As the summer line-up of movies is in full swing, let's take a step away from the big budget blockbusters and pay attention to the new thrillers that will meet us this July. Sure, a lot of us have been waiting for "Black Widow" in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest phase that finally comes to Camana Bay Cinema on 9 July, but let's not forget about other projects that spur inspiration, and sometimes terror.
Twenty-five years after the popular "Space Jam" film, the franchise returns with "Space Jam: A New Legacy." Replacing basketball hall-of-famer Michael Jordan is future hall-of-famer LeBron James, who stars as a fictionalised version of himself in this live action/animated sports comedy. Co-stars include Don Cheadle and a bunch of Looney Tunes, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. Space Jam opens on 16 July.
July will also give us a new feature from long-time thriller veteran M. Night Shyamalan with "Old." What starts out as a relaxing family holiday on a beach quickly turns into a nightmare as a mysterious force causes humans to age at an unbelievable pace. As with all Shyamalan films, try to piece together what the twist will be before it shows up in the third act. "Old" opens on 23 July.
KIDS CLUB
It would have been intriguing to be in the writer’s room during the drafting of 2014’s "The Lego Movie." Writer Phil Lord must have asked, “How the heck are we going to make a movie about plastic toys that are often not even an inch tall?” To which, I imagine his partner Christopher Miller replied, “We make it fast-paced and nonsensical of course. People will love it; trust me." And in this made-up scenario, he was right; "The Lego Movie" was a hit with both critics and audiences. Made with mixed-media techniques, the technical feats achieved in this film are on par with "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse" in terms of animation. Bring the kids to see it on 17 July.
CLASSICS
On Tuesday 20 July, call in sick to work. Moan on the phone and say you have a stomach cramp and clammy palms. Why add the clammy palms? Because it's a good, non-specific symptom that doesn't require a doctor's visit, according to film's most famous truant, Ferris Bueller.
Philosophical in his determination to take a day off, Ferris notes that life moves pretty fast. "If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
What will you do on your day off? As Ferris would say: "The question isn't, 'What are you going to do?' The question is, 'What aren't you going to do?'"
Include seeing "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" at 7 p.m. on the list of things you'll do.
This article originally appeared in the July 2021 print edition of Camana Bay Times.