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Briefly: During the halftime of the Rose Bowl, it was revealed when we’d see the next trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron. It’ll premiere January 12 during the College Football National Championship game on ESPN, starting at 8:30 p.m. EST. Expect it online soon after. We’ll have the new Avengers Age of Ultron trailer here on /Film as soon as it’s available.

The post New ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Trailer Coming January 12 appeared first on /Film.

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Russ Fischer, Germain Lussier and Angie Han have already posted their most anticipated films of 2015 lists, and all three lists are very different. Germain’s list is comprised of mostly mainstream accessible big releases; Russ has a mix of filmmaker-focused picks and big studio tentpoles; and Angie’s list… had The Little Prince in the top five. While all three lists are great, I found that there were many films not listed on either list that I was looking forward to. So after the jump, you can find my listing of the most anticipated movies of 2015.

[For additional looks forward to movies in 2015, see our additional staff lists from Russ Fischer, Germain Lussier, and Angie Han.]

If you’ve ever read any of my lists on the site, then you know I just can’t narrow things down to ten options and tend to go much longer than I should. So it should come to no surprise that my most anticipated movies of 2015 list is comprised of a few dozen films. I apologize in advance, but there are just too many films that I’m excited about and want to share them all. I have, however, ranked them, so if you want just my top ten picks you can skip to the chase. However I’d encourage you to check out the rest because thats where many of the different choices fall. There, you’re likely going to discover some films you weren’t aware or forgot were coming this next year.

Runners Up

These movies for whatever reason didn’t make my top 30 most anticipated movies of 2014, even though I’m still very interested and excited about them.

Mission: Impossible 5

I loved the last two Mission: Impossible films, but I’ve heard the fifth installment might be a real mess and no one knows how Christopher McQuarrie’s film will turn out.

Project Almanac

Project Almanac should have me more excited then I am but the plot seems to be a found footage take on some elementary concepts already explored in my favorite film of all time, Back to the Future. The film had a sneak preview at Comic Con and those in attendance were surprised at how much they enjoyed the film which has me optimistic.

Entourage

I watched the HBO television series and loved how it lampooned the world of Hollywood, but I’m worried the movie will be less about the world of Hollywood and more about the core group of characters, who I have never been entirely invested in.

Terminator: Genisys

I have to admit, I haven’t been very excited about the latest Terminator movie but the recent teaser trailer got me interested in the franchise again. The divergent timeline concept at the start of the film has earned my interest, but the shorts of the group trying to infiltrate skynet or cyberdine reeks of more of the same.

Victor Frankenstein

Max Landis‘ original script was great and 20th Century Fox seems to be in a renaissance which makes me hopeful for this prequel/reboot/adaptation.

The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials

I actually really dug the debut chapter in this series, but I’m not sure if I will find the evolution of this story as interesting as the Lost-style mystery box inside a mystery box construct of the first film.

Pitch Perfect 2

The first Pitch Perfect was not even close to being on my most anticipated list for 2012, but the Bring It On-style comedy won my heart. For some reason I’m worried the sequel won’t recapture the magic of the original, but I’m still a fan of everyone involved and very much looking forward to it. In a less-packed year it would be in my list proper.

Silence

Anytime Martin Scorsese makes a feature film I will buy a ticket. However, the subject matter doesn’t necessarily excite me and the fact that it is a passion project worries me, too. Those are often not great. The fact that a Scorsese movie doesnt make my top 30 most anticipated films of the year goes to show you the awesome promise of this upcoming year.

On the next page you will find the beginning of the real list.

Continue Reading Peter Sciretta’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2015 >>

The post Peter Sciretta’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2015 appeared first on /Film.

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It’s that time of the year again, not only for best-of lists, but for the lists that look forward to what’s coming next. 2014 has been an incredible year for film; the list of 50 films we compiled not long ago is just a sample of what we’ve seen in this calendar year. 2015 certainly has quite a few big films on offer — between Avengers, Star Wars and the new Bond film, Spectre, the blockbuster is well-represented. What else does the year have in store? Quite a lot, really.

Below is my list of ten particularly anticipated films for 2015, augmented by some runners-up and personal curiosities. As always, it’s weird to make this list just as the Sundance lineup is released, because so many of the currently unknown quantities in that program could end up being among the films we’re more eager to see hit theaters later in the year. A lot of what follows is drawn from the crop of bigger movies, though there are some smaller surprises in store, too.

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[For additional looks forward to movies in 2015, see our additional staff lists from Peter Sciretta, Germain Lussier, and Angie Han.]

The Runners-Up and Curiosities

This part of the list is going to be weird. It’s not the “real” list, so I’ve given it the freedom to go all over the damn place. Some of the films listed below are more curiosities than my most anticipated, some are things that I hope are good but have reason to doubt, and some are films that are big, but for which we haven’t seen much in the way of story or footage. They’re all films that have my attention for one reason or another.

Jane got a Gun
The behind-the-scenes problems of this film put it under public scrutiny long before it was ready, and if it was still Lynne Ramsay’s movie it would probably rank in my most anticipated lineup with no qualifications. As is, the idea of seeing Natalie Portman in a revisionist Western is too interesting to pass up.

Peanuts
Here’s a choice born from pure hope, and it’s probably a long shot. I hope that this new feature based on Charles Schultz’s incredible comic strip can live up to even some of the spirit of the original strips. The first Charlie Brown Christmas special shows that the translation can be done successfully, and I don’t expect this film to even live up to that standard. But a good Peanuts movie would be a gift. I’d feel more confident if the promo images didn’t all feature Charlie Brown smiling, but we’ll see what happens. 

By the Sea
I’m hoping to see Angelina Jolie truly blossom as a director, and I’m wondering if this smaller film, in which she stars with husband Brad Pitt, might be the one to do it. 

Chappie
One more big curiosity — some of the tone of the first Chappie trailer was really terrible, but I’m also told that was a bit of a marketing ploy. I’d like to see Neill Blomkamp deliver, and this film seems like an oddly personal effort that just happens to come from a studio.

Spectre
The latest Bond film sees the return not only of director Sam Mendes and star Daniel Craig, but of Spectre, the fictional organization that has been off-limits to Bond films for years thanks to an old split between producers. The production is clearly glad to have Spectre back in-house, and with Christoph Waltz on hand as the bad guy (he just has to be Blofeld, right?) this one could be good.

Ex Machina
Alex Garland moves into the director’s chair for a sci-fi thriller starring Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander. Isaac has become someone I’ll watch in anything, and Garland has been an integral part of enough other projects we like that I’m curious to see what he has to offer as a director.

Inside Out
Pixar’s next film looks like one of the studio’s more unusual ideas, as it follows the anthropomorphized emotions that drive a young girl as she grows from childhood into adolescence.

Crimson Peak
Guillermo del Toro gets to make the big haunted house movie he’s always wanted to do. Since he has already made an excellent small haunted house movie (The Devil’s Backbone) we know he can pull this off. But I’m eager to see what he does with a big budget, a great cast, and the influence of classic old films such as The Haunting.

Silence
Passion projects are always dangerous prospects; there are many that, after years of gestation, emerge over-cooked and unsatisfying. But this is Martin Scorsese, and I’m guessing that his adaptation of Shusaku Endo’s 1980 novel about Jesuit missionaries in 17th Century Japan will avoid the pitfalls of the passion project.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
That teaser trailer was terrific, and the cast is excellent. Those two line items might be enough for many people, but this is also the follow-up to Revenge of the Sith from the director of Star Trek Into Darkness. I’ve been burned by Star Wars films too many times to just go on faith that this one will work. If it does, I’ll be ecstatic.

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The real list starts on the next page. And now that you know that Star Wars isn’t there, what does make the cut?

Continue Reading Russ Fischer’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2015 >>

The post Russ Fischer’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2015 appeared first on /Film.

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If Hollywood plays its cards right, there’s no way 2015 shouldn’t break every single yearly box office record on the books. The calendar is simply jam packed with huge movies. They may end up being good, or maybe they won’t, but either way they’re going to put asses in seats. These are films audiences are excited for. Films they demanded. In some case, films we’ve been waiting years to see or never thought we’d actually see.

All that said, there’s an embarrassment of potentially awesome movies coming out during 2015. I considered at least 50 before cutting back down to a top ten that really speak to my personal tastes. Then I threw in ten more for good measure. Either way, there’s no doubt that, as great a year as 2014 has been for film, 2015 undoubtedly has it beat in the “potential” column. Especially when it comes to those big time Hollywood blockbusters I tend to get really excited about.

So, without further ado, here are my most anticipated films of 2015.

[For additional looks forward to movies in 2015, see our additional staff lists from Peter Sciretta, Russ Fischer, and Angie Han.]

One quick note before getting to the main list. Two of my top 10 most anticipated films of 2014 were bumped into 2015: the Wachowskis’ Jupiter Ascending (on February 6), and Cameron Crowe’s Untitled Hawaii Film (on May 29). Both are still films I’m anticipating, but neither would make this year’s top 10. Plus I’ve already written about them. Now, I’m just mentioning them here because they deserve it.

Here are the 10 runners up, aka movie numbers 20-11. Films that I’m very much looking forward to, but which are slightly eclipsed by the primary ten.

20. Bond 24

Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig return for to follow-up what’s arguably the best Bond to date. We’ll know a lot more about this one shortly Release Date: November 6

19. Mission: Impossible 5

Jack Reacher guys Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie reteam with a bigger budget and bigger expectations, especially after the amazing fourth film. Release Date: December 25

18. Fantastic Four

In Josh Trank we trust for this highly secretive superhero film that’ll hopefully be the birth of a new franchise. Release Date: August 7

17. Straight Outta Compton

The rise of west coast rap will be chronic’led in this officially licensed biopic. Release Date: August 14

16. Mad Max Fury Road

After years and years of waiting, George Miller‘s epic looking return to the Mad Max franchise is almost here. Release Date: May 15

15. Pixels

Classic video game characters attempt to destroy the Earth and only the nerds can save us. Chris Columbus directs. Release Date: July 14

14. Furious 7

The seventh film in the Fast franchise had a terrible tragedy but looks even bigger than the previous films. Release Date: April 3

13. Ant-Man

If Edgar Wright was still directing, this would be #2. Either way, Marvel’s biggest gamble to date still should be exciting with Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas. Release Date: July 17

12. That’s What I’m Talking About

Richard Linklater directs a spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused set in the ’80s about baseball. Um, yes? Release Date: TBA

11. Crimson Peak

Guillermo del Toro does big budget, IMAX horror with an all-star cast. Release Date: October 16

Now onto the top ten. Again, this is my personal list. I can’t stress this enough. There are films that I, personally, am very much looking forward to this year which I’m sure many of you aren’t. And I’ll explain below. But don’t forget, this is Germain’s list. Feel free to put yours in the comments.

Continue Reading Germain’s Most Anticipated Films of 2015

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Even as I scramble to get in a few more 2014 releases before I close the book on this year, I’m looking forward to 2015. Next year promises to be huge for Hollywood, packed as it is with big-name sequels like Star Wars 7 and Avengers 2. But it also looks like a good time for movie lovers, not just movie studios. A lot of those tentpoles look genuinely good. And a lot of riskier ventures look like they’ll pay off. And that’s not even getting into all of the indie gems buried ahead, waiting for us to discover them at Sundance or Toronto or what have you.

Films from the last category were naturally left off my list, as I can’t get excited for a movie I haven’t heard of yet or know nothing about. But for a list of the films (big and small) that I do know about, and am eagerly looking forward to, join me after the jump. 

[For additional looks forward to movies in 2015, see our additional staff lists from Peter Sciretta, Russ Fischer, and Germain Lussier.]

Odds and Ends

This list is purely subjective, and definitely not predictive. I’m not saying these are going to be the best films of next year, or even the films I personally am going to like best next year. They’re just the titles I’m most anxious to see at this point in time, for whatever reason.

First, we have some odds and ends that didn’t quite make my top 10, but that I’m nevertheless dying to see.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Of course I’m curious about this one. Everyone in the known world is curious about this one. It might be a disaster, it might be an epic success, or (most likely) it’ll fall somewhere in between. Whatever the case, it’s going to be something to talk about for years to come.

Jurassic World

Dinosaurs + Colin Trevorrow + Chris Pratt = I’m not quite sure, but I can’t wait to find out. The Safety Not Guaranteed director was an unexpected choice to helm, but also an intriguing one, and Pratt’s star seems to rise higher with every passing month. Plus, who doesn’t love dinosaurs?

Mad Max: Fury Road

I wasn’t especially interested in the idea of a Mad Max sequel when it was first announced, and as the production process got rockier I was ready to write this one off as a flop. But then: holy shit that trailer. And oh my God that other trailer. If the actual movie is half as good as its promos, we’re in for a real treat.

The Hateful Eight

It’s the new Quentin Tarantino. That’s reason enough to look forward to The Hateful Eight, but if you need more there’s also the colorful cast and the tense premise: Eight strangers who have reason to hate one another are stuck together in a snowstorm. Presumably, lots of talking and lots of bloodshed ensue.

Ex Machina

Alex Garland has penned lots of great sci-fi screenplays for others to direct, including 28 Days Later…, Sunshine, Never Let Me Go, and Dredd. With Ex Machina, he finally gets to direct himself. The results so far look as intriguing as anything he’s written for anyone else.

Spy

The Paul Feig–Melissa McCarthy relationship is a gift that keeps on giving. <emSpy stars McCarthy as a female James Bond type and surrounds her with actors you’d think would be more likely to show up in an actual James Bond movie, like Jason Statham and Jude Law.

Focus

Anyone bemoaning the current state of the grown-up romcom should keep an eye out for Focus. Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa know their way around a good love story, having directed Crazy, Stupid, Love. and I Love You Phillip Morris, and leads Will Smith and Margot Robbie seem to sizzle together.

Z for Zachariah

It’s thankfully difficult to imagine Craig Zobel‘s Z for Zachariah being more horrifying his last film, Compliance, but here’s hoping it’s just as smart. Future A-lister Margot Robbie plays a young woman who thinks she’s the last survivor of an apocalypse until two mysterious men (Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor) show up.

Minions

What is there to say about this one? I’m not expecting high art. I don’t anticipate Minions being one of the best films of the year. What I am expecting is 90ish minutes of cute overload. With a cast that consists of minions, minions, and more minions, it’s hard to believe Minions won’t deliver.

Still Alice, Mommy, and What We Do in the Shadows

It seems kind of unfair to include these in my most-anticipated list since all of them have debuted at film festivals already, meaning I’ve already read tons of reviews and seen all the trailers. On the other hand, it seemed equally unfair to leave them out completely, since they’re some of the most exciting titles coming up on the horizon.

Still Alice has, by all accounts, an absolutely stellar performance by Julianne Moore at its core. Mommy has broken the heart of seemingly every movie critic I’ve talked to. And What We Do in the Shadows involves the spectacular line “We’re werewolves, not swearwolves.”

And now, onto my top 10…

Continue Angie’s Most Anticipated Films of 2015 >>

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