Here are four trailers from two genres. Three look like they have potential for an enjoyable theatrical experience, while the other one has Dame Helen Mirren. Two are Marvel superhero adaptations, one finds Fox rebooting mutants and the other is the first big-screen adaptation of a Star-Spangled hero, yet both are period pieces. So, take a look into the future and please remember not to leave a mess, silence your cell phone, and refrain from yappin’….
BRIDESMAIDS
From producer Judd Apatow and “Freaks and Geeks” creator/director Paul Feig comes a movie that could hopefully escalate the wonderful Kristen Wiig into film lead material. I’m hoping there’s a tangible story here and that it’s not a film where all the best bits are in the trailer, or there’s a strong reliance on raunchiness, and the jokes are overplayed. But the draw here is not only Wiig, who has some of the best expressions and responses (can’t we get her and Ed Helms in a movie together, please?), but also the fact that this consists of a female ensemble cast consisting of: Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, with a slice of Jon Hamm. Look for some awful dresses to appear on May 13th.
ARTHUR
And now for yet another remake. This time, of a classic comedy from 30 years ago. Let’s replace Sir John Gielgud with Helen Mirren, Dudley Moore with Russell Brand, and Liza Minelli with Greta Gerwig. It’s uncertain whether or not Brand will croon any Christopher Cross though. If you’re unfamiliar with the original (which I’m sure Warner Bros. is counting on), the story is about a drunken playboy (Brand) who risks losing his riches when he falls in love with a woman (Gerwig) his parents don’t approve of. While I cringed when I heard about this remake, I must say seeing Mirren punch out Brand will be great. Looks like Jennifer Garner is on hand for some physical comedy and the always reliable Luis Guzman is playing Bitterman. Also on hand is Nick Nolte, playing Garner’s father. I pray that none of overused tunes (“Rebel Rebel”, “All Right Now”, and “Under Pressure”) are used in the movie. If they are, then that’s pretty pathetic. Fans of ABC’s “Modern Family” will want to tune in, as director Jason Winer is helming this remake that should open on April 8th.
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
Everyone has seen and weighed in on the first trailer for the new X-Men movie which debuted last week on Facebook last week. As usual, there’s equal amounts of fervor and fury over what is shown so far. This is not a sequel but rather a prequel/reboot (which I wholeheartedly welcome after “The Last Debacle”, yet it still seems to tie in at least some visual elements to what director Bryan Singer established. Set in the 60’s, specifically what looks something like the Cuban Missile Crisis, the story focuses on the contentious friendship between young Eric Lennsherer (the great Michael Fassbender) and a young Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and their approach as to how mutants should live among humans. Sounds and looks good to me, but then again I trust director Matthew Vaughn (“Kick-Ass”) I don’t see what any uproar would be about and I’m a comic book geek! While it’s technically the First Class, I still dig what I see. Rounding out the cast of muties is: January Jones, Rose Byrne, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, and Oliver Platt. Look for the film to bampf its way into theaters on June 3rd.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
Marvel Studios continues building their Marvel Universe on the big-screen with their first period piece. The story of Steve Rogers aka Captain America, has to start in WWII and that’s where director Joe Johnston (“The Rocketeer”) has him. You know the story and if ya don’t, you will soon enough. It’s unclear whether this Super Bowl Spot is considered the first trailer but I’ll take it. I think it looks fine even though it doesn’t tell me a whole lot (again, that’s just fine). What concerns me is the story of the overall film, but it least it has something that “The Green Lantern” trailer doesn’t have, it doesn’t feel like the character is catering to how we know the star….meaning, it doesn’t feel like a Chris Evans action comedy. The movie also stars Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, and Stanley Tucci, and set to come out on July 22, 2011.
