June 16, 2014: July under-the-radar movie releases to look forward to! Or not!

LIFE ITSELF

Release Date: July 4, 2014

What it’s about: A documentary on the life of film critic Roger Ebert.

What it’s got working for it: As someone who grew up watching Siskel & Ebert, I’m interested.

What’s it’s got going against it: Those unfamiliar with his work may not be quite as intrigued.

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ROAD TO PALOMA

Release Date: July 11, 2014

What it’s about: A Native-American faces a journey of redemption after seeking revenge for his mother’s death.

What it’s got working for it: Jason Momoa’s directorial debut.

What’s it’s got going against it: Hopefully the murky trailer isn’t indicative of the film’s quality.

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WISH I WAS HERE

Release Date: July 18, 2014

What it’s about: A 35 year old man examines his life, career, and family.

What it’s got working for it: The positive vibes of the kickstarter campaign that funded it.

What’s it’s got going against it: It looks maudlin and cliche.  Must every “feel good” movie include a shot of people driving in a convertible, smiling, arms outstretched to the wind?

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A MOST WANTED MAN

Release Date: July 25, 2014

What it’s about: A Chechen ex-prisoner arrives in Hamburg’s Islamic community, seeking to reclaim his father’s ill-gotten fortune.

What it’s got working for it: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s last film, based on a novel by John le Carré.

What’s it’s got going against it:  Some early reviews criticize its style over substance.

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GOOD PEOPLE

Release Date: July 25, 2014

What it’s about: A young couple’s decision to help themselves to a dead neighbor’s cash results in dark consequences.

What it’s got working for it: Omar Sy makes an unnervingly convincing bad guy.

What’s it’s got going against it: Unlike everyone else in Hollywood, I don’t buy James Franco.

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MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT

What it’s about: An Englishman attempts to unmask a con artist in 1920′s southern France.

What it’s got working for it: The trailer looks promising.  Woody Allen has made some great movies (Annie Hall, Bananas, Sleeper).

What’s it’s got going against it: And some not so great ones (Celebrity, Shadows and Fog, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion).

 

 

Tagged: A Most Wanted Man, Good People, Life Itself, Magic in the Moonlight, Road to Paloma, Wish I Was Here