Britt Hayes is a writer, movie lover, and sensible sweater enthusiast living in Austin, Texas. She watches too much TV and never eats her vegetables.
Britt Hayes
What’s Leaving Netflix Instant: August 2016
There’s a lot of great new stuff coming to Netflix Instant next month, but just as we prepare to load up our queues with the latest additions, so must we prepare to say goodbye to a handful of expiring titles. Now would be a good time to stop procrastinating and stop watching before these movies and TV shows disappear — possibly for a long, long time. Read on for our complete guide to everything that’s expiring from Netflix Instant in August.
‘Star Trek 4’ Will Boldly Unite Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pine
Star Trek Beyond hasn’t even hit theaters yet, but there’s already talk of the next installment in the franchise — and if early reactions to Justin Lin’s new Trek sequel are to be believed, then we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of the series. But just in case you needed one more, J.J. Abrams has revealed his “incredibly exciting” idea for Star Trek 4, which will reportedly bring Chris Hemsworth back to the franchise to team up with Chris Pine.
New Movie Releases: August 2016
After a pretty disappointing summer, our hopes are high (but not, like, too high) for August to swoop in and deliver at least one or two entertaining blockbusters before the season ends. Fueling that optimism is the release of Suicide Squad, David Ayer’s comic book villain team-up that promises to inject a little fun in the DC movie universe. Next month also brings a new stop-motion adventure from Laika, an R-rated animated movie about talking food (you know, for the grown-ups) and Meryl Streep’s latest Oscars power play. Read on for our complete guide to next month’s new movie releases.
Live-Action ‘Pokemon’ Movie in the Works, Just in Case ‘Pokemon GO’ Isn’t Real Enough For You
You may be thinking, “But there’s already a live-action Pokemon. It’s called Pokemon GO and it makes me take my dog on extra walks!” Yes, yes, but just in case your personal, semi-live-action experience with the latest app craze isn’t enough, those long-developing plans for a new Pokemon movie have gotten a little more developed as Legendary is making a push to secure rights to the hit game franchise.
Mel Gibson Is Planning a ‘Passion of the Christ’ Sequel
Faith-based films have been riding a wildly successful wave for several years now, only recently stumbling a bit with the underwhelming box office returns for God’s Not Dead 2. And while that seemed to indicate that faithful audiences might not be too keen on sequels, Mel Gibson may very well prove that theory wrong as the actor and director is apparently plotting a sequel to The Passion of the Christ.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3’ Is Definitely Part of Marvel’s Phase 4 Plan
James Gunn is currently in production on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, so when recently asked if he’d return to direct Guardians of the Galaxy 3, the director seemed uncertain about whether he wants to stick with Marvel or move on to something else. Marvel hasn’t formally revealed any of its Phase 4 films, but we’ve all just assumed that another Guardians sequel is part of that plan — according to Kevin Feige, that assumption is correct.
Legendary Actor Abe Vigoda, Star of ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Barney Miller,’ Dead at 94
Veteran actor Abe Vigoda has enjoyed a career more vast and varied than many of his fellow performers, with a resumé that spans 65 years and includes everything from masterpieces like The Godfather to classic television like Barney Miller. Vigoda has reportedly passed away today at the age of 94, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy of film and television work.
The ‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Script Is So Good, J.J. Abrams Wishes He Were Directing It
J.J. Abrams revved up the engine on the ol’ Star Wars ship, launching the series on a new journey with The Force Awakens, but declining to return for the subsequent sequels. Instead, Rian Johnson (Looper) and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) will be steering the franchise from here on out, directing Episodes 8 and 9, respectively. Johnson is in production on Episode 8 right now, and according to The Force Awakens star Daisy Ridley, the script is “very good.” How good? Abrams regrets turning down the chance to direct it.
‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ Trailer: They’re Coming Back
Surprise! 20th Century Fox has delivered the first full trailer for Independence Day: Resurgence (not related to Toho’s Godzilla: Resurgence, unfortunately) a wee bit earlier than previously planned. The trailer was going to debut in front of Star Wars: The Force Awakens later this week, but early Christmas has come early, and our ol’ alien pals are back.
Weekend Box Office Report: ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Flounders in the Wake of ‘Mockingjay’
While many suspected that In the Heart of the Sea would perform well in its opening weekend at the box office, Ron Howard's seafaring epic delivered incredibly underwhelming numbers, while The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 continued its reign for the fourth week in a row. That's all going to change next weekend when Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives and completely demolishes the competition — if you can even call it "competition."
‘Batman vs. Superman’ Trailer: Doomsday Has Landed
If that brief clip from earlier this week featuring the Dark Knight being unmasked by the Man of Steel didn’t do the trick for you, then you’re in luck because Warner Bros. has released a new, full trailer from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Following the premiere on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the latest preview for the epic superhero battle is now online for your viewing pleasure, featuring plenty of new footage of Bats, Supes, Wonder Woman and more.
‘Captain America: Civil War’ Trailer: It’s Time to Choose a Side
With Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans promising a big surprise on Jimmy Kimmel Live, we knew it had to be something special — that something is the first trailer for Captain America: Civil War. Not a teaser, but an actual, full trailer, dramatically highlighting the growing divide between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, which will divide the Avengers and pit them against one another in what could be Marvel's most epic film yet.