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It’s happened to all of us: we see a trailer for a movie that looks so amazing, and think that there’s no way the movie won’t be great. I could name dozens of examples of good trailers for films that turned out to be lousy: Star Wars: Episode I, Cloverfield, Rise of the Silver Surfer, Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Matrix Reloaded, any M. Night Shyamalan movie after Signs. There’s no great art in taking two or three minutes worth of great footage and making it look enticing to the viewers, but there’s another phenomenon that exists in the world of movie trailers.

I’ve selected five trailers for movies that I actually liked, but after seeing the film, I was disappointed that it was nowhere near as good as the trailer for the film. These are the kinds of trailers that, when you re-watch them, make you want to immediately see the movie again. Now, there’s lots of great movies with equally great trailers, but it’s a rare phenomenon to have a great trailer, and then the movie turn out to be good, just not as good as the trailer, and today, I’m looking at my Top 5 examples…

I’m sure that even if you weren’t too thrilled about the prospect of Before Watchmen, you have been keeping an eye on just when this series of prequel mini-series will be released, so you can either rage at DC for bringing this unnecessary prequel into the world, or read it, and find out that some of it just might actually be good. 

Anyway, DC have now released solicits for four of the mini-series which will be hitting the shelves in all good comic stores this summer. More after the cut. 

Rumors of a sequel or prequel to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons seminal series have been circulating for a good while now. Actually, they’ve been going around for several years. All the while there’s never been conclusive evidence until today. 

Hot off the tails of yesterdays news about some creative switch-ups on a few books, DC has officially announced “Before Watchmen”.

I remember a couple of years ago when the Watchmen movie was coming out that there were rumors of a Watchmen sequel comic coming out. At the time I remember mentions of two separate plots, and even some images to go along them. A while later and the rumors are up again. 

Bleeding Cool has been reporting on the subject more recently, though, and claims that things are actually a go. 

Read on for more about this news, and why it all seems a little fishy.

Directed by: Zack Snyder
Stars: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Matthew Goode

I recently had the chance to revisit this film based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and I actually really like this movie. I know there was a huge backlash against this film from the hardcore fans about the changes and what not, but with me not being that huge a fan of the graphic novel I just didn’t feel the animosity towards this film. Because of that, I was able to enjoy this movie for what it was, which is an adaptation and not a direct and literal translation. Yes, there are going to be changes, that’s inevitable with the time restrictions of cinema, and for what is shown, this movie is enjoyable.

Today marks the first set of highlighted otaku oriented films of 2009 “two-a-days” that will be brought to you by the staff of Otakuberries. Each day this week, Monday through Friday, we will unveil to you two mini film reviews, one written by me and the other written by a different staff member. Each film will be branded with a score ranging from 0-5. And for the first time, our own otakuberry logo, , will be used to depict the score.  The more the otakuberries, the better the film. We hope you enjoy!

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Up

I came into this film knowing only what was seen in trailers: a floating house, lots of balloons, an old man, a young boy scout, and some talking dogs. Very little and very uninterested. I came out emotionally exhausted, and wanting more. From talking toys, talking bugs, talking cars, talking fish, talking monsters, talking rats, etc; never has a Pixar film been able to convey human emotion as well as it has with Up. Yes, characters of previous films have been able to effectively portray human characteristics, ponder human decisions and morals. But never have they been this relatable. This real. Real humans - the unlikeliest of Pixar protagonists - going through deep, layered and mature issues. This is an extremely heartfelt, emotional rollercoaster of a story set in an always visually gorgeous Disney adventure that can be enjoyed by all, young or old. By far the best film I’ve seen all year, Otakuberries-centric or not. In my opinion, forget about the standard animation category, Up is a lock to be nominated for ‘Best Picture’ at the next Oscars. And a strong dark horse to be the first animated film to win it all since Beauty and the Beast.

2nd Opinions

5.0 out of 5.0     5.0 out of 5.0     5.0 out of 5.0     5.0 out of 5.0

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Watchmen (by kenjiharima)

Nowhere do the words “lost in translation” ring more true than in any cinematic translation of Alan Moore’s works. Not to totally take anything away from the makers of Watchmen - in my opinion they created a wonderful film. It just never captures that layered depth that permeates the graphic novel. Repeated viewings shine light on said oversight, though I’m sure most would say that I would be guilty of nitpicking. Be that as it may, I can honestly say that Watchmen is a great movie on its own, better if you know nothing of the work it’s based on, but a one time rental if you do.

2nd Opinions

4.5 out of 5.0
4.5 out of 5.0 
5.0 out of 5.0