"I Smell Sex All Over You" Clip From 'Cosmopolis'

Very confident camera/direction. 






















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Trailer for Cult-Classic-To-Be 'The Revenant'

Has been playing festivals since 2009. Rolls out limited in US August 2012.



Here's a much more 'indie' trailer from a couple years ago. Rough editing but it's clear the flick has what it takes. Cult fave, drinking rental, but I'm thinking it's got more. This has a spine. Nicely done. This has the goods.




















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'The Campaign' Clip -- Cam Brady Interprets The Lord's Prayer

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New Trailer for 'The Words'

Nice mix of dramatic and suspense elements. This might land an audience.



















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'The Campaign' Insider Look at Campaign Finance

Oh, the horror.

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Glorious Trailer for 'Skyfall'

Glorious? Yeah. Every bit. And, I hate Bond.

A blond Javier Bardem -- devastating. Daniel Craig looking sharp. And, that picture courtesy Roger Deakins -- just plain beautiful.

Oh, by the way...this looks close to redefining the franchise. 

Check the wink at 2:20.

















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"Take the Bloody Shot!" Teaser Trailer for 'Skyfall'

Man, the cinematography in this.

















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Hard-Sell Extended International TV Spot for 'Total Recall'

I like this. Looks good. Hand-to-hand fighting is a bit cheesy but that's okay -- everything else is bright and shiny.




















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New Trailer for 'Taken 2'

Sticks with "Your mother is going to be taken" rather than the old line which was, "Your mother and I are going to be taken."

Nice visuals and soundtrack. The line "Take one of the guns and two grenades" said by Neeson's character to his daughter has a certain sparkle. People should like that kind of thing. Also, the empowerment of a teenage (or is it early 20s) female character should round out the demographic appeal nicely

Have to admit, this is more impressive than I had thought, and looking fresh for a sequel. Really, this has the energy and feel of the first movie (in a franchise). I'm thinking box office will be good.

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Achtung, Baby! 'Iron Sky' Clip

With a very nice tagline. Rolling out in the US, currently limited.






















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Cute 60-Second 'The Expendables 2' Featurette

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First Image from Clint Eastwood's 'Trouble With The Curve'

From EW

Okay. Try to remember. When you first saw Clint Eastwood in this shot what did you think? Was it, "I'm going to see this one?"

That's what I thought. Knew. I knew I was going to see 'Trouble With The Curve', and probably in theaters, despite that I hate theaters. (It's the only way to watch an Eastwood movie). And, I knew it the second I saw the picture. That's all it takes -- a still of Clint -- and I'm there.

He looks great. Drinking and smoking. Just great. Look at that guy. How old is he, again? Hell yeah. If I'm that sharp at that age...

With Amy Adams as Eastwood's daughter. Also with John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, and Robert Patrick.

Directing his first feature is Robert Lorenz, who's been Eastwood's 1st AD on gobs of stuff -- Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, Space Cowboys, etc.

Clint Eastwood could read the phone book and I'd buy a ticket.

Due September 28, 2012

New Trailer/Making-Of Featurette for 'The Words'

Very chewy.

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'Silent Hill: Revelation 3D' Trailer

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Trailer/Poster for 'I, Anna'

Based on the crime mystery novel of the same name by Elsa Lewin. With Charlotte Rampling and Gabriel Byrne it's exactly what I like on a rainy afternoon.

The first feature from Barnaby Southcombe, who directs British TV.

No US release date yet.

















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Trailer/Poster for Nancy Savoca's 'Union Square'

Here's the NYT review, which matches my impression of the trailer.

Direction by Savoca is very good. Keeps the energy going, which is tough for a stage-y piece set mostly in an apartment like this.

If you like this kind of movie, 'Union Square' looks like one to watch. Playing NYC and (I guess) LA.

















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Teaser Trailer for Virgin Airlines Produced Rom-Com 'Departure Date'

The first movie shot at 35,000 feet on airliners in flight. The first movie shot on a Canon C300. But, it's not the first film produced by a commercial airline -- Virgin -- who also backed 'Immortals', 'Machine Gun Preacher', and 'Limitless'.

So. Confused? Here's a clip from Anne Thompson's coverage of the LA Film Festival:

• They call it branded entertainment. But the twenty-minute film is startling in several ways. Virgin Produced CEO Jason Felts hired actress-director Kat Coiro ("While We Were Here") after she came up with a pitch fitting the assignment--to shoot a limited number of actors on three connecting flights from Australia to the US and across the Atlantic to London. She hired "Mad Men" star Ben Feldman (copywriter Michael Ginsberg) as well as Australian Nicky Whelan, Philip Baker Hall, Luis Guzmán and Janeane Garofalo, and filmed a movie for the first time at 35,000 feet.

Anne says the movie is 'actually not bad'.

Here's the trailer.



A making-of featurette.

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3 Clips from 'The Watch'

Yeah, I didn't think much of this at first. But, trailers look good, clips look good. Now, I like it. Now, I'm thinking this will do well. Now, I want to watch this movie. And, I hate comedies.

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'Chasing Mavericks' Poster

trailer

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'Chasing Mavericks' Trailer

Sports dramas can be a tough sell but with Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston, and Elisabeth Shue, and directed by Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, LA Confidential) 'Chasing Mavericks' stands well.

I love surfing movies. There's so much potential cinematically. Nobody has gotten it quite right yet, but...we'll see.

Footage is excellent, story setup seems solid enough.  

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

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6-Minute Trailer for 'Cloud Atlas'

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New Trailer/Poster for 'About Cherry'

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

'Frankenweenie' Vincent Character Poster

Okay, it's not like it's a secret. Tim Burton loves the Master of Horror, Vincent Price. The Inventor in Burton's 'Edward Scissorhands' is one of the more memorable characters -- scared me, then made me cry.

That Mr. Rzykruski (that's 'doctor' Rzykruski to you and me) from 'Frankenweenie' resembles Price doesn't come as a surprise.

Voiced by Martin Landau (who gave an extremely touching turn as Bela Lugosi in Burton's 'Ed Wood').

Here's the poster. (Thing is, I don't think Price ever played a character that wore glasses. No matter).

And Price in 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again'

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'The Campaign' Red Band Family Dinner Conversation Trailer

Yes, yes. We've all been there.






















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Trailer/Poster for 'Middle of Nowhere'

Rave reviews, plays real. A good rental/TV night.

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Stilted Clip from 'Total Recall'

Things were looking so good. The director, producers, and stars were all so sincere. I believe the "It's such a special movie" and "I can't wait to see it myself" comments. Featurettes clicked. Loved the trailers. I thought it was a 'cut above'. Then...we get this clip.

So play-acty. Okay, let's just say it. Fake-ass fight choreography and writing that just don't work.

Still, though, I'm holding out. TR might deliver, but not so much on the hand-to-hand stuff. That's okay. I'm okay with that. I'll still buy the Blu-ray and go make fresh popcorn during the mano-a-mano fight scenes. That'll be about 6 cubic feet of popcorn per viewing, but I'm...okay with that.





















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Very Fun Hover-Car Featurette for 'Total Recall'

Yeah, I said that. Believe it or not this featurette is good. Quite good. Quite good fun.

So far, everything I've seen from 'Total Recall' is a cut above.



















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New Poster/Trailer for Jennifer Lynch's Brutal 'Chained'

Here's a more conceptual version.



























The new trailer.



Well, the still used in the video player is from a plotline not seen in the trailer. As if the flick wasn't grinding enough. This looks to have the makings of a cult fave.

Apparently, there's no theatrical release on the books at this point, which doesn't make sense considering the poor execution of a lot of horror movies that make it to theaters. With Vincent D'Onofrio in what looks like to be an intense turn as the misaligned cab driver you'd think this would get at least a limited release. Seems like this would play.

Currently, due on DVD/Blu-ray October 2, 2012. But, you never know. Anchor Bay may be testing the water.

















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Drop Everything Trailer for 'Life of Pi'

Jeez. What you can put on film these days.




















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Informative Banner for 'House at the End of the Street'

Really, there shouldn't be houses at ends of streets. If we've learned anything we know that's never a good thing. Put houses in the middle of streets, not at the end. Save the end of the street for an empty lot, or something. But, not an old Indian burial ground, just an empty lot haunted, at worst, by beer bottles and discarded condoms. That's horror enough.

But, on to this banner. Informative, as I mentioned. For instance, it reminds us it's 'deeply scary' and has an 'awesome twist'.

And, if that isn't enough we're admonished to fear its secret -- that would have to have something to do with the guy in the window. Yes? That's what I'm going with at this point.

You know, that's not so secret. I mean, you can see the guy plain as day. It's like, "Hey, who's that ominous guy in the window? Creepy. Let's get out of here!"

Secret would be, say, if the guy was hiding behind the curtains, peeking out from the corner so you couldn't see him. That's secret. Standing there when it's dark out with the light on so everybody can see you -- not secret. That's more like advertising how messed up things are in this particular home and what a weirdo you are. That's more like 'The House at the End of the Street with that Really Messed Up Guy who Stands in the Window Watching Kids Play and Girls Walk By and Stuff that Everybody Knows to Stay Away From'. That's what that's like.

Nice banner. Informative. Thank you, banner.

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Spanish Poster for 'Frankenweenie'

I like this one. Sparky...

More if you're interested.

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New Poster for 'The Imposter'

If you missed it, here's the new trailer.

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Wow, Dig Those Ties

Ben Affleck and Bryan Cranston and their 70s ties in Argo. Holy moly, look at those collars and lapels. You could land a 747 on one of those. Eek, those haircuts! That's what humans looked like back then? Glad I wasn't around. (Okay, I was around. I admit it).

If you don't know the story, it's a good read.

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Very DreamWorks-esque Poster for 'Me and My Shadow'

Can't quite peg why but this poster says 'DreamWorks'. Not Disney (though it could be, kinda), and no way is it Pixar-y. It just has a DreamWorks vibe. It's the way we expect posters for movies from this studio to look.

What is it about the graphics that telegraphs? Something in the style of animation? The nature of the story? Maybe it's my imagination and it's just the DreamWorks logo that tipped me off.

Nice concept.

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Another Great Trailer for 'The Impossible'

It's why we go to the movies. 
























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'The Bourne Legacy' Featurette -- Not That That's a Bad Thing...

Okay, this is starting to look a tad glossy. Not that that's a bad thing -- you get what you paid for: Popcorn, a well-made flick, a fun time at the movies. But, I'm not getting the sense this will be what 'Identity' was. Not that that's a bad thing ('Identity' was pretty strong).

All they have to do with 'Legacy' is not drop the ball and they look to have enough new stuff, new hooks, with the genetic alteration that yields a super-agent and whatnot, to keep the franchise moving forward.

The logical next step (duh) is a Bourne with both Jeremy Renner and Matt Damon. Then, when the dust settles, see about putting a bow on things with a killer last installment that will enable everyone to hold their heads high.

Right now, it's looking like 'Legacy', despite action sequences by writer-turned-director Tony Gilroy that aren't the smoothest, holds up its end of the the bargain and moves all the pegs forward one space.

Featurette is fair, though I don't quite buy what it's selling. New footage and a couple new plot elements.




















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'Strolling Away From Explosion' Image from 'Looper'

Why run away, jump, and yell as the fireball erupts behind you? Just walk (oh, and plug those ears...don't want to put your hearing at risk).

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'Dinosaurs vs. Aliens' Episode 1

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Mesmerizing New Trailer for 'The Imposter'

Bizarre doesn't quite cover it. Probably required viewing.






















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'Scopia': Stylish Horror Movie Mid-Production Push

Love the title. Great tagline: "Death should be a once in a lifetime experience" -- Nice.

I've been following this production for a while. Here's the latest message from director Chris Butler.



Story holds potential. Genuine scares for fans of character-driven creepshows. Some very effective visuals. Surely, Butler is one to watch.

Okay, these guys need money, honey. If you like what you've seen help Butler and his crew finish 'Scopia'. Click here to contribute.

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Trailer for Quentin Dupieux's 'Wrong'

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New Clips from 'The Bourne Legacy'

I like these better than the action/fight/chase clips we've gotten. 























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An Even Better Trailer for 'The Tall Man'

By all accounts 'The Tall Man' simply isn't worth the time. However, the rollout is excellent. Posters get better, so do trailers.

Here's the latest. Pretty tight.


















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2, Count 'em, 2 Teaser Trailers for 'Man of Steel'. (Oh, and a Poster, too)

Well, really, it's the same thing with different voice over, but that's okay.

Gotta admit, looks good. And, I have no interest in S-man.





















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'Looper' Goof Poster aka 'Wooper'

Okay, don't blame me. Do not. Paul Robertson created it and it got posted on the 'Looper' production blog.

However, I like this. This could sell tickets. 

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Pointed Spanish Poster for 'The Campaign' or 'Crazy for the Votes'

Actually, I believe the title, 'Locos por los Votos', translates as 'The Crazies for the Votes'. Well, six of one...

Bad as the title is, it's the tagline that really gets me. Politicos: Todos son hijos de la misma madre. This translates: Politicians: They're all children of the same mother. Or, less literally: They all have the same mother.

Helluva title, helluva tagline. Pretty harsh. Can this be right? Is this really how Warner Bros. Marketing wanted to pitch 'The Campaign' to those who speak Spanish?

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James Ellroy Tells Us Why We Should Like Funny or Die's Magazine 'The Occasional'

James Ellroy for Funny or Die's Magazine from James Ellroy     

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'ParaNorman' Banner

Click for way big version

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Poster/Trailer/Clips from 'Replicas'

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New 'Total Recall' Featurette

As I've said, these guys -- Len Wiseman, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale -- believe in this movie. You can see it when they comment. Especially Colin Farrell. Here, he says, "It's a lot of fun, man. Really, it's a lot of fun. I actually can't wait to spend two hours watching this." He means it. That's so rare in these junket interviews and featurettes.

The more I see of 'Total Recall' the more I think they may have raised the bar. 





















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Trailer for 'Crave'

Has potential.

Scheduled for a theatrical release this year, but they're running out of time. Can't see it happening with the awards race coming up. Early 2013 seems more likely.



















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Trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master'

This breathes. Takes on a life of its own.

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"Schools is this nation's backbone." New Trailers in 'The Campaign' Campaign

There's a bunch rolling out today but these two trailers pretty much sum it up: How fucking stupid politics and politicians get. Especially coming on the heels of Limbaugh's Bane/Bain comments.

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Watch: Trailer for Iclandic Thriller 'Frost'

FROST - Official trailer w/ English subtitles from Kisi Production on Vimeo.

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Short Film: Zak Noyle Surf Photographer

Take a vacation, watch this film.



Here's some of Zak's shots. See more, buy stuff at his site.

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New 'Bourne Legacy' Clip Just About Jumps the Shark

Poor inserts, crunchy editing, and stunts that either disregard the laws of physics or take advantage of a series of (traffic?) ramps which are fortunately placed just so, though not seen -- I found myself stifling giggles. Writer-turned-director Tony Gilroy does his best to emulate Doug Liman's style -- the guy redefined the car chase sequence in 'Identity' -- however Gilroy's work just doesn't flow.

Good thing: it doesn't reflect at all on the rest of the movie...I hope.

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Neon-Deco Pinball Machine Poster for Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Last Stand'

Very 80s title, but that's perhaps for the best.

Love the poster graphics. Nice layout, with a strong left to right forward push. Good video-game motif for the highway/dead bodies. 80s video game font as well -- I'm seeing a pattern. Wondering what, if any, game plot/camera elements will find their way into this.

The tag: "Some highways lead to hell. Some lead to much worse." works too. Not bad. (Look for AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell' in the soundtrack).

IMDb currently lists the title as 'The Last Stand' but this looks to be in flux. Plain ole 'Last Stand' is way better (and way less 80s).

Directed by Jee-woon Kim, who did the sizzling 'I Saw The Devil', which -- by itself -- makes this absolutely can't-miss, must-see, don't even think about it.

Written by (or, more correctly, writing supervised by) George Nolfi, who penned 'The Adjustment Bureau', 'The Bourne Ultimatum', 'Ocean's Twelve'. Another very good thing.

Make no mistake...Arnold is back. Really, he's already looking stronger than ever.

Must-own on Blu-ray.

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Original Teaser Poster/Label for PT Anderson's 'The Master'

One thing is certain, I've never seen a poster like this before. Or, is this more properly called a label?

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International Trailer for Nicolas Cage's 'Stolen'

Okay, in 'Stolen 2' will Nic Cage (as well as his daughter) be kidnapped? Guess it depends where you live. Just saying...


















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2 Different Versions of the 'Taken 2' Trailer: One for Sensitive Understanding (Wimpy) Americans, and one Swarthy (I Kill You Now?) Europeans

Wha?

In the domestic version of the trailer for 'Taken 2' Liam Neeson clearly says, "Listen to me carefully, Kim. Your mother and I are going to be taken."

And, that was always my understanding about the plot -- both Neeson's character and (AND) his wife are abducted. Both. Not one, both -- two of them.

Happens at :37 seconds.



However. In the international trailer Neeson says, "Listen to me carefully, Kim. Your mother is going to be taken." Neeson does not say he will be taken as well. Just 'your mother'. "Your mother (is)" not "Your mother and I (are)." In this trailer only mom gets nabbed.

I know what you're saying: Dude. No way. You're hearing things. Check it out -- at 1:11.



So. Is this an(other) example of foreign machismo? Is the notion a male protagonist could be taken hostage, or allow himself to be taken, so unpalatable in other countries they need to gloss over (read: flat out lie about) such plot details in trailers meant for international markets?

Will there be two versions of the movie? I can just see it. There will be one edit in which only the wife is abducted made for swaggering sweating always drinking and smoking European men (and such) who would never allow themselves to be taken hostage -- (no fucking way I kill you now asshole), and another in which both the husband and wife are taken made for touchy-feely oh so politically correct forward-thinking Americans who know that a man can be kidnapped at gunpoint just as easily as a woman and that absolutely is not a reflection on one's manliness -- (pardon me whilst I avert my eyes in a demure manner and take a sip of my double low-fat vanilla latte made with organic milk and fair-trade coffee [not too hot or I'll complain to the manager!!!] topped with whipped cream from a can, thank you very much).

This is just like the Spanish poster for 'The Expendables 2'. Their title: 'Los Indestructibles 2'. No. No sir. Our guys aren't 'expendable' -- that would be too, what's the word?, limp. Our guys are INDESTRUCTIBLE! They can't freaking be destroyed. Your wimpy American men, they are expendable. Disposable. Nobody cares if they live or die. Our guys: tough, can't be killed or injured -- reeeeeaaaaaaal men. In-goddam-destructible.

Machismo. Alien to us, heartfelt to them.

Gotta say, very interesting indeed. Really... That says a lot. But, what do I think of it? Do I appreciate how Euro-man can't deal with the concept that he might be victimized and how he lives a direct and effective life not taking shit from anybody? Or, do I hold Euro-guy in contempt for being a narrow-minded ass?

Do I applaud American liberalism or do I think we're a country of toe-the-line girly boys who strive not to offend?

I don't know. A little of both? How typically American of me.

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New Poster for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Well, not so great. And, I just got through saying this flick couldn't look uncool.

Just too artsy, conceptual, something. Not right for this type flick.

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Paul Schrader and Bret Easton Ellis' No-Budget DIY 'The Canyons' Starts Shooting

Financed through Kickstarter, 'The Canyons' has started shooting. The only description on IMDb:

• Youth, glamor, sex and Los Angeles, circa 2012.

Not a lot to go on, but with Bret Easton Ellis writing you can fill in the blanks. Here's a rundown from the Kickstarter page.



What Schrader told Anne Thompson:

"Everyone works for free, we're casting on Let It Cast, we've done 300 auditions and some screen tests, and will shoot four weeks in July."

Here's a still, first shooting day, from the Facebook page.

The atmospheric LA portrait-slash-trailer that rolled out about a month ago.

Works for me.

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'Toad Road' Poster/Trailer

Poster has a vibe I can dig. Trailer, not so much. Could be good, might not be worth the trouble.

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Tom Hanks' 'Electric City' Episode 1: Truth or Consequences

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Connect-The-Dots Character Banner/Poster for 'Gangster Squad'

Love how each character has his/her associated (and, I'm guessing, subordinate) character behind them in each panel.

Really, very nice work. Just for fun, here's the 40s/50s-style noir version, which works as well if not better.

I like how, in the 1st and 3rd panels, the background characters are on the right and, in the 2nd and 4th panels, they're on the left. Balances things out.

Also, in the 1st and 3rd panels, the character in front looks directly at the viewer while, in the 2nd and 4th, they look away to the left.

Both Gosling's and Penn's characters appear first wearing a hat, then not.

The only deviation (really, for this banner, it's an error) is the position of Gosling's head just below the top of frame, whereas everyone else has the top of the head cut off. Another inconsistency is the placement of the background characters in the 1st and 3rd panels -- Gosling is closer to center and his left shoulder is in frame while Penn is closer to the edge and his left shoulder is cut off. Background characters in the 2nd and 4th panel have matching placement.

However, all things considered, nicely thought out.
















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New Poster/Trailer for 'Dreams of a Life'

The documentary may be a pass, but the trailer is must-see.

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"You Might Want to Give Your Little Girlfriend a Kiss Goodbye" Clip from 'Total Recall'

I love Kate Beckinsale in this.

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'The Day' Trailer

Trailer is new and pretty well cut. Poster is sorta new.

Looks to be well done, but could go either way. 

August 17

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