By Jon Donnis
There's a bold, unashamed streak of pulp running through LEGEND's August premieres, and they're not hiding it. Kicking things off is the UK TV premiere of Acceleration, a high-octane revenge thriller where Dolph Lundgren plays a seedy crime lord who kidnaps a child to punish his disloyal employee. It's violent, fast and full of grit, and Natalie Burn's action-hero lead performance adds a surprising charge to what could've been a throwaway B-movie. She holds her own opposite Lundgren, which is saying something.
The month continues with the channel premiere of Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn's 2011 breakout hit. Ryan Gosling's performance as the quiet but deadly 'Driver' still feels iconic over a decade later, and the film's brooding style, sharp violence and synthy soundtrack are as influential as ever. It's a serious bit of programming that gives the lineup some real punch. Then there's Big Kill, a throwback Western that doesn't mind being a bit silly. With Jason Patric and Lou Diamond Phillips navigating a lawless desert town, it's got all the dusty shootouts and crooked preachers you'd expect.
ROBIN HOOD: THE REBELLION (2018)
Renny Harlin's 12 Rounds adds more action muscle to the lineup with John Cena in full unstoppable-detective mode. It's relentless and packed with stunts, but doesn't overcomplicate things. You also get Karl Urban's underseen Viking adventure Pathfinder, a brutal, moody piece that imagines Norse warriors invading pre-Columbian America. Not everyone will go for it, but it's got atmosphere to spare.
There's also Robin Hood: The Rebellion, which leans into old-school swashbuckling more than gritty realism. Brian Blessed plays Friar Tuck and chews through the scenery, while Ben Freeman's take on Robin keeps the pace moving. It's broad and more fun than it has any right to be. How I Spent My Summer Vacation shifts gears again with Mel Gibson stuck in a hellish Mexican prison. Somehow the film manages to mix dark humour with full-on brutality, and Gibson seems to relish playing the desperate anti-hero. It's rough around the edges, but weirdly effective.
BIG KILL
The schedule doesn't stop at films either. From 25 August, the original Charlie's Angels series returns, landing weekdays at 17:30. There's a retro charm to it that still holds up. Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson were huge stars for a reason, and even if some of the plots feel dated, the sheer charisma and camp style make it work. Whether you're watching for nostalgia or curiosity, there's a lot to enjoy.
LEGEND has always carved out a lane for genre lovers and late-night channel surfers. This August, they've lined up a string of titles that embrace action, pulp and bold characters. Not every film in the slate is subtle, but they're not trying to be. If you're after quiet introspection, look elsewhere. If you want brawls, blood and big personalities, August is sorted.
