We are deep into summer and I am so ready for the coolness to return. I am not a summer guy at all, and the heat is killing me.
I’m also fairly unimpressed with this summer’s movie offerings so far. I think most are just okay, but there’s nothing incredible so far. I’m usually pretty middling on summer releases, but this year feels drier than usual.
I was excited to see Jaws in a theater with a crowd today on the 4th, it did not disappoint. I truly think that’s my #1 movie. It’s perfect.
I’m hoping to use this month as a “2024 movie catch-up month” on some of the titles I’ve missed in the first half of the year.
It’s also Summer Olympics time, or when I pretend I care about all these sports more than I actually do. I do genuinely love big sporting events like this though, there’s something nostalgic and comforting for me.
Movies
Very Excited
MaXXXine | 7/5 | Theaters
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.
I still need to catch up with Pearl, the second in this trilogy of slasher films starring Mia Goth, but I loved X — the start of the trilogy — and this one in particular looks great. I love the setting more than the others. If it’s as good as the first, it’ll be a great time!
Mother, Couch! | 7/5 | Theaters - Limited
The members of a dysfunctional family find themselves mysteriously trapped in an antiquated furniture store when their elderly matriarch suddenly refuses to get up from one of the display couches.
The whole premise for this movie is so odd. I’m in! The cast for this has me sold too: Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Lara Flynn Boyle, F. Murray Abraham, Ellen Burstyn. I’m so here for it.
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger | 7/12 | Theaters - Limited
Martin Scorsese presents this very personal and insightful new feature-length documentary about British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Every time I watch a Powell and Pressburger movie, I’m stunned by just how good they are. I love a good film history doc and can’t wait to watch this one.
Sing Sing | 7/12 | Theaters - Limited
Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group with other incarcerated men.
I’ve almost cried at just the trailer a couple of times. Colman Domingo is always great and this seems like no exception. It’s also about the healing power of theatre, so yeah, I’m hyped.
Twisters | 7/19 | Theaters
As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Cooper and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
I hope this is good, but I’m keeping my expectations low. I think it could be an awesome summer movie — action-pact, huge spectacle, hot people — but it could also be another thoughtless sequel to a beloved classic. Time will tell, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.
Deadpool & Wolverine | 7/26 | Theaters
A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.
While my superhero fatigue is higher than ever, I can’t help but get excited seeing my favorite X-Men hero, Wolverine, back on the big screen. I’m not as in love with the Deadpool movies as many others, but I think they’re some of the stronger modern superhero movies. I’m interested to see how far it will skewer Disney and the MCU since it’s now being connected to all of that.
Dìdi (弟弟) | 7/26 | Theaters - Limited
In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.
I’m here for the mid/late 2000s period pieces. This has a lot of buzz around it from the film festival circuit and it looks great. 2008 was when I was also going from middle to high school so I truly am excited to see a film with a character that age in that time.
Pretty Excited
Dandelion | 7/12 | Theaters - Limited
It follows a singer-songwriter in a downward spiral as she takes a last effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she meets Casey, a guitarist who walked away from his dream long ago.
Longlegs | 7/12 | Theaters - Limited
In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.
National Anthem | 7/12 | Theaters - Limited
Dylan, a 21-year old construction worker in rural New Mexico, joins a community of queer ranchers and rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.
Crossing | 7/19 | Theaters - Limited
Lia, a retired school teacher living in Georgia, hears from a young neighbour Achi that her long lost niece Tekla, a transgender woman, has crossed the border into Turkey. Hoping to bring Tekla home after a period of estrangement, Lia travels to Istanbul with the unpredictable Achi to find her. Exploring the hidden depths of the city, they cross paths with a transgender lawyer called Evrim, who helps them in their search.
Crumb Catcher | 7/19 | Theaters - Limited
After blacking out on his wedding night, Shane and his wife head to a remote estate for their honeymoon. That night, there’s a knock at the door; a waiter and bartender from the reception, blackmailing Shane for something he can’t remember doing. But the blackmailers don’t just want money. They’re after business partners for their invention, an outlandish device called… The Crumb Catcher.
Intrigued
Touch | 7/12 | Theaters - Limited
Soon after the break of the pandemic and realizing that his clock is ticking, Kristofer gets the urge to embark on a journey to try to find out what really happened when his Japanese girlfriend mysteriously vanished without a trace from London fifty years earlier.
Fabulous Four | 7/26 | Theaters
Three lifelong friends travel to Key West, Florida to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their college girlfriend Marilyn. Once there, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past rises up again in all its glory, and there’s enough sparks, drinks and romance to change all their lives in ways they never expected.
TV
Very Excited
Summer Olympics Paris 2024 | 7/26 | Peacock
The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in France, with some competitions starting on 24 July.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m normally not that into sports, but something about the Olympics gets me very excited for them. I’m hoping to catch some volleyball, skateboarding, and the new sport added — breaking, aka break dancing.
Pretty Excited
An unpredictable journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves and their newest recruit: an 11-year-old history buff named Kevin. Together, they set out on a thrilling quest to save the boy's parents, and the world.
Books
Pretty Excited
I Was A Teenage Slasher | 7/16 | Stephen Graham Jones
1989, Lamesa, Texas. A small west Texas town driven by oil and cotton—and a place where everyone knows everyone else’s business. So it goes for Tolly Driver, a good kid with more potential than application, seventeen, and about to be cursed to kill for revenge. Here Stephen Graham Jones explores the Texas he grew up in, the unfairness of being on the outside, through the slasher horror he lives but from the perspective of the killer, Tolly, writing his own autobiography. Find yourself rooting for a killer in this summer teen movie of a novel gone full blood-curdling tragic.
Intrigued
The Book of Elsewhere | 7/23 | Keanu Reeves & China China Miéville
She said, We needed a tool. So I asked the gods.
There have always been whispers. Legends. The warrior who cannot be killed. Who’s seen a thousand civilizations rise and fall. He has had many names: Unute, Child of Lightning, Death himself. These days, he’s known simply as “B.”
And he wants to be able to die.
In the present day, a U.S. black-ops group has promised him they can help with that. And all he needs to do is help them in return. But when an all-too-mortal soldier comes back to life, the impossible event ultimately points toward a force even more mysterious than B himself. One at least as strong. And one with a plan all its own.
Anime
Pretty Excited
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a (Cour 2) | 7/5 | Crunchyroll
In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by alien-crafted "Machine Lifeforms," humanity is preparing for its last stand. Forced to retreat to the Moon for safety, humans are pinning their hopes on a group of man-made androids known as YoRHa soldiers. Led by the all-purpose battle android YoRHa 2-gou B-gata "2B," the group will fight to take control of the Earth back from its invaders.
As war against the machines rages on, the YoRHa slowly begin to see the first shards of truth underlying the brutal conflict. Facing the harsh reality before her, the unwavering warrior 2B starts to question her very existence and just how much she must sacrifice for the sake of humanity.
Tower of God: Return of the Prince | 7/7 | Crunchyroll
The second season of Kami no Tou: Tower of God. Ja Wangnan can’t seem to pass the 20th Floor. Even after failing time and time again, he refuses to give up. On his journey, he meets a mysterious and powerful character named Viole. Wangnan invites Viole to join his team of Regulars. Their journey continues with new challenges at every turn.
Intrigued
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings In Russian | 7/3 | Crunchyroll
Alya is a transfer student enjoying popularity at her new high school, often sporting a cold shoulder while earning high marks in class. She ignores her nerdy classmate, Kuze Masachika, except for when she blurts out a flirtatious line to him in Russian. Little does she know, Kuze understands Russian, though he pretends not to. Let’s see where this wacky love story takes them!
Oshi No Ko, Season 2 | 7/3 | Hidive
Aqua's desire for revenge takes center stage as he navigates the dark underbelly of the entertainment world alongside his twin sister, Ruby. While Ruby follows in their slain mother's footsteps to become an idol, Aqua joins a famous theater troupe in hopes of uncovering clues to the identity of his father—the man who arranged their mother's untimely death, and the man who once starred in the same troupe Aqua hopes to infiltrate.
Suicide Squad Isekai | 7/6 | Max
In the crime-ridden city of Gotham, Amanda Waller, the head of A.R.G.U.S., assembles a group of notorious criminals—Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface and King Shark—for a mission into an otherworldly realm that's connected to this world through a gate. It's a realm of swords and magic where orcs rampage and dragons rule the skies. Can Harley Quinn and her crew conquer this perilous realm?
Games
Very Excited
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus | PC (Switch, PS5, Xbox S/X)
Bo is a hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania based in a colorful world of Japanese folklore. You play as a tiny fox spirit that grows from lotus blossom after being blessed by the moon god. Use your legendary bō staff to bounce and move fluidly through a delightfully-demonic east asian fever dream. Use the tight movement and reset system to reach areas efficiently and gracefully or recover chaotically while floundering for footing.
The art style is incredible and ya boy loves a Metroidvania, so sign me up. More than anything game releases pile up. They’re a much longer time commitment than film or TV so my to-be-played pile is staggering. I’m hoping to try and get to this one sooner rather than later though.
Pretty Excited
Anger Foot | 7/11 | PC
Anger Foot is a lightning-fast hard-bass blast of kicking down doors and kicking ass. Move quick - hit hard.
Flock | 7/16 | PC (PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X)
Flock is a multiplayer co-op game about the joy of flight and collecting adorable flying creatures with your friends. Soar through beautiful landscapes, seeking out rare and elusive creatures to add to your flock.
Dungeons of Hinterberg | PC (Xbox S/X)
From developer Microbird, Dungeons of Hinterberg takes place in the Austrian Alps, where the small town of Hinterberg has become a tourist destination due to its lush scenery and crisp mountain air. And also monsters. It's a great place to holiday if you want to kill some monsters.
Intrigued
Conscript | 7/23 | PC (Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X)
During the First World War, a lone French soldier must navigate twisted trenches, scavenge for limited supplies and solve complex puzzles - all whilst fighting for survival in the midst of mankind’s most brutal and horrifying conflict. CONSCRIPT is a new take on classic survival horror.
The Star Named EOS | 7/23 | PC (Switch, PS5, Xbox S/X)
Capture photos and step back in time to experience the moments held within them in The Star Named EOS. Solve a variety of puzzles to help a young photographer uncover the truth about his mother’s disappearance and rediscover the beauty that is to be found in the world.
That wraps up July. I know I waxed about not much coming out this summer and then had a pretty huge list. But there’s not a ton that I feel compelled to have to take in this month. A lot of stuff will end up being catch-up material later this year or early next year I think.
Anything you’re excited about on this list? Or anything I missed? Let me know!
Thanks for reading. Til next time!
- Colton
Not Isekai 😂😂😂