This week’s column is full of action, science fiction and even a dash of comedy (to add a little dash of diversity).

The Martian follows an astronaut abandoned on Mars and his quest to get back home to Earth. American Ultra is a comedy about a stoner, who is really a government agent and his attempts to thwart being rubbed out by them. Finally, Z For Zachariah is a science thriller revolving around two men and a woman, possibly the last remaining members of civilization, who become involved in a love triangle.

All of these films are sure to keep moviegoers’ attention with their unique plots and unexpected twists and turns. In addition, the special effects in two of the movies will almost certainly knock the socks of audiences. Plus, each flick had top-notch celebrities in their casts, which will be a definite draw for their fans on each motion picture’s opening day.

The Martian
The Martian is an action/science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. It’s based on the novel by Andy Weir of the same name.

Starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Fantastic Four’s Kate Mara, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean Sebastian Stan of the Captain America movie franchise and Mackenzie Davis of the AMC original television series Halt and Catch Fire.

Damon plays astronaut Mark Watney, who while on a mission to Mars is presumed dead and abandoned by his crew. Yet, with just his wits and insufficient supplies, Watney fights to signal Earth that he is indeed alive. This motion picture’s trailer illustrates how a freak storm on Mars leads a group of astronauts to believe that one of their own has perished. Yet, miraculously, he survived and must now use every skill he has to signal Earth to be rescued.

It opens in theaters on Friday, October 2.

American Ultra
American Ultra is a comedy starring Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Nashville’s Connie Britton, Topher Grace, John Leguizamo and Bill Pullman.

This laughfest centers around a young stoner, who doesn’t know that he’s actually a government agent. Unfortunately for him, the agency has deemed him a liability and orders his elimination. What they don’t realize is that though stoned out of his mind, he’s still an extremely well trained operative who won’t go down without a fight and some serious hijinks.

This flick’s trailer displays how one minute Mike Howell (Eisenberg,) looks and acts like an ordinary, run-of-the-mill stoner and the next he can take out two armed men with just a spoon. The fact that Howell has no idea how he acquired the skills he has and why people want him dead only adds to the hilarity of his situation.

It opens in theaters on Friday, August 21.

Z For Zachariah
Z For Zachariah is a science fiction thriller starring Chris Pine, Focus’ Margot Robbie and 12 Years a Slave’s Chiwetel Ejiofor.

This post-apocalyptic film is based on the book of the same name by Robert C. O'Brien. Set after a disaster has wiped out most of civilization, leaving only two men and a woman as the last remaining people. To add to their dilemma, a love triangle forms between the three. This movie’s trailer explains how two of them (Robbie and Ejiofor) come to find each other, see that they are all that is left of the civilization they knew and bond. Then, Pine’s character appears and a love triangle between the three emerges along with intrigue and distrust.

This one also opens in theaters on Friday, August 21.