Capsule reviews for July 2

Deliver Us From Evil

A true story supposedly serves as the inspiration for this supernatural thriller from director Scott Derrickson (Sinister), providing the backdrop for a parade of cheap scare tactics and ridiculous demonic possession clichés. The story follows an undercover NYPD sergeant (Eric Bana) whose investigation into strange nighttime happenings at the Bronx Zoo leads to paranoia within his own family, and also to a connected theory by a rogue Catholic priest (Edgar Ramirez) that demons might be responsible for the violent outbursts of three ex-Marines. There’s not much suspense amid the gimmicks and eye-rolling plot twists, although the film does boast a pretty intense exorcism sequence. (Rated R, 118 minutes).

Premature

The 1980s called, but they don’t want anything to do with this old-fashioned teen sex comedy with a tired Groundhog Day plot device. Rob (John Karna) is forced to live one of the most important days of his life over and over again, as he prepares for his college entrance interview while preparing to lose his virginity to his longtime crush (Carlson Young). The result isn’t very inspired as it clumsily mixes sophomoric gags with a more genuine satire of high-school social life, with the obligatory teachers who are dumber than the kids. However, the script by rookie director Dan Beers feels more familiar than fresh. (Rated R, 93 minutes).

School Dance

The directorial debut of Nick Cannon, best known as the host of “America’s Got Talent,” doesn’t really attempt to be good, so there’s no point in spending much more time analyzing this misogynistic, low-brow lampoon of inner-city high school life other than to say it’s woefully stereotypical and unfunny, even for the least discriminating viewers. It stars Bobb’e Thompson (Role Models) as a diminutive nerd trying to win the girl of his dreams (Kristinia DeBarge) and a spot on a dance crew, while the clueless adult roles are filled by cameos from Kevin Hart, Mike Epps, Katt Williams, George Lopez and Patrick Warburton, among others. (Rated R, 86 minutes).