You’re up, summer blockbuster fans! It’s the movie season you’ve been waiting for, when movies get bigger and louder --- and hit harder than a Huffington Post article! Jokes aside, it’s a great month to hunker down in a cool theater or crank up your AC and check out some of the latest books on screen.

For those of you who love horror movies and America, Deliver Us From Evil will be out just in time for the holiday weekend. It’s loosely based on a true story and stars Aussie hunk Eric Bana, who admitted he had trouble sleeping after watching exorcism videos in preparation for his role. The Fourth of July is the perfect time to exorcise your right to see a terrifying movie.

If you tend to avoid scary movies (or just scary-bad puns), and you can’t get enough Nick Hornby since NBC’s “About a Boy” wrapped for the season, check out A Long Way Down, adapted from the 2005 book of the same name. It’s a dark comedy about four suicidal strangers who meet under less-than-festive circumstances on a rooftop on New Year’s Eve, who together decide to postpone their grim plans until after Valentine’s Day.

There’s also Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and A Most Wanted Man, both tense thrillers starring lauded character actors. Gary Oldman plays the leader of the human resistance after the apes have taken over in Dawn, another movie in a franchise that needs no introduction. And A Most Wanted Man, based on the John le Carré novel, stars recently deceased powerhouse Philip Seymour Hoffman as a German spy chief pursuing a man with possible terrorist ties. Hoffman’s final performance has been hailed as superb, and early buzz on the movie is positive.

If you’ve already blown your movie budget on frozen margaritas, stay in and watch TV this month. There’s no shortage of riveting shows, both new and old. “True Blood” is back for its final season, and there are plenty of high-stakes jokes to be made (but I’ve already filled my pun quota for this month decade). The second season of Lifetime’s campy, underrated “Witches of East End” will premiere on the 6th, and Showtime’s fan-favorite “Masters of Sex” (starring “True Blood” alum Lizzie Caplan) will be back for its second season on the 13th.

The real winner this month, though, is HBO’s latest bleak drama “The Leftovers,” based on Tom Perrotta’s book. It takes place three years after two percent of the world’s population disappeared suddenly and inexplicably one day, and stars “living Ken doll” Justin Theroux as an alcoholic police chief who is trying to keep the members of his fracturing town --- and family --- under control. Dark existential dramas are what HBO does best, and you won’t want to be left behind on this one.

Below is a complete list of the books on screen this month. Have a happy Fourth, and remember: There’s no SPF that’s as safe as staying inside and watching movies.
 

--- Written and compiled by Emily Hoenig

In Theaters:

Deliver Us From Evil
Cast: Eric Bana, Edgar Ramirez, Olivia Munn, Joel McHale, Sean Harris
Director: Scott Derrickson
Distributor: Screen Gems
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: July 2^nd
Based On: BEWARE THE NIGHT by Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool

In Deliver Us From Evil, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), who is struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Edgar Ramirez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city. 

A Long Way Down
Cast: Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots, Rosamund Pike, Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette 
Director: Pascal Chaumeil
Distributor: Lionsgate (UK)
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: July 11^th
Based On: A LONG WAY DOWN by Nick Hornby

Four suicidal strangers find support in the last place they ever expected to in this emotionally charged comedy-drama based on the novel by Nick Hornby. It's New Year's Eve in London, and disgraced television personality Martin (Pierce Brosnan) is about to take a flying leap off of Topper's Tower when he's interrupted by Maureen (Toni Collette), a lonely single mother who's reached the end of her rope. Meanwhile, as the pair realizes their suicide plans have overlapped, onto the rooftop dashes Jess (Imogen Poots), a rebellious teen with nothing left to live for. Just when it seems this despairing group can't possibly get any bigger, rocker-turned-pizza delivery driver J.J. (Aaron Paul) shows up with a fresh pie and a death wish. Rather than taking the plunge together, the unlikely foursome decide to put their plans off until Valentine's Day --- sticking together and supporting one another in the interim. Later, as their friendship deepens, their unusual pact stirs a media firestorm. 

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Cast: Andy Serkis, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell
Director: Matt Reeves
Distributor: 20^th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: July 11^th
Based On: LA PLANÉTE DES SINGES (PLANET OF THE APES) by Pierre Boulle

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

Mood Indigo
Cast: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh
Director: Michel Gondry
Distributor: StudioCanal
MPAA Rating: N/A
Based On: L’ECUME DES JOURS (FOAM OF THE DAZE) by Boris Vian
Wealthy, inventive bachelor endeavors to find a cure for his lover Chloe after she's diagnosed with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

The Congress
Cast: Robin Wright, Harvey Keitel, Jon Hamm
Director: Ari Folman
Distributor: Drafthouse Films
MPAA Rating: N/A
Release Date: July 24^th  
Based On: THE FUTUROLOGICAL CONGRESS: From the Memoirs of Ijon Tichy by Stanislaw Lem

An aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider.

A Most Wanted Man
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright, Grigory Dobrygin
Director: Anton Corbijn
Distributor: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: July 25^th
Based On: A MOST WANTED MAN by John le Carré

Operatives for two different anti-terrorist agencies in the German government both discover that a young man has recently arrived in Berlin with possible Jihadist ties. But representatives from the two agencies differ on how to proceed, especially when troubling facts about the man's past come to light, and a young social worker begins to vocally advocate for his rights.

Hercules
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, John Hurt
Director: Brett Ratner
Distributor:
MPAA Rating:
Release Date: July 25^th
Based On: HERCULES: The Thracian Wars, a graphic novel by Steven Moore

Having endured his legendary twelve labors, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord.

On TV:

"Witches of East End" 
Cast: Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Rachel Boston, Madchen Amick, Eric Winter, Daniel DiTomasso
Network: Lifetime
Air Dates: Premieres July 6th, Sundays at 9pm ET
Based On: Witches of East End series by Melissa de la Cruz

Based on Melissa de la Cruz's New York Times bestselling novel, the series centers on the Beauchamp family, where in season one sisters Freya (Dewan Tatum) and Ingrid (Boston) discovered they are witches with ancient magical powers. With the help of their mother Joanna (Ormond) and aunt Wendy (Amick), they learned how to cultivate their craft and work together to defeat unearthly enemies seeking revenge on their family, while keeping their abilities a secret from the town.

“True Blood” 
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell
Network: HBO
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET
Based On: The Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris

Thanks to a Japanese scientist’s invention of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed from legendary monsters to fellow citizens overnight. And while humans have been safely removed from the menu, many remain apprehensive about these creatures “coming out of the coffin.” Religious leaders and government officials have chosen their sides, but in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the jury is still out.

“The Leftovers”
Cast: Liv Tyler, Justin Theroux
Network: HBO
Air Dates: Sundays at 10pm ET
Based On: THE LEFTOVERS by Tom Perrotta

When two percent of the world’s population abruptly disappears without explanation, the world struggles to understand just what they’re supposed to do about it. The new drama series “The Leftovers” is the story of the people who didn’t make the cut. “The Leftovers” follows Kevin Garvey, a father of two and the chief of police in a small New York suburb, as he tries to maintain some semblance of normalcy when the notion no longer applies.

“Under the Dome”
 Cast: Mike Vogel, Natalie Martinez, Alexander Koch, Dean Norris
Network: CBS
Air Dates: Mondays at 10pm ET
Based On: UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King

An invisible and mysterious force field descends upon a small fictional town in the United States, trapping residents inside, cut off from the rest of civilization. The trapped townsfolk must discover the secrets and purpose of the "dome" and its origins, while coming to learn more than they ever knew about each other.

“Hemlock Grove”
Cast: Famke Janssen, Landon Liboiron, Dougray Scott
Network: Netflix
Air Dates: Thirteen episodes available July 11^th
Based On: HEMLOCK GROVE by Brian MGreev

The show examines the strange happenings in Hemlock Grove, a fictional town in Pennsylvania. Roman Godfrey, heir to the town's wealthy Godfrey family, befriends the town's newcomer, Peter Rumancek. Recent brutal murders in the town have stirred up rumors, and the two work together to shed light on the case while also hiding their own dark secrets.

“Masters of Sex”
Cast: Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan, Annaleigh Ashford
Network: Showtime
Air Dates: Premieres July 13^th, Sundays at 10pm ET
Based On: MASTERS OF SEX: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love by Thomas Maier

Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan star as the lead characters, Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson, two pioneering researchers of human sexuality at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

“The Strain”
Cast: Sean Astin, David Bradley, Corey Stoll
Network: FX
Air Dates: Premieres July 13^th, Sundays at 10pm ET
Based On: THE STRAIN by Guillermo del Toro and Chuch Hogan

A plane lands at John F. Kennedy International Airport with the lights off and doors sealed. Epidemiologist Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Stoll) and his team are sent to investigate. On board they find two hundred corpses and four survivors. The situation deteriorates when the bodies begin disappearing from morgues. Goodweather and a small group of helpers find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but also the entire city, from an ancient threat to humanity.

"Cedar Cove"
Cast: Andie MacDowell, Dylan Neal, Teryl Rothery
Network: Hallmark
Air Dates: Premieres July 19^th, Saturdays at 8pm ET
Based On: The Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber

Judge Olivia Lockhart (Andie MacDowell) is considered the community's guiding light in the picturesque, coastal town of Cedar Cove, Washington. But like everyone else, Olivia fights the uphill battle of balancing career with family and finding love, all the while doing her best to care for the township she calls home. Based on bestselling author Debbie Macomber’s beloved book series.

On DVD:

Under the Skin
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay
Director: Jonathan Glazar
Distributor: StudioCanal
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: July 15^th
Based On: UNDER THE SKIN by Michel Faber

A voluptuous woman of unknown origin combs the highway in search of isolated or forsaken men, luring a succession of lost souls into an otherworldly lair. They are seduced, stripped of their humanity, and never heard from again. Based on the novel by Michel Faber, this film examines human experience from the perspective of an unforgettable heroine who grows too comfortable in her borrowed skin, until she is abducted into humanity with devastating results.

A Day Late and A Dollar Short           
Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer
Director: Stephen Tolkin
Distributor: Lifetime
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: July 15^th
Based On: A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT by Terry McMillan

A Day Late and a Dollar Shortemphasizes the love and bonds of adult family members instead of friends. It explores relationships between parents, their children, and siblings. When the reader is introduced to the characters, they witness a damaged family become torn even further apart. Near the resolution they will see how this torn family picks up the pieces to come together. The story is told from the perspectives of six different characters (each a member of the Price family). They deal with contemporary issues like prescription drug addiction, alcoholism, incest, homosexuality, molestation, single parenthood and divorce.

Heaven is for Real
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum, Margo Martindale, Thomas Haden Church
Director: Randall Wallace
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: July 22^nd  
Based On: HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

Based on the #1 New York Times bestselling book of the same name, Heaven is for Real brings to the screen the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.

The film stars Academy Award nominee and Emmy award winning actor Greg Kinnear as Todd Burpo and co-stars Kelly Reilly as Sonja Burpo, the real-life couple whose son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum) claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience. Colton recounts the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth…things he couldn't possibly know. Todd and his family are then challenged to examine the meaning from this remarkable event.

Half of a Yellow Sun
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose
Director: Biyi Bandele
Distributor: Leap Frog Films
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: July 29^th
Based On: HALF OF A YELLOW SUN by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

During the mid-to-late 60s, twin sisters Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose) return to Nigeria after their education in England, and make decisions that shock their family. Olanna moves in with her lover, the “revolutionary professor’” Odenigbo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his houseboy Ugwu (John Boyega) while Kainene takes over the family interests and pursues a career as a businesswoman, falling in love with Richard (Joseph Mawle), an English writer.

As the Igbo people struggle to establish Biafra as an independent republic, the sisters become caught up in the shocking violence of the Nigerian Civil War and a betrayal that threatens their family forever.