Monday, November 15, 2004

Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story - Trailer A

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Alex says: This is not a trailer you're likely to see in theaters, at least in this form, but this is a trailer you should see. In the grand tradition of "Spinal Tap" and "Best in Show," comes this mockumentary about the drama and action within the world of Paintball. Featuring a who's who of relevant improve unknowns, this clip is funny and original. Keep in mind that this is not an over-produced and over-dramatized preview spewed out by a Hollywood marketing company; this is a barely audible streamer that jumps beyond the pixilated footage. This thing is just pure fun.
Score: 18 out of 20

Posted at 9:51 AM | 0 Comments

Elektra - Trailer A

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Alex says: This is a great work of editing, holding off long enough on the title character to suck in the moviegoers still tasting the sour aftertaste of "Daredevil." I enjoyed the new characters, who didn't seem derivative or corny. I still do not enjoy and don't feel comfortable with Jennifer Garner as Elektra. And that is something that no matter how good the trailer, I don't think I will ever get over. Once the younger prodigy is introduced, I became even more irritated. With villains that seem so fresh and with music and pace so well placed, this trailer is far too good for a movie likely to be so bad. If only they had let me do the casting.
Score: 17 out of 20

Seth says: I can see the creative brief on this film now... the overall theme: get away from "Daredevil." Mission accomplished. This trailer has good pace and a nice mix of special effects and fight choreography. The music doesn't stand out simply because it's too similar to all of the other action/choral music that intends to make things more grandiose than they really are. Yeah, "Daredevil" is going away. I question the release date of this film and think that it's not as strong as this trailer makes it seem.
Score: 15 out of 20

Posted at 8:26 AM | 0 Comments

Sunday, November 14, 2004

After Midnight - Trailer A

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Alex says: Not your typical trailer, this clip sends the audience out of modern cinema and back in time to an era long forgotten. I enjoyed the music and the visuals, but didn't find myself sucked into this preview. Instead I felt mildly amused and slightly interested in the film. At the same time I got the feeling that this movie isn't likely to see wide exposure here in the states and that my best bet would be to see this on DVD. This trailer is an original concept, but not one that I would like to see too often.
Score: 13 out of 20

Seth says: I'm confused. Is this movie a silent film? If not, then why is the marketing spun this way? Is it just a clever device to make it stand our from the rest? It accomplishes that, but at the same time, nothing completely grabbed a hold of my attention. Were the notifications of Berlin Film Fesitvals necessary here? Who knows.
Score: 11 out of 20

Posted at 11:20 PM | 0 Comments

The Phantom of the Opera - Trailer A

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Alex says: The music from this Broadway standard has the reputation as great as the veterans of the Second World War. It is beloved by millions and remembered by all. And keep in mind I've never seen this play in person. The edit of this trailer rightfully uses this powerful music to engage the audience and to avoid major disappointments. With Joel Schumacher at the helm, who knows what we'll be in store for. But for now the visuals and the music are Oscar caliber. Time will tell if the film is worthy.
Score: 19 out of 20

Seth says: It is sometimes hard to distinquish from a trailer what is movie and what is marketing. In some cases you get marketing (see "Pearl Harbor") and other times you get this. The visuals shown here are fantastic and make this movie very appealing from the perspective of bringing a play to life. But what sells this movie is the use of the renowned music. Much like "Chicago", the entire pace of this trailer is pushed by it's own specialized soundtrack. Quick montage edits to the fast paced and slow dissolves to the slower movements fully illustrate what this movie will be. This trailer, much like the play (and movie) revolve around the music, which could bring about a whole other discussion on how to edit trailers... chicken, or the egg?
Score: 18 out of 20

Posted at 7:50 PM | 0 Comments

The Aviator - Trailer A

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Alex says: This trailer really pushes this film as a top Oscar contender, by the music selection, the pacing, and the extensive amount of dramatic footage. It gives us Howard Hughes' ups and downs. I enjoyed the tight edit and the light use of voiceover. The fast-paced introduction gave this trailer a great sense of speed appropriate for the subject at hand. Initially, I expected to see more voiceover, and was happily surprised at how much space the performances were given to explore. Unfortunately, this is not a complete negative. After spending so much time with Leonardo DiCaprio's performance, I find myself doubting his ability to realistically portray Hughes. I hope Martin Scorsese didn't pick DiCaprio because he liked him, but because he was right for the part.
Score: 15 out of 20

Seth says: Oh boy... what a trailer. The teaser for this trailer did me no good. This, this shows me what I hope the movie really is - a journey into the psyche of Howard Hughes. Juxtaposing the maddness of Hughes with his dreams and notoriety (though, they could be the same thing) gives this film more purpose and makes it very intriguing. The sound used here is great, music low when supplementing, sound effects loud when needed to jostle the audience. Love the voice-over work too. Great trailer = movie now on must-see list.
Score: 19 out of 20

Posted at 6:43 PM | 0 Comments

Thursday, November 11, 2004

The Woodsman - Trailer A

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Alex says: I've heard this film handles some very tough concepts and situations, all of which are incredibly hard to market. The only thing that is marketable is the performances. Although I accept the words of praise written in this trailer, I am not convinced that the footage will be strong enough to convince the general public. The laid back style of this trailer is a good match to the music and won't scare too many people away, but without enough explosive moments, I don't know how many in the audience are going to remember this movie after they leave the theater. Starting at the 37 second mark there is an interesting pause-cut that I can't recall seeing before. A very cool move.
Score: 12 out of 20

Posted at 8:19 AM | 0 Comments

Son of the Mask - Trailer A

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Alex says: Jamie Kennedy must have received one hell of a paycheck for this unneeded sequel. This is a concept that should have been dropped the second that Jim Carrey walked away. The edit does what it can to make a bad concept entertaining, but I don't think anyone in the audience is going to be fooled. I expect this movie will be rated PG, which will make it accessible for kids, but anyone old enough to understand the concept of a train wreck will avoid this at all costs. I did enjoy the choice of music for this trailer, and some of the cuts are incredibly tight I am convinced that this editor tried his hardest with the material provided.
Score: 7 out of 20

Posted at 8:18 AM | 0 Comments

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Cars - Teaser A

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Alex says: This trailer is filled with beautiful animation, vibrant color, great sound, and an entertaining soundtrack. The pace of this preview is where it should be and doesn't tarnish the Pixar reputation. However, I cannot say that I felt too interested in this movie. The teaser reveals no plot, barely any character, and doesn't seem as interesting as Pixar's previous works. While I enjoyed "Finding Nemo," I am finding myself less and less interested in Pixar's projects. "Monsters, Inc." may be their last movie that I end up enjoying.
Score: 13 out of 20

Seth says: Pixar, what's going on? Not only is this on track to being your worst movie, by the looks of content matter, but where have your great marketing skills gone? The teaser for "The Incredibles" was amazing, to follow up with this effort is disappointing. This teaser was worse than a teaser, it told nothing about the story, at all... it was just cashing in on people seeing it before watching the super heros. Lame.
Score: 8 out of 20

Posted at 2:13 PM | 5 Comments

Monster-In-Law - Teaser A/B

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Alex says: Surprisingly enough, both versions of this teaser are funny. The inclusion of Wanda Sykes is perfectly timed and acts as a good tease for the punch line of these previews. Both endings are funny, but the virgin joke is the more memorable of the two. The decision to torture Jennifer Lopez on the big screen for the joy of the American public was a great call. Her over exposure is rightfully deflated here and it should ease the general public's dislike. For what I had heard about this movie I was surprisingly pleased by both of these teasers.
Score: 16 out of 20

Posted at 2:10 PM | 0 Comments

Thursday, November 04, 2004

Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith - Teaser A

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Alex says: It is no mystery that Seth & I are both huge "Star Wars" fans. For us the release of this teaser is about as important as the second coming (no re-election joke intended). And although I enjoyed this teaser, I was not as impressed this time around as I was for "Star Wars Episode II: The Attack of the Clones." The voiceover from Alec Guiness was a great start, but there are visuals and moments that turned me off. Specific bad parts were Anakin's contact lenses and the slow "Undertaker-like" sitting up of Darth Vader. Many of the new scenes were fascinating, but with the exception of the mosh pit of Wookies, none were that shocking. I did enjoy the pace and the music, and overall this teaser is still one of the best and will be loved by many.
Score: 16 out of 20

Seth says: First off... how exiting! It's about time. Enough nerdery, I apologize. Yes, I agree with Alex here. The Star Wars marketing machine (yes, machine) has been cranking out memorable after memorable campaign for the previous two prequel films. So what's with this spot? They started off brilliantly, instantly tying Episodes II, III and IV together, with a little I in there to boot. But this doesn't follow their same marketing thinking from the previous movies. If anything the Alec Guniess voiceover was great, so use that to your advantage. Let's hear more great voiceovers that translate here as well. Like the "Rise Lord Vader" spot, great stuff! I think this teaser tried to be too much, they jam packed a TON of stuff in here just knowing that every fan-boy, or girl, will be pinching through frame-by-frame to see it all (*raising hand*). I wanted something to stand out a bit more, something to leave us gasping for air, this IS the last film, afterall. But, I'm still excited.
Score: 15 out of 20

Posted at 9:58 PM | 0 Comments

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Racing Stripes - Trailer A

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Alex says: This here is the world's greatest collection of over the hill stand up comedians. I hear Billy Crystal makes a cameo as a spitting camel. The footage this time around is no better than the teaser and the sadness that David Spade and Steve Harvey invoke is painful to bear. The only positive thing I can say is that "Born to Be Wild" is at least good to hear, although somewhat embarrassing to hear in this context.
Score: 6 out of 20

Posted at 3:36 PM | 0 Comments

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Chicken Little - Trailer A

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Alex says: I started watching this clip with incredibly low expectations. I am surprised to admit this preview is actually enjoyable. It won't bow your doors off and I don't think this matches up with most Pixar offerings, but it is a good start for Disney. The use of R. E. M. in this trailer at first was jarring, because I was surprised R. E. M. would let a company like Disney use one of their tunes. Nonetheless, the song is appropriate and put to good use. The comedy wasn't hysterical, but straight forward enough to not scare me off.
Score: 13 out of 20

Posted at 1:56 PM | 0 Comments

Straight-Jacket - Trailer A

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Alex says: This is an awful voiceover, poorly edited, sufferingly bad voice acting, and a brain-numbingly awful script. Included with that mess is a collection of great title art and awful CGI sets. And finally, the footage itself is cornily funny and not remotely original or fun. This is camp without anything to latch on to.
Score: 4 out of 20

Posted at 1:47 PM | 0 Comments