I hope you like sequels, prequels, reboots and comic book movies because the time is nigh for nary an original film! Unless of course you are willing to look outside the top box office films and you realize that there is a great deal of interesting options to be discovered. While there is one film that everyone, including those living under rocks knows is coming out, I have included a bunch of lesser-known films including a film that may put Benedict Cumberbutton out of work!
New Theatrical Releases
Do I Sound Gay?
Release Date: July 10th
Directed By: David Thorpe (Directorial Debut)
Starring: David Thorpe, George Takei, Tim Gunn, David Sedaris, Margaret Cho and Dan Savage
IMDb Summary: An upcoming documentary about the stereotype of the “gay voice”.
Why I Am So Excited: Look whether we want to admit it or not, we all have been guilty about assuming certain men are gay by the way the sound. I hope this documentary does a service to the gay community in helping to understand why this stereotype exists and if there are any biological truth behind it while helping to understand what life is like for a gay person in today’s world. Also just in time for the recent SCOTUS ruling that gay marriage is legal in all 50 states! Date night anyone?
Watch the trailer HERE
Ant-Man
Release Date: July 17th
Directed By: Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Break-Up)
Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly, Hayley Atwell, Michael Peña, John Slattery, Bobbie Cannavale and Anthony Mackie
IMDb Summary: Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Why I Am So Excited: I am a sucker for the Marvel movies and if you listened to our recent Contra Zoom Podcast where Andreas and I ranked them all you will know that this one is a must see for me. Who doesn’t love Paul Rudd? Also with it starting Stoll who was amazing on House of Cards, I hope he gets plenty of exposure for this role.
Watch the trailer HERE
The Look of Silence
Release Date: July 17th
Directed By: Joshua Oppenheimer (The Act of Killing)
IMDb Summary: A family that survives the genocide in Indonesia confronts the men who killed one of their brothers.
Why I Am So Excited: I wouldn’t say excited, but eager, as excited would make me seem cruel. As a follow-up and companion piece to the shockingly disturbing The Act of Killing, I can’t wait to see what Oppenheimer does to top himself. While this film won’t restore your faith in humanity you may walk away knowing what the human condition is a bit more, even if it makes you sick to your stomach.
Watch the trailer HERE
Mr. Holmes
Release Date: July 17th
Directed By: Bill Condon (Kinsey, Dreamgirls, and let’s ignore that he did the last two Twilight films)
Starring: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hattie Morahan
IMDb Summary: An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes looks back on his life, and grapples with an unsolved case involving a beautiful woman.
Why I Am So Excited: With all the recent Sherlock adaptions lately it is nice to see an even fresher take on the classic character. You can’t really go wrong with Sir Ian McKellen as the lead either. Expect more class and heart than ever before from the famed detective.
Watch the trailer HERE
New On Blu-Ray
The Salt of the Earth
Release Date: July 14th
Directed By: Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and Wim Wenders (Pina, Buena Vista Social Club)
Starring: Sebastião Salgado, Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
IMdB Summary: For the last 40 years, the photographer Sebastião Salgado has been travelling through the continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. He has witnessed some of the major events of our recent history; international conflicts, starvation and exodus. He is now embarking on the discovery of pristine territories, of wild fauna and flora, and of grandiose landscapes as part of a huge photographic project, which is a tribute to the planet’s beauty.
Why I Am So Excited: This is probably the last Oscar nominated film from last year to be released on Blu-Ray. As a photographer this film interests me quite a bit at showing the behind the scenes work that it takes to make truly stunning art. Since the film is about shooting landscapes you can best believe that the cinematography will be top notch. If you are looking for a quiet documentary this is one for you, in a month that has many great options.
Watch the trailer HERE
