R.I.P.D.
Release date: July 19 Oscar prospects: Bad Want to see a new action-comedy flick that premieres on July 19, is based on a relatively obscure comic book, and also includes a performance by actress Mary-Louise Parker, but you just aren't feeling Red 2? Well you're in luck, because you have options. Specifically, you'll have the option to see R.I.P.D. Directed by Robert Schwentke, the director of the first Red (there's definitely some weird cosmic crossing going on here), R.I.P.D. is based on a Dark Horse comic series about the Rest in Peace Department of a police agency that consists of deceased cops who bust baddies and solve crimes from beyond the grave. R.I.P.D. stars Ryan Reynolds as a recently deceased cop who joins a veteran of the force, Jeff Bridges, to track down and get justice on the rookie's murderer. The premise sounds pretty ridiculous (and vaguely fascist) to me, but in this climate, Hollywood is obviously going to try to make money off of any and every comic book that has ever existed. As for the film's Oscar chances, I refer you to the previous entry you just read for Red 2. It's interesting from a box office perspective that two films which are, at least superficially, so similar are being released on the same weekend, but from the awards season angle, this is a double-feature of the inconsequential. Possible nominations: None