August used to be where Hollywood sent movies to quietly die, but the second half of summer will bring some of the season’s most intriguing movies.
Besides Fantastic Four: First Steps, I am looking forward to seeing Eddington, another Pedro Pascal vehicle (But, hey, what isn’t he in these days?). Eddington, a black comedy set during the COVID pandemic, came out July 18 and has received mixed reviews, mostly around what director Ari Aster is trying to say. I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt, because Midsommar and Hereditary are two films that built tension subtly but unrelentingly, and I want to see how Aster handles that amid those “unprecedented times.”
Everything about Weapons (August 8) freaks me out: the kids disappearing, their creepy running posture, the building paranoia in the trailer. Julia Garner (Yes, the Silver Surfer!) plays a teacher whose entire class of students goes missing. I need to find out the reason for the title, but I also really don’t want to.
Honey, Don’t (August 22) is another dark comedy with Chris Evans as a cult leader! Margaret Qualley is the lead, playing private detective Honey O’Donahue with Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Day, two wonderful comedy actors, also starring.
Caught Stealing (August 29) is a 90s-set crime thriller featuring Austin Butler as a former baseball player trying to survive the New York underworld. Matt Smith may be stealing scenes as a fully-mohawked punk rocker. Zoë Kravitz and Regina King should be other highlights.
Featured image by Mathias Reding on Unsplash
Addictive Mints 