Hey all – Steve here. It’s been a while. Well, for this column at least. This time around we are going to talk through the top 10 flicks ever released in August. We’ve got 5 participants this time around, so you will see lists from me, Timmy, Arick, Nardo, and Dave. Then we have our overall and I do believe that it is time to get this party started! Remember that August has been known to be a bit of a dumping ground for those flicks that may or may not be on the fringes of a summer blockbuster.
10. Rush Hour 2
There are some people that will say this is one of the best sequels of all time. Others will say that it was just so-so and more of the same from the first while not really building off of the original. For me, it is clearly the chemistry between Chan and Tucker. You can’t tell me these two aren’t great together in these flicks. A fine #10 entry.
9. The Usual Suspects
Those who love this one have nerves of steel. That’d be me. It really is one of the best heist movies of all time and if you’re a fan of twists and turns and you haven’t seen The Usual Suspects, shame on you! This is real elite work by all involved including Bryan Singer. I mean even Stephen Baldwin was just fine in this one. The cast is phenomenal, the story is outstanding, and it really is just done right.
8. Blade
Blade fell just outside my top 10 and was an honorable mention for Timmy. I don’t believe Blade was created with a “masterpiece” in mind. It became something it clearly is – a fun, trailblazing flick that set the stage for some of the great comic book flicks of all time. I suppose I left it off my list because it just hasn’t aged well for me. It’s tough to watch in 2021 but was tons of fun when it was released in ’98. Yeah, Stephen Dorff was pretty bad in this one. It happens.
7. The Fugitive
How great has Harrison Ford been to us over the years? Well, he did it again with this one and if it wasn’t enough that he is in the movie, take a look at his team – Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore, and Joe Pantoliano. Wow. If it’s thrills and suspense that you are looking for, then look no further. The Fugitive is outstanding and thoroughly entertaining throughout. While it was nominated for Best Picture, it was in the same category as Schindler’s List. That’s a problem for most films. Check it out if you’ve never seen it and revisit if it’s been a while. Well worth it!
6. Superbad
How great is Superbad? Well, I guess to this team it’s not great enough to be in the Top 5 this time around. David and I had some great placement for this one – I can’t say the same about the rest. I just listened to an interview of Judd Apatow and some of his stories are rather interesting. Many actors didn’t want to work with Judd back then and others were too busy. He knew he had to adapt somehow, so he began finding the next group of actors that he could potentially use in the future. This was one of those flicks and it really has done wonders for all involved. Great flick and always there for you when you need a laugh!
5. The 40-Year-Old-Virgin
Let’s get to the Top 5 and we will kick it off with The 40-Year-Old-Virgin! This is the same type of idea as Superbad for Apatow. This one is a laugh a minute and just so well written and the comedic timing of this cast is impeccable. Carell, Rudd, Malco, Rogen, Banks all get the job done, and then some here. I dare you to watch this movie right now and not find it funny. It’s been 16 years and it holds up 100% for me. Feeling down? Watch this one right now. Unless you are a 40-year-old virgin yourself – in that case, maybe just sit this one out.
4. Natural Born Killers
This one is post-White Men Can’t Jump for Woody Harrelson and pre-Iron Man for Robert Downey Jr. Is he even cool enough at this point to call him RDJ? I think not. I digress. These two are brilliant in Natural Born Killers and so are the likes of Juliette Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones. Oliver Stone nailed this one – as he is known to do. Don’t forget we get a little Tarantino action with this one. This flick really makes you feel the characters and feel for them as well. Natural Born Killers has certainly evolved into a cult classic and it fits the mold perfectly. Do you think there is a problem with how the media has portrayed criminals over the years?
3. Inglourious Basterds
Inglourious Basterds is such an outstanding film. I remember seeing this at a midnight showing back in 2009 and checking it out. I watched it a couple more times in theaters and it continues to be one of my go-to flicks when I don’t have much time or if I am writing an article such as this one. No, I’m not watching this one right now – it’s Horrible Bosses. This was Tarantino’s 6th flick and is utterly brilliant. Change my mind – I’ll wait.
2. The Sixth Sense
This was some mind-bleepin’ shit. M. Night Shyamalan did the whole damn thing in this one. Bruce Willis was great and Haley Joel Osment was great as Cole. I don’t care much for Haley as he was a real jerk in The Entourage Movie. I will hold a grudge if I want to. People generally want to discuss the ending of this one, but as *insert adjective here* as it was, for me it was simply the icing on the cake to an otherwise great film. They told a great story here and this one should continue to be viewed over and over again. It’s about that time of year!
1. Guardians of the Galaxy
Truth be told I had zero desire to go to the press screening for The Guardians of the Galaxy. The only reason why I went was that the theater was across the street from my house and well, you know…the whole critic thing. Needless to say, I had my mind blown with this one, but it took me a little bit to warm up to Rabbit. You know what I mean. This has repeat viewing written all over it, so it’s quite normal for you to have seen it so many times. It’s Marvel. It is what it is. The cast is always pretty incredible and Vin Diesel gives his best performance ever as Groot. I said what I said.
That’ll do it for this PCP Top 10! We hope you had fun with our lists and we would LOVE to hear yours. Make sure you pay close attention to the site and our social media outlets for future Top 10s!