Essays · Movies

The New Movies of August 2017, In Order of Anticipation

Keep reading for a look at our ten most anticipated movies hitting screens this month!
By  · Published on August 4th, 2017

Keep reading for a look at our ten most anticipated movies hitting screens this month!

August is the end of the summer movie season, but it’s also considered something of a dumping ground for a certain kind of films. They’re movies that couldn’t compete against summer blockbusters or the prestige pictures of the fall and instead get dropped in the doldrums of August. Well, that’s the argument anyway. The truth is there are plenty of films worth getting excited about over the next four weeks, and here’s our look at ten of them — some we’ve seen already, some we’re hoping to see soon, but all of them are worth anticipating one way or another.


10. The Dark Tower

Release date: 8/4

Pros: It’s difficult not to be excited for a new adaptation from one of my favorite writers, and the idea of seeing the story come to life with two strong, charismatic actors like Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey in lead roles adds to the appeal. Having seen it I’m comfortable saying that it works well enough as a YA adventure.

Cons: Blind anticipation of the film would have ranked much higher, but the involvement of Akiva Goldsman knocked it back substantially as did the various reports of re-shoots, script issues, studio disappointment, and more. It’s clear just how mishandled the entire process (outside of casting) actually was resulting in a film that fails as a Stephen King adaptation.

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9. The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Release date: 8/18

Pros: Good action/comedies aren’t all that easy to find, but the first trailer for this Ryan Reynolds/Samuel L. Jackson romp looks to deliver on both fronts. The pair seem like a solidly entertaining match with the former’s wise-cracking and the latter’s lack of patience, and director Patrick Hughes has already shown his talent with the entertaining indie, Red Hill.

Cons: Hughes also directed The Expendables 3, and Reynolds’ track record is equally spotty meaning this one could end up being more R.I.P.D. than Safe House.

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8. Detroit

Release date: 8/4

Pros: Kathryn Bigelow is a fantastically strong director, and even her “lesser” films (The Weight of Water, K-19: The Widowmaker) typically have something to offer. Her latest once again reunites her with writer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty), and the pair this time tackle a war zone far closer to home with an unfortunately real moment in American history. They’ve got a terrific cast with them too including John Boyega, Anthony Mackie, Will Poulter, John Krasinski, and more.

Cons: As great as all of the above the line talent is the story is a devastating one with little opportunity for light or heroism (unless she pulls an Inglourious Basterds with the historical facts). Bleak subject matter is no reason to avoid a film of course, but it is enough to leave me in less of a hurry to see it. Early reviews have been mixed too with the negative ones focused on Bigelow/Boal’s handling of that darkness.

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7. Annabelle: Creation

Release date: 8/11

Pros: Knock Annabelle if you must, but the film manages more creepiness than most studio horror films outside of James Wan’s filmography, and the idea of a prequel to it shouldn’t scare you off either as Mike Flanagan’s Ouija: Origin of Evil proved to be one of 2016’s best horror efforts. This film’s director, David F. Sandberg, also gave us Lights Out which again delivers some effective chills despite some narrative issues.

Cons: Sandberg doesn’t yet have Flanagan’s track record, and it’s still unavoidably about an ugly doll.

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6. Good Time

Release date: 8/11

Pros: Advance word out of festivals has been incredibly positive for the Safdie Brothers‘ new film with praise being given both to the film’s dramatic intensity as a whole and to Robert Pattinson‘s performance. He apparently does fantastic work immersing himself in the character while revealing more charisma than usual.

Cons: I’m no fan of the Safdies’ previous film, Heaven Knows What.

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5. The Trip to Spain

Release date: 8/11

Pros: Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are both very funny people, and the conceit of this film series promises to never run dry as long as there are city’s big enough for the two of them. Director Michael Winterbottom serves once again as guide, just as he did with The Trip and The Trip to Italy, and their combined talents promise big laughs, ridiculous impersonations, and gorgeous locales.

Cons: The second film’s mix of improv and plot leaned a bit less effectively towards the latter, and there’s a chance that trend may continue. There’s also the very real possibility that some viewers may not enjoy impersonations in which case this will not be the film for them.

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4. A Taxi Driver

Release date: 8/11

Pros: Jang Hun‘s latest is historical drama done right as it captures the harrowing heartbreak of South Korea’s recent history without losing sight of the humanity. The film finds humor, warmth, and a very real lesson for today’s world, and it does so with the incomparable Song Kang-ho mesmerizing viewers from beginning to end.

Cons: Subtitled history lessons aren’t exactly known for setting the U.S. box-office ablaze.

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3. The Villainess

Release date: 8/25

Pros: The writer of the terrifically entertaining Confession of Murder takes the director’s chair and delivers one of the year’s best and most charismatic action films. From its ten-minute first-person POV opening through several stunning fights and shootouts, the film is just a stylish, hard-hitting ride. Thirst‘s Kim Ok-bin is every bit as impressive as Charlize Theron’s turn in the higher profile Atomic Blonde, and it’s an ass-kicking performance you won’t soon forget.

Cons: The plot is overly complicated and made more so through its narrative structure, and it would have benefited from a more streamlined story as evidenced by popular action films like The Raid.

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2. Columbus

Release date: 8/14

Pros: This unassuming little film is a highly affecting look at self-sacrifice, self-worth, and the choices we make between them. John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson do tremendous work through deceptively simple conversations and honest expressions, and Richardson in particular gives an absolute knock out of a performance. You leave the film in love with this place, these people, and the emotions you’ve felt along with them.

Cons: It’s a quiet film, and that’s something that sometimes gets confused for “boring.”

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1. Logan Lucky

Release date: 8/11

Pros: Our refusal to believe in Steven Soderbergh‘s retirement has paid off with a new film starring Daniel Craig, Adam Driver, Channing Tatum, Katie Holmes, Hilary Swank, Katherine Waterston, Riley Keough, and Sebastian Stan.

Cons: I don’t know, maybe it ends up feeling like a Coen Brothers ripoff?


Also opening this month: The Glass Castle, The Nile Hilton Incident, Wind River

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Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since before you were born, which is weird seeing as he's so damn young. He's our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists 'Broadcast News' as his favorite film of all time. Feel free to say hi if you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.