Looking at the Weekend: Dec. 18-20, 2015

Perhaps outgrossing all other films in release this weekend, the rebirth of the Star Wars franchise begins here. Will it end here? A disappointing box office or disappointed fans will point one way, “all is forgiven” shouts will push it in the other direction.

Our Highest Rated Films: Son of Saul, Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Our Best Awards Ratings: Son of Saul (Oscars), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Oscars)

Dec. 18-20, 2015
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	1.5 Wesley Lovell: (0) Peter J. Patrick: (2) Tripp Burton: (2) Thomas LaTourrette: (2)	8.3 Wesley Lovell: (7,Razzies) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: Picture (WL) Director (WL) Screenplay (WL) Sequel/Remake (WL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The first film looked like crap. The second film looked like crap. This franchise looks like crap. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Chip, chip, chirp, chirp, nope, nope. Tripp Burton (TB): This looks as painful as every other film in the franchise has looked. Thomas LaTourette (TL): I am not sure that the world needs another Chipmunks movie. I know I don’t.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Sisters (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	4.5 Wesley Lovell: (7) Peter J. Patrick: (4) Tripp Burton: (2) Thomas LaTourrette: (5)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): I’ll give it a shot because it’s Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Unfortunately, that may not be sufficient. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Doesn’t tickle my funny bone in the least. Tripp Burton (TB): I have little patience for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but I know lots of others love them and this should entertain them enough. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The previews do not excite me, but the early reviews are generally good, so maybe this will be better than it looks. I am still dubious.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	8.5 Wesley Lovell: (7) Peter J. Patrick: (8) Tripp Burton: (10) Thomas LaTourrette: (9)	8.3 Wesley Lovell: (9,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (9,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (10,Oscars)	Categories: Picture (WL,TL) Original Score (WL,TB,TL) Editing (WL,PP) Cinematography (WL) Production Design (WL,TB,TL) Costume Design (WL,TB,TL) Makeup (WL,TB) Sound Mixing (WL,PP,TB,TL) Sound Editing (WL,PP,TB,TL) Visual Effects (WL,PP,TB,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): I’m curious to see whether J.J. Abrams can live up to the expectation or if he’ll continue to churn out questionable pablum. Peter J. Patrick (PP): On target to have the biggest opening weekend of any movie in December, but only time will tell how long it will rule the box office. Tripp Burton (TB): I already have my tickets, although the teenage fanboy buried in me may be more excited than the discerning filmgoer. Thomas LaTourette (TL): I am looking forward to this, even if the last three were disappointments. The new director and returning cast spark excitement.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Extraction (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	3.5 Wesley Lovell: (3) Peter J. Patrick: (5) 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): Cheap and cheesy aren’t for me. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Routine thriller looks like it could be a decent time filler on a rainy afternoon. Tripp Burton (TB): Looks like another bland Bruce Willis action vehicle. Thomas LaTourette (TL): It looks like a tired retread of any action film.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Mojin: The Lost Legend (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	3.3 Wesley Lovell: (4) Peter J. Patrick: (5) Tripp Burton: (2) Thomas LaTourrette: (2)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Tripp Burton: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): Is this a martial arts version of National Treasure or something else entirely. I’m not sure I care to know. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Chinese horror film could be hit or miss. Tripp Burton (TB): Looks like another bland Chinese action movie. Thomas LaTourette (TL): It may have some striking images, but nothing about the trailer really makes me want to see it.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Son of Saul (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	8.8 Wesley Lovell: (8) Peter J. Patrick: (10) Tripp Burton: (9) Thomas LaTourrette: (8)	8.5 Wesley Lovell: (10,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (10,Oscars) Tripp Burton: (4,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (10,Oscars)	Categories: Picture (TB) Director (TB) Actor (TB) Original Screenplay (WL,TB,TL) Original Score (TB) Editing (TB) Cinematography (TB) Production Design (TB) Costume Design (TB) Foreign Film (WL,TB,TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The trailer doesn’t make this look like a film I want to see, but word of mouth suggests it’s a film I must see. Peter J. Patrick (PP): The Oscar frontrunner for Best Foreign Film could also reap nominations in several competitive categories from Best Actor to Cinematography to Editing. Tripp Burton (TB): The word on the street is so positive that I can’t wait to finally catch up with this. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The buzz on this Holocaust film has been exceptional. I am looking forward to seeing it.