“Alien: Romulus”
Directed by Uruguan master of horror and suspense Fede Álvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”), the latest installment of the “Alien” franchise, dubbed “Alien: Romulus” looks to be a back-to-basics affair after the perceived misfire of Ridley Scott’s too-ambitious “Prometheus” movies. So the plot is familiar: while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu star.
Release Date: August 16, via 20th Century Studios.
“The Crow”
Years in the making, with dozens of aborted versions going by the wayside (Bradley Cooper, Luke Evans, Jack Huston, and Jason Momoa all involved at one point), this remake of the classic gothic superhero film, “The Crow” finally lands in theaters this month. Directed by Rupert Sanders (“Snow White and the Huntsman,” “Ghost in the Shell”), this modern version features a similar story: a man arises from the grave and assumes the mantle of the Crow, a supernatural being, in order to the avenge the brutal death of he and his bride-to-be, the night before their wedding. Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, and Danny Huston star.
Release Date: August 23, via Lionsgate.
“Slingshot”
August also receives a double shot of Casey Affleck in the science-fiction psychological thriller “Slingshot.” Co-starring Laurence Fishburne, Emily Beecham, Tomer Kapon, David Morrissey, and Mark Ebulué, “Slingshot” is directed by Mikael Håfström, best known for the 2003 film, “Evil.” The movie centers on an astronaut on a possibly fatally endangered mission to Saturn’s moon who struggles to keep his grip on reality.
Release Date: August 30, 2024, via Bleecker Street.
“Between the Temples”
A hilarious screwball-ish comedy that debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, “Between the Temples” is the latest indie from filmmaker Nathan Silver, known for “Thirst Street” and “The Great Pretender.” Starring Jason Schwartzman, the comedy centers on a cantor amid a crisis of faith, who is asked to take on a new adult bat mitzvah student— who happens to be his grade school music teacher. Carol Kane co-stars, and the film also features Dolly de Leon, Caroline Aaron, Robert Smigel, and Madeline Weinstein. [our review]
Release Date: August 23, via Sony Pictures Classics.
Honorable Mention
“Sugar Cane,” “Close To You,” “Daughters,” “Mountains,” “Close Your Eyes,” “Dance First, “The Becomers,” “Strange Darling,” and “Rob Peace.”
