The time is coming. The return of August marks a dreaded occasion scheduled for the near future; no, I’m not utilizing Minnesotan hyperbole to describe the conclusion of summer. Instead, I employ this melodramatic grandeur in allusion to my upcoming birthday. With this pessimistic view of the event, celebrated by indulgent desserts and bright balloons, I join the club of Ferrari-buying, mullet-rocking fiftysomethings who experience a similar crisis as the one plaguing me on the eve of my seventeen-ization. Luckily, the cure for existentiality is a heavy helping of good old-fashioned entertainment!
That declaration may not be exactly in line with a psychologist’s prescription, but the finest days of fun are still here even as the back-to-school commercials increase. (These days, the fifth-graders should have a hoarders-worth of folders by mid-July.) This thesis can be supported by the soaring popularity of Hollywood’s new hits. Following what initially appeared as, to put it gently, a horrific box office summer, a remarkable regeneration ensued thanks to Inside Out 2. Shattering all expectations, the Pixar sequel paved the way to success for fellow animated comedy Despicable Me 4 and straight-up naughty Marvel installment Deadpool & Wolverine. Though August, as usual, may be devoid of any major blockbusters (even the major film studios are basically disparaging the month with their release schedule), there are still a couple of gems to keep an eye out for, starting with the next suspenseful work in writer-director M. Night Shyamalan’s filmography.
Trap follows a dad and daughter who attend a massive (and highly tween-populated) concert to see iconic popstar Lady Raven perform. But between high-pitched screams of joy and questionably impromptu audience dance moves (Swiftie vibes, anyone?) lies a sinister secret: the seemingly happy-go-lucky father is a serial killer! True is the adage that it’s always the one you least suspect…or most suspect, either one. And there’s another twist, too! The entire concert event is a trap (hence the title) to surround the criminal and bring him into custody. So now “The Butcher,” as labeled by the media, must evade the cops and discover a route to safety, all while enduring the hardships of listening to shockingly catchy breakup tunes. Fresh off a supporting role in a little movie called Oppenheimer, St. Paul native Josh Hartnett assumes the lead role in this psychological thriller to prove that the actor is not simply a thing of the ’00s, leaving emo culture and bootcut jeans to fend for themselves. Earning the Korner’s exalted Must-See Movie of the Month (MSMM) sticker, despite my dominant claustrophobia, Trap confines you to a movie screen on August 2.
As for a summary of this month’s other anticipated releases, Zachary Levi colors his way into a family-friendly imaginary world in Harold and the Purple Crayon (Aug. 2); millennials are forced to confront terrifying scorpion-like extraterrestrials in Alien: Romulus (Aug. 16); and Dutch somehow finds his way back to the silver screen when Dennis Quaid takes on the Soviet empire, with the help of First Lady Nancy, in Reagan (Aug. 30). Check them out! Or don’t, it’s a free country.
Moving from the movie theaters to the local theatre (of which I am evidently a strong supporter of the “re” spelling), capping off the Northfield Arts Guild’s 64th Theater Season in costume-heavy fashion is The Merry Wives of Windsor, a delightful comedy by none other than that wordy, histrionic playwright Billy Shakespeare. Directed by Michelle Schwantes and featuring a truly outstanding ensemble, the 1602 classic finds Sir John Falstaff’s attempts to woo wealthy wives gone terribly wrong when his sanity dwindles as a result of the women’s retribution. The play will perform indoors this year instead of at that hot oven they call the park, so time is ticking to get tickets! (The amount of tongue twisters I inadvertently create is rather impressive.)
Eighty-degree weather means that local singer/songwriters are still at the absolute behest of concert attendees, chained to the often absurd amount of gigs they have already booked. New Prague makes its mark on the entertainment radar with their final month of free music at The Broz, a popular venue in the small Czechoslovakian-originated town. After a variety of previously successful shows from beloved musicians, the barrage of talent will culminate starting with a production from The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, which one can only imagine focuses on jazz. Love it or hate it, it’s the epitome of classy and this show, unlike the others, will be held at Memorial Park on August 1. Transitioning from the trumpet to the accordion, the polka-centric Eddie Shimota Band will be special guests the following weekend, showcasing their musical dexterity on August 8. Last but not least, Little Chicago returns for a rescheduled recital to display their talent. To clarify, the melodic assembly was not actually founded in Illinois, nor does it include Peter Cetera as a front man, but this cover band will make up for those false assumptions by rocking out to the greatest hits of the ’60s and ’70s on August 26. Groovy, man! So ink that pen (or just use a ballpoint one) and mark up your calendar for the abundance of songs, ditties and ballads at The Broz!
We all have to grow up at some point. Things have to be thrown away, let go, given up in order for change to occur and a new path to be forged. Sacrifices are inevitably made, but one concept that unites all generations is the experience of commonly shared joy. As summer begins to wrap up, remember that staying present and embracing entertainment is the key to making new memories.
To suggest a topic, send a helpful comment, or provide a hot entertainment tip, email the Kid Kritic at planetwhizkid@gmail.com.
