Monthly Movie Preview – July 2011 It's summer. Period. No more discussion. You see, in Portland summer doesn't fully hit until Fourth of July weekend. We survive through June with rain, overcast skies, and a lot of 60 degree days. No more. We are also officially in summer, and more importantly ... Summer Blockbuster Season. The big boys are coming out to play (Harry Potter, Tom Hanks, Captain America). So with that, let's get to it.

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July 1

Movie of the Week

Larry Crowne

The Stars: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Sarah Mahoney The Plot: Larry (Hanks) loses his retail job and decides to go to community college. Ms. Tainot (Roberts) is his speech teacher who is going through struggles of her own. The Buzz: Likeable. It has to be, right? Hanks is our box office everyman so putting him through our economic downturn, searching for a job, or a new path should only make us root for him even more. Roberts' inclusion, well, we'll just have to wait and see. She hasn't been great for a long time.

The Others:

Monte Carlo - Katie Cassidy, Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester

July 8

Movie of the Week

Horrible Bosses

The Stars: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey The Plot: Three guys hate their bosses. So, they do the next logical thing; hatch a plan to kill them. The Buzz: I loved watching Day and Sudeikis play off of each other in Going the Distance. Now you're adding Bateman to the mix? I'm hooked. Wait, you're not stopping there? Aniston is playing someone evil? Yup, currently getting in line. Hold on. you're not done yet? You're giving me Farrell (with comb-over) and Spacey and an R-rating? OK, we need to settle down. I can only take so much.

The Others:

The Zookeeper - Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb Project Nim (limited) - documentary directed by James Marsh Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (limited) - documentary directed by Michael Rapaport

July 15

Movie of the Week

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint The Plot: The end begins for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry must find the final horcruxes, but Voldemort will to everything to stop, and kill Harry Potter. The Buzz: I love the books and completely look forward to seeing this final chapter. All signs point to this film being non-stop action, with some potential tears thrown in. But I'll be honest, I'm doing this for you. I know the world wants Harry. I want Pooh. There is something so sweet about that bear, and it's not just the honey.

The Others:

Winnie the Pooh - (voices of) Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Peter Cullen Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Bingbing Li, Gianna Jun, Vivian Wu

July 25

Movie of the Week

Captain America: The First Avenger

The Stars: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson The Plot: Steven Rogers (Evans) is too tiny for military service. So, he volunteers for a secret research project that turns him into Captain America. His first mission is to attack some Nazis. The Buzz: I don't love Evans, but I do love killing Nazis. Look, I'm a little torn here. I once heard a rumor that John Hamm could be in line for the role of Captain America. That's a tough thought to turn off. I will absolutely give Evans a chance, but his previous superhero work (Torch in Fantastic Four) has left much to be desired.

The Others:

Friends with Benefits - Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson Another Earth (limited) - Brit Marling, William Mapother

July 29

Movie of the Week

Cowboys & Aliens

The Stars: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde The Plot: An alien spaceship crashes in Silver City. The Western settlers and Indians must figure out a way to work together and defeat the aliens. The Buzz: Mr. Bond and Mr. Jones in a movie mash-up of cowboys and aliens? I'm all for it. Plus Jon Favreau is directing and knows how to make a blockbuster (Iron Man). Nothing more to say about that.

The Others:

Crazy, Stupid, Love. - Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone The Smurfs - Hank Azaria, , Jonathan Winters Attack the Block (limited) - John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail The Future (limited) - Miranda July, Hamish Linklater, David Warshofsky