Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (opens Jul 10)
Our pick of the week. The sequel to 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes has been earning glowing reviews for its nuanced treatment of both its human and genetically enhanced simian subjects, after the outbreak of a global ape virus. Jason Clarke (most recently in The Great Gatsby and Zero Dark Thirty) and Gary Oldman star, with motion capture regular Andy Serkis playing the leader of the apes.
Walking on Sunshine (opens Jul 10)
This movie-musical marks singer-songwriter Leona Lewis’ first foray into acting. Reminiscent of Mamma Mia!, there’s plenty of ’80s pop and OTT cliches: a wedding that’s in jeopardy because of a love triangle (involving sisters, no less), the gorgeous beaches in the south of Italy and Vespa rides into the sunset. Watch if you’re looking for mindless bubblegum fun.
Sexy Beast (opens Jul 11, The Screening Room)
Ben Kingsley’s stellar performance earned him an Oscar nomination in this excellent crime film. He plays Don Logan, a sociopathic criminal who turns peace-loving ex-convict Gal’s (Ray Winstone) awry with his bank heist and murder plans.
Homeland (Jul 11, Japanese Film Festival)
One of the more serious contemporary films in this year’s Japanese Film Festival, this movie examines the impact of the Fukushima disaster on the lives of ordinary people.
The Tale of Iya (Jul 12, Japanese Film Festival)
This stunningly beautiful movie, shot with a 35mm camera, depicts the life of a grandfather and granddaughter living in the countryside, and a boy from the city who comes to the mountain to start a new life. Pure visual poetry.
The Mole Song (Jul 12, Japanese Film Festival)
Reiji (Toma Ikuta) graduated from police academy with the lowest score ever, but that didn’t deter him from infiltrating the yakuza to try to bring its leader down. An exercise in off-the-wall Japanese humor.
Birth (opens Jul 14, The Screening Room)
Everyone knows about Nicole Kidman’s weird, incest-y 2004 movie. She plays a woman who comes face-to-face with what seems like her dead husband, only reincarnated as a ten year old boy. This one earned mixed reviews. Catch it at the Screening Room.
