Public Enemies

OPENING: 07/01/2009

STUDIO: Universal

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

SOUNDTRACK:

The Charge
“We’re here for the bank’s money, not yours. Put it away.”

Opening Statement
An unapologetically stiff technical masterpiece of composition and historical accuracy, Public Enemies is a surprise right out of the gate. When one considers the subject matter of Prohibition era bank robbers, Tommy guns and notorious American outlaw John Dillinger, one expects a cinematic humdinger of an action film, full of testosterone and action machismo, dramatic conflict and proper romanticizing of Dillinger as a cultural icon. Surprisingly—or perhaps not at all—we get nothing of the sort. Public Enemies is a film scrubbed so thoroughly of emotion and resonance as to be downright alien. It has no interest in observing any of the action clichés of summer blockbuster films, despite being released in the prime of summer blockbuster season.

Still, what exactly should we have expected from director Michael Mann? Consider Heat, a film that (depending on whom you ask) is either the best action film ever made, or the most colossal of bores. I lean towards the former, and I certainly appreciate Public Enemies for its numerous merits, but I have a feeling this film will be somewhat polarizing with audiences this weekend—especially those looking for a high-octane summer blockbuster.

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The Proposal

OPENING: 06/19/2009

STUDIO: Touchstone

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

The Charge
Here comes the bribe…

Opening Statement
“Honey, if you hold on to my ass one more time, I’ll cut your balls off in your sleep!”

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IFC, everyone’s favorite independent purveyor of cinema on television have compiled a saucy list of what they consider the 50 greatest trailers of all time. It’s a most excellent list all told, well balanced between old and new, modern and old-fashioned style of editing and marketing, and gives ample credit to films that had fantastic, enigmatic and fascinating marketing, but sucked theatrically. It’s the only list where you’ll see Maximum Overdrive side-by-side with The Manchurian Candidate, or Zabriskie Point beside Face/Off.

I’m fascinated by the art of the trailer myself–it’s a powerful tool for piquing interest in films, manipulating and shaping public perception before audiences even get to see a film. A well-cut trailer can be honest and forthcoming, but it can also lie through its teeth and completely misrepresent its subject. You may not agree with the list as a whole, but it’s a brave offering.

Special points go for their choice for their #5, which I still contend is the most perfect example of a brilliant trailer for a lousy film.

(via IFC)

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

OPENING: 06/22/2009

STUDIO: DreamWorks

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

SOUNDTRACK:

The Charge
Revenge is coming.

Opening Statement
I experienced an unexpected soft spot for 2007’s Transformers, a delightfully fun and, at times, brutally entertaining blockbuster which — coupled with The Island — made me rethink my entire opinion concerning director Michael Bay. Prior to viewing his vision of robots in disguise, I found Bay to be a patchy and intrusive filmmaker. However, leaving that movie I began to believe he might have finally cracked the blockbuster code. All those hours wasted watching Pearl Harbor suddenly felt worthwhile, knowing Bay was a changed artist with the promise that future projects might offer the same skill conjuring fantastical escapism. Unfortunately, such hopes where premature. Bay has detonated any hope of his evolution as a dumb fun connoisseur, by delivering a truly tedious and uninspired sequel. A heartbreakingly monotonous and unoriginal gambit to expand the Transformers universe, Revenge of The Fallen is destined to climax as this summer’s most disappointing diversion.
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Land of the Lost

OPENING: 06/05/2009

STUDIO: Universal

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

SOUNDTRACK:

The Charge
Right place. Wrong time.

Opening Statement
Amid a field of lackluster summer movies of 2009, here’s another television property adapted for the big screen no one asked for. Based on the children’s sci-fi serial of the 1970s, Land of the Lost has undergone some cosmetic changes in the reinterpretation for today’s movie audience. The participation of the show’s creators, Sid and Marty Krofft, as co-producers more or less puts the stamp of approval on this pumped up version. Broad jokes and an eclectic mix of cultural references makes it hard to pin down who the intended target audience is.
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Year One

OPENING: 06/19/2009

STUDIO: Columbia Pictures

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

SOUNDTRACK: N/A

The Charge
Meet your ancestors.

Opening Statement
My reaction when first hearing about Year One: "Hey, a new Harold Ramis comedy? Cool beans! I’ll keep an eye out for it."



My reaction to Year One now that I’ve seen it: "$*#@. #*@!, #*!@, $%!@."

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Paper Man

OPENING: 06/18/2009

STUDIO: Artfire Films

ACCOMPLICES: N/A

SOUNDTRACK: N/A

The Charge
What happens when life stalls but the world keeps moving forward?

Opening Statement
Opening night of the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival showed much less glam and glitz than years past, focusing more on the art than the Hollywood. The heart of Westwood was almost serene tonight. Broxton Street, once host to lavish after parties, remained open and quiet; Lindbrook Avenue wasn’t lined with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of celebrity royalty, as there were none to be found; and the Mann Village Theatre was full, but not bursting, requiring no overflow theatre to accommodate the crowds. While some might point to the economic downturn as the main reason for the change, looking up and down this year’s 200+ film schedule, you’ll quickly see a conscious choice by festival director Rebecca Yeldham (Anvil! The Story of Anvil) and her team to present a more introspective palate. Kieran and Michele Mulroney’s Paper Man was a most appropriate choice to establish the tone.
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Released only a week ago, the teaser for Michael Moore’s new movie is now released. It can be viewed easily on YouTube.

The film is untiled, and the teaser shows no actual scenes. However, the focus is clearly on government bailouts in the past eight months. This trailer was played in N.Y. and L.A. with actual ushers doing what Moore is saying. It’s both hilarious and hideous. Just remember: it may make you feel…GOOD!

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

OPENING: 06/12/2009

STUDIO: Columbia Pictures

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

SOUNDTRACK:

The Charge
"Life is simple. They just have to do what I say."

Opening Statement
Joseph Sargent’s 1974 thriller The Taking of Pelham One Two Three still holds up well as a satisfying motion picture. Featuring crisp direction and strong lead performances from Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw, the film is an immensely entertaining if somewhat dated viewing experience. New York City has changed a great deal over the course of 35 years; a fact that Tony Scott’s new take on the story certainly reflects. Though not as memorable its predecessor, this version of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (yes, this title uses actual numbers) serves as yet another engaging slice of stylish entertainment from a very reliable director.
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The Hangover

OPENING: 05/05/2009

STUDIO: Warner Bros.

ACCOMPLICES:
Trailer, Official Site

SOUNDTRACK:

The Charge
Some guys just can’t handle Vegas.

Opening Statement
When we recorded our Summer Movie Guide podcast, we overlooked The Hangover. That’s not to say it wasn’t on our minds. It just wasn’t significant enough to mention. After all, it’s a comedy lacking A-list stars from a guy who’s last name isn’t Apatow. Who would have guessed the buzz generated by early screenings yielding shrieks of laughter from audiences. I attended one of those screenings, and pretty much all the critics sitting with me were unanimous in saying The Hangover was a raucously funny movie.

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