Johnny Depp and Harry Potter take command of our multiplexes during July 2009, while most younger viewers should be entertained by another Ice Age adventure plus a movie about some incredibly well-trained guinea pigs. Fans of romance, comedy, horror and foreign language films also have something to look forward to -- as indicated in the July schedule below. Please remember that release dates are subject to change.     

JULY 1:

Public Enemies. Versatile Johnny Depp brings his unique flair to the role of gangster John Dillinger in Michael Mann’s new film.  Christian Bale, Billy Crudup and Marion Cotillard also appear in this eagerly-awaited crime drama.    

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. I’ve a feeling the frenetic Scrat and his new love interest may steal the limelight from Manny, Sid, Diego and Ellie in this latest animated Ice Age outing -- and I think that would be great fun to watch.    

JULY 3:

Captain Abu Raed. Jordan’s impressive and humanistic entry for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2009 Oscar race tells the story of a lonely janitor who becomes a sort of Pied Piper for children after he’s mistaken for an airline pilot.  

I Hate Valentine’s Day. Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, the popular couple from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, co-star in this indie romantic comedy about a florist and a restaurant owner. I was hoping to see these two together again!  

JULY 10:

Brüno. What does Sacha Baron Cohen have up his sleeve now? According to the film’s PR, he portrays a flamboyant Austrian fashion reporter in this outrageous comedy.

I Love You, Beth Cooper. In Chris Columbus’ new comedy, Hayden Panettieri is a high school cheerleader (again!) and Paul Rust the geeky valedictorian who declares his love for her during his commencement speech. OMG.     

The Hurt Locker. This intense action drama centers on the dangers faced by an elite bomb squad in Iraq. Cast members include Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse and Evangeline Lilly. 

JULY 15:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Harry Potter and friends embark on their sixth film adventure in this dark fantasy directed by Peter Yates, who also helmed Harry Potter’s The Order of the Phoenix. Fascinating additions to the cast include Helen McCrory (The Queen) and Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent (Iris).    

JULY 17:

500 Days of Summer. Zooey Deschanel plays a woman who doesn’t believe in love, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt falls for her anyway in this off-beat romantic comedy.  

JULY 24:

The Ugly Truth. When a man bets a woman he can give her sure-fire tips on how to make guys fall in love with her, it’s easy to predict where the story will go from there. In this romcom, Gerard Butler plays the man with advice and Katherine Heigl is the lady who needs it. They’re both talented actors, but can they bring this lackluster plot to life? I hope so.          

G-Force. Who ya gonna call when an evil billionaire threatens to take over the world? Some specially trained guinea pigs, of course. Voice talent provided here by Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Steve Buscemi, Tracy Morgan. Live actors in the cast include Will Arnett, Bill Nighy and Zach Galifianakis.  

Orphan.  A 9-year-old orphan looks angelic to her prospective adoptive parents, but sinister things begin happening when she comes to live with them. Isabelle Fuhrman, Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard lend their talents to this creepy horror offering. 

The Answer Man. Can the reclusive author of a spiritual guidance book find happiness with a sensible chiropractor? Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham co-star. 

JULY 29:

Adam. Hugh Dancy portrays a man with Asperger’s Syndrome who forms a relationship with his brainy upstairs neighbor, played by Rose Byrne. Connecting with each other is sometimes uncomfortable for these two people -- but I’ll bet it ends up being worth it, don’t you?

JULY 31:

Aliens in the Attic. When aliens take over the top floor of their vacation home, a group of teenagers have to take action. Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman and Carter Jenkins are among the cast members of this adventure fantasy.  

Funny People. Adam Sandler’s character, a stand-up comic, finds out he has a terminal illness in this Judd Apatow dramedy, which also features Seth Rogen, Eric Bana and Leslie Mann in key roles.    

The Cove. This powerful documentary exposes the animal abuse uncovered by Richard O’Barry, the famous dolphin trainer, and a crew of activists.

DVD Releases

JULY 7:

Gomorrah

Five Fingers

Knowing

Night Train

Push

JULY 14:

The Haunting in Connecticut

Horseman

JULY 21:

Coraline

Watchmen

JULY 28:

Dragonball Evolution

Fast & Furious

Miss March

(Poster for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: © 2009 Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved.)