Upcoming Movie Roundup -- July

Here we are... the first in what will be -- if all goes according to plan -- a monthly summary post on my thoughts, opinions and predictions about upcoming movie releases. Obviously, I can't touch on every movie coming out in a month; I'll probably mostly include movies I'm interested in seeing... or movies I definitely don't want to see... or ones I haven't decided on yet. But I guess we'll see.

Despicable Me 2
Releasing July 3rd
Starring Steve Carell as Gru, the previously reformed bad guy, who is now being recruited by the good guys to help them stop more bad guys.



I'll be honest; I only wanted to see the original because of that "it's so fluffy I'm gonna die!" line. And the movie didn't turn out bad, but it wasn't great, just, mildly funny. The sequel is, well first of all, it's a sequel, and that doesn't usually mean good things. Then, if the trailer is anything to go by, I can guess who everyone's favorite characters are -- the minions! And they only mean less plot and more kiddie-humor. So maybe I'll see it in a couple years when it comes on tv... if I'm really bored.

The Lone Ranger
July 3rd
Starring Armie Hammer and the man in the mask, and Johnny Depp and his wierder-than-I-remember Indian sidekick.



"The Lone Ranger" aka, "The Johnny Depp Show" and don't bother denying it... Nevertheless, I still want to see it eventually. I don't hate Depp or anything, and it looks fun... stupid, but fun. Plus, you gotta see the film reboots of old tv shows! There's no way this is a really good movie, but if my high hopes come through it'll be a briefly exciting summer blockbuster, and that'll be good enough for me.

The Way, Way Back
July 5th
Starring Liam James ("little Shawn" from Psych, anyone?) as Duncan, who's having something of a hard time while on vacation with his mom (Toni Collette) and her annoying boyfriend (Steve Carell). Also starring the ever amazing Sam Rockwell.



This film wins "most interesting July release." Sam Rockwell and Dramadies is one of the best combinations ever, and reviews so far say he steals the show. I'm already sold. Plus the trailer makes it look like such a funny, endearing coming-of-ager.

Red 2
July 19th
Starring Bruce Willis as a retired CIA operative, who is still getting into trouble.



When I heard they were making a sequel to Red, one of the most cheesily awesome action movies I've ever seen, I was temporarily very excited, until I found out that Karl Urban wasn't going to be in it! Things went downhill from there, and now I'm not sure I want to see it at all. There's lots of explosions and ridiculous stunts, but it mostly looks like a step-down-from-the-original rehash, and it'll have to get some pretty good reviews to really convince me otherwise.

The Wolverine
July 26th
Starring, of course, Hugh Jackman as the Wolverine.



What do you do when you have an un-killable superhero on your hands? Create a way to kill him, of course! Otherwise this movie would just be a carbon copy of that X-Men Origins movie... ugh. The Wolverine is a very highly anticipated movie, but for some reason all that stylish action and drama and what-the-heck moments in that trailer isn't too terribly exciting to me. But I want to want to see it, so in a couple weeks I probably will. I mean, it is Hugh Jackman after all.