We’re midway through the summer and it’s getting sticky out there. For those of us that brave the outdoors, you’re going to want to savour and soak in the sun. But for everyone else, there’s a plethora of entertainment options to beat the heat. Whether you’re a movie fanatic, a music junkie, a festival head, or all of the above, August is a great month for you. Here are some of the best entertainment options coming your way in the next four weeks.
Suicide Squad (August 5th)
Who knew being bad, felt so good? Suicide Squad has been in our news cycle for what seems like forever now. The David Ayer production is riding the biggest hype train of the year, and everyone will be flocking to theatres to see if it’s justified. As an added bonus, we get to see the newest iteration of the Joker, and by all accounts, it looks to be the most unique film adaptation yet.
Also In Theatres (Various Dates)
While certainly not as impressive as July, this month has some decent theatrical offerings. Most prominent of these releases, is the animated comedy, Sausage Party, which hits screens on the 12th. The trailer for the Seth Rogen flick has already gone viral, and if nothing else, it looks like mindless fun. The true stories, War Dogs and Imperium, are also slated for an August release. Rogen collaborator, Jonah Hill, stars in the military action about arms dealers. Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe plays an FBI infiltrator in the white supremacist movement. Both movies seem to be worth an outing.
Netflix (Various Dates)
Maybe going out isn’t your thing. If you have a Netflix subscription, you have an excellent list to choose from. Set up a family night and screen The Peanuts Movie, which is one of the year’s lightest and most underrated animated adventures. Having some friends over? Throw on 22 Jump Street for some laughs, or Snowpiercer for some out of this world fantasy action. Either of these will be a success, because like always, Netflix has you covered.
In Your Ears (Various Dates)
Baltimore alternative duo, Wye Oak, are preparing a vinyl release of their recent studio record Tween on August 5th. The art alone is so funky, the physical might be worth picking up just for the sleeve. However, it’s also a great piece of music, and if you haven’t already heard Tween, you’ve made a huge mistake. Also releasing this month, is the new album by California punk rockers, Thee Oh Sees. A Weird Exits, is the 15th studio album by the prolific group, and it’s sure to rock extra harder than anything else this month. In hip-hop, we can also expect PARTYNEXTDOOR and Rae Sremmurd’s anticipated full lengths.
2016 Summer Olympics: Rio de Janeiro (August 5th-21st)
The world’s best athletes will be flocking to Brazil to compete in the Olympic games. No matter the results, the competition will reel us all in, and we’ll be fed some amazing storylines. It’s always a treat to see underexposed athletes turn into stars and heroes on the grandest stage. There is also, of course, the looming controversies that have been plaguing these games, so it will be extra intriguing to see how these issues settle during the next few weeks.
Also In Sports (Various Dates)
Before we move on from the Olympics, it’s in your best interest to mark down the dates of the men’s basketball competition. Despite losing out on a few key names, the players in Rio will put on a show, and if you find yourself missing the NBA, you won’t be disappointed. The end of the month is highlighted by US Open tennis. Starting on August 29th, you’ll be able to see the best in the business, including Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, and Novak Djokovic. Also included in the mix will be Wimbledon winner, and world number two, Andy Murray. The US Open will be some of this summer’s highest level of sport.
Music Festivals
The first weekend of August is highlighted by some great festival action. If you’re a fan of live music, and planning to visit Toronto or Montreal, stop by OVO Fest or Osheaga. The Drake-hosted, OVO Fest, is always home to surprise appearances, so expect some of the world’s biggest pop and hip-hop superstars to make a guest stop. If indie rock is your thing, Osheaga has you covered. This year, the Quebec-based event is headlined by Radiohead. This marks their most prominent Canadian stop, and if you’ve had A Moon Shaped Pool on repeat this summer, you definitely need to see it played live.
