13 Films To Watch In August: 'Suicide Squad,' 'Candyman,' 'Coda' & More - Page 2 of 3

Days
Celebrated second-wave Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang (“Rebels of a Neon God“) returns with his meditative drama about isolation and found companionship “Days.” The film premiered at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the jury Teddy Award. Essentially a two-hander, the film stars Lee Kang-sheng as middle-aged and middle-class Kang with newcomer Anong Houngheuangsy playing the younger Non. Our critic who saw the movie at the New York Film Festival wrote “Days” is a film about loneliness, the despair of feeling adrift and abandoned, even in a city stuffed with people. For just a brief moment, these two offer each other a reprieve from that suffering.”
Release Date: August 13 via Grasshopper Film.

Beckett” 
His first film since 2015’s “Antonia,” director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino returns with big names attached in his latest film “Beckett” premiering on NetflixJohn David WashingtonBoyd HolbrookVicky Krieps, and Alicia Vikander star with a screenplay from Kevin A. Rice. The story takes place in Greece, where an American tourist finds himself at the center of a dangerous political conspiracy and on the run for his life as tensions and political unrest escalate. The film will have its premiere at the 74th Locarno Film Festival
Release Date: August 13 on Netflix.

Respect
Can Jennifer Hudson recapture the spotlight like she once did? It’s been a minute, but hopefully, she can reclaim her throne in “Respect,” the Aretha Franklin biopic she stars in as the musical icon. Detailing her life from childhood to her status as a global superstar, the film will try put the legend’s entire life into greater context. Primarily known for her stage work, Liesl Tommy makes her directorial debut here with a script from Tracey Scott Wilson. The film also stars Mary J. Blige, Marlon Wayans, and Audra McDonald.
Release Date: August 13 in theaters via MGM.

Sweet Girl
Despite acting as a producer on several Jason Momoa projects, the Netflix original film “Sweet Girl” will mark the first time Brian Andrew Mendoza has directed him— it’s also Mendoza’s directorial debut. Despite being an original story, there are certainly remnants of long-standing tropes in a story that follows Momoa’s devastated husband as he vows to bring justice to the people responsible for his wife’s death while protecting his daughter, the only family he has left. The film also stars Manuel Garcia-RulfoIsabela Merced, and Raza Jaffrey
Release Date: August 20 on Netflix.

Cryptozoo
Adding to what has already been a strong year for animation with films such as “Luca,” “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines,” and “Demon SlayerMugen Train” is “Cryptozoo,” which may be one of the oddest releases of the year thus far. Directed by Dash Shaw and starring Lake BellMichael CeraZoe Kasan, and Jason Schwartzman, the animated story plays with more adult themes and follows zookeepers tasked with safeguarding mysterious and endangered mythical creatures from outside threats. Our critic found it “spectacular,” writing “Dash Shaw, alongside fiercely autonomous storytellers like Don Hertzfeldt and veteran Bill Plympton, is one of the most visionary American animation filmmakers pushing past the thematic and aesthetic boundaries imposed in family-friendly fare.”
Release Date: August 20 via Magnolia Pictures.