Favorite First-Time Watches of July 2026
As everyone knows, my favorite thing to do is recommend movies. Bonus if it’s a movie you haven’t heard of. So, once a month, I recommend a handful of movies I watched last month that I recommend you check out.
Blossoms Shanghai (2023-2024) – Wong Kar-wai
I don’t normally write about TV. In fact, I’ve never written about TV in any of these First-Time Watch write-ups. Given that one of my favorite directors took ten years of his career to make a limited series in Hong Kong based on a best-selling novel about the economic boom in early 1990s Shanghai. I had to devote a little time to the project.
It’s not just a limited series but a 30-part limited series, each episode spanning 45 minutes. It follows a sprawling cast of characters taking place almost all on the Huanghe Road, a lavish street with the best restaurants in Shanghai, where all business is done.
It’s possibly the only long limited series that warrants being a series rather than a movie. Getting to know every character, big and small. It’s visually stunning, as all Wong projects. If you’ve never seen a Wong Kar-wai film, I can’t recommend starting here, but any existing fan should definitely check out this passion project.
The Invite (2026) – Olivia Wilde
Joe and Angela’s marriage is on the rocks, to put it mildly. Having lost its spark long ago. Angela invites their neighbor couple, Pina & Hawk, to a dinner. The night begins to spiral in ways Joe nor Angela anticipated.
Possibly the funniest film of the year, maybe only second to Nirvanna the Band, The Show, The Movie. Except this film’s humor is much more uncomfortable. It reminded me of those great adult comedies of the 70s like a Paul Mazursky film but made for our time.
It’s great to see these kinds of films still being made with sharp wit. Olivia and Edward give stand-out performances here. Olivia Wilde has had quite the comeback this year with this, and Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex.
Smokey and the Bandit (1977) – Hal Needham
Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and Jerry Reed (Cledus) agree to a challenge to take a shipment of Coors from Texas to Georgia in 28 hours. Along the way the pick up Carrie “Frog,” who is running from her wedding. Sheriff Buford T. Justice is hot on their tail to bring Carrie back to marry his son Junior.
Hal Needham makes films for stunt men. Being a stunt man before becoming a filmmaker. Lots of car movies and even directing the cult classic Rad. This is possibly his most fun film. Does it make sense? Not fully. Does it matter? Not when you’re having this much fun.
The Odyssey (2026) – Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’s latest ambitious feat was adapting Homer’s Epic poem. Weirdly, there have not been many adaptations, especially direct ones. I think most of what I remembered of The Odyssey going in was from “Wishbone”.
After two viewings, this may be one of Nolan’s best films. I love the change from the story to make Odysseus a conflicted “hero,” a legend who regrets his major accomplishments. To the people on Ithaca, he is more than a legend. To himself, he’s the impetus of a crumbling society.
The Hot Rock (1972) – Peter Yates
Robert Redford and George Segal are brother-in-laws who make a decent heist team. When they’re hired to steal a priceless diamond, things go awry the minute they get their hands on the diamond. With the help from their driver friend and an explosive expert, the schemes keep getting bigger to get their easy payday.
An incredibly fun heist movie. With some twists that kept me guessing. One of my new favorite Redford films. He tries to remain cool, and mostly does, while their plan keeps getting more and more ludicrous.
Blue Heron (2026) – Sophy Romvari
As a family settles into their new home on Vancouver Island, troubles with the eldest son bring the family to a breaking point. All from the eyes of the only daughter. The feature film debut of Sophy Romvari, who announced herself as a new force in independent cinema.
I’ve never seen a film portray memory the way Sophy does here. In a less capable filmmaker’s hands, the third act would fall apart by being too cute. Sophy shows how memory can be warped, and through a new perspective, we can remember it through a different lens. Easily one of the best films I have seen this year.
