FILM TRAILERS in the Front Row - May 2012

'Chernobyl Diaries'

I like the look of this, mostly because I've always been fascinated by Chernobyl. I've always said I'll go visit, too. It's one of those great mysteries, exciting and a little terrifying. What could be more fascinating than a ghost town?

Anyways; I've never been. By the time I do make the journey, I guess it will be old hat. Especially after this movie comes out, everyone will be wanting to visit. Radiation-wise, it's getting less and less risky. A few years back, it was dead. Now, people are trickling through.

This movie looks cool, and that's about all. But worth checking out, if only for the setting.

'Girl in Progress'

Reminds me of 'Spanglish'. I'm not the target audience, so it's perhaps wrong for me to share opinions. All I have to add is 'Mendes is hot lolzzz', which is not particularly insightful. It's great to see Patricia Arquette on screen - I haven't seen her in ages. I get the sense this movie might be better than the trailer suggests. Worth a risk?

'Last Call At The Oasis'

Environmental documentaries piss me off. They're always so self-righteous and condescending! But then again, they need to be, because I'm definitely the target audience. An English dude who never thinks about his water usage. But how to get the message through to my dumb head? Unfortunately, it's not documentaries like this. These kinds of films preach to the converted, but it's going to take more skill to get through to the ignorant.

'Your Sister's Sister'

 Lynn Shelton is one of those Mumblecore filmmakers. As Greg Mottola said a few months back, "As someone who loves movies and has very little free time, I can't figure out which fucking mumblecore movie to see." When Lynn Shelton is directing them; that doesn't neccessarily mean you should see it. Although she did make 'Humpday', which is fantastic. And it stars Mark Duplass, who is one of my favourite actors. So yeah, you should watch it. And also, these aren't massively successful filmmakers raking in millions of dollars. You and me going to see these movies and spreading the word, it makes a big difference.

'Apartment 143' 

Just another flick riding the 'Paranormal Activity' wave. 

'This Is 40'

I think this trailer sucks. But I think it will be a good movie. I trust in Judd Apatow; he knows what he's doing. 'Funny People' got mixed reviews, but I really connected to it. And I love how Leslie Mann's career has gone in recently years. This will be fun, right? 

'Take This Waltz'

The trailer has 'this-is-an-indie-film' music. And it has that warm this-is-an-indie-film cinematography. I guess that after the big hits, Rogen and Williams need to feel human again. Williams is so good. And although this runs the risk of being your typical white-people-hang-around-figuring-out-their-angst crap, there's enough talent for it to potentially be something great. And I love this line from Sarah Silverman: "Life has a gap in it, it just does. Don't go crazy trying to fill it."

'Hide Away'

I'm not sure this trailer makes any sense. Are they going for mysterious -- or is there just no story? These types of movies struggle to get an audience. If it's good, I hope it gets the support and release it needs. But I'm just not sure where it will find an audience. Based on the trailer, I'm not sold. 

'Tyler Perry's: Madea's Witness Protection'

Can I confess something? I don't know anything about Tyler Perry! Never seen one of his movies. From what I know, he's a hugely successful filmmaker, who everyone seems to hate. I guess my opinions have been swayed over the years and stopped me from watching his work. I want to watch his stuff; shall I wait for this, or is there an older film I should look at first? 

'Nesting'

Okay, another film about white-people-sitting-around-figuring-their-shit-out. But it seems kind of aware of that fact, which makes it a bit more okay somehow. I think I'll probably enjoy this; I relate to the trailer. I don't connect, but I relate. There's hope. 

'Prometheus'

This is not my kind of movie. I know it should be. But it isn't. I can't change who I am. 

Everyone I know is excited about this. The hype is working, and it's probably justified. But I couldn't care less! I struggled to sit through 'Alien'. I'm just not a sci-fi guy. Have I ever written about a sci-fi movie on this blog? Probably not. I'd love to be part of it; I've always secretly had a little bit of a longing to be in with the mainstream, to be a part of these things; but it just doesn't click, I'm sorry!

'The Five Year Engagement'

Have any of you seen this movie yet? The trailer is kind of entertaining in that typical-rom-com-we've-seen-it-all-before way. Worth seeing?

'Goodbye First Love'

First love is such a fascinating thing. I mean, the stories are always so predictable -- but EVERYONE can relate! And this movie looks so well shot, in such intriguing locations. And we instantly assume all foreign films are masterpieces anyway, so possibly this will be very good, It looks it!

'The Magic of Belle Isle'

Morgan Freeman is at that age where we start to get really concerned about what he's being cast in -- because he doesn't have another fifty years to make a masterpiece. It has to happen now. 'The Magic of Belle Isle' isn't going to be a masterpiece, but it has the potential to be wonderful. Rob Reiner is a terrific director - and his films connect. This trailer is wonderfully watchable, and it has Fred Willard in it, which is always a good sign. 

'The Art Of Rap'

Rap is over. Pretty soon it'll be like rock 'n roll, desperate to still be relevant even though the world has moved on. But the impact of rap was undeniable - we see it all around us. This documentary looks like a must see. I'm in awe of the creativity within the rap community; I want to get closer to it. I want to understand it. Hopefully this film will take me there. 

'Now Is Good'

This trailer got through to me. A cancer movie for teenagers with a simplistic 'live life now' message; but it resonated. I was watching it in the cinema yesterday before watching 'Headhunters' --- and I was sitting there thinking "Shit! Life is really short! I need to be having adventures! I need to figure my crap out! I need to meet people!" -- That feeling comes along every now and then, but the important thing is what we do with it. 

I just watched the same trailer again now, and it didn't have the same impact. But I'll go see the movie. 

'Beasts of the Southern Wild'

Now this is intriguing. 

'Hope Springs' 

The trailer is OK. It's the cast that draws us in. Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones & Steve Carell have a knack for doing quality movies. This has potential, but the trailer is kind of average. I'm up for seeing it though. How about you?