Showing posts with label trailer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trailer. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Hump-Day Harangue: The "Let Me In" Trailer--OK It Won't Suck, But Is It Necessary?
Let's get this out of the way right off the bat, because I've been sitting on this and mulling it over for quite a while. As many of you know, and have probably seen elsewhere, the first official trailer for Let Me In, Matt Reeves adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvist's Swedish novel Let the Right One In, was unveiled earlier this month. For those who haven't seen it yet, here it is:
To merely refer to it as an adaptation of the novel is to be a bit coy however, as we all know that the book was, only two years ago, adapted into a superb Swedish film by Tomas Alfredson. It was a film which many called the greatest vampire movie of all time, and I would personally rank among the best films I've seen in recent years, perhaps second only to There Will Be Blood as the best film of the '00s. It was powerful, it was moving, it was expertly acted and directed, with an unforgettable score and a timeless quality few contemporary films maintain.
And so, to a certain extent, we must admit that Reeves' Let Me In is just another in a long line of English-language horror remakes put together in the wake of a successful foreign film, much as we saw with Quarantine ([REC]), The Ring (Ringu) and many others. Yes, Reeves claims to be going back to the original source material, but you and I both know that this movie would not have been made were it not for Alfredson's film. So what do we make of it?
Granted, my knee-jerk reaction is to lament the inanity of the American movie machine, which seems to have lost all faith in American audiences consuming anything that isn't completely spoon-fed to them. I mean, why not simply dub these successful foreign films into English if you're so worried about Americans not wanting to read subtitles? Did they remake The Good, The Bad and the Ugly in 1968 with all American actors? I guess the closest thing I can think of to this modern phenomenon is the way the original Gojira was ruined with new footage to appeal to American audiences in 1956. Is that really the model to be emulating?
But on the other hand, everything I've seen regarding this American version has been impressive. Chloe Moretz of Kick-Ass seems pitch-perfect as Eli (or Abby if they insist) and this Kodi Smit-McPhee kid they got to play Oskar (Owen...sigh, what's wrong with Oskar??) also seems up to the task. Checking out the trailer also gives me even more hope that this will be a good movie--the look is right, it seems to be faithful to the material, and the relationship between the two leads feels right. Also, love that Morse code ending. This does not seem (too much) like a watered-down Americanization. Some of the calm beauty of the Swedish film seems to be replaced with the typically dire, potboiler tone most Americans are more used to, but that could very well be the way the trailer is edited. And of course, Eli has been unequivocally confirmed as a girl, which was to be expected.
Still, one has to ask, why bother? If the reason is to truly go back to the book and do something different, they don't seem to going about it that way at all. Watching that trailer felt very much like watching Alfredson's film, down to specific moments and shots being mimicked (much like Quarantine did.) Sure, they're apparently exploring some stuff from the novel that wasn't in the other movie, such as the ultra-bizarre Hakan subplot, but quite frankly, from what I've seen, that doesn't seem to be playing much of a major part. Rather, it seems mainly to be aping Alfredson's work. And if that's the case, no matter how great it is, I'm still going to be walking away scratching my head wondering why it was even attempted. Or more accurately, I'll be shaking my head, knowing precisely the only reason it was attempted: another easy payday.
I'm so on the fence about this project, it's not even funny. Let the Right One In is a movie that's very close to my heart, and sure, I know the old saying, no matter what they do with it, the original still exists for me to enjoy. I just can't decide whether I'm happy about this new version or not. It does seem intriguing and well-made, I just hope that Reeves and company live up to their promise and give us something fresh and new--the novel is fertile enough ground to allow that--rather than just another spoon-fed American remake.
* * * * * * * * * *
REMINDER: For those who feel they missed out on the greatness that was Kevin Geeks Out!, I encourage you to get down to 92YTribeca in Manhattan this Friday night for the encore presentation of Mr. Maher's most acclaimed shlockfest of them all: Kevin Geeks Out About Sharks! I attended the initial presentation, and I can tell you it's a night you will carry with you till you sleep in Davey Jones' locker. Shark cupcakes will be provided for all, plus the first 10 people to arrive get a copy of the sold-out comic book Grizzly Shark and Sea Bear!
Kevin Geeks Out! returns for one night only, so don't miss out, dweebs! Get the ticket info and stuff at Kevin's blog.
To merely refer to it as an adaptation of the novel is to be a bit coy however, as we all know that the book was, only two years ago, adapted into a superb Swedish film by Tomas Alfredson. It was a film which many called the greatest vampire movie of all time, and I would personally rank among the best films I've seen in recent years, perhaps second only to There Will Be Blood as the best film of the '00s. It was powerful, it was moving, it was expertly acted and directed, with an unforgettable score and a timeless quality few contemporary films maintain.
And so, to a certain extent, we must admit that Reeves' Let Me In is just another in a long line of English-language horror remakes put together in the wake of a successful foreign film, much as we saw with Quarantine ([REC]), The Ring (Ringu) and many others. Yes, Reeves claims to be going back to the original source material, but you and I both know that this movie would not have been made were it not for Alfredson's film. So what do we make of it?Granted, my knee-jerk reaction is to lament the inanity of the American movie machine, which seems to have lost all faith in American audiences consuming anything that isn't completely spoon-fed to them. I mean, why not simply dub these successful foreign films into English if you're so worried about Americans not wanting to read subtitles? Did they remake The Good, The Bad and the Ugly in 1968 with all American actors? I guess the closest thing I can think of to this modern phenomenon is the way the original Gojira was ruined with new footage to appeal to American audiences in 1956. Is that really the model to be emulating?
But on the other hand, everything I've seen regarding this American version has been impressive. Chloe Moretz of Kick-Ass seems pitch-perfect as Eli (or Abby if they insist) and this Kodi Smit-McPhee kid they got to play Oskar (Owen...sigh, what's wrong with Oskar??) also seems up to the task. Checking out the trailer also gives me even more hope that this will be a good movie--the look is right, it seems to be faithful to the material, and the relationship between the two leads feels right. Also, love that Morse code ending. This does not seem (too much) like a watered-down Americanization. Some of the calm beauty of the Swedish film seems to be replaced with the typically dire, potboiler tone most Americans are more used to, but that could very well be the way the trailer is edited. And of course, Eli has been unequivocally confirmed as a girl, which was to be expected.Still, one has to ask, why bother? If the reason is to truly go back to the book and do something different, they don't seem to going about it that way at all. Watching that trailer felt very much like watching Alfredson's film, down to specific moments and shots being mimicked (much like Quarantine did.) Sure, they're apparently exploring some stuff from the novel that wasn't in the other movie, such as the ultra-bizarre Hakan subplot, but quite frankly, from what I've seen, that doesn't seem to be playing much of a major part. Rather, it seems mainly to be aping Alfredson's work. And if that's the case, no matter how great it is, I'm still going to be walking away scratching my head wondering why it was even attempted. Or more accurately, I'll be shaking my head, knowing precisely the only reason it was attempted: another easy payday.
I'm so on the fence about this project, it's not even funny. Let the Right One In is a movie that's very close to my heart, and sure, I know the old saying, no matter what they do with it, the original still exists for me to enjoy. I just can't decide whether I'm happy about this new version or not. It does seem intriguing and well-made, I just hope that Reeves and company live up to their promise and give us something fresh and new--the novel is fertile enough ground to allow that--rather than just another spoon-fed American remake.
* * * * * * * * * *
REMINDER: For those who feel they missed out on the greatness that was Kevin Geeks Out!, I encourage you to get down to 92YTribeca in Manhattan this Friday night for the encore presentation of Mr. Maher's most acclaimed shlockfest of them all: Kevin Geeks Out About Sharks! I attended the initial presentation, and I can tell you it's a night you will carry with you till you sleep in Davey Jones' locker. Shark cupcakes will be provided for all, plus the first 10 people to arrive get a copy of the sold-out comic book Grizzly Shark and Sea Bear!Kevin Geeks Out! returns for one night only, so don't miss out, dweebs! Get the ticket info and stuff at Kevin's blog.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Watch the Trailer for the New Scott Sigler Novel, Ancestor!
Novelist Scott Sigler has a new book in the works, and was kind enough to pass along the new trailer for it--which, impressively enough, he made himself. As Stacie Ponder pointed out in her own coverage, it's surreal enough that big novels actually get their own trailers these days. But for the author to make it himself? That's some gusto, right there. This kid's a real go-getter, and he's gonna go far.Wait, what am I saying? He already has. Sigler, as many of you know, is the author of the highly successful Infected (2007), and its sequel Contagious (2008). Those two were originally published in 2007 as two of the world's first podcast-only novels, and then later reached print. Interestingly enough, Sigler's new novel, Ancestor, was first released in podcast form before either of those two. But on June 22, a hardcover edition will finally be available.
It's a tale of genetic engineering gone wrong, of scientists out to breed an animal ripe for organ harvesting, only to have the whole thing blow up in their faces when the creature they create doesn't turn out to be as controllable as they anticipated. Check out the aforementioned trailer for yourself:
Pretty nifty, no? And with a cameo by the author himself, no less. For more on Sigler and his fiction, jump to his website. Also, Scott has agreed to an interview right here in the Vault next week, so keep an eye out!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Iron Sky Footage: Nazis in Space!!
By Paige MacGregorFirst there were Nazis. Then, there were zombie Nazis. Now, thanks to director Timo Vuorensola and writers Antti Hukkanen and Jarmo Puskala, we have Nazis invading the next logical film frontier: Space.
Vuorensola’s film is titled Iron Sky, and according to the plot synopsis on the movie’s official website, it concerns a significant breakthrough in anti-gravity which the Nazis made towards the end of World War II. In this piece of alternate history, they began launching spaceships from a secret base in the Antarctic in late 1945. The ships’ mission was to found a military base known as Schwarze Sonne, or Black Sun, on the dark side of the moon. The inhabitants were tasked with building a powerful invasion fleet and returning to Earth to take over the planet. Now it is 2018, decades after the countries of the world wiped out the last of the Nazi party (or so they thought), and the Nazi invasion is underway. Earth is in for a very rude awakening.
The first footage from the film was released this week, and contrary to my expectations and much to my delight, it looks really good. While the storyline grabbed me right off the bat due to my inexplicable fascination with Nazis (Død Snøw being one of my favorite horror films), the special effects featured in the trailer are really impressive for a film not backed by a major motion picture studio. The cast includes accomplished German TV and movie stars such as Udo Kier, Julia Dietze, Götz Otto and Tilo Prückner.
Iron Sky is set for release in Finland in January 2011, but the film’s website has a feature that allows visitors to enter their location and request that Iron Sky be released in their country/area. The site also offers various other ways for visitors to help promote the film, including ordering an Iron Sky Support Kit. Fans can also join the Iron Sky community and follow the film via Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Flickr.
Vuorensola’s film is titled Iron Sky, and according to the plot synopsis on the movie’s official website, it concerns a significant breakthrough in anti-gravity which the Nazis made towards the end of World War II. In this piece of alternate history, they began launching spaceships from a secret base in the Antarctic in late 1945. The ships’ mission was to found a military base known as Schwarze Sonne, or Black Sun, on the dark side of the moon. The inhabitants were tasked with building a powerful invasion fleet and returning to Earth to take over the planet. Now it is 2018, decades after the countries of the world wiped out the last of the Nazi party (or so they thought), and the Nazi invasion is underway. Earth is in for a very rude awakening.
The first footage from the film was released this week, and contrary to my expectations and much to my delight, it looks really good. While the storyline grabbed me right off the bat due to my inexplicable fascination with Nazis (Død Snøw being one of my favorite horror films), the special effects featured in the trailer are really impressive for a film not backed by a major motion picture studio. The cast includes accomplished German TV and movie stars such as Udo Kier, Julia Dietze, Götz Otto and Tilo Prückner.
Iron Sky is set for release in Finland in January 2011, but the film’s website has a feature that allows visitors to enter their location and request that Iron Sky be released in their country/area. The site also offers various other ways for visitors to help promote the film, including ordering an Iron Sky Support Kit. Fans can also join the Iron Sky community and follow the film via Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Flickr.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Theatrical Trailer for Zombie Western, Devil's Crossing!
By Paige MacGregorThe first theatrical trailer for the highly anticipated independent zombie western, Devil's Crossing, is finally available. Okay, so it's highly anticipated by me, but trust me, once you hear more about this movie you'll be on the edge of your seat waiting, too. The movie's claim to fame is not only its subject matter--the somewhat less overexposed zombie-western subgenre--but the fact that it was filmed entirely just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina by writer/director James Ryan Gary and producer Paul Streiner.
Initially, Devil's Crossing was dead in the water (pun intended) because distributors said that the script was "too violent" and that some of the characters were "sickeningly aggressive". However, Gary and Streiner decided to push forward and make their film regardless of popular opinion. Since the earliest stages of pre-production, Devil's Crossing established and maintained a large fan following on social networking sites like Facebook, where the film has more than 57,000 fans.
After watching the trailer for George A. Romero's upcoming release, Survival of the Dead, I was concerned that Devil's Crossing might be viewed by the casual observer as similar to (or, even worse, as a rip-off of) Romero's new film, given the prevalence of horses and cowboy hats in Romero's trailer. Fortunately, as you can see from the trailer below, Devil's Crossing has a very different feel and more amateur/documentary camera style than Survival of the Dead, meaning that zombie film fans have not one, but two awesome soon-to-be-released zombie films to look forward to.
For more information on Devil's Crossing, visit the film's official Web page, Facebook page, or Twitter feed.
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