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“Trailer Time Thursday!” 7.31.14
Today is THURSDAY!!! And you know what that means!! :) It is officially time for another fun-filled edition of “Trailer Time Thursday!”
Here is your weekly fix of “Triple-T” (aka: “Trailer Time Thursday!”)!!
In case this is your first visit to “Triple-T,” here’s what it’s all about:
Seeing as how everyone loves movie previews, “Trailer Time Thursday!” was created to bring all of the trending trailers that you may have missed in theaters, or just need to see, all in one convenient place! It makes Thursdays so great! Get ready! Your Preview Pandemonium awaits!
Check them out and ENJOY!!! 
Trailers of the Week: (all synopses are directly from IMDB.com)
1. The Hunger Games: Mockinjay, Pt 1.
- Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland and more.
- Releasing: November 21, 2014.
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- Synopsis: “Katniss Everdeen reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.”
- Thoughts: The countdown continues and the journey has been great. I look forward to what the Hunger Games has in store for audiences. The trailer is not too telling…and I like that. -T
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2. The Maze Runner.
- Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter and more.
- Releasing: September 19, 2014
- Director: Wes Ball
- Synopsis: “Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they’re all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape.”
- Thoughts: I still don’t feel the need to commit myself to wanting to see this. So many young adult novel films have led to disappointments or just being cheap imitations. Hopefully this doesn’t let down the fans. I have a feeling the other one coming (The Giver) will. -T
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3. The Longest Week.
- Starring: Olivia Wilde, Jason Bateman, Jenny Slate and more.
- Releasing: September 4, 2014
- Director: Peter Glanz
- Synopsis: “Affluent and aimless, Conrad Valmont lives a life of leisure in his parent’s prestigious Manhattan Hotel. In the span of one week, he finds himself evicted, disinherited, and… in love.”
- Thoughts: I actually want to see this one. Bateman usually has a way of making his film fun even though he is the same in all of them (much like his tv son Michael Cera). Perhaps not “theater-worthy” but I’ll give it a shot. -T
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4. Mad Max: Fury Road.
- Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and more.
- Releasing: May 15, 2015
- Director: George Miller
- Synopsis: “An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and most everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order. There’s Max, a man of action and a man of few words, who seeks peace of mind following the loss of his wife and child in the aftermath of the chaos. And Furiosa, a woman of action and a woman who believes her path to survival may be achieved if she can make it across the desert back to her childhood homeland.”
- Thoughts: Max! Max! Max! I’m so there when this comes out! ha. Back to the world of Mad Max! It looks like Bane is having a bad day! And check out Charlize getting down and dirty. This is going to be pure apocalyptic fun. -T
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5. Horns
- Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Heather Graham and more.
- Releasing: 2014
- Director: Alexandre Aja
- Synopsis: “In the aftermath of his girlfriend’s mysterious death, a young man awakens to strange horns sprouting from his temples.”
- Thoughts: Harry gets Horns. More of a look at this upcoming film and it definitely can be said that Radcliffe is looking to diversify. Not sure what to think of the premise but it’s interesting seeing Radcliffe’s role choices in his post-Potter career. I liked The Woman in Black well enough so color me curious on this. We’ll see. -T
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6. Tusk.
- Starring: Genesis Rodriguez, Haley Joel Osment, Justin Long and more.
- Releasing: September 14, 2014
- Director: Kevin Smith
- Synopsis: “A man is captured by a maniac and tortured, physically and mentally, into becoming a walrus.”
- Thoughts: I just laughed watching this trailer. Am I the only one? I couldn’t take it serious about halfway through. It’s a mix of Misery meets The Human Centipede. I’m sure someone will find this to be cinematic gold! -T
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7. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Lee Pace, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans and more.
- Releasing: December 17, 2014
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Synopsis: “The Company of Thorin has reached Smaug’s lair; but can Bilbo and the Dwarves reclaim Erebor and the treasure? And, if so, can they hold on to it?”
- Thoughts: Sad that the journey is coming to its end, but this trailer just makes me want to be there all the more. I feel a marathon in the making! -T
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8. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
- Starring:Robin Williams, Ben Stiller, Rebel Wilson and more.
- Releasing: December 19, 2014.
- Director: Shawn Levy
- Synopsis: “Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night at the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.”
- Thoughts: Not interested. Sorry. That’s all I have to say about this unnecessary sequel…bleah. -T
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Spotlight Video of the Week:
New trailer for Christopher Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR
- Thoughts: Here’s a link to check out the latest trailer for Nolan’s upcoming scifi film. The more I see the more I canNOT wait to watch. You already know I’m a big Matthew McConaughey fan. Add Nolan as director and throw in actors like Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain…man, I’m there! Is it November yet?
Click the link to visit the film’s official site. To watch the new trailer, when it asks for access code, type in the date of the Apollo 11 moon landing of July 29, 1969: …7201969
Click HERE
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Well, that’s it for this round of ‘Triple-T’!
My favorite trailers from today:
- Interstellar
- The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Pt 1
Which ones are your favorites??
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This Weekend’s Theatrical Releases:
Are you ready for the weekend in theaters? Here’s what releases this weekend, August 1, 2014:
- Wide Release: Guardians of the Galaxy (review up next), Get On Up
- Limited Release: Calvary and more.
Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
“It’s Time to Vote Tuesday” 174!
Today is Tuesday! And you know what that means! It is time for TIME TO VOTE TUESDAY!
For most people Tuesday is just the day after Monday, but for you it means that “Time to Vote Tuesday” is here!!
“Time to Vote Tuesday” is the session of fun weekly polls which spark thought, debate, and intrigue! Each poll closes in a week with results posted on the following ‘TVT’!
The last TVT poll has now closed (see it HERE). Entitled “June’s gone…weddings done!” it asked voters to pick the top two most memorable movie weddings as weddings are most prominent in the summer months. The votes are in (22 total) and the winner is:
“As You Wish”
Thanks to all who voted!
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This week’s edition of ‘TVT’ focuses on another summertime staple: MOVIE BLOCKBUSTERS entitled “Best of the Blockbusters” today’s poll asks you to choose your Favorite three of the best performing blockbusters of all time.
Vacations, water balloon fights, fireworks, barbecues…all are staple pleasures of any summer. But one of the biggest fun parts of any summer is going to the movies for the blockbusters we’ve been waiting. Some of you may recall the first time you watched:
Independence Day (1996)
or Batman Begins (2005)
or Ghostbusters (1984)
or even Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)
in their respective summers! Standing in line waiting to buy your ticket and then to get your snacks and then to get your seat and finally sitting elbow to elbow and knee to back with tons of fellow movie enthusiasts, fans and strangers to be transported to a world of fantasy and entertainment together for 2 to 3 hours! While your feet crunch dropped popcorn and stick to the soda stained carpet in the aisles.
Oh, there’s not much like it and every year there seem to be one or two major blockbusters while several other promising films turn into duds.
This upcoming weekend, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy releases and is poised to be the late summer blockbuster that audiences have been waiting for all summer long! (I can’t wait to watch it.)
So many great summer releases that we have willingly handed over millions and millions of dollars to. I’m curious to know your favorites from a list. In order to compile the list of movies in the poll below, what I did was take the top earning 25 summer blockbusters from AMC Filmsite’s list (HERE) and took from there to provide the choices in the poll.
Take a trip down movie memory lane, remember where you were when and vote for your Top 3 Favorite of the Top-earning summer blockbusters of all-time!
Are you ready for Guardians of the Galaxy?!
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Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
***Don’t forget: For regular updates on movie news, rumors, pictures, posters, and more, FOLLOW ME on Twitter and Facebook.
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Review: Hercules
Hercules
- Starring: Dwayne Johnson (The Scorpion King), Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Rufus Sewell (Dark City) and more.
- Directed by: Brett Ratner (Rush Hour).
- Synopsis: “Haunted by a sin from his past, Hercules has become a mercenary. Along with five faithful companions, he travels ancient Greece selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies. But when the benevolent ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules’ help to defeat a savage and terrifying warlord, Hercules finds that in order for good to triumph and justice to prevail… he must again become the hero he once was… he must embrace his own myth… he must be Hercules.”
- Rating: R for violence, language, suggestive material.
- Must-Watch Trailer:
- Review:
In contrast of the other single name-titled new release of the week (Lucy), Hercules has a final act that is both exciting and action-packed. However, having to wait to get to that final act can be a tad tedious in this latest sword-and-sandal adventure. The legend of Hercules is told once again on the big screen in a way that is much more satisfying than recent attempts at least. One thing is for sure: the casting in this film is spot on as Johnson embodies what one would expect and want from the warrior of legend known as Hercules. 
Reminiscent of the movie of another legend (King Arthur), Hercules features the mighty warrior and his band of faithful fighters that employ themselves out for gold. This team makes for the majority of the action and comic relief in the film and satisfactorily play the stereotypical supporting parts (Ian McShane being at the top of the list of them).
Based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars, the film blends both drama and danger together as the man, myth and legend battles demons without and within. Not entirely unpredictable, the story moves along but not without getting stuck at times making certain cliche aspects of the film seemingly drag, but it is not an unenjoyable experience sitting through the first two acts waiting for the climatic final act with the type of action expected from a movie of this sort.
There isn’t anything really bad about Hercules, there just isn’t anything really great about it either. Had Dwayne Johnson not been in the role, I feel the film would have been lost and forgotten until it came out to rent and you might shrug your shoulders and pick it up off the shelves out of interest and boredom of the other offerings at your local movie rental place. It’s one of those.
The bearded demi-god faces innumerable foes as the legend, believed upon by most, must be believed in by he himself. As stated before, Hercules is at least decent in every way (acting, action, cinematography, the wardrobe, the characters)…and that’s probably the best I can say about it. And those expecting/hoping to see a lot of supermodel Irina Shayk in her film debut…well…don’t.
Check it out, (know that most of it is shown in the previews) enjoy it with friends, see the action on the big screen, marvel and question how The Rock gets bigger and bigger with every new role, enjoy the final act and then…you’ll probably forget it…not because it’s bad, it’s just not…legendary!
My Score: 3 out of 5 stars for Hercules
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(Remember, to read this review of mine and over 300 more, check out THE ARCHIVE of movies I have reviewed anytime. Know before you go…or rent…or buy!)
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Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
Review: Lucy
Lucy
- Starring: Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers), Morgan Freeman (Transcendence), Min-sik Choi (Oldboy) and more.
- Directed by: Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional).
- Synopsis: “‘From La Femme Nikita and The Professional to The Fifth Element, writer/director Luc Besson has created some of the toughest, most memorable female action heroes in cinematic history. Now, Besson directs Scarlett Johansson in Lucy, an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.”
- Rating: R for violence, drug use, suggestive material.
- Must-Watch Trailer:
- Review:
Scarlett Johansson’s first time as the solo-lead in a wide-release full-length feature that focuses on her character (not really counting The Black Dahlia or Under the Skin) is an action-packed scifi thriller that is both intriguing and fun, yet lacks the overall punch to make it great. Directed by Luc Besson, director of other great character-centric action films such as La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional, etc, the femme fighter trend continues and could be viewed as perhaps a Black Widow movie prequel, a Transcendence sequel or perhaps even the love child of the movies Limitless and The Matrix.
Prior to the film’s release I noticed several social media posts blasting the idea of the film’s premise and refusal to watch it based on the “ridiculous plot and unrealistic premise.” My reply to those sentiments: The genre of the film is scifi…aka science fiction…emphasis on FICTION! And, just in case the definition is needed, I have provided, courtesy Google, below:
So, in other words…calm down and enjoy the fictional story built upon a foundation of imagined scientific hypotheses and conjecture. It’s only a movie…not a documentary! (No one seemed to mind in the movie Limitless or The Matrix or The Avengers! ijs) 
That said, the movie starts off immediately immersing viewers into the world Besson has created. Craftily using cinematography and characters to tell the story, Besson entertains and engrosses audiences and makes a perhaps outlandish plot begin to seem plausible (aided tremendously by the authoritative and convincingly smooth voice of one Morgan Freeman).
It is Scarlett that carries the film through to the end, accompanied by an altogether forgettable supporting cast and the impressive camerawork used during the action sequences that never quite take off. Blending story with science and shootouts, Lucy begins to find its focus on the titular character and then makes a detour down “derailment road” as it turns the bend into the final stretch of its 89 minute course.
It is the final act that begins to unravel all the work done to create this theatrical tapestry.
After some neat action, including a car chase through the streets of Paris, a trip down evolution’s memory lane, a scary drug delivery gone way wrong, a professor who is used throughout the film as the narrative explanatory device of the film, some X-Men type mutant ability show and tell, and a bunch of stereotypical white-shirt/black suit and tie bad guys that look unsuspicious to the rest of the world…the film brings about an ending that is more of a tidy copout and is far from desired.
Lucy is not just about a girl with the induced ability to use the entire capacity of her brain after a run-in with the wrong crowd and then goes on a rampage of revenge. It is about what it means to be human (though dependent on an overwhelming acceptance of the theory of evolution) and entertains the notion of what humanity could accomplish if we would only…use our brains! :)
As much as I love Scarlett Johansson…and she does a decent job in this, albeit her acting -and everyone else’s- in this film won’t win any Oscars, Lucy never climbs to the level of “great” although it was definitely entertaining watching her use her abilities in different ways. The beauty and brilliance of Scarlett’s role ends up diminished by the final act that erodes the built up acceptability of the film’s events and sacrifices what could’ve been as great or as fun of a final act as in Leon: The Professional or Taken (written by Besson) or The Fifth Element and settles for the possibility of a sequel instead. The end definitely did not justify the means. Sorry, Scarlett.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars for Lucy
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(Remember, to read this review of mine and over 300 more, check out THE ARCHIVE of movies I have reviewed anytime. Know before you go…or rent…or buy!)
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Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
up next: Review for HERCULES
Blogathon: The 6 Degrees of Separation
Invited by my friend, Nostra at MyFilmViews.com (King of all Blogathons), I was very excited to learn about The 6 Degrees of Separation Blogathon event as this is a game I play with friends regularly and now it is available in blogging form!
Nostra explains the game like this:
In association with dutch movieblog “De Protagonisten” (who inspired me to do this) I want to present the Six degrees of Separation blogathon:
There is a theory that in only six steps you can link anyone to any other person in the world, which I thought would be an awesome idea for a blogathon.
What is it?
Get ready to test your knowledge of actors/movies and directors with the six degrees of separation blogathon. You will get two names of either actors/actresses/directors or movies and what you will have to do is make a link between them in a maximum of six steps.
For example:
Hugh Jackman to Sean Connery
- Hugh Jackman
- –starred in Australia with Nicole Kidman, who
- –is best friends with Naomi Watts, who
- –starred in Dream House with Daniel Craig, who
- –starred as 007 Agent James Bond, a role also played famously by:
- Sean Connery.
Each of the initial players for the first round of this amazing blogathon series were given two actors/characters/directors to link together in six steps and then received instructions to pass the torch on to another blogger who is then charged with connecting the final character of that connection to another chosen by the nominating blogger. So, in the example listed above, the blogger I nominate would need to connect Sean Connery to whomever I challenge them to connect to. Such great fun!
Nostra challenged me to connect my favorite superhero, Spider-Man to the famous director Stanley Kubrick!
1. Spider-Man
The bigscreen debut of the wallcrawler (2002) starred several actors in big roles. One of whom was Willem Dafoe who menaced the screen and New Yorkers as Norman Osborn aka The Green Goblin.
2. Willem Dafoe
In 2006, Dafoe starred on the other side of the law in New York as Captain John Darius in a heist film called Inside Man that also starred Clive Owen, Jodie Foster and a little known actor by the name of, oh…Denzel Washington.
3. Denzel Washington
Long before Denzel starred in Inside Man, he starred in a film full of conspiracy based on a John Grisham novel. The Pelican Brief (1993) starred Denzel, Sam Shepard and a 26-year old Julia Roberts.
4. Julia Roberts
Academy Award winner Julia Roberts, born in Georgia, starred in a coming of age film that involved pizza-making in Connecticut. Mystic River released in 1988 and also starred a not-so-well-known actor at the time by the name of Vincent D’onofrio. 
5. Vincent D’Onofrio
Known now for several different roles, including Law & Order: Criminal Intent‘s Detective Goren, D’Onofrio got his big screen start just a year before in 1987 in Full Metal Jacket. A film directed by Stanley Kubrick. (Interesting tidbit, he also starred in Malcom X with Denzel Washington, making this a 5-degree separation.)
6. Stanley Kubrick
Kubrick reportedly told D’Onofrio “I want you to be big — Lon Chaney big,” for the role of Private Gomer Pyle. D’Onofrio went on to gain a world record 70 pounds for the role, passing Robert DeNiro’s 60 pounds for Raging Bull.
Kubrick only directed one more film after 1987’s Full Metal Jacket and that was 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut which theatrically released four months after Kubrick’s unexpected death due to a heart attack. Kubrick also directed acclaimed films such as A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Spartacus and more.
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So, there ya have it. “Spiderman to Stanley” in 6 steps. But…I couldn’t stop there. Not to be outdone…I did this one other way, just for fun! I couldn’t help myself. I LOVE these kind of games. So, for your pleasure and entertainment, here is “Connection Circuit #2″:
- Spider-Man
- …was created by Stan Lee, who
- …graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx in 1939. Six years after Bob Kane, who
- …created Batman, who
- …was the title character in Tim Burton’s 1989 action film that featured The Joker played by Jack Nicholson, who
- …starred in The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrick!
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I now challenge my friend Tim from Tim’s Film Reviews to keep the connection chain train moving in this blogathon. Tim, your challenge is to discover and divulge the Six Degrees of Separation between:
Stanley Kubrick and Scarlett Johansson! :)
I want to thank Nostra for allowing me to participate in this! So much fun. I challenge all of you reading this to: 1. Visit the blogathon’s main page (HERE) to see the additional initial round of fun challenges. 2. Create your own. 3. Challenge your friends and share with us what you have found. 4. Keep following the blogathon for more great degrees of separation!
“Trailer Time Thursday!” 7.17.14
Today is THURSDAY!!! And you know what that means!! :) It is officially time for another fun-filled edition of “Trailer Time Thursday!”
Here is your weekly fix of “Triple-T” (aka: “Trailer Time Thursday!”)!!
In case this is your first visit to “Triple-T,” here’s what it’s all about:
Seeing as how everyone loves movie previews, “Trailer Time Thursday!” was created to bring all of the trending trailers that you may have missed in theaters, or just need to see, all in one convenient place! It makes Thursdays so great! Get ready! Your Preview Pandemonium awaits!
Check them out and ENJOY!!!
Trailers of the Week: (all synopses are directly from IMDB.com)
1. The Prince.
- Starring: Bruce Willis, John Cusack, Jessica Lowndes and more.
- Releasing: August 22, 2014.
- Director: Brian Miller
- Synopsis: “A retired assassin is drawn back into the life he gave up when his daughter is kidnapped. To rescue her, he must confront his former rival.”
- Thoughts: I want to like it because of Bruce Willis but The Prince looks like a royal bust. -T
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2. Big Hero 6.
- Starring: The vocal talents of Jamie Chung, James Cromwell, T.J. Miller, Maya Rudolph and more.
- Releasing: November 7, 2014
- Director: Terry Gilliam
- Synopsis: “A group of six superheroes are recruited by the government to protect the nation.”
- Thoughts: Disney has done a good job with this and the blend of comedy really strikes a chord for this upcoming animated superhero adventure. I’m looking forward to this one. How about you? -T
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3. Ouija.
- Starring: Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff and more.
- Releasing: October 24, 2014
- Director: Stiles White
- Synopsis: “In theaters this Halloween, OUIJA follows a group of friends who must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.” -from Collider.com
- Thoughts: I don’t mess with things like Ouija boards and I won’t be messing with this movie. Not only because of that, but it just looks…bad. How many more of these movies of teenagers messing with “forbidden” evil that opens up to them dying one by one will they make? Everyone trying to capitalize on the Evil Dead plot…skip! -T
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4. Atlas Shrugged, Part III: Who is John Galt.
- Starring: Eric Allan Kramer, Rob Morrow, Stephen Tobolowsky, Lew Temple and more.
- Releasing: September 12, 2014
- Director: James Manera
- Synopsis: “Approaching collapse, the nation’s economy is quickly eroding. As crime and fear take over the countryside, the government continues to exert its brutal force against the nation’s most productive who are mysteriously vanishing – leaving behind a wake of despair. One man has the answer. One woman stands in his way. Some will stop at nothing to control him. Others will stop at nothing to save him. He swore by his life. They swore to find him. Who is John Galt?.”
- Thoughts: I never saw the first two so I am undoubtedly missing the intrigue the trailer intends. It is lost on me. But fans of the first two may be sitting on the edge of their seats watching the teaser. I don’t know. I have some catching up to do. I’m more ready for the third Hunger Games film. (Sorry, fans of Atlas Shrugged. Pardon my unfamiliarity.) -T
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5. Horns
- Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Heather Graham and more.
- Releasing: 2014
- Director: Alexandre Aja
- Synopsis: “In the aftermath of his girlfriend’s mysterious death, a young man awakens to strange horns sprouting from his temples.”
- Thoughts: Harry gets Horns. Not sure what to think of the premise but it’s interesting seeing Radcliffe’s role choices in his post-Potter career. I liked The Woman in Black well enough so color me curious on this. We’ll see. -T
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6. Laggies.
- Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Keira Knightley, Sam Rockwell and more.
- Releasing: September 26, 2014
- Director: Lynn Shelton
- Synopsis: “A woman stuck in permanent adolescence lies to her fiancé about going on a retreat and spends the time hanging out with friends instead.”
- Thoughts: Here’s another adult-not-ready-to-grow-up film but with a cast that many may tolerate or enjoy watching. Sam Rockwell being the biggest draw. We’ve seen it a ton of times before but this trip may have something different…maybe. What are your thoughts? -T
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7. Starred Up.
- Starring: Jack O’Connell, Rupert Friend, Ben Mendelsohn and more.
- Releasing: August, 29 2014
- Director: David Mackenzie
- Synopsis: “A troubled and explosively violent teenager is transferred to adult prison where he finally meets his match – a man who also happens to be his father.”
- Thoughts: I like a good prison drama and this one seems to have all the elements plus an added one of father/son. Perhaps not “theater-worthy” for me, but maybe when it comes out on Netflix I may give it a go. That way I won’t be a…captive audience. :) -T
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8. Sharknado 2: The Second One.
- Starring: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox and more.
- Releasing: July 30, 2014.
- Director: Anthony C. Ferrante
- Synopsis: “A freak weather system turns its deadly fury on New York City, unleashing a Sharknado on the population and its most cherished, iconic sites – and only Fin and April can save the Big Apple.”
- Thoughts: You know I had to include this one! haha, Sharknado 2: The Second One! The first one was so campy and so bad…I expect this one to be even bigger and badd-er! haha. Oh man! Are you looking forward to laughing and screaming in this one? -T
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Spotlight Video of the Week:
Featurette for: Hercules
- Thoughts: Here’s a featurette focusing on the weapons and their wielders for the upcoming action flick starring Dwayne Johnson. Hopefully this one fares better than the already forgotten 2014 film that came out about Hercules that starred Kellan Lutz. What do you think? Regardless…it’s The Rock smashing stuff up…I’m going!
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Well, that’s it for this round of ‘Triple-T’!
My favorite trailers from today:
- Big Hero 6
- Sharknado 2: The Second One
- Laggies
Which ones are your favorites??
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This Weekend’s Theatrical Releases:
Are you ready for the weekend in theaters? Here’s what releases this weekend, July 18, 2014:
- Wide Release: Sex Tape, The Purge: Anarchy, Planes: Fire & Rescue
- Limited Release: Persecuted, Wish I Was Here, I Origins and more.
Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
Movie News Monday for July 14, 2014.
Welcome to this week’s edition of “Movie News Monday!” (“MNM!”)
What is ‘MNM’ all about?
In case this is your first time here, “Movie News Monday!” (MNM) is the place to visit on Mondays for a quick recap of trending entertainment news! I’ve collected info, rumors, etc from all over just for you to keep you updated on movies being released, actors/actresses in roles, dvd releases to keep a lookout for, which movie won in the box office over the weekend, etc! Are you ready for your weekly update? Here it is!
This Just In!!…
#1- “The Weekend Winner.” Last weekend, the box office arena welcomed 1 major new wide release with the spotlight shining on the DAWN. And it was the Dawn that outshone all other contenders for the top spot, including Transformers 4 that had the strongest debut weekend of the year. This past weekend the Top Ten said goodbye to Edge of Tomorrow (13) and Think Like a Man Too (11) but did see Transformers 4 pass the $200M mark.
Here are the weekend’s results for Fri, July 11-Sun, July 13:
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ~$73M
- Transformers: Age of Extinction ~$16.5M
- Tammy ~$12.9M
- 22 Jump Street ~$6.7M
- How To Train Your Dragon 2 ~$5.9M
- Earth to Echo ~$5.5M
- Deliver Us From Evil ~$4.7M
- Maleficent ~$4.2M
- Begin Again ~$2.9M
- Jersey Boys ~$2.5M
Congratulations to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (My review)
What did YOU watch this weekend?
#2- “Spider-Man Scriptwriter Swings Away” Roberto Orci, screenwriter for films such as Transformers, Star Trek, Mission Impossible III, The Island and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, was previously set to write the script for not only the next two Amazing Spider-Man films, but also the expected Venom and Sinister Six spin-offs. That WAS the plan, reportedly, until this past week.
When discussing Sony’s plans for the franchise, here’s what Orci had to say:
“I don’t know what their plans are for that franchise. I don’t ever want to say never, but we have to figure out what their scheduling is in terms of when they want each movie. I’ve read probably as much as anyone else. There’s a love for the Sinister Six, the idea of Venom — there’s an idea of Spider-Man’s going to be one of these characters that’s part of our business. He’s such a popular character. Spider-Man’s not going to go away any time soon. When it all happens and how and all that has yet to be determined.”
It seems as though he may be referencing that his schedule with writing/direction Star Trek 3 and the schedule that Sony wanted to do with a Spider-Man movie every year is too complex. Orci stated that he is “not officially involved” in the upcoming sequel.
Perhaps Sony should just go ahead and do what the fans want already…give Spider-Man back to Marvel! The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was the lowest grossing of all 5 Spider-man films (though definitely not the worst of them). Is the franchise doomed?
What are your thoughts?
#3- “Mission Impossible 5 Casting Update.” The Tom Cruise-led franchise continues and the casting for the next to follow the impressive sequel that was Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is shaping up. Mission Impossible 5 has already confirmed the return of Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg to star and Paula Patton is expected to be in the film as well. Here are the latest two additions to the impossible cast:
Alec Baldwin as the head of the CIA.
Rebecca Ferguson as the female lead.
While Baldwin may need no introduction, a few may recognize Golden Globe nominee Rebecca Ferguson from her work on BBC’s “The White Queen.” She can be see next in Dwayne Johnson’s July 25th release Hercules. No other information has been released as to what expect from these two in their roles, but the mission is coming together nicely.
Are you looking forward to the next mission?
#4- “Coen’s Hail Caesar may Hire Scarlett.” Scarlett Johansson and Jonah Hill are both looking at roles to join the Coen Brother’s upcoming film Hail Caesar. 
I reported on Hail Caesar previously (HERE), but the general quick synopsis from comingsoon.net is that it “follows a man named Eddie Mannix in his job as a Hollywood fixer in the 1950s.” Apparently, Johansson is set to play as an actress in Hollywood who gets pregnant right before a major motion picture which she has been cast for begins.
Johansson herself is currently with child and this role seems appropriate.
Johansson, and possibly Jonah Hill, will join George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes, Josh Brolin and Tilda Swinton in this time period comedy that George Clooney as referred to as the “conclusion of his ‘idiot trilogy'” following O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Intolerable Cruelty. 
Look for more on the Coen project as it develops. You can see Scarlett Johansson in Chef, currently in theaters, and next in Lucy which releases July 25.
Are you ready a fan of the Coen Brothers?
#5- “This Week’s Blu-ray release.” Here’s what blu-ray.com shows:
My pick of the week out of the NEW releases is…well, I can’t pick. I’ve seen none of them, but I want to check out Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, starring Scarlett Johansson. So, we’ll see. How about you?
Which will you pick up?
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Well, that’s it for this round of “Movie News Monday!”
Thanks for reading! Happy Watching!
-T, The Focused Filmographer
Up next: Time to Vote Tuesday
