With a Smart TV, you have your pick on movie night in your house, and during July some of the best movies are being presented on our own personal cinema screens. So, grab your popcorn, some friends and gather together for some top blockbusters making their way to your Smart TV apps this July…
Netflix
July 9th – Lion
This biographical depiction, based on the original book A Long Way Home stars the famous Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) and was nominated for an amazing six Oscars at the 89th Academy Awards, and won two BAFTA awards.
It explores the life of a five-year-old Indian boy who gets lost in Calcutta. From getting lost, he stumbles on many challenges after finally being adopted by an Australian couple. 25 years later he sets out on a new adventure to find his long-lost family.
Another epic film in the collection we all know and love. This addition to the films was set straight after the events of the original Star Wars. It follows the story far back to a group of rebels on a mission to steal the Death Star plans which is intended to be used as a ‘superweapon’ by the Galactic Empire.
Up to now it has won 4 awards including Best Director at the Empire Awards. It’s still in the running for many more awards pending results.
This 2017 comedy premiered at Sundance in January. Shortly after Netflix acquired the distribution rights. Staring funny man Chris O’Dowd and former The Daily Show correspondent, Jessica Williams, this Netflix Original is about an aspiring young playwright who strikes up a spark in a friendship when on the rebound from a recent break-up.
July 9th – The Girl with All the Gifts
Based on the original novel by M.R Carey, this British post-apocalyptic zombie horror drama depicts a dystopian future in the aftermath of a desperate societal breakdown. A contagious fungal infection wipes out most of society, leaving only a few survivors. The plot focuses on the girl ‘with all the gifts’ who embarks on a journey of struggles with a scientist, a teacher and soldiers. Will they survive?
Starring voices of comedian and actor Kevin Hart, alongside Steve Coogan and many other well-known names, this animated feature is a sheer delight. Upon its release in 2016 it received many positive reviews and grossed a whopping $875 million, making it the highest grossing animation which isn’t Disney or Pixar.
The simple yet amusing story shows the life of terrier-Max who when a stray comes into his home, he isn’t particularly happy. What do our pets get up to when we go to work? You’ll have to watch to find out.
July 12th- The Girl on the Train
Based on the critically acclaimed novel by the same name, this mystery thriller stars the infamous Emily Blunt and follows the life of an alcoholic divorcee who unwillingly becomes involved in the case of a missing person.
Blunt’s performance received an abundance of praise and she also gained a nomination at the Actors Guild and for a BAFTA. If you like a twisting and turning storyline which you have to figure out, this is the one for you. You just have to wait till mid-July.
This Ken Loach directed marvel got so much acclamation after its release and winning the Palme d’Or at 2016 Cannes Film Festival (and the Prix du public at the Locarno Film Fest) that people flooded to the independent screen to see it.
Following the life of Daniel Blake, a 59-year-old widower from Newcastle who suffers a heart attack at work, he is not seen fit for work. After being denied employment and support allowance, we see his heart-breaking journey, sadly all too common in the north of England.
