Weekend box office guide

Heading to theaters this weekend but not sure what to watch?

The Korea Herald offers a summary of the top box office hits now playing or movies that are coming soon.

For the first weekend of August, check out "Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation" for Hollywood action blockbuster or “Assassination” for an edge-of-your-seat historical thriller. "Veteran," starring actors Hwang Jung-min and Yoo Ah-in, comes out on Aug. 5.

Veteran (Korea)
Opening Aug.5
Action. Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan

When hot-headed veteran detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) suspects foul play by a rich, cocky corporate executive in the mysterious injuries of a truck driver, he begins an investigation but is blocked at every turn by bribes. Powerless but determined, Seo yells and punches his way through the film trying to find the truth and get justice.

Minions (U.S.)
Opened July 29
Animation. Directed by Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda

“Minions” introduces the history behind the mysterious yellow creatures seen in the “Despicable Me” movies. Since the dawn of time, all the Minions wanted to do was to find the most despicable master to serve, but they are unable to stick with any one master for long. Unable to stand it any longer, three Minion friends set off on a journey to find a new evil boss.

Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation (U.S.)
Opened July 30
Action. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is back, and he is facing his most dangerous enemy yet: a group called the Syndicate, as highly trained and deadly as the IMF (Impossible Missions Force). As the Syndicate attempts to change the world order through terrorist attacks, Ethan’s team scrambles to take them down, joining together with disavowed British agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson).

Assassination (Korea)
Opened July 22
Action. Directed by Choi Dong-hoon

In 1933, Korea is being ruled by a brutal Japanese government. The resistance brings in three assassins led by a female sniper (Jun Ji-hyun) to target two high-level figures on the Japanese side. During the mission, the assassins discover they are being chased down themselves by another hit man (Ha Jung-woo).

Inside Out (U.S.)
Opened July 9
Animation. Directed by Pete Docter

The latest movie from Pixar takes the audience into the head of 11-year-old Riley, where all emotions are controlled at a switchboard run by Joy (Amy Poehler), together with Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black) and Disgust (Mindy Kaling). A mishap sets off a chain reaction threatening Riley’s emotional balance, and Joy tries her best to set things right.

By Won Ho-jung
(hjwon@heraldcorp.com)