Red Band Trailer for Michael Bay's Political Action/Drama, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
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Michael Bay is diverting his attention from robot cars and over-sized turtles to a very serious topic: the attack on an American diplomatic compound in Benghazi on the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Immediately, the first question that comes to mind is whether or not Bay can find the proper tone to balance the film's action and dramatic elements. Yes, we all know Bay can handle action (albeit to an over-the-top, extreme level), but can he truly show emotional/psychological subtlety?
Thankfully, there's an actual sense of suspense in this first Red Band trailer for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, alongside the multitude of explosions we've come to express from a Bay film. However, there's too much reliance on the trailer's score and silent shots of John Krasinski (The Office) looking sullen and morose to accentuate the trailer's emotional tone; it just feels too superficial. However, given this is our first look at the film, I'll wait until its release to pass true judgment. The cast also stars James Badge Dale (24), Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black), Toby Stephens (Black Sails), Max Martini (Sabotage), and a reunion between Krasinski and David Denham (The Office's Roy).
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi will be in theaters on January 15, 2016.
[Red Band Trailer] DOPE (NSFW)
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Following yesterday's trailer release for Me and Earl and the Dying Girl comes the trailer for another breakout Sundance 2015 hit, DOPE. The film, which received multiple offers following its Sundance premiere, stars newcomer Shameik Moore as Malcolm, a geek living in Inglewood who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the neighborhood. In fact, he and his friends Jib (The Grand Budapest Hotel's Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Transparent's Kiersey Clemons) are constantly picked on and bullied for their interests, such as punk rock, old school hip hop, BMX, and their desires to get into good colleges. When local drug dealer Dom (A$AP Rocky) gets Malcolm to convince hottie Nakia (Zoe Kravitz) to come to his party, the crew find themselves at the cusp of becoming "dope." However, circumstances surrounding the party result in Malcolm getting entangled in a drug deal that could jeopardize their futures.
DOPE had mainstream appeal from the get-go with a star-studded cast that also includes Workaholics' Blake Anderson, Tyga, and Forest Whitaker as the narrator (who also served as one of the film's producers), with Puff Daddy and Pharrell executive producing, and a soundtrack that features four exclusive new tracks from the latter. Beyond the star appeal, the critical response to the film was actually positive thanks to writer/director Rick Famuyiwa's depictions of racial and character diversity in a natural, entertaining way.
DOPE is coming to theaters on June 19th.
[Red Band Trailer] Sex Tape (NSFW)
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Technology and sex - two things that have always gone hand in hand over the years. Coincidentally enough, sex and comedy films have been intertwined since the industry practically started. With the rise of widespread technology use (and, oftentimes, misuse), it was only a matter of time for the three heads of technology, sex, and comedy to come together in a big comedy. Enter Sex Tape.
Directed by Jake Kasdan (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story), Sex Tape is about a married couple, Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz), attempting to find the missing spark in their relationship by filming a sex tape on their iPad. However, unbeknownst to the couple, the video was uploaded to their iCloud account post-coitus and instantly shared with their closest friends and family. The two then attempt to take back the iPads given to their friends, only to realize that they don't quite understand how the cloud works.
Kasdan's last film, the Diaz-starring Bad Teacher, wasn't all that great, but the addition of Segel to Sex Tape certainly helps the film's chances for hilarity. Especially following last night's How I Met Your Mother series finale, America's going to need as much Jason Segel as they can get in their lives.
Sex Tape will be in theaters on July 25th.