JULY FILM PREVIEW
Matt Damon in Jason Bourne
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ith Finding Dory assuming the top position at the box office and Independence Day Resurgence becoming a big disappointment in June, we begin phase two of our summer movie season. More family films, including The BFG, The Secret Life of Pets and the latest Ice Age sequel will attempt to knock Dory out of the water. The controversial Ghostbusters reboot, the latest edition in the Star Trek series and some brand new comedies will also tempt viewers into the multiplexes. Here’ s what’ s new for July:
July 1
By Lori Vernon
The Legend of Tarzan( Rated PG-13) Directed by David Yates
In this updated version of the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs tale of Lord Greystoke set 10 years after his return to England with his wife Jane( Margot Robbie), we find Tarzan( Alexander Skarsgard) lured back to the Congo as part of a dangerous scheme by the evil and treacherous Lord Rom( Christoph Waltz). Also starring Samuel L. Jackson, Djimon Hounsou and Jim Broadbent.
The BFG( Rated PG) Directed by Steven Spielberg
Spielberg is back in the director’ s chair with a film that’ s based on the 1982 novel by Roald Dahl. This story of a Big Friendly Giant( played by Oscar winner Mark Rylance) who befriends an orphaned girl( Ruby Barnhill) mixes live action with CGI animation in a whimsical family tale. Also starring Bill Hader, Mary Hall and Matt Frewer.
The Purge: Election Year( Rated R) Directed by James DeMonaco
The third installment in the action / horror / Sci-Fi series finds former police sergeant Leo Barnes( Frank Grillo) as the head of security for Senator Charlene Roan( Elizabeth Mitchell), the front-runner in the Presidential race due to her promise to eliminate the Purge if elected. Of course her opponent has other ideas and Barnes and Roan find themselves trapped on the streets of Washington D. C. as the annual purge gets under way. Also starring Mykelti Williams and Kyle Secor.
Equals( Rated PG-13) Directed by Drake Doremus
In a futuristic utopian society where emotions have been eradicated, two people( Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult) find themselves regaining their feelings via a mysterious disease and falling in love, causing tensions between them and their society. Also starring Guy Pearce, Bel Powley and Jacki Weaver.
July 8
The Secret Life of Pets( Rated PG) Directed by Chris Renaud / Yarrow Cheney
In this likeable tale a spoiled, wisecracking terrier named Max, his rescue-dog nemesis Duke, a fat cat named Chloe, and Sweetpea, a fearless Budgie are all forced to band together by Snowball, a rebellious rabbit and his gang of abandoned pets to exact revenge on the humans that have done them wrong. Starring the voices of Louis C. K., Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Lake Bell and Eric Stonestreet.
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates( Rated R) Directed by Jake Szymanski
Rambunctious, hard-partying brothers Mike( Adam Devine) and Dave( Zac Efron) are given an ultimatum by their parents – find nice, respectable dates for their sister’ s upcoming wedding. So of course they go to the most logical place to find nice girls – Craigslist! Enter Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza posing as respectable young ladies who are really an uncontrollable duo who plan to take full advantage of the free Hawaiian vacation by outsmarting and out-partying their dates.
Captain Fantastic( Rated R) Directed by Matt Ross
Viggo Mortenson stars as a father who has shunned mainstream society and is raising six kids in the isolated forests of the Pacific Northwest in this drama. When his wife dies while seeking medical treatment in the city, he is forced to enter the modern world again and face the family and life they left behind. Also starring Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn and George McKay.
July 15
Ghostbusters( Rated PG-13) Continued on page 52
14 illinoisentertainer. com july 2016