Movies in Theaters This Wednesday, July 2-4, 2014: Tammy, Deliver Us From Evil, Earth to Echo, and More
After last weekend’s (unfortunate) release of Transformers: Age of Extinction, it’d make sense if the weekend’s slate wasn’t as packed. Studios simply don’t want to compete.
However, with the Fourth of July falling on a Friday, it seems like a prime weekend for moviegoers. That’s part of what makes this an odd weekend of releases. It’s also strange to see movies releasing midweek but you can thank Uncle Sam for that one.
The wide releases all come out Wednesday (instead of the traditional Friday). To me, the biggest release is probably Tammy. This comedy stars the red-hot Melissa McCarthy and marks her husband’s (Bridesmaids co-star Ben Falcone) directorial debut. Having seen the movie at the P.M. showing last night, I wasn’t overly impressed with it, but I bet it’ll fill plenty of seats.
Deliver Us From Evil – the next based-on-true-events horror film – looks to be some good competition, though. There are plenty of success stories coming from low(er) budget horror films, so I could see this being a diamond in the rough (commercially at least).
This weekend’s final wide release is Dave Green’s Earth to Echo. Again, this isn’t really my cup of tea as it looks a little too childish. However, there needs to be a strong family film in the mix.
In limited release, I wouldn’t think twice about seeing Life Itself. This is the documentary about Roger Ebert’s memoir, so any film fan should check this out.
The rest of the limited movies are Premature and School Dance (on July 2nd), Nothing Bad Can Happen (on July 3rd), and Beyond the Edge, Bobby Jasoos, Gabrielle, and Heatstroke (on July 4th).
Check out all the movies, including a synopsis and a trailer, below.
In DELIVER US FROM EVIL, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Edgar Ramírez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city. Inspired by the book, which details Sarchie’s bone-chilling real-life cases.
After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help.
Tammy, who was recently fired from a Topper Jack’s fast food restaurant, returns home only to find her husband enjoying a romantic meal with the neighbor. She quickly packs her necessities, and travels down three houses to her parent’s home. Upon denied use of her mom’s car to drive to Niagara Falls, she quickly resorts to an “ailing” grandmother, who also lives in the home…Only instead of traveling alone, Grandma Pearl wants in on the road trip. After realizing Grandma Pearl has the funds, they hit the road. Pearl soon proves to be quite the alcoholic despite her diabetes, and Tammy quickly turns into the “baby-sitter.” From finding love in a bar to robbing a Topper Jack’s in order to bail Pearl out of jail,the quirky adventure will have you finding yourself riding along for the misadventures of Tammy.
The incredible true story of the day the world looked up and saw New Zealand.
Bobby Jasoos starring Vidya Balan, is a film that celebrates the aspiration of Bobby, who wants to become the number one detective in the old city area of Hyderabad. The film is directed by Samar Shaikh, produced by Dia Mirza and Sahil Sangha under their banner Born Free Entertainment and is presented by Reliance Entertainment. Bobby Jasoos releases on July 4th,2014.
Gabrielle is a young woman with Williams syndrome who has a contagious joie de vivre and an exceptional musical gift. Since she met her boyfriend Martin, at the recreation centre where they are choir members, they have been inseparable. However, because they are “different,” their loved ones are fearful of their relationship. As the choir prepares for an important music festival, Gabrielle does everything she can to gain her independence. As determined as she is, Gabrielle must still confront other people’s prejudices as well as her own limitations in the hope of experiencing a love far from the “ordinary”.
On a family trip in the African desert, a research scientist unintentionally travels off course and is brutally murdered by an arms dealer. His girlfriend is put to the ultimate survival test as she attempts to evade the killers and protect his teenage daughter.
Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters) and Executive Producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Raging Bull) and Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List, Moneyball) present Life Itself, a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert – a story that is by turns personal, wistful, funny, painful, and transcendent.
Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name, Life Itself, explores the impact and legacy of Roger Ebert’s life, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times to becoming one of the most influential cultural voices in America.
The filmmakers were granted unprecedented access to Roger and Chaz during the final four months of his life. In that time, they captured Roger’s fighting spirit, his sharp sense of humor, and the ways he directly inspired filmmakers, family and fans. The response to Roger’s unexpected passing in April 2013 was immense and profoundly moving – front page news not just in Chicago, but worldwide. Influential filmmakers and politicians reflected on Roger’s legacy – everyone from Spike Lee, and Michael Moore to President Obama, who said, “When he didn’t like a film, he was honest; when he did, he was effusive – capturing the unique power of the movies to take us some place magical.” Roger was an avid supporter of independent film, and an early champion of the work of iconic filmmakers, and Life Itself interview subjects, such as Werner Herzog, Errol Morris and Martin Scorsese.
Roger himself became an iconic force when he joined with Gene Siskel to create one of the longest running, most influential television shows in history, making Chicago the cultural center of film criticism. The film features candid and insightful interviews with many of the principal producers of the show, along with the first ever feature documentary interview with Siskel’s wife, Marlene.
In the wake of Roger’s illness and disability, Roger’s writing grew creatively and in importance – transcending film criticism. Using his blog, and social media, Roger became a must-read commentator, thoughtfully addressing the political and social issues of our time. His public defiance of cancer and the resulting disfigurement literally and symbolically put a new face on the disease, and brought inspiration to countless thousands in the disabled community and beyond.
Despite his “leave of presence,” his body of work stands as a great populist monument, accessible inspiration for the next generations of film lovers. Life Itself gives a definitive document of the flesh and blood man who forever changed what it meant to be at the movies: Roger Ebert.
Inspired by atrocious true events, Nothing Bad Can Happen follows Tore, a young lost soul involved with an underground Christian punk movement who falls in with a dysfunctional family curious to test his seemingly unwavering faith. After a chance encounter helping Benno, a stranded driver and managing to help start his car again in what appears to be a miracle, Tore is invited back to his home and becomes friendly with him, his wife and two kids. Before long, Tore moves in and gradually becomes part of his family. However, Benno can’t resist playing a cruel game, designed to challenge Tore’s beliefs. As his trials become more and more extreme, Tore finds his capacity for love and resilience pushed to its limits, and beyond.
A high school senior has to re-live losing his virginity over and over again until he gets it right.
High schooler Jason has found his dream girl-the gorgeous Anastacia. There’s just one problem: she doesn’t know he exists. If he can win a spot on the school’s hottest dance crew, Jason might have a shot. But before he does, he’ll have to overcome his battle-ax of a mother, survive Anastacia’s gangsta brother, and pass the crew’s initiation-in this fresh, sexy, and outrageously funny comedy.
Follow me on Twitter @jmacle
