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It’s Friday… here’s 5 for you to check out in this week’s edition of #5LinkMinimum:

1. Watch It (And Laugh): The Honest Trailer for The Happening
I once thought we were too harsh on The Happening… and now it’s ruined forever! Thanks Honest Trailers and Screen Junkies!

2. Discuss It: What would you add to “10 Awful Plot Twists That Ruined Good Movies”?
What would a week featuring an M. Night Shyamalan release be without discussing awful twists? ScreenCrush offers 10 awful plot twists that ruined good movies and while I don’t totally agree with the list, it’s fun to think about when it comes to good movies.

3. Support It: 500 Days Of Film
Jane Douglas-Jones is working her way through 500 films in 500 days. It’s like Josh Hartnett in 40 Days and 40 Nights only movies instead of celibacy… and no abs. Here’s the site: 500 Days of Film and join the 500 Days of Film Club while you’re there.

4. Buy It: Star Wars Smuggler’s Bounty Subscription Box
Funko plus Star Wars plus bi-monthly merchandise equals yes, please!

5. Get Freaked Out By It: Gawker’s Interview With Goodnight Mommy Filmmakers
I want to see Goodnight Mommy. I just don’t think I can do it. This interview didn’t help. This movie looks terrifying.

 

 

 

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: The Visit is funny, creepy and toys with you throughout. It’s still not The Sixth Sense but it’s a well-told scary movie.

David Copperfield never made the mistake of making the Statue of Liberty disappear as his first trick. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for M. Night Shyamalan who set the bar ridiculously high with The Sixth Sense and we’ve never cut him a break since.

Maybe The Visit will be the break he’s been looking for. First, it’s not perfect. It’s basically the world’s most annoying children have a sleepover at the house of the world’s creepiest grandparents. If you want to understand the level of annoying the children are at, imagine if the creepy documentary teens from The Blair Witch Project survived and spawned. As for the creepiness of the grandparents, their about as creepy as the old people in The Skeleton Key.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: This isn’t as simple as if you’re Christian, you’ll love it and if you’re not, you’ll hate it. It is as simple as it’s not a good movie, though.

Warning: There are spoilers throughout this “hot take” as this is more likely being read by someone who has seen the film rather than on the fence in their decision to see it.

While there are plenty of debatable topics in War Room, there’s a troubling one that really isn’t debatable: The importance of communication in a relationship.

Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, on the surface, have an enviable life. Tony is the best salesman at his pharmaceutical company and, in his late 30s, still an incredible athlete (see the physique, the back flips and dunks). Elizabeth has a successful real estate sales hobby and a perfect house with nary an ounce of dust or anything out of place. Their daughter is a well adjusted pre-teen with the best manners you’ll ever see.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 30/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 40/100

Apparently, Santa’s shadow gets really pissed if you shit on Christmas (or litter).

Whenever a horror film gives you the full monty on the creature, I worry. This trailer doesn’t seem to care if you get a decent look at Krampus. Maybe that’s nitpicky but that’s a bad sign in my book.

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In: 2015, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 55/100

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4z7Px68ywk

Anticipation (After Trailer): 60/100

Carol is based on an adaption of The Price of Salt, a novel by Patricia Highsmith. In limited release in November, it should go wide in December and likely gain some Oscar buzz, all things considered.

What’s interesting to me is the choice of the title Carol over The Price of Salt. The book sometimes goes by the title Carol as well but the timing of the release (near Christmas) tied to the choice of Carol feels like it’s trying to grab some cheap holiday cash because people will see Carol and assume Christmas movie. OK, maybe I’m giving people too little credit.

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 50/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 75/100

After Southpaw, Jake Gyllenhaal is forever changed for me. Southpaw might be the most underrated movie of 2015. Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan before it and I’m not sure I’m a fan after BUT he was phenomenal in it.

Fast forward to next April when Demolition comes out. This won’t be Gyllenhaal’s follow-up to Southpaw (that will be Everest which will be welcomed critically and I will most likely hate it because I have an odd aversion to films with a lot of snow in them) but it’s so different than his Southpaw role, I think the next preview will put me over the top.

Also of note is director Jean-Marc Valle who is on fire following Dallas Buyers Club and Wild. Plus, Chris Cooper is the ultimate movie condiment. The only caveat is the April release date.

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In: 2015, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 50/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 65/100

Our Brand Is Crisis looks a little bit Wag the Dog, a little bit Primary Colors, a little bit straight laced Billy Bob Thornton and the rest Sandra Bullock as herself (but with a different name than herself to make you think she’s playing a part).

That being said, I still want to see it and I’ll probably enjoy it because I enjoy most everything Sandra Bullock does even when it isn’t all that good. And this looks better than her not good work.

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In: 2015, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 40/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 55/100

There are two ways The Lobster could go. The trailer looks to be full of dry, smart humor and some solid character actor performances (John C. Reilly isn’t really in the preview but his presence bodes well for the humorous route). On the other hand, The Lobster might be a dull social commentary with a few witty scenes.

I admit I’m already rooting for Colin Farrell’s character to fail and become a lobster. How’s a lobster going to survive in The Woods? Guess we’ll find out at the end of September.

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In: 2015, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 1 out of 100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 1.01 out of 100

How did this movie get by WWE Studios? Holy shit, this looks horrible.

There’s a theatrical release date of September 25th on the official AWOL-72 website. If this makes it to a theater near me, please don’t let me go see it. Please!