Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings.

August 5, 2022

Bodies Bodies Bodies

Premise: From IMDb: “When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.”
Box Office Prospects: $75 M
Expectations: Good. It’s been a long time since a horror film so effectively targeted teens, so this would could do quite well, but it has stiff competition.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Bullet Train

Premise: From IMDb: “Five assassins aboard a fast moving bullet train find out their missions have something in common.”
Box Office Prospects: $125 M
Expectations: Excellent. Brad Pitt isn’t precisely a box office draw, but with the recent success of strange actioners like John Wick, it’s entirely possible this will be the biggest hit of August.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Easter Sunday

Premise: From IMDb: “Set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday, the comedy will be based on Jo Koy’s life experiences and stand-up comedy.”
Box Office Prospects: $80 M
Expectations: Good. Comedies haven’t gotten a lot of screen time so far this year and the ones that have released have been rather disappointing. This one has potential, though.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 12, 2022

Fall

Premise: From IMDb: “Best friends Becky and Hunter find themselves at the top of a 2,000-foot radio tower.”
Box Office Prospects: $65 M
Expectations: Uncertain. It’s not about sharks, but this horror-thriller has that kind of vibe. Thrillseekers might be attracted to the premise, but does it really have a lot of cross-generational appeal.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Mack & Rita

Premise: From IMDb: “A 30-year-old writer (Elizabeth Lail) spends a wild weekend in Palm Springs and wakes up to find she has magically transformed into her 70-year-old (Diane Keaton).”
Box Office Prospects: $50 M
Expectations: Uncertain. Speaking of trying for cross-generational appeal. Nothing is more cross-generational than this body-swap comedy for millenials. I’m not quite sure this has the chance of being a big hit because millenials are likely to see it as a crass attempt to “reach” them while boomers who would normally give Keaton a chance might find this film a bit too childish.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 19, 2022

Beast

Premise: From IMDb: “After a shopping mall in Chennai is hijacked by terrorists who hold the visitors as hostages, Veera Raghavan, a spy also trapped in the mall, decides to save the hostages by eliminating the terrorists.”
Box Office Prospects: $50 M
Expectations: Uncertain. Horror has a place at the theaters, especially filling seats, but this isn’t a slasher film or a supernatural horror and any other type of horror film struggles to find its voice and audience.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 26, 2022

Fear

Premise: From IMDb: “A much needed getaway and a celebration weekend turns into a nightmare due to the contagious airborne threat.”
Box Office Prospects: $60 M
Expectations: Uncertain. The trailer is forgettable and the premise doesn’t seem that exciting. It’s yet another thriller for August and with what’s come before, that might be a detriment to its chances.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

August 31, 2022

Three Thousand Years of Longing

Premise: From IMDb: “A lonely scholar, on a trip to Istanbul, discovers a Djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. What she wants is love, but can and should he grant it to her?”
Box Office Prospects: $65 M
Expectations: Uncertain. With a baseline from $60 million to $100 million, a lot of factors have to click for a Del Toro film to soar and while this one has potential, if the critics en masse hate it, then it could weigh down its chances.
Oscar Prospects: Uncertain. It is the latest Guillermo del Toro fantasy film, but early word was mixed. It could still be a contender, but the August release is worrisome.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.