Trailers
The Original 'Empire Strikes Back' Teaser Trailer
If you saw this teaser trailer for The Empire Strikes Back today, I wonder, would it make you excited for the movie? Trailers sure have come a long way in the last 30 + years.
Of course, filmmaking has also come a long way too, so maybe that has something to do with it. Still, seeing things like this is great fun and takes me back to easier, carefree times when I was just a kid excited to see movies.
I try to recapture those feelings as much as a can, but it isn’t always easy. Life intrudes and the demands on “adults” can often stifle those feelings. But that doesn’t mean I’ve given up. Not by a long shot.
Anyway, here’s the trailer.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omcxaMEGha0?rel=0&w=420&h=315]
A New 'Robocop' Trailer for a Friday
As movie remakes are as inevitable as death and taxes (I won’t try to fight it anymore), there’s a remake of the sci-fi movie Robocop that’s out there in the world and on the way. No, it hasn’t been released yet, there’s just a trailer.
But it does exist. So yeah, there’s that. Anyway, here’s the first trailer. Can’t say I’m wild about the new suit, but to be honest, the movie doesn’t look all that bad. Hmmmm, curious.
Have a nice weekend.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INmtQXUXez8?rel=0&w=550&h=413]
An Awesome TOHO-Style 'Pacific Rim' Trailer
When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do was watch giant monster (aka Kaiju) movies from Japan’s TOHO Studios featuring Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan and more in titles such as Mothra vs. Godzilla, King Kong vs. Godzilla, War of the Gargantuas and my personal favorite: Destroy All Monsters. They were great fun. Still are, in fact.
This was mostly possible because of two TV stations in Los Angeles I was able to pick up using rabbit ears from my bedroom north of San Diego. To this day, I thank old school Channel 5 and Channel 13 for bringing me giant monster movies and also for first introducing me to the original Star Trek series, which I distinctly recall ran right after Gilligan’s Island at the time.
Anyway, all this nostalgia brings me to this trailer for Guellermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim. But not just any trailer, because why would I bother with that now that the movie is out?
No, this one is special. It’s done in the Toho Godzilla style and it’s pretty great. Still love the music too.
Enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Qygyy4204&w=560&h=315]
Steve Jobs, An American Legend
I haven’t said much about the upcoming biopic of Steve Jobs, featuring Ashton Kutcher as the iconic Apple frontman. I’ve done that mostly because when I first heard about it, I was sure it was going to be a disaster, so why bother talking about it?
However, now that I’ve been seeing more and more material from the movie, I have to admit my attitude has changed. But changed how, you may ask?
Look, I don’t have anything in particular against Kutcher or against people trying to make movies about icons like Steve Jobs. We live in a world where things like that are still possible, and I, for one, am very happy about that.
So what’s my problem (or problems) with the movie? To be honest, after several months of hearing about it, watching trailers and talking about it with other film and tech people I know and respect, I’ve kinda forgotten what my problem with it is.
In truth, I kinda forget about the movie until a new trailer, or other piece of marketing, arrives in my inbox. And maybe that’s the problem I have with it. It’s not that I’m angry or think that Kutcher will do a terrible job portraying Jobs, it’s that I just don’t care.
I don’t care enough about the movie to have an opinion anymore, positive or negative. And that brings us to the latest trailer for the movie Jobs. I’ve watched it at least twice. It’s not horrible.
It’s not blow-you-out-of-your-seat great either. It’s just . . . there.
Will I see the movie when it comes out? At this point, probably not. Although, I really do hope something changes. I really hope something comes along that sparks my interest. I don’t like being indifferent. I really do want to care.
I guess that’s something, right?
[blip.tv blip.tv/play/hJh3… width=“550” height=“331”]
Keanu Reeves and the Way of the Sword
I’m a martial arts fan and lapsed practitioner from way, way back. One of my favorite styles, if you will, was Kendo. Also known as the “Way of the Sword.” I very much enjoyed it.
It seems Keanue Reeves also enjoys using a sword and he does so to good effect in his upcoming movie 47 Ronin. Sure, there’s also a bunch of other stuff in this movie too (fantasy elements and more), but I’ll watch it mostly for the swordplay, which looks pretty cool.
There’s a trailer for the movies that’s come out recently and even though I like the trailer, I always get a bit concerned when the release of a movie is pushed back a couple times, as it was with 47 Ronin.
This is also the very expensive feature film debut of director Carl Erik Rinsch, which doesn’t always bode well either. Still, I think it looks pretty cool and I’ll be seeing it, even if they had to invent a character for Keanu Reeves to play in the otherwise rather well-known legend of the 47 Ronin and he is, again, the only “one” who can save us (or them, as the case may be).
That’s showbiz.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47_-pqoPDVQ?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
D&D Players Can Be Ruthless In This Trailer for 'Zero Charisma'
Long ago, when Dungeons & Dragons was just called D&D and about the time the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons arrived, I started playing the game. Back then it was a group of like-minded friends who gathered around the ping pong table in my parent’s garage and had adventures.
It was a simpler time and I don’t remember the games ever getting violent, or even very confrontational, except when we were engaged in epic battles for our band of adventurers very survival. In the game, of course.
So when I saw this trailer for the indie film Zero Charisma (a title which works for me on several levels), I had to think if I ever had these kinds of problems as a young D&D player. I was pretty sure I didn’t, but perhaps I was remembering it wrong? Or, was I just lucky that none of the people I played with back then were bona fide sociopaths as, unfortunately, the character of Scott (the terrifically creepy Sam Eidson) seems to be.
I like to think we were all just good friends brought together by our love of role playing games, the desire to use or imaginations and because we liked to have fun. I really hope it wasn’t that other stuff. I don’t like to think that I can’t remember things or that I could have misjudged people’s character so badly back then.
As I still keep in touch with most of the guys I played with “back in the day,” I guess I can just check with them and see if my recollection of events jives with their own. I’m pretty sure it will.
You can call a prison directly, right? I kid, I kid.
Check out this trailer for Zero Charisma and some scenes from the movie. It looks like a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing it when I get a chance.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRRCt0tbQvw?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgbLhDUqAXM?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
The First Trailer for Spike Lee's 'Oldboy'
As with many things in life, I don’t like change. Change to me isn’t something to embrace, it’s something to resist. That being said, change can occasionally brings good things.
In fact, I’ve had some changes of late that have been very good and very positive. So, perhaps, I may have to rethink my “No Change” policy. Maybe.
Until then, this brings us, in a roundabout way, to Spike Lee’s remake of Park Chan-Wook’s film Oldboy. At first, of course, I resisted the notion that Oldboy needed a remake at all. The original is a complex, gripping thriller that if you haven’t seen, is definitely worth watching.
I also wasn’t sure Spike Lee was the right guy for the job of bringing the film to mainstream American audiences. I don’t know why, exactly, I just didn’t think he necessarily had the requisite mindset to get the film right. Park Chan-Wook, on the other hand, that guy has a mindset, in spades.
Anyway, as I’ve heard and seen more of Lee’s vision for Oldboy, Ive started to become convinced he may, indeed, be on to something. This new trailer, a redband of course, helps push that hypothesis even further.
The short version is I like what I see so far and I want to see more. As with many thing, your mileage may vary.
Oh, one more thing, this trailer is a redband for a reason. Please exercise appropriate precautions before watching it at work or something. Unless you work at a really cool place which, let’s face it, you probably don’t. Not this cool anyway.
It's Saturday, So Here's a Trailer for 'Yakuza Weapon'
I can’t keep putting things away in the new house and not take a break. So, during one of said breaks, I came across this trailer for the movie Yakuza Weapon.
If you’ve followed this site for any length of time, you know my fondness for movies and TV shows out of the Hollywood mainstream. I think Yakuza Weapon qualifies.
I won’t bother trying to explain the movie except to say it involves transformation, the fight between good and evil and the question of what it means to be human. Oh yeah, there’s lots of action and stuff blows up too. Of course.
It was directed by Tak Sakaguchi (who also stars) and written by Sakaguchi and Yūdai Yamaguchi. It’s based on the manga by Ken Ishikawa. Check out the trailer below and enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTs-mM4A6TQ?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
'009ノ1: The End of the Beginning' Looks Pretty Crazy
I’m a fan of movies from around the world, and this trailer for 009ノ1: The End of the Beginning is one reason why. Sure, it doesn’t have the high dollar production value of a Michael Bay “epic”, but it does have one important thing going for it: heart.
I know, I know, but I can tell these actors, and the rest of the team, are really having a great time here. And that, to me, is pretty important.
I think it makes for better, more entertaining, movies. Plus, I firmly believe loving what you do, and having a great time doing it, applies to pretty much all parts of life, not just work.
We’re all here a relatively short time so let’s try and not get so caught up in the BS and have a little fun along the way, okay? Good.
Turing back to the trailer, no, I can’t tell you what they’re saying or really, what the movie is about. I can tell you it’s based on a classic Manga from the late ’60s, early ’70s and that the movie is hitting Japan in September. Oh, and it has cyborg girls and other interesting bits too.
But all that doesn’t really matter at this point, does it? It just looks cool. Check it out below.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1zDPd10YIg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
I'm Undecided About 'The LEGO Movie', Here's A Trailer Anyway
I loved, loved, loved LEGO as a kid (That’s a lot of love, I know). I’m pretty sure I’ve spent thousands of hours building things with those little multi-colored plastic bricks over the years.
I still have all of my sets too. They are currently in boxes in storage until H and I move into the new house. Then, I will be able to fully unpack all of my sets of bricks and marvel, once again, at the vastness of my empire.
That brings us, somewhat indirectly, to the upcoming LEGO movie. Yes, a LEGO movie. I don’t know about this. What do you think?
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch
Is 'RWBY' the Future of Animation?
The man behind it is none other than Monty Oum, whose work on Red vs. Blue: Revelation and Dead Fantasy pretty much defined what this kind of animation can be.
But don’t take my word for it, check out the RWBY trailer called “Black” right here. Is this the future of animation? It just may be.
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch
Trailer Time: I Know What You're Thinking, But I Like It
In truth, I never did much “live” role-playing like the gang in this trailer for Knights of Badassdom. However, I did enjoy more than a few fun times playing some Dungeons & Dragons on the ping pong table in my parent’s garage. No, we didn’t have a basement. I live in California, people, come on.
Anyway, this trailer made me laugh. So, I’m going to share it with you so you can get a laugh on a cloudy Monday. Well, cloudy in California anyway. Ironic, I realize.
Check out the trailer for Knights of Badassdom, which stars Ryan Kwanten, Dani Pudi, Summer Glau, Stave Zahn and Peter Dinklage, below. From what I understand, this trailer is for the version of the movie that is not the director’s cut. If true, that’s unfortunate.
However, it doesn’t take away from the trailer being fun. And fun is what I’m all about today.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyougFDZ7zU?rel=0&w=525&h=295]
A 'Star Trek: Into Darkness' Trailer. . . Made With LEGO
If you recall a couple weeks ago, I posted the trailer for Man of Steel made with LEGO. Well, Antonio Toscano is back and he’s got a new trailer.
This time it’s for Star Trek: Into Darkness and yes, it’s also made entirely out of LEGO. I think this is great. You probably will too.
Enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7JGT0yxxMw?rel=0&w=525&h=295]
Shakespeare and Joss Whedon? Heck Yeah
In truth, this is one film I really wanted to see at SXSW. Sadly, due to other commitments, I won’t be going to Austin this year. Next year for sure. Of course, I said that last year too, so yeah, who knows?
Anyway, Joss Whedon has made an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It’s got a great cast including Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Fran Kranz, Jillian Morgese, Sean Maher, Reed Diamond, Clark Gregg and Tom Lenk, is in black and white and is based on one of my favorite plays. And yes, it’s Joss Whedon so I, of course, pay attention.
Anyway, here’s the trailer. Enjoy.
The Doc 'Room 237' Looks Very Interesting
Even though they’ve already covered this over at The Flickcast, I also wanted to call attention to it here. As you know, I’m a big fan of director Stanley Kubrick. We’ve discussed this before.
So, when I hear they’re coming out with a movie about Kubrick and The Shining, I take notice. The movie in question is called Room 237 and a trailer for it has recently dropped.
Check it out below. Can’t wait to see this.
The Latest 'Man of Steel' Trailer . . . Made With Lego
Occasionally, I really like something I find on the Interwebs. In those cases, I feel compelled to share what I’ve found with the three or four of you who read this site. Okay, maybe the eight or ten of you.
With that in mind, I bring you the latest trailer for Zack Snyder’s upcoming Man of Steel – made with Lego. I loved Lego as a kid and obviously, the person who created this video still does. Kudos, I say. Kudos.
Enjoy. After the break.
Trailer Tuesday - A New One for 'Pacific Rim'
It’s CES time in Las Vegas and yes, I’m very glad not to be there. I’ve been several times and each time I vowed it would be the last.
This year I was able to keep that promise. Although, strangely enough, I’m kinda sorry I wasn’t there to at least see this new trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim.
Oh well, at least we always have the power of the Interwebs. That is, until the trailer gets taken down. . .
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FA_TQqENzQ?rel=0&w=525&h=295]
And Now, the Bigger and Better Trailer for 'Star Trek: Into Darkness'
A few days ago, we got a good look at the next Star Trek movie. And now, we get an even better one. Yes, I still think this movies looks great. Yes, I’m still looking forward to seeing it.
And yes, I’m going to keep putting cool trailers up here whenever I feel like it. So there.
Enjoy.
[blip.tv blip.tv/play/hJh3… width=“500” height=“301”]
One More Trailer for Today: Guillermo Del Toro's 'Pacific Rim'
If you ask people like my friend Rick Marshall, an extremely knowledgeable real geek if there ever was one, this is going to be the best movie of 2013. I’m talking, of course, about Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim.
Some points in the movie’s favor: It features giant robots fighting giant monsters. Do I need to go on? Okay, it’s also co-written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, a guy who’s movies I’ve liked almost all of. YMMV.
Plus, it has a cool cast including two, count ‘em, two guys from Sons of Anarchy (Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman), the under-appreciated Idris Elba and Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Is that a cast, or what?
All of this leads me to the trailer which, at first glance, is pretty damn cool. Is it going to be the best movie of 2013? Maybe.
Did I mention the giant robots fighting the giant monsters?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vKz7WnU83E?rel=0&w=500&h=281]