SUMMER SAVERS
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ow that Wonder Woman is officially the queen of the box office- earning $ 100 million domestically in its first three days and garnering a ton of critical praise- we’ re left wondering what the hell happened to May and June’ s other blockbusters and sequels like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales($ 160 million domestically to date), Alien: Covenant( opening 29 % below 2012’ s Prometheus) and The Mummy( only $ 69.5 million domestically in 3 weeks). All have surprisingly under-performed. According to box office analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations, "… we already know August is pretty lean this year, so studios have to make it up elsewhere in June and July. That will put a lot of pressure
By Lori Vernon
on original films like Wonder Woman and Christopher Nolan ' s Dunkirk to succeed." So, can Spiderman and a bunch of damn dirty apes save the summer? Here’ s what’ s on tap for July.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Director: Jon Watts July 7 • Rated NR
Tom Holland debuts a younger Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the new reboot. Having made a splash in Captain America: Civil War, Peter begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Pumped up by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home to his Aunt
May( Marisa Tomei), while under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark( Robert Downey, Jr.). While he tries to go back to a normal life, Peter becomes distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. When the Vulture( Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds dear will be threatened. Also starring Zendaya, Gwyneth Paltrow and John Favreau.
A Ghost Story
Director: David Lowery July 7 • Rated R
Casey Affleck reteams with Rooney Mara and director David Lowery( Ain’ t Them Bodies Saints) for this eerie, existential drama / fantasy / romance that follows a recently deceased man who returns to his former home as a benevolent white-sheeted ghost repeatedly trying to connect with his bereft wife( Mara) and others who pass through the house. As time passes and unfolds, he reaches a deep understanding of love, loss, his place in the world, and the world beyond.
War For Planet Of The Apes
Director: Matt Reeves July 14 • Rated PG-13
In this grim third chapter of the critically acclaimed reboot blockbuster franchise, Caesar( Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel( Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face-to-face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet. Also starring Toby Kebbell, Steve Zahn, Judy Greer
Amiah Mitchell, Karin Konoval and Michael Adamthwaite.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Director: Luc Besson July 21 • Rated PG-13
Working in a vein similar to his 1997 hit The Fifth Element, director Luc Besson returns to space for this adaptation of the popular French comic-book series about a couple of heroes, Valerian( Dane DeHaan) and Lauraline( Cara Delevingne) who must save the universe. As special operatives to the government of the human territories, Valerian and Laureline are charged with maintaining order throughout the galaxy. Under a directive from their Commander( Clive Owen), they embark on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis comprised of thousands of different species from all four corners of the universe. Alpha ' s seventeen million inhabitants have converged over time- uniting their talents, technology and resources for the betterment of all. Unfortunately, not everyone on Alpha shares in these same objectives; unseen forces are at work, placing the human race in great danger. Also starring Elizabeth Debicki, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Rutger Hauer, Rihanna, and Herbie Hancock.
The teaser trailer features an original master recording by The Beatles, marking the first time a Beatles master has been licensed for use in a movie trailer. Recorded by The Beatles in 1969, " Because " debuted on the Abbey Road album( 1969) and " Because "( A Cappella Version), which appears in the Valerian teaser trailer made its release debut on The Beatles ' Anthology 3 in 1996.
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14 illinoisentertainer. com july 2017