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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: The David O. Russell Film-O-Matic (patent pending) mass produced this late season entry. It will please less and irritate more than American Hustle which already pleased less and irritated more than Silver Linings Playbook.

A few years ago, David O. Russell became a household name with the release of Silver Linings Playbook. A year later, many were thrilled by American Hustle but there were signs of laziness and formulaic tendencies in his filmmaking. Now we have Joy which is basically what would happen if you dreamed while simultaneously watching Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle but only if the dream slowly dissolved into a nightmare.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Smart, funny, intelligent, witty, unique… the buzz words to describe The Big Short can go on and on. The film capitalizes on great casting, a compelling topic and the perfect angle by director Adam McKay (best known for Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers???). It’s one of those so sad you have to laugh in retrospect moments in U.S. history and The Big Short delivers just the right mix of information and humor. One of the best of the year!

The Big Short takes on the 2008 economic meltdown in such a unique way, it all makes sense after you see it. With a crisp, sharp script and some great performances (most notably Christian Bale and Steve Carell but unfairly leaving out a number of others) and just the right amount of humor and simplicity, The Big Short delivers a wildly entertaining, fast paced and deceptively angry look at the events that led to the collapse of the housing market and buried the U.S. economy.Read More →

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 65/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 65/100

The latest trailer for Deadpool doesn’t really add anything compelling. If you saw the first trailer and were intrigued, you’re probably still all geeked up. If you weren’t wowed, you are still probably out. With a February 12, 2016 release date, it should do well at theaters as this is usually not a time for heavy competition.

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Concussion lands a heavy blow against the NFL then jabs it’s way to the conclusion. Will Smith’s performance as Dr. Bennet Omalu is one of the best of his career.

As a society, our entertainment has been at it’s most enjoyable when it is at it’s most violent. This isn’t a new phenomenon. As far back as the Roman Empire, the #1 form of entertainment was watching men die in the gladiatorial arenas. There are countless examples of the masses flocking to witness violence and gore. From public executions to crucifixions to bullfighting, it would seem violence and entertainment go hand in hand.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: The most sobering thought to come from viewing Star Wars: The Force Awakens is how much better the series maybe could have been if George Lucas would have handed over the reigns of Episodes I-III to someone else. Breathe easy, folks. Star Wars: The Force Awakens reboots the franchise very much in the way the original Star Wars: A New Hope launched the franchise.

Admittedly, heading into Episode VII of the greatest movie franchise in the history of cinema, nervousness set in. The first three films released were a big factor in why I loved the movie theater. My brother tells a story about my viewing a Star Wars film when I was in my single-digit years eating popcorn kernel by kernel with my eyes so fixated on the screen, it looked as if I was trying to look through to the other side. About two-thirds of the way through The Force Awakens, I noticed I was no longer utilizing the recline feature of my premium seating and was actually sitting on the edge of my seat once again glued to the screen.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Apparently, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler really wanted to punish you for not buying Star Wars tickets in advance and making the decision to see something else since you’re at the theater. Predictable and not funny enough isn’t a good combination especially when saddled with a 2 hour run time.

Often, the best part of seeing a comedy at the cinema rather than in the privacy of your own home is the crowd. So, maybe seeing Sisters on opening night of Star Wars: The Force Awakens wasn’t the best idea? Looking around prior to the movie’s start, the crowd didn’t look all that excited to be there. Maybe they couldn’t get a last minute ticket to the biggest movie release in years. Maybe it was the ridiculously long concession lines. Maybe it was the cheers coming from the 10 other theaters playing Star Wars. Who knows! But the vibe wasn’t there.Read More →

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 50/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 55/100

To be fair, if I stopped watching before reminding me of the awful Bill Pullman speech from the first Independence Day, I would have been much more excited for this sequel as the first half of the preview delivered a much darker feel than the original. The second half just looked like it was capitalizing on the nostalgia factor.

Independence Day: Resurgence hits theaters on June 24, 2016 as the summer of 2016 fills with reboots and sequels.

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 20/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 85/100

Even the August 19, 2016 release date can’t scare me off of this one. There’s something about the visuals of Kubo and the Two Strings that has won me over. The voice cast looks great but far secondary to the taste the trailer gives. Can’t wait for more!