RESPECTED RELEASES
Jennifer Hudson in Respect
M
asks / no masks , in theaters / via streaming - it ' s been a rollercoaster this summer at the box office with constantly changing parameters and requirements during the ongoing age of COVID . Theaters are still not bouncing back as anticipated , and with the Delta variant raging around the world , odds are we still have a long way to go until things are back to normal . August is traditionally a slow month for movies , but here are some new releases for your viewing pleasure .
By Lori Vernon
The Suicide Squad
Directed by James Gunn Rated R - Theaters & HBOMax • August 6
Welcome to Belle Reve , where the worst Supervillains are kept and where they will do anything to get out — even join the supersecret , super-shady Task Force X . Those willing to take the chance find themselves dropped ( literally ) on a remote jungle island for a search and destroy mission . Did we mention it ’ s teeming with militant adversaries and guerilla forces ? One wrong move , and they ’ re dead . This new movie -- a sort of reboot -- will feature a new cast of characters . Stars Margot Robbie , Idris Elba , John Cena , Joel Kinnaman , Jai Courtney , Peter Capaldi , Alice Braga , Pete Davidson , Nathan Fillion , with Sylvester Stallone and Viola Davis .
Annette
Directed by Leos Carax Rated R - Theaters & Amazon Prime August 6
Los Angeles , today . Henry ( Adam Driver ) is a stand-up comedian with a fierce sense of humor who falls in love with Ann ( Marion Cotillard ), a world-renowned opera singer . Under the spotlight , they form a passionate and glamorous couple . The birth of their first child , Annette , a mysterious little girl with an exceptional destiny , will turn their lives upside down . It also stars Simon Helberg , Rila Fukushima , and Natalie Mendoza . Leos Carax was awarded Best Director at Cannes 2021 for this fantastical musical .
Free Guy
Directed by Shawn Levy Rated PG-13 - In Theaters August 13
A bank teller ( Ryan Reynolds ) discovers he is actually a background player in an openworld video game decides to become the hero of his own story … one he rewrites himself . Now in a world where there are no limits , he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way … before it is too late . Jodie Comer , Lil Rel Howery , Joe Keery , Utkarsh Ambudkar , and Taika Waititi co-star .
Respect
Directed by Liesl Tommy Rated PG-13 - Theaters • August 13
Following the rise of Aretha Franklin ’ s ( Jennifer Hudson ) career from a child singing in her father ’ s church ’ s choir to her international superstardom , Respect is the remarkable true story of Franklin ’ s journey to find her voice . Forest Whitaker , Marlon Wayans , Audra McDonald , Marc Maron , Tituss Burgess , Saycon Sengbloh , Hailey Kilgore , Heather Headley , Skye Dakota Turner , Tate Donovan , and Mary J . Blige round out the cast .
Finch
Directed by Miguel Sapochnik Rated PG-13 - Apple TV + • August 20
Tom Hanks stars as Finch , a robotics engineer and a survivor of a cataclysmic solar event that has left the world a wasteland . But Finch , who has been living in an underground bunker for a decade , has built a world of his own that he shares with his dog , Goodyear . Now , though , Finch is terminally ill , and with time running out , he creates a robot to watch over Goodyear when he no longer can . As the trio embarks on a perilous journey into a desolate American West , Finch strives to show his creation , who names himself Jeff ( Caleb Landry Jones ), the joy and wonder of what it means to be alive and to teach him to become human enough to take care of Goodyear . And Goodyear himself must learn to accept and trust his new master . Also starring Skeet Ulrich , Lora Martinez-Cunningham , Oscar Avila and Madeleine Dennis .
The Protégé
Directed by Martin Campbell Rated - R - Theaters • August 20
Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody ( Samuel L . Jackson ) and trained in the family business , Anna ( Maggie Q ) is the world ’ s most skilled contract killer . But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed , Anna vows revenge . As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer ( Michael Keaton ) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse , their confrontation turns deadly , and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves ever tighter .
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14 illinoisentertainer . com august 2021