This is a bit of a weird release week as one of the most compelling movies on deck is the 20th anniversary remastered re-release of a classic. However, there a bunch of indies and studio offerings to fill your weekend too.
New In Theaters
*Oldboy (4K Remaster Re-release Aug. 16th) – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Park Chan-wook | Writer(s): Garon Tsuchiya, Nobuaki Minegishi, Park Chan-wook
Stars: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong
I have only seen Oldboy once, back when it was on cable and I am really happy to have this one back in theaters with a special 4K restoration. Long considered a masterpiece, I am excited to see this made available for a new generation of moviegoers.
Back on the Strip
Director(s): Chris Spencer | Writer(s): Eric Daniel, Chris Spencer
Stars: Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish, Colleen Camp
I covered this movie back in April, but I guess it got pushed back. Wesley Snipes is back and leading the way here in a pretty blatant Magic Mike rip-off but I’ll allow it because Wesley is great and I’m on board with whatever it takes to get him in more comedic and dramatic roles.
Blue Beetle
Director(s): Angel Manuel Soto | Writer(s): Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer
Stars: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Becky G
Blue Beetle isn’t a character that I have much connection with, but that’s actually a good starting place for me. I like the visual design of this version of the character and reminds me of The Guyver and Darkhawk which I both enjoy quite a bit. Depending on the tone and creative choices, I think there is room for this movie to provide quality and find success.
Landscape with Invisible Hand
Director(s): Cory Finley | Writer(s): Cory Finley, M.T. Anderson
Stars: Asanta Black, Tiffany Haddish, Kylie Rogers
This isn’t the most compelling title for a movie, let alone one that conveys anything about the type of movie this actually is. In fact, I have seen the trailer (not this one in particular) several times and that one is a lot more compelling but I still didn’t register the title. Anyway, weird sci-fi stuff is my jam so of course I am going to see this one.
Strays
Director(s): Josh Greenbaum | Writer(s): Dan Perrault
Stars: Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher
Talking dogs doing drugs and biting off dicks…I’m in. Honestly, I have been waiting for this one because I need more ridiculous R-rated comedies.
Limited Release
The Adults
Written & Directed by: Dustin Guy Defa
Stars: Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, Sophia Lillis
Having a bunch of siblings that are all adults and having lost our mother not all that long ago, this idea resonates with me more than it will for most. On a less personal note, I have enjoyed seeing this phase of Michael Cera’s career and I’m interested to see what he does with Hannah Gross and Sophia Lillis as his sisters in this one.
Birth/Rebirth
Director(s): Laura Moss | Writer(s): Brendan J. O’Brien, Laura Moss
Stars: Marin Ireland, Judy Reyes, Monique Gabriela Curnen
I really like Marin Ireland so any project where she gets to have a featured role is going to capture my interest. Plus, we’ve got a frankensteined undead child. I am here for it.
Mutt
Written & Directed by: Vuk Lungulov-Klotz
Stars: Lio Mehiel, Cole Doman, MiMi Ryder
This film looks very raw and emotional in all the ways that cinema should capture those things and it’s the directorial debut for Vuk Lungulov-Klotz as well. So, I am intrigued to see what this story looks like as an entire film.
Simone: Woman of the Century
Written & Directed by: Olivier Dahan
Stars: Elsa Zylberstein, Rebecca Marder, Élodie Bouchez
I am not familiar with the life and times of Simone Veil but, as a holocaust survivor who went on to be President of the European Parliament, I imagine she has quite the story.
Downwind
Director(s): Douglas Brian Miller, Mark Shapiro | Writer(s): Warren Etheredge, Mark Shapiro
Stars: Lewis Black, Mary Dickson, Michael Douglas
In the same year that Oppenheimer tells the story of the development of the first nuclear bomb, this looks like a great companion piece to expand on the concerns that were expressed and take over where Christopher Nolan’s film leaves off.
Ashkal: The Tunisian Investigation
Director(s): Youssef Chebbi | Writer(s): François-Michel Allegrini, Youssef Chebbi
Stars: Fatma Oussaifi, Mohamed Grayaâ, Rami Harrabi
The music for this trailer is super creepy and intense and the visuals that go with it are dark and ominous in their own right. I like intense films and this one looks like it’s speaking my cinematic language.
Dark Windows
Director(s): Alex Herron | Writer(s): Ulvrik Kraft
Stars: Rory Alexander, Vanessa Borgli, Anna Bullard
This one has the visual quality of a TV movie and aside from being advertised as a slasher, there’s not much to go on. I tend not to care for slashers because of their formulaic nature of them which is very much on display in this trailer. I hope it’s good, but I won’t be the one to find out.
The Moon
Written & Directed by: Yong-hwa Kim
Stars: Sol Kyung-gu, Kyung-soo Do, Kim Hee-ae
I have enjoyed Korean sci-fi a lot lately and even though this looks like a clone of Gravity (which I didn’t particularly care for) to some degree, if it play sits notes correctly I could see myself enjoying this.
The Engineer
Director(s): Danny A. Abeckaser | Writer(s): Kosta Kondilopoulos
Stars: Danny A. Abeckaser, Tsahi Halevi, Angel Bonanni
Emile Hirsch is very clearly in the trailer for this film and he is on the poster, but for whatever reason he isn’t listed in the cast and this film doesn’t come up in his credits. So, I dunno what’s going on.
Dead Shot
Director(s): Charles & Thomas Guard | Writer(s): Ronan Bennett, Charles & Thomas Guard
Stars: Felicity Jones, Aml Ameen, Colin Morgan, Máiréad Tyers
I always find it weird when a movie has A-list talent, such as Felicity Jones and Mark Strong in this case, but neither of them is billed as top cast. I get maybe their roles are small but that just makes me sad.
Madeleine Collins
Director(s): Antoine Barraud | Writer(s): Héléna Klotz, Antoine Barraud
Stars: Virginie Efira, Quim Gutiérrez, Bruno Salomone
Virginie Efira is having a nice run right now. This isn’t the kind of movie that I am rushing out to theaters to go see, but the relationship drama does look like something I would enjoy.
Streaming & Digital
Billion Dollar Heist (VOD Aug. 14th)
Director(s): Daniel Gordon, Brendan Donovan, Bryn Evans | Writer(s): Whetham Allpress, Tom Blackwell, Brendan Donovan
Stars: Misha Glenny, Eric Chien, Krishna Das
This isn’t the kind of documentary presentation you see on a regular basis. With a mix of interviews, and animation built into the narrative, it’s going to be interesting to see how it functions as a full-length feature. It seems like it should be a straight-to-streaming release but it will get there soon enough.
Kill Shot (VOD Aug. 15th)
Director(s): Ari Novak | Writer(s): Rib Hillis, Ari Novak
Stars: Rachel Cook, Rib Hillis, Xian Mikol
I see why this is a straight-to-VOD movie. There’s one of these mostly generic thrillers that comes out basically every week. I never watch any of em, but you gotta keep the machine moving.
Babylon 5: The Road Home (VOD Aug. 15th)
Director(s): Matt Peters | Writer(s): J. Michael Straczynski
Stars: Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Paul Guyet
I haven’t heard the title Babylon 5 in quite some time. It was a beloved TV show for a long time and taking it to the animated realm seems like an interesting way to go. I am not super familiar with the show, but this is more accessible for me.
Caverna (VOD Aug. 15th)
Director(s): Daniel Contaldo, Hannah Swayze | Writer(s): Hannah Swayze
Stars: Elia Nichols, Caterina Fornaciai, Shelton Lindsay
A cyclops, a princess, and a theater group walk into the woods. I have no idea what to expect from something like this, but I am interested in how all of those things are going to coexist. Color me curious.
Fanny, Annie & Danny (VOD Aug. 15th)
Written & Directed by: Chris Brown
Stars: Jill Pixley, Carlye Pollack, Jonathan Leveck
A Christmas family drama in August? Well, I sure hope it’s better than the trailer.
Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (Paramount+ Aug. 15th)
Written & Directed by: John Scheinfeld
Stars: Darius Rucker, Steve Binder, Maffio
I am not sure what caused the resurgence in Elvis but we got the Baz Luhrmann movie last year, we’ve got Priscilla on the way this year, and now this documentary as well.
Miguel Wants to Fight (Hulu)
Director(s): Oz Rodriguez | Writer(s): Shea Serrano, Jason Concepcion
Stars: Tyler Dean Flores, Christian Vunipola, Imani Lewis
Hulu is releasing some interesting originals and this one looks pretty funny. A bit of Scott Pilgrim mixed in with Fight Club, but lighter than both. I’ll check it out.
The Monkey King (Netflix)
Director(s): Anthony Stacchi | Writer(s): Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman, Rita Hsiao
Stars: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
If this is the same Monkey King from The Forbidden Kingdom I’ll be more interested. I wish all the voices were the same, but I could have fun with this.
10 Days of a Bad Man (Netflix)
Director(s): Uluç Bayraktar | Writer(s): Mehmet Eroglu, Damla Serim
Stars: Hazal Filiz Küçükköse, Nejat Isler, Ilayda Akdogan
Netflix’s commitment to foreign films is probably their biggest strength right now because there is almost no chance I would get to see something like this otherwise.
Puppy Love (freevee)
Director(s): Nick Fabiano | Writer(s): Greg Glienna, Peter Stass, Kirsten Guenther
Stars: Lucy Hale, Grant Gustin, Nore Davis
As much as this is a formulaic rom-com, I joked about a dating app for dogs called “Puppy Love” and even did a full-fledged fake ad read for the product on the Bad Movies We Love podcast. That was maybe a year ago. Now we are here. It’s not the most compelling thing, but I am tempted to check it out.
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