Remember cinemas? They're back!
Now that cinemas in both the UK and Republic of Ireland have been given permission to reopen, we now have a roster of movies headed to the big screen in July. We'd normally call these "must-sees" but we understand that many of you may not be ready to return to cinemas just yet. If you are, here are seven movies we think you might want to catch at your local cine-temple in July. Release dates are correct at time of writing but don's be surprised if amendments are made.
*Update - This list originally featured Mulan and Tenet, both of which have now been put back to August. Conversely, Saint Frances and Stage Mother have now been added to the theatrical calendar.
*Update - This list originally featured Mulan and Tenet, both of which have now been put back to August. Conversely, Saint Frances and Stage Mother have now been added to the theatrical calendar.
Black Water: Abyss
2007's Black Water was an effective Australian killer crocodile movie. Now director Andrew Traucki returns with this belated sequel in which a group of cave explorers, led by The Meg star Jessica McNamee, find themselves trapped underground with a hungry croc. Traucki will be hoping to repeat the success of last year's chompfest Crawl.
In cinemas July 10th (previews July 4th).
Proxima
The emotional toll of space exploration on astronauts has been explored recently in both the acclaimed Ad Astra and the not so acclaimed Lucy in the Sky. Director Alice Winocour (Disorder) weighs in on this subject with Proxima, which focusses on Sarah (Eva Green), an astronaut who wrestles with the implications of leaving her young daughter behind while she embarks on a year long mission in space. An awe-inspiring drama that will leave you in no doubt that astronauts represent the best of us.
In cinemas July 31st.
Saint Frances
Alex Thompson's directorial debut stars Kelly O'Sullivan, who also wrote the film, as Bridget, a down-on-her-luck thirtysomething who finds herself pregnant and lacking a job. To make ends meet, Bridget accepts a job as a nanny to a troublesome six-year-old girl (Ramona Edith Williams).
In cinemas July 17th.
Unhinged
Few of us were aware of this Russell Crowe headlined thriller before it was announced as the movie that would reopen US cinemas at the start of July. A couple of months ago it seemed improbable that Unhinged would play on the big screen over here so soon, but here we are. In director Derrick Borte's film, Crowe plays a troubled motorist who takes road rage to deadly levels following an altercation with another driver (Caren Pistorius).
In cinemas July 31st.
The Vigil
This supernatural thriller is part of a growing trend of horror movies set in a Jewish rather than Christian milieu. Dave Davis plays a former Hassidic Jew who returns to his old neighbourhood at the request of a rabbi to look over the body of a recently deceased Holocaust survivor. Once at the deceased's home, he realises this will be no regular vigil.
In cinemas July 17th.
The Traitor
Veteran filmmaker Marco Bellocchio's Italian gangster drama tells the true story of Tommaso Buscetta (Pierfrancesco Favino), a police informant who played a vital role in toppling the powerful Cosa Nostra Mafia family in the 1980s. Winner of six Italian Donatello Academy Awards, The Traitor was Italy's official submission for this year's Academy Awards.
In cinemas July 24th.
Make Up
Debut writer/director Claire Oakley's Make Up stars Molly Windsor and Stefanie Martini in a pair of star-making turns. Windsor is a teen who joins up with her boyfriend to work at an off-season caravan park, only to fall for the charms of older fellow worker Martini. Oakley's queer coming of age tale features elements of Val Lewton-esque horror.
In cinemas July 31st.
Stage Mother
This musical comedy stars Jacki Weaver as a conservative Texan church-choir director who inherits her late son's drag club. To everyone's surprise she heads to San Francisco to save the club from bankruptcy.
In cinemas July 24th.
Five Original and Exclusive Horror Movies Coming to Shudder in Julyhttps://t.co/o0HGUoofPZ pic.twitter.com/yAYYtjAbFe— The Movie Waffler (@themoviewaffler) June 27, 2020