Trails for 2012
There are many important things to look forward to and prepare for in the coming year, but I'm a sucker for movie trailers and I'm excited about two of 2012's blockbusters in particular...
The Dark Knight Rises
This will be the concluding part of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, a series that raised the bar for what to expect in a big box office movie, though I haven't found it completely satisfying. This teaser suggests that Occupy Gotham could be one its many concerns ("There’s a storm coming, Mr. Wayne… when it hits, you’re all going to wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.”). Along with dizzying IMAX sequences, a strong cast of characters, a director keen to ask hard questions and a master of menace, I'm looking forward to seeing how the psychology of Bruce Wayne / Batman will be explored further. You can check out Empire Magazine's detailed breakdown of the trailer here.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Yes, children's stories are involved again, but that's an issue for a more thoughtful post. The Lord of The Rings trilogy are my favourite films, they've ruined me for most other movies, certainly anything that attempts the epic. The attention to detail, the love of story-telling, the boldness of the ambition, the beauty of the cinematography... and on and on I go. Director Peter Jackson has decided to go on with the story, stretching The Hobbit over two films, and presumably filling in a lot of the gaps that are hinted at in the book and many of Tolkien's other writings. Close-up emotional shots of Sir Ian McKellen's Gandalf gave The Fellowship of the Ring in particular much of its emotional depth and, as Aragorn doesn't seem to be involved in this production, the long story of the Grey Pilgrim's great triumph over evil looks like being key to the heart of these prequels too. Jackson continues his generosity with ongoing production videos on his Facebook page, and Empire has seen fit to explore this trailer in minute detail too. Gets the hairs on my head (and toes) tingling.
The Dark Knight Rises
This will be the concluding part of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, a series that raised the bar for what to expect in a big box office movie, though I haven't found it completely satisfying. This teaser suggests that Occupy Gotham could be one its many concerns ("There’s a storm coming, Mr. Wayne… when it hits, you’re all going to wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.”). Along with dizzying IMAX sequences, a strong cast of characters, a director keen to ask hard questions and a master of menace, I'm looking forward to seeing how the psychology of Bruce Wayne / Batman will be explored further. You can check out Empire Magazine's detailed breakdown of the trailer here.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Yes, children's stories are involved again, but that's an issue for a more thoughtful post. The Lord of The Rings trilogy are my favourite films, they've ruined me for most other movies, certainly anything that attempts the epic. The attention to detail, the love of story-telling, the boldness of the ambition, the beauty of the cinematography... and on and on I go. Director Peter Jackson has decided to go on with the story, stretching The Hobbit over two films, and presumably filling in a lot of the gaps that are hinted at in the book and many of Tolkien's other writings. Close-up emotional shots of Sir Ian McKellen's Gandalf gave The Fellowship of the Ring in particular much of its emotional depth and, as Aragorn doesn't seem to be involved in this production, the long story of the Grey Pilgrim's great triumph over evil looks like being key to the heart of these prequels too. Jackson continues his generosity with ongoing production videos on his Facebook page, and Empire has seen fit to explore this trailer in minute detail too. Gets the hairs on my head (and toes) tingling.