Thursday, April 21, 2016

2016 Summer Movie Preview: July & August


Earlier this week I took a look at the summer blockbusters being unveiled during the months of May & June. Today I'll be shifting my focus to the promising films slated for a release during the second half of the summer months. Here's a look at what you can expect from July & August:


July 2016


The BFG - July 1st



After the overwhelming success of Jon Favreau's live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, nothing can stop the ever-growing expectations for Steven Spielberg's similar re-branding of the Roald Dahl classic, The BFG. Academy Award winner Mark Rylance offers his voice as the title character in this story of a young girl named Sophie who encounters a secret world of giants. Sophie happens to befriend an outcast who refuses to eat little boys and girls like all the other giants. Spielberg has a knack for grandeur and that gives all the more reason to get excited for The BFG.


Ghostbusters (2016) - July 15th



I know what you're thinking and, yes, I did reserve a special place on my summer movie preview for Paul Feig's Ghostbusters re-boot. I was less than impressed with the film's first trailer, but Feig has a few hits to his name so I'm still in the "wait and see" stage. Either way this female-driven remake stars Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig and also includes Chris Hemsworth in a supporting role. Hopefully they're saving all the best jokes for the theatrical experience. Either way, Ghostbusters will reach movie screens nationwide in mid-July.


Jason Bourne - July 29th



A beloved action franchise returns this summer with the latest saga, Jason Bourne. This fifth installment reunites Matt Damon with director Paul Greengrass, the filmmaker behind Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum. Plot details are very thin at the moment but after failing to star in the last film, Matt Damon resumes his title role as a trained assassin who once again seeks out revenge on U.S. officials who lied to him. Hopefully Jason Bourne marks the spectacular type of rejuvenation to the franchise that we all crave so dearly.


Other July Releases: Horror franchise The Purge: Election Year (7/1) returns with its third inclusion and Alexander Skarsgard stars in The Legend of Tarzan (7/1). Kids movies The Secret Life of Pets (7/8) and yet another Ice Age: Colloison Course (7/22) will arrive in July as well. The Zac Efron & Adam DeVine comedy, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (7/8) isn't quite at the top of my list, but the Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell comedy, Bad Moms (7/29), has all the makings of a huge wild card. And finally, Star Trek Beyond (7/22) marks a return for fanboys of the legendary sci-fi universe.


August 2016


The Founder - August 5th



In a rare industry twist, we may be getting a legitimate Oscar contender earlier than expected. It was recently announced that John Lee Hancock's The Founder, starring the Oscar-hungry Michael Keaton, will reach theaters during the final summer month. Keaton stars as McDonald's founder, Ray Kroc, a struggling milkshake machine salesman who has dreams of launching the fast-food industry nationwide and who will stop at nothing to achieve it. Keaton is a prime candidate for a Best Actor nod and Harvey Weinstein has dubbed The Founder a serious awards season player. Let's enjoy this unique occurrence in early August when the time comes.


Suicide Squad - August 5th



Despite the disappointment that was Dawn of Justice, DC Comics quick to follow feature, Suicide Squad, could prove to be a saving grave for the film universe. David Ayer's tale of a government agency that summons a collection of super-villains to handle a dangerous mission has delivered a trio of energetic and exciting trailers. Suicide Squad may be a make or break effort for the long-term goals of the DC Comic universe, but all signs point to a thrilling and comical action flick worth savoring.


Sausage Party - August 12th



In what's clearly an anti-children's animated comedy, the writing team behind Superbad and Pineapple Express present the R-Rated Sausage Party, In grocery stores worldwide it's a lifelong goal for food to be chosen by consumers. And after a flirty sausage named Frank (voice of Seth Rogen) and his bun of choice, Brenda (voice of Kristen Wiig), are purchased together, they look forward to a life of eternal bliss. Yet, once they discover the mayhem behind humans and their perspective-driven violent consumption of food, these edible characters must work to survive being devoured. Sausage Party's Red-Band trailer (above) is full of clever laughs and I truly can't wait for this comedy to arrive.


Pete's Dragon (2016) - August 12th



Call it nostalgia, but the first look into the remake, Pete's Dragon, has me excited to relive one of my favorite childhood journeys. When an orphaned child named Pete is discovered, no one believes the boy's stories of his best friend, Elliot, a dragon with remarkable abilities. Bryce Dallas Howard and Robert Redford co-star in what will hopefully be a valiant re-boot. The 1977 version of Pete's Dragon will always remain a classic tale in my eyes so, while hopes are high, I can only hope for a solid re-introduction to these lovable characters.


Other August Releases: The goofy kid's film, Nine Lives (8/5), starring Kevin Spacey as a father who becomes trapped in a cat's body helps kick off the summer's final month. Also, the Jonah Hill and Miles Teller true story, War Dogs (8/19), debuts alongside a reboot of the classic, Ben-Hur (8/12). The sci-fi effort, The Space Between Us (8/19), is an intriguing prospect as well as the cleverly premised horror flick, Don't Breathe (8/26).

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