New Trailers Round-Up

Several new trailers have surfaced recently for high-profile projects for which I have (mostly) strong feelings. Let's take a look.

I have a problem with unoriginal film ideas, so it'll be no surprise that I have reservations about this re-hash of the classic story. It doesn't look atrocious, but at the same time I'm guessing it's not going to redefine anything either. As flawed as Baz Luhrmann's attempt was, at least he had a refreshing approach. One thing I will say to its merit is that it has cast age-appropriate actors (just about) and I was very impressed by Hailee Steinfeld's performance in True Grit. We'll just have to wait and see.

I read the book on which Ender's Game is based and, though slow-moving at times, was an interesting read. As long as Hollywood hasn't turned it into another dull Space flick I'm on board.

Lastly, the new film in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire. I liked the first film a lot more than I thought I would, but this one has a much tougher job in pulling an interesting adaptation from worse source material. The book was fine, but the plot contrivance to get our heroine back into the arena was painful to say the least. We do get the introduction of a new character though (Finnick Odair, not seen in the trailer) who is pretty damn awesome.

Why I Don't Like Musicals

I would like to introduce this post with a disclaimer. As a film viewer, I will go out of my way to find at least one redeeming quality in every film I see, however challenging that may be. I am therefore the last person to immediately dislike something without good reason, just because of its style or genre. Now on with the show!

Because of the impending release of Les Misérables on DVD, I have been exposed to multitudes of publicity for it and other films of the same genre. One piece that stuck in my mind in particular featured the reviewer saying, and I quote, "if you don't like musicals, you're wrong". Naturally, I'm going to disagree.

The reviewer in question said that the reason some people just don't like musicals is because they don't like how characters will be walking down the street and suddenly burst into song. But you wouldn't say the same thing about a sci-fi where a man can fly or Wolverine can have claws, he goes on to elaborate. According to him, if it's fine in sci-fi films or fantasies it should be fine in musicals too.

Here's my problem: In sci-fi/fantisy films, you the viewer have bought into a universe where abnormal things happen – it's in the canon, it's 'realistic'. In musicals however, you're introduced to a normal place – everyday life – where everything is as it is in reality; yet in this universe, people are allowed to inexplicably warble on about their feelings. It violates the narrative, in the same way that a McDonald's would in a film set in North Korea.

But that's not to say that I hate or can't watch all musicals. There are several that I absolutely love, for one common key component; they parody the genre. In the musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer for example, entitled Once More, With Feeling, the rationality behind musicals is explored, and the fact that people suddenly start singing and dancing in tune is an actual plot point. That's the kind of universe I can get behind.

I suppose the one straight-up, normal musical that I do like is The Sound Of Music, but only because I saw it when I was too young to know any better. And also Singin' In The Rain, just because of Donald O'Connor.

Cannes Cravings

Watching the amazing 'videblogisodes' from Empire Magazine in Cannes is making the fact that I fact that I really really want to go even more painful. It looks like a creative Mecca (though I'm sure it's not so perfect in reality) where I could bring a film one day, perhaps. Do yourself a favour and watch episode 2 now:

If worst comes to worst, I've thought of a back-up plan. Even if I don't manage to make it to Cannes as a film maker, I could always go as an interpreter! I'm nearly fluent in French, and even the highest of film stars need their hallowed words translated, right? I am of course thinking of Steven Spielberg, this year's Jury President. It's not impossible, is it?