June has already rocketed by and chances are July will do the same. As we stated last month in the debut edition of The Primer, we want to give you a few key dates to keep in mind as you enjoy your summer days and nights.
Here’s your July look at the movies, music, books and television shows to keep watch for in the month ahead.
Paula by Robin Thicke (July 1)
After “Blurred Lines” became one of last summer’s anthems, the Canadian-American is back with an album targeted at winning back his wife, Paula Patton, after the two had a very public seperation earlier this year. Best of luck to the dude that got all grindy with Miley while wearing a Beetlejuice outfit last year at the MTV Awards.
Bad Words on DVD (July 8)
You may have missed this one during its limited run in theatres, but catch it from home. Bad Words features Jason Bateman as a 40-year-old that enters children’s spelling bees, forging a friendship with a 10-year-old contestant along the way. Bateman’s been pretty solid over the last decade and this is one of his best efforts yet.
The Bridge returns (July 9)
Season One started strong, wavered in the middle and closed on a high, leaving viewers hopeful and curious to see where the grim, serial killer drama would go in Season Two. The wait is just about over.
Jay Z and Beyonce: On The Run (Toronto, July 9 and Winnipeg, July 27)
Put those diamonds in the sky and just understand that this is bound to be an incredible concert. Catching Jay or B individually would be slick, but in tandem? The number of hits and amount of energy that will run through these two Canadian dates in July will be insane.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Hits Theatres (July 11)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) did $480M worldwide and the sequel, which stars Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) and Gary Oldman (lots of awesomeness) alongside the angry apes, is getting positive early reviews.
Rock the Shores rocks Victoria, British Columbia (July 11-13)
Three days, 10 hours per day, and countless kick ass bands and musicians all on beautiful Vancouver Island. What’s not to love? Acts scheduled to appear include The Cult, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Billy Talent, and Our Lady Peace. For more information, check out rocktheshores.com.
Showtime standouts return (July 13)
Ray Donovan is a little overblown in terms of the acting and Boston accents, but its first season was a fun guilty pleasure. Masters of Sex was brilliant in its first year and should only continue to improve in Season 2. Both return on the second Sunday of the month and should help fill your Game of Thrones void.
Major League Baseball All-Star Game (July 15)
The best and brightest in the big leagues – and retiring standout Derek Jeter – descend on Minnesota’s Target Field for “The Midsummer Classic.” As much as it still makes no sense that this game dictates homefield advantage in the World Series, it does add some intrigue to the proceedings and any chance to watch Mike Trout to Mike Trout things alongside other superstars shouldn’t be missed.
Hercules muscles into the movies (July 25)
Based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays the role of the Greek demigod. Much like last year’s dueling “people blowing up the White House” movies (Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down), there is another Hercules movie set to hit theatres later this year. Since Johnson has become a major box office draw, we’re guessing this one does bigger numbers.
King and Maxwell by David Baldacci (July 28)
The latest entry into Baldacci’s series featuring former Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell hits book stores at the end of the month and centers around a teenage boys quest to find his father.
