Summer 2014 gets one last chance to make an impression.
Summer 2014 made a big run in July, featuring releases like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to The Purge: Anarchy, and Lucy. But there was a feeling that somehow Hollywood didn't exactly bring its A game. With films like The Dark Knight, Inception, the original Transformers and Harry Potter released during the same months during the previous 8 years, 2014's schedule felt very underwhelming. As Summer 2014 wraps up, we look to August to deliver a knockout punch, or at least offer better chances for box office glory than July.
The schedule features mutated reptiles, washed up action actors, and a little film from Marvel.
Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1st)
Plot: In the far reaches of space, an American pilot named Peter Quill finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan.
Director: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper
Why We're Interested:
Duh. If you haven't heard about this one, you've probably been stuck out in deep space with Thanos. Guardians should be the biggest movie of the month and could finish in the top 5 for 2014 if the positive buzz we're hearing from critics can translate into long lines at the box office. But will a talking tree and a gun-toting Raccoon bring the average moviegoer who might think Marvel's properties are overrated? Guardians is a chance for Marvel to take its game into space, giving characters like Ronan the Accuser and other heavies a chance to make an impression with audiences. Still it's a gamble to be sure but also a great story that we're dying to see played out.
Watch the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 8th)
Plot: Four mutant warriors fight to save their city from an evil kingpin.
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Starring: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner
Why We're Interested:
This is one of those films that we're not really interested in, but only to see just how awful it will turn out. Megan Fox doesn't work for us as reporter and Turtle supporter April O'Neal, nor does Will Arnett or the voice cast which includes Johnny Knoxville. Trailers have been met with a distinct meh from audiences, who are either weirded out by the massive turtles or just find the action to be underwhelming. And then we have three words that would make anyone cringe: Michael. Bay. Producing. While it could make good money, our bet is that Guardians will take this week as well.
Watch the trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Let's Be Cops (August 13th
Plot: Two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly-minted "heroes" get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.
Director: Luke Greenfield
Starring: Andy Garcia, Nina Dobrev, James D'Arcy, Jake Johnson
Why We're Interested:
We've hit a bit of a renaissance in comedy this year, with several favorites including 22 Jump Street, Neighbors, and Sex Tape. Let's Be Cops looks to impress as well, with hilarious trailers and good buzz from test audiences. New Girl's Johnson gets his chance to prove he can be a funny leading man, but it's Director Greenfield who has more on the line, his last major theatrical release being 2004's The Girl Next Door. We'll keep our affirmation for it limited to the conservative side for now, but it's release could surprise many who've already awarded Best Comedy to seemingly better flicks.
Watch the trailer for Let's Be Cops.
The Expendables 3 (August 15th)
Director:Patrick Hughes
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Nicolas Cage, Jackie Chan
Why We're Interested:
Much like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we're more interested to see just how ridiculous Expendables 3will be than whether it can compete. It's unknown whether such a deep cast - which includes Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, and Kelsey Grammer - will actually have enough screen time to make an impression, considering the film is only 104 minutes. The one bright spot is Bourne stunt coordinator Dan Bradley was involved in the action sequences - that could translate into some pretty spectacular shots. But that's never been the problem with this franchise, as its story and characters have always been half-cooked. Still, Expendables 3 should have a strong opening, and might even bump out Guardians, but we can't see it attaining a $200m domestic take. Stallone and Schwarzenegger are not exactly big draws anymore, with films like Escape Plan, Bullet to the Head, and Sabotage leading to bust after bust. This one will make its money overseas and probably draw in enough money to justify a fourth installment, although it's being billed as the final ride. Let's hope they're right.
Watch the trailer for The Expendables 3.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (August 22nd)
Directors:Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez
Starring:Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Alba, Michael Madsen
Why We're Interested:
The original Sin City was a masterpiece of direction, utilizing a black and white style that mirrored the comics. The result was a visual feast and a solid story about crime in the big city. Oh yeah, Jessica Alba's donning of leather chaps and dancing like a stripper wasn't too bad either. Sadly, it's been 9 years since the original, and we're just not sure a sequel can make money after such a long time off. That hypothesis played itself out this year with 300: Rise of an Empire which took in half of its predecessor. There's not much buzz out there about this one, which also features Josh Brolin and Eva Green, whose see-through robe was too much for the MPAA and forced the studio to Photoshop her nipples out of early poster prints. This movie will only do well based on strong moviegoer support - if that fails to materialize, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For will become just another big-budget flop.
Watch the trailer for Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.
An early Bang Could End in a Whimper.
As Hollywood deals with an ever-increasingly fickle audience, August doesn't seem filled with the creamy goodness that will bring them in. It's almost certain that Guardians of the Galaxy will end up on top of this month, and while we hope it can attain the coveted $200m threshold, we're not sure anything else holds the same promise. A late August action/thriller called The November Man - with Pierce Brosnan as an aging ex-CIA agent on a mission of revenge - looks interesting, but it's certainly not going to draw big numbers, as well as the disaster film Into the Storm, featuring a relatively unknown cast caught in a massive storm. Both could go either way, but we'll lean towards the lower end. In fact, we could see quite a dismal month if audiences stay away after Guardians, but it's also possible that we'll see big numbers from a month that's increased its take in each of the last four years. Either way, stay tuned for an interesting August that sets up an even historically slower September.
For now, be sure to add these to your Movies To-Do List:
August 8: Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles
August 13: Let's Be Cops
August 15: The Expendables 3
August 22: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
August 27: The November Man
Which films are you looking forward to this month? Comment below and join the conversation!
Discuss this story with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.
Comments