Friday, August 30, 2013

Here's A Story

'Linsanity'. Love that.






















Thursday, August 29, 2013

Mitty Soars

It's hard to come up with good posters. So many are flat, predictable. This one works. Captures what the flick is about.

I'm liking this movie.





















































Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Non-Digital, Gritty

'Getaway' will make money. This should come in #1. They've put together something people want to see.

How, though, is this different from 'Fast/Furious' and why should it draw an audience? I think it's the realness of the stunts. We're just tired of CGI, too-smooth, weird looking action. Not that FF is loaded with CGI, but... Okay, so that leads me to the next thing -- It's not as comic-bookish as FF. Real? Realistic? Maybe not, but more real than FF.

There's also a level of immersion in the action that comes from having all those cameras. An average of 25-30 per take? That's coverage. I think people will respond.

That begs the question -- FF doesn't immerse the viewer? Not so much. There's a distance to the FF camera work (possibly due to striving to avoid destroying expensive cameras). FF has a gloss 'Getaway' doesn't have. Slick and clean vs. gritty and messy.

Then, there's the nature of antagonism. In FF, it's operatic. Gang vs. gang. Kinda impersonal, kinda so-what. In 'Getaway' it's mano a mano, albeit via video uplink. I think people want to see that. The 'Voice' vs. this poor slob in a muscle car. Audiences will want to see how that turns out.



















Another Mesmerizing Trailer for 'The Turning'

It's got a natural energy I wouldn't expect from this kind of effort. It flows, but without trying. 





















Tuesday, August 27, 2013

A Remake That's Looks Better Than The Original

It's weird. Yes. Especially considering how good 'Somos Lo Que Hay' was. Jim Mickle directs (the original was directed by Jorge Michel Grau).

Mickle did good work visually with 'Stake Land' and the footage here is totally nailed down. Reviews are good.



















Come On. He Kills The Monster While Saving A Puppy?

I guess standard-issue heroics aren't enough anymore. Movie is looking good, though.

























'Dallas Buyers Club' Trailer

Massive. Wow. Matthew McConaughey is so money right now. Good to see Jennifer Garner again.





















New Trailer for 'Carrie'

Eeesh, this looks good. Love the look at 2:22. Nice, contemporary, scary. Music works well.























Monday, August 26, 2013

Kevin Spacey Re: TV/Movies/Content/Story And Giving The Viewer What They Want

If you haven't seen this it pretty much sums it up.






















Asian and German Trailers for 'Captain Phillips'

Nicely done and, yes, better than what we got though the voice work in the German trailer isn't very smooth.
























Friday, August 23, 2013

'The Monuments Men' Poster -- Sometimes, All You Need To Do Is Show Who's In The Movie

It's like that poster for 'Last Vegas' we got a couple days ago. Just a shot of the leads dressed for a night on the town. And, because of who they are, the shot works, sells the movie.

Same here. Maybe not as much focus, but it works. Well, let's put it this way: If this poster doesn't sell the movie nothing will (probably).




































































The Buzz Of The Day: You Know Who Will Play You Know Who

I guess I'm not an expert. I'm first to admit -- I ain't no fanboy. Don't have the vocabulary, don't know the storylines, don't...really...care.

And, sure, Jeremy Jahns is erudite to say the least. The guy knows his geeky stuff. However, I disagree. Ben Affleck strikes me as the perfect Batman. Thinking about it though, as Jahns mentions toward the end of the video, Affleck makes the perfect Bruce Wayne...but Batman? Maybe, not so much. I'll give him that.

The thing I don't get, for sure, is the tentative title of this flick: 'Batman vs. Superman'. Wha? How does Batman fight Superman? (I'll give you a moment).

Nonetheless, I'm willing to wait and see. I'm thinking they'll knock it out of the park. And, if not (please, no) Affleck can start his comeback all over again.


























Thursday, August 22, 2013

'All The Boys Love Mandy Lane' -- Finished in 2006, Coming to Theaters October 11 (2013)

That's right. Finally. Mandy Lane arrives this October, in time for Halloween. Ooooh.





















'Thanks for Sharing' International Trailer

It's the perfect blend of indie sensibility and commercial appeal. Plus, it just looks smart. (Thinking about it, that's not such a tough thing these days).

And, that cast. Love Mark Ruffalo. He nails every role to the floor. The guy could recite the alphabet and audiences would be slack-jawed. Gwyneth Paltrow is fairly radiant. She and Ruffalo click. Tim Robbins brings all that technique (I thought he quit or something).

Director Stuart Blumberg is trustworthy here, with this subject. Come on, the guy wrote 'The Kids Are Alright', and there's something about him that says, "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing with this."

And that story: A sex addict in group sessions meets hot babe and is afraid of their relationship being ruined by his condition. That can't have a pat ending. Can't. Not possible. Like, just what ending could you tack onto this that people could see coming?

'Thanks for Sharing' has to be good. Has to. Therapy starts 9/20.




















Another 'Dark' Film? Enough With The Dark.

This one is 'Monsters: Dark Continent' which is about the dumbest title I've heard in a while. But, the footage is good.

Gareth Edwards is executive producer. TV showrunner Tom Green directs.

























Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A Gripping Featurette?

These are usually pure fluff. I almost fall asleep in the middle of most. Not this one. Gotta say, it's involving to say the least. 'Gripping', maybe not. How could it be? That might be going too far. But, it's close.

Glimpses of footage, with its deep blue cast that turns any time of day into gloomiest twilight, are chilling. Very nice camera work from cinematographer Eduard Grau and director David M. Rosenthal.

Sam Rockwell is transcendental. Who else could make a drawling hillbilly (his word, not mine) so compelling?

The kind of flick I love to curl up with on a rainy night with the windows open just a bit.





















Title and Plot A Little Cheesy But, Wow, Classy Poster

Maybe I shouldn't call it cheesy. 'Last Vegas' isn't that bad a play on words and the plot (okay, with four older leading men I don't need to spell out the plot) could make for a fun time. Could be cheesy beyond belief, but could be fun.

However, the understated grace and elegance of this poster sells me completely on the movie. We get so many bad posters it's such a relief to see one done this well. And, even if we didn't get so many bad posters it's still good to see one this cool.

These guys look great.

Now, all we need is a better trailer than the ones we've gotten and it's a done deal.












































































'Parkland' Trailer

I never would have thought this could be compelling. But it is. Can't wait.

























Tuesday, August 20, 2013

International Pressure-Cooker Trailer for 'The Counselor'

If the movie delivers what the trailer promises it'll work. It'll be good.





















'Taken' With Fast Cars -- aka -- 'Getaway'

It's the line at the end of the trailer -- "First I'm coming for my wife, then I'm coming for you" -- that reminds me of the 'Taken' setup. And, hearing it for the first time in this trailer, I'm struck that they may hope for this to kick off a franchise. Though, how exactly you'd manage to get this structure in more than one movie -- guy with a fast car races to complete tasks in time while a guy threatens his wife/family -- I don't know, but that's what they're hinting at.

Although, the protag could wrap things up nicely by robbing the bank, then managing to get the 'voice' all in one movie, but that's asking a lot. It's looking like Voice may appear in another movie...'Getaway 2'.

Still, trailer moves at a clip and the action has that 70s grit, that realness people miss, and Ethan Hawke has cred right now. This could score.



















Monday, August 19, 2013

The Best Thing On The Web Right Now -- 'Squirrels'

"Hold on to your nuts." Gotta love that.
























Friday, August 16, 2013

What's Going To Happen Next

David Lowery has a command of the medium. It shows in every second of footage I've seen from 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints'.

Anne Thompson did an interview with the director (very worth watching) in which he said he wanted each shot to have a purpose, and you certainly feel that. I haven't seen pure fluff shots from Lowery.

Lowery shoots so that you want to know what's just out of frame. How that is an indicator of good camera work I don't know, but I've noticed the same sort of thing in (good) movies that aren't shot with classical camera technique -- ones that use a lot of hand-held camera. Conversely, if you're wondering what's out of frame in a movie with classical camera work, it's often a sign of poor framing (although there must be times when everything is done just so and you still want to know what's out of frame).

Thompson mentions how Lowery has been compared to Terrence Malick. You can see the similarity but, to me, Lowery's work has more forward motion. You wonder what's going to happen next.

Malick's camera often meanders. Lowery's camera just looks like it's meandering when, really, it's purposeful and precise.























Thursday, August 15, 2013

(Really Nice) International Poster for '2 Guns'

I guess it's the international poster cause the movie's played here. And, again, as usual, this one sheet beats the hell out of what we got. Remember this cringer?



























Generic design (or lack of it. This is just a still from the movie with some added graphics), action-y helicopter and money with post-production blur smeared on, and -- yeah -- that's about it unless you count the way big font title that barely fits in frame.

Here's the international take. Nice. Graphic. Elegant. Seriously. I'd put this on the wall. Our version? Just crumple it up and toss it over your shoulder.

Why is this stuff too good for the US market? Why? Are we so effing vapid that a nicely designed poster would be a waste? You gotta wonder...


























































Beautiful, Elegant, Smart

'Blue Caprice' has a stillness. There's a smoothness and power, and yes, an underlying eeriness.


I like how the make and color of the car used by John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo yields a title with double entendre.

The definition of caprice from Merriam-Webster:

a: a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action

b : a sudden usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changes
 

I like the poster, too. There's a quiet energy -- peaceful and unsettling. The main characters are marginalized, almost out of frame. They seem dejected and look to be considering something of some weight. Storm clouds hover.









































Wednesday, August 14, 2013

'Don Jon' Strikes Again

Man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has hit it out of the park. Scarlett Johansson never looked better. And, Tony Danza is in this? With Julianne Moore?

This even has a story with potentially excellent subtext -- the whole 'movies vs. reality' thing. Engaging. Well thought out.

'Don Jon' is cruising. Wow. Must-see.

























Tuesday, August 13, 2013

What Is 'The Further' And Why Should We Care?

This is such a throwback to the pysch-horror of the 70s and 80s. Think 'Phantasm' mashed with 'Flatliners'.

I like it. This featurette gives me doubts, makes me wonder. It's just that anytime you have to explain the premise of a movie, especially a horror flick, it's not a good thing. You should be able to hit the ground running when it comes to plot details and the world the story takes place in. There just isn't enough time for explaining stuff in genre flicks. There may have been in the 70s and 80s but today's audience doesn't want to sit through that. Not so much.

All in all, 'Insidious 2' isn't looking as organic as the first one. But still, I like it. I'm willing to give this a shot.



















A Threesome Is...Two Thousand Bucks

Yeah, this puts a smile on your face. Charming. Don't like the title much but, charming.
























Monday, August 12, 2013

Arresting Image

This, at least, makes me wonder what they've got. The tag: "The JFK assassination as you've never seen it before," is a pretty tall order.






















































Thursday, August 08, 2013

Drop Everything Trailer for 'The Monuments Men'

Wow. My life is worth living again.



















How Often is a Trailer Engrossing?

Really. This looks stunning. This made me forget I was watching a trailer. Doesn't happen often.

What a story. Can't wait.



















Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Lots Of Potential

There isn't a second of this trailer that isn't completely assured, compelling. It all, moment to moment, holds so much promise of a good story, gratifying movie experience. The editing, even the music, is just right.

Looks like Ridley Scott has delivered. Can't wait.





















Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Nice Clips

Ridley Scott's 'The Counselor' is looking very good. Not just tonality, potential depth of story, character, etc., but they way it looks. The picture. It's great.

This was shot on the Red Epic with Panavision and Angenieux lenses. Not like that's new, but here, for some reason, the look is different. Wonderful clarity/separation in colors with both controlled highs and fairly deep lows all in the same shots. I wonder if there's a reason or if I'm imagining things. Could it be a frame-rate/shutter speed combo? New glass? New sensor?

Maybe it's just a new codec from YouTube. I heard Google was rolling one out.

Looking forward to seeing this on the big screen. Would not want to watch at home without know what it looked like in theater.

























Monday, August 05, 2013

'Don Jon' Sneaking Up

We get a new still and poster. Due September 27. I'm betting it'll be one of the best of the year.

























































Saturday, August 03, 2013

More Action, Less Social Commentary

Everybody knows Neill Blomkamp's movies are loaded with social commentary. That may have worked for 'District 9' but with 'Elysium' the idea hasn't added much. I'd say it's drained some of the energy from the campaign.

Here, though, we finally get a trailer for the masses. Looking for pure action? This sells 'Elysium' as just that.

Thing is, buzz is flat and I'm thinking it's a bit too late. This should have been the first trailer. They should have sold the movie up front as a popcorn action flick then let on just how much of a 99%-us-vs.-them vibe it has later on, once prospective audiences were locked in.

But, better late than never. This is the best 'Elysium' trailer so far.























Okay, I'll Watch. Trailer for Diablo Cody's 'Paradise'























Some don't like her. Not sure why. I think it's because she was a stripper and that rubs people the wrong way. Actually, I think it's because she started out like the average person and is now a Hollywood player.

I like Diablo Cody. She can write. 'Young Adult' and 'Juno' have a spine, a core, ring true, are entertaining, and fairly irresistible. 'Jennifer's Body' I don't know about, haven't seen it. But, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on that one. 

Can Cody direct? Not so sure. But, I'm sure she can at least point the camera in the right direction, get coverage, then let someone edit it all together into something cohesive. And, when the script is by a writer like Cody, that's about all the directing technique you need.

'Paradise' is Cody's directorial debut and the only way I have to judge it is that, watching the trailer, I cared and actually wanted to get to know the character, a Las Vegas bartender, played by Russell Brand. So what, you ask. Well, I don't connect with Brand. I don't like anything he's done up till now. Not that he's a bad actor, per se, it's that his method of bringing a character to life has never meant anything to me. Brand could do a great job yet there's something about him, his personality or acting chops, that yields a portrayal with no traction. It's just like air. There's nothing there.

That said, watching this trailer I did, in fact, like Brand's work and wanted to see where things went with his character. As for the rest of the cast, well, they're fine. I have no qualms with them. I'll go where ever they take me. However, when a director can make me care about an actor whose very presence in a movie had in the past made it a write-off for me, that's got to be considered a good thing.

As such, even if Cody lacks a technical approach to directing she has a great way with actors. And, besides, she could be a great technical director. So, if that's the case, it's a win-win.

So, because there's something in the way Diablo Cody directs and/or Russell Brand's reaction to her script, that made his performance so compelling even in this short trailer, yeah, I'll watch 'Paradise'. When a guy as (previously) off-putting as Russell Brand makes you want to see a movie and, in large part, is the most compelling reason for wanting to see the movie aside from intangibles like the involvement of a very cool writer and first-time director, that is simply something you can't ignore.






















Friday, August 02, 2013

Remember, It's "Lee Daniels' The Butler"










































Yeah, Daniels has a way with actors. They respond to him. You can see it frame to frame.

I don't usually go for this kind of bio pic but (Lee Daniels' [Don't wanna get busted for copyright infringement]) The Butler has something special. This has awards bait written all over it and, stylistically, plot-wise, camera-wise, doesn't look special, but those performances... They rise above.

The poster is much the same. The lead character is literally draped in the American flag, yet it works, doesn't come off hokey. Nice graphic. Gets the job done.

I think people will respond. Gotta see this.





















.

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Sometimes, Something Good Comes Along. Trailer for 'All is Lost'

Watching this reminds me how good movies can be. Wow.





















.

Remember, It's A Red Band Trailer

Are they trying too hard or does it really flow? I wonder.

Trailer is good, though. I'll give it that.





















.

Blog Archive