Film Bits: New Trailers for ‘Ghost in the Shell’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and ‘Patriots Day’

‘Ghost in the Shell’ Wows with First Trailer

It was the film that largely solidified anime’s presence as a cultural force in America. A true worldwide phenomenon, Ghost in the Shell was groundbreaking upon its release in 1995. Decades later and its influence is still felt, not just within the medium of anime, but across science fiction as well. Whether or not a live action remake is strictly relevant is up for the debate, but we’re getting one nonetheless. After months of teases and a year of controversy, we finally got our first real look at the Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) directed adaptation. Scarlett Johansson stars as The Major, a cybernetic policewoman tasked with taking down dangerous and unique threats. As she faces a new threat against an advanced cybernetic corporation, she is sent on a journey of discovery where she may find out she’s not who, or even what, she thinks she is. Visually, Ghost in the Shell looks pretty stunning, becoming wholly evocative of the manga and anime that inspired it. Whether or not it can actually live up to its namesake, however, is another question entirely. We won’t know for sure until Ghost in the Shell opens on March 31, 2017.

(Paramount)

‘Beauty and the Beast’ Releases Beautiful First Trailer

Ghost in the Shell wasn’t the only beloved animated classic to release a live action trailer. Just this morning, Disney dropped the first full trailer for Beauty and the Beast, and it’s breathtaking. Emma Watson (Harry Potter series) and Dan Stevens (Colossal) star as Belle and Prince Adam, the titular beauty and beast in this Bill Condon (Mr. Holmes) directed remake. The trailer shows the pains that went into creating a film that both recalls the 1991 animated classic and updates it for modern times. While we don’t get any snippets of the songs, fans will recognize many of the scenes which tease the inclusion of the classic Alan Menken soundtrack. To be honest, I want to hate Disney for this remake trend but, so far, all of their live action adaptations have been wonderful reimaginings of their classic animated catalogue so it’s hard to maintain cynicism. Watson looks amazing as Belle, one of the best Disney princesses of all time, and while we don’t get to see near enough of Luke Evans (The Girl on the Train) as Gaston, what we do see is fantastic. From all appearances, this might be Disney’s best remake yet. Beauty and the Beast opens on March 17, 2017.

(Disney)

Second ‘Patriots Day’ Trailer Takes Us Deeper into Boston Bombings

Peter Berg’s recent directorial trajectory has found creating cinematic adaptations of recent historical events, so his latest film should come as no surprise. Patriots Day takes an inside look at the Boston Marathon bombings and the ensuing manhunt that looks to be filled with all the subtlety and nuance of which Berg is capable. Mark Wahlberg, a frequent Berg collaborator, stars as Sgt. Tommy Saunders, a fictional composite of the cops on the ground as the explosions ripped through the finish line back in 2013. Kevin Bacon, Melissa Benoist, and J.K. Simmons costar. Patriots Day opens wide on January 13, 2017.

(CBS Films)

‘Doctor Strange’ Conjures Up Another Week of Box Office Magic

Doctor Strange was able to fend of two competitors to keep the number one spot for the second week in a row. The latest Marvel film earned $43 million at the box office, easily fending off Trolls, which earned $35 million, and Arrival, which came in with $24 million. Newcomer Almost Christmas came in at fourth place with $15.5 million, followed by Hacksaw Ridge, will fell to fifth place in its second week with $10.7 million.