This has been one of the worst summer movie seasons in recent memory, and while it would take something really special to turn it all around, there are a few new releases this August that could at least make it a little less forgettable, including Marvel Studio’s most ambitious film to date, new installments of “The Expendables” and “Sin City,” and the return of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the big screen.
“GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”
Who: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel
What: When space adventurer Peter Quill steals an orb coveted by a treacherous villain, he must find a way to rally a quartet of ragtag rivals to save the universe.
When: August 1st
Why: A few months ago, most people had never even heard of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but that’s quickly changed following the launch of the film’s marketing campaign, which suggests that director James Gunn (perhaps Marvel Studio’s biggest risk yet) has absolutely nailed the offbeat tone of the comic book. This has been on my must-see list ever since it was announced, and that excitement has only grown with each new reveal, from the casting of Chris Pratt in the lead role, to landing Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper to voice the movie’s CGI characters, to the strong buzz emerging from early screenings that have pegged it as one of the studio’s best films to date. In other words: get ready to be pleasantly surprised.
“GET ON UP”
Who: Chadwick Boseman, David Andrew Nash, Nelsan Ellis and Viola Davis
What: A chronicle of James Brown’s rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
When: August 1st
Why: The music biopic is one of the most formulaic subgenres. They’re essentially all the same – a rags to riches story where the subject overcomes some kind of personal demon, usually drug addiction) – and Taylor Tate’s “Get on Up” doesn’t appear to buck that trend. The fact that the script was written by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (the sibling duo responsible for the excellent “Edge of Tomorrow”) instills some hope that it won’t be a complete waste of time, but James Brown’s life doesn’t really interest me, and the decision to cast Chadwick Boseman as the Godfather of Soul feels a little weird after playing another black icon so recently in “42.” What’s next for the actor? Movies about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Owens?
“TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES”
Who: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Johnny Knoxville and Tony Shalhoub
What: Four mutant warriors fight to save their city from an evil kingpin.
When: August 8th
Why: There’s plenty of reason to be concerned about the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film – after all, we’ve seen what producer Michael Bay did to the “Transformers” franchise and director Jonathan Liebesman doesn’t have a very good track record – but the kid in me still can’t wait to see the Turtles back in action on the big screen, even if they don’t exactly look like the ones from my childhood. In fact, they look downright ugly with those oversized frog lips, leading me to wonder how that design ever made it out of the concept stage. The decision to cast a Caucasian actor as Shredder is also a bit worrying, as is Megan Fox’s involvement, but maybe, just maybe, it won’t be so bad.
“INTO THE STORM”
Who: Sarah Wayne Callies, Richard Armitage, Jeremy Sumpter and Matt Walsh
What: A group of high school students document the events and aftermath of a devastating tornado.
When: August 8th
Why: It’s been nearly 20 years since “Twister” was released in theaters and it still looks better than this CG-fueled disaster flick, which doesn’t appear to be particularly interested in its human characters at all. Instead, director Steven Quale has gone the Michael Bay route by making it all about the destruction, and while that will likely result in some cool effects shots and action sequences, the movie itself looks about as empty as the calories in a bag of theater popcorn. I wouldn’t expect any less from the director of “Final Destination 5” and the writer of “Step Up All In,” but it’s hard not to feel bad for the actors involved, especially Richard Armitage, because he deserves better than this kind of SyFy summer schlock.
“LET’S BE COPS”
Who: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Nina Dobrev, Rob Riggle and Andy Garcia
What: Two pals dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighborhood sensations, getting tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives.
When: August 13th
Why: Writer/director Luke Greenfield must be a fan of the Fox series “New Girl,” because in casting Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. opposite each another in this buddy comedy, it feels like a spinoff featuring their characters from the show. The movie doesn’t seem very different from the other films in the genre apart from its premise, and while that formula worked for David Gordon Green’s “Pineapple Express,” that was mainly as a result of some excellent chemistry between the two leads. Johnson and Wayans Jr. have proven that they can be really funny when sharing a scene, but whether or not they can keep it up for 90 minutes will determine whether “Let’s Be Cops” is a surprise hit or just another flop.
“THE EXPENDABLES 3”
Who: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford
What: Barney and his team come into conflict with ruthless arms dealer Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables’ co-founder, who is determined to destroy the team.
When: August 15th
Why: At this point in the “Expendables” franchise, you pretty much know what to expect. It usually involves a ridiculous plot, some cheesy dialogue and a cool action scene or two, but the real draw continues to be seeing how many former action stars Sylvester Stallone can cram into a single film. Though none of the new recruits beat the nostalgia factor of the Chuck Norris cameo from the last sequel, the addition of Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford makes “The Expendables 3” pound for pound the most intriguing installment yet. The absence of Bruce Willis stings a little, as does the exclusion of Steven Seagal, but for those who like their movies big, dumb and fun, you won’t find a better guilty pleasure this summer.
“THE GIVER”
Who: Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep and Katie Holmes
What: In a seemingly perfect community without differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the pain and pleasure of the real world.
When: August 15th
Why: It’s been a while since I read the Lois Lowry novel on which the film is based, but from what little I do remember, it’s understandable why some fans have voiced their outrage about this big screen adaptation. Though the more futuristic stuff isn’t too distracting considering Hollywood’s current obsession with dystopian sci-fi films like “The Hunger Games,” the decision to cast a 24-year-old actor in the lead role (playing a 16-year-old instead of the 12-year-old that appears in the book) feels wrong for a number of reasons. With that said, it has a great supporting cast that includes Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep and Alexander Skarsgard, so surely it can’t be as bad as people fear. And if it is, well, you can always read the book.
“SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR”
Who: Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin and Eva Green
What: The town’s most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more reviled inhabitants.
When: August 22nd
Why: It’s been nine years since the first “Sin City” captured audiences with its innovative storytelling, but this long-awaited sequel is at least five years too late, with many fans giving up hope of another installment when Robert Rodriguez decided his time was better spent directing garbage like “Shorts,” “Spy Kids 4” and the “Machete” films. My excitement for the project has decreased over the years, and even more so after seeing the first few trailers, which feel stagnant and stale compared to how far cinema has come in the time since the original. The cast is pretty great, especially with newcomers like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Josh Brolin added to the mix, but it’s going to take more than that for Rodriguez to win me over again.
“IF I STAY”
Who: Chloe Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos, Jamie Blackley and Stacey Keach
What: After a car accident puts her in a coma, Mia Hall has an out-of-body experience where she must decide whether to wake up and live a different life than she imagined.
When: August 22nd
Why: It seems like there’s an adaption of some young adult novel being released every month, and August’s entry comes courtesy of author Gayle Forman. But while her novel may follow many of the typical conventions of the teenage romance genre, “If I Stay” at least wins some points for originality with the whole paranormal angle. It’s not the first time that gimmick has been employed, of course, but it’s a cool twist that should work in its favor as long as it doesn’t delve too deep into melodrama. Chloe Grace Moretz has proven time and again that she’s one of the best young talents in Hollywood, and it’s nice to see her branching out in something a little different than usual, even if the movie isn’t exactly my cup of tea.
