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Anticipation (Before Trailer): 90/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 100/100

Write The Big Short in ink on the Best Picture nominee list. No, I didn’t see it but let’s run it down. Based on a book by Michael Lewis (Moneyball, The Blind Side), The Big Short features a loaded cast: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Melissa Leo and Marisa Tomei.

The only square peg in round hole aspect is director/writer Adam McKay whose resume includes Talladega Nights, Anchorman, Anchorman 2, Step Brothers and The Other Guys. But then again, such a pairing could mean great things. I have to see The Big Short.

Oh, and it’s a Christmas release!

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Anticipation (Before Trailer): 50/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 50/100

So, John Q, Ocean’s 11 and The Cooler are thrown in a blender and out comes Heist, I guess. Something off-putting about this trailer makes me think this might not be good. The film looks heavy on poker gambling lingo which isn’t your normal table games lingo. Unless Harry Dean Morgan’s character is a poker dealer, I’m going to have a problem with that.

However, Heist has Robert DeNiro so it won’t be a complete miss. The film goes all-in November 13.

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Anticipation (Before Trailer): 5/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 85/100

Give the trailer for The Program credit. They took a story I had almost zero interest in ever reading or seeing and made it something I have to see. The question isn’t if this will get nominated for an Oscar but how many?

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Anticipation (Before Trailer): 55/100

 

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

Anticipation (After Trailer): 50/100

When I first heard about the Point Break reboot, I thought it was a terrible idea. After the first trailer, I begrudgingly was on board. Now, the second trailer has launched and I’m on the fence.

With no fewer than six movies releasing on Christmas, Point Break is at the bottom of the list.

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In: 2015, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 75/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 85/100

Don’t take the anticipation as excitement. This is more curiosity than anything. Why’s the whale so damn fast? Why does the inspirational real-life tale that inspired Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” look ridiculously unrealistic? Why do I feel like I’m going to hate In the Heart of the Sea?

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In: 2016, Trailers

Anticipation (After International First Look): 45/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 45/100

The concept of this alien invasion YA thriller is fleshed out here. Watching the official trailer, I already feel like The 5th Wave will drag it’s way through this somewhat interesting idea. I’ll be curious to see how much time The 5th Wave spends on the 1st through 4th waves.

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 50/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 80/100

Any live action creation of an animated feature brings skepticism. The Jungle Book looks made for the theater and visually impressive. There will be plenty of internet nonsense about the “crappy CGI” but that’s pretty much every CGI-heavy film ever.

See you in 2016!

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 30/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 40/100

Colonia wasn’t on the radar before seeing the trailer. Emma Watson is one of the many Harry Potter stars worthy of a post-Potter flyer. However, Colonia doesn’t feel like the vehicle.

Maybe I’m wrong but a January release date doesn’t bode well either. Sorry Hermione.

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In: 2015, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 85/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 95/100

Growing up, Rocky was one of the best movie franchises of all time. The first two movies are cinematic masterpieces. Rocky III, Rocky IV and Rocky V are great popcorn flicks. Then, the series returned to its roots with Rocky Balboa. Everyone has their favorite. Everyone has their least favorite. Personally, I’m not a big fan of III or V. I’m torn between I and II as they are very different in structure and feel.

Plucking Creed from the Rocky universe and marrying it with Fruitvale Station (one of the best films of 2013) director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan had me before the first trailer, sealed the deal with trailer one and now has me completely salivating after the second trailer. Jordan is going to be huge and my gut tells me this delivers.

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In: 2015, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 50/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 90/100

Some great dramatic performances have been turned in by comedians in dramatic roles. Sarah Silverman in a drama where she’s the focal point is especially intriguing. Coming in October, maybe this is the great under 90 minute movie I’ve been waiting for.