(Bi-weekly feature written for Lost In The Multiplex)
It hasn’t been a very busy fortnight for film trailer releases in this week’s feature, but the few picks that we do have include a number of excellent first trailers for some already highly anticipated films. With the first sequences of footage from Rian Johnson’s upcoming thriller Looper, to a remake of the 1990 film Total Recall, we even have a glimpse of the astounding Woody Allen’s latest film To Rome With Love, as well as the latest role from the stunning Michelle Williams in the romantic drama, Take This Waltz. From this – albeit small – collection of trailers this week, we’re sure in for some great cinema later this year.
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Looper
First up, and this had to go at the top of the list after a week full of ridiculous teasers, is the first trailer for Rian Johnson’s upcoming science-fiction thriller, Looper. Taking place in the future, Looper follows mob member Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who soon realises that one of his targets is an older version of himself (Bruce Willis). Written and directed by Johnson, the film reunites the director with lead star Gordon-Levitt after they first worked together on the mystery thriller Brick back in 2005. The new trailer is pretty amazing, and it’s great to see that even with the addition of futuristic technology it is not bombarded with a big budget scale of a flashy New York setting, any unnecessary 3D enhancements or with the use of big transformer type vehicles that are aimed to take the attention away from what the film is really about. Also starring Emily Blunt, Jeff Daniels, and Paul Dano, Looper is set to be released on 28th September.
Total Recall
Verging on the opposite scale is the first trailer for the remake of the 1990 film Total Recall, which originally starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone. This time following Colin Farrell is the lead role, his character as a factory worker begins to suspect that he’s a spy, though he is unaware which side of the fight he’s on. Also an action-heavy film that is set in the future, the new trailer for this film seems to be more dominated by big metallic objects and bright city lights, but I still think it will be very good. Set to be released on 22nd August, the film also stars Bokeem Woodbine, Bryan Cranston, Kate Beckinsale, and Bill Nighy.
Take This Waltz
More on the romantic side, the first trailer for writer and director Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz promises another stunning performance from Michelle Williams, as she plays a woman named Margot who, happily married to Seth Rogen’s character in the film, ends up falling for the artist who lives across the street (Luke Kirby). After seeing William’s astounding performance as Marilyn Monroe late last year, her few minutes of dialogue in this trailer say enough on its own. Whilst the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2011, as well as being shown at a number of other festivals throughout Canada and Spain afterwards, unfortunately there is no official UK release date for this yet. Take This Waltz will, however, have a limited release in the US on 29th June after being shown at the Tribeca Film Festival later this month on 22nd April, so we can hope for a UK release date this summer too.
To Rome With Love
Directed by, written by, and starring Woody Allen, the first trailer for his latest film To Rome With Love introduces a fairly decent cast including Penélope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, and Alec Baldwin. Set in a very Woody Allen style atmosphere, the film tells the story of a number of people in Italy – some American, some Italian, some residents, and some visitors – and the romances, adventures and predicaments they get into. With a limited release on 22nd June in the US, there is again no UK release date for this yet but it should, as well, get a summer release soon.
Ted
As for comedy, we also have the first trailer for Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s live action feature debut, Ted. Co-written and directed by MacFarlane, Ted follows a man named John (Mark Wahlberg), whose best friend is a walking and talking teddy bear named Ted (also voiced by MacFarlane). The furry beast originally came to life during tough times in John’s childhood when John had wished for him, but now the pair are roommates, and the bear is starting to complicate John’s romance with a cute girl (Mila Kunis) who he is about to get serious with. Set to be released on 3rd August, the new trailer has MacFarlane written all over it. I have to admit that I’m quite unsure about this at the minute because it seems to emphasise the more ridiculous and crude side of his TV comedies that many of us enjoy, but this will definitely still be worth a watch.
A Fantastic Fear Of Everything
Simon Pegg is returning the big screen too, with the first trailer for his latest film A Fantastic Fear Of Everything. Co-directed by Crispian Mills and Chris Hopewell, this is the duos’ directorial debut, directed from a script penned by Mills too. Set to be released on 8th June, the film follows Pegg’s character Jack, a children’s author turned crime novelist whose detailed research into the lives of Victorian serial killers has turned him into a paranoid wreck. Persecuted by the irrational fear of being murdered, Jack is thrown a life-line by his long-suffering agent who takes a sudden interest in his script. But what should be his big break turns rapidly into a big breakdown, as Jack is forced to confront his worst fears. I’m more intrigued by this trailer than enticed, as I think I still need to see something more for me to want to go and see this. If you were wondering what his latest film would be like then this trailer will certainly fill a hole, but I don’t think that it will leave you content for too long.
Savages
And the final first trailer is for director Oliver Stone’s Savages, which follows pot growers Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) who are faced against the Mexican drug cartel who has kidnapped their shared girlfriend. It all looks very serious, but at the same time very well acted. Also starring Blake Lively, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Salma Hayek, and Emile Hirsch, the film is set to be released on 28th September.
Rock Of Ages
As for a second trailer, we have some new footage for Hairspray director Adam Shankman’s new musical adaptation, Rock of Ages. Set to be released on 15th June, the film tells the story of small town girl Sherrie (Julianne Hough) and city boy Drew (Diego Boneta), who meet in Hollywood whilst trying to pursue their dreams in the big city. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the classic hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more, and also stars Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Ackerman, Mary J. Blige, Bryan Cranston, Alec Baldwin, and Tom Cruise. Nothing special, but the new trailer looks like a lot of fun.
Top Cat: The Movie 3D
And finally, we have the trailer for Alberto Mar’s big screen adaptation based on Hanna-Barbera’s feline childhood favourite, Top Cat: The Movie. Debuting by MSN earlier this month, the new trailer reunites us with the – now 3D and very CGI’d – Top Cat and the gang who must face a new police chief, who is not at all happy with officer Dribble’s performance trying to prevent Top Cat’s previous scams. Set to be released on 1st June, I doubt this will interest anybody who grew up with the classic TV cartoon, but I’m sure it will pore in a new crowd of young and naive minds.
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