August sees the arrival of major Amazon Original series, including a TV adaptation of Harlan Coben’s thriller novel ‘Shelter’, and Sigourney Weaver’s latest project, ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’.

The streaming service is bringing in an influx of fun library flicks, including the recent 2023 fantasy blockbuster ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’, ‘Cocaine Bear’, and other summer classics; Prime Video is also slated for intimate documentaries such as ‘Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity’.

Check out this months’ mixed bag of movies and series curated by The Beat Asia.

Films

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’

Based on the cult favourite fantasy table-top roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons, (affectionately referred to by players as DnD), this campaign film adaptation takes laymen and veteran players on a fun tongue-in-cheek fantasy journey.

Entering the world of barbarians, paladins, and sorcery; the film lends itself to a rich lore for viewers at home, stringing together equal parts heart, charm, and humour. When bard Edgin Darvis attempts to resurrect his murdered wife, he discovers a long-winded plot against himself and the realm. In his search for allies, Edgin forms a motley crew of abled fighters to take down the tyrannical Red Wizards of Thay.

When: Aug. 25

‘Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity’

‘Zero Gravity’ is a heartfelt portrayal and cinematic tribute to the life and music of Jazz legend Wayne Shorter. Divided into three parts, each reflecting a distinct phase of Shorter’s musical journey and personal life, the film provides an up-close and personal look at the acclaimed composer and musician.

Shorter is widely regarded as one of the most influential modern composers and musicians in American music, and his contributions to the art form are highly esteemed.

When: Aug. 25

Series

‘Shelter’

Harlan Coben’s best-selling thriller novel ‘Shelter’ is being adapted by Prime Video, adding a breadth of variety to the existing young-adult suspense genre on the streaming platform.

When Mickey Bolitar loses his father in a car crash, he encounters an eerie neighbourhood house that he feels strangely attracted to. With her wild grey locks and untrustworthy countenance, the houses’ caretaker, the ‘Bat Lady’, tells Mickey that his father is still alive. When Mickey’s classmate doesn’t show up for school, he decides to find out the common thread which links the two disappearances.

When: Aug. 18

‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’

Based on Holly Ringland’s best-selling debut novel of the same name, ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’, the seven-part miniseries covers a tragic tale of recovery propelled by lies and secrets.

Spanning several years, ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ is set against the picturesque Australian landscape, with the continents’ wild flora playing a symbolic role in the series. After Alice suffers a family trauma at a young age, she is placed under the care of her paternal grandmother, June. June, while well-intentioned, makes questionable choices for Alice in the name of what she believes is best.

When: Aug. 4

‘The Killing Vote’

Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, ‘The Killing Vote’ follows detective Kim Moo-chan and cybercrimes investigator Joo Hyun, as they attempt to track down a murderer-vigilante known as ‘Dog Mask’.

In a nation-wide vote, ‘Dog Mask’ asks the public to decide upon the deaths of criminals who have bypassed the justice system. If the votes exceed 50 percent of the population, ‘Dog Mask’ delivers a brutal reckoning of ‘personal justice’, backed by the nations’ accomplices.

When: Aug. 10

‘New Bandits’

Brazilian show ‘New Bandits’ tells the story of Ubaldo, a miserable bank clerk with no memory of his childhood. Making a slow living for himself in the urban area of Sao Paolo, he discovers that he has an inheritance to a huge fortune, and an unexpected claim to leadership of a ruthless criminal gang. Reuniting with his biological family and becoming revered for his strong resemblance to his deceased father, Ubaldo must survive and lead the gang at the height of the conflict.

When: Aug. 18