Happy August everyone! With the second half of summer underway, let’s take a look at the new movies and music out today.

In theater’s today is THE DARK TOWER, an adaptation of Stephen King’s seminal book series. It stars Idris Elba as The Gunslinger, who must protect the tower, and the world, from destruction at the hands of The Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey).

Also out is WIND RIVER, a thriller directed and written by Taylor Sheridan. The film stars Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as FBI agents trying to solve a murder in the oppressive weather and isolation of the Wyoming winter.

Kathryn Bigelow’s DETROIT – a film that focuses on the Algiers Motel incident during the 1967 12th Street Riot – is also in theaters now. The movie stars John Boyega, Anthony Mackie and Algee Smith.

One more film out today is KIDNAP, which basically recycles the plot of Ransom, but with Halle Berry out to rescue her captured son, instead of Mel Gibson.

As for new music, we’ve got EARL GREY, the rhyming debut album from Girl Ray. The trio’s songs are full of hazy, shimmery warmth but some off-kilter melodies that will make your ears perk up.

Another debut is by Amy O, titled ELASTIC. The Indiana band started as the solo project of Amy Oelsner in 2004, but has since evolved into a full five-piece. Their music can sound deceptively simple at first glance, but the group has the ability to switch gears into a full, sharp sound.

You’ve also got a self-titled release by country singer Brett Eldredge, the electronica of Mystery Skulls’ ONE OF US, and the latest album by Randy Newman, DARK MATTER, to check out.

How’s your weekend shaping up? Talk about it below.