
A movie where Jake Gyllenhaal is even crazier than his character in Nightcrawler. That’s saying a lot, because Lou Bloom was an absolute maniac. In Southpaw, Gyllenhaal plays a Junior Middleweight boxer whose life comes crumbling down at the height of his fame. It’ll be a tale of redemption and yada yada. You’ve seen Rocky, right? I imagine Southpaw will be very, very similar.
Release Date: July 24
Actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Vacation
Rusty Griswold is a grown man and wants to do grown man things, like force his family to travel across country to go to a theme park named Walley World. Like its predecessors, Vacation is ostensibly a movie about family, though the joke here is that the family is completely incompetent. To be fair, the movie doesn’t look half bad, though let’s hope the trailers didn’t spoil all the good jokes.
Release Date: July 29
Actors: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate
Director: John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldestein
Mission:Impossible—Rogue Nation
Tom Cruise takes on an impossible mission against impossible odds. But because he’s Tom Cruise, avid runner and couch surfer, no odds are too big. In Rogue Nation, Cruise and his IMF team are disbanded, and immediately targeted by an anti-IMF crew of former IMF agents? Something to that effect. What you really need to know is that Rogue Nation looks spectacular, and will in all probability be better than Spectre.
Release Date: July 31
Actors: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Ferguson
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
See full gallery on TechnoBuffaloThe End of the Tour
Have you ever heard the name David Foster Wallace? If you haven’t, then you probably have no interest in The End of the Tour. The movie, which has been making the festival rounds, is based on a book by Rolling Stone reporter, David Lipsky, which details a week-long book tour him and Wallace went on in support of Infinite Jest. Wallace is considered to be one of the most talented writers ever, so if you want to see the man behind the legend, The End of the Tour shouldn’t be missed.
Release Date: July 31
Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Segel
Director: James Ponsoldt