What a Trailer way to kill some time

During my many hours of procrastination, my number one distraction is to watch movie trailers. If you don’t have time to fit in a movie during a study break, then break it down and get the gist of what you’re actually trying to watch. They’re short, sweet and give me a glimpse into a plot that remains so different from my very own. Sometimes they make me laugh and sometime they make me cry and my number one rule, when going to the movies, is to get there in time to view the coming attractions, for sometimes, the trailers are better than the actual pictures themselves; they’re designed that way, especially if the movie is down right bad.

NINE

For some reason, one trailer that will always stick out in my mind is the preview for “Nine”, Bob Marshall’s most current musical released by the Weinstein Company. As the song “Be Italian” plays steadily in the background sung by Fergie, I remember being so intrigued by the feel of a Broadway stage mixed with the glitz and glam of Hollywood. As the trailer unfolds, I remember being mesmerized by the array of talent casted for the film. From Nicole Kidman to Sofia Loren, to Judi Dench to Daniel Day Lewis, it seemed too good to be true. There is something about Judi Dench’s voice that always draws me to her characters; even in a movie trailer. Furthermore, anything with Daniel Day Lewis attracts my attention, and to have his talents lent to a musical stirred my anticipation to see the film.

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/nine/

MALICE IN WONDERLAND

After browsing through the current selection of Apple movie trailers, one trailer, in particular, sparked my attention. It is the trailer of a new film called “Malice in Wonderland” starring Maggie Grace, the girl from “Taken” who has that bizarre, limp run. She’s also from the first season of “Lost”. I almost didn’t click on it, however, am very happy that I did. It’s obviously a modern take on the classic tale of “Alice in Wonderland”. The film reminded me of a Tim Burton rendition, however, take away the acid psychedelic aspect and throw in some real life craziness and there you have it. The premise is centralized around Alice whose father is a billionaire. Struck by a cab in what seems like a seedy area of London, far from her home, we follow Alice as she’s trying to search for her mother in what seems like an entertaining dark fairy tale. All of the necessary characters are present, however, instead of being make believe, they take on the personas of actual people; low-lives. I would assume that the crooks she gets mixed up with will want some sort of ransom, but hopefully as the story unwinds, she can discover where she is and why she got there.

The Blindside

Hey guys!! This is my first post ever and just to be silly, I am going to upload my review on "The Blindside" although it's already been released, just so you can get a taste of my writing. Movies are my passion and ultimate escape through life.

To watch “The Blindside” is like attending one of my Syracuse football games. You cheer, you cry and you are touched by the victory that the story ends with. Based on the original true novel The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, by Broderick Johnson, the novel allows audiences to gaze into the life of Michael Oher, a traumatized and fearful young man who is raised in the projects with very little opportunity. He is then given a chance when the Tuohy family encounters him one night while he is walking home in the cold. Oher is protected, fed, sheltered and most importantly loved by these fine people. Furthermore, they provided him with all of the necessary tools, including playing college football at Ole Miss, which enables him to become the all-star NFL player he is today.

Just like in a football game, or any sporting event for that matter, the team needs all of the necessary components; otherwise they will have no chance of winning. It needs the right coach, the right trainers, and most importantly the right draft picks. Making a movie is no different. Without the right director, cast and crew, one is just asking for a cinematic crash and burn. What struck me most about “The Blindside” was not its tear wrenching story, but its casting choices for the characters; like any sport team, it drafted its actors well. Without that, I do not think the story would have unfolded properly on screen.

I vividly remember walking out of the movie theatre and being annoyed at my friends when they laughed in my face after I announced that Sandra Bullock would receive her first Oscar nomination as an actress because of her performance. That was in January. Jump to March, I chuckled to myself as she scooped her first Oscar and delivered her acceptance speech, while thinking about the eye rolls I received from my friends. I always enjoyed the works of Sandra Bullock from her box-office hit Speed to not-so-box office achievement, Two Weeks Notice, but never thought she had what it took to act in a compelling story. I viewed her as only to entertain and make people laugh, not captivate. The role of Leigh Anne Touhy was made for Bullock for she got every move, gesture and word of the character down to the bone. She not only lent her talent as an actress to the role, but as a businesswoman, she was smart and delicate about her choice. Not only did she defy the odds and my preconceived judgments, but also she knew her capabilities as an actress, which ultimately enabled her to fill her shoes of the role at hand.

I feel as though it is safe to say, that The Blindside is a win or victory for Bullock as an actress, more so than it is about telling Michael Oher’s story. It’s Bullock’s drama and no one elses. As the audience, we fall in love with Bullock’s sincere sensibility she lends to the role, which allows us, ultimately to relate and “root” to her character.