You saw the trailer for John Carter. You saw the superbowl TV spot. You saw the commercials. You were not interested in this movie at all. Rightly so - it had one of the worst marketing campaigns I'd ever seen. It looked ridiculous. It looked incomprehensible. It looked like every sci-fi movie ever made, a rehash of everything we've seen before. Heck, the arena scene looks like it was pulled exactly from another terrible film: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Who wants to go watch a movie that looks like all of this? No one. No one in the US anyways. Hence why a 250 Million Dollar movie only made 30 million during its opening weekend. The marketing was terrible.
Yet everyone should have wanted to see this movie. It had a significant amount of things going for it, all of which were ignored by the marketing campaign. Let's name a few...
- Directed by Andrew Stanton, the guy who made Finding Nemo and Wall-E
- Based on book series that defined all of science fiction as we know it today (Star Wars, Avatar, everything)
- Guy who wrote original book also created another popular character: Tarzan
- Written by a Pulitzer Prize and Hugo Award winner
- The story is actually about a Civil War soldier. It is grounded in the real world, with sci-fi thrown in after the first 20 minutes or so. The trailers make it look like all crazy sci-fi.
Let's give it another shot though shall we? Check out this Fan-made trailer below.
Okay, now THAT is a movie that I want to go see. Hollywood's marketing was awful, yet a fan can hit all the emotional points and other things that make a person want to go see this movie.
Hollywood: 0
Fans: 1
Note: I haven't seen John Carter yet. I've heard very mixed things on it. I want to see it sometime though.
January and February are notorious for their terrible movies, mostly because that's where Hollywood decides to throw all their trash every year. This year we actually had a few decent movies (supposedly, I never saw them sadly): The Grey, Chronicle, and Haywire, among others. Still, all of those even had pretty mixed reactions. With January and February officially behind us though, it's time to actually start getting excited about movies again. To help you out, I'm starting a short segment listing movies you need to be looking forward to this year, broken down by category. Also, each segment will likely only list movies coming out within a month of or two of when the segment being posted. Hence why I'm not bringing up movies like The Avengers, Prometheus, or Lincoln yet. Witha ll that being said, let's get started!
The Hard to Ignore
The Hunger Games (March 23rd)
Admit it, you've read the books, or at least some of them. You've been sucked in to this simple, often annoying, yet completely addictive sci-fi teen fiction series. It's fantastic. I just started reading book 2 last night and found myself staying up far too late because of it. Now we're just nine days away from the movies' release, and my excitement is growing. Initially, I was entirely unexcited for this movie, but as more and more leaks get released from people who have seen it, I can't help but be enthusiastic. Word on the movie-blog street is that it's great, potentially even a new sci-fi classic. If you're already sick of hearing about this series, if you're getting flashbacks of the Twilight craze, here's a word of warning: It's just going to get worse. Buckle up and prepare to get annoyed by the fans. However, the best thing you can do is just to give up, give in, read the books and go see this movie when it comes out. You won't be disappointed. At least... I hope you won't be. (please be a good movie... )
The Ones You Haven't Heard Of
The Raid: Redemption (March 23rd)
Are you sick of all these wimpy action movies with tons of CGI explosions, fake fighting robots, terrible acting, and nothing but english speakers? Well this will probably be the movie for you. Once again, the press has been going crazy for this thing. It actually came out a year or two ago (or at least that's when it was first seen), and it's gotten nothing but praise. The way I've heard it described goes like this: "You know how most action movies have a few cool scenes here and there, then the last 15 or 20 minutes of the movie are the really awesome cool part? Well, those like 15 or 20 minutes of most action movies are spread out to about 80% of this movie. It's pure adrenaline." If you don't mind heavier violence and you didn't think that trailer above was awesome enough, I suggest you watch the original trailer instead. It will blow your mind. To pieces. Many pieces. I want to make trailers like that... [trailer music is everything, that one gets it right]
Moonrise Kingdom (May 16th)
Wes Anderson. Enough said. The genius behind The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Royal Tenenbaums, and my favorite, The Darjeeling Limited, is back at it again. The funny thing is, I'm rarely ever incredible excited to see his movies, but every time I see one I absolutely love it. Sometimes the topic at hand appears strange and uninteresting (like Moonrise Kingdom), and yet, even then I find that I end up loving them. He isn't to be ignored. If you're ever looking for the definition of the word "quirky," watch a Wes Anderson movie.
The Not So Unnecessary
Titanic 3D (April 6th)
At about this point, you're seriously questioning a lot of things about me. I beg you not to dismiss this movie. Yes, it has some very corny scenes that have been made fun of in pop culture to no end. Yes it's a sappy love story. Yes it's being re-released in theaters in the completely unnecessary 3D format. Put all of that aside though. It's a genuinely great movie that has only been brought down BECAUSE of societies jokes. At the time, and for over a decade after, it was the highest grossing movie of all time because loved it. Now that it's been 15 years since its original release, there are many many people that have never even seen it. Releasing it in theaters again may seem like a moneygrab, but I don't have a problem with giving people all over he world an opportunity to see something in theaters that they've never seen before, or to re-create the theatrical experience of a great movie again. I say we should bring older movies back to theaters more often.
Side note: I don't enjoy 3D in movies, but James Cameron knows how to do 3D. He's the one that brought us Avatar, and even people that don't like 3D an admit that he did a great job with it there. This movie WILL look good in 3D, and if I go see it I'll probably see it in 3D. But you should know, it's also being re-released without the 3D attached. So you aren't forced into 3D.
The Questionably Awesome
Cabin in the Woods (April 13th)
I don't like horror movies at all. But I love sci-fi, I love unique takes on things, I love being surprised, and I love Joss Whedon's writing. This has all of that. It takes a completely and very intentionally stereotypical premise and goes an entirely different direction with it. It looks like great campy fun and I'm really curious to see how the movie ends. Cabin In the Woods is another one of those movies that could have fallen into the category of being completely unnecessary, but I don't think so. We need this new take on things. Will it be good though? No clue. It could be the lamest movie of the year. It could be campy to the point of becoming unbearable. I hope none of that is true though. I hope this movie exceeds expectations. It better, especially if it has an awesome band like The Naked and Famous in the trailer.
And now, I bring you the top 10 movies I'm looking forward to in 2010 that currently have trailers out. I'm counting down, so if you're smart you'll realize that my #1 is the #1 movie I'm looking forward to and #10 is the #10 movie I'm looking forward to. Yeah. I'll just assume you're smart. Keep in mind, this is NOT a general list of movies I'm looking forward to most... it's ONLY for the ones that have trailers out right now.
10. Robin Hood
"Why is this so far down on your list, Andrew!?" Because. "Because what!?" Russell Crowe. Don't get me wrong, I like Russell Crowe, but I just don't see him as Robin Hood. At all. I see him as Maximus, especially when it's a movie that takes place in the distant past like this one. I just have my doubts. I don't have my doubts in Ridley Scott though. I know he can make a good movie. But can he make a great movie? Hmm. I will definitely see this one for curiosities sake alone, but I'm only slightly anticipating it. Potential Based on Trailer: 6.5/10
9. The Expendables
Stallone, Statham, Li, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Rourke... the cast for this movie is crazy. So crazy that it just might work. Stallone both wrote and directed this movie, which could be a little worrisome except that I actually enjoyed Rock Balboa, which he also wrote and directed himself. So I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Also, it just looks like a fun movie. I hope it is. Potential Based on Trailer: 7/10
8. The Last Airbender
If the current trend for Shyamalan movies says anything, The Last Airbender should be M. Night Shyamalan's worst movie yet. Each movie he has made has been progressively worse than the one before it, culminating in the atrocious The Happening. I hope the trend does not continue. Why? The show the movie is based on, Avatar (no film relation), is really really good. And I know Shyamalan can make really good movies; he has it in him to do it! I just hope he pulls this one off. Potential Based on Trailer: 8/10
7. Buried
This is the only arthouse movie in this list. It appeared at Sundance the other month and got a lot of glowing reviews. The whole movie takes place inside a coffin with Ryan Reynolds. How interesting could that possibly be? Supposedly it is interesting. I still doubt how it can be done, but that's all the more reason I'm excited to be blown away at them actually succeeding. Potential Based on Trailer: ??/10 (doesn't show enough)
6. Tron: Legacy
Admittedly, I've never watched the original Tron all the way through. I should probably do that. But I did play the first person video game, Tron 2.0, a few years ago, and loved it! The whole world of Tron is quite intriguing, and the trailer makes me think that Disney is actually keeping true to the world and the story and taking things seriously. What I'm looking forward to most in Tron: Legacy though are the special effects and the 3D. In fact, this is the only movie on my top 10 list where I'm anxious to see the 3D. It uses the same system James Cameron used in Avatar, and I'm very curious to see what someone else does with it. Potential Based on Trailer: 8/10
5. Iron Man 2
I'm iffy on this one. I'm not sure whether to keep it here on the list or throw it all the way down to #10. I loved the first Iron Man, and the preview for the sequel just turns me off for some reason. However, in the first Iron Man, Tony Stark was the overly cocky guy at the beginning of the movie, toned it down for the rest of the movie when he was being secretive, and then brought it back out in the last line of the movie. Thus, I guess Tony should act the way he does for the sequel because that's who he is. I really hope this one is good more than I actually think it will be though. Potential Based on Trailer: 6/10
4. Kick Ass
This is another big nerd movie that I find very appealing. It's an underdog story, it's violent, it looks hilarious, and it's a very skewed take on an overdone genre. Also, based on what people said coming out of Comic-Con last year, it's already being haled as a fantastically fun movie. Potential Based on Trailer: 8/10
3. Toy Story 3
There really isn't much to say about this one. It's Toy Story 3. It's the closing off of a story that first affected me 15 years ago when I was only 9 years old. To top that off, everyone knows Pixar can do no wrong. No wrong at all. Ever. Potential Based on Trailer: 9/10
2. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Edgar Wright directs this crazy looking film. He only has two big movies under his belt: Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I really like his style and humor, and Scott Pilgrim appears to be transferring a lot of that over. Outside of Edgar Wright, from what little I know about Scott Pilgrim, it appears to be a movie made for 15-30 year old males/females with nerd sensibilities. People outside of the range will probably think it looks stupid. I'm in that range though, thus the story greatly attracts me and the ridiculous nerdy obscure action is the icing on the cake. Potential Based on Trailer: 10/10
1. Inception
Two words: Christopher Nolan. Four movies: Memento, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight. He's easily one of my top 3 favorite directors alive right now. Every single one of his movies is perfectly made, extremely intelligent, and all have very dark themes. Inception looks to be no different. No one knows the story except that it involves crime and takes place in the human psyche. The trailer hardly tells us anything else. And Nolan wants to keep it that way. I cannot wait to go see this movie, more than any other movie coming out this year. Potential Based on Trailer: 8/10
Or so it feels like here lately! But there are two trailers I can't not share, and a third that I probably don't need to be I'm going to do it anyways.
First... my Movies I Think Will Be Awesome had a few titles at the bottom and some of them lacked trailers. Well, one of them now has a trailer. I give you Peter Jackson's next movie, The Lovely Bones:
Don't worry, after I saw the trailer I freaked out thinking that it was telling me way too much about the film. Apparently the mystery of the movie isn't who the killer is, it's how the girl is able to help her family solve the mystery from heaven... or something like that. The scenes of heaven definitely intrigue me. It's a very visually stunning and unique interpretation and I think I love what the trailer shows of it. Throw in Rachel Weisz and there is no way I'm not going to see this movie. Potential Based on Trailer: 8.5/10
Okay, trailer two, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus:
Notice something? Any famous actors? Heath Ledger was in the middle of filming this when he died last year. Luckily, and crazily randomly enough, the story is conducive to different people playing the same character. Thus, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Heath Ledger all play Tony, the protagonist. The movie looks visually crazy, and I'm not sure if it's actually going to be good or not, but it looks like it has a lot of potential, and I'll probably end up seeing it. Potential Based on Trailer: 8/10
And now, the second trailer for Where The Wild Things Are has been released. I think I like the first trailer more, but this one is definitely worth watching and shines more light into the actual world of the Wild Things. I've already said that I think this movie will be phenomenal so I'm not going to comment any further on it.
Finally, District 9 is coming out this weekend. Trust me when I say this movie WILL BE GOOD. Reviews are starting to come out, the word on the street from comic-con is awesome... so far there is no reason to believe anything less. Rotten Tomatoes has it at 100% (which isn't saying much considering only 14 reviews are in, but still). GO SEE DISTRICT 9. I'm planning on seeing it either at the midnight showing on Thursday, Friday matinee, or Friday night. So dang excited.
Summer semester is almost over! Thank God!!! Oh my gosh it's been pretty awful. This summer vs. Last summer isn't even a competition. Terrible.
But with that, here's a list. Every movie in this list I sincerely believe will be amazing. Some of them are already out and I've seen, some are out but only in limited theatres so I haven't had access to them, and others aren't out yet. Here we go, in no order:
Where The Wild Things Are
Directed by Spike Jonz (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich)
What can I say? The movie just looks absolutely gorgeous, emotional, strange. I think Spike can handle the odd material it's based off of us well. He's proven that he can work with very very weird scripts. Although I don't expect this to necessarily be anything like Adaptation or Being John Malkovich. I think this might actually be the #1 movie I'm looking forward to this year.
District 9
Directed by Neil Blomkamp
Totally unique sci-fi? Check. Peter Jackson producing? Check. Docu-style filming? Check. A director that's already proven himself with some of his very similar short film work (see: Alive in Joberg)? Check. Will everyone love it? I don't think so, but this movie is right up my alley. I've been in a sci-fi kick here lately (absolutely fell in love with Danny Boyle's Sunshine this spring)
500 Days of Summer
Directed by Marc Webb (various music videos)
Okay, so this director is new to film but not new to music videos. I am a huge fan of music videos and an even larger fan of music video directors that have switched to film. Not to mention, Zooey Deschanel is one of my, if not my favorite, actress. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is pretty phenominal as well, and I loved his work in Brick (I'll come back to that film again later). I also must admit that I really really enjoy a good story about love (numerous unrealistic chick flicks aside). Add on to that a pretty phenominal soundtrack and I'm in. Check out this other trailer for it to see what I mean by an awesome soundtrack. Only problem is it's a pretty limited release. I might have to go down to Birmingham to watch it.
I mentioned before that I loved Brick? I LOVED Brick. Very very quirky and not for everyone, but Rian proved himself as a great director from it. This film looks like a hilarious adventure with all kinds of twists and turns. Plus it has my second favorite actress in it, Rachel Weisz. I desperately want to watch this movie. But it already had a limited release earlier this year and as far as I know it's not going to go wide. None of the theatres it played in were anywhere near me, so I'm probably going to have to wait till it comes out on Blu-Ray. Sad.
Toy Story 1 + 2 in 3D (Double Feature)
Directed by John Lasseter
Are you kidding me!?! Two of the best Pixar films if not some of the best films ever are coming back into theatres! It's only going to be for 2 weeks this fall, but it's a double feature. And it's in 3D. I'm not a huge fan of 3D, although Up did a really good job with it. Because Pixar clearly knew what they were doing with the 3D in up, I'll trust them on this one, and I'll definitely be seeing it.
Zombieland
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
So I know nothing about this director at all. New name. But the movie looks very very fun. Will it be a phenominal oscar nomination? No chance at all. But I love me some zombie killing and this looks hilarious.
Avatar
Directed by James Cameron (Terminator 1, 2, Aliens, Titanic)
[No Trailer has Been Released Yet]
Why is this one on my list? James Cameron. Period. Do I need to say anything else? Terminator 1 was awesome. Terminator 2 was awesome. Aliens was awesome. Titanic... well, it was a world wide phenominon no matter your opinion of Leo at the time. Cameron knows his stuff, and he definitely knows his sci-fi. Avatar is a Sci-Fi film based on another planet. Part of the movie is live-action, and part of it is all CGI. And all of it is in 3D. 3D again!? He thinks this movie has to be seen in 3D, so he's making it in 3D, and based on his past, I'll go ahead and trust him. Comic-Con was this week and 25 minutes of footage was shown to attendees. He's apparently pulled out all the stops on this one and went crazy with technology. I'm excited.
Inglorious Basterds
Directed by Quentin Tarantino (Resevoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill 1 and 2)
I love Quentin Tarantino and every movie he has laid his hands on (even his contribution to Grindhouse). And now, Tarantino is tackling Nazis. He's not afraid of language, he's gory, he's violent, and he's basically not afraid to put anything on screen. But he doesn't put things on screen just for the sake of shock, he does it to further the crazy awesomeness of his films. It comes out on August 21st, which is the Friday of my first week of fall courses, so I'll probably treat myself to a viewing that night.
Moon
Directed by Duncan Jones
Okay, I have to admit, I've already seen this one. It's very low budget and it's basically a one-man-show. Sam Rockwell really makes this movie soar. It's a fantastic brainy sci-fi. Will you know what's coming before it happens? Probably, sometimes, but that doesn't take away from the experience. Moon is lonely, it's disheartening, and it isn't entirely very happy, but it's definitely good. It's currently playing at the Hollywood 18 in Huntsville. Yes, it's not the best theater, but it's literally the only theater in Alabama playing it for the next few weeks until Mobile gets a hold of it for a little while. The release is extremely limited and Huntsville is one of the lucky few cities to get it - I credit the space program. If you don't like relatively slow films with few actors and little action, this will go over your head.
Funny People Directed by Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin)
Something about this movie just looks hilarious. Sandler looks like he's taking on a different role, and definitely mocking himself and his past in the process. So far most of what Judd Apatow has worked with has been pretty great (he also produced Pineapple Express and Super Bad), although I found 40 Year Old Virgin to be pretty bland. This looks slightly different than a lot of other things he's worked on also... funny yet sweet/sad/real. Maybe this summer will end up having two amazing comedies (the first being The Hangover, which was awesome).
9 Directed by Shane Acker
9 is based off of a short film from the same director. The style is pretty dang awesome and this definitely doesn't look like a kids movie. Too creepy for a kids movie. The uniqueness of it all makes me think it looks awesome.
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Okay, so I'm having trouble thinking of others that I've been really really wanting to see, but I'm sure there are. There's a few other movies I didn't put on my list that I believe could have some potential, but I'm not betting on them being fantastic yet, we'll see. They'll probably all be decently entertaining though. Trailers have been released for a few of these, so I'll link the movie titles to their respective trailers:
