HOLLYWOOD—Another year of sequels, yet the box-office is booming, here we go again; “Mama Mia! Here We Go Again,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” and “Jurassic World:Fallen Kingdom.” Last year we had “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Wonder Woman.” Sequels, in fact have never been this necessary to the stability and growth of theatrical movies, which are experiencing an extraordinary almost 10 percent bump in gross.
Have you heard of Genndy Tartakovsky? He is the mastermind behind “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation,” “Hotel Transylvania 2,” and the original recipe, 2012’s “Hotel Transylvania.” It seems like every three years, Tartakovsky makes a “Hotel Transylvania” movie, and every three years it makes an estimated $300 million around the world. So besides sequels, we also have a summer full of exciting movies to please for every taste.
On August 10, “The Meg,” swims onscreen. After two decades in the deep waters of development, prehistoric shark action is ready to ripple. The film stars Jason Statham and is directed by John Turteltaub. The film’s first attack takes place 200 miles off the Chinese coast and the international shark research institute is in China. It will be interesting to see how the film does at the box-office.
This is definitely the year for actress Melissa McCarthy. It looks like she is pushing her career in full force. She has the dark drama “Can You ever Forgive Me?” lined up for the awards season. Fans of Peter Jackson will make optimistic comparisons between two films “The Happytime Murders” and Jackson’s musical “Meet the Feebles,” which didn’t rate in most countries.
McCarthy is taking chances, which we will all love to see. The film will be released in theaters on August 24. On the same day, the film “Support the Girls,” will be released in theaters. Lisa Conroy is the last person you’d expect to find in a highway-side “sports bar with curves,” but as general manager at Double Whammies, she’s come to love the place and especially the customers. A den mother, she nurtures and protects her girls. Truly funny and Director Andrew Bujalski takes it to another level.
On August 31, “Juliet, Naked,” will be released in theaters. The film is based on a novel by Nick Hornby, the story takes place in a British coastal town where Annie (Rose Byrne) splits from her longtime boyfriend (Chris O’Dowd). She forms an unlikely transatlantic bond with a formerly famous musician (Ethan Hawke) who just happens to be the obsession of her ex. If you like haunted houses and a flair for gothic horror, you will love the film “The Little Stranger,” set to be released on August 31. Adapted from Sarah Waters’ 2009 novel, the film stars Domhnall Gleeson as a country doctor who returns to the estate where his mother worked as a housekeeper. There he finds a family in financial decline along with skeletons in the closet.
Actress Ann-Margaret, Jane Curtin, Christopher Lloyd and Loretta Devine are joining Ellen Burstyn and James Caan in the romantic comedy “Welcome To Pine Grove.” The film is currently shooting and is being directed by Michael Lembeck from a screenplay by Donald Martin. This is a “Mean Girls” meet “Golden Girls” flick that will have everyone entertained.
I’m very excited to hear that Ann-Margaret has joined the cast of talented stars. Ann-Margaret is a five-time Golden Globe-winner and Primetime Emmy Award-winner. She has been nominated for two Academy Awards, two Grammys, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and six Emmy Awards.
Rose’s Scoop: The Kardashian sisters are back, this time they are all featured in a Calvin Klein shoot in the designer’s fall underwear and denim campaign.