July Sizzlers: Something for Everyone on Screens Both Big and Small

The final, unofficial last of Hollywood’s summer months promises some big hits and likely a few misses.

Odysseus (Matt Damon, L) stars in a big feature coming in July, in “The Odyssey.” Universal

Enjoying its best summer season (so far) in over five years, the Hollywood studios will release two of its most anticipated warm-weather spectacles, hoping for a slam dunk and a victory lap. Also premiering are some promising new premium cable TV series.

As always, opening dates are subject to change without notice.

July 1

‘Elle’

Elle (Lexi Minetree), in “Elle." Prime

It’s surprising this hasn’t been done as of yet. Created by Laura Kittrell, this new series is a prequel to the “Legally Blonde” feature film franchise.

Newcomer Lexi Minetree stars as the teenage Elle Woods before she attended Harvard and turned into Reese Witherspoon. June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott co-star as Elle’s parents. (Amazon Prime)

July 3

‘Young Washington’

George Washington (William Franklyn Miller), in "Young Washington." Wonder

Concentrating only on the first 30 years in the life of our first president, this Angel Studios production is one of its finest to date. Wisely casting a newcomer (William Franklyn-Miller) in the title role, director Jon Erwin surrounded him with higher-profile performers (Kelsey Grammer, Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Mary-Louise Parker) in key supporting roles. (Angel)

July 9

‘Little House on the Prairie’

Mary Ingalls (Skywalker Hughes, L) and Laura Ingalls (Alice Halsey), in “Little House on the Prairie.” Eric Zachanowich/Netflix

The recent award of a second season before the first episode even premiered signals that Netflix has high hopes for this reboot of the beloved Michael Landon-starring original series. Sporting a largely unknown cast, it will be interesting to see whether Netflix sticks to the squeaky-clean approach to the material. (Netflix)

‘The Five-Star Weekend’

Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner, L) and Tatum McKenzie (Chloe Sevigny), in “The Five-Star Weekend.” Seacia Pavao/Peacock

Executive producer Jennifer Garner stars alongside Chloe Sevigny, Regina Hall, D'Arcy Carden, and Gemma Chan in this TV adaptation of the bestselling beach read by Elin Hilderbrand. After the unexpected death of her husband, food blogger Hollis (Garner) decides to bond with her close circle of friends on Nantucket Island. (Peacock)

July 15

‘Lucky’

Lucky (Anya Taylor-Joy), in “Lucky” Apple TV

Anya Taylor-Joy stars as the title character, a con artist who learned everything she knows from her dirtbag of a father, John (Timothy Olyphant). After getting duped by her husband, Cary (Drew Starkey), Lucky goes on the lam after a job. She tries to elude capture by a detective (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) and, even worse, a more menacing and more ruthless crime boss (Annette Bening). (Apple TV)

July 16

‘The Hawk’

Lance (Jimmy Tatro, L) and Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins (Will Ferrell), in “The Hawk.” Colleen E Hayes/Netflix

Suggesting a hybrid of “Happy Gilmore,” “Tin Cup,” and the highly underappreciated series “Stick,“ Will Ferrell stars as Lonnie Hawkins, a has-been golf pro looking to make a comeback.

With an ego that far outsizes his talent, Lonnie is an ideal fit for Ferrell’s goofball, clueless style. It will be interesting to see if the show has enough gas to last an entire season. (Netflix)

July 17

‘The Odyssey’

Odysseus (Matt Damon, L) stars in a big feature coming in July, in “The Odyssey.” Universal

The long-awaited adaptation of Homer’s ancient poem is the follow-up to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s epic, multi-Oscar-winning bio-drama “Oppenheimer.” Matt Damon leads an overflowing all-star cast in this nearly three-hour action drama shot on IMAX 70 mm cameras

It comes with a pre-marketing production budget of a quarter billion dollars. The movie received some pre-release blowback due to some unorthodox casting choices. (Universal)

July 24

‘The Dink’

Candace Boyd (Mary Steenburgen) and Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson), in “The Dink.” Apple TV

It would appear America’s love affair with pickleball has yet to peak. Jake Johnson stars as Dusty, a tennis pro with middling talent; he injures himself while jumping the net in celebration of a victory.

Instead of prescribing pain meds, Dusty’s doctor (Ben Stiller) instructs him to heal by playing the less-taxing (in theory) pickleball. Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris also co-star.  (Apple TV)

‘Kill Code’

A scene from “Kill Code.” Quiver Distribution

Set in the not-too-distant future, this sci-fi action crime thriller is set in a world where criminals outnumber law-abiding citizens. Harvey Keitel stars as Eion, the leader of a corporation. He’s responsible for recruiting convicts seeking redemption who will hunt down those beyond salvation. The trailer looks like “Blade Runner” by way of “Minority Report.” (Quiver Distribution)

July 31

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Spider-Man (Tom Holland), in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Columbia

If you include animation and (Marvel) team efforts, this new Spider-Man movie is the 18th feature release of its kind since 2002. It picks up four years after the last one ended, when a spell cast by Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) over the earth causes everyone to forget Spider-Man/Peter Parker (Tom Holland). For the fourth time, Zendaya appears as M.J., Peter’s now former girlfriend. (Columbia)

‘The Savant’

Jodi Goodwin (Jessica Chastain), in “The Savant.” Apple TV

This dramatic crime thriller series was delayed from last September for assorted rumored reasons, none of which are worth lending credence to. Jessica Chastain stars as Jodi Goodwin a.k.a. the Savant, an undercover anti-terrorism agent who, through bogus identities, befriends would-be guilty conspirators online. Goodwin’s background as a Middle Eastern war veteran makes her both an ideal and volatile choice for her job. (Apple TV)

What I’m Looking Forward To

As soon as Nolan announced he was tackling “The Odyssey” and its daunting ancient text in November 2023, I began following the production’s progress online. Save for a couple of casting blunders, I can’t wait to watch it.

I’ve already seen both “Lucky” and “The Savant” and like both of them quite a bit, but for completely different reasons.

I’ve also screened “Young Washington” and found it to be far, far better than I had expected. It’s a fitting, respectful, and surprising homage to our nation’s first president on the eve of the country’s 250th birthday.

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