We now enter the last official month of the Summer Movie season. What new movies will we see this week on August 8, 2014.

In my opinion, we got a nice selection of movies that look like that will be, at the very least, entertaining. I don’t see a real terrible stinker (yes, and includes the movie that fans are already taking a giant dump on before they see it.)

That being said,  some of this week’s movies do have a  strange familiarity to them. Yes, we do have a sequel and a reboot, but some of the movies coming out this week seem to echo some movies that were already made.

For this weeks LOOKING AHEAD, I will dub the those movies as NOT-REMAKE REMAKES.

But first……..

What’s it about? The Kadam family clashes with Madame Mallory, proprietress of a celebrated French restaurant, after they open their own nearby eatery, until undeniable chemistry causes the Madame to take gifted young chef Hassan under her wing.

My thoughts? Director Lasse Hallstrom has had a career of making feel good studio films, but his last big success was Chocolat (which came out 14 years ago). It seems like he’s trying to recreate his old success by making another food porn/heartwarming film. After watching the trailer, I like the charm of the characters quiet a bit. You can’t go wrong with Helen Mirren, and the  Om Puri is hilarious in the clips for the trailer. This honestly looks lovely.

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So, like I said, there is a bit of familiarity to the films this week. Our first subcategory is pretty interesting. These movies aren’t really ripping off the other films per-say, but they do have a on the surface similarity to an older film. Doesn’t mean they can’t be good on their own, but it’s not strange to think that these three movies reminds you of another flick.

THE NOT-REMAKE REMAKES

What’s it Not-Remaking? Twister

What’s it actually about? Storm trackers, thrill-seekers, and everyday townspeople document an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes touching down in the town of Silverton.

My thoughts? I’ll be honest, it’s a bit mean for me to say this is like Twister, but it does have a LOT of elements it shares with the late ’90s disaster flick. Tornadoes aside, it too has a rag tag gang of storm chasers and a cool/smart/scientist woman (The Walking Dead’s Sarah Wayne Callies stepping in the Helen Hunt-ish role) The biggest difference is Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakinsheild from The Hobbit trilogy) who is not a scientist like Bill Paxton’s character, but a teacher caught up in the action. The disaster is actually BIGGER in this film than it was in Twister. (The airport sequence being a big indicator how much crazier the tornado’s destruction is.) I’m kinda unclear if the film is entirely POV, or the film just switches to POV to regular narrative camera film making. That being said, this actually looks like it could be fun and the effects work is stellar. Sidenote: Funny how times change. If this film, as is, came out in 1996 opposite of Twister, people would have been going gaga for the visual effects work alone. It would have been a highly anticipated film. Now, a movie like is considered a quiet late summer release.

What’s it Not-Remaking? The Big Chill

What’s it actually about? When a group of old college friends reunite over a long weekend after one of them attempts suicide, old crushes and resentments shine light on their life decisions, and ultimately push friendships and relationships to the brink.

My thoughts? “The Big Chill for the new Millennials” ? Interesting. Unlike The Big Chill, the “reasoning” for the group of friends meeting up is still alive, and thus brings about a different set of comedy/drama potential. The cast is pretty great, and there just might be enough in charm and humor to let it stand out on it’s own.  I do find it funny seeing Jane Levy in this movie, knowing that she was in fact in an ACTUAL remake (Evil Dead) and that plot of the film was about….a group of friends meeting in a cabin to help her out with a fatal problem. Huh…how about that. SCHMIDT! Don’t read from the book!

What’s it Not-Remaking? When Harry Met Sally

What’s it actually about? Wallace, who is burned out from a string of failed relationships, forms an instant bond with Chantry, who lives with her longtime boyfriend. Together, they puzzle out what it means if your best friend is also the love of your life.

My thoughts? This films concept goes right back to a classic scene from When Harry Met Sally….

After watching the trailer, I feel there is enough in this movie to start letting the comparisons die. Daniel Radcliffe is going full force into being a leading man this year (he’s also got the cool looking Horns coming out in October) and he’s got this nebbish-y appeal in the trailer that’s working. Zoe Kazan is one of those indie movie girl crushes that I’ve developed with in the last few years, and she’s seems just as engaging here as she does in most of her film roles. She also seems to have some chemistry with Radcliffe, a element you can’t manufacture in romantic comedies. Overall, this flick looks sweet and fun.

THE SEQUEL

How many other films have been in this series? This will be the fifth Step Up movie.

What’s THIS one about? All-stars from the previous Step Up installments come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers.

My thoughts? I have never seen a Step Up movie….but I might try it  out one of these days. Anyone who knows my love of looking at a film franchise, when the movie goes pass the third one, I start to be a bit interested in seeing how far they will take it. The film series is a far cry away from its simple first film. When you start creating mega-underground dance competitions, then this series it’s getting to levels that are Fast and Furious interesting. When will I take the plunge? Well, it won’t be with this film. I honestly want to start at the beginning. If you’ve seen the other ones (and liked them) then this looks like this will be another enjoyable entry for you.

THE REBOOT

How many reboots has this franchise gone through? Counting the cartoons, this will be the 8th reboot.

What’s this version of these characters about? Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O’Neil and her cameraman Vern Fenwick to save the city and unravel Shredder’s diabolical plan.

My thoughts? In the advent of the hardcore angry outcry of fandom who just hates the idea of this version of the film…I’ve somehow become GUARDs representative of trying to be optimistic about the flick.

If you read my write up on this trailer (click here to read if you missed it) my thoughts are still the same.

So far, no real reviews have been published, but these tweets from Aint it Cool writer/reviewer Eric Vespe (aka QUINT on the site) is the first real reaction I’ve seen for the film….

Hmmmm, not nessarly glowing in positivity, but not slamming it either.

Curious to know how the other reviews will be like. Will they all say the same thing, or will this be the nicest thing we’re going to hear about this movie?

What films are you most excited for this week? Let us know in the comments below!