The summer blockbuster train is in full motion as we head into July. June saw classic characters such as Indiana Jones and Spider-Man return to the big screen, and July will also see some iconic characters return, as well as usher in some new ones. July will also see two awards contenders duel it out at the box-office, as Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, is released on the same day as Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Which one will you be seeing on 21st July?
Elemental (PG)
The first major release of the month is one that I have already had the joy of seeing. The film was a ‘Secret Screening’ across cinema chains in the UK on 20th June, and it was a charming animated rom-com.
The latest film from Pixar animation follows ‘fire element’ Ember and ‘water element’ Wade, who meet and fall in love after Wade is summoned by a plumbing accident at the store owned by Ember’s father in the vibrant metropolis that is – Element City.
Insidious: The Red Door (15)
‘The Red Door’ is the fifth instalment in the horror franchise created by Leigh Whannell in 2011.
Patrick Wilson returns as Josh Lambert in the latest entry, reprising his role from the first two films in the long running franchise. ‘The Red Door’ also marks Wilson’s directorial debut, fitting considering he has been one of the faces of modern horror, with him starring in both this and The Conjuring franchise.
The latest chapter is set 10 years after the ending events of the second film. It follows Josh Lambert as he heads east to drop his son Dalton off at an idyllic, Ivy-League University. However, Dalton’s college dream becomes a nightmare when the repressed demons of his past suddenly return to haunt them both.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (12A)
Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in the seventh instalment in the action franchise that consistently delivers unlike any other. ‘Dead Reckoning‘ will be split into two parts, with Part Two expected to be released in July 2024. If both parts are half as good as Cruise’s last outing as Ethan Hunt, in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, we are in for a treat.
‘Dead Reckoning‘ sees Ethan and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: to track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens humanity before it falls into the wrong hands.
Bird Box Barcelona (15)
Back in 2018 the post-apocalyptic thriller, Bird Box, was the talk of the town. The film became a viral sensation, blowing up all over social media, as thousands of people attempted the ‘Bird Box Challenge’. Up until recently, it was the most viewed film in Netflix history and now we have a Spanish language spin-off, relocating the films setting from North America to the streets of Barcelona.
As it is a spin-off and not a sequel, we do not follow Sandra Bullock’s character from the first film. This time round, we follow a father and daughter, as well as those they join up with, as they try to survive in the dystopian future in which anyone dies if they look at the entities that have invaded Earth.
The Deepest Breath (12A)
Back in January, Laura McGann’s documentary The Deepest Breath premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Off the back of strong reviews and having a strong production company like A24 behind it, it was only a matter of time before the film got picked up by a distributor like Netflix.
The documentary tells the inspirational story of Italian free diver Alessia Zecchini on her quest to break countless free diving records, set by both women and men.
They Cloned Tyrone (15)
‘They Cloned Tyrone’ is definitely one of the more intriguing releases of July. The science-fiction comedy is the directorial debut of Juel Taylor and is thought to be a genre-busting tribute to the blaxploitation films of the 1970’s. It is expected to feature elements of satire, horror and absurdist humour, similar to the works of Boots Riley in recent years.
The film stars John Boyega, Teyonah Parris and Jamie Foxx as an unlikely trio uncovering a government cloning conspiracy, in this pulpy mystery caper.
Barbie (TBC)
‘Barbie’ is possibly the film I am most excited for all year – genuinely. It is Greta Gerwig’s third full directorial feature, both Lady Bird and Little Women were strong Oscar contenders in their respective years, will Barbie be the same? Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star as Barbie and Ken respectively in what is the first ever live action film based on the iconic doll.
Much of the plot is still being kept under wraps, but is said to follow Barbie and Ken after they are expelled from Barbieland. They venture off in search of the real world in order to find true happiness.
The large ensemble cast will include; Will Ferrell, Michael Cera, John Cena, Simu Liu, Issa Rae, Dua Lipa, America Ferrera and Emma Mackey in supporting roles, to name a few.
Oppenheimer (TBC)
Being released on the same day as Barbie is another early awards contender for 2024. ‘Oppenheimer’ is the latest film from master of the modern blockbuster, Christopher Nolan. It will see Cillian Murphy in the starring role as American physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer. This marks Cillian Murphy’s first leading role under Nolan, after appearing in several of his films in a supporting role.
The film will follow Oppenheimer and the significant role he played in the Manhattan Project. The project ultimately led to the creation of the nuclear atom bomb, a significant turning point in wartime weaponry.
Like ‘Barbie’, there is also a stacked cast. Expect to see the likes of; Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Kenneth Branagh in supporting roles.
You Hurt My Feelings (15)
‘You Hurt My Feelings‘ is yet another A24 film that premiered at Sundance in January. Rave reviews out of the festival saw the comedy-drama get UK distribution rights from Amazon.
The film stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tobias Menzies as troubled couple Beth and Don. Beth struggles with a lack of self-confidence, and her marriage with Don is affected by betrayal. Beth’s sister, Sarah (Michaela Watkins), helps her cope with the pain, possibly because of her own struggles with husband Mark (Arian Moayed), who is a struggling actor.
Talk to Me (15)
The last major release of the month is Australian horror, ‘Talk to Me’. The indie supernatural horror is the directorial debut of twins, Danny and Michael Philippou, who had previously found fame on YouTube.
The film had it’s premiere at Sundance to very strong reviews, where a bidding war ensued between Universal Pictures and others. Masters of the indie scene, A24, ultimately won the rights to distribute the film.
The film stars Sophie Wilde as Mia, who along with her friends, discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand. They become hooked on this new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
Dan Loves Film 
Leave a comment