Intriguing movies are hitting theaters soon

A bunch of intriguing movies, including a couple powered by music, are hitting theaters soon

You won’t be able to see all the blockbusters, but there’s a lot coming soon that looks tempting.

Look, the next couple of months are packed. ¶ You won’t be able to see it all — the early Academy Award hopefuls, the based-on-real-life dramas, the seasonal scares and the family-friendly entries on the slate — but there’s a lot that looks tempting. ¶ So, with a summer season that started way back in April finally behind us, let’s take a look at much of what’s hitting theaters before the holiday season arrives with even more. ‘A Simple Favor’ (Sept. 14)

Director Paul Feig is an unusual choice to direct this thriller about a mother and vlogger (Anna Kendrick) who seeks the truth about the disappearance of another woman (Blake Lively), who had become her friend. We are promised secrets and revelations, love and loyalty and murder and revenge in this adaptation of the 2017 novel by Darcey Bell.

‘Lizzy’ (Sept. 14)

This drama from director Craig William Macneill (“The Boy”) pledges a new take on the infamous Lizzy Borden. Portrayed here by Chloe Sevigny (HBO’s “Big Love”), Borden was accused and acquitted of the brutal slayings of her father and stepmother in late 1800s Massachusetts. Kristen Stewart (the “Twilight” movies) portrays a housemaid and Lizzy’s lover.

‘The Predator’ (Sept. 14)

If the profanity-laced final trailer can be trusted, this may be the most fun of the “Predator” movies. The tough-to-kill alien species returns to earth after some DNA modifications that are likely to be bad news for humanity in this film from Shane Black (“Iron Man 3,” “The Nice Guys”). The ensemble cast boasts Boyd Holbrook, Jacob Tremblay, Olivia Munn Keegan-Michael Key, Trevante Rhodes, Alfie Allen and Sterling K. Brown.

‘White Boy Rick’ (Sept. 14)

In this drama, which is based on a true story, Matthew McConaughey portrays the father of a teenage boy (Richie Merritt) who became an undercover police informant and, later, a drug dealer.

‘Colette’ (Sept. 21)

Keira Knightley portrays French novelist Colette in this biographical drama, which is earning strong early reviews and praise for its star.

‘The House With a Clock in its Walls’ (Sept. 21)

Horror director Eli Roth (“Cabin Fever,” “Hostel”) will dial things back for what should be a spooky but ultimately family-friendly adaptation of John Bellairs’ novel about an orphan who moves into a large old house with his uncle. In this likely hit brought to you by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, Jack Black plays the uncle, Owen Vaccaro (“Daddy’s Home”) the nephew and Cate Blanchett a neighbor, who like the man, keeps secrets. Along with the mysterious clock, expect strange creatures behind doors and magic galore.

‘Life Itself’ (Sept. 21)

Dan Fogelman, the creator and executive producer of the hit NBC ensemble drama series “This Is Us,” is the writer and director of this ensemble comedy-drama that, based on the trailer, looks like it will borrow a bit from that series’ winning formula. The seemingly always-working Oscar Isaac heads the cast, which also boasts Olivia Wilde, Mandy Patinkin, Annette Bening and Antonio Banderas.

‘The Sisters Brothers’ (Sept. 21)

Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly portray brothers with the last name Sisters who encounter a gold prospector (Riz Ahmed) being pursued across the many miles of the Oregon desert on his way to San Francisco in the 1850s. Jake Gyllenhaal also plays a key role in this dark-comedy Western from French writer-director Jacques Audiard (“Rust and Bone”).

‘Smallfoot’ (Sept. 28)

In this offering from Warner Animation Group, Channing Tatum voices a yeti determined to prove the existence of a “smallfoot.” It’s a fun twist on a familiar idea, but we’ll wait and see with this one.

‘Night School’ (Sept. 28)

Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish are each hilarious, so chances are good this comedy from director Malcolm D. Lee will offer a solid course on laughter. Lee directed last year’s “Girls Trip,” which served as a showcase for Haddish’s over-the-top comedic gifts. The premise of “Night School” has Hart’s character attending classes to get his GED, while Haddish’s is teaching to get a little extra scratch.

‘A Star Is Born’ (Oct. 5)

There is strong early buzz for this, the fourth version of a film with this title. Co-stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are being talked about for major awards, and Entertainment Weekly calls Cooper’s performance a “career best.” Cooper also makes his directorial debut in this film he co-wrote, a rock ’n’ roll twist on the familiar tale of an aging star finding a young up-and-coming talent to mold. Cooper’s Jackson Maine, said to be inspired a bit by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, is a rock star with a raspy voice, while Lady Gaga’s Ally an unknown singer-songwriter with talent. This is not the debut acting performance for the pop siren, who earned a Golden Globe for her work on 2016’s “American Horror Story: Hotel.”

‘Venom’ (Oct. 5)

The next couple of months are shockingly devoid of superheroes — DC Comics and Warner Bros. Pictures will continue their DC Extended Universe with “Aquaman” right before Christmas, while Marvel Studios won’t drop its next entry, “Captain Marvel,” until March — but we will get an antihero in the form of Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock. Made by Sony Pictures, which a few years ago struck a deal to bring the iconic Marvel character Spider-Man to the MCU, “Venom” is said to exist in a Marvel universe sort of adjacent to the MCU. (It’s very confusing. Just try not to worry about it.) Traditionally a nemesis of Spider-Man and looking like a nightmarish version of the hero, Venom is the combination of investigative reporter Eddie and an alien symbiote that gives him powers. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland,” “Gangster Squad”), “Venom” also features talented actors Michelle Williams (“All the Money in the World”) and Riz Ahmed (HBO’s “The Night Of”). And while you shouldn’t be surprised if we get a cameo from Peter Parker himself, Tom Holland, the real draw here is the always-fascinating Hardy (“Dunkirk,” FX’s “Taboo”).

‘Beautiful Boy’ (Oct. 12)

Timothee Chalamet, who made such an impression last year in his Academy Award-nominated turn in “Call Me by Your Name,” portrays a young man in the throes of meth addiction in this based-on-a-true-story drama. Chalamet portrays Nic Sheff, while Steve Carell plays his father, David. The latter’s memoir, “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction,” is the basis for the film from Belgian director Felix Van Groeningen. The cast also features Maura Tierney and Amy Ryan, who shared screen time on “The Office” with Carell during the actor’s final stretch on the show.

‘First Man’ (Oct. 12)

What would director Damien Chazelle do for an encore following his almost-Oscar-winning 2016 musical, “La La Land”? Obviously, a period space drama about U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong in the years leading up to 1969’s landmark Apollo 11 moon mission. Chazelle, who snagged his “La La Land” leading man, Ryan Gosling, to star as Armstrong, tells Entertainment Weekly what fascinated him about the story was how these astronauts would balance a goal of reaching the moon with day-to-day family lives in Texas. Claire Foy, so good as a young Queen Elizabeth on “The Crown,” portrays Armstrong’s wife, Janet. It’s hard to imagine how this won’t be a stirring cinematic experience given the people involved, but if you want to let the decision to omit the well-known image of Armstrong planting an American flag on the moon from the film — a silly bit of controversy — keep you away from the theater, knock yourself out.

‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ (Oct. 12)

“The Cabin in the Woods” director Drew Goddard, whose writing credits include “The Martian” and “World War Z,” appears to be channeling Quentin Tarantino with this stylish thriller. Based on a viewing of the fun trailer, “Bad Times at the El Royale” is going to offer a good bit of comedy with its mayhem. Written and directed by Goddard, it has a group of strangers — folks played by Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson, Cynthia Erivo — with secrets to keep come together at the movie’s rundown namesake hotel.

‘Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween’ (Oct. 12)

The big-screen horrorcomedy fun started in 2015 with “Goosebumps” continues in this latest film spawned by the popular book series by R.L. Stine.

‘The Old Man & the Gun’ (Oct. 12)

In what is said will be his final performance, the great Robert Redford portrays Forrest Tucker, who made a life out of robbing banks and escaping prison. Written and directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”), the film also features acting work by Casey Affleck, Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover and Tom Waits.

‘Halloween’ (Oct. 19)

While this actually is the 11th installment in this slasher-horror series, the powers-that-be would prefer you think of it as the second. It helps that this direct sequel to 1978’s “Halloween” — all the continuity since then is suffering a bloody killing — brings back Jamie Lee Curtis as heroine Laurie Strode to take on masked maniac Michael Myers. The film is directed by David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express”), who co-wrote the film with pal Danny McBride.

‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ (Oct. 19)

This biographical drama — it’s based on the memoir by writer Lee Israel — has Melissa McCarthy portraying a woman who, when her career stalls, starts selling letters she writes but claims were penned by great deceased scribes. When that starts to land her in hot water, Lee has another trick up her sleeve. Richard E. Grant co-stars as Lee’s friend Jack.

‘The Hate U Give’ (Oct. 19)

Based on the young-adult novel by Angie Thomas, “The Hate U Give” centers on young black woman Starr (Amandla Stenberg) who lives between worlds: the nice, mostly white prep school she attends and her mostly black neighborhood. Her life is turned upside down when she witnesses the killing of a friend, a young black male, by white police officers. Regina King and Russell Hornsby, who shared screen time in memorable scenes as parents dealing with a tragedy on Netflix’s “Seven Seconds,” portray Starr’s parents in this film from “Barbershop” director George Tillman Jr.

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (Nov. 2)

There are many reasons to worry about this Freddie Mercury biopic — among them the high-profile firing of Bryan Singer, who nonetheless shot most of the film and retains his directing credit, and charges that, at least in the first trailer, there is “heterosexuality washing” when it comes to the portrayal of the flamboyant Queen frontman. If nothing else, though, “Mr. Robot” star Rami Malek sure looks the part of the man with the epic “We Will Rock You” pipes. (If you’re curious, the vocals by the character of Freddie are said to be a mix of actual Mercury recordings along with some provided by Canadian singer Marc Martel.) Hopefully, this one hits more right notes than sour ones.

‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ (Nov. 2)

This is the movie your daughter will be begging you to take her to this fall. Like other recent bigscreen live-action adaptations from Disney, such as 2015’s “Cinderella” and last year’s “Beauty and the Beast,” this fantasy drama looks incredibly sumptuous. Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 work “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, the film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom (“The Cider House Rules”) and Joe Johnston (“October Sky”). While Mackenzie Foy (“Interstellar”) stars as Clara, who finds a very special nutcracker, big names in the supporting cast include Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman. Buckle up for a magical journey to the Land of Sweets, the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers and the Fourth Realm, as well as the spectacular Palace in the middle of it all.

‘Nobody’s Fool’ (Nov. 2)

Tiffany Haddish plays a woman who gets out of prison, shaking up the life of her successful sister (Tika Sumpter) in this comedy written and directed by Tyler Perry. However, when the latter sister gets catfished, she’ll need the help of the former to get some payback.

‘Boy Erased’ (Nov. 2)

Lucas Hedges, an Oscar nominee for his performance in 2016’s “Manchester by the Sea” and who last year portrayed a gay teen in “Lady Bird,” stars as a teen whose parents (Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman) send him to a gayconversion program. Based on the memoir by Garrard Conley, it is adapted and directed by Joel Edgerton (“The Gift”).

‘Suspiria’ Nov. 2)

Dakota Johnson (the “Fifty Shades” series) stars as an American dance student in Berlin in this horror film that, if the trailer is any indication, will be creepy as hell. A remake of the 1977 film, it also counts among its cast members Tilda Swinton and Chloe Grace Moretz.

‘The Front Runner’ (Nov. 7)

Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Up in the Air”) directs star Hugh Jackman in this biographical film about onetime Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart, whose affair led to a scandal. Landing the day after the mid-term elections, this drama also boasts Vera Farmiga, J. K. Simmons and Alfred Molina.

‘Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch’ (Nov. 9)

Having already given us a live-action film based on the old book and cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” Hollywood this year is dishing up a 3D digitally animated feature with Benedict Cumberbatch as the green grump. Seems like great casting, if nothing else.

‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web’ (Nov. 9)

It did OK at the box office and garnered largely favorable reviews, but how memorable was director David Fincher’s 2011 adaptation of the 2005 Stieg Larsson novel of the same name? Not as much as the Swedish-language version that came a couple of years earlier, certainly. Nonetheless, we soon will have this sequel to the Fincher’s “Dragon Tattoo,” sans not just Fincher but also stars Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig, as well as Larson, who died in 2004. This movie is based on the 2015 novel by David Lagercrantz and stars Claire Foy and Sverrir Gudnason (“Borg vs. McEnroe”) as Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, respectively. While this is a continuation of the adventures of the Americanized Lisbeth — who makes men pay for horrible treatment of women — the film is being released in Sweden a couple of weeks before it hits theaters in the states.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of the Grindelwald’ (Nov. 16)

The sequel to 2016’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is the second of a promised five new adventures in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. (Of course, this, like its predecessor, is set in a time before The Boy Who Lived lived.) Introduced in the first film, Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander, a wizard from England, again will pair with American Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), this time to try to capture the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp, the involvement of whom has caused a bit of a stir). Also on the side of good magic is a younger version of Albus Dumbledore played by Jude Law, whose casting feels perfect. A veteran of the “Harry Potter” films, David Yates directs, as he did with the first film. And, like the first, “The Crimes of the Grindelwald” boasts an original story penned by the mother of all things Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling.

‘Widows’ (Nov. 16)

It’s hard not to be fascinated by the potential of this drama, considering it is directed by Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) from an original script he co-wrote with novelist Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl,” “Sharp Objects”). Their story has four women, widowed when their criminal husbands are killed on a job, coming together to finish the gig. The cast led by the always-wonderful Viola Davis (“The Help,” “Fences”) also boasts Michelle Rodriguez, Liam Neeson and Robert Duvall.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX Rami Malek of “Mr. Robot” portrays the late Freddie Mercury, the vocalist from the band Queen, in “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

WARNER BROS. PICTURES Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper star in a new version of “A Star Is Born,” which will mark Cooper’s directorial debut.

DISNEY Mackenzie Foy, left, and Keira Knightley appear in a scene from “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.”

WARNER BROS. PICTURES Jude Law, left, plays a younger version of Albus Dumbledore, while Eddie Redmayne reprises the role of Newt Scamander in “Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of the Grindelwald.”

UNIVERSAL PICTURES Ryan Gosling portrays Neil Armstrong in “First Man.”