August always feels like a blur. With kids going back to school and the peak of the summer heat giving us the final sunburns of the season, it can be hard to fit in much gaming or binging of the latest and greatest. Despite that, August manages to be a month that introduces some exciting new things on the horizon - lots of teasers and anticipation enter the zeitgeist and get us excited for the future months ahead.
Here are just a few (seven to be precise) of our favorite things from the month of August 2021:
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home Trailer Leaks Then Drops
Surely no one is surprised by the ubiquity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at this point, but the first official trailer for Tom Holland’s latest Spider-Man entry took the world by predictable storm this month. This movie has been somehow more hyped than just about any of the films in the MCU so far by the apparent inclusion of a multiverse of characters from the Sony films featuring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.
This trailer officially confirmed at least one of the crossovers with the resurrection of Alfred Molina’s Otto Ocatvius. There are also several easter eggs that lead to other major league villains, including Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin bombs. Excitement doesn’t quite seem to sum up the feeling for this film and should bring the movie even further into the cultural phenomenon that is the MCU.
We don’t even have to mention that the world swooned for Dr. Strange in a hoodie for some reason. Like RDJ before him, Ebenezenick Cumberbund always manages to bring a certain level of notoriety to these films.
2. Stranger Things Season 4 Teased for 2022
While we didn’t get much to chew on for Stranger Things Season 4, Netflix and the Duffer Brothers have been slowly giving out pieces of information here and there to keep people on board with the horror fantasy franchise. With a series of flashing scenes and snippets, we were given a sneak peek at the next season of the anticipated series, but most importantly given a general date of when to expect the season to drop: 2022.
Regrettably, I already know that I will consume the entire season in a single day and then be disappointed for another three years until Season 5 drops. But, like a kid in a candy shop, I just can’t help but eat up every short minute of this series when it enters my life. MikeXEleven forever. Don’t @ me.
3. Cowboy Bebop Live Action Stills Dropped + Date
In addition to the drops we’ve listed above, anime fans were given the gift of a date and some stills of the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the critically acclaimed Cowboy Bebop. Starring John Cho as the protagonist Spike Spiegel, we got to see some compelling costume design and some less than stellar set design from these images. The 1998 anime is a cultural hit and has been expecting a revival for quite some time. And, admittedly, Cho has been in some interesting hits of his own since his Harold & Kumar days have passed.
As with Stranger Things, the highlight of this announcement was the inclusion of a release date, November 19th of this year, which feels almost too close for comfort. As a personal vow, I will watch every anime adaptation just out of the excitement that the American market will produce more if I support the industry. However, I’m not sold on this one yet. At the very least, here’s to hoping for a remix of that jazzy classic intro. Maybe Jon Batiste wouldn’t mind lending his intricate style to the composition? Here’s to hoping.
4. Star Wars: Visions Sets High Expectations
Do you like anime? Do you like Star Wars? If your answer was yes to either of those questions, click away from this blog right now and watch this trailer for Star Wars: Visions from Disney+. I’ll wait.
Welcome back. If that doesn’t get you hyped for this upcoming series, then I question your validity as either a fan of anime or Star Wars. This anthology series coming to the Disney streaming platform looks like an absolutely wild ride and I couldn’t be more here for it. Seven anime studios are doing their best shot at a story in the Star Wars universe. Not just paltry studios either.
To name a few:
Geno Studio -
Literally the only one I don’t know.
Studio Colorido -
Pokemon: Twilight Wings, A Whiskey Away
Kamikaze Douga -
Batman Ninja, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Kinema Citrus Co. -
Made in Abyss
Science SARU -
Space Dandy, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Devilman Crybaby
Studio Trigger -
I shouldn’t have to list these. You should know who Studio Trigger is.
Production IG -
SERIOUSLY. You should KNOW this company.
You should be hyped. If you aren’t hyped, I just don’t know what more I can do! This is set to be amazing.
5. Stardew Valley the eSport?
When Stardew Valley first entered the scene, it took the world by surprise. As a huge farming sim fan, I remember following every step of production here. I have been inundated by the work of ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) since day one and he surprises me again and again.
But - this one really surprised me. ConcernedApe hosted the first ever Stardew Valley Cup, where an invited list of SV buffs would duke it out for the highest determined score by set metrics from the hosts of the tournament. This made Stardew officially a sort of eSport, which is, by all accounts, absurd and delightful.
Still waiting on my invite, personally.
6. Nerd of Mouth Begins On Checkpoint Church Blog
In some self-promo, we launched an exciting new thing on our blog. In my work as a nerd pastor, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet some super cool people doing some super cool ministry in the nerd and digital space. I wanted to find a way to share those people with all of you out there - and so we started a cataloguing blog where I introduce our readers to a few of the exciting ministries going on bi-weekly. It’s been great so far and I would encourage you to give it a look!
7. We Launched LVL2!
Okay, so I’m double dipping in self-promo this month, but we also launched out next official step towards membership here at Checkpoint Church. It’s called LVL2 and it allows for folks who are ready to take a step beyond being served by the Church to actively serving the Church. It’s our next level of ‘yes’ that will allow for folks to take that step forward towards being a leader in this community. We’ve had some great people join up already - if you’re thinking that might be you, then click here and fill out the form to make the leap, trade in the exp, and level up!
So, that’s August in a nutshell. But there was certainly more that happened. What were some of your favorite highlights during the month? Share them down in the comments below.
Until next time, folks. Remember God loves you, we love you, and you matter.
What We’re Most Looking Forward To In September
2nd Ever Check-A-Thon
Star Wars: Visions
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Life is Strange: True Colors
Deathloop
Animal Crossing: Deserted Island Diary
Nerds of Pray Episode 3