Trailer Talk: End of Year Catch-Up

What with birthdays, assignments and Christmas galore, this poor little feature has been left behind to make way for personal events and other projects/reviews. So with the end of the year hours away, let's catch up with the December trailer releases, starting with...

Terminator: Genisys

There is a lot going on this sequel/reboot, as it attempts to keep to the original timeline of the quadrilogy whilst rejuvenating the franchise for a new audience, and as such will of course upset its core fans. Add to some...interesting choices in casting - I'm happy with Jason Clarke following his role in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes but against a lead role for Jai Courtney - and there is clear reasons for worry. But this trailer, highlighting both the new and old aspects of the film, does show there is some care being given to the series, thanks to director Alan Taylor being a strong choice to follow the footsteps of James Cameron, Jonathan Mostow and, to a lesser extent, Joseph McGinty Nichol. There is still much to worry about, but this trailer eases the pain.

Little Boy

ARGH! Religious demographic pandering! Terrible child acting! Kevin James! Avoid!

The Walk

Whilst I'm sure this tease looks great in 3D, a 2D showing of this makes you focus less on the spectacle it tries to bring out and more on the somewhat ghostly appearance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Phillippe Petit. But once you get past the pure-white face of the film, you do get what is quite simply a very vague teaser, only allowing public understanding when researched or explained in the description. What with a 2004 documentary also focusing on Petit's travel between the Two Towers - Man on Wire - also remaining in the public eye, it may be a hard film to gain love, despite Robert Zemeckis directing.

San Andreas

Say hello to 2015's Into the Storm, with a flashier but still untrustworthy-financially cast and earthquakes instead of tornadoes. Is this the return of the natural disaster genre? God I hope not.

Still Alice

This very well may be Julianne Moore's most important role to date, as she looks phenomenal in it. The topic is one not often discussed in film (the only other use that comes to mind is in Rise of the Planet of the Apes), and the way it's portrayed and written here is very strong. If I remember to, I may try looking for this film come March/April time.

Inside Out

Hello Pixar my old friend! This longer look at the incoming return of the animation studio gives a bit more of an insight as to how emotions work within this universe, with hilarious and visually pleasing results. The variety of the emotions does both intrigue and humour the audience whilst giving a nice little tease into this magical world of the mind. Arguably not as strong as the first trailer, but still a delight.

Mad Max: Fury Road

I prefer the first trailer from Comic Con. There, I said it. It was incredible visually and showed the world that the film was going to be big. That's not to say this trailer doesn't, but the editing is a bit too choppy by comparison, and there isn't as much intrigue as before. Sure, it still looks bold and bombastic, but not as much.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

The only person I trust here is Adam Scott, and that's only for his television work. I'm doubt this film will be any good.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

You don't need to hear me sing praises to this film again, you already know it's looks good. This trailer doesn't change my opinion one bit.

Insurgent

Have I mentioned how much I dislike this franchise? This looks like a predictable bland second instalment which either jumps too far from its roots or not far enough from Divergent's quality. Bleurgh.

Get Hard

Remember what I was saying about Hot Tub Time Machine 2? Well, minus Adam Scott, and it's just like that. Sadly it'll probably do really well financially thanks to the popularity of both Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart.

Kill Me Three Times

I like Simon Pegg, so this film did grab my attention. But this trailer, aside from one or two gags, doesn't really stand out against all other black comedies of the same genre. It's a bit basic despite some of the talent involved and seemingly moving the action to Australia (I think). A possible pass.

True Story

Comedians moving to drama can often work. But two big name comedic hits in one dark drama may not resonate well with audiences when they see the posters for True Story. The trailer does come cross as a simplistic tale of distrust and manipulation, but whether it'll be any good fails to be shown here.

In the Heart of the Sea

It's a pity this newer trailer for Ron Howard;s next feature looks a bit more generic, as the first tease was so grand and spectacular that it could easily garner a ticket bought (going by comments made by viewers before my screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies). Here it's all more basic, more simple, more meh. It still has some extravagant shots, but not as much as before.

Focus

With this and the first trailer, I'm now confused by the film's plot. What is going on? Is Margot Robbie a apprentice of Will Smith's or an enemy? Thank god a Suicide Squad trailer hasn't come out too because then I'd be more confused than ever!

Entourage

I haven't seen the TV series of the same name, so the beginning of the trailer did confuse me majorly. Once it turned out to be a film by the main characters, I started to dig it more, until it turned into a conventional "we need to save our jobs before it's too late!" story, alienating this viewer as I have no bond towards these characters. It was a turn off for me, and may be for others.

The DUFF

Still looks like a generic teen comedy with predictable plotlines and 'twists'. What a way to end the year!