“The Glass Castle”
Synopsis: Brie Larson stars in “The Glass Castle” which brings Jeannette Walls‘ best-selling memoir to life as a young woman who, influenced by the joyfully wild nature of her deeply dysfunctional father (Woody Harrelson), found the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
What You Need To Know: A film that seemed to sneak up on us, especially in a summer as crowded with releases both bigger and as small as this one, once we remembered the existence of “The Glass Castle” it was impossible not to be excited. While on face value it’s hard not to shallowly compare it to last years “Captain Fantastic” based on nothing but the trailer, the reteaming of Brie Larson and director Destin Daniel Cretton is an immediate sell. The duo helped create 2013’s excellent “Short Term 12” and the story of “The Glass Castle” seems similarly made for the raw and engaging emotional expression that the pair excelled at in the past.
Release Date: August 11th
“Ingrid Goes West”
Synopsis: Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza) is an unhinged social media stalker with a history of confusing “likes” for meaningful relationships. Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen) is an Instagram-famous “influencer” whose perfectly curated, boho-chic lifestyle becomes Ingrid’s latest obsession. When Ingrid moves to LA and manages to insinuate herself into the social media star’s life, their relationship quickly goes from #BFF to #WTF.
What You Need To Know: Aubrey Plaza is having a bit of a moment in 2017, what with the star-making, show-stealing turn in FX’s “Legion,” her role in indie film “The Little Hours” and now “Ingrid Goes West.” It seems that finally, filmmakers are understanding just what Plaza’s talents amount to and how to use her disarming monotone and off kilter oddities to their greatest advantage. Our critic said, “…Plaza finds a way for you to root for her even when she crosses line after line after line.”
Release Date: August 11th
“Good Time”
Synopsis: After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Constantine Nikas (Robert Pattinson) embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City’s underworld in an increasingly desperate and dangerous attempt to get his brother out of jail.
What You Need To Know: After directors Joshua Safdie and Ben Safdie released their 2015 docu-drama stunner “Heaven Knows What” eyes were peeled and ears perked for just what the brothers would tackle next. Having taken the independent world by storm, their follow up feature was always going to be met with excitement over if they would be able to meet the expectations of fans and “Good Time” starring Robert Pattinson (who continues to pick interesting roles in auteur led films) achieved just that, winning raves at Cannes. Our critic called it “ a feat of sonic, visual and narrative engineering that confirms the Safdies’ arrival…as the beat filmmakers of the millennial generation.”
Release Date: August 11th
“Whose Streets?”
Synopsis: Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, “Whose Streets?” is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising.
What You Need To Know: As the dumpster fire that is politics in the U.S. continues to simmer and roar, the need to support marginalized voices grows louder with each passing day, making the viewing of Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis’ “Whose Streets?” seem all the more necessary. Following the events of Michael Brown‘s death, it tracks the breaking point for residents of Ferguson, Missouri. A powerful documentation of racial tensions and police brutality in the U.S., it’s an unforgiving depiction of a continued divide.
Release Date: August 11th