Where the Wild Things Are Featurette

Here's an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Where the Wild Things Are film directed by Spike Jonze. This featurette debuted at the 2009 Comic-con in San Diego and features the insights of author Maurice Sendak on the high profile project.



If your not familiar with the source material here's a nice video presentation of the classic children's story.



Where the Wild Things Are is scheduled for release October 16, 2009

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Hot Tub Time Machine Trailer

Hot Tub Time Machine

Umm...I think that title says it all.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Teaser Trailer

Well here's the teaser trailer for the new Tim Burton directed version of Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

The film features the usual Tim Burton visual flair. Judging by this teaser trailer the film is not as dark as previously suspected.



The film is tentatively scheduled for release March 5, 2010.

Cemetey Junction Teaser Trailer

Wow...looks like Ricky Gervais is a busy boy.

His feature film directorial debut The Invention of Lying is scheduled for release on September 25, 2009 and it looks like he's already working on his next starring and directing vehicle, Cemetery Junction.



The film is co-directed by Stephen Merchant.

These guys are gut-busting funny just standing around. I can't imagine how funny the actual footage will be.

The film is tentatively scheduled for release in 2010.

Public Enemies directed by Michael Mann

Michael Mann films defy description.

His movies are always sold to the public as big budget action films, but in the midst of watching them it quickly becomes apparent that his works are actually dramatic, fascinating, intricate character pieces.

Well...dramatic character pieces that also happens to have riveting, intense and well choreographed action.

I believe it would be more appropriate if his films were released during awards season instead of the summer action movie season.

His works routinely deserve legitimate Oscar consideration.

This is especially true of his most recent release Public Enemies, which is arguably his best film to date.

The film features his standard awe inspiring action and impressive performances by the entire cast. But this time Mann tackles the historical story of gangster John Dillinger.

Besides the difficulties of translating a real life figure to film, Mann also chose to shoot the movie in digital HD. Which is unusual for a period piece.

I'm happy to report that Mann succeeds on all fronts.

The motion picture is stunning in it's visual quality. Especially impressive is the production design and look of the video. The clarity of the depth of field that a Digital HD Camera provides is remarkable and something I really didn't notice till watching this movie.

As far as the performances go, it all begins of course with Johnny Depp, who turns in a well-publicized, complicated and charming performance as the famous gangster John Dillinger. Depp's Dillinger is a character who is affable one second, yet deadly and frustratingly short sighted the next. It's a fascinating and perhaps the most accurate portrait of a man who was seen in stark contrast as a likeable gentlemen by some and as a murderous robber by others.




As the soft spoken and humble Billie Frechette, Marion Cotillard solidifies her position in Hollywood as one of the most interesting young actresses working today. In this film she turns in a heartbreaking performance. Although obviously not the biggest role in the film, it's clear by the end that the movie's heart lies in her character.



In a thankless yet pivotal role, Christian Bale turns in a terrific understated performance as the conflicted and ultimately mentally anguished Melvin Purvis. I find it stunning that the performance is being overlooked by critics. It's a performance so complicated and intricate that his work isn't even fully realized until the final post script of the film.



But the performance that I appreciated the most though was Stephen Lang as Charles Winstead. Lang has very little dialogue in the film but his presence and authority in the story is stunning to witness. His final scene with Marion Cotillard is fantastic to watch and will perhaps go down as a classic scene in modern movie history.

Make no mistake about it however, the motion picture is signature Michael Mann.

The movie has his trademark incredible action and excellent drama. But what I really appreciated about the picture was how Mann dealt with historic moments like Dillinger's classic escape, with a carved wooden gun from the prison of Sherrif Lillian Holley, played by Lili Taylor. Mann pays no noticeable reverence to this moment. In a lesser hand I'm sure the planning and staging of the event would be overly explained and given undue weight. But in Mann's capable hands the moment is simply carried out with ferocity, realism and a refreshing honesty which makes the moment real for the viewer rather than a stuffy and bloated moment in history. Especially effective is the final moments of Dillinger's life at the movie house. Mann excellently contrasts Dillinger's ultimate fate with scenes of Clark Gable's character from the film Dillinger is watching titled Manhattan Melodrama.

It's fantastic stuff.

Just like the entire movie, which I feel is a legitimate classic and in my humble opinion is a modern masterpiece.

10 Greatest Trailers of All-Time

IFC named the 50 greatest trailers of all-time and to be completely blunt I found the list shamefully inadequate. They felt "the best trailers are those that most effectively combine art and commerce, and that sell and entertain with equal skill."

Whatever.

I decided to compile a list myself of what I feel are the 10 greatest trailers of all time...I also added an extra handicap to my task by choosing trailers that are NOT on IFC's list which does happen to include some great trailers like Psycho, Eyes Wide Shut, Unbreakable and Dr. Strangelove.

I think a trailer should be evaluated for it's ability to make one's proverbial ass go watch the movie ASAP. Some of the movies on this list, are what I would call...pieces of shit. Which goes to show that the trailer was pretty damn good, since it fooled me into watching the film. I also LOVE trailers that don't reveal too much of the plot and don't ruin the entire movie for the viewer by showing the best action or comedy scenes. Lately most films are just long versions of the trailer.

Not good.

Trailers are supposed to be just a tease not a complete synopsis with spoilers.

Here are my choices for best trailers that are NOT on IFC's list.

UPDATED: Honorable mentions:

Batman Returns:

Superman Returns:

The movie was a disappointment. But this trailer featuring Marlon Brando gave me goosebumps when I first saw it.


Star Wars Episode 1:

The wait for this film was unbearable and I don't think there's ever been a more anticipated trailer in the history of film.



And now the top 10!

10. The Godfather Part 3
There's no doubt Part 3 is inferior to the first two Godfather films. But that's alot to live up to isn't it? I think this trailer does a fantastic job of setting up the legacy of the first two films. Also don't tell me the viewer didn't get a chill when they first saw the image of an aged Al Pacino as Michael Corleone. The great casting of Andy Garcia as Vincent also increased expectations for the film, which obviously suffered from the absence of Robert Duvall.




9. The Exorcist

The Exorcist is the scariest movie ever. That's not debatable. This trailer is just as creepy and disturbing as the film. It's all done with showing no gore. It's all sound effects and our imagination. Chilling. Scares me just putting it on here.




8.Monty Python and the Holy Grail

This trailer is typical Python craziness. Hilarious and absurd. What I like about it the most is that it stands on it's own as a humorous piece.




7. Raging Bull

Classic Score. Martin Scorsese. Robert De Niro. One of the 10 greatest films. Nuff said.



6. Pearl Harbor

Titanic was still on everybody's mind when this trailer hit. People were hoping for the next great historical tragedy on film. Unfortunately, what we got was Michael Bay silliness. The truth is this trailer sold an audience a film that they never saw.

We all fell for it. To this day it pisses me off. The fact that it came out Memorial Day 2001 added insult to injury.




5. Batman

I never seen a crowd go crazy for a film like the time I first saw this trailer at the Mann Village in Westwood. People were screaming and cheering like a Lakers game at every image of and line recited by the Joker. The trailer itself is choppy and actually...um... not very good. But the film teased a genre of film to a generation who were desperate for a serious superhero movie. So it lands at number 5 for the historical significance. Jack Nicholson as the Joker was the highlight of the summer of 1989. If you were alive back then. Then you know what I'm talking about.




4. Wyatt Earp

This movie was ambitious and actually isn't that bad, but something just didn't quite click. The trailer illustrates the epic scale the film was aspiring to. I think what really sells the film is the amazing soundtrack in the trailer by Ennio Morricone. Ironically, Morricone did not do the score for the actual movie. Perhaps the fatal flaw of the actual film.




3. Kill Bill Volume 1

The score for this trailer is now a legitimate viral classic and has now been used in other movies, trailers and commercials. It all began here. Before this it was an obscure piece of score in a obscure foreign film. Now it'll be forever known as "THE music" for Kill Bill.






2. The Big Lebowski

Great trailer for a great film. So much going on. It's almost as fun as the movie itself. Almost.




1. Buffalo 66

This trailer isn't just a great preview. It's a friggin work of art. I'm shocked that it wasn't in the top 50 of IFC's list considering that it's exactly up IFC's alley. Amazing film too. If you haven't seen the film do yourself the favor.

Daybreakers Trailer

I'm sick of Vampires.

They are EVERYWHERE.

The excellent film Let the Right One In failed to make my top ten list last year because I am just so sick of the genre. In the late 90's and the early part of this decade, storytellers were using the Vampire mythology as a metaphor for the AIDS crisis.

Which is STILL going on by the way.

But, unfortunately, the entertainment industry is done raising awareness about that cause...apparently. I'm not sure WHAT is inspiring this recent trend of vampire entertainment which has overtaken the industry.

Perhaps it's this generation's fascination with vanity, celebrity and mortality?

The latest entry into the vampire canon is the film Daybreakers directed by twin brothers Michael and Peter Spierig.



Judging from the trailer, the film seems to be making a statement about the exhaustion of natural resources and the corruption which happens when there is a limited supply.

Interesting take and definitely timely. Certainly looks action packed, has a good cast and is visually stimulating as well.

We'll see.

With True Blood on everyone's mind, I'm not sure if it'll help or hurt the film's cause.

Daybreakers is tentatively scheduled for release January 8, 2010.

The Invention of Lying Trailer

Ricky Gervais is arguably the funniest person alive.

When I first heard of the premise of The Invention of Lying, I have to admit I cringed. It didn't sound very promising and actually sounded similar in concept to the disappointing comedy Idiocracy or worse Liar Liar.

But I was wrong.



Hilarious.

I'm an idiot for doubting the man's genius. Who the hell am I to doubt the creator of The Office and Extras?

The Invention of Lying and Bruno are the two comedies I'm looking forward to the most this year.

The film is tentatively scheduled for release on September 25, 2009.

There are going to be 10 Oscar nominees for best picture this year. Which gives comedies a greater chance of being nominated for the award. Wouldn't it be great if Gervais was nominated for an Oscar this year for his feature film directorial debut?

Michael Jackson Dead at 50

The King of Pop is dead.

There will never be another entertainer like him.

Say what you will, as a musical entertainer Michael Jackson had no equal. The first concert that I ever attended was the Jacksons Victory tour which took place at the height of Michael Jackson's popularity.



I was thirteen years old.

I distinctly remember witnessing hundreds of teens crying in uncontrollable hysterics while listening to his music during the concert. It was unbelievable. To this day I've never seen anything like it.

The first VHS video that my family ever owned was "The Thriller" video directed by John Landis. We must've watched that thing a thousand times.

He was an entertaining actor too.

He notably appeared in "The Wiz" which was directed by Sidney Lumet and the 3D Disneyland attraction "Captain E.O." which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas.









Big names...I know.

If that wasn't enough, he was directed by Martin Scorsese in the short film / music video "Bad".



Of course, later in his life he was known more for the controversy that was generated in his wake. At best, he was ridiculed for his eccentric behavior, at worst, he was accused of being a child molester.




But what was undeniable was his incredible music.

I remember going to Club 70's on Sundays in Hollywood. Every time Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till you get Enough" played the whole club rocked, literally EVERYONE in the club would dance. People would come streaming out of the bathroom, people would stop drinking their drinks, strangers would grab strangers just so they wouldn't have to dance alone. People would be doing the moonwalk. Grabbing their crotch, spinning, the whole deal.

It was classic.

The song symbolized the height of that evening's festivities.

Cause it was all down hill from there.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson.

Inglourious Basterds Trailer #2

This is the second trailer for Inglourious Basterds and with this footage we get a better sense of the tone of the movie. Looks like Brad Pitt's character has some comedic, even slapstick moments in this film. We also get a hint of some of the historical liberties and re-imaginings the story takes.



Looks good. I'm hoping that the negative buzz is just Much ado about Nothing and unrealistic expectations placed on the works of Quentin Tarantino.

Can't wait till August 21st to see the film.