XXIII | TRAILER TUESDAY | XXIII

Today’s Trailer Tuesday may as well be an “opening this week” post. Four of the six featured trailers are of movies (supposedly) hitting theaters this Friday. Then again, perhaps the theme is more along the lines of independent films. Some have a very “direct to DVD/Blu-Ray” feel to them, but that is generally something I’m basing more on the trailer quality than anything else.

Mixed in is a movie I think looks really good, though I may be a bit biased about the lead actor, and I’m guessing if you follow along you know which one it is. There seems to be a few gems here, but not many I would go see in the theater. Just the one.

I’ll Follow You Down

(6/6/2014):

This is one that feels more like a made for TV/Direct to DVD release. Or the pilot for a new television drama. Whether this is fueled by the recognition of actors from some of my favorite television series (

X-Files

/

Alias

), or the trailer itself — or both — I don’t know. It also has Haley Joel Osment and Rufus Sewell, who I haven’t seen in a movie since

The Sixth Sense

and

Dark City

respectively. Obviously they’ve been in some, I just haven’t seen the, or recognized them or whatever.

It looks like an interesting storyline, one I didn’t original think would deal with time travel/wormholes. I look forward to checking this out if it hits Netflix/RB. For some reason IMDB lists this as being released August 5th, 2014 (yet listed as 2013), but other sites list it as being released this week. Supposedly it’s had viewings at various film festivals. It’s possible that there were plans for a theatrical release, but were later changed and released elsewhere. So

I’ll Follow You Down

may very well already be available.

Life Itself

(??/??/2014):

I honestly don’t know much about Robert Ebert, beyond the obvious. When growing up, in regards to movie reviews, Siskel and Ebert were the only critics I had ever heard of. Then end all be all. Over the years they just faded away from my memory, until hearing about Ebert being diagnosed with cancer and the following surgeries. I love most documentaries, and Netflix does too it seem, so I’m guessing I will be able to catch this one there soon. I’m really curious about the dynamic between the two critics. You would always hear of issues/arguments erupting between them and this documentary appears to highlight some of it.

I found three release dates for this documentary, so your guess is as good as mine...

Obvious Child

(6/6/2014):

This looks like a cute, indie rom-com. I’m unfamiliar with any of the actors, but the lead female actor (Jenny Slate) appears to have good chemistry with her co-star. While I won’t be seeing this in theaters, it is definitely a movie I would contemplate watching on a rainy evening, cuddling with the Ladyfolk. Though, I would do that just about any time...

The Fault in Our Stars

(6/6/2015):

This is another movie being released this Friday. I bypassed the trailer for some time, mainly because I wasn’t blogging, but I’m glad I checked it out. Out of the other movies featured above, this is the one I’d like to see the most. The trailer is really well done and the actors (again, ones I’m completely unfamiliar with besides Willem Dafoe) seem to pull off solid performances. Not that I ever cry during movies… or TV shows… or TV commercials… but

The Fault in Our Stars

could be a real tearjerker. Damn movies messing with my emotions.

A Walk Among the Tombstones

(9/19/2014):

The next two movies feature some of my favorite actors (yeah, I know, I have many), and both are prone to be typecast into similar Denzel Washington roles. Badasses. Liam Neeson is hot of the plane for some more non-stop action! He plays an ex-officer of the law, dabbling in his own brand of private detective work. It looks really good and I love the cover song featured in the trailer. If it wasn’t already known, I’m always down for watching Neeson kick some ass. I would love to see this in the theater, especially considering I missed out on, well…

Non-Stop

!

Left Behind

(10/3/2014):

Nicolas Cage is another actor that is usually thrown into the role of Badass. I love so many of the movies he is in!

The Rock

,

Con Air

,

Gone in 60 Seconds

, etc etc. Granted, lately he seems to have fallen from the grace of Hollywood. Perhaps that is why he may be playing the role of someone on a path of redemption? Honestly, I’ve no idea if that’s the case. I do know, however, that the

Left Behind

novel series is a very religious one. As you can tell, this one in particular focuses on the Rapture. I do believe there is a straight to DVD series or TV mini-series based on the same books.

I’m sure someone more fluent in the source material will know. They will likely also know how close the movie may follow the books based on the trailer. I read on the IMDB forums that this movie is based on only the first two chapters of the book (I’m assuming of the same name). Not only that, but with changes and some new characters. If this is true, I can imagine some fans of the books may be upset.

Despite my love for Cage, I’m leaving

Left Behind

… behind. At for least until Netflix/RB. I’d also prefer to see the original adaptations too, just to see how similar they are. I don’t think I will ever get around to reading the novels.

Did any of the highlighted trailers interest you? Did you ever read/watch any

Siskel & Ebert

movie reviews? Are you familiar with the novel series

Left Behind

is based on? If so, are you excited for the new movie?

XXII | TRAILER TUESDAY | XXII

Okay, okay, okay… two weeks of full-blown, testosterone-induced, CGI-heavy action/adventure trailers may be a bit much for some. I promised this week I would focus on some other genres, so most of today’s trailers are of upcoming comedies. This isn’t to say they are completely devoid of shooting, explosions, and people acting all badass.

Just to note, some of the trailers are Red-Band, so be cautious if for some reason you may find the contents offensive, or are in the presence of young ones. Also, they aren’t all comedies, that would just be silly…

A Million Ways to Die in the West - RED-BAND Trailer - (5/30/2014):

I love Family Guy and I loved Ted, so I feel it’s a safe bet that I will really like this movie. It’s interesting to see how Seth MacFarlane is transitioning in the movie industry. I wondered why it had taken so long for him to direct a movie. Then after seeing him host the Oscars, I was curious as to why the hell he wasn’t acting. I hadn’t ever seen him before, and I don’t know why, but I guess I assumed he may look a lot like, well, Peter Griffin from Family Guy. He certainly does not!

I don’t have a man-crush, but I’m just saying he is a handsome guy. Why the hell had he been hiding from the cameras, sticking to voice-overs for years on end? Weird. Anyhow, I guess now he has taken that next step and I’m really interested in seeing the results. I hope it does well!

Having Liam Neeson and Neil Patrick Harris on board definitely sweetens the pot. This is one comedy I think I’d actually be interested in seeing right away, if having the chance.

The Rover (6/20/2014):

In one of my earlier TToT posts, I mentioned discovering a song for the first time, and it connecting with me and a WiP on a very strong level. It is the one featured in this trailer. I’m uncertain if the song is actually used in the movie, as many times trailer songs are separate from those featured in a film’s soundtrack, but it would appear to be fitting.

I also recently mentioned Guy Pearce (Memento) in my last Trailer Tuesday. I’m not too familiar with Pattinson beyond Water for Elephants, so I’m interested in his performance with this role.

As for the movie itself, the scene where Pearce is sitting by the window as the car crashes just outside it is what hooked me. Originally, I thought that was setting the mood of the film. A world so torn and desolate — lost — that occurrences like that are the norm. Everyone is completely desensitized to it. I felt it said a lot about the world we were being introduced to (and maybe it still does), but after a second viewing I feel it is telling us everything about Pearce’s character. He is the one so lost and dead inside that he is uncaring and unresponsive to such events.

Either way, I am excited to find out. I think Guy Pearce is a great actor, and I’m sure his broody, defeated performance will be one that sticks with me after viewing the film. It feels like a potentially powerful film. That, or the trailer has successfully tricked me!

Hopefully I get the chance to see this in theaters.

Tammy (7/2/2014):

I thought Melissa McCarthy was hilarious in Bridesmaids (yes, I watched it! If you haven’t, you should too!) and also is in Mike & Molly. I’ve missed out on a handful of her newest performances like The Heat (starring alongside Sandra Bullock) and Identity Theft (with Jason Bateman), so I should get to seeing those. I can’t say I want to see this movie before it hits RB/NF, though. I’m sure she is great in it, and the supporting cast looks really solid, but nothing immediately pulls me in. I’m not sure, but I worry about the character being so similar to others she has played; being typecast or the like. I may be wrong, but I’d rather wait until it’s out of theaters to find out.

Let’s Be Cops - RED-BAND Trailer - (8/13/2014):

There isn’t much for me to say about this movie, except that I think it looks hilarious. Of course, I’m really hoping that the trailer doesn’t blow all the funniest parts of the movie, which many are prone to do. I’m unfamiliar with the lead actors, but their dynamic and chemistry seems to be great. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing this in the theaters, but admittedly, only for the cheap viewing.

The Equalizer (9/26/2014):

NOTE: This was the only video on YouTube featuring the trailer. I'll update it when more are available.

Speaking of actors playing similar characters repeatedly over time… This is Denzel Washington, once again, playing a role he is very familiar with. One he could do, and maybe even does (when hiding behind his shades), with his eyes closed. A badass. Heck, he could probably just and stare at the camera for two hours and still be a badass. I’d probably pay to watch it!

This is a movie based on a television series that I’m not familiar with. I’ve read up on it some, and it seems it was pretty popular. One I may enjoy even, though I’m not sure it’s aged well.

The premise of the movie seems simple enough: A retired badass goes out of the way to help those not schooled as well in badassary, who have found themselves in a tough situation that calls for a real badass to get them out of it. That badass, of course, is Denzel Washington!

And this time he tracks the time of his own badassdom! Fuck, sign me up, it looks badass!

SOLD!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (10/10/2014):

So, according to the Ladyfolk, this is based on a children’s book. One I’ve never heard of, and have absolutely no emotional attachment to. She, on the other hand, says it was one of her favorites! It looks like a cute family comedy. I like Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner, but it definitely seems very slapstick/campy.

BUT, naturally, if the Ladyfolk is wanting to see this on the big screen I am more than happy to do so. Lord knows she has been forced willing to see many movies that appeal specifically to my tastes and not her own.

Did any of the highlighted trailers interest you? Do you have a favorite Comedy movie and/or comedian? If so, which, and why? Beyond Denzel Washington, what other performers do you feel can pull off being such badasses in their roles? Are you familiar with The Equalizer television series? Have you ever heard of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? If so, is it one of your favorite children’s books? Are you excited for the movie?

XLIX | 10 THINGS OF THANKFUL | XLIX

This week was definitely rife with some extreme up and down swings. It’s looking to balance out — finally — here, as the final hours of the weekend tick away. Technically, it’s an extended weekend, so it’s not quite over yet. Tomorrow should shape up to be a fun day, however, so I’m not too worried about anymore drops in mood. Had enough of those for a long while.

Despite being hit with some random bout of bad luck, it’s time to look back at the more Thankful offerings I experienced this week.

1. I’m Thankful that today was sort of a “free” week at the apartment. They have been doing some work in the entryways of both buildings, so it was pretty illogical to worry about such things as doing the windows, scrubbing the floor (especially since it wasn’t exactly there), and vacuuming. Personally, I thought they should clean up after themselves…
2. That even though this weekend was kind of a black (or is it red?) mark on my calorie count tracking skills (again?), I managed to get in some good walks. Even by myself, which I dislike very much!
3. The beautiful week with which to take walks during! Though, it did take a lot longer for it to warm up than they claimed it would.
4. Once again being able to hit up the coffee shop and get my write on!
5. I may have missed out on the “Big Score” Thursday morning, which was just the beginning of one fucked up day, I had some great experience previous to this. The highlights which include coming across Craigslist ads for various board games I have been wanting for years. I was close to pulling the trigger on some eBay game bundles, but I’m extremely Thankful I waited.

13 of those games weren't there two weeks ago!

6. I’m very appreciative of finding games like Ascension. I had played it two or three times, and loved it, but never got around to buying it. This is odd considering I’ve since bought a handful of card/board games to play on Game Nights (which I’ve yet to host…), yet never Ascension. Not only was the core game on sale, but all but two of the expansions.
7. Then I came across an ad for someone selling those said two newest Ascension expansions! I now own them all, and have just come to find that the next expansion is being released this June... ¡Ay, caramba!
8. I’m Thankful that each individual selling these games were extremely friendly, helpful, and very patient with any questions I had pertaining to the games I purchased. The first game bundle included many games I’ve never heard of, but looked so epic that I couldn’t pass them up. Most of them have added me via Facebook, and hopefully if ever selling more games, or if I have questions, or anyone sets up a Game Night, we will be able to communicate as such.
9. This weekend the Ladyfolk and I decided to have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. It’s weird, but I don’t know why it’s been so long since eating there. Not only that, but we ate there in the middle of one of our walk routes. The walk back wasn’t even that bad afterwards, which was a concern I had. I have a feeling we may take that detour again on a future walk.
10. I’m Thankful for the red velvet cake the Ladyfolk made this weekend. One we plan to finish off as soon as I wrap this up! Which is totally now!

OM NOM NOM!

Feel free to leave your Thankful List in the comments below, if you aren’t participating directly with the blog hop! When was the last time you feel like you were hit with some really bad luck? Have you ever heard of any of those games displayed above? If so, which and what are your opinions of them? Are you Thankful for extended/holiday weekends?