'Closed Circuit' Trailer

Both the title and poster have that B feel but I like this trailer. No surprises at first, in fact it plays sorta B, but then there's depth, a hook, a reason to watch.

Director John Crowley looks to have control over the camera, and there's reason to believe writer Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, Dirty Pretty Things, Clash of the Titans 3) might have delivered.

Really, after seeing this trailer it dawns on me that this movie may have been a tough sell, too hard to describe in a nutshell to the average movie goer. 'Closed Circuit' may be a nicely turned suspense drama that studio marketing is trying to sell as an action thriller. Hence the B vibe.

Could be a good rental. Could be just plain good.



























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'Pacific Rim' Giant Robot Action Figures = Box Office Safety Net

'Pacific Rim' might do well at the box office but the real money will come from action figure sales. And, why not? These robots are way cooler than Transformers. If the robots don't sell, the monster figures will.























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Must-Watch Trailer for 'Prisoners'

With Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Paul Dano, Terrence Howard, and Melissa Leo -- what a cast.

Thing is, I can't tell where this will go. That's unusual. And the suspense level -- it's hard to believe it's just a trailer. It's just a trailer, it's just a trailer, it's just a trailer.

Can't wait. Wow.






















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Poster for 'The Frozen Ground'

Opens July in the UK, August here. Probably won't do much at the box office but looks like a cool evening in.




















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'Just Like A Woman'

Nice poster. Trailer is a bit loose but this has a spine. Could be very rewarding.





















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'Machete Kills' (Me) Trailer

Super hammed-up 70s kitsch.





















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Cute Mondo 'SoTL' Poster

Really...nice.

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'Planes' Trailer -- A Little Up In The Air

Yeah, bad play on words, but this looks a tad shaky.





















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'White House Down' Featurette

I don't have a lot of respect for this genre. It's just too superficial most of the time, but I got to admit, this featurette is promising. The movie looks like it might deliver cinematically and in the story department. Plus, it really looks like these actors enjoyed working with Roland Emmerich -- that will show on screen and audiences will respond.

'White House Down' could be satisfying both as a visceral action flick and on the character level. Should score.






















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Motion Poster for 'Carrie'

More effective than I would have thought. We'll be seeing more like this.

'Carrie' is looking very strong.
























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Towering Confident Trailer for 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints'

David Lowery makes a clear statement with this film. He's a director to watch and savor. As for the central players, though both Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck have done substantial work, I think 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' will be recognized as a special achievement.

I'm so glad movies like this still get made. 


























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It's Either A Doll (That's Looking Right At You) Or A Weird Little Girl With Tons Of Bad Make Up

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'Maniac' Poster

We got a new trailer yesterday but I completely missed this new poster, which I like a lot.

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David Lee Roth 'Movie Trailer' aka Short Hitman Movie

Yeah, I don't get this but, except for some funny editing choices, it isn't bad. And, no, it's not a trailer. Really, this is a short film.

My best guess, though, is this is test footage for something. Maybe a feature. Or, possibly DLR just wanted to learn something about filmmaking, but the production value is pretty high for that kind of thing. I'll go with 'test footage'.

Could be something brewing down the road from this guy. Gotta say, an entire feature on this level wouldn't be bad. Better than a lot of stuff we see. Second (third, fourth) career for the Master of Jump?





















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New 'Rush' Trailer

Much more racing oriented than the first US trailer and, yes, this looks good. That the story is infused with human drama -- Niki Lauda's (Daniel Brühl) terrible accident and fairly miraculous return to racing as well as his rivalry with James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) -- in order to hook an audience 'Rush' needs nail-biting footage of F1 cars roaring around the track.

Director Ron Howard, clearly, has a way with the action, and writer Peter Morgan (The Queen, Solace) certainly can make the relationship between the drivers compelling.

Fantastic trailer. 'Rush' looks to deliver on both counts.


















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Smartest Trailer of the Day: Joseph Gordon-Levitt's 'Don Jon'

Everybody looks so good. Scarlett Johansson seems like a different actor -- what flow. Tony Danza, wow. Julianne Moore -- again, so fresh. And Gordon-Levitt...man, the guy has a strong vibe.

Like the best from the indie tradition married to the best stuff studio movies offer.

Total confidence. Makes me want to make movies.
























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Good Reviews for 'Maniac'

Flirts with cheesy, hints at depth.

However, if 'Maniac' were cheesy it would be slashploitation of the worst kind. So, considering Elijah Wood decided to portray a knife-wielding killer and director Franck Khalfoun saw something worthwhile in William Lustig's 1980 original (Khalfoun could easily have made a cheesy B slasher without referencing a source) it seems within the realm of possibility 'Maniac' has a spine with a protagonist who has layers.

They don't come along often. 'Maniac' may be the rare exception.























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'Pacific Rim' Drifting Explained

Fairly good hook. Original, intriguing. That two people must meld minds in order to fight a monster is a pretty effective allegory of our need to work together to solve global problems. That each character faces the demons locked away in memory, and these memories are known to another person in their totality, will resonate with audiences.

Lot of potential in this movie. So much. If 'Pacific Rim' delivers the depth of story it hints at we'll have a great new franchise. Sort of 'Transformers with Soul'.
























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A Worthy Villian

Zod makes Superman come to life. 'Man of Steel' will be a successful reboot simply because Zod can't be rounded up by S with ease. Zod can't be dropped into a prison and kept in a special cell for 'super villains'. There will be a fight worth watching.

I had my doubts but, now, the only thing we have to worry about is sustainability. Will future movies in this (new) franchise work as well as 'Man of Steel'. If they keep inventing bad guys as good as Zod then they'll have a chance. Slip into Lex Luthor mode again and it's all over.

























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'Delivery Man' Trailer

Perfect role for Vince Vaughn.
























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Best Thing You'll See Today: Trailer for 'The Kings of Summer'

Yeah, trailers, clips, etc., for this flick are always the best thing you'll see on any given day.

























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Straight From The 70s Trailer For 'Blood Ties'

Wow, man. Like, groovy. I can dig this. Totally.

From writer/director Guillaume Canet, who did a very nice job with 'Tell No One' (which is being remade with Ben Affleck at the helm).

Cast is great: Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, Lili Taylor, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, James Caan, and Clive Owen. Must-see just for them.





















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'Now You See Me' Clip

Not bad.






















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Chewy Trailer for 'Byzantium'

Such a good evening in.
























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'After Earth' Extended Clip/Will Smith Interview

We've seen the beginning of the clip but this is an extended version.

I don't get how the kid (Jaden Smith) could run away from a bunch of angry monkeys (who had evolved to kill humans). Wouldn't they overtake him within seconds?

So far, the action in 'After Earth' seems tailored for young kids despite being rated PG-13, and too simplistic for adults while being too swashbuckling for older teens.

Ads will have to get edgier if this is going to appeal to a broad audience, especially considering the competing movies, which all show more focus.

Opens May 31 against 'Now You See Me', 'Byzantium', and 'Epic', with 'Fast & Furious' still a draw in its 2nd week.
























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New Trailer for 'Europa Report'

Even for fans who have seen it all, for the most jaded, this is enthralling. You can't take your eyes off it. 'Europa Report' could be one of the smartest, most entertaining flicks of the year.

Wow.





















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Trailer for 'The Young and Prodigious Spivet'

This kind of thing doesn't work often but, when it does, it's charming or, at least captivating. Coming from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amélie, Delicatessen, Alien: Resurrection) I'll assume Spivet will be, at the least, engaging.

























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Next Trailer for 'Pacific Rim'

I don't think you can watch a movie like this without a $15 bucket of popcorn. With lots of that 'butter-like' topping. And one of those bathtub-sized sodas.

So electric. So blue. So loud. So wtf. Should be fun.























.

Trailer for 'Last Vegas' -- Like Getting Drunk and Electrocuted at the Same Time

If it works it'll be way fun. Don't know about the four newbies, though.

























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'Planes' Footage

This works.
























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'Now You See Me' Clip -- Too Busy, Ridiculous, No Fun

Everything I've seen from 'Now You See Me' so far has been cut like a gem but this scene is hard to watch, especially the ham-fisted direction of Mark Ruffalo, who usually brings such fresh rendition of character it can be the single best thing about a given movie. I realize this approach is needed for this type piece but it plays so forced. A little icky.

(That said though, it occurs to me that Ruffalo is still the best thing about this scene...)

Nonetheless, this is director Louis Leterrier's way, his method. His movies, especially the 'Transporter' series, are marked by an overly expressive, tad too articulate, more or less on-the-nose handling of character -- shiny to the point of making it hard to see anything else -- which, to be sure, may have been the correct and necessary way, but wasn't what I was looking forward to from 'Now You See Me'.

If the whole movie is like this it'll be a long sit. Still, hoping this works, hoping this scene (for whatever reason) is the exception. Then again, that's just my opinion. People may love this sparkle.






















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Chase Jarvis Shoots For Samsung Monitors

Jarvis did a promo for the Samsung Series 9 monitor. Above is the image, here's the making-of vid.






















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Trailer for 'V/H/S 2' -- Better Than Most Horror Movies In Their Entirety

Sure, it's just a trailer so there may be a bit of arc missing, some character development we have to guess about, and massive plot holes -- but that's normal for this kind of movie. So, yes, this trailer is more scary and intense than most horror movies can manage in their entire runtime.

It's that good.























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A Look At The Music Of 'Star Trek Into Darkness'

Just a minute or so.





















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Are You Good Enough For 'Elysium'?

Hokey but gets the point across. I took the test, answering unfair questions best I could...

However, the result wasn't kind. I'll have to break into the place if I want the sweet life, then they can make a movie about me. That rocks.

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Trailer for 'Riddick'

Was not too excited about this one as 'The Chronicles of Riddick' didn't do that much for me, but this trailer is very good.
























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A Public Service Message from 'Z'

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Charming Lovely Trailer(s) for 'About Time'

No, really. Without pretense, yet avoids the hard-sell. Guileless, but not pretentiously so. Existential, yet...(ready?)...fun.

Simply, a delight. Wow.

Here's the US trailer.



Here's the international version.

























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'Despicable Me 2' Gets a Nice Poster

Just plain works.

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Gotta-See Trailer for Robin Wright's 'The Congress'

With Harvey Keitel, Paul Giamatti, and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Wow. If this works it'll be a lot of fun.






















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James Franco's 'As I Lay Dying'

Ambitious. Could be a rewarding experience, but probably not for the average viewer. Still, something tells me, especially considering Franco directed (from his own adapted screenplay), this will be must-watch for cinephiles.


























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Rock Solid Trailer for 'Fruitvale Station'

A very confident first outing by director/writer Ryan Coogler. One of those movies from which any given few seconds are so good they practically stand on their own.

Must-see.























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Must-See Trailer for 'The Wall' (Die Wand)

Yeah, within the first few seconds I was thinking 'The Dome: Lite' but this creeps up on you. A bit from Jonathan Romney's review:

• You don’t see many films that so overtly address the Human Condition – with capital letters – as intense, contemplative Alpine drama The Wall (Die Wand), essentially a one-woman turn by German star Martina Gedeck. But, if you can buy the bizarre metaphorical premise that gets the film going, then Julian Roman Pölsler’s spectacularly-shot, highly intelligent adaptation of Marlen Haushofer’s early 1960s bestseller is riveting and emotionally involving from start to finish, though offering few conventional narrative pleasures. 

In general, that's the tone of most reviews.

If complex, subtle movies are your thing 'The Wall' would probably make for a rewarding evening.
























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Wow. Trailer for 'Gravity'

I'll start the popcorn. So good. So damn good.





















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The Not-So-Great Gatsby Reviews

I get the Schmoes. Exactly what I was expecting.



But, Jahns... Hits the nail on the head. Precisely. It's about Baz Luhrmann's colorful directing choices. How he chose to handle the actors. That's what we see frame to frame. That's what people will find strange.





















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Interview with JJ Abrams, Simon Pegg, and Damon Lindelof

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Baz Luhrmann Explains

I don't get the style of acting/directing here. Very 50's.

This will not appeal to a younger audience. May do well as a rental or on TV, etc., but theaters will be empty.
























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Fun Fun Trailer for 'Under the Bed'

Spoiler: It's about a monster under the bed.






















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Trailer for Tom Hanks' 'Captain Phillips'

Directed by Paul Greengrass from a script by Billy Ray (The Hunger Games, 24, The Mummy Reboot).

Based on the book 'A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea', by Richard Phillips with Stephan Talty about the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama.

I want to see this if, for nothing else, to see how they setup the take-out by Navy SEALs. Astounding bit of shooting, that.
























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Audacious, Ridiculous, Way Fun Beginning of 'Now You See Me'

Almost stupid, but you won't be able to take your eyes off this.

























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'FF6' Featurette

With a couple seconds new footage. Worth checking out.




















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Poster for 'Gravity'

Kind of cartoony but, still, I like it. I like everything about this movie. Director/writer, actors -- apparently Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are the only people in the movie. There are voices heard on radios but that's it. And, yes, I like that. That is cool.

I like the title. Simple, yet with a certain weight or...gravity.

I like the tag: Don't let go. Nice. Simple, understated yet with a certain...gravity.

Yeah. I like this.

We got a few seconds of footage today so there should be a trailer very soon.

I like that.

'Gravity' is so good that, even if it sucks, it will be very good.

How often does that happen? I like that that's the case.






















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Must-Watch Trailer for 'Somm'

What does it take to become a Master Sommelier.



























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New 'Inside Llewyn Davis' Trailer

Irresistible. Especially the cat. Love the cat.
























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In Case You Were Wondering Here's a Review of 'Star Trek Into Darkness'

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'Europa Report' Reminder

Just to let us know this is on the horizon. Seems exactly the same footage we saw, what was it? months ago, but there may be a few seconds new stuff toward the end.

With the poster coming out yesterday and now this we should get a real trailer soon. Looking very confident, which isn't always the case at this stage, so I'm hopeful.





















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'The Butler' Announces Its Intent

I can't think of another director who gets as much from actors as Lee Daniels. Even in this trailer the specialness of the performances is apparent. They rise to the occasion and that makes Daniels' movies must-see no matter who is in them or what they are about.

Eugene Allen. Photo by Kevin Clark for The Washington Post

'The Butler' is based on the career of White House butler Eugene Allen and the article about him by Wil Haygood for The Washington Post.

Here's the beginning of that article:

For more than three decades Eugene Allen worked in the White House, a black man unknown to the headlines. During some of those years, harsh segregation laws lay upon the land. 

He trekked home every night, his wife, Helene, keeping him out of her kitchen. 

At the White House, he worked closer to the dirty dishes than to the large desk in the Oval Office. Helene didn't care; she just beamed with pride. 

President Truman called him Gene. 

President Ford liked to talk golf with him. 

He saw eight presidential administrations come and go, often working six days a week. "I never missed a day of work," Allen says. 

His is a story from the back pages of history. A figure in the tiniest of print. The man in the kitchen. 

He was there while America's racial history was being remade: Brown v. Board of Education, the Little Rock school crisis, the 1963 March on Washington, the cities burning, the civil rights bills, the assassinations. 

When he started at the White House in 1952, he couldn't even use the public restrooms when he ventured back to his native Virginia. "We had never had anything," Allen, 89, recalls of black America at the time. "I was always hoping things would get better."

Obviously, this film could go all the way.






















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'[REC] 4' Rolls Out a Trailer

Just a review of what we've already seen, until the very end. Not bad, has potential.






















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'Ender's Game' Puts Its Cards On The Table

Nice eye candy, but doesn't seem to catch. Not the greatest first trailer. Close, though. Waiting...





















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Vortex of Souls

This just works.

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'Europa Report' Gets A Poster

Yeah, I'm liking everything about this flick so far.





















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Jeff Bridges Talks Photography

NYT has a roundup of Bridges' work that went up a couple days ago on their 'Lens' blog (one of the best daily reads).

Here's a very cool video with Bridges, who will receive an award from the International Center of Photography. Must-see for fans of 'The Big Lebowski' (starting at about 6:00).

Really, though, this is a must-watch for fans of plain ole good work.



Here's his site






















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Oooooh! Hypnotic 'Now You See Me' Animated Poster! Oooooooh!

You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie 
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie 
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie 
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie
You want to see this movie  


























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FF6 clips

Yeah! Don't touch that.



And, now for more abuse than anybody could take and remain conscious let alone continue to fight.



No, wait. This is more abuse than anybody could take and remain conscious let alone continue to fight. Apologies.






















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Danny Boyle on the Continuing Death of Cinema

Soderbergh and others have chimed in over the last week or so about the dumbing-down of movies, now Danny Boyle adds his two cents.






















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60's Style Clip from 'Kiss of the Damned'

Very 60's, kind of 70's. The flash intercut (is that the right term?) is not used anymore. Not surprising coming from Xan Cassavetes. Very classy, elegant.

One of those flicks you pull off the shelf from time to time. 
























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Like High School All Over

I guess you have to appeal to all audiences.


























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Steven Soderbergh on Cinema vs Movies and the Future of Film

Worth a couple minutes. From the 56th San Francisco Film Festival.

Is it me or is Steven doing Michael Douglas? I'm getting a lot of Michael Douglas throughout the whole presentation. It's subtle, but there. He did just direct 'Behind the Candelabra'...






















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'White House Down' Trailer 2

Works on every level (it was intended to work on). Even the setup is viable. I like.





















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New 'Star Trek' Footage

Looking better all the time. I'm impressed.























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'Twenty Feet From Stardom'

A lot of fun. Looking forward.




























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New Trailer for 'The Conjuring'

Something sets this apart from the pack.

























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Trailer for 'Girl Most Likely' aka 'Imogene'

Yeah, 'Imogene'. Sad. But, now we're blessed with 'Girl Most Likely' -- much better, waiting for the new poster.

Trailers are good. They have that 'could go either way' vibe, but I'll look the other way for now. (To me, this is must-see).

Here's the Euro cut.



Here's the 'Merican version.

























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Von Trier's Latest Splash

The guy lives large. Thing is, though, with all the maneuverings, he delivers very engaging films, so at least it's worth it in the end.

Anyway, his 'Nymphomaniac' is coming soon...according to the poster.



























































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'The Look Of Love'

Ridiculous title, great looking film.

























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Hangover 3 Poster Just Plain Works

Simple, effective. Nice. And, funny? Totally.

(Oh, and, Heather Graham is in this? Now, I'll watch.)

"Are you my real dad?"

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Star Trek Snippets

This one is nicely turned.



This one is nicely turned, too. Turning and turning. Not bad.





















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Latest 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Featurette Tells Quite A Tale

This isn't even between-the-lines.
























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Baz Luhrmann Talks Gatsby

Boy, is Baz intense. However, I don't see audiences caring as much as Luhrmann does. Nonetheless, differences in passion set aside, at :25 Luhrmann strikes upon the main problem with this story -- it was published in 1925. While he may have a burning desire to convey to us how readers felt when the novel first appeared, Luhrmann can't really expect a contemporary audience to find such stuff of interest.

It occurs to me this may have been more appropriate on HBO or some other network, run over a period of a week or so, one hour at a time, give or take. That could have worked.

As is, considering the movie cost over $100 million, this comes off as a bit of a hard sell.
























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