Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings.

August 6, 2021

The Suicide Squad

Premise: From IMDb: “Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.”
Box Office Prospects: $250 M
Expectations: Uncertain. The first Suicide Squad made over $325 million, but the Harley Quinn-focused Birds of Prey made $85 million thanks to the rise of the pandemic. The pandemic is still in play, so it might not be able to come close to the original, but we shall see.
Oscar Prospects: Uncertain. The first film was nominated for, and won, an Oscar for Best Makeup & Haristyling. Lightning isn’t likely to strike twice, but we will see.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Nine Days

Premise: From IMDb: “A reclusive man conducts a series of interviews with human souls for a chance to be born.”
Box Office Prospects: $45 M
Expectations: Weak. The film’s trailer isn’t very explanatory and whether or not it’s sci-fi or horror isn’t explained. That isn’t much impetus for a huge box office return.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Annette (Limited)

Premise: From IMDb: “A stand-up comedian and his opera singer wife have a 2 year old daughter with a surprising gift.”
Box Office Prospects: $Weak. With the inclusion of Adam Driver, the film could do a little better than Leos Carax’s last film, which pulled in only $600,000. M
Expectations: 1
Oscar Prospects: Uncertain. Adam Driver could be a weak contender for the film as he received strong reviews at Cannes. However, the film doesn’t seem like the kind of picture that could appeal to Oscar voters, so his chances are thin.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 13, 2021

Don’t Breathe 2

Premise: From IMDb: “The sequel is set in the years following the initial deadly home invasion, where Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang) lives in quiet solace until his past sins catch up to him.”
Box Office Prospects: $40 M
Expectations: Weak. The first film had a unique premise to buoy it’s strong success at the box office, but the premise is largely gone in this traditional-looking horror sequel.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Free Guy

Premise: From IMDb: “A bank teller discovers that he’s actually an NPC inside a brutal, open world video game.”
Box Office Prospects: $100 M
Expectations: Uncertain. It’s got Ryan Reynolds, so it could be big. However, Reynolds has bombed before, so it will be interesting to see if this is more Green Lantern or Deadpool.
Oscar Prospects: Uncertain. There are plenty of effects, both sound and visual, so it could be a contender in those categories.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Respect (Limited)

Premise: From IMDb: “The life story of legendary R&B singer, Aretha Franklin.”
Box Office Prospects: $5 M
Expectations: Uncertain. Without knowing the film’s quality, it’s hard to guess whether this will do well on the indie circuit or if it can break out beyond that.
Oscar Prospects: Uncertain. While Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson could be a prime contender for a Best Actress nomination, little is known about the film’s chances, so the August release might suggest it’s a likely non-starter.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 20, 2021

The Night House

Premise: From IMDb: “A widow begins to uncover her recently deceased husband’s disturbing secrets.”
Box Office Prospects: $50 M
Expectations: Uncertain. While the premise isn’t well fleshed out by the trailer, there’s enough to it that might make it a surprise hit.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Paw Patrol: The Movie

Premise: From IMDb: “Ryder and the pups are called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.”
Box Office Prospects: $60 M
Expectations: Uncertain. With most animated adaptations on the big screen, it’s impossible to know what level of support a popular TV show can field in the transition. History doesn’t show much in the way of success.
Oscar Prospects: Weak. There aren’t a lot of animated films to contender for 5 slots, but this is a TV adaptation, which is a major strike against it.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

The Protégé

Premise: From IMDb: “This pic follows Anna (Maggie Q) and Rembrandt (Keaton) – two of the world’s premiere assassins who share a mysterious past from Vietnam. For years, they traversed the globe competing for high profile contracts. But when Anna’s mentor Moody (Jackson) is murdered, she and Rembrandt must form an uneasy alliance and return to Vietnam to track down his killer.”
Box Office Prospects: $75 M
Expectations: Good. This action film has a rather thrilling trailer, though it looks like a fairly commonplace revenge drama, so I’m not sure it will do exceedingly well.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Reminiscence

Premise: From IMDb: “A scientist discovers a way to relive your past and uses the technology to search for his long lost love.”
Box Office Prospects: $65 M
Expectations: Uncertain. Hugh Jackman is popular, but the premise might be a bit too quirky to appeal broadly. That said, it’s also the kind of film that can prove to be a strong late-summer performer.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 27, 2021

Candyman

Premise: From IMDb: “A “spiritual sequel” to the 1992 horror film ‘Candyman’ that returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began.”
Box Office Prospects: $35 M
Expectations: Weak. The original film did moderately well upon release in 1992, but the sequel in 1995 was a flop. As Spiral proved, even a well reviewed “reboot” isn’t likely to become a big box office success.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.