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On the negative side, Transformers again seems to be about throwing a bunch of crap up against the screen, and I'm already penciling it in for a spot on my worst of 2011 list. And Rio looks like the most lifeless bit of candy-colored animation since Happy Feet.

Bruce Hall: I'm going to go with Brett and dish out a heaping helping of pessimism. I despise Pirates of the Caribbean so much they could put Jason Statham AND Optimus Prime in it and I'll stay home wash my car instead. Speaking of Optimus Prime, another trailer for another Transformers film was about as good for me as a handful of Tylenol PM. Speaking of my car, I am happy any time another Fast and Furious film is made. Also encouraging - I finally saw a Cowboys and Aliens spot that was more interesting than baffling. Back on the downside, Super 8 made me wonder why I shouldn't just snag a copy of Close Encounters on Blu-Ray. I can't be the only one who sat there with my brow furrowed thinking "Aliens, strange stuff happening down by the railroad tracks, cute kids on bicycles, music that REMINDS me of cute kids on bicycles, lots of lens flare...paging Spielberg-Abrams, party of two. Your plate of rehash is ready."

It might be good, but I'm not convinced; I need more than names and self congratulatory pomp. On the bright side, Battle: Los Angeles looks very explodalicious (in a good way, not an "Independence Day" way). Thor looks like something I want to see and I can't explain why. Maybe it's because the super macho trailer grew hair on the backs of my hands. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the fact that Captain America now looks interesting. Two comics I avoided like the plague as a child are two of the films I'd kind of like to see the most this year. I guess you really can go home again.

Daron Aldridge: My apathy for Transformers wasn't killed by this new ad. While I was already interested in Captain America, I am so much more so now. That fact that we got to see there will be an actual transformation with the Super Soldier serum is exciting to me. And I am not particularly a fan of the Captain America comic.

David Mumpower: I thought there was a strange start to the proceedings as Brooklyn Decker’s bathing suit camel toe was given international exposure. That commercial reminded me of how 10 was sold back in the day by having Bo Derek run in slow motion on the beach. So, this is a strategy that can and maybe will work for an otherwise weak looking Adam Sandler comedy.

Battle: Los Angeles did everything it could to make people think of Cloverfield and I think it largely accomplished this goal. I will note that I also found myself thinking of Skyline at a couple of points. There is nothing that the producers of Battle: Los Angeles can do to avoid this as it took them a lot longer to film than the cheap knockoff. I did find myself wondering if other consumers would make the same connection, though. My inclination is that Battle: Los Angeles will be a hit. If it’s not, the sense of being a derivative project of an idea that hasn’t done very well in recent movies or television programming (V is has one foot in the grave) is what hurts it.

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