Trailer Talk: Adam Sandler, Nick Offermen and Robin Williams

Interstellar
Just missing out of the previous installment of Trailer Talk, this new trailer for Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film gives out a lot more than the previous, which focused primarily on the state of Earth and why Matthew McConaughey is leaving behind his family. Here, it shows off a lot more the actual explorations as well as co-star Anne Hathaway, who remained mostly absent in previous marketing ploys. It's highly impressive, brilliantly directed and easily one to look forward to this November.

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
It's difficult to try and review a trailer like this so soon after the passing of an actor from said film, particularly in this case with the late great Robin Williams. But for this continuing franchise, it is clear that Williams is still giving his all, possibly receiving more screen-time than in the 2009 entrant Battle of the Smithsonian, and again outshining his fellow co-stars. I do give kudos to the make up team for the film - I barely recognised Ben Stiller in his dual role as a caveman - but it does seem to be lacking in its attempt to revitalise itself and cash in on the strong British appeal. Add a phoned in British accent by Rebel Wilson, it could be a second blunder for the series, but at least it's making the most out of the maguffin's premise with an interesting plot.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
This is an interesting one. When I first saw this, I was traumatised by it; disgruntled by its premise and its humour. But upon a rewatch, it's actually okay. Whilst I despise Nickelodeon's attempt to cash in on the growing superhero popularity by turning SpongeBob and co. into costumed crusaders, and any joke involving human characters bursts the imaginative bubble the brand blows, the animation of the characters in both dimensions does work. Usually CGI-human hybrid films like The Smurfs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fail to convert the characters into the next dimension, but the animators have managed to do so almost perfectly whilst keeping the flair of their personalities. The jokes mainly work, but humans are a turn-off for this theatrical spin-off.

Into the Woods
All I know of this musical adaptation is that it features various fairy tale characters such as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, and that's what this teaser plays on; it plays on the wishes of the various protagonists from all the childhood classics and brings them together while promoting its all-star cast ranging from Emily Blunt to Meryl Streep. It works as a brief look into the world to come, but I pray that future promotions will have more sustenance.

Believe Me
I've been watching a lot of Parks and Recreation over the last few weeks, so seeing Nick Offerman repeat his role in a slightly lighthearted fashion. But that's all there is to this trailer. I'm not even sure I know what the premise of the film is except the lead is no longer doing his scholarship and some executives get involved in his stagework. That's all I know. Not that funny either.

The Theory of Everything
It isn't Trailer Talk without a trailer for a life story event! This time Eddie Redmayne in what many are calling an Oscar-deserving performance as Stephen Hawking, the second of which following Daniel Day-Lewis' Oscar-winning portrayal in 1989's My Left Foot. And while I doubt Redmayne will win an Oscar for his portrayal, there is a good chance he'll be nominated as he does a superb job. It has a good enough premise and could well be an Oscar contender for Best Picture. However, it is somewhat too cheery amidst its life-threatening plotline, and Felicity Jones is somewhat underused in this trailer. Aside from that, something to look out for come award season.

The Penguins of Madagascar
Why are Dreamworks pushing that cheese puffs joke as a highlight? Yes, I still have problems with that joke. Aside from that repeated joke, this trailer features mainly new material including yet another baby-version-of-character inclusion (following in the footsteps in Monsters University, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and many more) and exploration of various countries and cities (like Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted...they aren't exactly keeping original within its universe). A few of the early jokes worked, but there is something distinctly lacking in this spin-off.

The Book of Life
This time round, it appears that the studios have opted for more of a comedic ordeal as opposed for its previous showcase of design and story, as this trailer fills itself with modern sayings (to which I say poor Channing Tatum) as opposed to the high quality animation at hand. What boggles me the most is that Christina Applegate and Ice Cube have higher billings than the main cast of the trailer, let alone the film itself. It still looks inventive, but the comedy may be a little lacking even for a family film.

Men, Women and Children
It'll be interesting to see whether Adam Sandler will be able to be a better actor than he is a comedian, as this trailer is mainly mute against the musical marketing ploy. Whilst the fact that this is directed by the brains behind Up in the Air and Juno, and is tackling the growing social media aspect of life in society, it does come off as somewhat bland and possibly with too many narratives. As much as I love the inclusion of text bubbles as seen in The Fault in Our Stars and Chef, it may be pushing it too far.

Annabelle
When the first teaser came out, I said that it made a refreshing change that one of the protagonists was with child during the events which take place. Now that I've seen this trailer, I must revoke that statement. What could have been a great horror film has been reverted into the same-old jump scare malarkey. There isn't much to really add.

The Woman in Black: Angel of Death 
I remember back in 2012 all of my classmates being freaked out by The Woman in Black, which left high anticipations and fears for a viewing amongst my classmates. But whilst it was a strong show by Daniel Radcliffe in his first post-Harry Potter role, it left a lot to be desired and little fear. So for this teaser, I remembered that and felt like it kept consistent. That being said, it doesn't push me into seeing the sequel, just to remember what happened in the first one. That said, it is a teaser, so it doesn't give off much a plot outside of ARGH SCARY THINGS IN A HOUSE GODDAMN DEAD WOMAN HAUNTING ME.

Boyhood (2014) Movie Review

Boyhood is a film which has sent critics aflurry with strong devotion to the whole prospect of keeping a single cast for 12 years for one film. And when the trailer was released earlier this year, I too was instantly hooked and excited for the final product. And whilst I was overall underwhelmed by it, it was still a great film. 

I love the idea of the film of keeping a simple cast for 12 years, and with that the actors do a tremendous job. Mason Jnr (Ellar Coltrane) is a likable lead who grows as an actor as time progresses. He doesn't subject himself to a specific type of kid like various films beforehand despite initial fears with brief spurs with bullying and rebellious nature, whilst Samantha (Lorelei Linklater) manages to portray  a good enough older sister. But whilst the film promotes itself as being all about Mason Jnr growing up, it's all really about parents Olivia and Jason Snr (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) and how they progress from their divorce whilst juggling their kids and separate marriages. Whilst mainly focused on Olivia and her various marriages, the two grow too as time progresses, taking past events into effect, and by the end when they say their farewells to Mason Jnr it is emotional. As for other cast members, they do quite simply come and go, without future reference; understandably due to it being focused on life, but also somewhat disappointingly. 

There is no actual plot to the film, as it constantly shifts its focus for each year it covers, whether it be abusive fathers, relationships, or quite simply growing up. With that, the film can feel disjointed and the audience will struggle to keep up and catch up. And yet it feels right to not have a single plot, as it would make up for a very dull film and an incredibly slow journey for these characters. When each event occurs, it is great viewing, but nevertheless the full film is quite clearly in segments. It also doesn't help that the first few years are difficult to date, as neither child has significant growth. Once puberty kicks in, it's a lot more noticeable, but beforehand you rely solely on references to that time such as Gameboys and Obama.

It's already well established that this was Richard Linklater's baby, working on it every year whilst making the likes of School of Rock and Bernie, and it's clear that he's putting his all into his direction as it is a thing of beauty. Every shot is stunning, and the editing is done superbly. The final shots of Mason Jnr travelling to his new home to 'Hero' is one which clearly sows that we're reaching the end of his 12 year journey, and it prepares you for the end.

But by the time it's all over, you don't want it to. You want to see Mason grow through college and into adulthood. His first full time job, his wedding, family life, and so on. It's a story which is broken and slow but which doesn't deserve to end. When the credits roll, you want the next chapter to follow. Boyhood may not have reached my extraordinarily high expectations, but it did make a brilliant movie. 8/10.