The SLMan Culture List: August
THE ARTY COMEDY: Materialists
We were big fans of Celine Song’s Oscar-nominated Past Lives, so are looking forward to her follow-up Materialists, which lands in UK cinemas this month. Starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and man-of-the-moment Pedro Pascal, it centres on a young New York City matchmaker, whose lucrative business gets complicated as she finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.
14th August
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE SPINOFF: Alien: Earth, Disney +
When the mysterious deep-space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat. In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype – named Wendy – marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. And after Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides into Prodigy City, Wendy and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.
13th August
Visit DisneyPlus.com
THE TV EVENT: Chief of War, Apple TV+
Set against the scenic backdrop of Hawaii, this nine-episode series, based on true events, follows warrior Ka‘iana as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonisation in the late 18th century. Chief of War landed on Apple TV+ earlier this week and episodes will now drop each Friday until 19th September. Told from an indigenous perspective, the series is a passion project for creators Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, who share native Hawaiian heritage. The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast, led by Momoa.
Out now
Visit TV.Apple.com
THE SUNDAY-NIGHT DRAMA: The Narrow Road to the Deep North
The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a savagely beautiful five-part series charting the life of Dorrigo Evans (played by Jacob Elordi as a young man, with Ciarán Hinds as the older Dorrigo), through his passionate love affair with Amy Mulvaney (Odessa Young), his time held captive in a POW camp, and his later years as a revered surgeon and reluctant war hero. An adaptation of Australian author Richard Flanagan’s Booker prize winner, The Narrow Road to the Deep North is an intimate character study of a complex man, a compelling portrayal of the courage and cruelty of war, and an unforgettable story of survival through the darkest of times.
Out now
Visit BBC.co.uk
THE THRILLER: Caught Stealing
As we were leaving the Claridge’s Christmas party last year, we spotted Matt Smith sporting a mohawk. Now we know why: he was filming Darren Aronofsky’s latest flick, Caught Stealing. When his punk-rock neighbour asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, New York City bartender Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters who all want a piece of him (of which Smith is one). Suddenly, Hank is embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of the 1990s. Also stars Zoe Kravitz, Regina King and Bud Bunny.
29th August
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WATCH: Together
We’ve loved the silly campaigns for this Neon film in the States, so are intrigued to see the film itself in the cinema. Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other. With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love… and their flesh.
15th August
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE EXHIBITON: Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings
A new exhibition at the excellent Sir John Soane’s Museum is dedicated to the late architect Richard Rogers. Pulled together with assistance by Dunhill, Talking Buildings celebrates Rogers as more than an architect, creating a vivid and immersive portrait through exploration of his far-reaching influence as a thinker, campaigner, humanist and activist. From the Zip-Up House and the Pompidou Centre to Lloyd's of London and the Millennium Dome, Talking Buildings paints a vivid and immersive portrait of an architect for whom buildings were the physical manifestation of his beliefs. Two specially commissioned films by Marina Willer will showcase Rogers’ perspectives on the selected projects, accompanied by exhibition graphics by Graphic Thought Facility.
Until 21st September
Visit Soane.org
THE GUILTY PLEASURE: The Naked Gun
Yes, we’re aware this will probably be pants, but that doesn’t mean we don’t fancy a night at the cinema getting all nostalgic (and, we must admit, the trailer made us chuckle once or twice). Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy), this sequel to the much-loved spoof starring Leslie Nielsen sees Lt Frank Drebin Jr (Liam Neeson) follow in his father's footsteps. Joining the case are Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu and Danny Huston.
Out now
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE DRAMA: Eddington
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbour is pitted against neighbour in Eddington, New Mexico. Written and directed by Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, Deirdre O'Connell, Micheal Ward, Austin Butler and Emma Stone, this could be another A24 classic – with the cool film posters to match.
22 August
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE HORROR FLICK: Weapons
From Zach Cregger, the mind behind Barbarian, comes a new horror/thriller. When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. The film stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan – and hit 100% on Rotten Tomatoes the day it released in the US. Count us in.
8th August
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE DOC: Limitless: Live Better Now, Disney +
In this new National Geographic series, actor Chris Hemsworth takes on three epic challenges to explore science-backed ways to improve our health. He learns to drum for a brain-boosting, surprise stadium gig; climbs a frozen 600-foot wall to explore the benefits of breaking out of our comfort zones; and embraces brutal Special Forces pain training in South Korea – all to discover how humans can live longer, better lives.
15th August
Visit DisneyPlus.com
THE IMAX RERELEASE: Prince – Sign O’ The Times
For the first time ever, the iconic concert film Prince – Sign O’ The Times will be released exclusively in IMAX theatres across the world. The critically acclaimed 1987 film, directed by Prince and featuring the late singer and guitarist with his talented band of musicians including Sheila E., has undergone IMAX’s proprietary Digital Media Remastering process to deliver unprecedented image and sound quality, offering audiences an immersive experience of Prince’s legendary performance like never before. We’ll see you at the front.
29th August
Visit IMAX.com
THE REMAKE: Tape
A bold reimagining of Richard Linklater’s acclaimed 2001 film Tape will hit UK cinemas later this month. Set in modern-day Hong Kong, Tape follows three former high-school friends whose seemingly casual reunion takes a dark and unexpected turn. Fifteen years after graduation, Wing – a drifting former romantic – invites his old friend Jon, now a rising filmmaker, to reconnect on the eve of Jon’s big film festival debut. But the atmosphere quickly shifts as secrets from their past resurface particularly concerning Amy, the ex-girlfriend they share a complicated history with. As tensions mount and long-suppressed memories clash with the need for closure, what begins as a nostalgic evening spirals into a harrowing confrontation that forces all three to face the truth, and the lies, they’ve been living with.
22nd August
Visit Picturehouses.com
THE SPORTS DOC: America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys
America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys is the definitive story of the Dallas Cowboys and legendary owner Jerry Jones’s impact on NFL history. What began as a daring purchase led to the assembly of the iconic 90s football team and a decade-plus journey, driven by Jones’ intrepid business moves, that revolutionised global sports and resulted in three Super Bowl wins. Through first-hand interviews and never-before-seen footage, this series unravels the dramatic twists and turns on the road to the Cowboys becoming the most valuable sports franchise in the world. Just what’s needed as we gear up for the NFL season to start next month.
19th August
Visit Netflix.com
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