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'Interstellar' Composer Describes What It's Like Working With Christoper Nolan

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christopher nolan interstellar filmingWhat is it like working with Christopher Nolan?appeared as a question on QuoraBelow we are republishing an answer from Hans Zimmer, who composed the soundtrack for Christopher Nolan’s movie Interstellar.

I think one of the things that is really great about working with Chris is that he doesn’t, in any way, get in the way of my imagination. In fact, he works very hard at not having me confined by the mechanics of filmmaking.

So, our process is usually starting long conversations just riffing on ideas. Then slowly I start writing and experimenting, coming up with sounds, etc., all the while keeping in constant conversation with Chris. 

In Interstellar, for instance, there’re so many themes, so many pieces, which always got to a certain point during the writing process but never had an ending, because Chris and I would get to a certain point with an idea and then abandon it because we got excited about the next idea. You have to think of how Chris and I work as a sort of breathless, constant sprint because we are just trying to keep up with our own ideas.

zimmer nolanThe ideas are so plentiful when Chris and I get together, but the execution always takes more time and it can be so frustrating. It’s sometimes very frustrating for him as well because he’s trying to make a movie and he’s waiting on the music.
 
When it comes to the music for Interstellar, I can honestly say that in one way or another, the music is our music, not just my music. It’s entirely our music, and that’s a testament to how much I let Chris into my world.

The great thing is that as a composer, you can only write from the heart and from your innermost place. So, you have to trust your director.

And that’s the thing - there’s a great sense of trust and a great sense of balance that Chris brings to the composing process.

Because Chris cuts his movies in his garage, (giving his films a sort of a homemade quality), he never makes me feel that I have the enormous weight of the canvas on my shoulders.

His editing process is really helpful for my composing process. The work and the story is always brought back to the personal and the intimate, and that’s perfect for how I work.

Quora is the best answer to any question. Ask a question, get a great answer. Learn from experts and get insider knowledge. You can follow Quora on TwitterFacebook, and Google+.

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Marvel Considered Bringing A Hulk Supervillain Back For 'The Avengers' Sequel

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The Incredible HulkWhere does Louis Leterrier’s 2008 film The Incredible Hulk fit in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Fans love to debate this, because major changes took place between Leterrier’s effort and the reintroduction of the Hulk into Joss Whedon’s Avengers film. But there are so many interesting pieces at play in The Incredible Hulk, you can understand why Marvel would be looking to carry a few of them over to the new MCU films, and we’re just now learning about a massive one that almost had a cameo in The Avengers: Age of Ultron

Tim Roth has been doing press on behalf of the spectacular Civil Rights drama Selma, which casts the English actor and director as Alabama governor George Wallace. During a conversation with Crave Online, the actor was asked about his part in The Incredible Hulk, and whether he gets asked about it at all.

Roth admits that it comes up often, and that he meets fans all of the time. Then he explains that his villainous creature, The Abomination, almost returned for Joss Whedon’s Age of Ultron… or, it at least was discussed. Roth says: 

"They were going to do it. They did do that. They were thinking, in The Avengers 2 or something. There was a movie we could do that at one point, but way back when. It just kind of got swept under the carpet I guess. That would be hilarious."

Tim Roth played Emil Blonsky in Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk, a soldier hired by General Ross (William Hurt) to detain Bruce Banner and his alter ego, The Hulk. Over the course of the film, Blonsky receives his own dose of gamma-radiated blood and morphs into The Abomination – which leads to this epic throwdown in Harlem. 

By the end of that film, Blonsky is defeated (spoiler). He's locked away, presumably so that he can be used again in future films. But his fate, ultimately, is one of many loose threads left dangling by The Incredible Hulk, which introduced Tim Blake Nelson’s Dr. Samuel Sterns, a possible new villain. There likely were big plans in place for this Hulk, seeing as how Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) appeared in a post-credits sequence to recruit the angry monster for the Avengers Initiative. 

But lackluster reactions (and box office) led to continuity changes, and we now have Mark Ruffalo in the role. It’s interesting to hear that Tim Roth was at least involved in conversation to bring The Abomination back. Maybe if Hulk ever gets his own solo movie, this can happen. Only time will tell. 

SEE ALSO: Here’s A Guide To All The Hidden References In Marvel Movies

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'Star Wars' Is The Most-Anticipated Movie Of Next Year

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daisy ridley star wars episode vii trailer

Fans can't wait to head back to a galaxy far, far away.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is the most-anticipated movie of next year, according to a new survey from Fandango.

The seventh “Star Wars” movie, directed by J.J. Abrams, will be in theaters Dec. 18, 2015. 

Here are the top five anticipated movies, according to Fandango:

1. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
2. “Avengers: Age of Ultron”
3. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”
4. “Fifty Shades of Grey”
5. “Jurassic World”

Missing from the list is the next "Fast and Furious" movie out in April.

minions despicable me 2Fandango also revealed the top family movies of next year. "Despicable Me" spin-off "Minions" leads the list. Universal has been teasing the little yellow characters at movie theaters in front of new movies for a while now.

1.”Minions”
2. “Cinderella”
3. “Pixar’s Inside Out”
4. “Peanuts”
5. “Pan”

Among the lists put out by Fandango Daisy Ridley ("Star Wars: The Force Awakens") is predicted to be the biggest breakout female star. "Fifty Shades of Grey" actor Jamie Dornan leads the list of male breakouts along with John Boyega ("Star Wars: The Force Awakens"). 

SEE ALSO: The most promising sign yet that the new "Star Wars" movie is going to be good

AND: These will be the biggest movies of next year

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There Will Be A Semi-Sequel To This Year's Best-Reviewed Movie 'Boyhood'

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Boyhood Sundance

"Boyhood" was one of the year's most widely acclaimed films. The groundbreaking movie, shot over the course of 12 years, followed one boy (Ellar Coltrane) as he struggled with growing up.

Director Richard Linklater recently wrapped his next movie, and it is a semi-sequel to 1993's "Dazed and Confused" as well as a follow-up to his beloved "Boyhood."

In fact, Linklater told Creative Screenwriting (via Vulture) that the film, called "That's What I'm Talking About," may have more to do with "Boyhood" than "Dazed and Confused"— even if he previously called the film "a spiritual sequel" to "Dazed and Confused." He said:

[...] it has nothing to do with "Dazed and Confused" other than it would be set four years later, when one of the younger characters went off to college. It’s a party film. It’s really about the beginning of school, not the end of the school year. I guess personally or autobiographically it’s kind of in that realm, but it’s also a continuation of "Boyhood," believe it or not. I don’t know if one film can be a sequel to two different movies, but it begins right where "Boyhood" ends with a guy showing up at college and meeting his new roommates and a girl. It overlaps with the end of "Boyhood."

Ethan Hawke Boyhood

"Boyhood" was one of this year's best-reviewed movies, as well as a box-office success. The film, which also starred Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, currently leads the Golden Globe nominations with five nods including Best Picture and Best Director.

SEE ALSO:  The best-reviewed movies of the year

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The Theories About The New 'Star Wars' Movie Plot Are Probably Wrong (DIS)

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star wars episode VII millennium falcon

Following the release of the teaser trailer for the new Star Wars movie "The Force Awakens," a bunch of fans came up with wild theories about what the plot would be.

That's pretty much impossible. The trailer only shows a few glimpses at new characters and settings. And we only know the names of a few of them.

Oscar Isaac, an actor who plays an X-Wing pilot named Poe Dameron in the movie, told Yahoo's Jordan Zakarin that the fan theories"couldn't be more far off-base."

Here's the full quote:

I can’t speak for the cast and crew, I can just speak for myself, but for me I thought, Don’t you want to wait so you can get the real thing? But it creates excitement for it. I don’t think these little leaks necessarily ruined watching the trailer. And also, the [plot theories] that get that formulated based on these things — they couldn’t be more far off-base.

So, what are some of those theories? If you're scared to even read speculation about the new Star Wars movie plot, stop now.

The most common theory is that "The Force Awakens" gets cranking when the main characters come across Luke Skywalker's original lightsaber that he lost in "The Empire Strikes Back." The characters then have to go on a hunt for Luke, who has been in hiding for about 30 years.

Other theories say that Finn, played by John Boyega, start out as an evil storm trooper until he realizes he can talk to the Force. That turns him into a good guy.

john boyega star wars episode 7On the other hand, there's Adam Driver's character, who most think will be the villain of the movie. A leaked photo from the set showed Driver wearing an X-Wing pilot's uniform. It's possible that he also becomes aware of the Force but falls to the Dark Side.

star wars the force awakens sith lightsaberBut Isaac's comments to Yahoo News pretty much blows a hole in those two common theories. We'll just have to wait until "The Force Awakens" premieres on December 18, 2015.

SEE ALSO: An explanation for everything you see in the new Star Wars trailer

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The 10 Highest-Grossing Actors Of 2014

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jennifer lawrence

This year's highest-grossing actors starred in some of this year's biggest blockbusters.

Forbes compiled a list of 2014's highest-grossing actors at the box office.

Jennifer Lawrence topped the list, starring in two of this year's blockbusters: "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1."

Chris Pratt was the highest-grossing actor of the year. Both of his movies this year, "Guardians Of The Galaxy" and "The Lego Movie," surprised at theaters.

Many of the actors on the list starred in superhero movies, such as "X-Men,""Guardians Of The Galaxy," and "Captain America."

Forbes determined their list by compiling the global box-office grosses of each actor's films from Box Office Mojo

Below are the top 10 highest-grossing actors and actresses of the year, via Forbes:

1. Jennifer Lawrence: $1.4 billion ("X-Men: Days of Future Past,""The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1", "Serena")
2. Chris Pratt: $1.2 billion ("The Lego Movie,""Guardians Of The Galaxy")
3. Scarlett Johansson: $1.18 billion ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier,""Lucy,""Under the Skin")
4. Mark Wahlberg: $1 billion ("Transformers: Age of Extinction")
5. Chris Evans: $801 million ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier,""Snowpiercer")
6. Emma Stone: $764 million ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2,""Magic In The Moonlight,""Birdman")
7. Angelina Jolie: $758 million ("Maleficent")
8. James McAvoy: $747 million ("X-Men: Days Of Future Past,""The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them")
9. Michael Fassbender: $746 million ("X-Men: Days Of Future Past")
10. Hugh Jackman: $746 million ("X-Men: Days Of Future Past")


NOW WATCH: Adam Savage From 'MythBusters' Has An Incredible Connection To The Star Wars Franchise

 

SEE ALSO: The Highest-Grossing Movies of 2014

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10 Actors Whose Careers Took A Big Hit In 2014

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Cameron DiazWe're almost through 2014, and for some of us, this is an event worth celebrating. This was an interesting year for movies and movie stars. There was a lot of mud slung from a massive privacy breach. And there were the usual bad choices (and ill fortune) that some of our favorite stars suffered through.

It's amazing what anything as small as a cameo or as large as a sleeve of films can do to a person's career, and 2014 showed us that no one is safe from failure in the business they call show.

Click here to see the actors »

10. Will Smith

What's The Damage: Will Smith lost a lot of clout in 2013, with the M. Night Shyamalan stinker After Earth, and he's still paying for it up to this day. Yet despite this horrific waste of a man who's clearly talented when he's at his peak efficiency, there could have been a shot for him to redeem himself this year, with even the smallest of performances.
 
Anyone who's seen Winter's Tale can attest to the fact that his small, but effective, performance as a mysterious character could have granted him some much-needed good will. The only problem is, he decided to use the vastly unseen Winter's Tale as the venue for his talents. 
 
Chances For Recovery In 2015: Good, especially with his casting in Suicide Squad, as well as an NFL drama and a return to cocky R-rated action/comedy in the rather good looking Focus


9. Chris Pine

What's The Damage: Star Trek alone should be pushing Chris Pine into the stratosphere of modern acting, considering how great he is in the iconic role of Captain Kirk. Unfortunately, this year brought Pine's career out of warp, with Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit performing rather unspectacularly at the box office.

If Stretch had made it to theaters, Pine could have put himself at even money. Alas, the film was buried on VOD. The kicker for Chris Pine's 2014 is, of course, his performance in Into The Woods, which has garnered positive mentions, but has been overshadowed by the under-performance that is known as Horrible Bosses 2

Chances For Recovery In 2015: Not Good. Z For Zachariah is the only film Chris Pine has on his slate for 2015, and while that might pull in some teen spending money, it surely isn't going to be anywhere near what other YA adaptations will be bringing in next year. 



8. Dane DeHaan

What's The Damage: Dane DeHaan is still somewhat of a rising star, and 2014 should have been his year to shine – especially considering he scored his first big franchise role on the back of a pretty good 2013.

It didn't help that said franchise was none other than the sinking ship we call The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and it helped even less that the film turned DeHaan into a sneering mutation of a character that looked like he was going somewhere in the first half. Much like anyone else who had more than one film with Sony this year, Dane DeHaan took a 1,2 punch as Life After Beth wasn't anything to write home about either. 

Chances For Recovery In 2015: Good, as he has two films replete with amazing co-stars lined up for 2015: Tulip Fever and Life



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Spider-Man' Director Admits He 'Messed Up' With The Third Movie

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spider-man 3Poor, Spider-Man. He just can’t seem to catch a break, at least when it comes to his movies. There were the good ole days when Tobey Maguire suited up as our favorite web-slinger in the first two installments of Sam Raimi’s original trilogy. But then came the dreaded "Spider-Man 3," and there arguably hasn't been a terrific Spider-Man movie since. Even Raimi knows he screwed up big time with that one.

The beloved director and producer recently went on the Nerdist podcast to promote his latest project, "Murder of a Cat" (he produced it), but the conversation transformed into a retrospective on his past work. When the topic turned to "Spider-Man 3," Raimi admitted:

"I messed up plenty with the third Spider-Man, so people hated me for years — they still hate me for it … It's a movie that just didn't work very well."

"Spider-Man 3" was primarily about one of the more famous Spidey story arcs in the comics: his encounter with the Venom symbiote. Everything started out normal enough, but soon Sandman and Green Goblin were thrown in the mix, which collectively watered it down. And who could forget this atrocious scene? 

This alone should have clued the folks behind the "Spider-Man" musical that Broadway dance numbers just don’t mix with this guy. As Raimi continued: 

"[Topping the previous two films] went into the thinking of a lot of people that worked on "Spider-Man 3" and it was not good for us."

If you ask us, this is the same issue that plagued this year’s "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." Much like Raimi’s "Spider-Man 3," there were way too many characters tossed in left and right: Electro, Green Goblin, Rhino and references to Vulture, Doc Ock and Black Cat. For cryin’ out loud. More villains does not equal a hit. When fans first realized all these guys were joining in the fight, they immediately thought it’d be a repeat of "Spider-Man 3."

We can only hope that one of these days someone will get a Spider-Man movie right. But with this massive franchise planned, including movies for the Sinister Six,Venom, "The Amazing Spider-Man 3" and a female Spidey spin-off, an all-star director and writing team is needed to reinvigorate the films. Sony, after all, is required to develop a Spider-Man movie after a few years or the cinematic rights to this character will revert back to Marvel Studios, as per the terms of the original contract (if those terms are still in play... these things fluctuate). If those leaked emails are to be believed, though, perhaps they’ll eventually come to an agreement and Spidey will be fighting alongside The Avengers in no time. 

SEE ALSO: Disney Tried To Get Spider-Man In 'Captain America 3'

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The Biggest Box-Office Bombs Of 2014

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eva green sin city sequel

2014 wasn't a great year for movies in general.

Only one movie managed to make $1 billion, "Transformers: Age of Extinction."

A lot of movies underperformed at theaters, resulting in what will be the lowest box office in nine years according to the Hollywood Reporter

We've rounded up the biggest flops of the year from a "Hercules" film to Johnny Depp's latest. 

13. "Veronica Mars" (Warner Bros.)

Budget: $6 million
Worldwide gross: $3.5 million
Opening weekend: $1.9 million

This was really a movie made for the fans, by the fans. Reviews for the Kickstarter-funded movie were overall great; however, many noted that unless you were a fan of the series, you may be a bit confused watching the film. That may have led to more fans of the series flocking to theaters. While there are no numbers available for how the movie performed on video on demand (VOD), VOD numbers for the film may not mean much since Warner Bros. issued refunds after difficulties downloading the film via video service Flixster.

Since the movie was funded by Kickstarter, this was more of an exercise in experimentation for the studio.

(Source: Box Office Mojo)



12. "Tyler Perry's The Single Mom's Club" (Lionsgate)

Budget: n/a
Worldwide gross: $16.3 million
Opening weekend: $8.1 million

Tyler Perry's films are usually a guaranteed box-office hit; however, when his latest film debuted in March it became the director's worst-performing movie to dateAs a result, Lionsgate shares fell 5%. We don't know the actual budget, but Perry's films usually cost around $20 million to make.

(Source: Box Office Mojo)



11. "Vampire Academy" (The Weinstein Company)

Estimated budget: $30 million+
Worldwide gross: $15.4 million
Opening weekend: $3.9 million 

Vampires just aren't popular anymore in theaters and The Weinstein Company's attempt at jumping on the genre bandwagon proved that. Not even "Modern Family" star Sarah Hyland could save this adaptation of the popular book series.

(Source: Box Office Mojo)



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's What's New On Netflix In January

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cast away tom hanks

The new year is usually a down time for television and new movies, so fire up the streaming services. 

Netflix has announced its list of January releases.

Among the lineup for Jan. is Tom Hank's "Cast Away," Oscar-nominated "Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy," and "Mean Girls."

The best addition is all 10 seasons of "Friends."

Here's what you should check out on Netflix in January:

TV

friends"Dallas" (available 1/1)
Season three of the newer TNT series.

"Friends" (available 1/1)
Calling all Ross and Rachel fans. All 10 seasons of the hit NBC comedy will be available to stream. 

"White Collar" (available 1/3)
Season five of USA's hit about con man Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) helping the FBI.

"Psych" (available 1/8)
Season eight of of USA's comedy about a crime consultant (James Roday) who fools a police department into believing he has psychic abilities which help him solve crimes.

For the kids: "The Adventures of Puss in Boots" (available 1/16)
Part of DreamWorks Animation's deal with Netflix, the original spin-off series stars Puss in Boots of the popular "Shrek" franchise.

Movies

Mean Girls"Cast Away" (available 1/1)
Wilson! Tom Hanks's Oscar-nominated picture about survival after being stranded on an island is a must-watch.

"Mean Girls" (available 1/1)
 Tina Fey's hit starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams recently had its 10-year anniversary.

"To Be Takei" (available 1/1)
You probably missed out on this year's documentary on "Star Trek" actor George Takei who is also known for his work as a gay-rights activist and for sharing fantastic memes and images online

"Frank" (available 1/8)
Michael Fassbender stars as Frank, a singer who wears a giant fake head. It sounds bizarre, but we've been told to watch this one for awhile so we're glad it will finally be streaming. Fassbender will be starring in Universal's upcoming Steve Jobs movie and was excellent in "12 Years a Slave."

"Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy" (available 1/16)
The three-time Oscar-nominated picture about espionage during the Cold War has a great cast including Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

"Chef" (available 1/28)
You may not have heard about director Jon Favreau's ("Iron Man") indie starring Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, and Robert Downey, Jr. The film received exceptionally positive reviews after screenings at South by Southwest and the Tribeca Film Festival.

Here's the full list of January releases:

Available 1/1

"101 Dalmatians" (1996)
"Bad Boys II" (2003)
"Batman & Robin" (1997)
"Bruce Almighty" (2003)
"Cast Away" (2000)
"Dallas" Season 3 (2012)
"Get Low" (2009)
"Election" (1999)
"Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" (1998)
"Fort Bliss" (2014)
"Friends" Complete series (1994-2004)
"Get Low" (2009)
"Jarhead 2: Field of Fire" (2014)
"Jeepers Creepers 2" (2003)
"Mean Girls" (2004)
"Shall We Dance?" (2004)
"Son of God" (2014)
"Soul Plane" (2004)
"To Be Takei" (2014)
"The French Connection" (1971)
"The Quiet Man" (1952)
"The War of the Worlds" (1953)
"Wayne's World 2" (1993)

Available 1/2

"From the Rough" (2013)

Available 1/3

"Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014)
"White Collar" season 5

Available 1/7

"Brick Mansions" (2014)

Available 1/8

"Frank" (2014)
"Psych" season 8 

Available 1/9

"Z Nation" season 1

Available 1/13

"Being Human" season 4

Available 1/15

"Wolfblood" season 3 

Available 1/16

"The Adventures of Puss and Boots" season 1
"The Fall" season 2
"Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy" (2011)

Available 1/23

"Iliza Shelesinger: Freezing Hot" (2014)

Available 1/28

"Chef" (2014)
"Beauty & the Beast" season 2

Note: A version of this post originally ran Dec. 17, 2014. We usually run these lists at the end of the month. Netflix will be releasing this info mid-month moving forward. We'll continue to update if there are additions.

SEE ALSO: The biggest box-office bombs of 2014

AND: The best-reviewed movies of 2014

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4 Reasons People Aren't Going To The Movies Anymore

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the interview movie premiereThe numbers for 2014 are in, and it was a notably bad year for theaters. People just aren’t going out to the movies anymore, and the number of moviegoers has hit a record low in North America.

There’s no doubt that the movie theater experience has changed in the past few years, but with all of the amenities that a theater has to offer, it’s still surprising to see more and more empty seats. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the numbers have slipped so low, that they are the worst they’ve been in two decades. Roughly 1.26 billion consumers bought movie tickets this year, the lowest number since 1995.

The official figures won’t be released until the National Association of Theater Owners calculates the average movie ticket price for the year, but attendance looks to be off by about 6 percent from 2013. So why is this happening? Going to the movies has been a fun and desirable pastime since the first U.S. theater opened in 1894. What’s changed? Well here are just a few big reasons why people aren’t going to the movies anymore. 

1. Ticket and Concession Costs

Ticket prices are on the rise and after fluctuating dramatically over the years, moviegoers may not be willing to spare the extra change. With IMAX and 3D, the average ticket price can skew. The average price in 2013 was $8.13 and the preliminary results for this past year show a jump to $8.15. Not to mention the insane mark-up pricing of concessions. 

Picture this, a large tub of popcorn goes for about $8. A cinema owner explained to ABC News that to make that large tub of popcorn, including the cost of the container, would usually be about $1. That’s a 700 percent mark-up. And that’s the pricing at a typical theater. There are also theaters now that offer comfier seats, dinner with the movie, alcoholic beverages, more and more things that make the ticket price and your experience a serious break in the bank.  

2. Movie Selection

gwen stacy the amazing spider-man 2From a movie-lovers perspective, it’s hard to justify that there is a lack of good movies out there. We’ve seen some great ones hit the screen in 2014 from Whiplash to The Lego Movie. But their performances at the box office in comparison to other years, is unimpressive. For instance, there were only two movies this year that crossed the $300 million grossing mark, Guardians of the Galaxy and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. There were a couple other films that expected to do better, but overall there weren’t a lot of big blockbuster hits that attracted people to the theaters. 

Not convinced? Well in 2002, when 1.57 billion consumers attended movies throughout the year, it was because of the big hit selections including Spider ManThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones all of which went over the $300 million grossing mark (with Spiderman over $400 million). That same year Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and My Big Fat Greek Wedding were released. 

3. Streaming Options

NetflixiPadWith so many at-home options to stream and watch movies, staying home on a Saturday night has never been so desirable. Not only are Video On Demand platforms and pay-per-view providers releasing newer movies, and have more expansive libraries, but subscription-based platforms are releasing their own original shows, and great films. 

Subscription-based platforms such as HBO Go or Netflix are very attractive right now. They’re a lot cheaper than being an avid movie-goer with just as much entertainment value and people are noticing. Mid-year 2014, Netflix passed the 50-million subscribers mark, and next year HBO Go will be available to non-cable subscribers. If the recent release of The Interview has taught us anything, it’s that films can be released via the internet, and reach an ever-expanding audience. And the studios can still make money doing so. 

4. Better Quality TV

walter white saul breaking badThis might just be the Golden Age of Television. Shows such as Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones have and still are impacting a lot of people, and generating crazy amounts of viewers. TV is addictively good. Shows have started to maintain certain qualities that were usually associated with film: gorgeous cinematography, artful directing, award-winning acting, the list goes on. 

But TV has also tried to generate change in the industry, producing more powerful female characters, and female-driven plot lines. Plus, with the HD technology that we have on our TVs these days, watching a TV show can be just as beautiful of an experience as watching a film. Streaming options make TV more accessible, and have also created a binge-watching culture where people enjoy watching hours of their favorite characters and scenes, as opposed to a shorter viewing time of a film. 

SEE ALSO: Here are the new shows coming to TV in 2015

AND: The biggest box-office bombs of 2014

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These Will Be The 12 Biggest Movies Of The Year

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avengers age of ultron captain america thor2015 is going to be one of the biggest years at the box office in a long time.

Not only are we getting a new "Star Wars" movie, but we'll finally see the next "Avengers" grouping, which has been nearly three years in the making. 

Those two movies alone have the potential of being billion-dollar films.

In comparison, 2014 only had one movie gross $1 billion— "Transformers: Age of Extinction."

Through plenty of sequels and reboots, we're counting down the movies that will be the biggest at theaters next year. It's going to feel like the early '90s with Arnold Schwarzenegger back as the Terminator and dinosaurs roaming around in "Jurassic World."

Mark these dates down in your calendar.

12. 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (Universal/Focus Features)

Release date:
Feb. 13, 2015

Why it will be huge: This will be the movie every guy will be dragged to see.

The best-selling book series dubbed "mommy porn" is making its big screen debut Valentine's Day weekend. There couldn't be a better release date for the erotica film about a naive college girl (Dakota Johnson) who becomes involved in a BDSM relationship with a billionaire named Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan).

While the film's trailer was the most-viewed all year, there are two reasons "Fifty Shades" is lower on our list. 1. Big blockbusters rarely come out in this month. "Passion of the Christ" currently holds the record for largest Feb. gross ($611.9 million). 2. Erotica movies are usually a niche group. 1992's "Basic Instinct" is the highest-grossing film in the genre making $352.9 million worldwide.



11. 'Ted 2' (Universal)

Release date:
June 26, 2015

Why it will be huge: "Ted," featuring Seth MacFarlane's foul-mouthed teddy bear and Mark Wahlberg, became the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy ever in 2012. It surpassed the record previously held by the first "Hangover.""Ted" made $549 million worldwide.



10. 'Inside Out' (Pixar/Disney)

Release date: 
June 19, 2015

Why it will be huge: Pixar's reputation speaks for itself. The studio hasn't made a bad film yet (except perhaps the poorly-reviewed "Cars 2"). Regardless, none of them have been bombs and the majority of Pixar's animated movies make at least $500 million worldwide at theaters. 

Buzz about its next animated picture, "Inside Out," is already growing. While the movie's concept about the inner workings of the brain and our emotions may sound a bit confusing, an early sneak peek of the film was very well received at the Animation Film Festival in France back in June.



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5 Major 'Star Wars' Questions That Will Get Answered This Year

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star wars the force awakens sithThis is going to be a huge year for "Star Wars." Most notably, December 2015 will bring the release of the hotly anticipated "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." However, there is a lot to be excited for in the Star Wars universe beyond "The Force Awakens," with the future releases of "Star Wars" spinoff films coming, as well. Outside of waiting for more trailers to be released, we also will hopefully get some more details about plot and the roles of some of our favorite "Star Wars" characters in the new films. 

Here are five huge questions that we think we'll finally see the answers to in the coming year. 

What Part Will Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewie Have In The New Film?

star wars luke leia han soloOne of my biggest complaints from the teaser trailer for "The Force Awakens" was that we didn’t get to see any Han, Luke, Leia or Chewie. So far, J.J. Abrams has been pretty tight-lipped about what we can expect to see in "The Force Awakens." In the coming year -- hopefully well before the film’s actual release in December -- we should be receiving more information on what role the original cast members will have in "The Force Awakens." The film has a ton of new characters it will be offering us, so it stands to reason that the original cast members won’t be the central focus of the film. However, I’m really hoping they have a larger role in the movie apart from a quick nostalgia scene. They have to. Right? 

OK, Really, Who The Hell Is Captain Phasma?

gwendoline christieSeriously, who is this person? We know that Disney has filed copyright applications for the name, but that is all we know. The application for Captain Phasma was filed at the same time Disney filed for the names for the characters they released, like Kylo Renn and BB-8. But Phasma wasn’t a part of the studio’s first character reveal. There are rumors (completely unconfirmed) that this could be Gwendoline Christie’s character -- which would be completely awesome. It’s also possible that Phasma isn’t going to be in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at all. Will Phasma be a character in one of the spinoff films? Hopefully 2015 will hold the answer to the mystery of Captain Phasma’s identity. 

Will One Of The Spinoff Films Explain How The Rebels Stole The Death Star Plans?

death star

 There are exactly zero bits of confirmed information on any of the spinoff movies. They will probably be releasing information in the years between Episodes 7, 8 and 9, but that’s really all we know about the films themselves. There is one plot rumor that is especially interesting, and that is the rumor that Gareth Edwards and Gary Whitta's spinoff will be a heist movie centering around a group of bounty hunters hired by the rebels as they steal the plans to the Death Star. While this is a cool idea, it isn’t exactly new. Fans of the expanded universe have already heard the story behind the heist. This isn't canon, though it's possible a new spin on the story could be fashioned into a fun spinoff story. 

Are All Of The Spinoffs Going To Be Origin Stories?boba fett star wars

The internet also is rife with speculation on the plot for the "Star Wars"spinoff films, and one of the more popular ideas is that the films would be origin stories for major characters. While I think it is unlikely that 2015 will hold the answer to every plot of every spinoff film, we should at least get an idea if they are moving in the origin story direction. Of course, if the films will be origin stories, that would lead to the follow-up question of which characters would get their story told? Would the movies focus on characters from the original trilogy like Han Solo, Yoda and Boba Fett (as rumored), or would they talk about characters from "Episode VII" or the expanded universe? Again, I highly doubt the studio will want to show their hand this early, but we should at least get an idea of the plot of the first spin off, and at least get a sense of direction that they plan to take the spin off films. 

Will We See Other Original Star Wars Cast Members In The Coming Films?

lando calrissian

We know that Han, Luke, Leia, Chewie, R2-D2, and C-3PO are confirmed to appear in "The Force Awakens." It seems that they will be the only original cast members to show up in Episode VII. However, there are quite a few other characters from the original trilogy that could grace our screens with their presence. Namely, can we expect Billy Dee Williams to reprise his role as Lando Calrissian? Williams has expressed excitement over reprising his role, and fans would be excited to see Lando again. 2015 will give us a bit more of a picture of Abram’s plans and how he wants to use (or not use) cast members from the original "Star Wars" trilogy. 

SEE ALSO: "Star Wars" is the most-anticipated movie of this year

AND: The most promising sign yet that the new "Star Wars" movie is going to be good

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'Foxcatcher' Movie Slammed As 'Complete Fiction' By The Olympic Wrestler Who Inspired It

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mark schultz channing tatum

Actor Channing Tatum is already receiving Oscar buzz for his role as Olympic wrestling champion, Mark Schultz.

channing tatum foxcatcherWhile Schultz previously praised the film via social media saying its stars should receive Oscars, the 54-year-old recently changed his tune.

In a New Year's Eve Facebook and Twitter rant, Schultz slammed "Foxcatcher" director Bennett Miller and star Channing Tatum.

Many of the tweets have since been deleted, but Variety managed to grab them before they disappeared:

YOU CROSSED THE LINE MILLER. WE'RE DONE. YOU'RE CAREER IS OVER. YOU THINK I CAN'T DO IT. WATCH ME.  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014

YOU THINK I'M GOING TO SIT BACK AND WATCH YOU DESTROY MY NAME AND REPUTATION I SWEAT BLOOD FOR. YOU AINT' SEEN NOTHING YET DUDE.  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014  

I BUILT THIS HOUSE AND I'LL TEAR IT DOWN. YOU THINK I CAN'T TAKE YOU DOWN COZ UR A DIRECTOR. WATCH ME BENNETT… http://t.co/wQSKgq9Pwz  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014  

I CAN TOLERATE A LOT OF THINGS BUT I DON'T TOLERATE DISRESPECT. WE'RE DONE BENNETT.  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014  

Everything I've ever said positive about the movie I take back. I hate it. i hate it. i hate it. I hate it. i hate it. i hate it. I hate it  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014  

I HATE EVERYTHING THAT SCUM TOUCHES. EVERYTHING!!!  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014  

I HATE BENNETT MILLER.  — Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) December 31, 2014

A few tweets remain on Schultz's feed:

Schultz explained more on Facebook, saying he was upset that it was implied in the film that he and his former coach John du Pont (played by Steve Carell) had a sexual relationship, which he called "insulting."

He continued to assure "the integrity and truth of my story":

 

Schultz ended his criticism of the movie with a plug for his book:

In November, Schultz released "Foxcatcher: The True Story of My Brother’s Murder, John du Pont’s Madness, and the Quest for Olympic Gold," which he says is the real version of what happened.

The film, which was also released in November, has earned over $6 million at the  box office and has received tons of critical acclaim.

SEE ALSO: Steve Carell And Channing Tatum Give Their Best Performances Yet In Thought-Provoking 'Foxcatcher'

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Marvel Releases A Literally Ant-Sized Teaser Trailer For 'Ant-Man'

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Marvel has released what they're calling an "ant-sized" teaser for "Ant-Man," and boy they aren't kidding.

The teaser is small enough to see if you can shrink to the size of an insect, like the movie's hero.

ant man teaser

An official, "human-sized" teaser will be released during the two-hour premiere of "Agent Carter," which airs at 8 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 6 on ABC.

"Ant-Man" stars Paul Rudd as the titular superhero and Corey Stoll as the villain, Darren Cross/Yellowjacket. Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly also co-star.

The movie hits theaters on July 17, 2015.

You can check out the tiny teaser below.

SEE ALSO: 'House Of Cards' Actor Will Play Villain In 'Ant-Man'

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'A Most Violent Year' Is A Gripping Take On The American Dream

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"A Most Violent Year" may be slow, but it's never dull. With his third feature, J.C. Chandor has crafted a beautiful, subtle film that functions both as an absorbing drama and a thoughtful examination of the adage "desperate times call for desperate measures."

The film is quite deliberately set in New York City, 1981, allegedly the most brutal year on record for violent crimes in the city. It follows Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac doing his best "Young Al Pacino" impression) and his wife Anna (Jessica Chastain, who is excellent but mostly relegated to the sideline here) through the toughest month of their lives.

Abel is a budding entrepreneur and the owner of a heating oil company, and the film opens with Abel striking a lucrative deal for a property that has the power to take his business to the next level. The deal, however, is contingent on Abel coming up with the $1.5 million in 30 days, which may not have been a problem at a different time but is a huge threat now considering Abel's drivers are getting robbed like clockwork and the city's DA is actively bringing charges against his business for corrupt practices. 

While Abel isn't exactly innocent, he's a truly honorable man doing the best the can. His wife is a gangster's daughter, and ever since Abel took over the company from her corrupt family, the DA can't seem to keep his nose out of their operation. Abel's philosophy, as he so deftly puts it, is that "the result is never in question, just the path you take to get there."

Abel believes there are always two paths that lead to the same result, and one of those paths is "most right." Despite his wife's insistence to continue cooking the books (she has an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality regarding organized crime), Abel is resolute in making it to the top of his industry through his own hard work and determination. Despite the constant hardships thrown his way, Abel consistently does all he can to excel and be successful.

a most violent year 2The film's brutally honest take on the American Dream is refreshing and thought-provoking. The audience is asked to mediate on what it takes to become a success and question how big a role corruption and compromise play in the matter. The film's grimly twisted finale is pure cinema at its finest — it's scary, exciting, and engaging but also intellectually stimulating. 

The performances in the film are all top-notch, and Oscar Isaac turns in his second Award-worthy performance in two years. He may have been royally snubbed at last year's Academy Awards, but his performance in the Coen Brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis" is about as good as it gets. His take on Abel in "A Most Violent Year" is the polar opposite of Llewyn — the man has some serious range.

What's so exciting about the role is how gradually his true character is revealed; we are never quite sure what Abel is capable of so each scene drips with dramatic tension. As the story progresses, we learn more about his values, and by the end of the picture, we have watched him blossom and become fully realized. When given a chance, Chastain is a scene stealer, but she simply doesn't have enough to do here. The legendary Albert Brooks (who was terrific in 2011's "Drive") shines in an almost unrecognizable turn as Abel's lawyer. 

Besides the stellar performances, the photography, editing, and meticulous pacing help make the film incredibly efficient. The period look and costume design mesh perfectly with the cinematography, and Chandor has proven yet again that he is a top-notch director and really makes every shot count.

a most violent year 1There are a couple of suspenseful action sequences thrown in the mix that should be totally jarring in context but are so masterfully handled that they work. There's an emotional depth attached to the action, as the audience is pulling for Abel and wants him to succeed, which makes the scenes that much more impactful.

While it definitely features some of the best performances of the year, the film itself feels too understated and not flashy enough (think "The Master" and "Inside Llewyn Davis") to garner any serious attention from the Academy. It will likely get the performance nominations, but not much else. That being said, "A Most Violent Year" is so rich and deeply layered that it will receive plenty of rave reviews and stand the test of time. 

Watch the trailer below.

SEE ALSO: Jake Gyllenhaal Goes Psycho In His Dark New Movie 'Nightcrawler'

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The 15 Best Movies Of 2014

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Boyhood Sundance

"Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Interstellar" may have been among the highest-grossing movies of the year, but what were the best movies of the year?

We've pulled together the best-critiqued movies of the year, according to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. 

15. "Snowpiercer" (Radius-TWC): 95%

Stars: Tilda Swinton, Chris Evans, and Jamie Bell
Box Office: $86.8 million worldwide
165 reviews

Did you know Captain America (Chris Evans) was in another popular movie this year?

This year's sci-fi cult favorite can be easily described as "The Hunger Games" on a train, minus the kid killing and archery. Instead, it follows Curtis (Evans) leading a passenger revolt between social classes upon a train to nowhere carrying the last survivors on Earth after a failed global-warming initiative kills off most life on the planet.



14. "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (Fox): 92%

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Ian McKellen
Box Office: $746 million worldwide
237 reviews

Director Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") returned to unite his original X-Men trilogy stars (Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and Hugh Jackman) with the new younger crop (Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender), and it made for the year's best-rated superhero film. 

Sure, the film may have had one of the most confusing titles of the year, but it was one of the best X-Men movies yet. It even wiped away the existence of 2006's critically-panned "X-Men: The Last Stand" to the pleasure of many fanboys. Don't forget the addition of fan-favorite mutant Quicksilver (Evan Peters).



13. "The Missing Picture" (Strand): 99%

Narration by Randal Douc, Jean-Baptiste Phou
Box Office: $52,164 worldwide
74 reviews

The documentary follows a man as he looks for a picture taken between 1975 and 1979 by the Khmer Rouge when they ruled over Cambodia. He believes the picture will prove mass murder and searches vainly in archives, old papers, and country villages for the lost object. 

The film won the top prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Film at this past year's Oscars.



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It's Amazing How Much The New Martin Luther King Jr. Movie Resonates Today

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It's impossible to watch "Selma" in America today and not feel confronted by the striking parallels to recent turmoil.

The Eric Garner and Michael Brown grand jury decisions have brought the issue of race back into the spotlight, and the calculated response and protest by unhappy American people harkens back to Martin Luther King Jr.'s crusade for civil rights. 

"Selma" is not your typical biopic: We don't see Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth, we don't see his death, and we don't get very much in between. What we do get is a focused look at one key event that changed the course of the country for the better — the monumental Civil Rights March in Selma, Alabama that led to national attention and widespread outrage for the South's 'desegregated in name only' approach and systematic opression of people of color.

selma marchThere are scenes throughout "Selma"— people walking in the streets, demanding justice — that parallel news coverage from the past month. Many of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speeches are depicted in the film, and each sentiment is more strikingly relevant than the last.

The basic notion that all of the cops in the movie are white and any threat of violence to white people seem to be valued more than excessive force against blacks evokes the deaths of Gordon and Brown after aggressive police responses. It brings certain numbers to mind, such as how Ferguson is 60% black, the police force is 94% white, and that 93% of Ferguson arrests in 2013 were people of color.

One of the most memorable scenes is when protesters (without MLK Jr.) descend upon the bridge towards Selma and are accosted by ruthless, angry white southern police officers as well as a slew of spectators eagerly cheering them on. This scene depicts a watershed moment and major turning point in the movement, as news cameras and photographers were able to bring the issue into the homes of Americans nationwide. Martin Luther King's comments following the first march on the bridge was a national call-to-arms for people of all races.

Countless African-Americans are beaten and a few killed by the police during the marches, and the film does not shy away from the sheer brutality that was on display during this era. When King notes that none of the white police officers were convicted or tried for their awful crimes, more connections to the present are revealed and it's hard to swallow.

selma mlk 2The march on Selma itself is emblematic of the larger problem we still face today. While blatant beatings orchestrated by law enforcement in broad daylight may be a thing of the past, the protests in Ferguson (and to a lesser extent those breaking out across the nation) and the overzealous militarized response are not far off. Sure, you can spin it and put the blame on the small subsection of protesters who were looting and causing a ruckus, but there were thousands protesting peacefully who were tear-gassed all the same. The parallels to the "hands up, don't shoot" movement are striking and shocking. 

David Oyelowo plays MLK Jr. with such a dignified grace and commanding presence that at times it's hard to believe you're not watching footage of the man himself. It's a subtle performance in which he says just as much with his eyes and demeanor than he does with words, and it's one of the year's best — even in a year of many wonderful performances.

"Selma" is a timely, important and magnificent film that proves no matter how far we've come towards equality in America, we still have a long way to go.

SEE ALSO: It's Clear That Race Is America's Deepest Problem

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The Highest-Grossing Movies Of 2014

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guardians of the galaxyThis year's box office was one of the worst in recent years.

A lack of really huge summer blockbusters resulted in the lowest domestic box-office since 2007. According to BoxOffice.com, this year's movies made an approximate total gross of $9.9 billion to date.

Superhero movies, family-friendly flicks, and high-profile book adaptations were big hits this year. Marvel did particularly well with several major releases. 

We know "Guardians of The Galaxy" was an unexpected summer blockbuster and that "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" performed well, but which movie reigned supreme at the box office?

We've compiled the highest-grossing movies of 2014.*

*Grosses as of 1/3/15. We will continue to update this post accordingly.

16. "Lucy": $458.9 million

Studio: Universal
Release date:
Jul. 25, 2014
Estimated budget:
$40 million
Domestic gross:  
$126.7 million

The critically divisive sci-fi indie starring Scarlett Johansson as a young woman who could unlock the full potential of the human brain exploded at the box office. It helped that the film made this out to be a female superhero movie starring a popular "Avengers" character. There’s been a lot of anticipation for Johansson to get her own spin-off Black Widow film. "Lucy" proved that even without the rest of the Avengers at her side, Johansson can bring in a large audience. After the film's success, both Warner Bros. and Marvel announced future female standalone movies.

(Source: Box Office Mojo)



15. "The LEGO Movie": $468.1 million

Studio: Warner Bros.
Release date:
Feb. 7, 2014
Estimated budget:
$60 million
Domestic gross: 
$257.8 million

"The LEGO Movie" debuted at number one on the box-office charts with a $69.1 million opening weekend, making for one of the biggest February openings ever.

The universal praise for the movie and a catchy theme song from the talented writer-director team of Christopher Miller and Phil Lord ("Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs,""21 Jump Street") helped prove everything about a LEGO movie is awesome. The film's combination of smart, subversive commentary about conformity, pop culture references and Easter eggs, along with top-notch voice talent (Chris Pratt, Will Arnett, and Elizabeth Banks) all made for an appealing movie for both kids and adults. Warner Bros. already has three sequels in the works including a Batman spin-off. 

With no Pixar film this year, "The LEGO Movie" has a good chance at taking home the Oscar for best-animated film. 

(Source: Box Office Mojo)



14. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles": $477.2 million

Studio: Paramount
Release date:
Aug. 8, 2014
Estimated budget:
$125 million
Domestic gross:  
$191.2 million

Even though the movie was critically panned, it still managed to be a box-office success, showing nostalgia and sheer curiosity are powerful tools for bringing in audience members. The movie also starred Megan Fox.

"Ninja Turtles" debuted at number one opening weekend, knocking "Guardians Of The Galaxy"off its box-office throne with $65.6 million opening weekend. The film went on to be one of the highest-grossing movies of the summer. Paramount has no plans on retiring this franchise; it already has a sequel planned for June 2016.

(Source: Box Office Mojo)



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25 Movies To See In 2015

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2015 could easily be the biggest year at the box office in years. It will definitely be one of the most exciting. 

Not only are we getting new films in the "Star Wars" and "Avengers" franchises — two films that could easily top $1 billion at theaters — but there are plenty of sequels to films made popular in the '90s and earlier.

It will feel as if we're stepping into a giant time machine.

From comedies to sequels and spy thrillers, these are the movies we can't wait to see.

"Taken 3"

Release date: Friday

Why to see it: Just when you thought they couldn't take anyone else, Liam Neeson returns one last time as retired CIA agent Bryan Mills to show off his particular set of skills. Instead of taking down baddies this time, Mills will be on the run trying to clear his name for a murder he didn't commit.

Watch the trailer.



"American Sniper"

Wide release date: Jan. 16

Why to see it:Clint Eastwood's latest film stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in US military history. Originally debuting last year, the movie received good reviews for Cooper's portrayal of the Navy Seal.

Watch the trailer.



"Red Army"

Release date: Jan. 23

Why to see it: Even if you're not into hockey or sports, it's hard to not be drawn into the documentary about the Soviet Union's Red Army hockey team. The film tells the story behind the politically driven team. So far, the film has received extremely positive reviews.

Watch the trailer.



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