Trailer Talk: Jem and the Pixel Minion Trials

Jem and the Holograms

Jesus Christ. What a terrible way to start things off - with a film that looks so abysmal that not even the marketing can make it look passable. As a modernisation of the 80s cartoon, I see not only a distinct lack of holograms, but also a story which feels so weak and forced that it has to be advertised as being directed by the man behind Never Say Never...yep, the Justin Bieber documentary from a few years ago. I don't think I've seen something with a moderate budget look so bad.

Crimson Peak

The second trailer for this gothic horror has marterilised, and while its scares aren't as many as expected it does look genuinely creepy. del Toro has always been known as being an artist when it comes to the genre, and Peak looks no different - and dare I say, desirable for even non-horror fans?

The Intern

Well this looks...surprisingly sweet. Nothing particularly new or innovative is presented, but there's evidently some heart and a few good gags to keep it going, and there's a good rapport between de Niro and Hathaway being presented, so perhaps this is something to keep an eye on. Read the reviews first, but be open to it.

Minions

As a combination of the first two trailers and adding further insight to make it a tad more special, Minions has already been shaping up to be a huge financial success (ergo little new material is needed here - tickets have been open for booking for close to a month already). But what's new is good and what's old has a sprinkle of further comedy added to the mix. There's no denying that it'll be a big hit come June.

Steve Jobs

This short but ultimately sweet teaser for the second biopic attempt on the Apple creator shares little details aside from the cast and what Fassbender looks like in the role, but what little is shown does look promising.

Pan

After being pushed back by a few months for...reasons, this second trailer for the Peter Pan prequel needs to try hard to sell its standard premise of prophecies and tacky 3D shots - and it still needs to try harder. It looks a lot more magical and shows off a little more of what's on offer, but nothing says 'watch me', it just says 'rent me'.

We Are Your Friends

What opens as an interesting film about DJs ends with a story which can rival Jem and the Holograms for originality. Keep trying Efron.

Pixels

Yeah, I'm still not won over by a film where Kevin James and Adam Sandler fight Pac-Man and co., even if Sony takes a shot at tiself with killing a Smurf.

The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

20th Century Fox's answer to the Hunger Games pandemic returns for its inevitable sequel, and looks just as mediocre as it was the first time around - just with a bigger cast and an additional Game of Thrones actor. Next!

Cooties

Now this is something new. Taking the standard zombie outbreak storyline that's been done to death in recent years and combining it with the childhood diss is a smart move, and it looks like Cooties could be a good film. Maybe not great, but good enough to warrant a watch.

Black Mass

A tad bit more information is given here to the Whitey Bulger biopic, and Depp still looks good in the role. His co-stars? Still need a bit of focus to see whether this ensemble can work well together. But hey, Depp is the moneymaker...right?

Point Break

This upcoming remake has angered many a viewer for how different it is to the original. As someone who hasn't seen the original, I agree with their responses. This looks bad. Really bad.Somewhat shoddy and an attempt for the studio to have their own Fast and Furious but with sport instead of racing. Pass.

The End of the Tour

Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel make an interesting serious double act in a film that doesn't appear to be about anything. A road trip movie of sorts which dips itself into the emotions of these two Davids, but has an uneasy feel to it.

The Diary of a Teenage Girl

The melding together of illistrations to symbolise the emotions of characters isn't anything new, but is commonly an interesting storytelling dynamic in the visual sense, and in the case of this story makes it all the more better. There's not much to say on the film aside from that it does look good.

A Walk in the Woods

Nick Offerman. More Nick Offerman and I will see this film, even if I have to get through Nick Nolte.

Cop Car

Oh my. What started out as a film which could easily be a cheap comedy takes a sudden dark turn and looks even better than it could have been. Add a menacing Kevin Bacon and you may have a sold ticket there.

American Ultra

Stoner comedies? Not my thing. Stoner comedies merged with action setpieces? Okay you got me. This looks surprisingly funny, and Eisenberg's talents really fit the character at hand. Stewart is a little wooden in her performance, but as the only stumbling block in an otherwise humorous trailer? Not bad for a stoner comedy. Not bad at all.