IMDb Picks: August Editorial Picks
IMDb's editors give you a rundown of what we most want to see this month on the big and small screen.
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- DirectorDavid AyerStarsWill SmithJared LetoMargot RobbieA secret government agency recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains to form a defensive task force. Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse.Although Heath Ledger’s 'Dark Knight' Joker stands solidly in first place as my favorite (and most disturbing) incarnation of the classic villain, I’m excited to see what Jared Leto will to bring to the role. He went method during the filming, separated himself from the rest of the cast, sent Margot Robbie a live rat as a present, and as Will Smith said about Leto during the Suicide Squad panel at Comic-con, “He really kicked everybody into another level, and a level of focus of doing this right.” The Joker is always better when paired with Harley Quinn, and to finally get to see that duo on the big screen will be worth the price of admission alone. — Vanessa
In U.S. theaters starting on Friday, Aug. 5 - DirectorDavid LoweryStarsBryce Dallas HowardRobert RedfordOakes FegleyThe adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who happens to be a dragon.I was a fan of the original Pete’s Dragon as a child. So, I’m excited to see how the remake will bring new life to this Disney classic 40 years later. Get ready to go on an adventure! — Akimi
In theaters on Friday, Aug. 12. - CreatorStephen Adly GuirgisBaz LuhrmannStarsJustice SmithShameik MooreHerizen F. GuardiolaA ragtag group of teenagers run wild in the streets of the Bronx in the late 1970s.Netflix is on its way to becoming my go-to channel for nostalgia. The brilliant “Stranger Things” was a mashup of everything I loved from Carpenter and Spielberg in the 80s. “The Get Down" looks like it will do the same for the music of the 1970s. I’m super excited to see Baz Luhrmann’s hyper-stylized, colorful take on the birth of hip-hop, disco, and punk. But honestly I’m really looking forward to the music and dance numbers. Please let there be a lot of them. — Vanessa
Premieres Friday, Aug. 12, on Netflix - DirectorConrad VernonGreg TiernanStarsSeth RogenKristen WiigJonah HillA sausage leads a group of supermarket products on a journey to discover the truth about their existence and what really happens when they are picked off the shelf.Even the vegetarians will want to get in on this 'Sausage Party.' What's not to love? Talking sausage, Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, hilarious celebrity cameos galore? This animated flick is better left for adults but also seems like good, clean fun! - Shara
In U.S. theaters starting on Friday, Aug. 12 - DirectorStephen FrearsStarsMeryl StreepHugh GrantSimon HelbergThe story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.Leave it to Meryl Streep to tackle unforgettable, challenging characters. This time, the acting legend takes on one of popular culture's true cult figures from the early 20th century: a singer so incredibly bad that she became a viral sensation before the advent of social media. Fear not, all you terrible singers of the world: Meryl Streep might play you someday … and probably still sound better than you. — Bret
In U.S. theaters starting on Friday, Aug. 12 - DirectorRob ConnollyStarsJoel KinnamanPercy Hynes WhiteTom HollandWhen two brothers are stranded by a brutal winter storm with an unpredictable father they barely know, the boys begin to suspect their supposed protector may be their biggest threat.When I first started watching "The Killing," I was convinced that Joel Kinnaman was the killer because he seemed to have a dark secret. Obviously that wasn't the case (spoiler alert!), but this added dimension to his character earned him a place on my favorite actors list. In my opinion, Kinnaman is at his best when playing characters with a hint of darkness. I’m looking forward to seeing him finally go over the edge. — Michelle
In U.S. theaters starting on Friday, Aug. 12 - CreatorJohn TinkerNancey SilversStarsMeghan OryBarbara NivenLaci J MaileyA young woman returns to her hometown to help save her sister's failing inn, where she contends with memories and faces from her past.Sometimes you just need to kick back and grab the TV movie equivalent of a glass of sun tea. Tune in to catch up on a little small-screen time with Jesse Metcalfe, who is actually singing and playing guitar in the movie. — Chako
Premieres Sunday, Aug. 14, on Hallmark Channel - DirectorTimur BekmambetovStarsJack HustonToby KebbellRodrigo SantoroJudah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother, an officer in the Roman army, returns to his homeland after years at sea to seek revenge, but finds redemption.Strangely enough, my family used to watch the original 'Ben Hur' over every Christmas holiday. I'm excited to see this retelling of the epic story of Judah Ben-Hur. It could even lead to a new holiday tradition. — Lance
In U.S. theaters on Friday, Aug. 19 - DirectorChad HartiganStarsMarkees ChristmasCraig RobinsonCarla JuriThe romantic and coming-of-age misadventures of a 13-year-old American living in Germany.Writer-director Chad Hartigan's spin on the coming-of-age story had me rooting for American 13-year-old Morris Gentry (Markees Christmas), who forges his way through life with his widowed father as an outsider living in homogenous Germany. This film has a killer original soundtrack and a delightfully unanticipated turn by Craig Robinson in his first major dramatic role on the big screen. — Chako
Enters limited release on Friday, Aug. 19 - DirectorWerner HerzogStarsElon MuskLawrence KraussLucianne WalkowiczWerner Herzog's exploration of the Internet and the connected world.Any opportunity to get lost in a Werner Herzog world is welcome, even if means ultimately falling off the grid this time around (or taking a baby step and, say, deleting Instagram and Snapchat from your phone for a while). — Arno
In U.S. theaters starting on Friday, Aug. 19 - DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsJonah HillMiles TellerSteve LantzLoosely based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a three hundred million dollar contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan.If the news is making you depressed and you prefer your summer doses of reality to be filtered through the lens of comedy, you might be a candidate for 'War Dogs.' Todd Phillips ('The Hangover') is at the helm of this true-story tale about two unlikely war profiteers (Jonah Hill and Miles Teller) that pulls back the curtain on the War on Terror. It's worth watching just to see how they pull it off. — Melissa
In U.S. theaters starting Friday, Aug. 19 - CreatorAdam DiVelloStarsAudrina PatridgeHeidi MontagSpencer PrattAfter high school graduation, "Laguna Beach" alumna Lauren sets out to live on her own in Los Angeles and work as an intern at Teen Vogue."The Hills" was a trashy reality show. However, it was a self-aware trashy reality show that acknowledged its artificiality. It created a glossy fantasy version of Los Angeles in which young women without college degrees easily landed jobs in glamorous industries that paid well enough for them to live in expensive apartments and go out every night. The series ended with a shot of Kristin Cavallari driving past the Hollywood sign that pulled back to reveal she was actually on a soundstage. In honor of the 10th anniversary of its launch, MTV is airing the special "The Hills: That Was Then, This is Now." According to the promos, the show's original star Lauren Conrad will break down "what really happened." I'm interested in hearing her perspective on the show, especially since she capitalized on her fame to launch a lucrative clothing line. — Sara
"The Hills: That Was Then, This is Now" airs Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. - CreatorDave EricksonRobert KirkmanStarsKim DickensFrank DillaneCliff CurtisA Walking Dead spinoff set in Los Angeles, California. Follows two families who must band together to survive the undead apocalypse."Fear the Walking Dead" goes to Mexico? Yes, please! The family at the center of the series ventures south of the border to find their son, Nick. The macabre themes of this show mixed with an aesthetic that draws heavily from the Mexican Dia de Muertos holiday can already be seen in the Season 2 key art, and I can't to see what else this season has in store for us. — Lance
Season 2 returns Sunday, Aug. 21, on Netflix - CreatorLeonardo FasoliStefano BisesRoberto SavianoStarsSalvatore EspositoMarco D'AmoreIvana LotitoCiro disregards tradition in his attempt to become the next boss of his crime syndicate. The internal power struggle puts him and his entire family's life at risk.This series, which was inspired by the excellent movie of the same name, stands as the most popular TV show of all time in its native Italy. Sundance Channel, a network that skews dark, violent, and necessary with its programming, scored the first two seasons for us 'Mericans to become addicted to. — Arno
Premieres Wednesday, Aug. 24, on Sundance Channel - DirectorRichard TanneStarsTika SumpterParker SawyersVanessa Bell CallowayChronicles the 1989 summer afternoon when the future President of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady, Michelle Obama, on a first date across Chicago's South Side.It's audacious to make a romantic comedy about the current president. Armed with only the public comments that the Obamas have made about the early days of their relationship, writer/director Richard Tanne in his first feature imagines their first date as an epic trip through Chicago's South Side that follows the traditional tropes of a love story. It might sound odd but so did the idea of a hip-hop musical about Alexander Hamilton. I've enjoyed Tika Sumpter's performances in supporting roles. So, I'm looking forward to seeing her take the lead as the future First Lady. In this rancorous election year, we could all use a reminder that, whether we agree with their beliefs, politicians are human beings. — Sara
In U.S. theaters starting Friday, Aug. 26 - DirectorJonathan JakubowiczStarsEdgar RamírezUsherRobert De NiroThe legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.Two words, "No mas," define most sports fans' memories of legendary and controversial boxer Roberto Duran, who famously quit during a match with rival Sugar Ray Leonard. This movie traces the journey of the boxer to that fateful night and is framed through the perspective of Duran's equally famous trainer Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro). Here's a boxing movie that goes beyond wins and losses, and seeks to uncover the struggles that high-profile athletes confront when attempting to achieve and sustain success. — Bret
In U.S. theaters starting on Friday, Aug. 26 - CreatorStephen FalkStarsChris GeereAya CashDesmin BorgesCenters on two toxic, self-destructive people who fall in love and attempt a relationship.This one's for the romantic cynics who like their comedies with a bite ... that is not too hard to swallow. You may have to warm to the two leads in this FX series, but they will conquer you as they conquer their own skepticism about love. — Melissa
Premieres Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FXX