Lady Antebellum Help Love Survive in Trailer for 'The Best of Me'

Earlier this week we learned the eleventh schmaltzy adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel was in the works with a movie titled The Choice. It's basically a carbon copy of his other cheesy work, but guys have a lot more of this stuff to contend with before that film arrives. Before The Longest Ride hits theaters early next year, true love will be put to the test in The Best of Me, and if the film wasn't cheesy enough already the latest trailer features a new song by Lady Antebellum.

James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan play actors who should make wiser career choices old flames who saw their relationship destroyed by meddling townsfolk 20 years ago, but now are reunited for the funeral of an old friend. And Marsden's character apparently survives an oil rig explosion, which triggers a flashback confirming his true feelings for her. There will be lots of fighting, kissing in the rain, and Marsden grinning like the most handsome madman ever. Basically, this looks terrible and the track by Lady Antebellum is overbearing as Hell.

Directed by Michael Hoffman with Luke Bracey (The November Man) and Liana Libertado co-starring, The Best of Me opens October 17th. Why not just push it back a couple of weeks and go for Halloween where it belongs?

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First Love Endures in Trailer for Nicholas Sparks' 'The Best of Me'

Say what you want about Nicholas Sparks movies following the same worn-out formula, it's one that is pretty consistent at the box office. So what if the casts and directors are as interchangeable as the stories themselves, the fact is people enjoy unabashedly romantic stories about love defying seemingly insurmountable odds. Since these adaptations come out like clockwork every year, the latest entry The Best of Me is right around the corner and here's a new trailer for it.

Starring Michelle Monaghan and James Marsden (Oh...poor James), the story is pretty familiar, meaning it's kind of ridiculous. It begins with an oil rig explosion only Michael Bay could love, sending Dawson (Marsden) flying into the ocean where he flashes back to his high school sweetheart, Amanda (Monaghan). Their love endured despite societal forces trying to drive them apart, until he goes to jail for a crime of passion. Reunited twenty years later at the funeral for an old mentor, the passion is rekindled even as Dawson continues to struggle with his past.  Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato play the younger-aged lovers, while Gerald McRaney and Schuyler Fisk co-star in smaller roles.

Directed by Michael Hoffman, The Best of Me opens October 17th.


The Best of Me-Official Trailer #2 (HD) Nicholas Sparks by Trailersstv

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Trailer for Nicholas Sparks' 'The Best of Me' Starring James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan

If the overly sentimental, wildly formulaic stylings of Nicholas Sparks are your thing, then it's fortunate you never have to wait long before another adaptation of his unusually popular books hits theaters. Like clockwork they arrive in theaters each year, ruining your boyfriend's day with the promise of sitting through another improbable story of love surviving every manner of conveniently-placed obstacle. Well, it's that time of year again, fellas, so might as well gird your loins and get ready.

The first trailer for The Best of Me looks like every other Sparks film, except this one stars James Marsden (replacing the late Paul Walker) and Michelle Monaghan, both deserving of so much more. It follows two old lovers who were split up as teens because some old guy said so, only to be reunited twenty years later when they start making up for lost time. There will be lots of hugging, making out, and jumping in large bodies of water. This  looks thin even by Sparks standards, and I can't imagine having to endure it.

Directed by Michael Hoffman with Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato co-starring, The Best of Me opens October 17th.

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Wes Bentley Goes 'Interstellar'; James McAvoy Builds 'Frankenstein'; Michael Hoffman Directs 'The Best of Me'

* You have to give it up to Christopher Nolan. He's always been able to secure top notch stars for his films, and Interstellar is certainly no different. As of now he's secured the talents of Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Casey Affleck, Ellen Burstyn and John Lithgow for the ambitious sci-fi film. Not a slouch in the bunch, really. But when it comes to the supporting cast, Nolan is still shooting for the stars with Mackenzie Foy, Bill Irwin and Topher Grace on board. And now the latest to head into space with them is Wes Bentley, continuing his comeback that began with his awesomely-mustached performance in The Hunger Games. Of course, we have no info on his role, because the only information out there about the film is that it centers on a team of explorers traveling through wormholes on some sort of heroic mission. Interstellar takes off on November 7th 2014.

* As James McAvoy continues to duel Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier in X-men: Days of Future Past, he's not letting that distract him from adding one more unexpected film to his crowded slate. This year we've seen him branch out in truly inspiring ways, starring in Trance, the crime flick Welcome to the Punch, and later on we'll see him in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby and Irvine Welsh's Filth. And now he's won the role of Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein, beating out the previously rumored contenders Toby Kebbell and Jack Huston. He'll join Daniel Radcliffe, co-starring as Igor, in an update on the Mary Shelley classic penned by Max Landis and directed by Paul McGuigan.

* Ready for another Nicholas Sparks adaptation? Well, tough if you aren't because they keep making money so...enjoy! Michael Hoffman (The Last Station) will direct and rewrite the script for The Best of Me, another deep south romance following two lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. No seriously, the plot synopsis literally says they're "from opposite sides of the tracks". >sigh<  Twentyfive years after the couple splits up after high school, they are reunited in their North Carolina hometown for their mentor's funeral, discovering that he left behind instructions that reveal deeply held secrets and help rekindle their passion.

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Sure Shots: Daniel Radcliffe; Michael Hoffman; Ben Kingsley

* Now that Shawn Levy is out of the way and replaced by Paul McGuigan(Push) as director, Fox is moving forward on their revisionist take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and they may have just landed their first big name to headline it. Daniel Radcliffe is reportedly interested in taking on the lead role of the Hunchback in the film, which features a much-hyped script by Max Landis(Chronicle) that features sci-fi elements. The Hunchback is described as "pathologically dirty and dressed in old clowns clothing", which is definitely a departure from the norm. I can't see Radcliffe in the role, but I'm basing that on a traditional interpretation of the character. Another pass at the script will be made before final talks on casting commence. [TheWrap]

* Oh, and you thought Nicholas Sparks movies were over!? No no no, kemosabe, more easily digestible tragi-romance crap is headed your way. Enjoy. Michael Hoffman(The Last Station) will direct The Best of Me, which you'll be shocked....SHOCKED to learn is about two lovers from opposite sides of the tracks who are derailed by unforeseen events, only to be reunited years later by a tragedy. >sigh<  Hoffman is so much better than this. Sparks pitched the story to Warner Bros. before he even wrote the book(ugggghhhhh), proving that he's pooping out this stuff so he can get movie deals out of them. Will Fetters, who wrote the most recent Sparks drivel The Lucky One, is being eyed to rewrite the script. [Deadline]

* The always versatile Ben Kingsley is eying a role in Mary Mother of Christ, and as you might expect it's a film about Jesus' mommy. Yep, another Biblical epic for you to chew on, folks. Already starring Peter O'Toole, Julia Ormond, and Odeya Rush(The Odd Life of Timothy Green) as Mary, the story follows her defiance of the king in order to save her son. Kingsley is interested in playing King Herod, who didn't take too kindly to Jesus being known as the "king of the Jews". Judi Dench and Hugh Bonneville are being targeted for roles as well. Alister Grierson(Sanctum) is directing. [TheWrap]

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