Cinemascopes: July 2020
I was fully prepared to write, with a plethora of enthusiasm, about all the films finally coming to THEATERS in July. Well, stick a pin in that, as it seems many of those new movies we thought would be releasing have now been postponed. Again. And with good reason. We are still in the middle of a global pandemic, and it just doesn’t make sense from both a fiscal and safety standpoint to release these blockbusters in theaters with cases of COVID-19 surging in many states. So release dates for films like Tenet and Mulan have been pushed back again, this time to August. So, we’ll be back to talk about those new THEATRICAL tent poles next month. Hopefully. In the meantime, here are some films releasing via streaming in July – and just because they may not be on the big screen (yet) does not mean that these films aren’t worthy of viewing from the comfort of your sofa.
Hamilton
Directed by Thomas Kail
Rated PG-13
July 3rd – Disney +
The incredibly popular historical musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was shot and compiled from three live stage performances in 2016 and features the original Broadway cast of mostly Black, Latino, and Asian American performers. Directed by Thomas Kail, it tells the story of founding father – and our first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton – in a groundbreaking hip-hop and rap style that set Broadway and musical theater on fire. It won 11 Tony Awards and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Initially slated for an October 2021 theatrical release, the film was moved up to July and is releasing via the Disney + streaming platform as a result of theater closures during the coronavirus pandemic. The cast features Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr), Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schyler), Christopher Jackson (George Washington), Daveed Diggs (Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds) and Jonathan Groff (King George III).
Greyhound
Directed by Aaron Schneider
Rated PG-13
July 10th – Apple TV+
Based on the 1955 novel The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester and inspired by actual events, the film tells the thrilling WWII story of Captain Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks, who also wrote the screenplay), as he leads an international convoy of 37 merchant ships on a treacherous mission across the Atlantic to deliver thousands of soldiers and much-needed supplies to Allied forces during the Battle of the Atlantic in 1942. It also featuring Stephen Graham, Elisabeth Schue, and Karl Glusman.
The Old Guard
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Rated R
July 10th – Netflix
Based on the comic book of the same name, The Old Guard is a superhero film that stars Charlize Theron as part of a group of centuries-old, immortal soldiers who can heal themselves, trapped in existence without explanation. Andromache of Scythia – ‘Andy’ (Theron) and her comrades offer up their unique mercenary services for those who can find – and afford – them. But in the 21st century, immortality is a hard secret to keep, and when you live long enough, you learn that there are many fates worse than death. The film also stars Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Luca Marinelli, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
– Lori Vernon
Category: CinemaScopes, Uncategorized
