New Movie Trailer Reviews: Sparks, Duds and Sleepers

Here’s the second installment of Movie Trailers: Sparks, Duds and Sleepers. The Sparks look interesting and entertaining and have a shot at being successful. The Duds, tired and cliched, are just the opposite. The Sleepers are low-key, possibly independent  films that, regardless of box-office success, are significant. All of this is with the caveat that I’m judging the films by their trailers only.  Comments are always welcome, especially if you disagree.

Sparks

Title: The Grey

Synopsis: Liam Neeson battles wolves in Alaska.

Why a Spark?

Plain and simple: Liam Neeson. He’s evolved into one of the best action film actors, ever.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2672533017/

Title: Contraband

Synopsis:  A smugger jumps back into the game.

Why a Spark? 

I know the plot may be old- a guy turns his back on a life of crime and is forced to return, but the cast is great and the photography earthy.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1524137/

Duds

Title: The Innkeepers

Synopsis:  With two days left before an old hotel closes, amateurish paranormal investigates try to flush out a ghost.

Why a Dud?

Derivative, worn out para-normal fare, maybe worth watching when not much else is on. Looks as appealing as The Banger Sisters.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1594562/

Title: Red Tails

Synopsis: Exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Why a Dud?

Despite the great special effects the dialog in the trailer is cliched and worse than corny.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485985/

Sleepers

Title: Bullhead (Rundskop)

Synopsis: A Flemish farmer makes a deal to hop up his cattle.

Why a Sleeper?

Cool, unusual story and makes you happy someone put up money for this film.

Trailer Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821593/

Title: Man on a Ledge

Synopsis: A dude threatens to jump off a building (it’s a red herring for a diamond robbery).

Why a Sleeper?

Good cast and twisty action. Ever since A History of Violence Ed Harris is the bad guy of choice.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4159021337/

Trailers: Sparks, Duds and Sleepers

I spent some time watching movie trailers and divided them into three lists- Sparks,  Duds and Sleepers. The Sparks look interesting and entertaining and have a shot at being successful. The Duds, tired and cliched, are just the opposite. The Sleepers are low-key independent  that, regardless of box-office success, are significant. All of this is with the caveat that I’m judging the films by their trailers only. I’ll try to put this column up once a week, with at least two films in each category.  Comments are always welcome, especially if you disagree.

Sparks

Title: Chronicle

Synopsis: Three high school kids acquire bizarre powers.

Why a Spark?

Target market- average teenagers fantasizing about possessing unlimited power. This is the basic Harry Potter/Spiderman crowd with unlimited buying power. Plus, the special effects look pretty good.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2464325145/

Title: Rampart

Synopsis:  An Los Angeles cop in the 1990s descends.

Why a Spark? 

It’s gritty, and from the first shot and you know this cop is bad news thanks to Woody Harrelson (aviator sunglasses, lighting a cigarette). The supporting cast looks great and real, especially the females.This film has a well written, high-quality feel to it. I’m not a great Woody Harrelson fan but you can tell he’ll carry this film a long way.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4110458393/

Duds

Title: W.E.

Synopsis: Wallis Simpson and Edward VII story.

Why a Dud?

This looks like a homely movie. Hip-hop bass drum loops? In 1939? WTF. If you’re interested in this time period, watch The King’s Speech again. End of story.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2921176601/

Title: Thin Ice

Synopsis: An expensive violin is stolen.

Why a Dud?

Looks like a Fargo-wannabe. In a word? Miscasting. Greg Kinnear is no WIlliam C. Macy.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3701973273/

 Sleepers

Title: Perfect Sense

Synopsis: A man and women deal with a plague that disable the senses.

Why a Sleeper?

A derivative of countless plague movies with an interest disease-twist. The sense-robbing disease brings forth the immediacy of the relationship between the male and female lead characters.

Trailer Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1439572/

Title: Wanderlust

Synopsis: Two New York young professionals join a commune.

Why a Sleeper?

I laughed out loud watching the trailer in a couple of spots, and the fish-out-of-water premise looks like it works.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2251464217/

Movie Review: Shame

We went and saw Shame at our local art house theater early this evening to kick off New Year’s Eve. Glad we did- we practically had the place to ourselves.

One Line Synopsis

A sex addict cannot have intimate, personal relationships with women.

Director

Steve McQueen

Standout Actors

Michael Fassbender, Lucy Walters

Best Bit Part

Robert Montano as the annoying waiter.

Michael Fassbender is a controlled and courageous actor. The guy’s just spectacular in this movie. I can’t think of anyone else who could make this character more true to life. The only negatives are the movie dragged a little, and if I had to sit through one more verse and chorus of his sister singing New York New York I would have probably left the theatre.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Grade:  A-