Hook, Line, and Sinker Review of 'Lincoln'

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Not Exactly Verbal Sparring

More like pure blunt force tit for tat.

Tommy Lee Jones shimmers just so, doesn't he. He portrays Thaddeus Stevens. Could the guy have said such things? Looking at his picture I'd say so.

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UK Trailer for 'Lincoln'

Less stirring than the first trailer but keys you in as to what to expect with perhaps more detail than needed. Next cut should be more emotional, have less political maneuvering, otherwise people might opt for renting and not turn out at the theater. That's a tall order for this movie, I suppose.

















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Very Assured

It takes guts to release a trailer like this but I'm thinking 'Lincoln' may be strong enough of a movie to justify it.






















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"Shall We Stop This Bleeding"

Posters have left me cold. Stills haven't charmed. I've wondered whether anyone would want to see 'Lincoln'. This trailer, though, is so lush, so rich, it topples doubt and dismantles skepticism.

Yes, all the Spielberg markers are present -- the smooth camera technique, the usual excellent production value, etc. -- but here they seem fresh. Imagery is vibrant, alive. Sets impress despite that we've seen such spectacle time and time again. The music of John Williams is as familiar as ever but renewed (if not reinvented), and fitting, moving. And, of course, the performances...really, as focused as you'd expect and there's no surprise in that, but it strikes me there is more here. Why that might be is anyone's guess, but it caught me off guard.

This trailer is so enticing. It doesn't try, doesn't attempt to sell -- it promises. I don't believe anyone will go into the theater with fingers crossed, hoping the movie delivers, as is so often the case this time of year with one glossy campaign after another for movies that don't quite live up to the hype.

With this trailer, 'Lincoln' would seem to be a sure thing. I suppose, though, it's more correct to say, "'Lincoln' is a sure thing."

I'm betting folks will be swept away.




















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Poster for 'Lincoln'

I'm somewhat at a loss as to what would be better but this poster doesn't do much for me. The white background, for one, seems wrong. Wouldn't a more sober color work better? I do like that Day-Lewis is in profile, though -- that works.



























The resolution is off as well. It seems way over sharpened and it's pixelated. Don't know why they'd go out with such a compromised image. Are they going for some old look to maintain verisimilitude? 

Don't know what good that level of rez does. It just looks bad. All in all this first poster probably does little to create anticipation for the movie.

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First Look at Daniel Day-Lewis as 'Lincoln'

Convincing. That's a pretty deep crimson, though -- seems oversaturated. I'm guessing the color is for the still and the movie won't look like that. Also, looking at it, the dynamic range seems too wide. Never mind, I'm sure the movie will be on the bleached side.

All that aside, yes, convincing. A good first look.

This would be the balcony at Ford's Theatre? Looks to be. I've actually visited. Small, cramped.

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