2015 Summer Movie Preview: August and September
2015 Summer Movie Preview: August and September

2015 Summer Movie Preview: August and September

As summer comes to an end, the swing for the fences films arrive. These films have a few potential fatal flaws, but mostly there’s enough of a reason to expect big things from a few of them.

Fantastic Four

FANTASTIC FOUR

The Good: Reboot is for a franchise with a crappy past, great young leads, smart young director, Josh Trank, strong superhero writer Simon Kinberg

The Bad: Too many other writers, untested director, reboot fatigue

Prediction:

Chronicle was one of the best spins on the superhero story in a long time. I have faith in Trank/Kinberg,/his talented cast to bring this superhero franchise to the big leagues.

 Goosebumps

GOOSEBUMPS

The Good: Beloved childhood franchise, Jack Black with kids

The Bad: Too many writers, kiddie-centric director

Prediction:

I was riddled with glee when I saw this movie title as I am a big fan of the books. There are creative red flags that could torpedo this film though.

guy ritchie set in rome with henry cavill

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

The Good: Stylistic directing guru Guy Ritchie, Armie Hammer

The Bad: Reboot fatigue, Henry Cavill

Prediction:

Known commodity energetically directed by Guy Ritchie. Henry Cavill has the acting talent of the rock, but Hammer should benefit greatly from Guy Ritchie’s handling.

Straight Outta Compton

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

The Good: Relevant and fascinating cultural story,

The Bad: Unknown leads, untested writer, mediocre director

Prediction:

I’ve been waiting for NWA’s rise to be told, but I severely question the background talent on this film.

Masterminds

MASTERMINDS

The Good: Eastbound and Down Writers Jody Hill/Danny McBride, Napoleon Dynamite director, strong leads

The Bad: Tired premise

Prediction:

Expect a dark edge to this heist movie. The three-headed monster of Kristen Wiig/Zach Galifanakis/Owen Wilson could lead to some awesome results.

Regression

REGRESSION

The Good: Emma Watson, Ethan Hawke, interesting premise

The Bad: Unknown writer/director

Prediction:

3 of 4 Ethan Hawke movies are borderline great, this could be the aptly titled other one.

Maze Runner Scorch Trials

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS

The Good: Most of the cast is back, including lead Dylan O’Brien, same director, intriguing franchise

The Bad: Same writer

Prediction:

The ending cratered the first Maze Runner. I doubt that will happen again. Most of the cast and the premise are still fairly engaging and fascinating.

Everest

EVEREST

The Good: Jake Gyllenhaal, great premise, Simon Beaufoy, good supporting cast

The Bad: Untested director, too many writers

Prediction:

This movie reminds me of the movie where Liam Neeson fights wolves. However, the cast is better, and the premise is just as compelling. High hopes for this one.

Black Mass

BLACK MASS

The Good: Top/down intimidating cast, stellar Shakespearean story

The Bad: Schmaltzy over-the-top  writer/director

Prediction:

Scott Cooper, the director, has gotten close a bunch of times with his films like Out of the Furnace. I think he gets even closer with this great mob story.

The Intern

THE INTERN

The Good: Anne Hathaway, maybe?

The Bad: Awful premise, Nancy Meyers’s relevance, Robert de Niro’s relevance

Prediction:

This movie would have been interesting 20 years ago. Nancy Meyers is just too safe to mine any new/smart material from an old intern. Remember, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson couldn’t pull it off either.

MUST SEEMaze Runner: The Scorch Trials. 2nd movie in franchise that is well acted and fascinating as a story.

MUST SKIPThe Intern. Nancy Meyers and Robert de Niro will try and fail to stay relevant.

MOST INTRIGUINGEverest. There is a great chance this ends up on my year end Top 10 list, combining a potentially thrilling story and Jake Gyllenhaal.

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