The best new movie releases in August

To date, Hollywood hasn’t been able to get this one right, but we have faith in the cast, which includes Whiplash’s Miles Teller and House of Cards’ Kate Mara. Director Josh Trank pulled off wonders with Chronicle. 

Fantastic Four opens August 7.

Meryl Streep could play anything at this point and she’d get an Oscar nomination for it (a Sondheim-singing witch, Julia Child, etc.). Here, she’s a guitar player with an estranged family to reconnect with. Jonathan Demme directs an original script by Diablo Cody.

Ricki and the Flash opens August 7.

Have fond memories of the ’60s spy TV show? Have any memories of it? No matter: The big-screen adaptation looks primed to deliver plenty of Bondian chase scenes and witty banter. Guy Ritchie directs.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. opens August 14.

Come on: How sinister could the first one have been? Sinister enough. Ethan Hawke doesn’t return to do battle with the supernatural in a haunted house, but we’ve got Shannyn Sossamon to keep us company, as a terrorized young mother.

Sinister 2 opens August 21.

Yep, you’re reading that right. Ang Lee’s first film was a perfect thing, so why not extend the legacy, risks be damned? Regardless, there’s a good chance the fight scenes will be killer, with Kill Bill’s stunt coordinator Yuen Woo-ping in the director’s chair.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 opens August 28.