Illinois Entertainer July 2021 | Page 14

JULY PREVIEW

Sly Stone in Summer of Soul

J

uly has a lot to offer in theaters , and filmmakers hope that a wide range of movies coming out this month will finally begin drawing people in again . Here are a few highlights this month .
The Tomorrow War - July 2 Directed by Chris McKay Rated PG-13 - Amazon Prime Video
In The Tomorrow War , the world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrives from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message : Thirty years in the future , humanity is losing a global war against a deadly alien species . The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight . Among those recruited is a high school teacher and family man Dan Forester ( Chris Pratt ). Determined to save
By Lori Vernon
the world for his young daughter , Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist ( Yvonne Strahovski ) and his estranged father ( J . K . Simmons ) in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the past .
Summer of Soul - July 2 Directed by Questlove Rated PG-13 - In Theaters & Hulu
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker , Ahmir “ Questlove ” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary — part music film , part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history , culture , and fashion . Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969 , just one hundred miles south of Woodstock , The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Marcus Garvey Park . The footage was never seen and largely forgotten – until now . SUM-
MER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest , both past , and present .
Black Widow - July 9 Directed by Cate Shortland Rated PG-13 - In Theaters & Disney +
Following the events of 2016 ’ s Captain America , Natasha Romanoff , aka Black Widow ( Scarlett Johansson ), confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises . Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down , Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger . Also starring Florence Pugh , David Harbour , and Rachel Weisz .
Space Jam : A New Legacy - July 16 Directed by Malcolm D . Lee Rated PG-13 - In Theaters & HBOMax
When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A . I ., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs , Lola Bunny , and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A . I .’ s digitized champions on the court : a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you ’ ve never seen them before . It ’ s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life that will redefine LeBron ’ s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself . Also starring Don Cheadle , Khris , Sonequa Martin-Green , and Zendaya .
The Comeback Trail - July 23 Directed by George Gallo Rated R - In Theaters
Two movie producers who owe money to the mob set up their aging movie star for an insurance scam to try and save themselves . But they wind up getting more than they ever imagined . Starring Robert De Niro , Morgan Freeman , Tommy Lee Jones , Zach Braff , Emile Hirsch , Eddie Griffin & Kate Katzman .
Old - July 23 Directed by M . Night Shyamalan Rated PG-13 - In Theaters
Visionary filmmaker M . Night Shyamalan unveils a chilling , mysterious new thriller about a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly … reducing their entire lives into a single day . Starring Gael García Bernal , Vicky Krieps , Rufus Sewell , Ken Leung , Nikki Amuka- Bird , and Alex Wolff .
Snake Eyes : G . I . Joe Origins -July 23
Directed by Robert Schwentke Rated PG-13 - In Theaters
Based on the iconic G . I . Joe character , Henry Golding stars as Snake Eyes , a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent . Upon arrival in Japan , the Arashikage teaches Snake Eyes the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing something he ’ s been longing for : a home . But , when secrets from
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14 illinoisentertainer . com july 2021