Friday, May 10, 2013

Watchin' Trailerz with Doug (May 10)

Anyone notice the new "look" of the MPAA's rating screens before movie previews? They're weird, right? I mean, maybe they're not -- maybe I'm just opposed to change. But they seem fake -- like a fan trailer for an existing movie, or a trailer for a really bad student film by the guy in film school who isn't going anywhere ... but HE THINKS he's going places, and just to prove it, he's "approximated" the old green screen from a distant, drunk memory. I could be wrong about this whole thing (and I see they've embraced the 2008 branding of Barack Obama by selecting the now-eponymous Gotham font, so that's a good start?). Again, I could be wrong.

Ender's Game
Release date: Nov. 1, 2013



I didn't know what an "Ender's Game" was before watching this preview. Aaaand ... I've lost credibility with all the nerds who frequent our site. So, it's based on a popular sci-fi book, right? And, judging by the always-reliable comments on YouTube, lots of people don't want Hollywood to screw this one up (spoiler: they most likely screw it up). The trailer looks good until it kind of doesn't look good anymore. And, without knowing anything about the plot, it could easily pass for outtakes from Oblivion. I don't know enough about Asa Butterfield to determine whether or not he can carry a movie, but I do like the addition of inclusion of Hailee Steinfeld in the cast, if only [REDACTED FOR AT LEAST TWO MORE YEARS].

Captain Phillips
Release date: Oct. 11, 2013



I was going to make a bunch of dumb comments about nitpicky stuff, but no need -- this movie looks F-ing awesome. Tom Hanks in a Paul Greengrass movie -- you really can't go wrong. And this true hijacking, once the biggest story on the news, is now a distant memory. And that's a shame, because wow! The Somali hijacker is all like, "I'm the captain." And Tom Hanks is like, "You ah? Wicked!"

The World's End
Release date: Aug. 23, 2013



I trust Edgar Wright. Wholly. Completely. So yes, please. Despite a [HONESTY TIME] lackluster trailer.

The Butler
Release date: Oct. 18, 2013



This feels like a Miramax remnant from the early 2000s. And that's not all bad, because who doesn't love a dramatic history lesson. For a movie about the struggles of black Americans and race relations, however, it seems odd that two white actors receive top billing (John Cusack and Jane Fonda ... you know, box office heavyweights). Also, I know we've made great strides in makeup and prosthetics technology, but can we please stop J. Edgar-ing everyone's faces with melted candlewax?

Girl Most Likely
Release date: July 19, 2013



I literally cannot think of one interesting thing to say about this preview.

White House Down
Release date: June 28, 2013



I can't believe I haven't featured this trailer here before. I also can't believe I didn't even see it until Iron Man 3. Anyway, here it is, and you're welcome. Obviously, people will make the HILARIOUS comparison to Olympus Has Fallen, and that's fair, I suppose, but also easy. I didn't see Olympus Has Fallen (did anyone? Oh, wait. Apparently, Adam did), but White House Down seems more my speed. A buddy cop movie starring Channing Tatum can't be all that bad, right? This movie knows what it is.

3 comments:

  1. I'm totally going to echo your thoughts about the trailer for The World's End. It's kind of "eh, whatever," but Edgar Wright is a great director who has not let me down yet. Scott Pilgrim has even found its way into my arbitrary top 5 movies list. In Edgar I trust.

    I also have a lot of optimism for White House Down. Tatum and Foxx together should spell greatness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I will only see Enders Game if the entire cast has been at least nominated for an Oscar. You blew it Asa Butterfield!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How do people around here feel about the talk of boycotting Ender's Game because of Orson Scott Card's homophobic views on gay marriage? Would you ever not watch something based on the creator's socio-political views (assuming the movie has nothing to do with the politics)?

    I feel like there are so many people involved with making a movie (as opposed to the Chick-fil-A situation which presented its homophobia as a corporate philosophy) that it's entirely unfair to boycott it based on the stupidity of one guy...

    ReplyDelete