“War Dogs”
Synopsis: Based on the true story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, the recipients of a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America’s allies in Afghanistan.
What You Need To Know: There might have been diminishing creative and financial returns as the series went on, but “The Hangover” still made an insane amount of money, which brought director Todd Phillips the ability to do… pretty much whatever he wants. And it turns out that whatever he wants to do is “War Dogs” (formerly titled “Arms And The Dudes”), a true-life tale that allows to him play into his comedic comfort zone. With Jonah Hill and Miles Teller toplining (plus Phillips’ pal and production company partner Bradley Cooper cameo-ing), this certainly has the star power, with marketing suggesting a film weirdly celebratory about its subject matter (which wouldn’t be out of character for Phillips). We’d love for Phillips to return to the height of his powers, and Hill and Teller could help him do it.
Release Date: August 19th
“Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World”
Synopsis: Werner Herzog‘s exploration of the internet and the connected world.
What You Need To Know: Just how cool is director and pop culture icon Herzog, and who doesn’t want to see what he has up his sleeve with this one? The Playlisters who haven’t seen it yet are looking forward to it, but our critic who reviewed it at Sundance this year was nearly glowing in his praise: “[The film] takes a simultaneously curious, awe-struck and terrified look at the origins and future of the web and the interconnected reality it’s begat… Herzog’s latest proves a masterful inquiry into technological evolution.”
Release Date: August 19th (Limited)
“Don’t Breathe”
Synopsis: A group of friends break into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re wrong.
What You Need To Know: Not too long ago, on our Playlist-approved podcast Over/Under Movies, I made the (possibly crazy) proclamation that director Fede Alvarez‘ 2013 “Evil Dead” remake is better than the original (much to my co-hosts’ chagrin). Whether you agree or think I’m nuts, the redo certainly put Alvarez on the map as a genre director to watch, and now comes a followup to see how he does with original material. When Charlie Schmidlin saw the premiere at SXSW, he praised the film’s technical flourishes as well as its thriller pacing: “Alvarez tackles every corner of the vet’s two-story house with a horror fan’s interest and technical polish. This comes through especially in the eventual break-in, captured in bravura one take as the camera glides past genre set-ups: a rack of power tools here, a shard of glass on the floor there —all foreshadows of their possible use to come.” Adding to the style is a lead performance from longtime character actor Stephen Lang (“Avatar“), playing the blind man whose house is under siege. Fingers crossed that this is the shot in the arm this summer could use.
Release Date: August 26th
“Southside With You”
Synopsis: Chronicling the summer 1989 afternoon when future President of the United States of America Barack Obama,wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago’s South Side.
What You Need To Know: This year, it seems like “Southside With You” could be the 2016 equivalent of “The End Of The Tour.” As with that previous film, this sort of future-president twist on “Before Sunrise” might seem like a terrible idea, but word from Park City was that Richard Tanne’s directorial debut was something of a pleasure. Showcasing two breakout turns from Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter as Barack and Michelle Obama, the film is, per Noel Murray’s review from Sundance, “winningly sweet and earnest, and refreshingly frank about the problems that minorities face when they try to get ahead in a culture dominated by white males.” After a summer full of the same old explosions and CGI, this could be the refreshing antidote we’ll all need, particularly as the current disastrous electoral cycle makes us already start to miss President Obama before he’s gone.
Release Date: August 26th (Limited)
Honorable Mention:
It’s always worth noting any restorations of classic or lost films, and this month is no different, with a pair of repertory releases in French New Wave all-timer “Elevator To The Gallows” and Merchant Ivory award winner “Howard’s End” receiving digital restorations, coming to various cool rep houses in major cities.
I was tempted to place Mel Gibson revenge pic “Blood Father” in the final list, but opted instead to keep it to honorable mentions. As much as I want Gibson to become a filmmaking and acting force again, I’m not sure this one will do it, but it does look like some crazy fun. Continuing with lower budgeted genre efforts, The Playlist recently reviewed post-apocalyptic “Embers” and it sounds worth a watch. “In Order of Disappearance” stars Stellan Skarsgård in a Norwegian revenge black comedy.
“Ixcanul” was the first ever Guatamalan Foreign Language Oscar submission last year. It didn’t make the final cut to be nominated, but it’s pretty damn great and should be seen in a cinema. “The Complete Unknown” is the latest from “Maria Full Of Grace” helmer Joshua Marston, a talented but as-yet little known director who works this time out with Rachel Weiss and Michael Shannon for a moody drama. Animated “The Little Prince” is finally getting a proper release now, and “My King (Mon Roi)” is the latest film from French director Maïwenn and stars Vincent Cassel.
Two Sundance movies from this year, “The Intervention” and “Morris From America” will hit theaters and VOD this month. The long-delayed “Mia Madre” is also going to happen finally. Daniel Radcliffe makes another bold acting turn in “Imperium.” And who doesn’t want to see (another) doc about Richard Linklater? There’s been a few of late, but come one, dude is one of our great American filmmakers working today. Sign us up for “Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny” soon as possible.