Welcome to this week’s edition of Back Lot 605’s Coming Soon column! Lots of stuff to talk about this week, including four major theatrical releases, plenty of streaming choices, and some all-time classics returning to local theaters! Here’s what coming soon for the week of August 20^th, 2021:

Featured Title: Reminiscence

This weekend’s latest Warner Bros. theatrical/HBO Max dual release has some strong Inception vibes… which is probably not coincidental, because this is the feature writing/directing debut of Lisa Joy, who is Christopher Nolan’s sister-in-law. (But you may know her best as the co-creator, with her husband Jonathan Nolan, of HBO’s Westworld!) Set in a near-future flooded version of Miami, it stars Hugh Jackman as “a private investigator of the mind” who tries to access the lost memories of his clients. But when a new client (Rebecca Ferguson) enters his life, he becomes obsessed with her… to dangerous results! Also starring Westworld alum Thandiwe Newton, Daniel Wu, and Cliff Curtis. (Opens Friday, August 20^th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD, the Century East at Dawley Farm, and the West Mall 7 in Sioux Falls.)

Opening in Theaters

The Night House

From (Fox) Searchlight comes this supernatural chiller from David Bruckner (The Ritual, Southbound), which the studio purchased for $12 million at 2020’s Sundance Film Festival. After her husband kills himself, his widow (Rebecca Hall) explores their lakeside home for answers… and begins hearing loud bumps in the night. Also starring Evan Jonigkeit, Sarah Goldberg, and Vondie Curtis-Hall. (Opens Friday, August 20^th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD and the Century East at Dawley Farm in Sioux Falls, with preview showings beginning at 7PM on Thursday, August 19^th.)

The Protégé

One of the most unsung orchestrators of studio action is director Martin Campbell – the man who gave us the last two 007 intro movies, GoldenEye and Casino Royale. His last endeavor was 2017’s strong Jackie Chan/Pierce Brosnan flick The Foreigner… and now, he’s back for some late-summer butt-kickery! Maggie Q stars as the world’s most skilled assassin, who sets out for revenge after her longtime mentor (Samuel L. Jackson) is killed. Ultimately, she crosses paths with a mysterious killer (Michael Keaton)… where sparks begin to fly. Also starring the T-1000 himself, Robert Patrick! (Opens Friday, August 20^th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD, the Century East at Dawley Farm and the West Mall 7 in Sioux Falls, with preview showings beginning at 6PM on Thursday, August 19^th.)

Paw Patrol: The Movie

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the other major theatrical release for this weekend… and the movie that will likely be #1 at the box office, despite having a dual streaming release on Paramount+: The feature film adaptation of Nickelodeon’s hit cartoon series! Sorry, parents! 🙂 Guest voices include Tyler Perry, Kim Kardashian West, Jimmy Kimmel, Randall Park, and Young Sheldon himself, Iain Armitage. (Opens Friday, August 20^th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD and the Century East at Dawley Farm in Sioux Falls, and also streaming on Paramount+.)

New to Streaming and VOD

Annette

Amazon brings us the most high-profile streaming-exclusive release of the weekend: the first film from director Leos Carax since 2012’s one-of-a-kind Holy Motors! This follow-up is certainly unique as well: It’s a musical about a stand-up comedian (Adam Driver) and an opera singer (Marion Cotillard) who fall in love, and have a child together named Annette. Oh, and did I mention that Annette is played by a puppet? 🙂 Also starring Simon Helberg; the movie’s music (and the script as a whole) was written by Sparks, once again emerging on the movie scene this summer after this June’s Edgar Wright documentary The Sparks Brothers. (Premieres Friday, August 20^th on Amazon Prime Video.)

Sweet Girl

Netflix’s latest action tentpole brings Jason Momoa to the streaming service! The once and future Aquaman plays a father whose wife dies when a pharmaceutical company takes the life-saving drug she needs off the market… and sets out for justice while trying to protect his daughter (Isabela Merced) in the process. Also starring Adria Arjona, Amy Brenneman, and Justin Bartha. (Premieres Friday, August 20^th on Netflix.)

Demonic

The last time we heard from director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium), it was in March 2015, when he gave us the maligned South African robot movie Chappie. But now, he’s returned, with this low-budget flick that was filmed during the pandemic last fall. It follows a young woman (Carly Pope) who enters a VR simulation to seek out her murderous mother… and unleashes demons in the process! (Premieres Friday, August 20^th on VOD services.)

Jakob’s Wife

Finally, we have this week’s Shudder premiere, which stars one of Back Lot’s favorite horror icons, Barbara Crampton! She plays a preacher’s wife who feels that her 30-year marriage to her husband (Larry Fessenden) has gone stale… and comes across a mysterious, yet dangerous, way to reinvigorate her life! Also starring CM Punk; directed by Travis Stevens (Girl on the Third Floor). (Premieres Thursday, August 19^th on Shudder.)

Returning to Theaters

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

This week’s Fathom Events throwback screening is the 35th anniversary presentation of what was the biggest Star Trek box office hit for over 20 years… until J.J. Abrams’ movies, that is! William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy (who also directed), DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, and Nichelle Nichols all head to 1986 San Francisco to save the whales! (Showing Thursday, August 19^th and Sunday, August 22^nd in theaters nationwide, including the Century East at Dawley Farm in Sioux Falls.)

Coraline

Laika Studios’ 2009 debut stop-motion animated film, directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) is also returning to theaters for one day, thanks to Fathom Events. (This is happening in conjunction with Shout Factory’s new Blu-ray re-releases of the first 4 Laika films.) With the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Keith David, and Ian McShane. (Showing Tuesday, August 24^th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD in Sioux Falls.)

Showing at the State!

Casablanca

The State is bringing in a trio of all-timer movies that are so big, they’re going to play for two weekends to accommodate all the crowds! Kicking things off is the ultimate movie classic: 1942’s wartime romance starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman! This made its Sioux Falls debut at the State back in February of 1943, so don’t miss your chance to welcome it back home! Also starring Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Directed by Michael Curtiz (The Adventures of Robin Hood, White Christmas). (Showing Thursday, August 19^th, Friday, August 20^th, Saturday, August 21^st, Saturday, August 28^th, and Sunday, August 29^th at the State Theatre.)

The Sandlot

For the family, the State is bringing in the beloved 1993 comedy about a group of boys who spend their days in the summer of 1962 playing baseball… and end up facing off against The Beast, the giant dog next door who has their “Baby Ruth”-signed ball! Starring Tom Guiry, Karen Allen, Denis Leary, and James Earl Jones. (Showing Saturday, August 21^st, Sunday, August 22^nd, Friday, August 27^th, and Saturday, August 28^th at the State Theatre.)

National Lampoon’s Vacation

Finally, what better way to wrap up the summer than by watching the ultimate family vacation flick: the 1983 comedy starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, who takes his family on an event-filled cross-country road trip to the Wallyworld theme park! Also starring Beverly D’Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, Randy Quaid, Christie Brinkley, and John Candy. Directed by Harold Ramis, in his helming follow-up to 1980’s Caddyshack. (Showing Saturday, August 21^st, Sunday, August 22^nd, Thursday, August 26^th, Saturday, August 28^th, and Sunday, August 29^th at the State Theatre.)

The Harder They Come

This week’s entry in the State’s ongoing summer music series is Perry Henzell’s 1972 Jamaican crime movie, starry Jimmy Cliff and featuring an iconic reggae soundtrack! Keep in mind that, unlike the previous three State selections, this will only play for one weekend; a new Music Series entry will play on August 27^th and 29^th. (Showing Friday, August 20^th and Sunday, August 22^nd at the State Theatre.)

New This Week to Blu-ray and 4K

• The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (2021)
• The Water Man (2021)
• Rogue Hostage (2021)
• Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989) (Vestron Video Collector’s Series Blu-ray)
• Labyrinth (1986) (35th anniversary 4K Blu-ray edition)

Older Movies New to Streaming

Netflix:

• Like Crazy (2011) (premieres Thursday, August 19^th)

Hulu:

• Blast Beat (2020) (premieres Thursday, August 19^th)
• Jungleland (2020) (premieres Thursday, August 19^th)
• We Broke Up (2021) (premieres Saturday, August 21^st)
• Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013) (premieres Tuesday, August 24^th)

Amazon Prime:

• Killer Among Us (2021) (premieres Friday, August 20^th)

Shudder:

• Cheap Thrills (2013) (premieres Monday, August 23^rd)
• Nothing Bad Can Happen (2013) (premieres Monday, August 23^rd)

Disney+:

• Eragon (2006) (premieres Friday, August 20^th)

HBO Max:

• Half Brothers (2020) (premieres Friday, August 20^th)
• San Andreas (2015) (premieres Sunday, August 22^nd)

Peacock:

• It’s Complicated (2009) (premieres Sunday, August 22^nd)

Paramount+:

• Jungleland (2020) (premieres Thursday, August 19^th)

The Criterion Channel:

• Thursday, August 19^th: Three Dimensions: Animal Nature: Three by Denis Côté: Bestiaiare (2012), Vic + Flo Saw a Bear (2013), Boris Without Beatrice (2016)
• Friday, August 20^th: Double Feature: Trier on Tap: Louder Than Bombs (2015), Thelma (2017)
• Saturday, August 21^st: Saturday Matinee: Sons of the Desert (1933)
• Monday, August 23^th: True Stories: Criterion Collection Edition #648: Chronicle of a Summer (1961)
• Tuesday, August 24^th: Short + Feature: Mob Injustice: Mizaru (2019), Canoa: A Shameful Memory (1976)
• Wednesday, August 25^th: Women Filmmakers: Oxhide (2005) and Oxhide II (2009)

The Shameless Plugs

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