Summer Preview: July

Regardless of anything you do during these warm months; swimming, vacationing, picnicking, you’ll be there in a cold theater for the summer movies. It never fails, year after year, each summer promises big hype, big action, and big laughs. But what to see? There’s a lot of flicks aiming for you and your (important) dollar this summer, everything from cartoons, to 3-D spectacles, to franchise pictures, so let us, Killer Film, in our attempt at infinite wisdom shuffle through each of the four summer months to see what you should and shouldn’t see. To keep it all simple, we’ll state our reasonings on whether you should see it theatrically or not with a brief opinion and a See It or Skip It. Of course, we’ll be seeing everything so check back with our reviews to see if we we’re spot on, but now onto Summer Preview: July.

(July 1^st)

Public Enemies

Jon: I a big fan of gangster films, especially the WB films from the 1930s and ’40s, with Cagney, Bogart, and Robinson. There’s something about this film that has that old time gangster feeling to it. Two of my favorite current actors are in this; Bale and Depp, and Mann is a decent director. It’s nice to see a drama highlighted for a summer date, as high profiled as this is, and the nature of the HD camera vs film Mann has been doing, should bring up some good discussions. See It

Donny: Who doesn’t want to see Depp and Bale together in a gangster flick?  This might just be the best movie of the summer, so you can bet your ass I’ll be in the theatre watching Michael Mann’s magnum opus rock the silver screen.  See It

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Jon: I might be a snob, but anything outside of Disney, I just have a hard time liking. The first Ice Age was a decent time, the second I skipped, so the only reason I’d see this, is they brought dinosaurs in it-oddly (since Ice Age came after dinos). The 3-D looks alright, but anyone not expecting this to bank should have their head examined. But how many times can Skat be funny? Or now, that female squirrel?  Skip It

Donny:  You are a snob Jon, but I’m with you when you say this is going to make mad bank at the theatre.  I sorta dug the first one. but truthfully I was never a huge fan of this franchise.  I’m not looking forward to yet another Ice Age flick, although I know my son is going to drag me into the theatre.  So my advice is to do what I wish I could.  Skip It

(July 10^th)

Bruno

Jon: Borat was a smooth stroke of genius, and not because it was funny, but the interesting take of cultural differences Cohen plays out between American’s feelings towards other cultures is highlighted. I predict Bruno will do the same. I’m really excited for this film. See It

Donny: The man is stupid funny.  I can’t wait to see this flick.  See It

Blood: The Last Vampire

Jon: This could go either way. Based on a pretty cool anime film of the same name, this could be a camp-filled B-movie or a chore to sit through. I really can’t tell right now. Early word isn’t good, but vamps are huge right now, so it’ll be interesting to see what audience it aiming for: horror, action, Twilight girls? Hmm, tough call but I’ll say See It

Donny: Long before Britney Spears made every man in America feel guilty for thinking a schoolgirl was hot, anime flicks were putting hot nubile virgins with guns into schoolgirl outfits.  And this flick is a testament to that statement.  A hot young vampire dressed in schoolgirl garb kills vampires.  What’s not to like?  See It.

(July 17^th)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Jon: I will be the happiest man ever when this series gets put to rest. I don’t hate it, in fact, I’ve seen a few, but I cannot get into this franchise at all. Once, I was talking to this girl who wanted to pull a huge Harry Potter marathon one night after I got off of work. I said, right then and there on the phone, I was receiving a violent migraine, so I don’t think it’ll be good to do that. I never talked to her again. That’s my Harry Potter love. Not my thing, but I can understand why people enjoy them. So, for me I’ll Skip It, but for you, See It.

Donny: Don’t bash the Harry Potter sir!  Harry rocks, and because I’m a HUGE fan of the books I do enjoy the movies.  While the flicks themselves will never trump the books I’m looking forward to seeing the latest adaptation of one of my favorite literary characters.  See It

(500) Days of Summer

Jon: Besides loving all things Zooey Deschanel does (anyone listening to She & Him?), this anti-romance if you will, just might be one of the summer’s best for one reason: Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This will be his coming out party, as he has been on the verge of doing so for a few years now. Welcome. In my opinion, the theme of the film, the stars, the feelings I get from the trailer, makes this the one summer film to see. See It.

Donny: I’m happy Jon was able to finally profess his admiration for Joseph Gordon Levitt, and for once I agree with him.  I really want to see this flick.  Zooey is always cute and JGL is always solid in whatever role he takes on.  See It

(July 24^th)

G-Force

Jon: Disney’s long term love affair with talking animals continues. Looks lame, but hey, are we the audience for this? No. If you aren’t burned out of 3-D family films like Up, Ice Age 3, here’s another one. Skip It

Donny: “Poop in his hand, poop in his hand!”  I’m only going to say that my kids will want to check this one out, but I’m gonna recommend that anyone reading this Skip it.

Orphan

Jon: The trailer makes me mad. Why, if you’re adopting a child, pick the freakiest little girl the orphanage has to offer? Unless the trailer isn’t showing the levels of possible depth, this might be as forgettable as horror gets this year. Skip It

Donny: I have no desire to see this flick.  I’m totally over creepy kids, so I’m planning to use my position as editor-in-chief of this website to make Jon see this one so that I don’t have to.  Skip It

Shrink

Jon: Could be a nice off-beat drama for those who are sick of robots, cartoons, and big comedies. Spacey looks good again. See It.

Donny: I’m really looking forward to this flick.  I haven’t seen Spacey look this good since Consenting Adults or Usual Suspects.  See It

(July 31^st)

Funny People

Jon: Apatow’s name has been on almost ever successful comedy in the last few years, but here is his only third film. To tell you the truth, I’m not a big fan of 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up, but what has me excited for this is the apparent balance between comedy and drama the trailer promises. Early word is Oscar nominations. Adam Sandler looks like he’s in fine form, a rare sight. I’m hoping he’s more Punch-Drunk Love than Zohan. Everything is lining up for this to be a special picture. See It

Donny: This is my most anticipated flick of the summer.  I am counting the days until I get to see this picture, so ignore everything Jon said about not liking 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up (who in their right mind doesn’t like those flicks?) and make sure your in the theatre to see this one (stand in line if you have to).  See It

Thirst

Jon: This will be playing in a few select cities on this date, but for those of you in those cities (I’m seeing only NYC actually), See It. Chan-wook Park is a great director, and not just for Oldboy. He’s carved a special international niche for himself, as a director that is crafty, smart, and reliable. His segment in Three…Extremes was about an extra seeking vengeance against a director, but the early scenes we’re on a set of a vampire film, which is what this film is about: vampires. While there might be vampire fatigue coming, I’m very interested in his approach. 

Donny: I’m interested in this flick, but not as much as Jon is.  I’ll let him check it out and recommend that you See it.

Aliens in the Attic

Jon: I rarely outright dismiss a film based on a trailer, but I want my 2 minutes back. Skip It.

Donny: I rarely outright agree with Jon on a film based on its trailer but I also want my 2 minutes back.  Skip It

That’s July, folks. Keep it here for our reviews all month long, and if you have any questions or comments, email us at donny@killerfilm.com and jon@killerfilm.com . Or take it to our new forums, and discuss everything movie-related!