A lot of this actually happened.
Let's talk trailers. Here are the five latest we've seen (though we skipped a few "final trailers" because we don't need to see that much of new movies before we actually see them!) Talking to you, Nope! We've seen more then enough and we WANT to be surprised, that's especially helpful with jump genres like thriller or horror where surprises are a huge part of the pleasure.) After the jump we'll break down five new trailers into quick Yes No Maybe So responses as is our habit. Provide your own in the comments...
AMSTERDAM
Yes - Since everyone in Hollywood is in this and it's hoping for major Oscar play (check out that prime real estate release date of November 4th), we're duty bound to see it. Plus it looks quite fun if self consciously FUN. "A lot of this actually happened" is a smart tag. It's also nice that the trailer really doesn't give anything away, selling us only on it being a kind of murder mystery comedy involving three friends and a dead body. Finally the craft team is a total murderer's row including the legendary Oscar winners Albert Wolsky on costumes and Emmanuel Lubezki on cinematography.
No - The online discourse will be a total nightmare, that's both because of David O. Russell's on-set / offscreen behavior and the EXTRA way everyone reacts to his movies as if they're total masterpieces or complete junk (neither or which have ever been true)
Maybe So - Russell movies usually have entertaining manic energy, and a fascinating mix of acting styles that somehow cohere. But a little of that can go a long way and the story and performances will have to be strong enough to channel that in non-exhausting ways. It's a balancing act. Russell has had a long hot streak with Oscar voters -- his last four movies have received Oscar nominations for acting and three of them Best Picture nominations too -- but all hot streaks end at some point and Joy, though it was a long time ago now, suggested a chink in the Oscar armor.
Some things are worth fighting for
THE WOMAN KING
Yes - We're always game for more Viola Davis. Plus the film has a who's who of exciting rising black actresses as supporting cast including Lashana Lynch, Jayme Lawson, Thuso Mbedu, recent Olivier winner Sheila Atim, and recent Tony winner Adrienne Warren. It could be exciting and dramatic. Plus, we like that it doesn't reveal too much of the story like why is this army all female despite having a male king? And how does the film title play into it given John Boyega as the king?
No - Looks super bloodthirsty, which is harder and harder to stomach (at least for us) in movies with the world clearly heading towards violent bloodshed and chaos now that the extreme right has taken such much power in multiple countries. On the other hand that could just be the editing choices of the trailer, which at least twice, cuts right before something really gory as if enticing us to buy a ticket in order to see the blood gushing.
Maybe So - Gina Prince-Bythewood is a very talented director (see Love & Basketball and Beyond the Lights) but her last film, The Old Guard, while popular, didn't prove any particular gift for shooting action sequences (they were kind of generic) and this looks action heavy. Was she just warming up? Talented filmmakers have made big leaps in skill-sets before while trying new genres.
THE LAST MOVIE STARS
Yes - There's no way we're missing a documentary on one of the best movie star couples of all time, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Plus Ethan Hawke, the director, is on a popularity roll.
No /Maybe So- not applicable!
LUCK
Yes - Voicework by Tony nominee Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon) and Simon Pegg. So that might be fun. The animation on the cat looks delightful as does the early slapstick about the lead's bad luck.
No - But once we get to the magical world of Luck (or whatever it it is) we worry. Feels over-designed with less than totally appealing characters. At least in this short glimpse.
Maybe So - High concept stuff like this is hard to pull off. Pixar can do it (see Inside Out and to a lesser extent Soul) but can Skydance? They're a brand new animation house and their first two releases hit this year: Luck and the musical Spellbound.
What do you make of these trailers?