Didn’t summer just get here? After a rather poor July offering of flicks, August brings us a smorgasbord. But which ones will suit our taste?
August 1
Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw — It seems like the original cast of Fast and Furious couldn’t wait to get Hobbs and Shaw out of their cars. Now Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham are forced to team up to defeat Idris Elba, a cyber-genetically enhanced international terrorist who created a deadly virus that could threaten the human race.
The Nightingale — Trust no one! Her family killed by a British officer (Sam Claflin), Clare teams up with an Aboriginal tracker to seek revenge. Civil war and the Tasmanian wilderness will not make it easy.
August 8
Dora and the Lost City of Gold — Why not have a movie starring Dora the Explorer? Her parents send Dora to the big city and high school while they search for a lost Inca civilization. Soon, she and her reluctant friends are on an adventure to save them. The cast includes Isabela Moner, Eugenio Derbez, Michael Pena, Eva Longoria, and Benicio del Toro. The trailer looks like fun!
The Art of Racing in the Rain — Kevin Costner voices a dog, Enzo. Right away, we know we have a winner. A race car driver, Milo Ventimiglia, romances Amanda Seyfried. Do you think the dog helps bring them, and keep them, together? Maybe you have seen too many dog movies. Bring the hankies!
The Kitchen — Do not mess with these ladies! Their husbands sent to prison, they take on the mob in Hell’s Kitchen. By that, I mean they are not there to clean up the crime, but to clean up from the crime. As Annie Oakley said, “anything you can do, I can do better.”
August 14
Angry Birds 2 — I did not see Angry Birds 1, but any movie that grosses $352 million on a $73 million budget is getting a sequel. Now, Angry Birds and Bad Piggies, mortal enemies, must work together to defeat Zeta. Zeta is not happy about living on a remote arctic island. Her weapon will destroy the habitat of the birds and pigs. Sounds serious.
Blinded by the Light — Let there be Bruce Springsteen and he shall . . . be adored by females everywhere. A poor, British teen of Pakistani descent writes poetry to escape his inflexible father. Like all fathers, he wants his son to get a real job. But, after the teen hears The Boss, nothing is the same. He is no longer afraid to express himself, but will anyone listen?
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? — Fifteen year old Bee wants to go to Antarctica. Her mother, architect Bernadette, now a virtual recluse, is about to be hospitalized for psychological problems. Bernadette disappears, but Bee thinks she is still alive and living in Antarctica. Correspondence may help provide the missing clues. Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup and Kristen Wiig star in this mystery-comedy drama.
August 22
My Spy — What nine-year-old kid doesn’t want to be a spy? Dave Bautista is supposed to be a CIA pro, but Chloe Coleman discovers him spying on her family. In exchange for her not blowing his cover, he must teach her spy skills. Any guess which one is smarter? She twists him around her little finger.
Angel Has Fallen — In an unlikely scenario, head Secret Service agent Gerard Butler is accused of trying to assassinate President Morgan Freeman. Didn’t these people watch London Has Fallen (2016)? He needs unlikely allies to clear his name? Who are they? We will soon find out.
Brittany Runs A Marathon — Having just read an article about Amazon striking out in their movie choices, is this another one? Jillian Bell looks like the least-likeliest person in the world to run a marathon. But, that is her goal after the doctor tells her how unhealthy she is. First, she must walk around the block. Will she make it?
Overcomer — See You Say post!
August 29
Playmobil: The Movie — If Legos, made in Denmark, can make movies, then why not Playmobil from Germany? At a cost of $75 million, will they be able to replicate the witty repartee? Here, Marla travels to the world of Playmobil to find her lost brother.
Vita and Virginia — Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Certainly not Vita Sackville-West. In the 1920’s, despite marriages, these two have an affair that inspires a novel, Orlando. Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Debicki star.
These two movies seem weak for a Labor day weekend, but you get what you get.