Rise of the Planet of the Apes (8/5)
Who's in it: James Franco, Frieda Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Brian Cox; Directed by Rupert Wyatt
What's the gist: A scientist (Franco) is developing a cure for Alzheimer's and performs a test on a chimp named Caesar. The experiment results in Caesar gaining advanced intelligence and bringing about a war for supremacy between humans and apes.
Why I'd see it: I've only seen one other film within the series, so I'm not exactly a fan. That said, this trailer looks phenomenal. And the origin story is usually the most interesting, this one looks to be no exception. They lined up a great cast (hey look, it's John Lithgow!) and the effects are done by the spectacular Weta Workshop (masters behind The Lord of the Rings films among others). Lastly, I'm looking forward to watching Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) get beat up by some apes.
The Whistleblower (8/5)
Who's in it: Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn, Monica Bellucci, Vanessa Redgrave; Directed by Larysa Kondracki.
What's the gist: Weisz portrays Kathryn Bolkovac, a cop out of Nebraska serving as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. In the course of doing her job, she outs the U.N. for covering sex trafficking. This is a drama based on real events.
Why I'd see it: I'm a sucker for a talented cast. I also occasionally enjoy the not-so-happy ending that independent films usually offer and this one seems a ringer for that.
30 Minutes or Less (8/12)
Who's in it: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson; Directed by Ruben Fleischer.
What's the gist: Two fledgling criminals (read: idiots) kidnap a pizza delivery guy strap a bomb to his chest and tell him he has mere hours to rob a bank for them or else... yep, that's comedy folks.
Why I'd see it: I like Aziz Ansari and Jesse Eisenberg. Sometimes, it doesn't take much to make it on my list.
Fright Night (8/19)
Who's in it: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, David Tennant, Toni Collette, Christopher Mintz-Plasse; Directed by Craig Gillespie.
What's the gist: A teenager suspects that his new neighbor is really a vampire responsible for a string of deaths around town and takes it upon himself to stop the baddie.
Why I'd see it: Toni Collette and Anton Yelchin are excellent actors, but really, I'm just excited to see DAVID TENNANT!!!
One Day (8/19)
Who's in it: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clarkson, Romola Garai; Directed by Lone Scherfig.
What's the gist: After meeting at their college graduation and spending the night together,this romantic drama shows us Emma and Dexter on the same day (July 15) every year for two decades to reveal how they are fairing in life and love. Based on the novel by David Nicholls.
Why I'd see it: You all know of my Anne Hathaway girl-crush by now. Patricia Clarkson always plays interesting characters and is a great actress. I think the date-specific timing in the plot could be an interesting storytelling aspect. And, yes, there is that marshmallowy-centered, hopeless romantic part of me that just wants to see a chick flick.
Colombiana (8/26)
Who's in it: Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Callum Blue (Dead Like Me); Directed by Olivier Megaton
What's the gist: As a girl Cataleya witnesses her parents' murder. She is raised by her uncle to be a top-tier assassin and then goes after the Colombian drug lord responsible for the execution of her parents.
Why I'd see it: This story comes to us from Luc Besson, writer behind
Leon: The Professional,
The Fifth Element and
Taken, so the guy knows a thing or two about how to write a good action flick. The trailer already tells us what to expect here, so my interest is in how she will carry out her vengeance; it's always fun watching how the bad guys get their comeuppance. Lastly, Saldana is a great actress and pretty hot, so while this flick won't pass the Beckdel test, she's still bad-ass enough to earn my viewing.
