There are so many movies on the way to the cinema at any one time, and by extension a dizzying array of accompanying trailers that you could be forgiven for wondering if you will have to camp out at the cinema with a Coke drip and an endless candy bag (which should by rights be filled up by cute flying monkeys in old time cinema usher uniforms; is anyone at the multiplexes listening?) just to see them all.
But fear not!
It’s unlikely you will have to re-direct your mail to get your movie fix because (a) cinemas generally frown upon you erecting a one man tent and starting a camp fire in the cinema lobby – go figure; something about safety regulations, not burning down the multiplex with people in it blah blah blah – and (b) not all the movies will be any good thus sparing you the time of strapping yourself to a comfy seat, and propping your eyes open with toothpicks which kind of detracts from the viewing experience.
But how do you determine which are good, and yes which are not?
Why trailers of course. Well partly anyway …
If they’re done properly, trailers should beguile and excite you with their narrative possibilities while not giving away the entire movie in 2-3 minutes of fast paced music-backed editing.
So in the interests of everyone remaining in their homes, and not standing in line in their jim-jams with their favourite teddy bear tucked under their arm (only acceptable at all night movie marathons and then just barely), I have gathered together 5 of the trailers for upcoming movies that may or may not be brilliant entries in the annals of cinema history.
Grab some popcorn – really small handfuls because let’s face it these babies aren’t long – kick off your shoes (again not a cinema friendly practice) and watch and learn and schedule.
You’re welcome.
PACIFIC RIM
SNAPSHOT
When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)—who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.
Yes I do fear this could be another Battleship with mind-numbing action, derivative plot and cardboard cut out characters but it is directed by Guillermo Del Toro so I have faith it will be a cut above your average fighting-off-the-aliens summer blockbuster.
No honestly I do.
Semi-trust me on this.
Pacific Rim opens 11 July 2013 in Australia and 12 July 2013 in USA.
JOBS
SNAPSHOT
We follow Steve Jobs (Ashton Kutcher) from the enthusiasm and self-discovery of his youth through his darkest days, brightest triumphs, and the ultimate power of his drive, his passions, and his undying will to change everything we thought possible. Dark, honest, and uncompromising, “Jobs” plunges into the depths of Steve Jobs’ character, uncovering his driving motivations, his gifts, his flaws, his failures, and his ultimate successes. (source: movienewz.com)
Regardless of where you love Apple products or not, and I will confess I do (bar the whole can’t-remove-the-battery thing but let’s not go there right now), Steve Jobs was a fascinating, visionary man who achieved a great deal in his cruelly truncated life.
By all reports, Jobs, starring Ashton Kutcher in a much-buzzed about performance, and which received a rapturous response at The Sundance Film Festival in January this year, is a captivating look at a trailblazing man who redefined the way many people deal with technology.
And I will look forward to blogging about it just as soon as my MacBook Air recharges.
Jobs opens 16 August 2013 in USA; no release date has been confirmed for Australia at this time.
THANKS FOR SHARING
SNAPSHOT
Three unlikely friends—Adam (Mark Ruffalo), Mike (Tim Robbins) and Neil (Josh Gad)—all come from very different backgrounds. Adam is a young man desperate to win the heart of a beautiful woman (Gwyneth Paltrow), Mike is a sponsor for addicts but he’s debilitated by his own need to be needed by others and Neil is a young doctor whose career suffers because of his repeated lying.Despite their differences, the three men share one big commonality: they’re all undergoing treatment to recover from their sex addiction so that for the first time in their lives, they can begin to form real, meaningful relationships. (source: tribute.ca)
I love a great romantic comedy.
And even more so when it dares to push the boundaries of the genre and give me something clever, smart and funny.
This looks like such a movie with a talented cast, some great oneliners, and some drama accompanying the comedy.
This could be the beginning of a (briefly) beautiful non-sexual friendship.
Thanks For Sharing opens 20 September 2013 in USA (it debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2012). No sign of any Australian release at this point.
THE COUNSELLOR
SNAPSHOT
Ridley Scott joins forces with the legendary novelist Cormac McCarthy(The Road) for this drug smuggling thriller starring the likes of Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz. Fassbender is a lawyer looking for extra cash who turns to a shady world of drugs for extra income and gets more than he bargained for. Pitt and Bardem look like they have juicy supporting roles and the ladies are perfect foils. (source: film-addict.com)
Its a small indie-scale tale writ large under the assured hand of Ridley Scott so it’s reasonably sure bet it’s going to be a very good movie.
The fact that it stars Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem is a major plus too.
Film-addict.com pointed out, quite rightly I think, that “this has the look of a Coen Brothers production”.
So many pluses with a morality tale of sorts wrapped in.
Count me excited!
THE SPECTACULAR NOW
SNAPSHOT
Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) lives in the now. It’s a good place for him. A high school senior, charming and self-possessed, he’s the life of the party, loves his job at a men’s clothing store, and has no plans for the future. A budding alcoholic, he’s never far from his supersized, whisky-fortified Thirst Master cup. But after being dumped by his girlfriend, Sutter gets drunk and wakes up on a lawn with Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley) hovering over him. She’s different: the “nice girl” who reads science fiction and doesn’t have a boyfriend. While Aimee has dreams of a future, Sutter lives in the impressive delusion of a spectacular now, yet somehow, they’re drawn together. (source: wikipedia)
The meeting of opposites.
Will it end in tragedy or happily ever after?
Given it’s based on a book of the same name by Tim Tharp, a book in which the protagonist does not a fairytale transformation make, it could go either way.
The trick will be whether the producers have resisted the urge to Hollywood-ise the ending.
Not that I want a miserable ending but you don’t everything to always end up in squeaky-clean happy-clappy land.
I loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower and this looks like it could be in a similar vein.
Super size my Coke please.
Which of these movies has you excited about its release?