Trailer Tuesday (09-28-10)
September 28, 2010
This week we go from Shakespeare to The Coen Brothers, as we look at the latest batch of trailers. I’m really looking forward to at least a couple of these movies. How about you?
Gnomeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been told and retold in many different ways, but never quite this. Director Kelly Asbury (co-director of “Shrek 2″) is giving the classic tale a gnome makeover, because, you know, there’s a demand for gnomes. The animated feature will showcase both classic and original songs by Elton John, featuring the voice talent of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as Gnomeo and Juliet. They need to overcome several obstacles when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. Also featuring the voice talents of: Michael Caine, Jason Statham, Maggie Smith, Patrick Stewart, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Matt Lucas, Jim Cummings, Julie Walters, Richard Wilson, and Ozzy Osbourne. Look for it to hit just in time for Valentine’s Day on February 11, 2011.
The Wild Target
Speaking of the very busy Emily Blunt, here’s a film coming out next month with the great Bill Nighy. It’s a UK comedy which sees Nighy as an assassin whose “professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, played by Blunt. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring a young apprentice in the process, Tony (Rupert Grint of the “Harry Potter” movies). Rupert Everett, Eileen Atkins, Martin Freeman, and Gregor Fisher round out the cast and Jonathan Lynn (“The Whole Nine Yards”) directs. I’m digging the cast here and expect it to be a reliable screwball comedy. It should be released around October 8th.
The King’s Speech
The first trailer for director Tom Hooper’s new film starring the excellent Colin Firth is finally here. Firth stars as King George VI, in the true story of how the king overcame a lifelong stammer in order to rule the UK. The film is getting a load of nominations at various festivals and will likely earn Firth another Oscar nomination and maybe even some for the supporting roles of Geoffrey Rush, as a speech therapist, and Helena Bonham Carter. There looks to be a fine mix of dry humor and compelling drama. The film also stars Jennifer Ehle and Guy Pearce. The film arrives on November 26, 2010.
True Grit
Expect a beautiful-looking Western as Cinematographer Roger Deakins (“No Country for Old Men”) reteams with The Coen Brothers as does Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”. It’s the adaptation of the novel, not a remake of the John Wayne film. It’s the story of a 14 yr-old girl (newcomer Hailee Steinfeld) whose father has been shot in cold blood by the coward Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Determined to bring him to justice, she enlists the help of a trigger-happy, drunken U.S. Marshal, Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) and together they set out on a journey. They have to track the criminal into Indian territory and find him before a LeBoeuf (Matt Damon)m, a Texas Ranger does and brings him in for the murder of another man. The trailer looks great with its Psalm 23 voiceover along with the choral music that goes with it. Expect some nominations and for it to arrive just in time for the Holidays as it opens December 25th.
Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”, the latest film from The Coen Brothers.
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