Trailer: Young Adult
Directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking, Juno, Up in the Air). Written by Diablo Cody (Juno). You must be slightly intrigued.
Early buzz around this film promises this one to be darker and edgier than Reitman’s previous three films, but still stays true to his impressive slate. This trailer does a great job of introducing the characters, while promising much more under the surface. In my opinion, Reitman has gone 3 for 3 in directing. I’ve loved all of them equally for vastly different reasons. If Diablo Cody reels in her Diablo-ness (see: every piece of dialogue in Juno), this could be another hit (and Oscar nod) for her. I’m predicting this one hits it out of the park and gets the Best Picture & Best Director Oscar nominations — at the very least. You heard it here first. Ka-BOOM!
Check out the trailer after the jump.
Academy Award(R) winner Charlize Theron plays Mavis Gary, a writer of teen literature who returns to her small hometown to relive her glory days and attempt to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). When returning home proves more difficult than she thought, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt) who hasn’t quite gotten over high school, either.
Young Adult
Release Date: December 19th
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One of the Most Anticipated of 2011: Drive
One of my most anticipated movies of the year is so far under the radar right now, you’ve probably never heard of it. Drive, boasts the solid cast of Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Albert Brooks. If that doesn’t whet your cinematic appetite, it’s also directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson) who just happened to win Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for this film. If you still don’t care, move along.
After the jump, you’ll see what looks to be a unique spin on the common heist movie. Old school car chases, bad guys being bad, a reluctant hero, and a bit of romance thrown in. What more can you ask for? Add the gritty “in your face” direction of Refn and this could be one of the best of the year. Positive buzz from the film festival circuit was heavy around this one. I, for one, cannot wait.
Synopsis: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.
Release Date: September 16, 2011
You’ll find the redband trailer at the top of the page after the jump…
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A Close Encounter with the Japanese Super 8 Poster
It should be fairly obvious that Super 8 is my most anticipated movie of the summer. J.J. Abrams is always intriguing — match that with a Spielberg tribute, and my ears are perked. I love all things 80′s Spielberg. Quite simply, they were the perfect movies for an 8-10 year old boy. They were filled with awe and wonder, amazing special effects, and kids taking on the world. When I was growing up, Steven Spielberg was the definition of film (along with George Lucas). He created and shaped much of my creativity. I was lucky enough to cap it off in college by interning at DreamWorks and being able to see him roam the halls on a daily basis. I copied and distributed scripts; he produced and directed and ran a studio. We were equals.
With all that being said, too much is being made of the Super 8-Spielberg tribute. To make matters worse, I just saw the Japanese poster which is TOO much of a Close Encounters of the Third Kind replica. While I admire a tribute to great films of the past, I’m clear that they simply can’t life up to expectations. Anything less than perfect will doom Super 8. If the twist is simply a monster in the freight train, audiences will be pissed. If we see a talking alien, audiences will be pissed. To be honest, whatever it is – no one will be happy. I’m pretty certain of it. I’ve done my best to avoid spoilers or watching the trailer too many times. As whimsical as this poster looks, it kind of has me nervous. I really want this movie to live up to expectations, but the track record of modern day blockbusters is dismal.
After the jump, check out the Japanese Super 8 poster alongside a Spielberg classic. See any similarities? Does this get you excited or worried about this film?
Movie Poster: The Muppets
The Muppets are back. Written by Jason Segel. Nothing else needs to be said. Either you’re in or you’re out. I’m in. Duh.
Click on the poster to the right for a larger view.
Release Date: November 23rd, 2011
Trailer: Super 8
First we saw the perfect :30 second Super Bowl teaser spot.
Now we get the trailer. Ladies and gentleman. Boys and girls. THIS is how you create a trailer and sell a movie. The Goonies, Stand By Me, and E.T. all wrapped into one. Nostalgia is written all over it. Perfect.
What are you waiting for? Check it out after the jump.
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Trailer: Bad Teacher
This won’t help the pro-teachers union cause.
After the jump is the Red Band (R-rated) Trailer for Bad Teacher. Starring Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, and Jason Segal, the first thing to come to mind is Bad Santa in the teachers world. And that’s not a bad thing. If you like crass humor, kids getting balls thrown at their face, and Phyllis from “The Office”, then this is for you. This trailer has so many F-Bombs, I can’t imagine how they are going to sell this film to a general audience. Regardless, I’m excited for this one. Being that my wife, mom, and dad are all teachers — I’m practically one myself. With this cast, this summer film has potential. I’m holding out hope.
Release Date: June 17, 2011
Official synopsis
Some teachers just don’t give an F. For example, there’s Elizabeth (Cameron Diaz). She’s foul-mouthed, ruthless, and inappropriate. She drinks, she gets high, and she can’t wait to marry her meal ticket and get out of her bogus day job. When she’s dumped by her fiancé, she sets her plan in motion to win over a rich, handsome substitute (Justin Timberlake) – competing for his affections with an overly energetic colleague, Amy (Lucy Punch). When Elizabeth also finds herself fighting off the advances of a sarcastic, irreverent gym teacher (Jason Segel), the consequences of her wild and outrageous schemes give her students, her coworkers, and even herself an education like no other.
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First Look: Bridesmaids Trailer
Updated: Now there is a trailer. Check it out after the jump. It’s like, you know, a female Hangover.
I’m not big on posting a first look at a movie poster. It’s straight marketing – nothing more, nothing less. The worst film in the world could have great poster art. But this one is too good to pass up. Maybe it’s misguided hope. For some reason, Hollywood has lost its way with romantic comedies – specifically ones based around weddings. They have become generic, shrill, and unrealistic. Bride Wars, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and The Wedding Date are just a few misguided attempts at showing the romance and humor of a brides wedding day.
I just stumbled across the first piece of marketing for a movie I’ve been interested in simply for the cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Randolph, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper (The Office), and Jon Hamm. The perfect female comedian cast + Don Draper.
Instead of the generic run-of-the mill comedic poster, this one strikes its own pose.
Synopsis: The film centers on Annie (Wiig), a simple and single 30-something Midwestern girl (with a poor dating track record) who is asked to be her best friend Lillian’s (Rudolph) maid of honor. However, having never done the job, she struggles to please the snobby, rich bridesmaids at every pre-wedding event. One of Lillian’s best friends is essentially the bridesmaid from hell (Byrne) — who attempts to take over the maid of honor duties from the inexperienced Annie.
Sounds like something we’ve seen a thousand times. But this cast might create something of a female version of The Hangover.
Release Date: May 13th, 2011
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Trailer #3 – Battle: L.A.
Perfect. Everything about the marketing of this film has been perfect. This is the third trailer released for Battle: L.A., and we still are only getting teases and glimpses of what will be unleashed in theaters. Just the way it should be. Tease us with some big moments, but don’t reveal anything. That’s what a trailer should do. This film has a ridiculous premise that we’ve seen many times:
When unknown forces suddenly and mercilessly attack the City of Angels out of nowhere, it’s up to a local Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and a new platoon of unseasoned soldiers to meet the threat. As the invasion hits the streets of LA, these Marines become our first and last line of defense in an intense battle against an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before.
But something feels different this time. Maybe I’m manipulated by the slow-mo battle scenes. Who knows? But anything described as “Black Hawk Down meets Independence Day” has my money at the box office. Watch the trailer yourself and see if you can keep from being swayed by it’s beauty. Studios take note – this is how you market a movie (ahem, Green Lantern)
Release Date: March 11, 2011
Check out the trailer after the jump.
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Trailer: Hanna
This looks like a documentary of my near future. It’s EXACTLY how I plan to raise my son. He is going to be a lean, mean, fighting machine – kicking ass; asking questions later. He’ll be the reason Waldo is hiding. He’ll give Freddy Kreuger nightmares. He’ll never sleep — only wait…to pounce.
But I digress.
Check out this surprisingly exceptional trailer in what looks to be a killer movie. Keep this one on your radar.
Hanna
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett
A 14-year-old who was raised by her father to be a cold-hearted killing machine connects with a French family who look to help ease her into a more conventional life.
The Chemical Brothers scoring the music — kinda awesome.
Release Date: April 8, 2011
Trailer: The Tree of Life
“It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and… this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember… and I need to remember… Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in.” – Ricky Fitts (American Beauty)
What happens when you mesh American Beauty, The Fountain, Fight Club, and Stand by Me together? You get the trailer for the long awaited The Tree of Life.
If you don’t know who director Terrence Malick is, you should spend the holiday down time and catch up on his masterpieces. This being only his 5th movie in almost a 40 year span, it is understandable if the name doesn’t ring a bell. Notoriously private, famously under the radar – Malick has directed the beatiful and moving films Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line, The New World, and now, The Tree of Life. Add these to your Netflix queue and all will be good in your world.
This new trailer starring two unknown actors, Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, painfully teases in a way that makes you think “I really want to see that” right after saying “What the hell?!” You get whispers. Brad Pitt wanting to be punched in the face ala Fight Club. A baby foot in adult hand. Sean Penn looking confused and sad. The end of the world. The beginning of time. Rebellion. OK, I don’t know what is going on here. But I really, really want to see it.
Official synopsis and trailer after the jump:
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Weekend Preview: 12/3/10
Black Swan
Black Swan
Black Swan
It hasn’t released everywhere — but search the internets for wherever its playing. All Darren Aronofsky movies must be seen and supported. He’s that good.
Check out the amazing poster art for the film after the jump.
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Teaser Trailer: Cowboys and Aliens
Back when I was a lowly intern at DreamWorks in 2000, I stumbled upon a little script titled “Cowboys and Aliens.” It was filled with all the stuff Hollywood blockbusters were made of — heroes, villains, aliens, western, sci-fi, and explosions. This seemed like a no-brainer to greenlight and shoot – ASAP. For many reasons unknown, it never moved forward…until now. In what is turning out to be a hype filled 2011 Summer slate, Cowboys and Aliens is my most anticipated film of next summer. And for good reason. Harrison Ford looks to bring back the qualities that everyone adored in the 80′s and early 90′s. Jon Favreau is trying to prove he can do more than create Iron Man films. And thankfully, this is not a sequel of any kind (there are 7 sequels being released between May – July 2011). It’s an original idea (based off the graphic novel, of course), but one that seems so familiar. With the right mix of CGI and the traditional western feel, DreamWorks might have a huge hit on their hands.
Unlike the run-of-the-mill trailer we just saw for Green Lantern, this one actually teases the premise well. It gives you enough visual gems to keep you happy, but they are obviously holding back a ton. After the jump, watch Daniel Craig shoot down an alien ship with his Fossil watch.
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