Aug 5
The Favourite
Rise Of the Planet Of The Apes
It may have the summer’s most awkward title (it’s not the planet that’s rising, but the super-intelligent apes who aim to conquer our existing planet, thanks to the brain-enhancing experiments of brash young scientist James Franco), but a decade after Tim Burton’s atrocious remake, audiences might be ready to see where the franchise is going this time.
The Challenger
The Smurfs 3D
The Smurfs aims to give the 80s cartoon characters an Alvin And The Chipmunks update by bringing them to contemporary New York City to pester human couple Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays. Yeah. A Smurfs movie. It’s come to that.
The Underdog
The Devil’s Double
Dominic Cooper – best known as Amanda Seyfried’s fiancé in Mamma Mia! – gets the (dual) role of a lifetime as Uday Hussein and the Iraqi officer who was ordered to impersonate him. Sounds… interesting.
Likely Winner
No one’s expecting quality from a Smurfs movie, but this sort of thing appeals to family audiences. Also, the support for another Planet Of The Apes movie may not be as big as 20th Century Fox expects. We’re not proud, but we’re betting on the little blue guys.
Aug 12
The Favourite
The Help
With a cast that includes Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Bryce Dallas Howard, Tate Taylor’s Civil Rights-era drama looks set to own the midsummer window that favours female-friendly titles like The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, Mamma Mia! and Julie & Julia.
The Challenger
30 Minutes Or Less
If The Help is courting the distaff audience, 30 Minutes Or Less is one for the guys, with Danny McBride and Nick Swardson playing a pair of idiot criminal masterminds who strap a bomb to a pizza-delivery guy (Jesse Eisenberg) and order him to rob a bank. It’s a comedy.
The Underdog
Glee Live! 3D!
The concert film aims to pack the megaplexes with Gleeks eager to relive the cast’s recent North American concert tour. Concert movies do huge business these days – just ask Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson’s estate.
Likely Winner
God help us, the Glee movie could take the week. People keep buying the CDs and DVDs. What’s stopping them from cramming theatres to sing along with their imaginary friends in New Directions?
Aug 19
The Favourite
Conan The Barbarian
Jason Momoa takes time out from busting heads on Game Of Thrones to don loincloth and broadsword for a new take on Conan The Barbarian. Director Marcus Nispel demonstrated an enthusiasm for boneheaded testosterone action in Pathfinder, so at least fans know what they’re getting into.
The Challenger
One Day
Lone Scherfig’s One Day drops in on the lives of two attractive young people (played by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess) on the same date every year for two decades. Author David Nicholls adapted his own book for the screen, which should entice his fans to check it out – and bring dates.
The Underdog
Fright Night
No one’s taking Disney’s Fright Night remake seriously – and yeah, it does sound kind of dopey. But the casting of Colin Farrell as a suburban vampire, Star Trek’s Anton Yelchin as his horror-savvy neighbour and Doctor Who’s David Tennant as the stage magician the kid enlists to battle the bloodsucker next door keeps us from counting it out completely.
Likely Winner
With the right marketing, One Day could come out on top. But you should never dismiss a guy whose last name is “The Barbarian.”
