Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer – those blistering, uncomfortable days where the temperature soars, the humidity is nearly unbearable and you’re expected to spend large amounts of time outside dealing with both.
Fortunately, if you’re interested in taking a more in-door, air-conditioned approach to the month ahead, there are plenty of entertaining options you can choose from.
This is the July 2015 Primer; refreshing beverage and personal fan not included.
New to Netflix
There are few better ways to avoid going outside and dealing with the heat than hunkering down on the couch, cold drink in hand and binge watching some Netflix. In addition to adding the ‘80s classic The Goonies and the first and third Hunger Games entries onto the system (Catching Fire is already there), July brings eight episodes of Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which serves as a prequel to the cult hit that is also available on the platform. Camp starts July 31.
Men vs. Clothes and Man vs. Machine
Not interested in sitting outside and roasting on Canada Day? If you’re headed to the movies, you’ve got two new options: Channing Tatum & Co. returning to once again take their clothes off in Magic Mike XXL or Terminator Genisys, the latest entry into the franchise started by James Cameron way back when. Emilia Clarke is Sarah Connor, Jason Clarke (no relations) is John Connor, Arnie’s back and Jai Courtney has been added into the mix as well.
2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
Though we don’t know who will be playing in the finals at BC Place just yet, this Sunday should offer up one of the best women’s soccer matches of the year. Even with Canada getting bounced in the quarterfinals, this tournament has been a success and closing out it with a big crowd and good ratings would be amazing.
Additions to Your Summer Soundtrack
A couple weeks back, we hit you with some tunes that would be wise additions to any summer mixtape. Potential additions to your playlist that are dropping this month include new albums from Ghostface Killah and Pitbull, plus the third solo album from The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr.
Minions
The Minions were hands down the best part of each of the Despicable Me films; it’s why they got an increased presence in the sequel and it’s why a feature offering starring Gru’s loyal helpers hits theatres on July 10. Judging from the trailers, it should be good for a few quality laughs.
UFC 189 and Ultimate Fight Week
This month’s UFC pay-per-view offering is the biggest of the year with two championship fights headlining the July 11 event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. If you really want to experience everything the UFC has to offer, jump on a flight to Sin City and dive into Ultimate Fight Week, a five-day festival of events, concerts, exhibitions and experiences featuring hundreds of UFC stars and personalities.
Wimbledon Finals
Will Serena Williams be playing for her 21st Grand Slam title? Can Andy Murray pick up his second win at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club? Will upsets have created new stars that will be searching for their big moment on the grass? We’ll find out over the next fortnight and see how it all plays out in the Women’s and Men’s Finals on July 11 and 12 respectively.
Harper Lee Returns
One of the most anticipated books in recent memories arrives this month as To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee’s long-awaited second novel, Go Set a Watchman, hits shelves on July 13. The other major release of the month falls at the complete opposite end of the spectrum: It’s Good to Be Gronk by Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski.
More from the MCU and Amy Schumer’s Feature Debut
Ant-Man isn’t the biggest star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (yes, pun intended), but thanks to some quality trailers and Paul Rudd’s endearing charm, we’re excited to see the latest in the string of comic book adaptations, but not as excited as we are to see Trainwreck. Judd Apatow directing Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in a not-your-average rom-com with supporting roles for LeBron James and John Cena? Tickets please!
Even More Popcorn Goodness
Seriously – this is a good month to just spend every Friday afternoon catching a matinee and beating the heat. In addition to the flicks already mentioned above, you’ve also got Southpaw starring Jake Gyllenhall, the Adam Sandler, video games come alive movie Pixels, the latest John Green (The Fault in Our Stars) adaptation Paper Towns, Ed Helms as a grown up Rusty Griswold taking his family on Vacation and last, but not least, Tom Cruise returning as Agent Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
