MISSION: POSSIBLE
By Lori Vernon
installment of the dystopian action-horror
franchise continues with this prequel that
explains the origins of the first annual
Purge Night - 12 hours of complete law-
lessness where all crime is legal. In an
effort to push the crime rate below one
percent for the rest of the year, the New
Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a
sociological theory developed by Dr. May
Updale (Marisa Tomei) that allows a vent-
ing “party” of aggression for one night, in
one isolated community. But when the vio-
lence of the oppressors meets the rage of
the marginalized, the experiment explodes
from the trial city across the nation. Y’lan
Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade and
Mugga also star.
Ant-Man and The Wasp
Directed by Peyton Reed
Rated: PG-13 • July 6
Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible-Fallout
S
ometimes you just need to grab some
popcorn and duck into a dark, cool
movie theater on a hot day to forget
about life. The summer movie season con-
tinues with a myriad of films from every
genre guaranteed to offer respite from the
world, no matter what your burden. The
industry is still scratching its collective
head over the disappointing returns from
the highly anticipated Solo, A Star Wars
Story but energized by higher than expect-
ed bounty from tent poles Avengers:
Infinity War and Deadpool 2. According to
16 illinoisentertainer.com july 2018
the powers that be at PwC
aka
PricewaterhouseCoopers.com, there is
projected to be slight domestic growth, but
that’s mostly due to the increased ticket
prices. There is much to be excited about
in July, so finish your hot dog, blow out
those sparklers, stock up on Jujubees and
Raisinettes and hit your local multiplex.
The First Purge
Directed by Gerard McMuray
Rated: R • July 4
This is where it all began. The fourth
From the Marvel Cinematic Universe
comes a new chapter featuring heroes with
the astonishing ability to shrink. Former
petty criminal Scott Lang (Paul Rudd),
who acquired a suit that allows him to
shrink or grow in scale while also increas-
ing in strength, finds himself under house
arrest following the events of Captain
America: Civil War. Struggling with the bal-
ance of being Ant-Man and his fatherly
responsibilities, Lang faces the conse-
quences of his choices when he's confront-
ed by Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly)
and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) with
an urgent new mission. Scott must once
again put on the suit and learn to fight
alongside The Wasp as the team works
together to uncover secrets from their past.
The film also features Michael Pena, Walton
Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer,
Laurence Fishburne and Tip (T.I.) Harris.
Don't Worry He Won't Get Far on Foot
Directed by Gus Van Sant
Rated: R • July 13
After nearly dying in a car accident, the
last thing Portland slacker John Callahan
(Joaquin Phoenix) intends to do is give up
alcohol. Reluctantly entering treatment, he
is encouraged by his girlfriend (Rooney
Mara) and charismatic sponsor (Jonah
Hill). Callahan discovers that he has a
knack for drawing and soon the budding
artist finds himself with a new lease on life
when his edgy and irreverent newspaper
cartoons gain a national and devoted fol-
lowing. Directed by Gus Van Sant and
based on Callahan’s autobiography, this
funny and poignant drama depicts the
healing power of art. Kim Gordon (Sonic
Youth) and Beth Ditto (Gossip) make act-
ing appearances alongside Carrie
Brownstein, Jack Black, and Udo Kier.
Skyscraper
Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Rated: PG-13 • July 13
Former FBI Hostage Rescue Team
leader and U.S. war veteran Will Sawyer
(Dwayne Johnson) now evaluates the secu-
rity of skyscrapers. While on assignment
in Hong Kong, he becomes a wanted man
after realizing that the tallest, safest build-
ing in the world is suddenly ablaze and he
is being framed for arson. To make matters
worse, his wife Sarah (Neve Campbell)
and child are trapped inside the burning
building, and he must find those responsi-
ble, clear his name and rescue his family. It
sounds like Die Hard meets The Towering
Inferno, but with better special effects!
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