So I was seriously lacking in the seeing movies department in July, only managing to check out The Conjuring in theaters. But I was certainly not disappointed with that. It was easily the best horror movie I’ve seen since Insidious and had an amazing 70’s vibe to it. James Wan is the horror man. I still have several movies from last month that I really want to see, but that’s not going to stop August movies from coming in.
AUGUST 2
- 2 Guns – This one looks like it could go either way but Will liked it a lot. You can check out his review soon.
- The Spectacular Now (limited) – I am so ready to see Shailene Woodley follow up her fantastic dramatic performance from The Descendents. I thought she was stand out in it, especially compared to her claim to fame role in the TV show, The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I’ve heard great buzz about this, and the trailer seemed very cute (if a bit standard) so I’m ready to give this one a go.
- The Canyons (limited) – I’ve heard the worst about this movie. I do wonder how much of that is just Lindsay Lohan hate. The trailer didn’t really turn me off though. It’s written by Bret Easton Ellis and directed by Paul Schrader, so that kicks my curiosity in from the get go. I’m not expecting anything great, and I don’t plan to seek it out in theaters or anything, but I am curious to check it out at some point.
AUGUST 9- Elysium– The most exciting part about this film is seeing Neill Blomkamp’s follow up to the amazing District 9. That credential alone warrants a watch for this, and that’s before Matt Damon and Jodie Foster is brought into the picture. Then you have Sharlto Copley and ready to watch this thing. I’m intrigued that Blomkamp wanted Eminem in the lead role originally. I want to know what’s in that director’s head.
- Planes – Oh dear. I was never too big on Cars to begin with. Moving the concept to the sky isn’t really going to cut it.
- Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (on Wednesday) – Sorry Logan Lerman, I thought you were great in The Perks of Being A Wallflower, but that’s still not enough incentive to get into this film series.
- We’re The Millers (on Wednesday) – Parts of this trailer crack me up. The TV spot where Jennifer Aniston throws the “baby” into the road made me double over. I’m still not letting myself get too excited about this, but if it holds up to the trailer and didn’t show all the good parts I’ll be happy to check out this comedy.
- Lovelace (limited) – I’m really excited to see this one. Amanda Seyfried looks great. After his dynamic performance in The Killing this season, my appreciation for Peter Sarsgaard has been reinvigorated. Not to mention a great cast supporting the two. I’m interested to see how far they’ll go in telling the story. Overall, I’m not expecting an astonishing biopic, but something at least a little fascinating.
AUGUST 16
- The Butler – The story at least sounds worthy of a film. How well it’s executed seems to be the issue with me. It seems like a tough task to cover 8 presidencies, and while some of the casting (James Marsden as JFK) seems to work, others (John Cusack as Nixon) seem very poor. I want it to be good though.
- Jobs – I thought this had totally been shelved indefinitely. Then they seem to be sneaking it back out here without much confidence. I can see why from the trailer. It looks kind of rough. Kutcher’s casting is obviously questionable. It sort of seems like how I imagine The Social Network was in the minds of people who wrote it off presumptively as “the Facebook movie”, except this time they would be right.
- Kick-Ass 2 – I loved the first Kick-Ass so I’m just excited to see more Hit Girl and Aaron Johnson. When I knew they were making a sequel I wondered how they would replace the character of Big Daddy, but seeing the trailer I freaked out. James Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes looks awesome. I didn’t even realize it was Carrey because he disappeared into the role so much. The rest of the trailer doesn’t really hype me up like my anticipation for his character.
- Paranoia – I feel like this is for Liam Hemsworth what Abduction was for Taylor Lautner. Sort of generic action-y type thriller featuring great actors (in this case Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford) in one of their paycheck movie choices. Much like Lautner, I don’t see this being the breakout role apart from Hemsworth’s franchise attachment that he might be looking for.
- Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (limited) – I think this film has a fantastic trailer. I hope the movie is as good as it’s advertised. Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara are both excellent and I think they’d fit together with great results. Plus Ben Foster is such an underdog that I love to see him in anything he’s in. Its cinematography award at Sundance at least promises something beautiful to watch.
AUGUST 23
- The World’s End – AH, the last film in the Blood and Ice Cream/Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. I didn’t even watch the trailer because I just want to go in cold, knowing that I’m going to come out of it as amazed as I was after watching Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. Edgar Wright is the man.
- You’re Next – Damn the animal masks alone are freaking me out. I’m hoping this will satisfy my home invasion horror void that The Purge left when it turned out to not actually be scary. I’ve heard virtually all glowing remarks about the film which has me completely excited. Between Evil Dead, The Conjuring, and hopefully this and Insidious: Chapter 2 this could be an excellent year in horror.
- Drinking Buddies (limited) – Already saw it and loved it earlier this year at the Maryland Film Festival. Check out my review and coverage of the Q&A with director Joe Swanberg. Movie about beer featuring Wilde, Johnson, Kendrick, and Livingston couldn’t go wrong in my book.
- The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (on Wednesday) – I don’t have much confidence that this looks likely to match The Hunger Games. Maybe not even close. It is based on a YA book and features the fresh face of Lily Collins but I could see it going the same route of Beautiful Creatures despite the studio desperately wanting to cash in on the potential franchise. Then again I wouldn’t have expected Percy Jackson and the Olympians to have a sequel coming out, so maybe Mortal Instruments can land.
AUGUST 30
- Getaway – At first I thought this was taken, but then Selena Gomez happened. I’m pretty much cool with checking out whatever Ethan Hawke is up to, but this really is giving me a case of who cares.
- Satanic – Okay, I’m including this because Box Office Mojo lists it but there’s nothing out about this film. Is it real? Does anyone know the deal with this movie? Is this some sort of viral marketing technique to make your film invisible?
- The Lifeguard (limited) – I feel like it’s my job to be Kristen Bell’s biggest cheerleader and promote the hell out of whatever she’s in. I’m so happy she’s doing something more serious that’s a far cry from You Again and When in Rome, which I think vastly underrate her as an actress. The trailer gives the impression of a film that’s pretty odd and awkward. Can’t wait to check it out.
- Passion (limited) – Finally, the film where Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace make out directed by Brian de Palma. The trailer looks like it will be fun, if a little generic. Only thing is I have a feeling the trailer SHOWS EVERYTHING. That better not be a bulk of the story or the twists involved or else that is some shoddy trailer editing.
- Closed Circuit (on Wednesday) – Hey, it’s Julia Styles! This actually looks like it could be a decent little thriller. Not anything incredible, but at least worth a watch.
…and also One Direction: This is Us
My five must-see’s for the month:
The World’s End, You’re Next, The Spectacular Now, Kick-Ass 2, & Elysium.
What are you looking forward to watching this month?