With a lot of releases heading our way this month (including quite a lot of independents) there’s likely to be something for everyone over the next four weeks. If the weather has been too much for you of late, you’ll find plenty to keep you (and the kids, where applicable) indoors at your nearest cinema. Someone had the (potentially amazing) idea to throw Hobbs and Shaw together; someone else had the (potentially terrible) thought that Playmobil could be as good as Lego in a movie; Tarantino’s final ever (probably, maybe, who knows) movie gives us a glimpse of old Hollywood; Dora the Explorer’s gone through puberty in her movie debut. See? Lot’s going on, and plenty more besides (I promise).
Blinded by the Light (9th)
If you’re a Springsteen fan, this movie could be right up your (E-)street. A young British-Asian lad growing up in the 80’s is feeling all the typical teenage feelings, and more to boot, thanks to his strict family’s values. He’s introduced to the music of Bruce Springsteen and a whole new world opens up to him. It’s something many of us can relate to, discovering certain artists who awaken things within us we never knew were there, their music helping to shape the adults we become. A potentially heart-warming drama that probably also has an epic soundtrack.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (14th)
As previously mentioned, this is to be writer/director(/sometime actor) Quentin Tarantino’s ninth and final film, according to the man himself. That will probably music to some people’s ears yet devastation to others. Either way, there’s something here for everyone to celebrate; reviews have been coming in thick and fast and so far it seems to be gaining good steam, mostly thanks to the performances of Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, certainly and excellent main cast. Like him or not, this could very much be one to watch this summer (if you like him not, maybe give it a go anyway, you could chance your mind – miracles do happen!).
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (23rd)
Horror fans! Guillermo del Torro fans! Listen up! This is slated to be another frightening fantasty from one of cinema’s greatest (and Academy-award-winning) filmmakers. Once again centred around children (see Pan’s Labyrinth and The Devil’s Backbone), this one sees some silly young buggers read scary tales from a book that then begin to come true, affecting them all one by one. If the trailer doesn’t immediately suck you in, then really, just go away right now. Fingers crossed that this one is as good as it appears!
Non-English Language Choice
Photograph (2nd)
Perhaps it’s just the mood I’m currently in, but this trailer really caught me in the feels. It’s an Indian film that follows a photographer who convinces a random woman to pose in photos as his fake fiancee to appease his pushy grandmother. But, as such a story would have it, the two characters start to become entwinded, especially as his grandmother insists on meeting the “fiancee”. If this were your average Richard Curtis or American equivalent (English language, basically) it may not be so appealing as the basic story is ten-a-penny, however something about the Indian setting, particularly in Mumbai, makes it feel somehow more grounded. If this is what one can get from the trailer alone then the full-length feature stands a good chance of being a good watch.
Other August Releases:
1st
Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw
2nd
The Angry Birds Movie 2
Balance, Not Symmetry
Charming
3rd
Transit
9th
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Gaza
Parey Hut Love
Playmobil: The Movie
Stones Have Laws
The Sun Is Also a Star
Superstar
16th
Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Good Boys
Leto
UglyDolls
21st
Angel Has Fallen
23rd
Astro Kid
Crawl
Hail Satan?
Nekrotronic
Pain and Glory
28th
Killers Anonymous
30th
Aniara
Bait
The Informer
Inna De Yard
Mrs Lowry & Son
The Mustang
Princess Emmy
The Souvenir
Dawn of the Tapes 