August 2015 Movie Releases (DvD & Blu-Ray)

August 4^th

Insurgent – The movie cousin to The Hunger Games has a sequel. Based upon the YA(young adult) novel, this sequel focuses on the war between four factions (Amity, Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless). Tris is one of the divergents (having all 4 characteristics) as she helps lead the way in a fight for peace or something like that. Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet and the god awful Jai Courtney.

Do You Believe? – A religious movie about how a pastor influences another pastor to be more pastorly. Starring: Mira Sorvino, Sean Astin (Rudy), and Cybill Shepherd.

True Story – This is that James Franco and Jonah Hill movie that was based on a true story. It focuses on the relationship between a writer, Finkel (Hill) and a murderer, Longo (Franco), taking upon Finkel’s identity. Finkel was a writer for the New York Times Magazine and was actually fired for fabricating parts of a news story in 2002.

Child 44 – Tom Hardy plays a Russian Intelligence agent (in the Joseph Stalin era) who takes on a case involving multiple murders of children. Leo Demidov’s (Hardy) case leads to high authorities in the Russian government. Based upon the first in a trilogy of novels by Tom Rob Smith, the story follows Demidov’s exploits. Starring: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace (Prometheus), Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight, The Professional), Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, upcoming Suicide Squad), Jason Clarke (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), Vincent Cassel (Trance), and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, The Golden Child).An incredible cast doesn’t always spell box office success. Still, I am likely to rent this.

A Little Chaos – A movie about competitive garden designers that are tasked to create a one of a kind water fountain on the grounds of le chateau de Versailles. I’m not making this up. Starring: Kate Winslet (The Reader), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter), Stanley Tucci(Transformers 4: Age of Extinction), and Matthias Schoenaerts (Bullhead).

Adult Beginners – A drama about a businessman (Nick Kroll) that loses it all but while staying with his sister (Rose Byrne) learns valuable life lessons. Starring: Nick Kroll (The League), Rose Byrne (X-Men: First Class), Bobby Cannavale (Ant-Man), Joel McHale (Ted) and Jason Mantzoukas (The Dictator, The League).

The Salvation – Mads Mikkelsen stars as a vengeful settler in the American West circa 1870s after the murder of his family. After killing the man responsible, the leader of their gang also seeks revenge. Looks like a decent flick. Starring: Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Hannibal), Eva Green (Casino Royale), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen).

Barely Lethal – This movie follows a 16 year old teenager assassin after she fakes her own death and enrolls in a suburban high school. She quickly learns that school clicks and popularity come at a price. Starring: Jessica Alba (Sin City), Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones), and Samuel L. Jackson (every movie). Yawn!

Madame Bovary – A drama focusing on an adulterous wife as she tries to escape her boring lifestyle. Starring: Mia Wasikowska (In Treatment, Alice in Wonderland), Ezra Miller (Trainwreck, upcoming Flash), Paul Giamatti (Sideways) and Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man).

Jackie & Ryan – Katherine Heigl still manages to headline movies, although this one looks straight to video. The story involves two musicians as they find themselves in love. Starring Katherine Heigl, Ben Barnes and Clea DuVall.

 

August 11^th

Hot Pursuit – All of the previews for this mess looked like a rip off of The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. This is a ‘female buddy’ film that has a conservative cop (Reese Witherspoon) and the wife of a drug dealer (Sofia Vergara) that must team up against a drug cartel. If Sofia’s blabbering accent on Modern Family isn’t enough for you, then check this out!

Unfriended – A high school girl that killed herself due to a cruel prank now communicates via Skype in video group chats! Okay, it sounds lame but at least it’s a different way for the genre of horror to reach another generation of kids.

Robot Overlords – Humans are slaves to a race of robots that conquered the world. People are confined to their homes and must wear implants. I’m not sure how this escaped me as it stars Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, Tut) and Gillian Anderson (X-Files). I may watch if the SyFy Channel picks it up.

 

August 18^th

Little Boy – A seven year old boy ventures off to bring his father back home from the World War II. The boy’s innocence incites those embedded in the war. Starring Emily Watson, Kevin James (you read that right), Michael Rapaport, Tom Wilkinson and Ali Landry (that hot Dorito’s commercial girl).

Lambert & Stamp – This documentary chronicles the journey of aspiring filmmakers, Christopher Stamp and Kit Lambert, as they try to produce a movie during the 1960’s underground music scene. The doc also features footage with famous people related to The Who, Richard Barnes, Roger Daltry, and Pete Townshend.

5 to 7 – This is a romantic comedy that follows a woman who writes about falling in love. Things get crazy when the person she is in love with is the French diplomat’s wife! Gasp! Caged Heat sounds better.

Strangerland – A family moves to the Australian outback when a dust storm results in the loss of their children. A search party forms to find the missing children amidst rumors and suspicion. Spooky! Starring: Nicole Kidman (Fur), Joseph Fiennes (Voldemort’s brother) and Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings).

The Riot Club – In this thriller, two freshman join an infamous club at Oxford. One day, all of the spoiled, rich students get in over their heads. Based upon the play, Posh.  The movie,Skulls, is probably much better than this but that ain’t saying much!

Vendetta – Remember Dean Cain? Well, if you haven’t went out of your way to research where he’s been, you’d still only remember him for playing Superman in the TV series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Mr. Cain has been playing in direct to video movies for quite some time. In this movie, he plays a cop who must get revenge after his wife is murdered by The Big Show (Paul Wight or WWE fame). This looks like hung-over viewing.

 

August 25^th

Aloha – An all-star cast surrounds this box office disappointment. Brian Gilcrest is a US weapons consultant that becomes disgraced, then later talks to a robot and then eventually heads to Hawaii to oversee the launch of a spy satellite. He must also get permission for the launch from the Hawaiian council as part of his assignment. Directed by fan-favorite Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) and starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma, Stone, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, and Bill Murray.

Citizenfour – This riveting looking documentary showcases how filmmaker, Laura Poitras (who focuses on gov’t surveillance of private citizens post 9/11) receives an encrypted email by “citizenfour” who claims to have inside knowledge of covert surveillance by intelligence agencies. “Citizenfour” ends up being Edward Snowden. The documentary focuses on key interviews with Snowden and Julian Assange. Looks very interesting.

Where Hope Grows – Holy 1980s! This movie stars Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) and William Zabka (bad guy from The Karate Kid). The story focuses on a former professional baseball player who retires because of panic attacks. He eventually develops a relationship with a store clerk who has Downs Syndrome. His perspective on life changes and hope is learned…blah…blah…blah….I’ll pass.

Two Days, One Night – Marion Cotillard (Inception, La Vie en Rose) stars in this drama about how working class people who may have been disenfranchised from society. Sandra (Cotillard) tries to return to her job after an episode of depression only to find that her employer no longer needs her. She learns her fate is to be decided by her fellow employees in a vote.

Big Game – A teenager finds the President of the United States in a pod while hunting. Together they must make it through the woods alive as terrorists close in. Starring: Samuel L. Jackson (every movie) and Onni Tommila.

Skin Trade – Dolph Lundgren stars as a detective out for revenge after his family was slain by the mob. The mob is eventually connected to a human trafficking ring and Dolph must work with Tony Jaa (Ong Bak, The Defender), a Thai detective, to destroy them once and for all. Hung-over viewing.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters – Set in an alternate universe, DC’s trinity (Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman) find themselves framed for a bombing. DC’s main guns all have different origin stories and must decide whether they want to save the world or conquer it. Voice actors: Benjamin Bratt, Michael C. Hall, Tamara Taylor, Jason Isaacs and C. Thomas Howell. It’s a comic book animated movie! Count me in.

Lila & Eve – A drama/thriller surrounding a mother, Lila, who loses her son in a drive by shooting.  Lila eventually meets Eve, another mother who lost her daughter the same night. Together they go after the criminals responsible. Starring: Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez. Lifetime should starting making theatrical releases.

October Gale – This follows a doctor who tries to assist an injured man on an island from a man that is hunting him. Starring Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman, and Tim Roth.

The Runner – Nicolas Cage is back again as a once idealistic politician that must re-examine his life after a sex scandal destroys his career. Not to be confused with a good movie, this stars Nicolas Cage, Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave), Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator). Will Nic Cage ever make a comeback from box office obscurity?

Cinematic Showdown: The Monster Squad vs. Little Monsters

Who could forget these monster themed movies of the 1980s? The 1980s are largely responsible for all the remakes coming out today. Think I’m kidding? Here are a few examples: The Fog, Fright Night, Red Dawn, Conan the Barbarian, Robocop, Evil Dead, etc.

In this issue of Cinematic Showdown we are looking at kid-themed monster movies. The Monster Squad may be likened to a sequel to Goonies where they meet the Universal Horror Monsters (Dracula, Gill Man, Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s monster). Little Monsters was about a boy who discovers that there is a world of monsters whenever he ventured underneath his bed at night.

Factors:

1. Story
2. Performances
3. IMDb Rating/Amazon Reviews – Note: I would’ve used Rotten Tomatoes but they did not have any reviews up for Little Monsters.
4. Money Made
5. Cultural Significance

---

1. Story

The Monster Squad (1987) – Directed by Fred Dekker

A group of young kids (headed by Sean and Patrick) regarded as losers hold meetings about classic monsters. Upon coming across a journal by monster hunter, Van Helsing, they find out that they must prevent an amulet from being destroyed by Count Dracula. The amulet is left vulnerable once every one hundred years. Knowing this, Dracula gathers his army that includes the Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster, Wolf Man, Gill Man, and others to destroy the amulet and plunge the world into darkness. The Monster Squad must gain the amulet and use it with an incantation to push the monsters into limbo.

Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) actually co-wrote this movie that had to have been inspired from Goonies. What makes this movie shine isn’t necessarily the monsters but the group of kids’ banter. Their ongoing curiosity with girls and their sacred love of classic monsters. Who wouldn’t, at that age, wouldn’t want to be a part of that club?! They’d likely be the coolest kids on the block if this was set nowadays.

Little Monsters (1989) – Directed by Richard Greenberg

Brian and his brother Eric just moved to a new city where they are trying to adjust. Things get weird when Brian’s father begins to blame him for things that happen around the house (ice cream left in cupboard, bike left in driveway) when he had nothing to do with it. Frustrated, Brian believes that it has to be his brother, Eric, pulling these pranks. Eric went on to say that he saw a monster in his room and that if he didn’t believe him then they should switch rooms. Upon doing so, Brian eventually meets the monster, Maurice (who can only be seen when the lights aren’t on), who shows him a world of monsters and stairways that lead to the bottom of anyone’s bed. Together, they form a bond and become best friends but Brian begins to realize that the more time he spends in the monster world, the more of a monster he becomes himself. This changes his mind about the monster world but that is until his brother is kidnapped and he must go on a rescue mission to save him with only little time before he changes into a monster completely.

Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott wrote the screenplay for this film and went on to write the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The core of the story is the friendship between Maurice and Brian. You can’t help but wish you had the same friend. It doesn’t matter if it’s a monster or not! Their friendship is tragic and much more heartfelt when they have to say goodbye to each other.

Who has the edge? Little Monsters. This was difficult but the blending of two well known genres isn’t as original as a kid being delved into a magical world just beneath his bed!

---

2. Performances

The Monster Squad

Gower and Kiger both play convincing kids who love their monster movies. The Universal Horror monsters were actually quite effective, namely Duncan Regehr as Count Dracula. There’s even some classic lines perfectly delivered like “Wolf Man’s got nards!!!” and “Creature stole my twinkie!!” The banter held between the kids are hilarious and it is what gives a nostalgic, light hearted feel to an otherwise spooky tale.

• Andre Gower as Sean Crenshaw
• Robby Kiger as Patrick
• Brent Chalem as Horace (“Fat Kid”)
• Ryan Lambert as Rudy
• Michael Faustino as Eugene
• Ashley Bank as Phoebe “Phoebe the Feeb” Crenshaw
• Duncan Regehr as Count Dracula
• Tom Noonan as the Frankenstein Monster

Little Monsters

Many may not know that the monster in this is played by Howie Mandel and boy does he sell this movie. The guy has comedic timing and can actually really act. Who would have thought? Let’s not take away from Fred Savage who always did solid work (he now mostly works as a TV director on numerous projects) no matter the movie. Daniel Stern plays a loving father. Funny enough, Fred Savage and Daniel Stern were both in the TV series, The Wonder Years — Fred as Kevin Arnold and Daniel Stern as the narrator (older Kevin). Not to deviate too much but there were also many other character actors in the film as well, including the underrated Frank Whaley.

• Fred Savage as Brian Stevenson
• Howie Mandel as Maurice, a fun loving monster who Brian befriends
• Ben Savage as Eric Stevenson, Brian’s little brother
• Daniel Stern as Glen Stevenson, Brian’s hot-tempered father
• Margaret Whiton as Holly Stevenson, Brian’s mother
• Frank Whaley as Boy, ruler of the monster world

Who has the edge? Little Monsters. This stems from Mandel’s performance along with the chemistry he had with Fred Savage.

---

3. IMDb Rating / Amazon Reviews

The Monster Squad

IMDb rating: 7.2 out of 10. That’s a bit harsh. Most critics didn’t find the appeal of taking the formula of Goonies and mixing it with monsters.

Amazon Customer Review (average):  4.6 out of 5 (552 reviews) . Most are citing how quotable the movie is along with the nostalgia it brings.

Little Monsters 

IMDb rating: 6.0 out of 10. Seems arbitrary. I could only find two reviews.

Amazon Customer Review (average): 4.5 out of 5 (189 reviews). Most saw the movie as having a wild imagination and what likely spurred Monster’s Inc.

Who has the edge? The Monster Squad

---

4. Money Made

The Monster Squad

Total Domestic Gross: $3,769,990
Total Domestic Gross with Inflation: $7,734,033

Budget: $12 million
Budget with Inflation: $24,617,678
Total Money Lost: $16,883,645

Little Monsters

Total Domestic Gross: $793,775
Total Domestic Gross with Inflation:$1,492,626
Budget: $6 million
Budget with inflation: $11,282,493
Total Money Lost: $9,789,867

Who has the edge? Little Monsters. That didn’t look to be the case but when I ran the numbers with inflation, The Monster Squad ended up with more of a total loss. This is not to say that both didn’t enjoy a great run on video.

---

5. Cultural Significance

The Monster Squad

The movie is nostalgic to those that enjoyed Goonies. More recently, J.J. Abrams paid homage to his love of Goonies and E.T. when he made Super 8 in 2011. Earth to Echo tried to use the same formula and critically failed.  I honestly wish they made more movies about childhood best friends that are involved in a larger than life event.

Let’s also not forget that the Universal Horror monsters are still relevant today. Universal Studios is still trying to make more of their classic monsters into movies, with even talks of a shared universe. It’s too bad Dracula Untold ‘sucked’ so hard!

Little Monsters

The movie is especially creative for a kids film. Just like The Monster Squad revels in the friendship had amongst friends, Little Monsters focused primarily on the idea of best friends. So, there is another reason I picked these two movies outside of their titles! Regarding relevance, you can say this movie spurred others into existence, like Monster’s Inc.

Who has the edge? The Monster Squad. There are simply more movies dealing with similar formulas today and let’s not forget about the iconic monsters!

---

Overall Win: Little Monsters