When I went to see Tony (the Anthony Bourdain biopic directed by Nirvanna the Band’s Matt Johnson), I ended up having to sit in the very front row. And the theater didn’t have those recliner seats, so I had my head bent back pretty much 90 degrees the whole time. While that certainly wasn’t ideal, it felt thematically appropriate, insofar as I had to frequently turn my head to consistently focus on whichever character was speaking at any given moment. And since this is a talky, character-driven flick, that sort of attention is exactly what’s called for. And my neck didn’t even feel stiff the next day! So, all in all, another successful movie-going experience.
Here they come to PAW the day! (CREDIT: Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster)
Starring: Carter Young, Hayden Chamberlain, McKenna Grace, Henry Bolan, Terry Crews, Ron Pardo, Jennifer Hudson, Fortune Feimster, Bill Nye, Meredith MacNeill, Jameela Jamil, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Rain Janjua, Lucien Duncan-Reid, William Desrosiers, Nylan Parthipan
Director: Cal Brunker
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Rating: PG for Animals (and Some Humans) in Grave Danger
Release Date: August 14, 2026 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: Those gawdang canine rescuers are back on the big screen! And this time around, they’re teaming up with T-Rexes and Stegosauruses and the like. That’s right, the PAW Patrol have wound up in their very own land that time forgot. It’s quite the idyllic island, with dinos and puppies living in perfect harmony. But like so many peaceful paradises, it’s filled with valuable natural resources that are just begging to be exploited. So once word gets out about Dino Island’s rich supply of diamonds, the Patrol’s old nemesis Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) and his kitty conspirators make their way over to do the exploiting. But these puppies and their new scaly friends aren’t exactly ones to roll over in the face of a direct threat.
What Made an Impression?: Bow Wow Wow Yippie Yo Yippie Yay: I am pleased to report that PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie commences with Snoop Dogg as the patriarch of a yachting family fishing in the middle of the ocean, while his Paris Hilton-voiced wife attempts to grill up dinner on the deck. It’s certainly not unheard of for unlikely celebs to show up in kiddie flicks (just take a look at the rest of this movie’s cast, after all), but this moment is much more surreal than I bargained for. And the only reasonable conclusion is that Snoop must now play a variation of himself in every film aimed at the preschool set. Sound the Alarm!: Speaking of PAW Patrol‘s target audience, not many major movies are rated G these days, but you might think that this would be one that’s perfectly acceptable for general audiences. Alas, this is in fact a PG feature, and that’s no mistake on the MPA’s part, as the puppies and the dinos and their human companions find themselves in legitimate danger on multiple occasions. I’m talking fire, collapsing structures, and errant cliff diving. It’s not like bodies are being charred to a crisp or like limbs are being torn from torsos. But it is enough to make you realize that playtime is over. The Spirit of Aesop: Obviously I’m not the target audience for this movie, so I’ll let the toddlers out there decide if this is something they want to drag their parents along to. And ultimately like a lot of movies with this demographic in mind, its entertainment is fundamentally bound with its edification. The main message is the importance of not giving up and believing in yourself even when (or especially when) you’re not perfect. It’s not revolutionary by any means, but it’s certainly sensible enough.
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie is Recommended If: You’re totally obsessed with the titular creatures
What a Trooper! (CREDIT: Searchlight Pictures/Screenshot)
Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhanske, Brian Cox, Marisa Coughlan, Nat Faxon, Chace Crawford, Andrew Dismukes, Hannah Simone, Iqbal Theba, Sakina Jaffrey, Jon Rudnitsky, Lisa Gilroy, Lynda Carter
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
Running Time: 104 Minutes
Rating: R for Sexual Content, Nudity, Language Throughout, and Drug Content
Release Date: August 7, 2026 (Theaters)
Well, now here I am, ready to offer a fuller assessment of Super Troopers 3 and examine if my speculations about where we were headed based on the opening act held up to snuff. I mostly expected a continuation of the initial offerings, and a continuation is what we got indeed. That is to say: more racial humor, more takeout coffee, and more of a loyal comedy troupe being (too?) comfortable with each other. On the other hand, I also worried about being exhausted by this approach, though I hoped that the bonhomie would comfortably counteract those concerns. Alas, the path that ST3 trods parallels that of early-into-mid-90s SNL, wherein edgy-but-clever comedy was gradually overwhelmed by the clever-but-obnoxious.
By the time it all wraps up with a very busy conclusion, the vibes were back to being as friendly as ever, but I couldn’t completely wipe away the tastes of all the crudeness and the disrespect. Although I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Vermont has permanently ruined its relations with its Indian population. I’m wincing, but I still feel welcomed by this wacky family, and I imagine plenty of other viewers will feel the same. We could have definitely gotten a bigger Bollywood-style blowout, though. Surely Farva has the moves to pull it off.
Starring: Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, Molly Ringwald, LeVar Burton, King Princess, Okieriete Onaodowan, Este Haim, Ziwe, Michelle Hurd
Director: Will Gluck
Running Time: 102 Minutes
Rating: R for Frank Pent-Up Sexuality
Release Date: August 7, 2026 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: It’s been three years since the United States outlawed premarital sex, save for a single annual 12-hour period of debauchery. Ergo, One Night Only is indeed the Carnal Version of The Purge. Pizzeria owner Owen (Callum Turner) is planning to use the occasion to propose to his girlfriend (Maya Hawke), but she actually thinks that they should sleep with other people. Meanwhile, daydreamer Allie (Monica Barbaro) is a singer of commercial jingles who plans to spend the evening hunting alongside her friend (King Princess), but she ditches her almost immediately. Left to wander the streets of NYC on their own, Owen and Allie keep bumping into each other throughout the night. It sure seems like the universe is trying to tell them to hook up, but their various hangups end up making that a rather roundabout journey.
What Made an Impression?: The Political Picture: Outlawing premarital sex sounds rather dystopian to me, but the society of One Night Only comes off as just plain frustrated and exhausted rather than oppressed. So you kind of just have to roll with the premise and not worry if it’s terribly realistic or not. Although, upon further consideration, I suppose there are real world examples of citizens continuing to have social lives despite the best efforts of governments taking their rights away. It would have been interesting to see ONO grapple more with the political implications of its premise (though it does a bit), but you kind of just have to accept that it has other things on its mind. Worst-Laid Plans: Part of the One Night Only Mandate is that anyone partaking must use protection while having relations. This leads to a series of gags in which Owen and Allie desperately venture into any bodega and health clinic they can find in search of a condom, only for every location to inevitably be out of stock. Which begs the question: why wouldn’t these establishments increase their inventory tenfold or a hundredfold for the occasion? I understand the desire to create a desperate situation from a screenwriting perspective, but it’s hard not to be disappointed by such a lack of foresight. They’re Dancing About It Too: A different running gag that I’m much more fond of takes its aim at an odd trend in the current media landscape. When we’re introduced to Allie, she’s singing Sara Bareilles’ inspirational anthem “Brave”, but it’s actually a reworked version for a psoriasis medication commercial. We’re also treated to revamped editions of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “A Thousand Miles”, the latter for a personal hygiene product. If this is the fate of all pop music in the 21st century, then that sounds more oppressive than the no-sex Mandate (but hilariously so). Do They Win Us Over?: With One Night Only leaving me with multiple questions about its approach, its potential success ultimately comes down to how charming its leads are. And they’re pretty charming! Plus, director Will Gluck (Easy A, Anyone But You) is a reliable rom-com veteran with a knack for playing around with the tropes of the genre. Plus, I would be remiss not to mention the steady hands of Molly Ringwald as Owen’s mother and LeVar Burton as her boyfriend. Ultimately, I’m in the mood to root that it all works out for Allie and Owen, at least for the one night that I’m focused on them.
One Night Only is Recommended If You Like: Cheekiness over Profundity
Keep on Troopin’, eh? (CREDIT: Searchlight Pictures/Screenshot)
Starring: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhanske, Brian Cox, Marisa Coughlan, Nat Faxon, Chace Crawford, Andrew Dismukes, Hannah Simone, Iqbal Theba, Sakina Jaffrey, Jon Rudnitsky, Lisa Gilroy, Lynda Carter
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
Running Time: 104 Minutes
Rating: R for Sexual Content, Nudity, Language Throughout, and Drug Content
Release Date: August 7, 2026 (Theaters)
Super Troopers 3 is set to arrive in theaters on August 7, and I’m going to review it quite differently than how I generally review the attractions on the silver screen. Specifically, I shall initially focus on the first third of the movie and then speculate how the rest of the flick might go. Then on August 7 or later, I am going to return with Part 2 of the review and assess the rest of it in light of my speculation.
On my way to see August movies (CREDIT: Ketchup Entertainment)
They keep making new movies, and some of them are even worth watching. Here’s what’s at the top of the slate for August 2026:
One Night Only: It’s like The Purge, but for sex. Which is to say, One Night Only is about a world in which pre-marital relations are legal for only a single night per year. Callum Turner (who’s everywhere right now) and Monica Barbaro (formerly of Lifetime’s UnREAL) play the leads.
You can see One Night Only as often as you want in movie theaters beginning on August 7.
TV
–ESPN Jeopardy! Series Premiere (July 31 on Disney+, Hulu, and the ESPN App) – Hosted by Joe Buck.
–Futurama Season 14 (or Season 11) Premiere (August 3 on Hulu)
Music
-Ariana Grande, petal
-Shaboozey, The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales
Sports
-Little League Softball World Series (August 2-9 on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC)
A rose by any other bush… (CREDIT: MUBI/Screenshot)
Starring: Callum Turner, Jamie Bell, Tracy Letts, Riley Keough, Lukas Gage, Elle Fanning, Pamela Anderson, Elena Anaya
Director: Karim Aïnouz
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Rating: Unrated
Release Date: July 24, 2026 (Theaters)
Rosebush Pruning is a movie that does feature some literal rosebush pruning, but that titular gardening activity is also a metaphor for something else. Anyway, what you really gotta know about this flick is that Callum Turner, Jamie Bell, Riley Keough, and Lukas Gage play a quartet of adult siblings who still live with their father (Tracy Letts), and let’s just say that they’re a little bit too close to each other. Longtime readers of my reviews will surely know that I often like to ask myself if I would like to live in the world of the movie that I’m reviewing. In this case, that answer is: Oh, definitely not! Unless, that is, we zoom out a bit. While I certainly don’t want to be a member of this family, I wouldn’t mind spending a decent amount of time in beautiful Catalonia, which is where they currently live. So I guess the moral of the story is: when in Spain, don’t be these people
…Started up a Brand New Day! (CREDIT: Marvel/Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, Florence Pugh, Liza Colón-Zayas, Marvin Jones III, Zabryna Guevara
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Running Time: 145 Minutes
Rating: PG-13 for Occasionally Gnarly Action Violence, and a Little Bit of Language
Release Date: July 31, 2026 (Theaters)
What’s It About?: It’s been a lonely life for the Tom Holland version of Peter Parker ever since his last big screen adventure. He’s still Spider-Man, and New Yorkers still love their arachnid guardian, but a spell has been cast that has made everyone forget the entire existence of the human being behind the mask. He’s inching towards re-introducing himself to his former girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), but he’s got to be careful, since there are always new threats lurking around the corner. This time around, the primary threat is a mysterious newcomer (Sadie Sink) with the ability to jump her consciousness into other people who’s trying to expose a secret at the suspiciously friendly Department of Damage Control. Meanwhile, Peter seems to be going through a sort of second adolescence, as he develops new powers and then consults a relatively Hulk-free Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to help him get a grip on these emerging abilities.
What Made an Impression?: The Day After When?: To rewatch or not to rewatch? That’s always one of the big questions at the heart of the latest MCU release. With Brand New Day, I wondered if I ought to revisit 2021’s No Way Home to remind myself how we got to the point where nobody remembered Peter Parker anymore. But ultimately, I decided I would prefer not to and instead see how this chapter stands on its own (which is typically my prerogative in general). And I believe I made the right decision. While things started off feeling a little vague, I appreciated that this movie didn’t feel the need to recap itself to death and instead give off at least a hint of mystery. Criss-Cross:Brand New Day reaches towards the platonic ideal of a true low-key comic book crossover sensibility. We’ve seen Peter team up with all the major Avengers already, but what about the other rando Marvel heroes and villains we’ve yet to see him interact with before? Several of them are in this movie! But not all of them, as that would be too overwhelming. Sometimes superhero flicks have multiple antagonists combined with a whole host of friendly cameos, and it ends up feeling like three or four (or a thousand) different movies smashed together. But in this case, it feels natural enough that all these folks would be interacting with each other in this series of scenarios. They Had an Effect on Me: My biggest bummer with BND is that the visual effects are too slick in the way that our digitized and sanitized CGI era so often is. There’s just not much tactility as Spidey swings around the Big Apple. Nevertheless, there is a decent amount of emotional heft to the big set pieces. It helps when there are some close-up shots interspersed within those sequences, as Tom Holland’s eternally youthful visage immediately conveys plenty of vulnerability. Brand New Enough Indeed: Ultimately, I’m pleased to report that I was satisfied by Brand New Day because it didn’t feel like just more of the same once again in the way that so many Marvel movies have. While it didn’t quite blow me away like the most transcendent examples of this genre, I never quite knew where we headed. The reveals are clever, the ideas are sincere, and the enthusiasm is still real.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is Recommended If You Like: A mix of the old and the new
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