Bring Your Own "Yes No Maybe So"
Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 7:13PM
NATHANIEL R in Channing Tatum, JLo, Moonfall, Nightmare Alley, Pam & Tommy, Patrick Wilson, She-Hulk, Tatiana Maslany, Turning Red, Yes No Maybe So, dogs, superheroes

So many new trailers. Nightmare Alley, Pam & Tommy, She-Hulk, Spider-Man No Way Home, Dog, Marry Me, Turning Red, Moonfall. Let's watch them all after the jump...

NIGHTMARE ALLEY

Yes - This is much much better than the first trailer which we discussed at length. It also looks more promising as a fresh adaptation of the novel as opposed to trying to outdo the already excellent 1947 noir. Also bonus points for Bradley Cooper taking his shirt off this time around. The lie detector 'are you really psychic?' framing device is clearer and more fun than the last trailer's messy heavily edited carnie shouting. ("Under the right circumstances" while looking at a stack of money is a great edit, as is the smear of blood when talking about dealing with snake charmers.
No - Still could be more Crimson Tide than Shape of Water as Guillermo del Toro projects go.
Maybe So - Not enough Toni Collette! Never enough Toni Collette.

PAM & TOMMY

Yes - Surprise. This has the potential to be an absolute blast and the hair and makeup work is already in overachievement mode. That's Lily James? The cast which also includes Sebastian Stan (underrated), Taylor Schilling, Nick Offerman (beloved but weirdly under-Emmyed), and Seth Rogen looks really into it which is a good sign. The trailer construction is stellar.
Maybe So - Good trash or bad trash? It's a fine line.
No - Don't really have one but one can't help but wonder how this next TV season of miniseries can possibly live up to expectations for the form after the last TV season's high water mark.

SPIDER-MAN NO WAY HOME

Yes - Sam Raimi & Alfred Molina's take on Doctor Octopus is a better villain than the MCU  ever come up with thereafter. Should be great fun to see him again. Tom Holland is still a joy as Spidey and if the rumors are true it might provide a temporary thrill to see Andrew Garfield and Tobey Macguire and Holland sharing the screen like a superhero cosplay convention.
Maybe So - Though, knowing today's 'always in close-up, shot-reverse-shot mandatory conversational filmmaking standards the thrill might be spoiled by them never actually sharing the same frame.
No - This is the first time we can ever recall watching a trailer that makes zero sense if you haven't seen the previous trailer for the same movie. It's a sequel in and of itself. This is not a good sign. The multi-verse and superhero cinema at large is already giving off major Oroborus vibes, as it begins the potentially lengthy but hopefully merciful process of devouring itself.

SHE HULK TEASER


Yes - Nothing to go on here but Tatiana Maslany (extremely talented). It's cute that it references the original "Incredible Hulk" TV series from the 1970s, though.
No - Marvel oversaturation was delayed a bit by COVID-19 but it's definitely upon us in 2021/2022
Maybe So - the comic tone and legal sitcom genre might be hard to pull off while also not feeling too slight or too outside the larger MCU

MOONFALL

Yes - Here for Patrick Wilson's 'i'm scared' face. Well, Patrick Wilson's face-face to be honest. Any emotion face.
No - If you've seen one Roland Emmerich CGI disaster movie...
Maybe So - Halle Berry surely needs a new agent. She's top billed but barely present in this trailer.

MARRY ME

Yes - Have to admire JLo's commitment to the currently still-born Romantic Comedy genre. Owen Wilson is (sometimes) great fun to watch.
No - This high-concept premise looks utterly stupid...
Maybe So - ...on the other hand extra ridiculous premises can totally work in this genre. But will it be silly enough and really embrace screwballisms? It looks like it's trying to also be serious (uh oh) and make you feel. That has ruined the rewatchability and fun quotient of many modern romcoms. 

TURNING RED

Yes - Pixar originals are an automatic watch.
No - Trying wayyy too hard to be current while also appealing to 1990s boyband parental nostalgia enthusiasms?
Maybe So - Could be fun metaphor for puberty and root of much good slapstick... which the animated genre excels at.

DOG

Yes - The return of Channing Tatum. And Channing Tatum in comedic mode. Yes plz. Bonus points: Jane Adams in a supporting role.
No - Could have trouble balancing schmaltzy drama and nimble comedy.
Maybe So - This is doubling as Tatum's directorial debut and, you know, props to him for doing something small and light instead of trying to win an Oscar (which is more common with stars turned directors) 

Article originally appeared on The Film Experience (http://thefilmexperience.net/).
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