“Logan Lucky”
Synopsis: Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
What You Need To Know: Because director Steven Soderbergh doesn’t actually stay in retirement for long, we are gifted with “Logan Lucky,” as raucous and thrilling a film as any Soderbergh has made in the past. That the film dabbles with sardonic, black humor and allows Daniel Craig to unshackle himself from the doom and gloom that follows his Bond promotion for a role decidedly gleeful makes it all the better. Our critic said “…Soderbergh has returned to the medium and a genre he’s clearly comfortable with, but with an added confidence and a renewed investment in character as well as craft. It’s good to have him back.”
Release Date: August 18th
“Gook ”
Synopsis: In 1992, two Korean-American brothers and director running a shoe store in South Central Los Angeles share a friendship with an 11-year-old black girl who likes hanging out with them. As news of the verdict in Rodney King case filters down during the day, their livelihood is upended when riots break out and everything they’ve built in the community is threatened by violence and looting.
What You Need To Know: As the winner of the NEXT Audience Award at January’s Saundance Film Festival, Justin Chon’s feature “Gook” has had a lot riding on it leading up to its release. Shot entirely in black and white and inspired by early Spike Lee, Chon gives the film its own, authentic look, tackling a weighty subject set during the L.A. Riots. If the buzz is anything to go by, Chon is going to be a talent to keep a keen eye on in the upcoming years.
Release Date: August 18th
“Beach Rats ”
Synopsis: On the outskirts of Brooklyn, Frankie, an aimless teenager, suffocates under the oppressive glare cast by his family and a toxic group of delinquent friends. Struggling with his own identity, Frankie begins to scour hookup sites for older men.
What You Need To Know: Following her exquisite debut feature “It Felt Like Love,” director Eliza Hittman is back and this time she’s shooting a coming of age story through the eyes of a teenage boy trying to come to terms with his sexuality. Hittman displayed such a command over story in her first film and with “Beach Rats” she’s being allowed to further explore the teenage psyche in a manner that feels both extreme and intimate.
Release Date: August 25th
“Death Note ”
Synopsis: Light Turner stumbles across a mystical notebook that has the power to kill any person whose name he writes in it, and decides to launch a secret crusade to rid the streets of criminals. Soon, the student-turned-vigilante finds himself pursued by a famous detective known only by the alias L.
What You Need To Know: Even if we were to pardon the crass nature of white washing taking place in director Adam Wingard’s adaptation of popular anime “Death Note” for a moment, there’s still no disguising what looks to be a pretty dumb movie. Not even LaKeith Stanfield is enough to bring this writer to sit through this mess. Also starring Nat Wolff, Shea Whigham and Williem Dafoe who, yes, I’m sure is wonderful, and released through Netflix, perhaps we’ll all be pleasantly surprised by a film that is both strong in narrative and sensitive of the controversies. However, I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Release Date: August 25th
And that’s not all! There’s also the Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson in “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” which honesty, based on promo alone, could either be terrible or surprisingly hilarious. LaKeith Stanfield leads the buzzworthy “Crown Heights,” and “Step” directed by Amanda Lipitz has already won some quiet praise. There’s “Patti Cake$” which earned attention at 2017’s Sundance along with fellow Sundance attendee “Lemon.” There’s “After Love” which made it’s debut at Cannes, the follow up feature to director Joachim Lafosse’s “Our Children” and “The White Knights.” Or, if you’re in the mood for a different medium, there’s the animated film “In this Corner of the World” which looks visually stunning. Lastly, believe it or not, The Weinstein Company is actually going to release the forever delayed “Tulip Fever” starring Alicia Vikander.