Cinematical http://www.cinematical.com Cinematical http://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gif Cinematical http://www.cinematical.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Trailer for Simon Pegg's 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/trailer-for-simon-peggs-how-to-lose-friends-and-alienate-peopl/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/trailer-for-simon-peggs-how-to-lose-friends-and-alienate-peopl/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/trailer-for-simon-peggs-how-to-lose-friends-and-alienate-peopl/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The poster for How to Lose Friends and Alienate People uses that horrible big red font you're no doubt familiar with -- that ubiquitous "goofy family comedy" lettering suggesting that it features Eddie Murphy in a fat suit and is terrible. God knows why. The movie stars Simon Pegg, not Eddie Murphy, and -- not surprisingly -- looks pretty funny. I actually didn't go nuts over Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, though I liked both a lot; on the other hand, I also enjoyed Run Fatboy Run, which seemed to leave most people cold. Maybe the answer is that I think Pegg is the genius and not (necessarily) Edgar Wright.

Friends, based on Toby Young's memoir about being a British nobody who finds himself among New York's high society, working at a prestigious magazine, is another Wright-less Simon Pegg affair. Most of the laughs in the new trailer, which you can watch at the top of this post (it's considerably longer and better than the British teaser from a while ago), come courtesy of Pegg's unassuming physical comedy; I love that he never forces it or tries too hard, so that the slapstick seems to be a natural part of whatever character he's playing. The little dance he does about 40 seconds in might justify the film's existence all on its own. And I like that the dog gag at the end doesn't go quite where you'd expect.

The movie also stars Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, and Megan Fox (probably not naked the whole time). It's supposed to come out October 3rd.

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]]>eddie murphyEddieMurphyedgar wrightEdgarWrighthow to lose friends and alienate peopleHowToLoseFriendsAndAlienatePeoplesimon peggSimonPeggtoby youngTobyYoungEugene NovikovFri, 18 Jul 2008 13:32:00 ESTIndie Spotlight: New Releases for July 18http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/indie-spotlight-new-releases-for-july-18/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/indie-spotlight-new-releases-for-july-18/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/indie-spotlight-new-releases-for-july-18/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I concede that it's possible you might already have a film in mind to see this weekend. I understand that there's a highly anticipated major release hitting theaters today that's expected to draw huge crowds. But enough about Space Chimps. This is the Indie Spotlight, a weekly round-up of films opening in limited release that you can see now (if you live in the right city) or put on your list of Movies to Watch Out For.

So what's opening beyond the multiplexes today? These nine films: Before I Forget, The Doorman, Felon, Lou Reed's Berlin, Mad Detective, A Man Named Pearl, Take, Transsiberian, and A Very British Gangster. Here's the lowdown:

Transsiberian
What it is: A thriller about an American couple (Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer) who gets tangled up in murder, drugs, and intrigue while on a train from China to Moscow. Directed and co-writer by Brad Anderson (The Machinist).
What they're saying: Cinematical's Jeffrey M. Anderson raves about it here, and also interviewed the director and Mortimer. The consensus is pretty positive at Rotten Tomatoes, too. Looks like Brad Anderson has another winner.
Where it's playing: New York City's Angelika Film Center and Paris Theatre.
Official site: None.

Lou Reed's Berlin
What it is: A concert film, directed by Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), in which Lou Reed re-performs his 1973 album Berlin. Shot over five nights in 2006.
What they're saying: Cinematical's Christopher Campbell liked it overall, which just a few qualms about Schnabel's methods. At Rotten Tomatoes, about two-thirds of the reviews are positive. One suspects that, as usual with concert films, those with no interest in the music itself probably won't be converted by the movie.
Where it's playing: NYC's Film Forum; L.A.'s Nuart Theatre.
Official site: Berlin the Film.

Continue reading Indie Spotlight: New Releases for July 18

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]]>a man named pearla very british gangsterAManNamedPearlAVeryBritishGangsterbefore i forgetBeforeIForgetlou reeds berlinLouReedsBerlinmad detectiveMadDetectivethe doormanTheDoormantranssiberianEric D. SniderFri, 18 Jul 2008 13:03:00 ESTThe Beginner's Guide to the 'Watchmen' Trailerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/the-beginners-guide-to-the-watchmen-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/the-beginners-guide-to-the-watchmen-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/the-beginners-guide-to-the-watchmen-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



To all those who are unfamiliar with Alan Moore's groundbreaking graphic novel, Watchmen, the new trailer must be a confusing barrage of random images. Hopefully, it intrigues you enough to buy the book before March 6. But you want to know what this trailer is about now, don't you? That's why I'm going to explain it to you with the help of a few screen caps. We won't go point by point, I'll just try to walk you through a few chunks of storyline. It's a delicate task, as I really don't want to ruin the story for those unfamiliar with it. It deserves to be read (or seen) as freshly as possible. So on that note, those intimately familiar with the book shouldn't flame me for not explaining the intricate storyline, character relationships, or backgrounds. There are so few surprises in this world, let's try to preserve the ones awaiting the Watchmen newcomers.

Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985, and if you glance at the photos of the Owl Ship and Oxymandias, you'll see the evidence in a lost landmark, and a president long gone. Like most comic book realities, costumed superheroes ( or "costumed adventurers" as they're called in the book) are real, but most have a pronounced lack of superpowers. Watchmen centers on two generations of them -- the Minutemen, and the Crimebusters. No one is actually called "the Watchmen" in the story; the title refers to any group who's goal is to protect society from themselves. Hence the phrase, repeated throughout the book and film, "Who watches the watchmen?"

[ Continued after the jump ... with more pics! ]

Continue reading The Beginner's Guide to the 'Watchmen' Trailer

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]]>Alan MooreAlanMoorecomparisongraphic novelGraphicNoveltrailer breakdownTrailerBreakdownWatchmenWatchmen trailerWatchmenTrailerZack SnyderZackSnyderElisabeth RappeFri, 18 Jul 2008 12:03:00 ESTAnother Take on the Wendigo Legend in 'Maneater'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/another-take-on-the-wendigo-legend-in-maneater/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/another-take-on-the-wendigo-legend-in-maneater/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/another-take-on-the-wendigo-legend-in-maneater/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The legendary Wendigo is getting another chance at the spotlight. According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor/producer Michael Emanuel is making his directorial debut with Maneater. The movie begins shooting on July 30th in L.A., although the leads have yet to be cast.

Maneater centers around the famous Algonquian myth of the Wendigo, an evil, cannibalistic spirit. Humans can either transform into it by engaging in cannibalism, or be possessed by it via a dream. If one of those unpleasant fates befalls you, you'll go crazy eating your fellow humans, your hunger never to be satisfied. So try not to dream up a wendigo spirit and for heaven's sake, don't eat the flesh of your fellow humans.

The cannibalistic aspect makes it the perfect fodder for a horror movie, and it's been used numerous times, most recently (and probably most notably) in 2001's Wendigo. Now Emanuel is taking on the legend, inspired by a story told to him in the 1970's. His version will follow a former FBI profiler who is now working humbly as a small town sheriff. He begins investigating a series of mysterious (and probably gruesome) murders, only to discover that the monster he's hunting may be someone he knows very well.

It sounds like the best X-Files episode never written, doesn't it? Or at least a really good issue of Wolverine. I think Emanuel needs to delay production, and offer it to Chris Carter or Marvel Studios. Both are in need of a good cannibal spirit story, don't you think?

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]]>Canal StreetCanalStreetManeaterMichael EmanuelMichaelEmanuelWendigoElisabeth RappeFri, 18 Jul 2008 11:43:00 EST'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' Teaser!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-teaser/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-teaser/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-teaser/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



So you know that 15-second Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince teaser that's playing before The Dark Knight? Yeah, well it's just hit The Tube ... and you can see it above. Unfortunately, it's very much a teaser in that there's no actual footage from the film at all. All we hear is Dumbledore's voice saying, "Once again, I must ask too much of you Harry." Then there's some lights, and -- ta da -- we get the title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Following the title, there's this: Select Sequences in IMAX 3-D. Yeah, I'm thinking that will look pretty damn cool. I wish we had more to give you Potter nuts right now (you can also check out our nifty gallery below), but this is all there is. However, a little wizard told me there might be some more gifts arriving soon ...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince hits theaters on November 21.

Gallery: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince



[Thanks Alejandro from BlogHogwarts]

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]]>cinematicalharry potterharry potter 6 teaser trailerharry potter 6 trailerHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince TeaserHarryPotterHarryPotter6TeaserTrailerHarryPotter6TrailerHarryPotterAndTheHalf-bloodPrinceTeaserErik DavisFri, 18 Jul 2008 11:02:00 ESTEW's Con Preview: 'Terminator', 'Spirit', 'Friday the 13th' and More!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/ews-con-preview-terminator-spirit-friday-the-13th-and/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/ews-con-preview-terminator-spirit-friday-the-13th-and/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/ews-con-preview-terminator-spirit-friday-the-13th-and/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



"You're lucky I forgot my water wings biotch!"

In honor of San Diego Comic Con (which starts next week -- OMG!), Entertainment Weekly has thrown together a pretty neat spread on a bunch of the films, TV shows and even comics. Yes, comics. I know, crazy for a comic convention, but what can you do. Although it's not technically part of their Con preview, up above you can see the first image of Jason from the upcoming Friday the 13th remake. The folks behind that flick will host a panel and debut the first trailer at Con.

Below, we've pulled out five of the 26 photos (not including their other First Look photo batch) for you to preview before heading over to EW's site. They also have up a pretty sweet Watchmen piece, which gives another nice look at The Comedian. Featured below: Images from The Spirit, Terminator Salvation, Land of the Lost, Ninja Assassin and Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell.

Which film are you most excited about?

Gallery: EW's Con Preview

Scarlett Johansson in The SpiritTerminator SalvationNinja AssassinLand of the LostDrag Me To Hell

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]]>cinematicalcomic conComicCondrag me to hell movie photosDragMeToHellMoviePhotosfirday the 13thFirdayThe13thland of the lostLandOfTheLostninja assassinNinjaAssassinterminator salvationTerminatorSalvationthe spiritTheSpiritErik DavisFri, 18 Jul 2008 10:32:00 ESTReview: Transsiberianhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/review-transsiberian/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/review-transsiberian/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/review-transsiberian/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This never occurred to me before, but "train" movies are a really interesting sub-genre. You could program an entire two-week film festival of train movies, from comedies (The "Three Stooges" shorts, The General, The Darjeeling Limited) to suspense movies (James Bond, Strangers on a Train, Murder on the Orient Express, Runaway Train) and tons of others. It's the perfect setting for a movie: it's a limited space, but long -- for chases -- and it moves through the frame as opposed to sitting still like a hospital room or a warehouse. Plus, unlike an airplane, there are plenty of beautiful views going by outside. And so, if the train movie is a genre, it follows that it needs a solid genre director to add another potential classic to the list.

Brad Anderson (no relation to me, by the way) is such a director. Like Howard Hawks or Billy Wilder, he has been able to effortlessly leap between dark, genre films (Session 9, The Machinist) and romances (Next Stop Wonderland), and even weird combinations of the two (Happy Accidents). His films may not reach the pinnacles of great art, but each and every one of them represents a good, sturdy, entertaining example of sheer, joyful craftsmanship. Anderson's fifth feature (not counting his early, hard-to-find The Darien Gap) is Transsiberian, a film that I would be proud to add to the list of recommended train movies. The title train runs from Beijing to Moscow and crosses through some pretty remote, snowy terrain; it's a great place for something devious and sinister to happen. (The 1973 Peter Cushing / Christopher Lee film Horror Express took place on the same train!)


Continue reading Review: Transsiberian

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]]>ben kingsleyBenKingsleybrad andersonBradAndersoncinematicaleduardo noriegaEduardoNoriegaemily mortimerEmilyMortimerfilmkate maraKateMaramovietrainstranssiberianwoody harrelsonWoodyHarrelsonJeffrey M. AndersonFri, 18 Jul 2008 10:03:00 EST'Star Trek' Character Posters From Comic-Conhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/star-trek-character-posters-from-comic-con/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/star-trek-character-posters-from-comic-con/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/star-trek-character-posters-from-comic-con/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



It looks like there will be some Star Trek in San Diego after all. Entertainment Weekly featured these four posters in their Comic Con preview, and at last, fans get a glimpse of the young characters populating this reboot. Zoe Saldana does make a lovely Uhura, Chris Pine is a I-guess-that's-Captain Kirk, but Zachary Quinto takes the lookalike cake as Spock. Very eerie! As for Eric Bana's Nero, well, I find myself disturbingly attracted to his tattoos.

These posters will be handed out next week at Comic Con, probably at the Paramount booth. Each character gets their own one-sheet, and when combined, form the logo. Expect hysteria from the hapless studio interns handing out the swag, people snagging ten Kirks and no Uhuras, Nero to be littering the gutters between here and the Gaslamp District, and Spock to be commanding ridiculous prices on Ebay. The swag grabs are never pretty.

[via Empire]

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]]>chris pineChrisPineComicCon 2008Comiccon2008Eric BanaEricBanajj abramsJjAbramsParamountStar TrekStarTrekzachary quintoZacharyQuintozoe saldanaZoeSaldanaElisabeth RappeFri, 18 Jul 2008 09:32:00 ESTReview: Space Chimpshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/review-space-chimps/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/review-space-chimps/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/review-space-chimps/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Imagine you're a filmmaker and you've got this cockamamie story about astronaut chimps that just won't go away. You don't have much money, but the story involves lots of technology and outer space effects. What do you do? You could use your imagination and shoot in darkness with lots of odd angles and perspectives, like Mario Bava's sci-fi masterpiece Planet of the Vampires (1965). But that would raise all kinds of questions about how to present the chimps. You could do a hand-drawn animated cartoon, something like Persepolis, for comparatively little money. But that would expose the fact that you really don't have much of an idea. So you decide to make a big, computer-animated film, make it fast, fill it with annoying jokes and hope no one notices how cheap and unfinished it looks. But what you don't do is open it three weeks after the astonishing WALL-E so that everyone notices the difference.

Space Chimps comes from the folks who brought you the universally despised animated film Happily N'Ever After (2006), and although I didn't see the earlier film, I'm told Space Chimps represents something of an improvement. Regardless, everything here has a kind of mechanical sheen rather than organic textures, and it feels like something closer to Tron than a cartoon about monkeys. Then comes the story: Ham (voiced by Andy Samberg) is the grandson of a famous chimp astronaut, who actually went into space. The younger Ham works at the circus, getting himself shot out of cannons. In the film's opening scene, he rockets toward the moon and reaches out for it, disappointed when gravity's pull inevitably begins dragging him back toward Earth.


Continue reading Review: Space Chimps

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]]>Andy SambergAndySambergcheryl hinesCherylHinescinematicalfilmmoviepatrick warburtonPatrickWarburtonspace chimpsSpaceChimpsJeffrey M. AndersonFri, 18 Jul 2008 09:03:00 ESTLatest Movie Streaming Site: Amazon Video on Demandhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/latest-movie-streaming-site-amazon-video-on-demand/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/latest-movie-streaming-site-amazon-video-on-demand/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/latest-movie-streaming-site-amazon-video-on-demand/#commentsFiled under: ,

With the popularity of those new Netlix-playing Roku devices and this week's news that Xbox will also work with the Netflix Watch Instantly service and yesterday's launch of the documentary site SnagFilms and the fact that everyone including your grandma has a site that streams movies, it's no surprise that Amazon has finally also launched a stream service called Amazon Video on Demand. And it's got its own special Roku-type device to be manufactured by Sony, only it's much more expensive at $300 (compared to $99 for the Roku). And it seems you also need a Sony-made hi-def television to use it. The good news: eventually Sony's Bravia TVs will cut out the middle man (aka that $300 device) and Amazon may be able to work out future deals with other TV manufacturers.

Because it comes a little too late in the game, and because iTunes will likely forever keep its rival from offering Disney and ABC titles, I don't see Amazon Video on Demand being hugely successful. But the service at least sounds better than Amazon Unbox, which sold movie downloads. Because everyone and your grandmother subscribes to Netflix, if anyone wants to stream a movie they're going to just go with Watch Instantly and Roku. And because the main downside to that service is that it doesn't transfer to portable devices nor does it allow offline viewing, movie consumers are better off with iTunes for their non-Netflix needs. Hey, at least Amazon is still the preferred place to buy books, whether in paper or digital format.

[via Cinema Tech]

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]]>amazon unboxamazon video on demandamazon.comAmazonUnboxAmazonVideoOnDemanditunesnetflixrokusnagfilmsvideo on demandVideoOnDemandChristopher CampbellFri, 18 Jul 2008 08:02:00 ESTReview: The Dark Knight -- Scott's Takehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/review-the-dark-knight-scotts-take/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/review-the-dark-knight-scotts-take/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/review-the-dark-knight-scotts-take/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Right about here is where all the gushing and excitement and enthusiasm should begin, because I'll tell you right off the "bat" that Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is cause for celebration indeed. But then you'll figure out -- after only one sentence -- that I pretty much loved this movie, and then you'll head off to another, more unpredictable film critic. But it's the WHY that interests me so much. What I enjoyed about Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Hellboy 2 could probably be covered in one lengthy -- and inevitably nerd-tastic -- conversation between the two of us. But The Dark Knight... Well, clearly we're approaching a whole new level here.

Several of the pre-release gushings are accurate. Some say "Scorsesian" and others reference Michael Mann. Many spend paragraphs on the (truly amazing) penultimate performance by Heath Ledger, while others will revel in the grown-up tone or epic scope of the film. What amazed me most about The Dark Knight, among several things, is that the flick's got more layers than an onion farm -- and yet it never loses touch with the idea of FUN. True that we're talking about a comic book fun that's decidedly more melancholy than the cinematic exploits of The Marvel Gang, but dang if TDK isn't supremely satisfying for about a dozen different reasons.

Continue reading Review: The Dark Knight -- Scott's Take

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]]>aaron eckhartAaronEckhartchristian baleChristianBalechristopher nolanChristopherNolancinematicalfeaturedgary oldmanGaryOldmanheath ledgerHeathLedgermaggie gyllenhaalMaggieGyllenhaalmichael caineMichaelCainemorgan freemanMorganFreemanreviewthe dark knightTheDarkKnightwowScott WeinbergThu, 17 Jul 2008 22:32:00 EST'Watchmen' Trailer's Spielberg-Homaging Easter Egghttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/watchmen-trailers-spielberg-homaging-easter-egg/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/watchmen-trailers-spielberg-homaging-easter-egg/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/watchmen-trailers-spielberg-homaging-easter-egg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Earlier today, you saw the trailer for one of the most anticipated adaptations of all time (no, not that one, this one). And it was amazing. Well, I thought so, anyway, and I'm one of the few people who said "ehh" after reading the graphic novel. Anyway, some of you bigger fans probably watched the new Watchmen trailer over and over and over again, forward and backward, in slow-motion and sped-up to compare the film with the panels in the book. But did you notice the odd lack of continuity in the sequence shown above? Unless you read MTV Movies Blog, or unless you were looking really hard for something like last year's 300 trailer surprise, there's a good chance you missed it. Fortunately, for you, I've done my best to highlight the anomaly after the jump.

Continue reading 'Watchmen' Trailer's Spielberg-Homaging Easter Egg

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]]>300e.t.e.t. the extra terrestrialE.t.TheExtraTerrestrialsteen spielbergSteenSpielbergwatchmenzack snyderZackSnyderChristopher CampbellThu, 17 Jul 2008 22:01:00 ESTCinematical Seven: A 'Dark Knight' Companionhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/cinematical-seven-a-dark-knight-companion/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/cinematical-seven-a-dark-knight-companion/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/cinematical-seven-a-dark-knight-companion/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are many ways to anticipate The Dark Knight. You can assemble a fake plot out of the numerous clips circulating the web, you can stitch together adorable bat-toys, or just rewatch Christopher Nolan's first entry in the Batman franchise. However, there's a lot more to this sprawling, nearly three hour rush of furious confrontations and haunting corruption. The greatest Batman stories emphasize the character's shadowy nature, and Nolan pulls from many of them to create the intensely moody aura of the latest film. You don't need to know anything about the character to enjoy the movie, but it certainly expands the experience to do some research -- and allows for a greater appreciation of the filmmaker's efforts to honor the nature of the character.

Here's a look at some antecedents to the current interpretation from the last two decades.

Continue reading Cinematical Seven: A 'Dark Knight' Companion

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]]>alan mooreAlanMoorebatmanbatman beginsbatman egobatman returnsbatman the animated seriesbatman the long halloweenbatman year oneBatmanBeginsBatmanEgoBatmanReturnsBatmanTheAnimatedSeriesBatmanTheLongHalloweenBatmanYearOnebruce timmBruceTimmchristian baleChristianBaledanny devitoDannyDevitodarwin cookeDarwinCookefrank millerFrankMillerjeph loebJephLoebkilling jokeKillingJokelong halloweenLongHalloweenthe dark knightthe dark knight movi...the dark knight returnsthe killing jokeTheDarkKnightTheDarkKnightMovi...TheDarkKnightReturnsTheKillingJoketim saleTimSaleyear oneYearOneEric KohnThu, 17 Jul 2008 21:03:00 ESTHow to Sell 'American Teen': Psst, Don't Mention the "D" Wordhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/how-to-sell-american-teen-psst-dont-mention-the-d-word/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/how-to-sell-american-teen-psst-dont-mention-the-d-word/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/how-to-sell-american-teen-psst-dont-mention-the-d-word/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been a tough year for documentaries at the box office. How do you market a critically-acclaimed film about five Indiana high school teens that just happens to be a doc?

The film is American Teen, and the hurrahs began at Sundance this year. James Rocchi described it as "an engaging, stylish and surprisingly smart piece of non-fiction entertainment." Paramount Vantage acquired distribution rights and then released a poster a couple of months later that intentionally reminded everyone of John Hughes' The Breakfast Club (note poster on the left, above).

The company changed tactics somewhat with their campaign inviting people to become "fans" of the real-life characters in the movie. You can see more about this at the film's official site. Filmmaker A. J. Schnack questioned the wisdom of selling documentary subjects as marketable commodities. A new poster took a different approach (see above, right), though the trailer is still selling the nostalgia element.

In the Los Angeles Times, Mark Olsen examines the marketing challenge in detail. Among other things, he quotes director Nanette Burstein as not wanting the Breakfast Club poster as anything more than a teaser. But Paramount Vantage exec Megan Colligan claims they are not "trying to hide the fact that it's a documentary ... One of the challenges of this movie is making people feel like this is a cinematic experience that will feel to them like a great teen comedy." American Teen opens in limited engagements on Friday, July 25.

Do you plan on seeing American Teen?

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]]>american teenAmericanTeenNanette BursteinNanetteBursteinPeter MartinThu, 17 Jul 2008 20:37:00 ESTReview: Mamma Mia!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/review-mamma-mia/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/review-mamma-mia/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/review-mamma-mia/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



I'm slightly mistrustful of titles that include exclamation points. They always remind me of the musical version of The Elephant Man, Elephant!, in The Tall Guy ("... there's an angel with big eeears..."). But in the case of Mamma Mia!, I'm actually surprised the title only included one exclamation point -- you can imagine the filmmakers or the creators of the stage version embracing even more emphatic punctuation, just to let you know that This! Is a Musical! And also Wacky!! As if chorus lines of men in flippers, Meryl Streep waving a feather boa, and enough ABBA music to sate the leads of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert wouldn't have clued you in.

The movie, like the stage musical it's adapted from, is essentially and unabashedly an extended gimmick -- an excuse to sing and perform songs that originated from the Swedish musical group ABBA. Characters spontaneously burst into song not because they're aspiring performers (Chicago), or because their singing is meant as a melodious soliloquy (Sweeney Todd), but because the situation or their emotional state reminds them of an ABBA song (sometimes more tangentially than others), and they decide to share it with everyone. I've had friends like this in real life, although that seems to have been a college-age thing.

Continue reading Review: Mamma Mia!

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]]>amanda seyfriedAmandaSeyfriedchristina baranskiChristinaBaranskiCinematicalcolin firthColinFirthfeaturedfilmjulie waltersJulieWaltersMamma Miameryl streepMerylStreepmoviepierce brosnanPierceBrosnanstellan skarsgardStellanSkarsgardJette KernionThu, 17 Jul 2008 20:03:00 EST'Mandy Lane' Has Trailer, But Still No Firm Release Datehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/mandy-lane-has-trailer-but-still-no-firm-release-date/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/mandy-lane-has-trailer-but-still-no-firm-release-date/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/mandy-lane-has-trailer-but-still-no-firm-release-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This is turning into one long tease. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane debuted to generally good reaction at the Toronto film festival nearly two years ago. (James Rocchi called it "the best modern slasher flick since Scream.") Senator Entertainment picked up distribution rights after The Weinstein Co. / Dimension unexpectedly dumped it shortly before its scheduled release one year ago. Since then, we've been waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting.

In the meantime, director Jonathan Levine moved on to his next film, the well-received The Wackness, and Senator Entertainment surprised us by releasing ... a new poster. (OK, we take what we can get.) At some point they also made a new trailer, which you can view at the trailer website for Fantasia, Montreal's amazingly awesome genre festival. They have a good write-up on the film, too, and you'll see James' review quoted on the page. (Sorry, you've already missed the two screenings there.)

The Senator trailer doesn't look markedly different from The Weinstein Co. trailer, but, to its credit, it spells out even less than the previous one. The most irritating thing is probably where it promises to be out "This Spring." The poster promises "This Summer." Is that "This Year"? We do know that UK film lovers can buy it on DVD in just a few days; I'm not holding my breath much longer for this one.

[Thanks to Bloody Disgusting.]

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]]>all the boys love ma...AllTheBoysLoveMa...jonathan levineJonathanLevinesenator entertainmentSenatorEntertainmentPeter MartinThu, 17 Jul 2008 19:40:00 ESTThe 'Watchmen' Trailer is HERE!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/the-watchmen-trailer-is-here/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/the-watchmen-trailer-is-here/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/the-watchmen-trailer-is-here/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



Update: Because of the futzy Empire link, here's the trailer up top.

Update 2: The trailer has now gone live over at Apple.

Update 3: Beautiful trailer stills in the gallery below ...

We could have embedded a half-decent YouTube version a few hours ago, but considering the movie we're dealing with (and owing in no small part to professional courtesy) we decided to wait for the official release of the very first Watchmen trailer. It's available (exclusively, for the time being) at Empire, although you'll almost definitely see the clip this weekend when you head out to see The Dark Knight. (Notice I didn't say "if.") Again, click here for the trailer.

Having read Moore & Gibbons' Watchmen only once -- and therefore being a relative newbie -- I cannot comment on the geek-tastic little pieces of minutiae that are undoubtedly bouncing through this trailer. Is Dr. Manhattan the right shade of blue? Does Rorshach's mask look accurate? How Batmanny does Nite Owl look? And what of the infamous newsstand? (Are there pirates?)

As a huge fan of trailers in general, I'd say this is a very well-balanced and powerful promo clip. Newcomers will see a stylish-looking adventure story full of weird-looking characters -- and the hardcore fans will probably really like what they see. (Plus that's one unique explosion I just saw.) I'll leave it to our resident comics wizards to delve a bit deeper. Well, our wizards and our readers, obviously.

Topics for discussion: The music. The costumes. The cast. The production design. The heart-crushing disappointment you'll feel if the movie sucks even though you know if probably won't. At all.

Gallery: Watchmen

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]]>alan mooreAlanMoorecooldavid gibbonsDavidGibbonsfeaturedtrailerwatchmenzack snyderZackSnyderScott WeinbergThu, 17 Jul 2008 19:20:00 ESTWhat Are You Watching: 'The Dark Knight', 'Mamma Mia' or ...http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/what-are-you-watching-the-dark-knight-mamma-mia-or/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/what-are-you-watching-the-dark-knight-mamma-mia-or/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/what-are-you-watching-the-dark-knight-mamma-mia-or/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,



I'm fairly certain that a good majority of you will be taking full advantage of the summer weather this weekend by playing some friendly summertime games with the neighborhood children. However, if you happen to get the urge to visit your local multiplex (or IMAX theater) to watch one of them moving pictures in color and surround sound, then we here at Cinematical would be interested to know what you'll be watching.

In one corner we have the year's heavyweight champ of movie marketing in The Dark Knight. He's big, he's a bat and he's ready to take your hard-earned dollars. In another corner, we have one of Broadway's most beloved musicals arriving on the big screen for the first time: Mamma Mia! For the kids too young for Batman, we also have Space Chimps -- and for those in desperate need of an indie fix, we have Transsiberian. I'm happy to say there's a little something for everyone this weekend ... but what will you be watching?

View Poll

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]]>cinematicalfeaturedmamma miaMammaMiaspace chimpsSpaceChimpsthe dark knightTheDarkKnighttranssiberianErik DavisThu, 17 Jul 2008 19:02:00 ESTCasting News for the 'Night of the Demons' Remakehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/casting-news-for-the-night-of-the-demons-remake/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/casting-news-for-the-night-of-the-demons-remake/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/casting-news-for-the-night-of-the-demons-remake/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Okay, maybe the 1988 horror flick Night of the Demons isn't exactly a classic. Especially if you consider that it didn't even make it to Matt's list of Cool Horror Films of the '80s. But when has fan indifference ever stopped Hollywood from doing a remake? Shock Till You Drop is now reporting that casting has been finalized for the update of Kevin Tenney's horror-comedy hybrid. According to Shock, Diora Baird (Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning), Shannon Elizabeth and Monica Keena (Freddy vs. Jason) have all signed on the dotted line for the remake, with Mother of Tears scribe Adam Gierasch at the helm.

If you aren't familiar with Night of the Demons, here is a quick primer: Ten teens in the tradition of "stupid teenagers in danger" films everywhere decide to have their Halloween party at an abandoned funeral home called Hull House (get it? It's like Hell...spooky). After performing a séance, a demon is awakened that possesses the party hostess, and then it's only a matter of time until they are offed in a variety of gruesome ways. Shock's sources claim that Elizabeth will take over the role of the possessed party hostess, Angela, and I can only guess that the other two will be adding to the body count. Demons was originally scheduled to begin shooting last spring, but the production will now begin mid-September in New Orleans

Well, it has been a long time since I first saw the original film, so maybe I'm overestimating the quality. But I can't help think it would be for the best to keep this flick a fond memory rather than a crappy update, how about you?

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]]>adam gieraschAdamGieraschdiora bairdDioraBairdFreddy vs. JasonFreddyVs.JasonKevin TenneyKevinTenneymonica keenaMonicaKeenaNight of the DemonsNightOfTheDemonsProdigy EntertainmentProdigyEntertainmentshannon elizabethShannonElizabethTexas Chainsaw Massacre The BeginningTexasChainsawMassacreTheBeginningJessica BarnesThu, 17 Jul 2008 18:32:00 ESTNew 'Twilight' Trailer!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/new-twilight-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/new-twilight-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/17/new-twilight-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's absolute trailer madness today! Not long after the very awesome Watchmen trailer premiered, Yahoo Movies! has thrown up a brand new Twilight trailer for you folks to feast on. Twilight, of course, is based on the super popular series of books that have teenagers everywhere reaching levels of mass hysteria. Me? I'm just stoked that vampires are cool again. In the film, which is directed by Catherine Hardwicke, Kristen Stewart stars as a teenage girl who moves to a small town, meets a boy and -- whoops -- discovers he's a vampire. I haven't read the book, but I imagine things then take a hairy (or is it toothy?) turn for the worse. Check out the trailer above and let us know what you think.

How well do you think Twilight will do when it arrives in theaters on December 12?

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]]>catherine hardwickeCatherineHardwickecinematicalkristen stewartKristenStewarttwilighttwilight trailerTwilightTrailerErik DavisThu, 17 Jul 2008 17:50:00 EST