Wound up a little behind the ball while editing the latest episode of Bad Movies We Love, but it was totally worth it! Anyway, the movie calendar waits for no one.
New In Theaters
Insidious: The Red Door
Director: Patrick Wilson | Writers: Leigh Whannell, Scott Teems
Stars: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne
I liked the first Insidious but I never followed it into the second, third, and fourth installments. However, I am interested to see Patrick Wilson direct a Leigh Whannell and Scott Teems script. It’s not at the top of my list, but I might snag this one as a matinee after the weekend.
Joy Ride
Director: Adele Lim | Writers: Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Teresa Hsiao, Adele Lim
Stars: Debbie Fan, Stephanie Hsu, Kenneth Liu, Annie Mumolo
The trailer for this looks hilarious so I’m hoping it didn’t burn all its best jokes to get people in the seats. Honestly, we need more rated-R comedies for adults so I am going to support this regardless. I have faith that it’s going to work though.
Limited Release
Amanda
Written & Directed by: Carolina Cavalli
Stars: Benedetta Porcaroli, Galatéa Bellugi, Givoanna Mezzogiorno
From what I’m seeing, I love the way this is shot and the sense of humor that is being displayed. It has the indie spirit I am looking for in my movie selection and it also takes aim at this feeling of isolation and disconnection at a time where we are more connected than ever. I’m in if I can find it playing out here.
*Biosphere – Editor’s Pick*
Director: Mel Eslyn | Writers: Mark Duplass, Mel Eslyn
Stars: Sterling K. Brown, Mark Duplass
When people joke on social media about filmmakers making movies specifically for them, this is that movie for me. I always profess my fondness for low-budget sci-fi and I couldn’t ask for two better actors to step into this concept. This is my top priority and my Editor’s Pick!
Earth Mama
Written & Directed by: Savanah Leaf
Stars: Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander, Keta Price
This one has that indie spirit I am looking for too, and I am always susceptible to stories about parents getting their children taken away. And I am also partial to directorial debuts, so this one is checking multiple boxes for me. It will probably be tough for me to find, but I will look.
The League
Director: Sam Pollard
Stars: Lovell Gates, Jakkar Thompson
Most people are familiar with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball and it has been covered on film, both from a biopic and documentary standpoint but most people don’t know about the extensive history of The Negro Baseball League. This trailer certainly sparked my imagination for what a world where this was the dominant form of baseball would look like.
The Lesson
Director: Alice Troughton | Writer: Alex MacKeith
Stars: Richard E. Grant, Julie Delpy, Daryl McCormack
You had me at Richard E. Grany and Julie Delpy! There are certainly some provocative thriller elements as well but that’s just an added bonus.
The YouTube Effect
Written & Directed by: Alex Winter
Stars: Caleb Cain, Steve Chen, Hany Farid
The YouTube phenomenon is something that is tough to understand. I don’t spend a ton of time on YouTube but I do use it and I appreciate its utility. However, this documentary aims to pull back the curtain on all that and it reminds me a lot of The Social Dilemma which I really enjoyed. This is more something I would stream at home, but I do want to see it.
Sound of Freedom (July 4th)
Director: Alejandro Monteverde | Writers: Rod Barr, Alejandro Monteverde
Stars: Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp
I knew nothing about this until some movie friends started talking about this as QAnon propaganda. From what I saw in the trailer, it is not coming across that way to me. The cast is pretty good and I heard it won the 4th of July box office, but I also don’t like movies that aim to pick up scraps on holidays like that. And Jim Caviezel’s little speech there at the end is very creepy.
*Once Upon a Time in Uganda (July 4th) – Honorable Mention*
Director: Cathryne Czubeck | Writers: Amanda Hughes, Cathryne Czubek
Stars: Asiimwe Apollo, Bukenya Charles, Bisaso Dauda
Holy shit! This looks absolutely incredible! The universal spirit of creativity and the reach of cinema are on full display. I kinda want to change my Editor’s Pick but I would give this an honorable mention at the least.
Bad Girl Boogey (July 4th)
Director: Alice Maio Mackay | Writers: Benjamin Pahl Robinson, Alice Maio Mackay
Stars: Lisa Fanto, Prudence Cassar, Steven Nguyen
Meh. It looks like a pretty cliche low-budget slasher flick to me. I get that this is a moment as a LGBTQIA+ film, but it should have come out in pride month back in June if it wanted to rise above the genre trappings.
The Crusades
Director: Leo Milano | Writers: Shaun Early, Jack Husser, Leo Milano
Stars: Rudy Pankow, Khalil Everage, Ryan Ashton
What is going on with all these 30-year-old high schoolers? There is no rating attached to this so I have no idea how to gauge this but it’s not moving the needle for me.
Streaming & Digital
Wham! (Netflix July 5th)
Director: Chris Smith
Stars: George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, Wham!
Deadpool will be happy! We have entered the golden age of music documentaries and it’s about time that Netflix got their hands on something compelling in this department. I’m sure they have a few others, but this is the first thing that pinged my radar. It’s probably a very interesting watch.
The Out-Laws (Netflix)
Director: Tyler Spindel | Writers: Evan Turner, Ben Zazove
Stars: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin
My hopes aren’t high but I do like Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, and Ellen Barkin. And, once again, I will support rate-R comedies on principle. With low expectations, I can imagine having a good time.
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