A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2015, Episode VIII

Believe it or not, the Summer Movie Season of 2015 is drawing to a close. But don’t put the swim-trunks away just yet, as this month of August has four packed weekends to heat things up. 

It all gets super with…

FANTASTIC FOUR – Director Josh Trank, who helmed the 2012 superhero indie-film CHRONICLE, brings us 20^th Century Fox’s latest version of one of Marvel Comics’ oldest superhero properties. Stars Miles Teller (WHIPLASH), Michael B. Jordan (THE STATION AGENT), Kate Mara (TV’s HOUSE OF CARDS), and Jamie Bell (KING KONG). 

RICKI AND THE FLASH - Meryl Streep stars as a rock n' roll mom trying to win her family back. Co-stars Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummber, and Rick Springfield.

THE GIFT – This psychological thriller is the directorial debut of actor Joel Edgerton (WARRIOR). Stars Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall (IRON MAN 3). 

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON – Rap music finally gets the biopic it has been waiting for. This F. Gary Gary film tells the story of the infamous hip hop group NWA. O’Shea Jackson Jr. portrays his father and original band member Ice Cube. 

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. –  Based on the 1964 TV series revolving around the Cold War. Stars Henry Cavill (MAN OF STEEL), and Armie Hammer (THE LONE RANGER). Directed by Guy Ritchie (SHERLOCK HOLMES). 

SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY – In this comedy, Owen Wilson plays a broadway director who gets in trouble when he hires a prostitute, played by Imogen Poots (V FOR VENDETTA). Co-stars Will Forte, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Aniston, Cybill Shepherd, Richard Lewis, and includes cameos from (but not limited to), Michael Shannon and Quentin Tarantino. 

HITMAN: AGENT 47 – The second adaptation of the (hit) video game series. Rupert Friend (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE), plays the central secret agent/assassin, and he is joined by Zachary Quinto (STAR TREK), and Ciaran Hinds (THERE WILL BE BLOOD). 

SINISTER 2 – The sequel to the 2012 horror film. 

AMERICAN ULTRA – In this action comedy, Jesse Eisenberg (THE SOCIAL NETWORK), plays a stoner who is also a mind-altered government operative. Co-stars Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, and John Lequizamo. 

GRANDMA – In what is her first leading role in 27 years, the legendary Lily Tomlin is a lesbian poet who goes on a road trip with her pregnant daughter, played by Julia Garner (TV’s THE AMERICANS). Co-stars Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, and Sam Elliott. 

NO ESCAPE – In this action thriller, an American family finds themselves in the middle of coup in Southeast Asia. Stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, and Lake Bell (NO STRINGS ATTACHED). 

REGRESSION – In this 1990’s-set thriller, Ethan Hawke (BOYHOOD) investigates a man who admits to sexually abusing his daughter, but doesn’t remember it. Co-stars HARRY POTTER alums Emma Watson and David Thewlis, along with David Dencik (TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY). Directed by Alejandro Amenabar, who won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2004 for THE SEA INSIDE, and brought us the horror-thriller THE OTHERS in 2001. 

Z FOR ZACHARIAH – Based on the book of the same name, two men and a young woman who are the last survivors on Earth find themselves in a love triangle. Stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 YEARS A SLAVE), Chris Pine (STAR TREK), and Margot Robbie (THE WOLF OF WALL STREET). 

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