Borderlands

Borderlands is a 2024 science fiction action comedy film directed by Eli Roth, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Crombie, based on the video game series of the same name developed by Gearbox Software.

Lilith (Cate Blanchett), an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy. Her mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Edgar Ramírez), the universe’s most powerful S.O.B. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits – Roland (Kevin Hart), a seasoned mercenary on a mission; Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tina’s musclebound protector; Tannis (Jamie Lee Curtis), the oddball scientist who’s seen it all; and Claptrap (Jack Black), a wiseass robot. Together, these unlikely heroes must battle an alien species and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other. 

The cast includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Borderlands is set to debut in theaters August 9th, courtesy of Lionsgate. Watch the official trailer below.

It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us is a 2024 romantic drama directed by Justin Baldoni and produced by Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, and Christy Hall, from a screenplay by Christy Hall, based on the book by Colleen Hoover, her first book to be adapted for the big screen.

Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.

The cast includes Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton, and Brandon Sklenar.

It Ends with Us is set to debut in theaters August 9th, courtesy of Sony Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo is a 2024 horror film written and directed by Tillman Singer. It had its world premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024. Following his 2018 festival sensation Luz, German director Singer seems to have once again crafted a uniquely horrifying experience that critics are already raving about. The film is also being praised for the decision to be shot on 35 mm.

Seventeen-year-old Gretchen reluctantly leaves America to live with her father at a resort in the German Alps. Plagued by strange noises and bloody visions, she soon discovers a shocking secret that concerns her own family.

The cast includes Hunter Schafer (Euphoria), Dan Stevens (The Guest), Jessica Henwick (Glass Onion, The Royal Hotel), Marton Csokas, Jan Bluthardt, and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey.

Cuckoo is set to debut in limited theaters August 9th, courtesy of Neon. Watch the official trailers below.

The Instigators

The Instigators is a 2024 heist thriller comedy film directed by Doug Liman, written by Chuck Maclean and Casey Affleck, and starring Affleck and Matt Damon, who also produces the film alongside Ben Affleck under their production company Artists Equity for distribution by Apple TV+ under Apple Original Films.

Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are unlikely partners thrown together for a heist. However, when it goes awry, they team up to outrun police, backward bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss.

The cast includes Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, and Ron Perlman.

The Instigators is set for a limited theatrical release on August 2nd before a streaming release August 9th only on Apple TV+. Watch the official trailer below.

Strange Planet

Strange Planet is an animated science fiction comedy television series based on the webcomic of the same name by Nathan W. Pyle. Pyle co-created the series with Dan Harmon.

Blue beings find themselves exploring and trying to understand the complexities and nuances of human traits.

The series premiered on August 9, 2023, with its first three episodes. Watch the official trailer below.

Reservation Dogs

Reservation Dogs is a 2021 comedy television series, created by comedic genius Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo. The series follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma, as they spend their days committing crime, and fighting it.

Reservation Dogs is set to premiere on August 9th, on FX on Hulu. Watch the official trailer below.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Director Richard Linklater

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Kate Blanchette, Judy Greer, Emma Nelson, Kristen Wiig

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 9th, 2019

“After her anxiety-ridden mother disappears, 15-year-old Bee does everything she can to track her down, discovering her troubled past in the process.”

From talented director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Everybody Wants Some!!), who also wrote the screenplay, Where'd You Go, Bernadette is a comedy drama based on the 2012 comedy novel written by Maria Semple. The film tells the story of 15-year-old Bee who does everything she can to track down her anxiety-ridden mother after she disappears, along the way discovering her troubled past. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Focus, director Richard Linklater:

• Kevin Smith said that it was Linklater's Slacker (1990) that made him want to be a director.

• Directed two actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette. Arquette won for her role in Boyhood (2014).

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Director André Øvredal

Genre Horror

Cast Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, Austin Zajur, Gabriel Rush

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 9th, 2019

“A group of teens face their fears in order to save their town.”

From director André Øvredal (The Autopsy of Jane Doe), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is the feature-film adaptation of the horror children’s book series from the 1980’s. I have a vivid recollection of these books, and from the actual stories to the illustrations i always thought it was extremely creepy. I am hoping this movie does the books justice but it is certainly a fine line to balance considering the source material - I did however very much enjoy director André Øvredal’s horror film The Autopsy of Jane Doe so I think he is capable. Check out the official teaser trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark:

• Based on the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark book series published in the 1980s, written by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

• The poster art is based on the story Harold, which is featured in the third book.

The Kitchen

Director Andrea Berloff

Genre Action | Crime | Drama

Cast Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson

Rating R

Release Date August 9th, 2019

“The wives of New York gangsters in Hell’s Kitchen in the 1970s continue to operate their husbands’ rackets after they’re locked up in prison.”

Written and directed by Andrea Berloff, her directorial debut, The Kitchen tells the story of the wives of New York gangsters in Hell's Kitchen in the 1970s who continue to operate their husbands' rackets after they're locked up in prison. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Kitchen:

• Based on the Vertigo comic.

• Bill Camp will be appearing in this film and Joker (2019), which are set to be released within a month of each other. Both films are DC Comics adaptations.

Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Director James Bobin

Genre Adventure | Family

Cast Isabela Moner, Eva Longoria, Michael Peña, Temeura Morrison

Rating PG

Release Date August 9th, 2019

“Dora, a teenage explorer, leads her friends on an adventure to save her parents and solve the mystery behind a lost city of gold.”

From director James Bobin, Dora and the Lost City of Gold is the feature-film version of the popular children’s show and tells the story of Dora, a teenage explorer who leads her friends on an adventure to save her parents and solve the mystery behind a lost city of gold. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Dora and the Lost City of Gold:

• Isabela Moner, who plays Dora, had earlier starred as Dora's friend Kate in Dora and Friends: Into the City! (2014).

• This is the first Nick Jr. film to be released in theaters.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Director Simon Curtis

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Kevin Costner, Amanda Seyfried, Milo Ventimiglia, Gary Cole

Rating PG

Release Date  August 9th, 2019

“A dog named Enzo recalls the life lessons he has learned from his race car driving owner, Denny.”

From director Simon Curtis, The Art of Racing in the Rain is based on the New York Times Bestselling novel of the same name and tells the story of a dog named Enzo as he recalls the life lessons he has learned from his race car driving owner, Denny. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Art of Racing in the Rain:

• Based on the book by author Garth Stein.

Light of My Life

Director Casey Affleck

Genre Drama

Cast Casey Affleck, Elisabeth Moss, Tom Bower, Anna Pniowsky

Rating R

Release Date  August 9th, 2019 (Limited)

“A father and his young daughter become trapped in the woods in a post-pandemic world.”

Written and directed by Casey Affleck, who also stars in the film, Light of My Life a parent and his child as they journey through the outskirts of society a decade after a pandemic has wiped out half the world's population. As a father struggles to protect his child, their bond, and the character of humanity, is tested. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Light of My Life:

• In Berlin at the Berlinale-Premiere Casey Affleck said, that he began writing the screenplay for this movie 10 years ago.

• Principal photography began in February 2017 in British Columbia's Okanagan.

Brian Banks

Director Tom Shadyac

Genre Drama

Cast Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, Melanie Liburd, Tiffany Dupont

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 9th, 2019

“A football player’s dreams to play in the NFL are halted when he is wrongly convicted and sent to prison. Years later, he fights to clear his name within an unjust system.”

From director Tom Shadyac and writer Doug Atchison, Brian Banks tells the true story of a football player who has dreams to play in the NFL that are halted when he is wrongly convicted and sent to prison. Years later, he fights to clear his name within an unjust system. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Brian Banks:

• Brian Banks, the subject of this movie, went to Long Beach Poly High School and was a part of the prestigious Jackrabbit football team. Brian was also a part of the team that played against De La Salle. This game was featured in the movie 'When the Game Stands Tall.'

• This movie is Tom Shadyac’s return to directing after an 8 year hiatus.

The Peanut Butter Falcon

Director Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz

Genre Adventure | Drama

Cast Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen, John Hawkes

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 9th, 2019 (Now Streaming Hulu & Amazon Prime)

“Zak runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true.”

Written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a coming-of-age adventure drama that tells the story of Zak who runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Peanut Butter Falcon:

• (Winner) Audience Award for Narrative Spotlight at SXSW Film Fest 2019.

GLOW: Season 3

Genre Comedy | Drama | Sport

Cast Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Britney Young, Marc Maron

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere August 9th, 2019 (Netflix)

“A look at the personal and professional lives of a group of women who perform for a wrestling organization in Los Angeles during the 1980s.”

The first season of GLOW took Netflix by storm and much to the delight of viewers the girls are back in their ridiculously outdated yet oddly appealing wrestling attire for a 3rd season. GLOW is hilarious, well-written, and just ridiculous enough to offer a little bit for everyone. Plus I can’t get enough of shows and movies that are set in the 80’s and apparently Netflix agrees! Check out the official trailer for the 3rd season of GLOW below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, GLOW:

• Kia Stevens, who plays Tamee/Welfare Queen in the series, is the only female cast member who is actually a professional wrestler. Stevens has been a champion all over the world wrestling under the name Awesome Kong (sometimes Amazing Kong). She also briefly wrestled in WWE as Kharma.

• The wrestler who trained the actresses for this series, Chavo Guerrero Jr., is the nephew of Armando Guerrero a.k.a. Mando, the trainer for the wrestlers on the original 1980s series.