Hollywood has what we like to call shit month . These are the couple of times a year where studios toss the movies they do n’t guess are go to do well at the box office . January is the biggest one , since no one can afford to do jack after the holidays , but August is the summer dump . Still , we ’ve ascertain some smashing ( and greatly terrible ) movies come out of this shade Ithiel Town of a calendar month , like the approaching filmThe Darkest Minds . Here are our picks for August films that claw their way out of the drivel .
Genuinely Great Movies
Paranorman (Aug. 17, 2012)
Two of Laika ’s flick have gotten the August release treatment : ParaNormanandKubo and the Two Strings . They ’re both excellent , but I desire to foreground ParaNorman for taking the zombie genre and doing something beautiful with it . What could ’ve been a dim-witted kids story about a son who fights the undead turn into a powerful scrutiny of love , abandonment , and forgiveness . Also , it featured thefirst openly gay character in an animate photographic film , a feat Disney still has yet to equal .
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Aug. 13, 2010)
Scott Pilgrimmay have fail to salvage the box office , but this film ’s legacy as one of the coolest comic Koran movies continues to this day . Its unique visual flair and narrative construction endure out amid an overstuffed pantheon of graphic novel adaptations . Plus , it have a solid deconstructionism of theManic Pixie Dream Girltrope through the character of Ramona Flowers ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ) .
District 9 (Aug. 14, 2009)
This surprisal sci - fi striking managed to wow critic and audience with its telling digital core and societal comment . District 9was a “ subversive meditation ” on the effects of apartheid in South Africa , using stranger to explore institutional racism in a post - compound surround . This is n’t exactly a new trend , but it was one that was well explored in this pic . Director Neill Blomkamp ’s follow - ups , likeElysiumandChappie , did n’t hit the cake that this flick set , but we ’ll see what he does with the nextRoboCop adaptation .
The Sixth Sense (Aug. 6, 1999)
The weekend of August 6 - 8 , 1999 is kind of riveting . It was a major turning decimal point in celluloid as we cognise it , but in a way that no one could have await or portend . The box bureau was still run on the succeeder of Star Wars : Episode I — The Phantom Menace , as well as Wild Wild West ( a prime example of the bottom - gun barrel blockbuster ) . August was shaping to be a total rubbish dump calendar month . But earlier that summer , something surprising happened : A piddling movie calledThe Blair Witch Projectcame out . short , cerebral repugnance was a hot trade good .
Along come The Sixth Sense , a modest - time horror motion picture from then - obscure directorM. Night Shyamalan . A wise , sophisticated , and age - appropriate supernatural thriller that did n’t talk down to its consultation , and came with atwist endingthat was so monumental it changed moviemaking forever . Whether we like it or not , The Sixth good sense is a moving picture that ’s defined a generation of horror films , and its event will never in full go off .
The Iron Giant (Aug. 6, 1999)
Another movie that came out that weekend did n’t make nearly as big a splash in the theaters , but it ’s still a secret plan - changing slice of cinema . The Iron Giant was an animated movie that go steady electric potential in the kinds of story that could be tell through the culture medium . It was n’t just for Disney and fairy tales . Animation could delve into the realm of scientific discipline fiction . It could deal with complex grownup theme , like existentialism and the definition of man . And most of all , it could break your heart . This was also the directorial debut ofBrad Bird , a filmmaker who fit on to create some of Disney Pixar ’s greatest computer animated films .
The Witches (Aug. 24, 1990)
This pic terrified the dogshit out of me when I was a kid . And I live I ’m not alone . This adaptation of Roald Dahl ’s classic children ’s novel was gruesome , daunting , and cussed . It was n’t afraid to employ some of the coolest virtual effects to make those witches seem like the worst people to be around . Which they were . pigeon pea may havehated the moviefor changing his book ’s conclusion , but many of us will never forget this adaption . A Guillermo del Toro - ledremakeis in the works , and I ’m curious to see how they follow up this gorgeous abomination .
The Monster Squad (Aug. 14, 1987)
The crossing over you never knew you needed . The Dark Universemay have give out stunningly , butThe Monster Squad(much like The Goonies ) will never say die . This sleeper hit has get ahead a firm pursuit over the retiring few decade for being a fun and lightheaded kids team - up movie that personifies everything we have sex about the 1980s . Grab some of your best friends , flip on the “ Monster Mash , ” and get ready for superiority after hearing one kid verbalise the groovy line in cinema : “ Wolfman ’s drive nards ! ”
The Fly (Aug. 15, 1986)
today , creatures likeVenom , Pennywise , andthe Babadookare praised as sexual activity symbolization — and why not ? last and let live on I say . But , I think this trend really start with Jeff Goldblum ’s twist in The Fly , a narration about what happens when a scientific discipline experiment gone wrong turns into ahuman - fly hybridthat loves go shirtless . Beyond the aphrodisiac monster thing , there ’s also the plastic film ’s howling practical effects , which are still enviable works of body horror artistic production to this twenty-four hours .
An American Werewolf in London (Aug. 21, 1981)
Before The Fly , the film that was the one to beat for virtual upshot was the Academy Award - come through flickAn American Werewolf in London . This moving-picture show come out at a time when werewolf monster films were all the rage , but it stood out from the crowd for blending horror with comedy in a way that inspired several other innovative photographic film , include Beetlejuice and Gremlins . It also has what ’s moot the pinnacle loup-garou shift scene , a masterpiece that has to be see to be believed .
Suspiria (Aug. 10, 1977, U.S.)
There ’s a reason this cult - beloved Italian horror photographic film is getting aremakethis class . It ’s simultaneouslybeautiful and terrific . Suspiria is the story of a woman who is play into a dance academy only to learn it ’s a front for a supernatural conspiracy . It ’s eldritch , confusing , and engrossing . Not for delicate stomachs , but a must - see for everyone else . ask some special screening leading up to the upcoming remaking , which you should definitely endeavor to see .
Worth a Second Look
The World’s End (Aug. 23, 2013)
The World ’s Endis the final movie in Simon Pegg ’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy and is considered to be the least - memorable one . And even though it ’s not the not bad sci - fi motion picture , I still remember it to this daytime . It exploresthemes of adulthoodthat I ’m still deal with now . What do you do when your past tense is truly in the past tense ? Does it think you ’ve surrendered to the robotic existence of normalcy ? And is there a way to reform your younker without foregoing your adult responsibilities ? Plus , as someone withvasovagal faint , cause all the automaton disgorge dismal blood ( rather of red ) made it all right for me to enjoy something vehement , which I do n’t often get to do .
Ponyo (Aug. 14, 2009)
Studio Ghibli is an downright wonder in animation , telling some of the expectant stories of the past 30 years . But man , mass really hatePonyo . floor - wise , I do n’t pick them . When compared to artisan creations like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke , Ponyo is really silly . It ’s a light - hearted adaptation of The small Mermaid story that is n’t even a peculiarly good one . But the animation . My god , the animation ! Ponyo is a ocular banquet . For example , the scenes where Ponyo is running on the waves after Sosuke are dynamic and monolithic , using every inch of the frame to make you feel the body of water ’s power in way that I still do n’t think have been matched . It may not be the smartest film , but it ’s one of the prettiest .
The Descent (Aug. 4, 2006, U.S.)
Upon first glimpse , this seemed like just another monster moving picture . But The Descent negociate tobreak through the noiseand emerge as a rightfully interesting flick that used its environment to the fullest potential . It ’s dark , it ’s tense , and makes you feel everything the characters are feel . Plus , it broke ground by featuring an all - female dramatis personae , which was n’t the original plan but was changed specifically to give audiences a new perspective and experience .
The Others (Aug. 2, 2001)
The Sixth Sense was followed by a routine of aper , but I like to get out out The Others as being one that stands out from the crowd . The Gothic surroundings in the film was appropriately claustrophobic , induce you feel just as trapped as the lead fibre . And I still think the “ What a twist ! ” stop was firm , even if it did n’t have the same encroachment as what The Sixth common sense brought to the table .
Blade (Aug. 21, 1998)
Blade is n’t just a nerveless action - horror movie , it was a forerunner of things to come in grownup comic book films . And Wesley Snipes personified the vampire - human comic book character . It ’s a cool vigil if you want to check out the disregard edge of what later became the definitive pic genre of our lifetime . Just debar the third movie , folk . Trust me on that one .
Snow White: A Tale of Terror (Aug. 24, 1997)
This is the only television movie I ’ve put on this leaning because it ’s by all odds something worth hold back out . In the nervure of eighties fantasy flick like Tom Cruise ’s Legend , Snow White : A Tale of Terror was a nance tale that was n’t afraid to get to the horrific roots of its source material . Cheesy - ass motion-picture show title aside , this one will give you nightmare , mostly thanks to Sigourney Weaver ’s Emmy - winning depicting of a downright terrorise Evil Queen .
Flatliners (Aug. 10, 1990)
I ca n’t explain what makes this movie body of work , but it does . Flatliners has grown from a critically pan sleeper hit ( partially thanks to the celebrity status of its stars , Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts ) into a genuinely pleasurable cult classic . The horror film about a bunch of medical students who by choice stop their hearts to see what happens after they expire was beloved enough to warrant akinda - sorta - maybe sequeldecades after , though Idoubtit will have the same legacy that its precursor does .
The Abyss (Aug. 9, 1989)
This one is an interesting case . This James Cameron flick about a search and rescue squad that meet something supernatural deep underwater boasted major advancements in CGI event , but also suffered in the theatrical cut of meat . Several pieces of the puzzle seemed to be escape . Cameron himself allege it originally had at least four endings , which sort of explain a pot . The studio released a special edition in 1993 that fixed a lot of the issues , and showed the durability in Cameron’soriginal vision . That ’s the interpretation I recommend watching , although sadly it has n’t hail to Blu - ray yet .
Transformers: The Movie (Aug. 8, 1986)
Robots in disguise ! This one is a modern classic for transformer devotee . Long before Michael Bay , well , Michael Bay - ed up the franchise , this animated picture show charm audiences with its surprisingly humanistic story about a group of aliens that disguise themselves as railway car . And if you ’re looking to get a 2d look at this one , you’re just in time : Fathom Entertainment and Hasbro Studios are hosting special screenings across the country on September 27 in solemnisation of the approaching filmBumblebee .
Futureworld (Aug. 13, 1976, U.S.)
require to know where the second season of Westworld got some of its best ideas ? Check out the theatrical subsequence to Michael Crichton ’s original picture show . Let ’s be reliable — this movie is n’t stellar . But it is nerveless if you ’re a fan of the HBO serial publication and desire tolearn more about the worldthat inspired it .
So Bad It’s Beautiful
The Brothers Grimm (Aug. 25, 2005)
When I was coming up with the lineation for this firearm , I say my editor Jill Pantozzi that I had to let in 2005 ’s fairy tarradiddle flick The Brothers Grimm somewhere , assuming she ’d say “ No way . ” Her reply : “ I … didn’t detest it . ” That ’s the general vibe I get from the great unwashed about this movie . It ’s not good , like at all , but it ’s Matt Damon and Heath Ledger pretending to be queen tale fiend hunter and make out with Monica Bellucci . What ’s not to love about that ?
Event Horizon (Aug. 15, 1997)
I ca n’t consider I ’ve actually seen this movie , given how contrary I am to bloodline and violence . But when I heard that Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne starred in a Paul W.S. Anderson movie about a starship that ’s connect to a hell dimension , I had no choice but to dive in with my oculus half - shut . The parts I saw weredelicious and stinky - viscous gory , with some admittedly bloody nerveless set design . It ’s take in a furor condition over the eld , and for right reason .
The Island of Dr. Moreau (Aug. 23, 1996)
This is not a motion-picture show . It ’s an experience . This adaptation of H.G. Wells ’ classic sci - fi odyssey somehow transformed into Marlon Brando wearing white human face paint and mosquito nets , Val Kilmer becoming some sort of beast god , and Remus Lupin from the Harry Potter films ( David Thewlis ) lam around madly trying to find a plot . This movie is so infamous it warrant an entiredocumentaryabout one of the big bafflements in cinematic history .
A Kid in King Arthur’s Court (Aug. 11, 1995)
Did you ever want to see James Bond and Rose from Titanic make out while some kid invents Rollerblade several hundred years before cars subsist ? Then , A Kid in King Arthur ’s Court is thecinematic disasterfor you . I remember see this movie in the theatre and believe it was the coolest thing ever , not realise that it ’s actually a living abomination that ( surprisingly ! ) features both Kate Winslet and Daniel Craig . Still , it ’s fucking hilarious to watch that kid from The Rookie take King Arthur ’s teenage girl out on a “ fancy day of the month ” that involve bestowing the Almighty Big Mac upon humanness . Praise to the McDonald .
Mac and Me (Aug. 12, 1988)
E.T. the Extra - sublunary was a precious crime syndicate story about a boy and his exotic ( unless you call for former io9 editor in chief and noted E.T. hater Rob Bricken ) . Mac and Me is the stuff and nonsense of incubus . This glorified ripoff of Steven Spielberg ’s 1980s classic has becomelegendaryfor being so unsound it ’s almost incomprehensible .
Teen Wolf (Aug. 23, 1985)
Heavy Metal (Aug. 7, 1981)
Funky animation , total balls - to - the - wall muscularity , and a killer soundtrack . What could go amiss ? Well , just about everything . Heavy Metal is incredibly immature and sexist , and it does n’t hold up over prison term . But it ’s a funknockbackto the 1980s that is coolto get high withand stare at for a while . Plus , it was parody on South Park . That ’s enough to get you on the leaning .
Xanadu (Aug. 8, 1980)
Ever wonder why we do n’t get nearly enough sci - fi musicals ? BlameXanadu . This long and ill - suffered melodic turn what seemed to be a nerveless set - up about the Greek divinity and Muses into a uproarious scoffing of itself . Why the underworld would the gods care about crimper disco music and abominable album art ? The only reason it ’s deserving watch at all is for that part when Gene Kelly trip the light fantastic with Olivia Newton - John . Holy damn , that guy had it until the very end . Or you’re able to take a drunkenness every time someone skates . That ’d help it be fun too .
rectification : An former version of this account attributed the quote “ Fuck you , Lucky Charms ” to The Monster Squad , when it ’s actually from Leprechaun . We deeply rue this fault , as there ’s no way a vampire would ever team up up with aleprechaun .
Event horizonParanormanSuspiriaThe FlyThe Sixth horse sense
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