Thanks to San Diego Comic Con and a recent surge in upcoming movie trailers, we get a great look at what’s ahead! Here are a few that stood out for me. Let’s get into it!
PIXELS
Release Date: May 15, 2015.
AWESOME!
Pixels may very well become the sleeper hit of Summer 2015. Here’s the premise: “Video game experts are recruited by the military to fight 1980’s era video game characters who have attacked New York.” Seems to me we’re looking at something that is part-Ghostbusters, part-Who Framed Roger Rabbit? with the studio’s ability to secure previously unheard of rights, and with Christopher Columbus directing, the potential for all-charm.
We’ve been inundated with giant CGI Transformers, aliens, and superheroes destroying cities. Personally, I’m more intrigued by what a giant Pac Man and Donkey Kong are going to look like when they wreck havoc upon New York.
I’m hoping Adam Sandler dials down the “Sandlerisms” and plays it more the witty straight man ala Bill Murray’s Peter Veinkman.
And you cannot go wrong with a mullet-sporting Dinklage, Peter Dinklage, Peter Dinklage, Peter Dinklage.
Might we be looking at a a new Zach Galifianakis in Dinklage, poised to steal the show and cement his place with one of the all-time great comedic performances?
I will be there to find out.
50 SHADES OF GREY
[video_embed url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfZWFDs0LxA” embed_style=”default”]
Release date: February 13, 2015.
NOT AWESOME.
Is it me, or should this be renamed to 50 Shades of Bland? I haven’t read the book, but from what I’ve heard, the writing is awful, but the premise is the draw. For such a controversial book, everything about this trailer seems blank to me. Both lead characters, especially Christian Grey himself, feel just vanilla.
The film is going to make a ton of money. But I can already tell where this is headed. See, it isn’t simply the act of “tying up” that gives the film a controversial edge. It’s tying up when there could be an ice pick hiding under the pillow Basic Instinct-style that makes the scene dangerous, and interesting cinematically.
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
Release Date: May 1, 2015.
AWESOME!
Check out that poster from San Diego Comic Con!
This tells me Disney, Marvel, and director, Joss Wheadon, are absolutely going to bring it come next summer. This artwork is just flat out insane! More than likely, this is going to be the biggest, most action-packed, massive superhero movie we will have ever seen.
BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE
Release date: May 6, 2016
NOT AWESOME.
I wish Superman could take a temporary leave from the Warner Bros. camp and vacation over in the Marvel Universe for a bit. He is the biggest of all superheroes, and deserves that larger than life quality that Marvel has been delivering. Superman needs a bright rich color palette, an epic scale, and a journey that inspires hope. Instead, I guess he is going to visit a bleak and depressing Gotham City instead.
Comic Con has given us a first look at Wonder Woman. Wielding a sword. Ooookay. And where is she in that picture? Is she battling demons in a pit of hell? Or is that Gotham City after Superman wrecks his havoc again?
I’m not convinced yet that this is going to work.
THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
[video_embed url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzeFFsKEt4″ embed_style=”default”]
Release Date: December 17, 2014
AWESOME!
I’m actually going to be relieved when this Hobbit trilogy has been completed. These films have been fun, but are not nearly as compelling as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I’m hoping this franchise follows the path of Star Wars, with the prequels completed and behind us so we can look ahead to future stories without predetermined destinies. There is no reason why Tolkien’s work cannot continue to live via new fictionalized tales set in the world he established.
MAD MAX FURY ROAD
[video_embed url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akX3Is3qBpw” embed_style=”default”]
Release Date: May 15, 2015.
AWESOME!
For quite some time now, fans have been wondering, “Whatever happened to that new Mad Max movie supposedly shot? Why haven’t we seen any footage?” The only news anyone has ever heard were tales of a troubled production.
Then out of nowhere, this trailer emerged.
Sheer carnage and chaos.
This is “old school” filmmaking modernized for today. The practical action, stunt work and locations harken back to the days of The Road Warrior. The use of modern camera technologies deliver a fresh way of shooting this classic action, which will properly introduce Mad Max to today’s generation.
George Miller, who directed the original Mad Max Trilogy, not only has not missed a beat, but seems particularly inspired. It appears the technology has finally caught up to his vision for a definitive Mad Max movie.
There is a genre being moved forward here. I cannot wait to see this.