Looking at the Weekend: Dec. 16-18, 2016

The film that will be the top box office draw this week and likely every weekend through the end of the year and into next year, Rogue One is guaranteed the top spot. The only question is how well Collateral Beauty can do against a film of superior box office clout.

Our Highest Rated Films: Rogue One; Fences; Neruda
Our Best Awards Ratings: Fences (Oscars); Rogue One (Oscars); Neruda (Oscars)

OTHER LIMITED RELEASES

The Bad Kids
The Grace of Jake
The Wasted Times
Manchester by the Sea (Expanding) (Read our thoughts on this film in our original Looking at the Weekend post.

Dec. 16-18, 2016
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Collateral Beauty (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	5.5 Wesley Lovell: (6) Peter J. Patrick: (6) Tripp Burton: (3) Thomas LaTourrette: (7)	.5 Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (2,Oscars)	Categories: Actor (TL) Supporting Actress (TL) Original Screenplay (TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): I’ll admit that I was charmed by the trailer. There’s little doubt in my mind that the film will be an utter waste, but I wouldn’t be opposed to watching it. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Interesting looking drama could go either way but not apt to win awards in this highly competitive year. Tripp Burton (TB): This looks bland. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The trailer makes this look like an enjoyable film and perhaps one we all need at this point. I’m looking forward to it.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	9.0 Wesley Lovell: (9) Peter J. Patrick: (9) Tripp Burton: (10) Thomas LaTourrette: (8)	7.5 Wesley Lovell: (10,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (7,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (8,Oscars)	Categories: Original Score (WL) Film Editing (WL,TL) Cinematography (TL) Production Design (WL,TB) Makeup (WL,TB) Sound Mixing (WL,PP,TB,TL) Sound Editing (WL,PP,TB,TL) Visual Effects (WL,PP,TB,TL) Writing (WL,PP,TB)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): I’m not a big Star Wars fanatic, but the trailers suggest a dark, brooding film that could be far better than I expect from this franchise. Peter J. Patrick (PP): The buzz is good for the latest film in the Star Wars franchise. Tripp Burton (TB): The Star Wars geek in me can’t wait, and it looks like it might live up to the hype. Thomas LaTourette (TL): I don’t know that it will be anything new, but this could be an interesting addition to the Star Wars filmography.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Fences (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	8.3 Wesley Lovell: (8) Peter J. Patrick: (9) Tripp Burton: (8) Thomas LaTourrette: (8)	9.8 Wesley Lovell: (10,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (9,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (10,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (10,Oscars)	Categories: Picture (WL,PP,TB,TL) Director (WL,PP,TB,TL) Actor (WL,PP,TB,TL) Supporting Actor (WL,TL) Supporting Actress (WL,PP,TB,TL) Adapted Screenplay (WL,PP,TB,TL) Original Score (WL) Film Editing (WL,TB) Production Design (WL,TB,TL) Costume Design (WL,TB,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): Filled with powerhouse performances from prominent actors of their generation, this film looks fairly straight-forward, but worth watching. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Straight-forward adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1983 play is overdue on film. Tripp Burton (TB): I love this play, and the adaptation looks like it is proving to be stellar. Thomas LaTourette (TL): I was not that fond of the original play, but word of mouth after it’s one showing was so strong that it makes me think that this could be a very good film.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
The Hollow Point (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	4.8 Wesley Lovell: (3) Peter J. Patrick: (7) Tripp Burton: (6) Thomas LaTourrette: (3)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The instantly forgettable trailer doesn’t entice me. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Gritty looking crime drama with a strong cast will probably get lost in the Christmas rush, but shouldn’t. Tripp Burton (TB): Could be fun, but I’ll wait to check it out at home. Thomas LaTourette (TL): It could be a topical thriller about guns along the border, but it looks much more violent than it probably needs to be. I just am not that interested.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Neruda (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	7.8 Wesley Lovell: (5) Peter J. Patrick: (10) Tripp Burton: (9) Thomas LaTourrette: (7)	3.8 Wesley Lovell: (6,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (9,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (e,Oscars)	Categories: Foreign Film (WL,PP,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): After seeing Jackie, I’m mnore than amenable to checking out a film directed by Pablo Larrain. Unfortunately, the trailer doesn’t paint a very good picture of this film. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Highly anticipated historical drama from the director of Jackie should be an art-house hit. Tripp Burton (TB): This may be the less hyped of Pablo Larrain’s releases this December, but it should still be excellent Thomas LaTourette (TL): I am not certain what to make of the trailer, but word of mouth and early reviews are all good, so hopefully this film about Chile trying to find the poet Pablo Neruda will be that good.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Solace (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	2.8 Wesley Lovell: (2) 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): The trailer is a snooze-fest for a film that looks like a warmed-over thriller. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Unappealing looking crime thriller. Tripp Burton (TB): This looks ordinary and uninteresting Thomas LaTourette (TL): It’s a big name cast that looks fairly wasted in a mediocre paranormal thriller. Maybe they will make it worth seeing, but I would not hold my breath that they will.