Is it just me or is the summer just getting hotter and hotter? As the temperature turns up, so does the rush of summer blockbusters! It looks like we’ll be finishing the summer on a high note. So here’s what we’re watching!
Disney’s “Christopher Robin” (Aug 3)
Typically, I’ve taken a dim view of Disney’s foray into live-action rehashes of the classics but “Christopher Robin” just looks so damn charming.
The concept of using such a beloved children’s character to remind us of the importance of maintaining the child at heart already resonates in such a sweet and emotional place. Pile that on top of such warm and soft designs and you’ve got a story so sweet that I’ve got a cavity just thinking about it.
Jim Cummings as Pooh is a performance that I’m especially looking forward to and am expecting some “Finding Neverland” type brightness from director, Marc Forster.
“The Spy Who Dumped Me” (Aug 3)
I’m really digging this phase of Mila Kunis’s career. The “Impossibly Hot Loser Gets Into Shenanigans” phase.
“The Spy Who Dumped Me” is the latest in this particular phase, telling the story of a woman and her best friend who become entangled in an international conspiracy when one of the women discovers the boyfriend who dumped her was actually a spy. Kate McKinnon gets in on the fun as Kunis’s cinematic best friend and I’m here for it.
One of the high points in the cinematic low point that was the “Ghostbusters” remake was McKinnon’s blessedly awkward performance. She’s wicked funny and I’m excited to see her back on the big screen.
“The Meg” (Aug 10)
YAAAAAASSSSS!!!
Picture this: It’s August. It’s hot out and nothing sounds better than hiding out in the AC for an hour and a half. And there’s Jason Statham battling a giant shark.
“The Meg” holds a place on my “must-see” list, by default, as I’m a huge fan of Steve Alten’s “Meg” novels. If the trailers are any indication of the overall tone, “The Meg” is going to be a ton of fun! Which may offend my “the book is always better” sensibilities, but it makes the shark movie connoisseur in me fangirl hard.
“BlacKkKlansman” (Aug 10)
If you like to use movies as an escape from the chaos of reality, 2018 might not be your year for the movies.
Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” is a take-no-shit, political piece that is unavoidably timely in what has been a crazy year, politically. I don’t know about you, but white supremacist demonstrations really put me in the mood for some biting political commentary.
Bringing on Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) as a producer gives this an extra stamp of “Oh, this is gonna be good” and John David Washington and Adam Driver are already coming off as a dynamic duo. Mixed reviews from critics solidify this as a “see for yourself” summer must.
“Elizabeth Harvest” (Aug 10)
A newlywed couple. A lavish estate. A forbidden room.
I’m getting serious “Jane Eyre” meets “Crimson Peak” vibes with “Elizabeth Harvest” and I’m all about it. Gothic vibes are always a plus for me and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Bring it on!
“Crazy Rich Asians” (Aug 15)
If I were SNL’s Stefan, I’d describe “Crazy Rich Asians” like this, “This film has everything.”
Intrigue. Luxury cars. Beautiful set pieces. The most disgustingly gorgeous cast in recent memory.
Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name, published in 2013, was an instant hit and I’m sure the film will follow suit. It’s a classic love story wrapped up in a shiny contemporary package. Constance Wu and Henry Golding make a ridiculously good looking and super talented leading couple and Michelle Yeoh is always a favorite of mine, and this role really seems to be made for her.
“Slenderman” (Aug 24)
2012 called. It wants its meme back.
Admittedly, “Slenderman” occupies a hate-watch position on my list. It’s a must-see because it must answer my many questions.
Why did it take us this long to make the movie? Does the studio know that the world has moved on from Slenderman? Are we seeing “The Eight Pages” realized as a film, or did someone dig deep into the Creepypasta archives?
Most importantly, is “Slenderman” going to suffer for being released at the wrong time? The now infamous Slenderman Stabbings court case only wrapped up in Feb. 2018 and this critic couldn’t help but notice how all promotions of the upcoming film screeched to a halt around the same time. And have yet to return.
“The Happytime Murders” (Aug 24)
I was just saying to myself the other day, “You know what I definitely need more of, at the movies? Muppet fucking.”
The trailers for “The Happytime Murders” make me delightfully uncomfortable. It’s gonna be raunchy. It’s gonna be unusual.
There’s no denying Melissa McCarthy’s star power, as a comedian. If she’s in a comedy then I’m going to be there opening weekend. And from a strictly artistic perspective, I’m looking forward to something a little different. “The Happytime Murders” seems to take cues from both Broadway’s “Avenue Q” and popular television like “True Detective”.
Did we miss anything? Which of these August films are you pumped for?
Featured image credit: Hopper Stone/Lionsgate Entertainment
Caitlin is a lean, mean writing machine based in Austin, TX. Her love of film began when she was shown “Rosemary’s Baby” way too early in life. Bylines include The Financial Diet and Film Inquiry. Caitlin is a member of the Online Association of Female Film Critics and the Women Film Critics Circle.