Looking at the Weekend: Dec. 15-17, 2017

Two year ago, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the seventh film in the most vaunted franchise in film history, opened to a staggering $247 million. Although I would be astounded to see this ninth film (Episode VIII) do the same, there is no question it will top $200 million and there are no forces outside of nuclear annihilation that will stop it from opening at number one.

Our Highest Rated Films: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Our Best Awards Ratings: Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Oscars); Ferdinand (Oscars)

OTHER LIMITED RELEASES

Miss Kiet’s Children
The Thousand Faces of Dunjia

Dec. 15-17, 2017
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Ferdinand (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	4.3 Wesley Lovell: (4) Peter J. Patrick: (5) Tripp Burton: (5) Thomas LaTourrette: (3)	3.3 Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (4,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (4,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (5,Oscars)	Categories: Animated Feature (PP,TB,TL) Original Song (TB)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The trailers have some lamely funny humor in them, but probably won’t be that good. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Ferdinand the Bull won an Oscar as Best Short, Cartoon of 1938, but is this full-length version of his escapades award-worthy now? Tripp Burton (TB): Dreamworks animated films aren’t usually my favorite, but this could be entertaining enough. Thomas LaTourette (TL): A charming kids’ book becomes a mediocre film. I had been looking forward to this until I saw the trailer.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	8.0 Wesley Lovell: (8) Peter J. Patrick: (6) Tripp Burton: (10) Thomas LaTourrette: (8)	8.0 Wesley Lovell: (10,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (9,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (8,Oscars)	Categories: Original Score (WL,TB,TL) Cinematography (TB) Production Design (WL,TB) Costume Design (TB) Makeup (WL) Sound Mixing (WL,PP,TB,TL) Sound Editing (WL,PP,TB,TL) Visual Effects (WL,PP,TB,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): Each Star Wars film is an event, so who wouldn’t want to head right out to see it? Peter J. Patrick (PP): The trailers make this look like a downer, but die-hard fans will turn out regardless. Not sure I want to be among them. Tripp Burton (TB): Here’s hoping this is as wonderful an entry to the Star Wars universe as the last couple of returns to this world have been. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The Star Wars films have consistently been enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to this one.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Beyond Skyline (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	3.8 Wesley Lovell: (6) Peter J. Patrick: (2) Tripp Burton: (3) Thomas LaTourrette: (4)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): It looks a bit dumb, but also a bit fun. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Pointless sci-fi nonsense. Tripp Burton (TB): Apparently this is a sequel to a movie I didn’t know existed. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The preview did have every UFO invasion cliche. If this is your favorite style, you are in luck. Everyone else has probably seen the movie before.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Permanent (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	2.8 Wesley Lovell: (5) Peter J. Patrick: (0) Tripp Burton: (3) Thomas LaTourrette: (3)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): There’s some funny stuff in the trailer, but the film looks a bit corny. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Gross and crass, it should sink without a trace. Tripp Burton (TB): This is not my cup of tea. Thomas LaTourette (TL): This looks like any bad family comedy where love and grit will win in the end.