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July 2013

Books on Screen

July 2013

If you can't stand the heat this July, head to your local movie theater to take advantage of the air conditioning and to check out these movie adaptations. New to theaters this month is The Lone Ranger, featuring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer in a Western action adventure, and The Smurfs 2, with the voice of Neil Patrick Harris, among others, becoming those little blue characters you love. If you'd rather stay at home, The Host and Admission are coming out on DVD and BlueRay in July, too.

In Theaters:

The Lone Ranger
Cast: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer
Director: Gore Verbinski
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
MPAA Rating:  PG-13
Release Date: July 3rd (wide)
Based on: THE LONE RANGER by Fran Striker

Native American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice --- taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.

 

The Smurfs 2
Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Hank Azaria
Director: Raja Gosnell
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: July 31st (wide)
Based On: THE SMURFS by Peyo

The evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants --- and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs --- Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world's greatest sorcerer. It's up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexi and Hackus --- or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?


 

On TV:

"Pretty Little Liars"

Cast: Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario, Shay Mitchell
Network: ABC Family
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 8:00pm ET
Based On: The Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard

Rosewood is a perfect little town. So quiet and pristine, you'd never guess it holds so many secrets. Some of the ugliest ones belong to the prettiest girls in town --- Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily, four estranged friends whose darkest secrets are about to unravel.

One year ago, Alison, the Queen Bee of their group, disappeared and the girls swore they'd never tell what really happened that night. They thought their secrets would bond them together, but just the opposite is true. Then again, who's to say what the truth is in Rosewood. It seems everyone in town is lying about something.

Now, as the mystery surrounding Alison's disappearance resurfaces, the girls begin getting messages from "A" saying --- and threatening --- things only Alison would know. But it couldn't be Alison. Could it? Whoever it is, they seem to know all the girls' secrets, and seem to be watching their every move. The girls are friends again, but will they be there for each other if their dark secrets come to light?

____________________________________________________________________________

 

On DVD:

The Host
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, William Hurt
Director: Andrew Niccol
Distributor: Open Road Films (II)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release: July 9th
Based On: THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer

Unseen invaders have taken over most of humanity's mind while their bodies remain intact. However, when a parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder, it finds that taking over this mind is harder than anticipated. Instead of carrying out her race's mission of taking over the Earth, "Wanda" (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.

 

Admission
Cast: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen, Wallace Shawn, Nat Wolff, Gloria Reuben, Travaris Spears, Lily Tomlin
Director: Paul Weitz
Distributor: Focus Features
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release: July 9th
Based On: ADMISSION by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Every spring, high school seniors anxiously await letters of college admission that will affirm and encourage their potential. At Princeton University, admissions officer Portia Nathan is a gatekeeper evaluating thousands of applicants. Year in and year out, Portia has lived her life by the book, at work as well as at the home she shares with Princeton professor Mark. When Clarence, the Dean of Admissions, announces his impending retirement, the likeliest candidates to succeed him are Portia and her office rival Corinne. For Portia, however, it’s business as usual as she hits the road on her annual recruiting trip.

On the road, Portia reconnects with her iconoclastic mother, Susannah. On her visit to New Quest, an alternative high school, she also reconnects with a former college classmate, idealistic teacher John Pressman --- who has recently surmised that Jeremiah, a gifted yet very unconventional New Quest student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption years ago while at school. Jeremiah is about to apply to Princeton.

Now Portia must re-evaluate her personal and professional existences, as she finds herself bending the admissions rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the future she thought she always wanted --- and in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.