A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2016 - Episode VII

The Summer Movie Season of 2016 has thus far been a mild disappointment, with several high-profile, big budgeted films flopping like a clown fish on the dock. But it’s a long hot summer, and with a packed month of July right around the corner, the Summer may still yet be saved. Here are the notable releases for the month of July.

It all gets friendly with…

THE BFG – Steven Spielberg's newest is based on the 1982 children’s novel by Roald Dahl, in which a (ahem) Big Friendly Giant befriends a young girl. Mark Rylance plays the giant via motion-capture.

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN – The Internet Movie Database lists 200 movies with Tarzan in the title between 1918 and 2014. The 201^st film has Alexander Skarsgard playing the king of the apes, and he is joined by Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, Djimon Hounsou, Jim Broadbent, and Christoph Waltz. It is directed by David Yates (HARRY POTTER).

THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR – The third film in this nonsensical franchise in which everyone loses their shit once a year. Stars Frank Grillo (THE WINTER SOLDIER).

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS – Illumination Entertainment offers an animated look at what your pets do when you’re not at home. Stars the voices of Louis CK, Kevin Hart, Steve Coogan, Dana Carvey, and Albert Brooks.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC – Originally a limited release earlier this year, this drama finally moves into a wide release in which Viggo Mortensen (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) plays a father raising his kids off-the-grid.  

CELL – This adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name in which the world gets turned into zombies after a mysterious cell-signal has already been banished to on-demand services. Stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.

FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS – In this drama, Russell Crowe is a writer dealing with being a widower and a father. Co-stars Amanda Seyfried, Aaron Paul, Diane Kruger, Bruce Greenwood, Jane Fonda, Octavia Spencer, and Quvenzhane Wallis (BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD). It is directed by Gabriele Muccino (THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS).

GHOSTBUSTERS – Paul Feig (THE HEAT) re-unites with Melissa McCarthy in this remake of the 1984 all-time favorite beloved classic. Co-stars Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Lesllie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth (THOR).

THE INFILTRATOR – Based on the true story of a U.S. Customs agent who infiltrated the world’s largest drug cartels. Bryan Cranston stars as the agent, and he is joined by Diane Kruger, Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, and Amy Ryan. Directed by Brad Furman (THE LINCOLN LAWYER).

CAFÉ SOCIETY – Woody Allen is back with his annual entry, in which a young man moves to Hollywood and falls in love with his uncle’s secretary. Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carell, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, and Corey Stoll.

ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE – The fifth movie in the ICE AGE franchise has our furry friends dodging a series of cosmic events threatening the Earth, which is triggered by Scrat in his pursuit of that elusive acorn.

STAR TREK BEYOND – The 13^th film in the STAR TREK franchise and the third since the 2009 re-start has the crew of the Enterprise halfway into their five-year mission when they are attacked by an unstoppable alien force. Reprising their roles are Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, and the late Anton Yelchin. Idris Elba plays the main villain, and it is directed by Justin Lin (FAST AND THE FURIOUS).

JASON BOURNE – The fifth film in the JASON BOURNE franchise (are we noticing a trend here?) has Jason Bourne re-appearing after his disappearance several years after THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM. Matt Damon reprises his role, and he is joined by Julia Stiles, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassel, and Alicia Vikander (EX MACHINA).

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Next month, Reel Speak previews the month of August.