We already checked out the first trailer for Disney’s new reimagining of Pete’s Dragon, which stars Robert Redford, Bryce Dallas Howard, and the always cool Karl Urban, and we also took a look at Rob Zombie’s latest attempt to scare us with the trailer for 31. It has definitely been a pretty decent week for trailers with those alone, but unlike last week’s documentary-filled Coming Attractions effort, this week features a surefire blockbuster in the first trailer for Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.
Additionally, we’ve got an animated adventure that might give Warcraft a run for its money in terms of “Hoo boy, at least you tried,” as well as another documentary about how classic animated films changed one boy’s life. Oh, and there’s that Ben-Hur remake that we desperately needed, right? Anyway, let’s check in on Tom Cruise’s portrayal the character from the Lee Child book series.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders
Directed by: Edward Zwick
What’s it about?
Jack Reacher returns to the headquarters of his old unit, only to find out he’s now accused of a 16-year-old homicide. [IMDb]
The first Jack Reacher film wasn’t the best movie that Tom Cruise has ever starred in, especially if you compare it to Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. But it was still a pretty good action movie, so long as you’re not one of the book fans who was initially outraged that the famously short Cruise was playing a character that is supposed to be a 6-foot-something tough guy. If you like watching Cruise beat the crap out of people in unrealistic situations, then you’re probably going to like Never Go Back, even if the title sounds like the name of a boy band cast-off’s first solo album. Jack reaches into theaters on October 21.
Life, Animated
Starring: Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Gottfried, Owen Suskind
Directed by: Roger Ross Williams
What’s it about?
A coming of age story about a boy and his family who overcame great challenges by turning Disney animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship and brotherhood. [IMDb]
I don’t know much about this one, other than what I can read in the synopsis and watch in the trailer, but hoo boy, does it look like it’ll pull at the ol’ heart strings. Have a box of tissues ready for this one. Life, Animated will be in limited U.S. release on July 8.
Ben-Hur
Starring: Jack Huston, Nazanin Boniadi, Ayelet Zurer
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
What’s it about?
A falsely accused Jewish nobleman survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his Roman best friend, who betrayed him. [IMDb]
Everything must be remade! Confession time: I always get this one confused with Spartacus. Are they the same movie? No. Do they tell the same stories? Sure, why not? I guess I’ll watch this one and let Morgan Freeman explain the difference to me from his small supporting role. Also, Moises Arias from Hannah Montana is in this! I assume he plays the same character. Ben-Hur rides into theaters on August 19.
Morris from America
Starring: Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller
Directed by: Chad Hartigan
What’s it about?
The romantic and coming-of-age misadventures of a 13-year-old American living in Germany. [IMDb]
This one looks like a lot of fun, and while I don’t know much about Hartigan, who wrote and directed this film, I’ll always give Craig Robinson a chance. Even if this doesn’t involve a time-traveling hot tub. Morris from America hits theaters on August 19.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
Starring: Lena Headey, Sean Bean, Aaron Paul
Directed by: Takeshi Nozue
What’s it about?
The magical kingdom of Lucis is home to the hallowed Crystal, but the menacing empire of Niflheim will stop at nothing to make it theirs. War has raged between the two for as long as most can remember. King Regis of Lucis commands an elite force of soldiers dubbed the Kingsglaive. Wielding their king’s magic, Nyx Ulric and his fellow glaives stand before the crown city of Insomnia, fighting to stay the inexorable advance of Niflheim’s imperial army. Before the overwhelming military might of the empire, King Regis can only salvage his kingdom by accepting an ultimatum-he must cede all lands outside the crown city, and see his son, Prince Noctis, wed to Lady Lunafreya, the former princess of Tenebrae now captive of Niflheim. As the war of wills rages, the machinations of Niflheim transform Insomnia into an awe-inspiring battleground, pulling Nyx into a struggle for the very survival of the kingdom. [IMDb]
On one hand, it’s nice to see Sean Bean reunited with Lena Headey, even if this is animated and doesn’t involve her son having his head removed. On the other hand, well, I hope the movie is better than the trailer, because this thing is a little sloppy, and it sounds like it was named by Professor Frink. But the scenes look hella beautiful, so there’s always that. Kingsglaive storms “select theaters” on August 19 and is available on DVD on September 30.
I, Daniel Blake
Starring: Natalie Ann Jamieson, Colin Coombs, Harriet Ghost
Directed by: Ken Loach
What’s it about?
A middle aged carpenter who requires state welfare after injuring himself, is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario. [IMDb]
The veteran English director Ken Loach had a surprise Palme D’Or win at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with this story of an out-of-work carpenter dealing with bureaucratic red tape. I just included this one to feel smart and artsy. Truth is, I’m just really excited for Jack Reacher: Never Go Back and Don’t Back Down and Especially Don’t Look Back. Danny will be in U.K. theatres (fancy!) on October 21.
