This Month in Film: August New Releases

We’re at the end of the summer blockbuster season! August is an interesting month for movies because we get an interesting mix of genres. There are the big action movies, some family movies, comedies, notable indies, etc. It’s safe to say that you’ll have more than enough variety to pick from the following month.

Friday, August 3^rd

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days – Watch the trailer – I saw the first Wimpy Kid movie and thought it was very funny for a kids’ movie. I haven’t watched the second one, but I heard good things about that one too. Now, we have a third movie. Is it overkill? Well, if they’re entertaining and funny, I suppose not. (Wide)
• Total Recall – Watch the trailer + Comic Con panel report – A remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic hits the big screen. I was at the panel for the film at San Diego Comic Con, where they emphasized how vastly different this version is from the original film. From the trailers and footage, I can definitely see that. But what really attracts me to the film is the cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Bryan Cranston. (Wide)
• Celeste and Jesse Forever – Watch the trailer – Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg play a divorcing couple who, to the surprise of their friends, manage to stay good friends.  The dramedy garnered some positive buzz out of Sundance, and since then, I’ve wanted to see it. It’s rare to see a romantic dramedy work without being terribly cliché, so I hope that’s not the case with Celeste and Jesse. (Limited)

Wednesday, August 8^th

• Hope Springs – Watch the trailer – Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones play a couple trying to bring the spark back into their marriage. I love both actors, and the story looks sweet and funny. It’ll be fun to see these two actors on screen together. (Wide)
• Nitro Circus the Movie 3D – Watch the trailer – Is this just another name for a Jackass movie? (Wide)

Friday, August 10^th

• The Bourne Legacy – Watch the trailer – No doubt; this is the film I’m most excited for this month. I enjoyed all the Bourne films, and it’s great to see it back and with Jeremy Renner. Renner is definitely one of my favorite new actors. Plus, have you watched the trailer? It’s so awesome! (Wide)
• The Campaign – Watch the trailer + Enter our giveaway – When at Comic Con, a surprise panel happened during the Warner Bros. presentation. The extended trailer from the panel sold me on the movie. It was hilarious, and I have high hopes that this movie will be just as funny. (Wide)
• 2 Days in New York – Watch the trailer – I’ll have a review of this movie in a couple weeks. (Stupid review embargoes). But I did really like it. If you like Julie Delpy, it’s hard not to! (Limited)

Wednesday, August 15^th

• The Odd Life of Timothy Green – Watch the trailer – This looks like the quintessential family movie. It’s an interesting premise, but the trailer looks too sappy for my tastes. Hoping that’s just the trailer and not the movie.

Friday, August 17^th

• The Expendables 2 – Watch the trailer – Confession: I haven’t seen the first Expendables movie. So, I’m not sure how this one will live up to the first. However, I know a ton of people are super excited for it. Therefore, I’ll let them be the judge. (Wide)
• ParaNorman – Watch the trailer + Comic Con panel report – Stop motion animation has been popular lately. I was not a big fan of that kind of medium. Yet, after seeing some footage, I was pretty impressed by how much it didn’t bother me. Plus, the story, which is a mix of “The Breakfast Club” and “The Fog,” is my main motivator for seeing it. It may be the best kids movie to come out this month. (Wide)
• Sparkle – Watch the trailer – Most of Sparkle’s buzz comes from the fact that this film features Whitney Houston’s last role. While the story is hardly original, Sparkle looks entertaining. And I’m curious to see how Jordin Sparks is as an actress. (Wide)
• Cosmopolis – Watch the trailer – I’ve been excited for this movie for a long while. Not just because I’m kind of (or a lot) in love with Robert Pattinson, but I’m a fan of David Cronenberg, and Cosmopolis seems to be a return to form for the director. I mean, this movie looks insane! I can’t wait. (Limited)

Friday, August 24^th

• The Apparition –Watch the trailer – I was waiting for a horror movie to pop up this month. The Apparition is one of two. From the trailer, nothing really distinguishes it from past horror films. Although, that last part was creepy, and it was weird seeing Tom Felton look more like Harry Potter. (Wide)
• Hit & Run – Watch the trailer – Written and directed by Dax Shepard himself, here comes an action comedy. Not sure if this film delivers the laughs, but the cast (Bradley Cooper, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard) is the only reason I have interest in Hit & Run. (Wide)
• Premium Rush – Watch the trailer – This movie was originally supposed to come out in January, but Summit pushed it back to August, probably to capitalize off The Dark Knight Rises, which Joseph Gordon-Levitt also starred in. Anyway, Premium Rush seems fast and entertaining, and easily your best bet this weekend at the cinema. (Wide)

Wednesday, August 29^th

• Lawless – Watch the trailer – Lawless garnered buzz when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival back in May. I heard many great things about the performances in the movie. But with a cast like that, I already expect that. I guess you can say that Lawless unofficially starts the ushering of the “award-worthy” movies into theaters this year. (Wide)

Friday, August 31^st

• The Possession – Watch the trailer – I’ll be honest; I’m afraid to watch this trailer. I’ve had people describe to me what happens in it, and frankly, I find it too horrifying. So why is it on the list? Mainly because I know everyone else wants to see this movie! Have fun ending summer blockbuster season with this terrifying film. (Wide)

More August releases:

• Red Hook Summer – 8/10 (Limited)
• Why Stop Now? – 8/17 (Limited)
• For A Good Time, Call… – 8/31 (Limited)
• The Good Doctor – 8/31 (Limited)

Which movies are you most excited to see in August? Sound off in the comments!