August’s Top Movies

Alien: Covenant

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created with a new chapter in his groundbreaking Alien franchise; this edition is another prequel to the original “Alien,” situated between “Prometheus” and the original. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an unchartered paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a terrifying threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.
Vitals: Director: Ridley Scott. Stars: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 122 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $73.757 million, Fox.
Extras: Commentary by director Ridley Scott; 12 deleted and extended scenes; “Master Class: Ridley Scott” documentary on the making of “Alien: Covenant”; crew fear tests; an inside look at “David’s Lab”; “USCSS Covenant”: “Meet Walter,” “Phobos,” “The Last Supper”; “Sector 87 – Planet 4”: “The Crossing,” “Advent.” There are three exclusive editions at Walmart, Target and Best Buy: Walmart: Alien Day fan art designed T-shirt (4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray formats), Target: 36-page book packaging featuring an inside look at David’s Lab and the creatures of “Alien: Covenant,” plus behind-the-scenes photography and concept sketches (Blu-ray format), Best Buy: Alien baby Xenomorph steelbook (4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray formats).

Available: 08/15.

Baywatch

Big screen redo of the 1980s TV series. Matt Brody (Zac Efron) is a former Olympic swimmer who wants to join an elite team of lifeguards led by the hulking Lt. Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson). Brody thinks he’s a shoo-in, but his casual attitude starts to instantly rub Mitch the wrong way. When a dangerous crime wave hits the beach, Buchannon leads his elite squad of badass lifeguards on a mission to prove you don’t have to wear a badge to save the bay. Joined by a trio of hot-shot recruits, they’ll ditch the surf and go deep undercover to take down a ruthless businesswoman, whose devious plans threaten the future of the bay.
Vitals: Director: Seth Gordon. Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, Priyanka Chopra, Zac Efron, Pamela Anderson, Angelique Kenney, Charlotte McKinney.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 116 min., Action, Box office gross: $58.047
million, Paramount.
Blu-ray extras: Extended and theatrical versions of the film, “Meet the Lifeguards: Continuing the Legacy,” stunts & training, deleted & extended scenes.

Available: 08/29.

The Circle

A woman lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called the Circle, only to uncover an agenda that will affect the lives of all of humanity. When Mae (Emma Watson) is hired to work for the world’s largest and most powerful tech and social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. As she rises through the ranks, she is encouraged by the company’s founder, Eamon Bailey (Tom Hanks), to engage in a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy, ethics, and ultimately, her personal freedom. Her participation in the experiment and every decision she makes begin to affect the lives and future of her friends, family, and all of humanity.
Vitals: Director: James Ponsoldt. Stars: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Glenne Headly, John Boyega, Karen Gillan, Ellar Coltrane, Patton Oswalt, Ellen Wong.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 110 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $20.476 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: “No More Secrets: Completing the Circle” four-part featurette, “The Future Won’t Wait: Design and Technology,” “A True Original: Remembering Bill Paxton.”

Available: 08/01.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4: The Long Haul

A Heffley family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course thanks to Greg’s newest scheme to get to a video gaming convention. The family cross-country adventure turns into an experience the Heffleys will never forget. Based on the record-breaking book series.
Vitals: Director: David Bowers. Stars: Jason Ian Drucker,Charlie Wright, Owen Asztalos, Tom Everett Scott, Alicia Silverstone.
2016, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 91 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $20.324 million, Fox.
Extras: “Making a Scene,” “Greg Heffley’s 10 Rules for the Perfect Road Trip,” “Road Games,” “Learn to Draw,” “A Decade of Wimpy Fun,” bloopers and deleted scenes, deleted animation, “Haulin’ Through Georgia.”.

Available: 08/08.

Everything, Everything

The unlikely love story of Maddy, a smart, curious and imaginative 18-year-old who, due to an illness, cannot leave the protection of the hermetically sealed environment within her house, and Olly, the boy next door who won’t let that stop them. Maddy is desperate to experience the much more stimulating outside world, and the promise of her first romance. Gazing through windows and talking only through texts, she and Olly form a deep bond that leads them to risk everything to be together … even if it means losing everything.
Vitals: Director: Stella Meghie. Stars: Amandla Stenberg, Nick Robinson, Ana de la Reguera, Anika Noni Rose.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 96 min., Drama, Box office gross: $33.580 million, MGM/Warner.
Extras: Deleted scenes.
Blu-ray adds “Trapped in Love: The Story of Everything, Everything” featurette.

Available: 08/15.

Going in Style

Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin team up as lifelong buddies Willie, Joe and Al, who decide to buck retirement and step off the straight-and-narrow for the first time in their lives when their pension fund becomes a corporate casualty. Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, the three risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money. A reboot of the 1979 movie that was directed by Martin Brest and featured George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg.
Vitals: Director: Zach Braff. Stars: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin Ann-Margret, Joey King, John Ortiz, Peter Serafinowicz, Matt Dillon, Christopher Lloyd.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 96 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $43.996 million, Warner.
Extras: Director’s commentary by Zach Braff.
Blu-ray adds deleted scenes.

Available: 08/01.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, the film’s storyline continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians (Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, and Bradley Cooper as Rocket) must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the comics will come to the heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.
Vitals: Director: James Gunn. Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff , Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 136 min., Sci-Fi, Box office gross: $386.062 million, Disney.
Extras: “The Making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” four-part, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, done in the style of classic-rock album liner notes; “Visionary Intro”: Director James Gunn provides context on how he continues and expands the storylines; “Guardians Inferno Music Video” with David Hasselhoff and special guests in a galactic retro dance party; gag reel; deleted scenes; audio commentary with Gunn.

Available: 08/22.

How to Be a Latin Lover

When aging Latin lover Maximo (Eugenio Derbez) is suddenly dumped by the older woman he married for money, he moves in with his estranged sister Sara (Salma Hayek) and her 10-year-old son, Hugo (Raphae Alejandro). Determined to return to the lap of luxury, Maximo uses Hugo to meet a rich widow — and learns that love and trust must be earned.
Vitals: Director: Ken Marino. Stars: Eugenio Derbez, Salma Hayek, Rob Lowe, Kristen Bell, Raphael Alejandro, Michael Cera, Rob Corddry.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 115 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $32.088 million, Lionsgate.
Extras: Deleted and extended scenes, “Show Me Your Sexy! Learning How to Be a Latin Lover” featurette, “A Little Help from My Friends” featurette, commentary with director Ken Marino, producer Ben Odell, and editor John Daigle.

Available: 08/15.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

When the child Arthur’s father is murdered, Vortigern, Arthur’s uncle, seizes the crown. Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy — whether he likes it or not.
Vitals: Director: Guy Ritchie. Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, Eric Bana.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 126 min., Action Adventure, Box office gross: $38.534 million, Warner.
Extras: “Arthur with Swagger” featurette: Charlie Hunnam is a gentleman, a hunk and a badass, setting new standards as king and new rules with the ladies.
Available: 08/08.

Snatched

After her boyfriend dumps her on the eve of their exotic vacation, impetuous dreamer Emily Middleton (Amy Schumer) persuades her ultra-cautious mother, Linda (Goldie Hawn), to travel with her to paradise. Polar opposites, Emily and Linda realize that working through their differences as mother and daughter — in unpredictable, hilarious fashion — is the only way to escape the wildly outrageous jungle adventure they have fallen into.
Vitals: Director: Jonathan Levine. Stars: Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn, Joan Cusack, Ike Barinholtz, Wanda Sykes, Christopher Meloni.
2017, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $45.403 million, Fox.
Extras: Deleted scenes, extended and alternate scenes, gag reel, commentary by director Jonathan Levine.

Available: 08/08.