Category Archives: Movie Trailers

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS Embraces its Radical Roots in First Trailer [97 Screenshots]

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If there is one thing I could have done without in my life it would be the continuation of the Michael Bay produced TMNT reboot. I would have been completely happy. That was until I saw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows teaser trailer. While 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot had a grittier edge that lacked any kind of resemblance to the franchise, the Out of the Shadows teaser has the exact opposite feel to it.

TMNT is suppose to be the tubular adventures of four turtle brothers and their parental rat sensei who battle bizarre creature villains while navigating adolescence. Although the writers are the same, perhaps we can give thanks to the new director Dave Green (Earth to Echo). The Out of the Shadows teaser is spastic and drops very few hints about the plot, but it delivers more of that beloved TMNT personality in just 140 seconds than what the entire run time of the reboot did.

Here we find the Shredder (now played by Brian Tee) acting his revenge on the turtles by recruiting two thugs Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (Stephen Farrelly aka Sheamus from WWE) that become mutants of their own thanks to Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry), who fans know will become a mutant himself later on. Per usual, Channel 4 news reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) finds herself in trouble and a new hero hockey stick wielding hero, Casey Jones (Stephen Amell), arrives on the scene to save day.

There’s also flashes of alien spaceships coming from out of the sky near the end of the teaser. It has been rumored that Out of the Shadows could delve into Dimension X territory, which is the homeworld to Krang, the little anthropomorphic brain that sits inside the stomach of a mech suit he built while residing in the fearsome Technodrome – I can’t make this stuff up if I tried.

Now all of this may sound completely bonkers and stuffed to the brim like Spider-Man 3, but for some reason I find this to be a welcome change compared to that pile of garbage reboot – the only notable scene in the movie is the elevator beatbox session.

I grew up watching the Saturday morning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon in the ’90s, owning all of the licensed toys, bed sheets, and more. The first two films were also wildly enjoyable to me as a young lad – less so as an adult, but the nostalgia remains. And of course, Turtles in Time is arguably one of the best arcade side-scrollers ever created. All of this wackiness in the teaser gives me hope that the franchise can rise up from the ashes in which director Jonathan Liebesman helped lay the foundation for.

Extended commentary:

  • Bebop and Rocksteady look a little rough, but I’m sure the effects will be touched up before the film’s release.
  • There seems to be some kind of macguffin the turtles are protecting before they begin their fight against Bebop and Rocksteady.
  • Stephen Amell looks kind of out of place since the character Casey Jones most notably has long brown hair. Running away on rollerblades doesn’t help his case either.
  • Those alien spaceships look like rejected Transformers since Paramount distributes that property too.
  • I think Will Arnett is hilarious, but I am not a fan of his character in these movies.
  • Where is Whoopi??

Here are the two teaser posters featuring Bebop and Rocksteady that were released earlier today by their respective actors on their Twitter accounts (click on either one to enlarge):

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Directed by Dave Green, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows stars Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Brian Tee, Tyler Perry, Brittany Ishibashi, Laura Linney, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Johnny Knoxville, Pete Ploszek, Tony Shalhoub, Danny Woodburn, Gary Anthony Williams, and Stephen Farrelly. This film is set to arrive in theaters on June 3, 2016.

Source: TMNT Official YouTube Channel

New BATMAN V SUPERMAN Teaser Features a Showdown of Unhappiness [23 Screenshots]

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No one would blame you if you missed the new Batman v Superman teaser that aired during Gotham this evening – the series is a painstakingly hollow reminder that there is better Batman content in this world. So for those of us who did not tune into Fox, Warner Bros. was kind enough to upload the video to the Internet; as one would to get their content seen. Just a sneak peek of what’s to come, this short 50-second teaser sets the tone of one of the biggest cinematic showdowns in history.

If the brooding shown in the Batman v Superman teaser wasn’t enough, this short clip of the Dark Knight facing off against the Big Blue Boy Scout only serves as a prologue to the second official trailer, which will have its worldwide premiere during Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, December 2 at 11:35/10:35 pm CST.

It’s hard to get a read on the situation between the two DC titans without context. From what I can gather, based on the previous trailer we’ve seen, Batman (Ben Affleck) is captured by Superman’s SWAT team and then taken to Supe’s (Henry Cavill) underground lair. Why Superman is so pissed off at Batman we’ll have to wait and see. Maybe Clark and Bruce have a kinship and he feels betrayed. What will this big unmasking mean for the two heroes? And who are the Superman loyalists in riot gear?

There hasn’t been an official plot synopsis released for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice yet, but we can surmise, based on the Comic-Con trailer, that Batman is really pissed at Superman and sees him as a threat to humanity. There’s also Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) who is scheming per usual, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) shows up for some reason, and Zod’s body is in a plastic bag. Cool?

I’m still not entirely impressed with the whole confrontation. My inner fanboy should be geeking out hard, but because Warner Bros. hasn’t built up the mythos of their DC Cinematic Universe I don’t have any f*cks to give. If Zack Snyder and Co. can establish a good argument as to why the Batman needs to take down Superman along with setting up Affleck’s iteration of Bruce Wayne, all within this one movie, I will be greatly impressed.

I think my feelings about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice can be summed up best in LEGO Batman’s hit song, “Untitled Self Portrait”:

DARKNESS

NO PARENTS

CONTINUED DARKNESS

MORE DARKNESS

GET IT?

THE OPPOSITE OF LIGHT!!!

BLACK HOLE

CURTAINS DRAWN

IN THE BASEMENT

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

BLACKED OUT WINDOWS

BLACK SUIT

BLACK COFFEE

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Directed by Zack Snyder, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice stars Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne aka Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Ezra Miller as Barry Allen aka The Flash, Jason Mmoa as Arthur Curry aka Aquaman, Ray Fisher as Victor Stone aka Cyborg, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, and Diane Lane as Martha Kent. The movie is set to release in theaters on March 25, 2016.

Source: Warner Bros.

The CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Teaser Will Leave Your Pants Moist [w/ 129 Screenshots]

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In a surprise turn of events this evening, the first Captain America: Civil War teaser was unleashed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Both Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans we’re invited on the show to introduce the trailer. Three official one sheets were also released by Marvel Studios thereafter. It’s been a long time coming since Civil War was first announced, and the teaser delivers more than just the promise of its name.

Captain America Civil War Iron Man War Machine

If you know me, then you know I’m not big on watching trailers for action blockbusters I’m looking forward to seeing. The marketing always gives away the big money shots and I’d rather see them on the big screen for the first time than see them out of context in a trailer. But after my disappointment in Avengers: Age of Ultron, which had some incredible trailers cut for the film too, I couldn’t help myself. I needed assurance that this next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would provide more than popcorn entertainment. Age of Ultron is like dumping out your toy box onto the floor and smashing all your action figures together. And while Ant-Man is a lot of fun, the movie didn’t feel inherently connected with everything else going on in the MCU.

Captain America Civil War Falcon

Joe and Anthony Russo directed the hell out of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so not all faith was lost before watching the Civil War teaser. But as we’ve seen time and time again, with any trailer, just because they’re amazing doesn’t mean the movie will be. However, I’d like to remain optimistic. Like The Winter Soldier, Civil War presents big ideas told through very personal connections. Our heroes, who have tirelessly fought against supervillains, will now square off against one another. And it’s a testament to how well Marvel has sown the seeds with larger than life characters we’ve grown to love to reach this point. When Captain America says to Iron Man, “Sorry Tony, you know I wouldn’t do this if I had any other choice. But he’s my friend.,” and when Tony replies, “So was I,” that hits me right in the feels.

Captain America Civil War Tony Stark Iron Man

Captain America Civil War Fight Iron Man Winter Soldier

Captain America: Civil War may not exactly resemble the story drawn for the limited comic series conceived by Mark Millar, but some of the basic concepts have been translated into this film to convey a similar message. Since Marvel Studios doesn’t have the rights to use the X-Men or the Fantastic Four, and haven’t integrated many of the other villains and heroes that Marvel has fleshed out over the decades, it makes it very difficult to retell the original “Civil War” story. But General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) makes it abundantly clear the line that will be drawn on both sides:

“Captain, while a great many people see you as a hero, there are some who prefer the word ‘vigilante’. You’ve operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That’s something the world can no longer tolerate.”

Captain America Civil War Avengers Assemble

As it’s conveyed in the trailer and as we’ve seen in promo art, team Rogers consists of Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Sam Wilson aka Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Clint Barton aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and Sharon Carter aka Agent 13 (Emily VanCamp); while team Stark will be comprised of Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes aka War Machine (Don Cheadle), The Vision (Paul Bettany), and for his first appearance in the MCU the King of Wakanda, T’Challa aka Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), who looks absolutely badass.

Captain America Civil War Black Panther Hero Shot

Captain America Civil War Black Panther T'Challa

Captain America Civil War Black Panther Running

Unfortunately, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Bruce Banner aka The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) will be sitting on the bench leading their own adventure in Thor: Ragnarok. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), at this point, is in hiding.

if all those characters weren’t enough, we still haven’t the slightest idea how the villains – Brock Rumlow aka Crossbones (Frank Grillo) and Baron Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) fit into all of this – as well as Martin Freeman’s unconfirmed role. AND if those characters weren’t enough, and many were probably looking out for clues, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland) will make his big MCU debut too. I did not find a single hint of his existence, but that doesn’t mean a tease isn’t hidden within somewhere.

Captain America Civil War Iron Man Flying

Despite having characters pouring out of the woodwork, I think the brothers Russo have a good direction set up based on what we’ve seen in the Civil War teaser. The duo developed an awesome political spy thriller in The Winter Soldier, so I’m curious to see how they twist the superhero genre this time around and how they’ll manage to balance all of the characters.

Here’s the official plot synopsis for Captain America: Civil War, courtesy of Marvel Studios:

Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability. 

Captain America: Civil War hits theaters on May 6, 2016.

Continue to the next page for a screenshot gallery and posters –>

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Disney’s ZOOTOPIA Sloth Trailer is Far from Slow [85 Screenshots]

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Since 2008, Walt Disney Animation Studios has been on a roll with such films like Tangled, Frozen, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. And with the release of the latest trailer for Zootopia, the house that Walt built looks to continue on its path back to greatness. The first teaser quickly introduced the many animals we’ll see in the film, and now Disney fans will get to see how the world works.

More of a full clip than anything else, the Zootopia sloth trailer features our two furry leads, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman),at the Department of Mammal Vehicles (DMV) to run a license plate number. As if a visit to the DMV isn’t bad enough in our world, in Zootopia the DMV is run by sloths. (In a world in which there are no humans, only animals, would it be considered PC to say that the something is moving at a sloth’s pace?)

Comedy relies on timing, and this clip is absolutely hysterical when it comes to sloth humor. Who knew sloth jokes outside the meme would be so funny? Between Judy’s frustration and Nick’s playful sensibility to mess with her, the whole clip is magical. It’s everything you would come to expect from a DMV run by sloths and it works on every level. The chemistry Nick and Judy have feels similar to classic Pixar pairings where two opposite characters must work together ala Toy Story, WALL-E, Ratatouille, Up, and Finding Nemo.

Aside from the sloth scene, we get a very quick glimpse of the big city and its inhabits. The details are incredible, with all walks of life filling the city. If Zootopia is as well conceived as this little scene and delivers what has been promised, then I sure everything else will be delightful.

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Here’s the official plot synopsis for Zootopia, courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios:

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, Zootopia stars the voices of Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, and Alan Tudyk. The film is set to release in theaters on March 4, 2016.

Zootopia Sloth Smile Disney Teaser

Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE Teaser Trailer is Big on Size Jokes

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Warner Bros. is not going home because they are aiming big with Central Intelligence. The first teaser trailer proves there’s nothing small about teaming up the larger than life action star Dwayne Johnson (Furious 7; San Andreas; Hercules) with the widely popular comedian actor Kevin Hart (Think Like a Man Too; Grudge Match). Expectations for success should be high with this dynamic duo, but the film may flounder when they go up against Finding Dory in the same weekend next summer.

Marketing teams are becoming wise beyond their years. Using the last names of Hart and Johnson not only for the purpose of size jokes but also capitalizing on the fact that they can stand in for body parts too. Revolutionary. Genius. Beyond being blown away by this revelatory discovery, the Central Intelligence teaser is pretty funny. The story isn’t quite revealed, but the concept with these two actors has my interest.

Dwayne Johnson is a solid action star, but when you toss him into a comedy like this his performance only heightens thanks to his WWE roots. Kevin Hart, on the other hand, recently can’t seem to shed his funny man sidekick typecast i.e. Ride Along, Get Hard, The Wedding Ringer, and About Last night. His performances and comedic timing are great, but I wish he would step into more roles outside this comfort zone.

Director Rawson Marshall Thurber’s We’re the Millers is surprisingly delightful despite its faults and Dodgeball is hysterically smart. Central Intelligence definitely brings in his meta sensibility with dialogue and action that seemingly understands it’s an action-comedy. This is the first feature film screenplay from Ike Barinholtz who is known best for writing and starring in Mad TV. He penned Central Intelligence with his writing partner David Stassen – both have written episodes for The Mindy Project. So there’s a lot of funny guys behind this action comedy that should make for a good time at the cinemas.

And if Central Intelligence ends up being a flop, we can at least have this nice image to walk away with:

Central Intelligence Movie Fat Dwayne Johnson The Rock

Here’s the official plot synopsis for Central Intelligence, courtesy of Warner Bros.:

The story follows a one-time bullied geek who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent (Johnson), coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, he enlists the help of the former “big man on campus” (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than he can count.

Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Central Intelligence stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Amy Ryan, Danielle Nicolet, Bobby Brown, and Aaron Paul. The film hits theaters on June 17, 2016.

Source: Warner Bros.

HOW TO BE SINGLE Teaser Features Rebel Wilson and Dakota Johnson Playing the Field [81 Screenshots]

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I didn’t know how badly I needed this movie until the trailer fell into my lap. As a newly single twenty something myself, the How to Be Single teaser could not be more relatable – and I know I’m not the only one who believes this. Based on the novel of the same name written by Liz Tuccillo, Rebel Wilson takes center stage in her first leading role alongside Fifty Shades of Grey’s Dakota Johnson; something I’ve been looking forward to since she arrived on the scene in such female powerhouse films like Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids.

In the How to be Single teaser we are introduced to Robin (Rebel Wilson), who is mentoring Alice (Dakota Johnson) as a newly single woman. Alice, still reeling from her breakup, is finding that the struggle is real to be single. She doesn’t know how to talk to guys, when it’s appropriate to use emojis, and essentially how to play the dating game. We’re given glimpses of a few other characters, like Alison Brie and Jake Lacey, but the teaser really focuses on Robin and her dynamic with the completely clueless Alice. It does lean heavily on Rebel Wilson and a few quick vagina jokes, but I am really rooting for this one. The moment where she poked fun at Alice “reflecting” is excellent and I was really feeling their choice of songs; “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony has been stuck in my head for a week.

This teaser definitely screams chick-flick – something I am totally okay with – but I am wondering if we will get some male insight? Who are these other “lonely hearts,” and will we see their dilemmas explored or will the focus remain heavy on Rebel Wilson and Dakota Johnson? Are we going to get more Alison Brie?!

I know this is a rom-com, and you typically can’t expect too much from these, but this is a plight that I feel is so relevant. You come out of a long relationship and suddenly there’s Tinder, you can’t respond to text in a certain amount of time and he liked your Instagram picture, but hasn’t texted back?! The whole thing, when you step back, seems completely ridiculous and here is the movie to poke fun at it. I hope it mirrors back what I’ve seen and been frustrated with. I hope it allows us to all have a few laughs and a collective sigh of relief that we aren’t the only ones floundering with how much of a game dating has become. Whether this film can do that remains to be seen, but I’m feeling good about this teaser.

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Here’s the official plot synopsis for How to Be Single, courtesy of Warner Bros.:

There’s a right way to be single, a wrong way to be single, and then…there’s Alice. And Robin. Lucy. Meg. Tom. David. New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, be it a love connection, a hook-up, or something in the middle. And somewhere between the teasing texts and one-night stands, what these unmarrieds all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love. Sleeping around in the city that never sleeps was never so much fun.

Directed by Christian Ditter, How to Be Single stars Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann, Damon Wayans Jr., Nicholas Braun, Anders Holm, Lily Collins, Jake Lacy, and Jason Mantzoukas. The film hits theaters on February 12, 2016. So if you are single on Valentine’s day, book this one with your girlfriends.

Source: Warner Bros.

The DIRTY GRANDPA Teaser is the Most Uncomfortable Thing You Can Watch Today

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Comfort zones have been breached beyond their limitations with the first Dirty Grandpa teaser trailer starring Zac Efron and Robert De Niro. One continues to push his career away from what made him a star while the other engages in full on sexcapades with Aubrey Plaza. You figure out which one we’re talking about here.

I’ll admit, I chuckled a few times watching the trailer – wanna fight about it? I didn’t have an uproarious time, but there were a handful of giggles brought on to ease the uncomfortable feeling when Robert De Niro squirts sun tan lotion on Aubrey Plaza (Life After Beth; The To Do List) or him motor-boating her or the direction of De Niro’s career in general.

The one thing in the Dirty Grandpa teaser that surprised me the most is Aubrey Plaza’s transition from her hilarious, cynical deadpan shtick to hilarious, deadpan sex object. It will be a jarring post-Parks and Recreation world, and as delightful as it is to see the actress gaining work, is this the best use of her talents? (I mean her acting and comedic sensibility, not boobs ya pervs.)

Zac Efron might be the only one who walks away unscathed. Dirty Grandpa continues to lead the actor away from his Disney roots after That Awkward Moment, Neighbors, and this year’s huge flop We Are Your Friends. He’s definitely proven he can work out of his element and is shaping his own path fairly well. And poor Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages; Footloose; Safe Haven) portrays the nagging shrew of a fiancée, a caricature that feels way too old hat, much like the entire movie.

If this whole “Dirty” thing pays off it could spark a whole slew of copycats. Like how Bad Grandpa, Bad Words, and Bad Teacher followed in the footsteps of Bad Santa. I can only imagine it now, Dirty Grandma starring Helen Mirren and Anna Kendrick, Dirty Stepdad starring Danny McBride and Michael Cera, or Dirty Postman starring Jason Sudeikis. I’d actually see Dirty Grandma if it starred those two – pay me Hollywood.

Here’s the official plot synopsis for Dirty Grandpa, courtesy of Lionsgate:

Jason Kelly [Zac Efron] is one week away from marrying his boss’s uber-controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straight-laced Jason is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed grandfather, Dick [Robert De Niro], to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride. Ultimately, on the wildest journey of their lives, “dirty” Grandpa and his uptight grandson discover they can learn from one another and form the bond they never had.

Directed by Dan Mazer, Dirty Grandpa stars Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Zoey Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Dermot Mulroney, and Julianne Hough. The film hits theaters on January 22, 2016.

Source: Lionsgate

Spectacular STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Finds Purpose [91 Screenshots]

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I’ll give you a second to clean yourself off after watching the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer a few dozen times. Thankfully, after it’s premiere during the San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles game during Monday Night Football, the trailer arrived online in beautiful HD before any rebel scum could leak a lesser quality version.

Who are you? What are you fighting for? Is following in the footsteps of a Sith Lord whom I’ve never met a solid life plan? Star Wars: The Force Awakens is asking the big existential questions. While the original Star Wars trilogy told a tale of good versus evil, and the prequel trilogy a more politically driven love story, it would appear that our heroes in the start of this new chapter of the most epic space opera are seeking purpose in a galaxy thrown into chaos.

This new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer doesn’t give away many details about the plot, but rather the film sells itself on the direction of its main characters. Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) come across as folks who have lost their way, seeking something greater than themselves. And it seems as though they’ll find what they’re looking for after they meet an aged Han Solo (Harrison Ford).

I’m loving the shades of depth emitted from our protagonists, the aerial battle sequences look phenomenal, and the sweeping score by John Williams is immensely emotional, but somehow I remain cautiously optimistic. I think this trailer does everything right to bring Star Wars back into the good graces of every fanboy and girl who was burned by the prequels, I just can’t put my guard down quite yet.

We’re led to believe that Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is hoping to carry out Darth Vader’s wishes, but something tells me the editing in the trailer is misleading and he may be talking to someone else – not the extra crispy helmet of the once great Sith Lord. We also have no idea where Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is in all of this. And then there’s a ton of cast members who have yet to be revealed, such as Domhnall Gleeson or Andy Serkis.

The pace at which they are rolling out details is fantastic. The less the better, but just enough to appease my interest. I’ve already bought my ticket for a true IMAX 3D experience, which went on sale earlier today. Now all that’s left is the waiting game.

What’s interesting about the promotion of this trailer leading up to its release is that the teasers had footage not shown in the final cut. In the first teaser below there is a stoic shot of Oscar Isaac’s Poe and in the second is Daisy Ridley’s Rey looking up at fighters flying across the sky.

Here’s the official theatrical movie poster that released yesterday with the teasers (click on the image to enlarge):

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Theatrical Movie Poster

Source: StarWars.com

That’s no moon. Would The First Order really attempt a third time to make a planet killer after two failed goes at it? Perhaps J.J. Abrams is obsessed with spacecrafts that can blow up planets? Maybe The Rebel Alliance built this one and are giving The First Order a taste of their own medicine? Where’s Luke in the poster? What’s that little creature standing in between R2-D2 and BB-8? Is it symbolic that Kylo Ren and Rey’s weapons mirror each other? Are they brother and sister?

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Directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Crystal Clarke, Pip Andersen, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow. They will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa [Solo?] Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, and Kenny Baker as R2-D2. The film is set to release on December 18, 2015.

Source: StarWars YouTube

The Stars Align in the HAIL, CAESAR! Teaser Trailer [100 Screenshots]

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With the first Hail, Caesar! teaser trailer officially released, the award-winning Coen brothers are officially back. Joel and Ethan Coen have kept audiences entertained as credited screenwriters for both Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken and Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, and now the writer-directors are tackling 1950’s Hollywood. All the glitz and the glam is there, with each shot featuring dazzling costumes, bright sets, and the promise of some incredible song and dance numbers.

After Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) has a brief conversation in a confessional, the Hail, Caesar! teaser takes flight. The music is loud, the cinematography is bright, and every scene oozes with one big name star after another. From Frances McDormand (Fargo; Burn After Reading), who is no stranger to working with the Coens, to Tilda Swinton (Snowpiercer; Only Lovers Left Alive) and Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), I’m completely geeking over how much talent is in this film. Even the 21 Jump Street duo Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill pop up. The trailer is cheeky, fun, and nostalgic for the uproarious movies of the ’50s.

The short teaser ends with the question, “Wondering what’s going on?” posed by one of the smoking men presumably holding Baird Whitlock (George Clooney). Is this man part of “The Future”? Who or what is “The Future”? Based on what I’ve seen in this tease, Hail, Caesar! is either going to be a true delight or a flop for biting off more than it can chew. How will it carry the plot without getting too swept up in its own fabulousness and wit? Plus, with a cast this lavishly star-studded, will we get true character development or become lost trying to keep up? The Coen Brothers are expert storytellers and have an impressive number of successful films under their belt – see A Serious Man, The Big Lebowski, and No Country for Old Men. Let’s hope this one is no different.

Another note of interest is the release date. If it’s critically successful, and I really think it could be, it would have Oscars written all over it. However, the brothers Coen have elected to surpass the awards season hoopla with a February release, meaning Hail, Caesar! would only be eligible for the Academy Awards in 2017. If the film truly delivers, it could have a year like The Grand Budapest Hotel, whose critical momentum carried it from March all the way to the Oscars – a rare feat. But as far as awards go, the Coen brothers, like the honey badger, don’t care.

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Here’s the official plot synopsis for Hail, Caesar! courtesy of Sony Pictures:

Hail, Caesar! follows a single day in the life of a studio fixer who is presented with plenty of problems to fix.

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, Hail, Caesar! stars Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum. The movie is set to hit theaters on February 5, 2016.

Source: Sony Pictures

Disney’s THE JUNGLE BOOK Teaser Trailer

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Following Walt Disney’s trend of turning their most beloved animated classics into epic live-action features, including Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, and this year’s Cinderella, the first trailer for The Jungle Book has arrived. Remember that one Disney animated movie you watched on repeat for the first three years of your life, driving your parents insane? For some it was The Little Mermaid, Cinderella or maybe The Lion King. For me, it was The Jungle Book. And this teaser has me as excited as a little girl on Christmas day.

The visual landscapes seen in The Jungle Book teaser are absolutely lush and incredibly striking, complemented well by an eerie voice over by Scarlett Johansson, who’s cast as the gender-swapped boa constrictor, Kaa. Although we don’t hear him speak, we are introduced to Mowgli, played by Neel Sethi, whose young shoulders won’t just be carrying pots of water, but also the majority of the film. The gentle panther Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley), the villainous tiger Shere Kahn (voiced by Idris Elba), and the boisterous King Louie (voiced by Christopher Walken) are also teased. While the only real dialogue we get is from Kaa’s voice over, I am eagerly awaiting more tidbits from the characters played by this power house cast, which is rounded out by Bill Murray‘s Baloo.

Absent from the teaser is the noteworthy singing and jazzy dancing from the animated film. Instead we are given action-packed shots that give a large sense of danger that one could expect from being the lone man-cub lost in the jungle. While I love rich visuals and the promise of an epic adventure, I hope the soul of the animated film isn’t lost in translation. The sweet relationship between Baloo and Mowgli, along with the songs – that to this day I still can’t get out of my head – are just as, if not more important, to the story and should not be put on the back burners in favor of the action.

While the previous live-action films have seen varying success, the studio continues to plunge into their vault to deliver different styles for each. Alice in Wonderland, a CGI-heavy, cartoonish romp; Maleficent, a fantastical twist from a villain’s perspective; and Cinderella, a family-oriented love story about kindness toward others. The Jungle Book feels very action-oriented, which should be great coming from Iron Man director Jon Favreau, but what other changes can we expect to see from the animated version? Is there more material from the original novel that this feature will expand upon?

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Here’s the official plot synopsis for The Jungle Book courtesy of Walt Disney Studios:

Based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli, a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan, who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear Baloo. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa, a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie, who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.

Directed by Jon Favreau, The Jungle Book stars Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Giancarlo Esposito, Idris Elba, Jon Favreau, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Ineson, Emjay Anthony, and Neel Sethi as Mogli. This film is set to release theaters on April 15, 2016.

Source: Disney