Two Shows to Stream on HBO Max in August

What’s new in streaming? This week, I’m looking at what’s new on my personal favorite, HBO Max. We all know this streaming service has some top-notch original content. August is looking good for some movies and series. A couple weeks ago, I gave you an overview of HBO Max in August. This weekend, I’m drilling down on two HBO originals – one movie, the other a series – available this month. Maybe one or even both of these shows will be something you and your family will enjoy streaming.

An American Pickle (August 6)

This show might be for anyone looking for a comedy with a near-impossible premise and an inspirational life message. Have I seen it yet? No, but I’ve seen enough movies to know a motivational comedy when I see one. The movie is about Eastern European immigrant Herschel Greenbaum. He falls into a pickle barrel in Brooklyn and lives 100 years without aging. When he’s discovered, he connects with his great-grandson, Ben Greenbaum.

An American Pickle is based on the short story “Sell Out,” by Simon Rich. It stars Seth Rogen as both Herschel and Ben Greenbaum. It also stars Sarah Snook, Jorma Taccone, and May Erskine. The film is directed by Brandon Trost. For a sneak peek at this inspirational comedy, check out the An American Pickle trailer:

Lovecraft Country (August 16)

This series looks very interesting for all the right reasons. What’s it about? Well, a young African-American man travels across the 1950s US in search of his missing father. As the show’s title implies, we can expect all manner of monsters and demons based on H.P. Lovecraft’s work. We can also expect to experience injustices and bigotry being perpetuated on the series’ protagonists. Most importantly, there’s a mystery to be solved, and I love mysteries.

Lovecraft Country is based on the book by Matt Ruff. The TV series stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jonathon Majors, and Michael Kenneth Williams. When it comes to the series’ production, Lovecraft Country has attracted some big names that include Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams. Check out the Lovecraft Country trailer:

Stuart Sweet Told Me Not to Mention This…

…But I have to discuss the Mulan remake on Disney+. Since I’ve been blogging about the Mickey Mouse streaming service a lot lately, Stuart told me to “back off!” That’s the irony of ironies, considering that he’s the dauntless Disney+ detractor. But anyway, I felt like I had to address the “Great Mulan Controversy of 2020.” I mean, it does have to do with streaming, right?

If you haven’t heard, Mulan is bypassing most American movie theaters and going straight to streaming. There’s a catch, though. If you’re a Disney+ subscriber, you’ll have to pay an additional $29.99 to see/own the movie. Disney shelled out $200 million to make Mulan, after all. Now, they’re expecting streaming subscribers to absorb the cost.

Prediction: Only those who REALLY want to see this live-action remake will shell out the cash.

What About YOUR Streaming Selections?

So, what streaming services do you have? More importantly, what are you watching? Let me know in the comments section below, especially if you end up purchasing Disney’s Mulan. Is this live-action remake going to be another frenetic martial arts spectacle like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Or will it capture everything that made the 1998 animated version such a classic? Let me know, streamers!

About the Author

Jake Buckler
Jake Buckler is a cord-cutter, consumer electronics geek, and Celtic folk music fan. Those qualities, and his writing experience, helped him land a copywriting gig at Signal Group, LLC. He also contributes to The Solid Signal Blog.