“Blue Beetle”
As the DC cinematic universe continues to reestablish itself, “Blue Beetle” heads to theaters as the first live-action solo superhero movie to star a Latino character. “Cobra Kai” star Xolo Maridueña stars as Jamie Reyes, a teenager who finds himself in possession of ancient alien biotechnology called the Scarab. The Scarab chooses Jamie to be its symbiotic host, giving him a suit of armor capable of great power. Angel Manuel Soto (“Charm City Kings”) directs with a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, and George Lopez also star.
Release Date: In theaters August 18 via Warner Bros. Pictures.
“The Adults”
Pitched somewhere in between Woody Allen, American indie mumblecore (Joe Swanberg, etc.), and Alex Ross Perry, writer/director Dustin Guy Defa’s indie films are often shaggy, small, understated and yet wryly comedic and ultimately, humanist. His latest, “The Adults” stars Michael Cera, Sophia Lillis and Hannah Gross and centers on a plan to make a trip back home as short as possible which quickly unravels. Eric (Cera) finds himself balancing the challenging relationship with his two sisters and his addiction to a local poker game (our review).
Release Date: August 18 via Variance Films.
“Birth/Rebirth”
A twist on the familiar “Frankenstein” story, “birth/rebirth,” follows a morgue technician who successfully reanimates the body of a little girl. Directed by Laura Moss in her debut film and written by Brendan J. O’Brien, the film continues to pull at this thread when the girl’s mom realizes her child is alive, the two having to strike a deal to keep the truth secret. Marin Ireland, Judy Reyes, and A.J. Lister star. Our critic called the film “gut-chilling,” writing, “Turning the camera away from Lila and onto the adults lets Moss capitalize on basic audience expectations, piling dread on anxiety with every failed or thwarted effort, because we know how films like this end, but Moss bakes horror into the characters’ reckless ignorance.”
Release Date: In limited theaters by IFC Films and Shudder on August 18.
“Bottoms”
“Shiva Baby” director Emma Seligman reteams with Rachel Sennott for her sophomore film, “Bottoms.” Sennott and Ayo Edebiri play unpopular best friends who begin a high school fight club to meet girls and lose their virginity. Our critic who saw the film at this year SXSW praises the cast, writing, “Sennott and Edebiri make for a dynamite old-school comedy team — their energies (Sennott, the boisterous shit-talker, Edebiri, the murmuring apologist) complement each other smoothly.”
Release Date: In theaters August 25 via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.