'Bridesmaids' Poster

Love this look. May have potential.

'Zebra Crossing' Red Band Trailer

There's something here.

'Just Go With It' Clip

Adulterer! Fornicator! - Just Go With It Exclusive ClipJust Go With It, Scenes

'Re-Kill' Trailer

The first of the year horror parade continues.

First Two Minutes of 'Rio'

Don't watch until after coffee/tea and breakfast.

'Elevator' Trailer

poster

'Elevator' Poster

Cheesy, but could be a fun movie. From IMDb:

9 people are stuck in a Wall St. elevator - one has a bomb.

'Homework' Posters

'Homework' with Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts. Perfectly put together. IMDb:

George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.

Here's another graphic that's floating around:

Both work very well. Don't know if either could be called better. Somebody who cared did some good work. Often, a sign the movie is good, inspires the industry to put its best foot forward.

'The Roommate' Poster

Trailers, clips, have been by-the-numbers but I like this poster.

'Peep World' Clip

'The Eagle' Clip

'Just Go With It' Clip

'Soul Surfer'

Should find an audience.

'The Rite'

Here's Anthony Hopkins in 'The Rite'. Does anybody want to see Christspoiltation movies anymore?

Ian Buckwalter is not too impressed:

Hafstrom's direction seems stuck in neutral throughout, though. He lets Hopkins run roughshod over nearly every scene he's in, but fails to provoke the largely affectless O'Donoghue into any display of emotion at all. And he shoots Rome in sense-dulling grays and browns, presumably hoping to induce a vague dread and heighten the impact of the precious few gotcha-style scares. (A handful of his ludicrous images fall well short of their intended menace.)

I'm sure the movie is all stilted posturing and syrupy stock creepshow music, but, funny thing is, I'm thinking this will do really good business.

'The Mechanic' Franchise

Mark Jenkins reviews Jason Statham in 'The Mechanic', which seems to contain a spoiler:

Nominally, The Mechanic is a remake of a 1972 Charles Bronson picture. But the movie is crisp and contemporary enough to inaugurate another franchise for Statham, who has starred in three Transporter movies, among many other showcases for his hard physique and harder demeanor.

Tsk tsk Mark, you've tipped your hand.

In the original, Bishop (played by Charles Bronson), is killed by Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent). If Statham's Arthur Bishop survives this time around, it would keep the door open for a 'Mechanic' sequel(s), which I think will happen and look forward to.

Just what I suspected after seeing the first trailer.

Due credit where deserved, though. Jenkins did say 'nominally' it's a remake. But, still, letting on that Statham as Bishop survives in this movie is not cool. Makes one wonder: has Jenkins seen the 1972 film, and is he aware Bishop is killed in the end of that movie, or, does he simply not care about such details.

Statham/McQueen

John Powers compares Jason Statham to Steve McQueen:

McQueen could bluff at poker, hotwire a car and wield a gun without making a fetish of its size. Who wouldn't want to be like that? One who's clearly trying is Jason Statham...

I don't think Statham quite lives up to it, but Powers may have something in the comparison. Statham, perhaps, projects more power than McQueen, which creates a visceral reaction in the viewer, whereas McQueen, while possessing a similar physicality, projected a more intellectual vibe. I'm not so sure Statham could bluff at poker as well...

Powers continues:

Now, part of Statham's appeal is that he's neither a Tom Cruise pretty-boy nor a towering monument like Clint Eastwood.

and

Statham belongs to the tradition of heroes, from John Wayne through Harrison Ford, who are laconic to the point of grumpiness.

Again. Not sure Statham is there (yet), but have to agree, the guy is a breath of fresh air in action movies that usually feature men who are too pretty, that get into and out of situations which are contrived and orchestrated to the point of silliness, all too easily.

'Black Death' Trailer

Very nice.

'The Conspirator' Trailer

Would make a nice evening.

Poster for 'Hanna'

International Trailer 'Unknown'

Very nice.

Do You Think That's Funny

Good One - A Movie Laughter Supercut - watch more funny videos

Some memorable movie laughs.

Red Band 'Burning Palms' Trailer

Has the effect of making the movie more appealing and less appealing at the same time. Scroll for other trailer.

'Burning Palms' Trailer

Looks good, or perhaps interesting is more correct, but not sure anyone cares for this kind of movie anymore. Very 90s indie.

poster

Scarlett Johansson for 'Moet & Chandon'

Poster for 'Brotherhood'

Trailer is excellent. Poster is good but keeps going past where it's effective. The shoes don't need to be included.

That the guy has to make a decision about the use of the gun is implicit. This would be a central dilemma. His hand reaching to accept the weapon isn't needed.

Beer can be included in another way, assuming some alcohol-fueled event is a turning point.

These elements distract viewer, dilute focus. Heavy brown/sepia tone doesn't work either -- totally clashes with setting/plot. Should be a cooler look or black and white.

Like this better:

I think this will do good business.

'Battle: Los Angeles' Poster

International graphic. 'World Invasion' hints that next movie (dollars to donuts there will be another) will take place outside the US.

'Sucker Punch' Posters

Without a doubt my favorite of the new character posters for 'Sucker Punch'.

'Beyond Black Mesa'

Beyond Black Mesa from Brian Curtin on Vimeo.

Considering budget constraints, this is a great effort. Runtime 11:51

Here's the producer's write up:

Beyond Black Mesa is a short Independent fan film Inspired by the Half-Life Video Game series. This is an action packed short film centering around Adrian Shephard and a band of resistance fighters struggling to get out a warning about the impending invasion.

- Independent short film - 2 years in the making - Endless hours of post
- 1 Canon HV20
- 7 Friends
- $1,200 budget for the full short film.

This film is not HL,HL2 or Opposing Forces. It's a short fan film that takes place in the Half-Life world. Also, as a completely independent film, we wanted to have a creative voice in the movie and make it a movie that we would enjoy shooting. We took artistic freedoms and liberties, unfortunately most of those decisions were determined by our limited resources.

Check out: BEYONDBLACKMESA.COM

Directed by Brian Curtin
Producer: Matt Hall, Mat Powell
Actors/Grips: Joy Gravel, Walt Thomas, Andrew Gothard
Special Tracks: Nate Quarterman
Narrator: Taylor Robinson
Audio Mastering: Eric Chapman

Peek at 'Insidious'

Trailer is a cut above.

'Flames'

Karl X Johan - Flames (dir. cut) from Gustav Johansson on Vimeo.

Very up close, pretty personal.

'Absentia' Trailer

This one grabs you. Very creepy looking. Great premise.

'Rubber' International Trailer

After the domestic trailer, I liked 'Rubber'. New trailer makes it a must see.

I can't believe how good this movie looks.

'Drive Angry 3D' Clip

I'm sure every scene will be a variation on this theme, so, in a way, we've seen the entire movie.

'Brotherhood' Trailer

wow

'Skateland' Trailer

Very nice camera work. If story/script are as easy to follow as the visuals, should be good.

Kiefer Sutherland Confirms Movie Version of 24

We're getting word Kiefer Sutherland has confirmed a movie version of 24 will begin shooting at year's end.

Poster for 'Drive Angry'

Has Nic Cage ever made a movie in which he appeared clean shaven. I guess, when seeking revenge, it's best to have a few days' beard going.

UK Poster for 'The Fighter'

Here's the UK graphic for 'The Fighter'. Like this approach.

'Sorry, Thanks' Trailer

Hadn't noticed the tag 'An unromantic comedy' on the poster. Kinda liking this one. Thinking it may be worth a gamble.

'Silent House'

Remake of 'La Casa Muda' which was (supposedly) shot in one take on a Canon 5d Mark II. I remember thinking that was nearly impossible in practical terms. Can you imagine an entire crew slinking around a house making sure each room/actor, etc., was ready for the camera to come in shooting?

It struck me while watching this trailer that the whole 'one-take' thing may add a lot of suspense. Make it a grinding experience. I'm thinking audiences will want to see 'Silent House'. Movie is looking good so far.

Poster for 'Burning Palms'

IMDb has:

A subversive tale that interlaces five stories set in Los Angeles, where no taboo is left unexplored as each character careens toward a dark and often comic fate.

Not the kind of thing I usually go for. Very 'Crash', which I loved, but wouldn't have if it weren't so well made, which this type movie usually isn't. So...will wait and see.



 

Poster for 'Sorry, Thanks'

'Sorry, Thanks'. Very indie, smart (looking).

Poster for 'Rubber'

Quirky poster. So off, but so well done. Just like the movie. Love it.

trailer

 

Poster for 'Vidal Sassoon: The Movie'

This effortless graphic wins. Perfect design.

Trailer is much better than I could of hoped for. Why? Not sure, but that's what I figured. A movie about a guy who styled hair? How good could it be. Pretty good, would seem to be the answer.

'Gut'

Hard to say from this trailer. Reminds me of 'Primer'. An extremely smart yet elusive movie, or a cheap shot with no real story?

'Mother's Day'

'Vidal Sassoon: The Movie'

Okay, this trailer is better than I ever expected. Who knew? Must see.

'Bereavement'

Tough to say. Could be without value -- a sick trip. Could be a dark psychological horror.

'Rubber'

Saw a trailer for this a few weeks ago. Funny, weird, but poorly cut. Posted it anyway.

This trailer looks fantastic. Very tightly cut. Even brilliant. How often do you say that.

'In Their Sleep'

Compelling trailer.

'Battle: Los Angeles' International Trailer

With a few seconds of very nice new footage.

More hints of depth of character/quality of writing. Sort of the 'Deep Impact' of invasion flicks.

By Strogulski

Caricatures of Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman by Patrick Strogulski.

'Two Fifty Three Kelvin'

Two Fifty Three Kelvin from Bart van der Gaag on Vimeo.

If you think it's cold where you are, watch this.

Beautiful.

'Cat and Bird'

Cat & Bird from ilovedust on Vimeo.

Here's a cute animated short. There's a lesson here...

Angels and Airwaves Teaser for 'Love'

Scroll for older trailers, and poster.

Newest Trailer for 'Love'

I believe this is the latest edit.

Scroll down for older trailer and poster.

Trailer for 'Love'

Directed by William Eubank, a name we'll come to know well, I'm sure.

I put the poster up yesterday.

'Scream 4' Trailer

Poster for 'Love'

This is making the rounds. Here's a synopsis:

After losing contact with Earth, Astronaut LeeMiller becomes stranded in orbit alone aboard the International Space Station. As time passes and life support systems dwindle, Lee battles to maintain his sanity - and simply stay alive. His world is a claustrophobic and lonely existence, until he makes a strange discovery aboard the ship. Written by William Eubank 

'Love', directed by William Eubank.

'Hobo with a Shotgun' Poster

Absolutely love it.

From clips/trailers, movie has seemed too splatter for me, maybe too pointless. (But that's purely a guess. Could be brilliant.) The thing is, until now, until seeing this one sheet, I had no plans to see the movie. Good job.

Very B. Chock full with memorable moments/images, and lines that'll be quoted by smarty-pants film buffs for years. Probably a lot of fun. (Again, all purely guesswork based on trailers and this killer poster).

'Breaking and Entering'

Poster, not that great. Title, cute but doesn't mean much unless you already know what the movie is about. Nonetheless, 'Breaking and Entering', a documentary by Benjamin Fingerhut, about people attempting to break existing records and enter the Guinness Book of World Records, sounds like fun. In his blurb at NYT, Mike Hale calls it, "a brisk and absorbing tour of the human ego."

Doc follows three (main) characters -- a grape catcher, stationary cyclist, and marathon joggler. Other efforts to get into the record books are tracked to a lesser extent -- a whip-cracker, finger snapper, concrete block breaker, and phone book ripper (hence the imagery in the poster).

The kind of flick I like from time to time. Will check it out.

How to Accept an Oscar

The Atlantic graces us with their encyclopedic guide to 'How to Deliver the Perfect Acceptance Speech'. For instance:

Zellweger deserves credit for at least explaining why each person she lists is important in her life (extra credit for an unexpected shout out to Tom Cruise for teaching her how to be classy), but the speech still too closely resembles a laundry list. The best "thank yous" contain heartfelt anecdotes, like Reese Witherspoon in 2006.

Make 'em cry like Sandra Bullock, say something substantial like Halle Berry, go out with a strong opening line -- with video examples of each transgression, and/or well-executed speech. Fun.

'The Resident'

I saw a rough cut of this maybe a week ago. So bad, could not post. We finally get a good trailer. Fairly enticing. Looks good.

New 'Battle: Los Angeles' Trailer

Looking better all the time. Introduction of good Universal Theme, a protagonist with some depth. Beautiful camera work/editing. Good alien designs. Nice explanation of why the aliens don't just nuke the joint -- they're here for resources. Effects look great.

Is making 'Skyline' look worse -- if that's possible.

'The Housemaid' Trailer

I put a poster up the other day (along with a link to the designer's comments). Here's the trailer:

'A Little Bit of Heaven' Poster

With Gael Garcia Bernal and Kate Hudson. IMDb says:

...a comedy about a guarded woman who finds out she's dying of cancer, but when she meets her match, the threat of falling in love is scarier than death.

That slugline is kind of a punch in the gut. Could be silly and sappy beyond tolerance, could be a moving insightful dramedy. We don't get many moving insightful movies...

 

Who Really Produced This Movie

At LAT, The Envelope's Nicole Sperling writes up Ryan Kavanaugh's failed appeal to be listed as one of the producers of 'The Fighter'. No small thing as the movie is up for awards.

Kavanaugh (pictured) had 16 letters of support sent on his behalf to the academy including those from director David O. Russell and the movie's star, Mark Wahlberg (who worked for years to get the movie made). Makes me wonder what the real story is here. What aren't we being told.

Did Kavanaugh really produce the picture or was he just along for the ride? Were the letters sent to correct an injustice or to cover a pal?

Then there's this:

Veteran producer Mike Medavoy and producer-financier Brian Oliver also won credit on "Black Swan" after appealing to the guild, which initially listed only Scott Franklin as the producer of record. Medavoy, 70, first developed the film 12 years ago and stuck with the project through its various incarnations, yet was left off the submitted list of producers.

So, if the guy who developed a property for 12 years has to appeal after being excluded as a producer of record, what does that say about the academy, and its rules?

Poster for 'Sucker Punch'

Looks good. Especially like the dragon shooting fire at, is that a Lancaster Bomber.

Pix From 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

USA Today has some stills from Jim Carrey's upcoming 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'. I like these two.

IMDb says:

The life of a businessman begins to change after he inherits six penguins, and as he transforms his apartment into a winter wonderland, his professional side starts to unravel.

Seems very 80s. Don't know if anyone goes to the theater to see this kind of product anymore. Cable/TV, maybe as a rental for family night, sure. But theatrical? Don't think so.

'The Housemaid' Poster

Here's Sam Myth's poster for 'The Housemaid'. The movie will be in theaters and available on-demand the end of January.

Sam was asked by IFC Films to come up with the one sheet. He discusses the process at his blog.

Poster for 'Henry's Crime'

Here's an internet teaser banner for 'Henry'$ Crime'. I like the trailer.

Rooney Mara on the Cover of W Magazine

Here's Rooney Mara, complete with 'Salander' tattoo, on the cover of W Magazine.

She'll play Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's rendition of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. Also with Daniel Craig, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright, and Christopher Plummer, this remake is looking pretty good.

The Black Beauty Gets a Poster

Having a bit of trouble selling Seth Rogen in an action pic? Sell the Green Hornet's car, Black Beauty, instead. Not a bad plan.

Hard to see the real selling point in above, though, so here's a crop:

Yes. That's correct. There's lots of shooting in this movie. An. Action. Movie. (With Seth Rogen in the lead).

Still don't see the problem with Rogen playing a super hero. With those masks on you can't tell which actors are which anyway:

See.

Fischer vs. The World

Here's a still from the upcoming documentary 'Bobby Fischer Against the World'. The guy was possessed by chess. He played in a way that had never been seen, winning major matches without a loss or a draw. I don't think anyone has ever brought as much passion to the game.

Looking forward to this doc.

'Henry's Crime'

Trailer is adorable. Love this. Vera Farmiga, James Caan, and Keanu Reeves in the same damn movie? That's a done deal.

'The Shock Labyrinth'

Okay. I don't usually go for this stuff, but this one has some imaginative visuals. May be worth checking out.

'Luster' Trailer

Has potential. Here's the poster

'The Mechanic'

There's a smartness here. Not often you see that in this kind of material. I could be wrong, though. Trailers can be cut so a dumb movie look smarter. Here's hoping.

'Carancho' Trailer

Fantastic. Has that 'must-see' feel. Very real approach.

'Scre4m' Poster

I like this graphic for 'Scream 4'.

Flix on Stix

With brick and mortar video shacks on the decline, Flix on Stix offers another approach. Just announced at CES, FoS kiosks enable a consumer to download movies, books, games, etc., onto a flashdrive for viewing/playing anytime. The kiosks will be in supermarkets, malls, college campuses, etc.

You plug in a USB drive, select the media you want, pay with a credit/debit card, load it up, take it away.

Playback will work on either a PC or Mac, and certain mobile devices. Once rental expires the user is given an option to extend or purchase. If you decline, media is automatically erased and there is nothing to return.

If you sign up as a member with FoS website you can order desired media, which is then downloaded via the internet to the kiosk of your choosing for pick-up at your convenience.

Kiosk harddrives will maintain about 1,500 titles.

Some (movie) titles will be made available before release on DVD. Presumably, an exclusivity deal would allow FoS to release selected titles before theatrical runs.

I'm not sure how this is preferable to downloading via the internet for viewing/reading later, like on a trip to the beach where you can't get online. Looks like a transition from traditional models to purely digital ones.

Still, I like the idea. Saves two trips and standing in line. Potentially, would also save a trip to the movie theater, but the same can be said for online streaming/downloading currently available.

Mark Wahlberg and David O. Russell on Fresh Air

Terry Gross with Mark Wahlberg and David O. Russell about 'The Fighter' on Fresh Air.

"When you're working with real boxers, you know, and you hit somebody and you catch them with a good shot, they're going to want to hit you back...luckily nobody got seriously injured."

'The Way Back' Clips

Wow. Sureness of direction. What else to expect from Peter Weir?

Sweeping. Reminds me of epics from the 60s and 70s.

Hulu has more

'Green Hornet' Clip

I know everybody hates the concept, but the bits I've seen look pretty good.

Danny Trejo for Canned Iced Tea

A la 'Machete'. Brisk.

Love it. Something tells me the commercial is better than the tea, though...

'Life in a Day' Trailer

YouTube's blog announces 'Life in a Day', directed by Kevin McDonald and produced by Ridley Scott, will premiere at Sundance January 27.

Here's a teaser trailer:



Looks great. Wonderful. Can't wait.

Another Good Fanmade Poster

Here's a couple cool fanmade posters for 'The Avengers'. Much better than most of the marketing materials we get from Hollywood. These were made by Estevan Garza.

I mentioned Sam Myth's work yesterday. His poster for 'The American', as well as most others he does, are simply much better than studio efforts.

Some of these guys should be offered jobs.

Baldwin on Politics

Alec Baldwin tells Eliot Spitzer on CNN he's "very interested" in politics.

'The RiTe' PosTer

Here's another full-commitment graphic for 'The RiTe'. We started with a crucifix for the letter T in Rite, now we move to the subtle upside down cross-shaped image portal, punched up with the tag 'Inspired By True Events'.

Maybe someday, on disc, a few minutes at a time. I'm thinking this will rock the box office, though.

'Paul' International Poster

Yet another international poster that beats the hell out of the (US) domestic one sheet:

Seriously. How can our version be that much worse. Spanish graphic is pretty much standard fare, but US take stinks. One says 'Are you dumb/desperate enough to pay to see this?', while the other says 'Pretty cool, huh'.
 

A Couple Photos

Couple photographs I made, oh, was it 2008. Will be posting new stuff soon.