The Year in Film 2013: Episode VI

With the arrival of July, the summer movie season of 2013 hits the half-way point. Similar to June, this month is packed tight with action blockbusters and quiet arthouse flicks.

Rightfully so, the month gets into a gallop with a Disney flick…

THE LONE RANGER – Director Gore Verbinski (PIRATES 1-3, RANGO), re-teams with Johnny Depp in this resurrection of the Old West legend. Armie Hammer (THE SOCIAL NETWORK, J. EDGAR) stars as the masked man and is joined by Tom Wilkinson, Barry Pepper, and Helena Bonham Carter.

DESPICABLE ME 2 – The sequel to the successful DESPICABLE ME brings back Steve Carell in the lead role with lots and lots of minions.

THE WAY, WAY BACK – Steve Carell’s second film this month re-unites him with Toni Collette in this coming-of-age story involving a 14 year old, played by Liam James. Sam Rockwell co-stars.

GROWN UPS 2 – Adam Sandler brings back his pals (Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade) for a sequel to a shit movie.

PACIFIC RIM – Director Guillermo Del Toro (HELLBOY, PANS LABRYINTH) unleashes giant monsters on the world, which are combated by equally-giant robots. Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, and Ron Perlman star.

V/H/S/2 – A sequel to the found-footage horror flick.

TURBO – In this animated film, a snail has dreams of becoming the fastest snail in the world. Includes the voice talent of Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Luis Guzman, and Michael Pena.

COMPUTER CHESS – This little indie flick takes place in the early 1980’s at a computer-chess tournament. It was shot using equipment specific to the era it takes place in; making it one of the most unique-looking films of the year.

RED 2 – Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren reprise their roles as aging hit-men in this sequel to RED (2010). Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anthony Hopkins, and Brian Cox co-star.

R.I.P.D. – In this bizarre looking, MEN IN BLACK-inspired flick, Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges star as supernatural cops dispatched to protect the living from evil. Robert Schwentke (RED, FLIGHTPLAN) directs.

THE CONJURING – This highly-touted horror film tells the true story of two paranormal investigators called in to help a family terrorized by a pissed off ghost. Stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga and is directed by James Wan (SAW, INSIDIOUS).

ONLY GOD FORGIVES – Director Nicolas Winding Refn (DRIVE) re-unites with Ryan Gosling in this stylistic crime drama. Kristin Scott Thomas co-stars.

THE WOLVERINE – Flying under the radar of all the superhero films this year is Hugh Jackman’s fifth appearance as the clawed mutant. This adventure takes place after the events of X3 and is directed by James Mangold (WALK THE LINE).

THE SMURFS 2 – As if once wasn’t enough. Stars Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Sofia Vergara, Hank  Azaria, and Katy Perry.

PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES – Three twisted tales of horror all connected by items from a small-town pawn shop. Stars Elijah Wood, Brendan Fraser, Vincent D’Onofrio, Matt Dillon, Norman Reedus, Thomas Jane, and Paul Walker.

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Next month, Reel Speak looks at the final month of the Summer Movie Season of 2013.