By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
It’s the middle of summer and the height of blockbuster season, so strap in and hold tight, because you’re going to get a chance to see just about anything, including The Rock with long, curly hair. From a founding forefather to those mischievous minions, from blood thirsty demons to a neighborhood web slinger, July is set up for a box office bonanza. That’s not even counting the little Homer adaptation from Christopher Nolan. Let’s take a peek at the month’s biggest releases.
July 1st – 3rd
Even though the month begins on a Wednesday, those lovable, banana colored, babbling thumbs can’t wait till Friday to make their return to the silver screen. “Minions & Monsters” will be the third standalone animated film from Illumination/Universal and will look to dethrone “Toy Story 5” from that top spot. This sequel seems to have a “go big or go home” mentality, and it may just work. At the very least, it should have plenty of those silly shenanigans it’s known for with slapstick humor that will keep kids and adults alike entertained.
What better way to ring in the 250th celebration of Independence Day than a biography of the United States first president. “Young Washington” takes a deep look at George Washington’s early days before he became the American leader with whom everyone is familiar. Even though it features a relatively inexperienced actor in the titular role, Angel Studios has a proven knack for delivering impactful true stories to the big screen. Keep this one in mind as you plan your 4th of July festivities.
July 10th
Disney’s annoying trend of converting their animated classics to live action remakes continues this week. “Moana” features an inexperienced filmmaker in the director’s chair and an actress in the titular role who has never acted before…what could go wrong? Dwayne Johnson of course retains his role as Maui with a curly haired wig. The original film was released just ten years ago, so what could be the point of remaking it? The answer is obvious: another sleazy cash grab from Disney.
The alternative this week is a horror sequel for a franchise that needs no introduction. “Evil Dead Burn” comes on the heels of 2023’s surprising resurrection, “Evil Dead Rise,” but has a new director steering the ship. Sébastien Vanicek was hand selected by the franchise’s original creator, Sam Raimi, and he promises a “visceral, sensory experience that punches the audience in the gut.” It’s a tough sell, however, with a nondescript cast, so better wait for reviews on this one before taking the plunge.
July 17th
This week, there is only one major film release, because no other studio dares to compete against a movie destined for box office glory. “The Odyssey” is the latest effort from the legendary Christopher Nolan who helped resurrect cinema in 2023 with “Oppenheimer,” perhaps the greatest film made this century. With a budget of around $250 million, a cast of impeccable talent, and a runtime of just under three hours, this Homer epic looks poised to not only win this year’s box office, but also the Oscars. It’s filmed with IMAX cameras, so see this on an IMAX screen if you can; the presales already crashed the Internet.
July 24th
Since “The Odyssey” will continue to dominate ticket sales, there is only one notable new release this week, but it’s an interesting one. “Her Private Hell” is a dystopian sci-fi psychological thriller with slasher horror vibes. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, it is made by Danish writer/director Nicolas Winding Refn, who helmed one of the greatest films ever made, 2011’s “Drive.” Since then, however, he’s been responsible for two major disappointments, “Only God Forgives” and “The Neon Demon,” so this latest effort is far from being a slam dunk. One other thing to consider as a reason to watch this in theaters is that Sophie Thatcher is in the lead role. After her stunning breakout performances in “Heretic” and “Companion” over the past couple years, it would not be wise to bet against her.
July 31st
Another major blockbuster emerges to close out the month, and it is guaranteed to catch audiences in its sticky web. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” swings back onto the silver screen for the fourth installment with Tom Holland in the titular role. If you happened to miss “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in 2021, you should see that one first, because much of what happens in that film will carry over into this sequel. This should be an exciting, action-packed entry into the MCU, and a satisfying appetizer before the main dish, “Avengers: Doomsday,” releasing later this year.
