A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2017 - Episode VIII

August may arrive in the Summer, but in the movie universe it often serves as a minor dumping ground, where films deemed not-quite-good-enough for the peak of the season and not-quite-ready for Oscar season are sent to be quiet. Here are the notable releases for this August, the final month of the 2017 Summer Movie Season.

It all gets dark with…

THE DARK TOWER – The long-awaited (and dreaded) adaptation of Stephen King’s series of sci-fi novels. This film adaptation serves as a pseudo-sequel to the books, taking elements from each novel. Idris Elba (THOR), plays the mysterious gunslinger on a quest to protect the Dark Tower. Co-stars Matthew McConaughey, Tom Chambers, Dennis Haysbert, and Jackie Earle Haley.

DETROIT – Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (ZERO DARK THIRTY, THE HURT LOCKER) brings the true story of the 1967 Detroit riots to the big screen. Stars Will Poulter, Anthony Mackie, John Krasinski,  and John Boyega (THE FORCE AWAKENS).

WIND RIVER – AVENGERS co-stars Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen star in this crime thriller. It is written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, who wrote the outstanding films HELL OR HIGH WATER in 2016 and SICARIO in 2015.

ANNABELLE: CREATION – This horror film about a deadly doll is a prequel to the 2014 ANNABELLE, which was a spinoff of THE CONJURING series (everybody got that?).

THE GLASS CASTLE – Based on the 2005 novel/memoir of the same name, which recalled the author’s poverty-stricken upbringing and dysfunctional parents. Stars Woody Harrelson, Brie Larson, and Naomi Watts.

INGRID GOES WEST – In this comedy-drama, a young woman is obsessed with an internet celebrity. Stars Elizabeth Olsen, Aubrey Plaza, and Pom Klementieff (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2).

GOOD TIME – One of the best films to come out of the Cannes Film Festival this year is a crime drama involving two brothers. Stars Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Barkhad Abdi (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS).

THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD – Ryan Reynolds (DEADPOOL), plays a bodyguard assigned to protect a hitman, played by Samuel L. Jackson. It is directed by Patrick Hughes, who brought us the giant piece-of-shit EXPENDABLES 3 in 2014.

LOGAN LUCKY – Maverick director Steven Soderbergh (OCEAN’S ELEVEN, TRAFFIC), helms this comedy-drama about three siblings, played by Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Riley Keough, who plan a heist during a NASCAR race. Co-stars Daniel Craig, Seth MacFarlane, Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Dwight Yoakam, Sebastian Stan, and Hilary Swank.

TULIP FEVER – Based on the novel of the same name, this 17^th century period piece has a young artist falling in love with a married woman. Stars Dane DeHaan (THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES), Alicia Vikander (EX MACHINA), Zach Galifianakis, Judi Dench, Cara Delevingne, and Christoph Waltz.

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Next month, Reel Speak previews the first month of Oscar Season.