Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Trailer peek: True Grit and more

When I went to see Hereafter the other day, it occured to me that for awhile I have disregarded the shortest movies that are out there - the trailers. Here's a look at the ones I saw in front of Clint Eastwood's new film.

Listed in roughly the order I saw them.

For Colored Girls




My best friend had this pretty nailed when he leaned over to me and said "This is when we find out if Tyler Perry is for real." Sure, he's been successful at the box office - but he doesn't have the broadest of bases. This film is clearly his attempt at something like Precious (which he co-produced) - something to show he can hook Oscar bait. Not saying it will happen - not saying it won't either. PROSPECT: B

The Rite



Blecch. Looks like an Exorcist rip-off, with Hopkins as the Merrin type. There's even the lame "Inspired by a true story" line, which is usually code for "We took one fact from history and just made the rest up." Welcome to January. The power of Christ does not compel me. PROSPECT: D


Unknown




Liam Neeson's career has taken a strange turn lately. It seems instead of straight dramatic roles, it looks like he's going for paycheck parts in genre fare (The A-Team being the most egregious example.) Still, this looks like it could be good as far as genre fare goes. PROSPECT: B


Restless 



Two names hooked me here: Gus Van Sant, who seems to be aiming somewhere his extremes of Oscar bait like Milk and indie indies like Paranoid Park. The other is that of Mia Wasikowska, who has become the latest Actress I Will Watch in Anything, following her stellar work in Alice in Wonderland and The Kids are All Right. PROSPECT: A

Black Swan





I would be interested in a Darren Aronofsky/Natalie Portman project no matter what it was, but the fact that this is an excellently cut trailer only whets my appetite. PROSPECT: A

True Grit




Never mind the decorations that are already starting to fill the stores - THIS is the best reason for Christmas to get here double-quick. Even if this isn't Oscar bait (and it may well be), I think this stands an excellent chance at being the Coens' biggest commercial hit. PROSPECT A

1 comment:

David M. Allen M.D. said...

You should have seen Mia Wasikowska in the first season of HBO's "In Treatment." Like everyone in that show, incredible acting.