After a summer of blockbusters, August arrives on its heels with even more stories for you to sink your teeth into. From animation to another iteration of Star Wars, this month should have something for everyone.
First up, the four green brothers are back with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Based on the comics, the premise involves the four brothers – Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael – trying to acclimate in NYC despite their mutant appearances. The turtles are voiced by actual teens this time around, mostly lesser known actors, while the rest of the cast is made up of big names like Jackie Chan, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Ice Cube. Although the voice cast is not ideal (use real voice actors please!), the animation style looks unique, giving the film a style all its own. It leaves the sewers Aug. 2.
For a bizarre gaming/racing hybrid film, check out Gran Turismo. The film is inspired by the life of Jann Mardenborough, a British professional driver, and his rise to fame through video game competitions that eventually led to real races. Starring Archie Madekwe (Voyagers), David Harbour (Stranger Things), and Orlando Bloom, the film looks like a fun combination of video games and races. Directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9), the style and wild story will hopefully be a fun ride when it hits theaters on Aug. 11.
For a neo-noir classic, make sure to catch the 20th anniversary showing of Oldboy. A South Korean film from 2003 directed by Park Chan-wook (also director of last year’s Decision to Leave), the plot concerns Oh Dae-su, who, after being imprisoned for 15 years by an unknown captor, is finally released and must try and decipher what has happened to him. Critically acclaimed for its violence and tale of revenge, the film is not for the squeamish. It returns to theaters on Aug. 16.
For your space opera fix, look no further than Ahsoka. The latest in the Star Wars television series rollout, the show focuses on the title character Ahsoka Tano and her investigation into the growing threat to the galaxy after the Empire’s fall. Rosario Dawson reprises her role from The Mandalorian, and the remaining cast includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim), Hayden Christensen (Star Wars Episode II) and Ray Stevenson (Punisher). A well-known villain from the expanded universe books in the ‘90s, Grand Admiral Thrawn, will also be making his live action debut played by Lars Mikkelsen (Face to Face). It hits Disney Plus on Aug. 23.
Lastly, check out the limited series Bodyguard. Released in 2018, the show stars Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) as police sergeant David Budd, an army vet assigned as a principal protection officer for Home Secretary Julia Montague. A taught political thriller with excellent action and wonderfully written characters, it’s a great six episode series to binge over a week. It’s currently streaming on Netflix.
Photo credit: ©Lucasfilm LTD./Disney Plus
