2011: The Retrospect: Top 5 Best Trailers

Day 3, and we're starting to get into the good stuff.

Where 2011 offered little in good posters, it offered lots in good trailers. At almost every movie, you would see something interesting in the previews that would add another to your "Watch List". I know that last year I included trailers for movies that would be coming out in the year, but I'm avoiding that this year. If I did, the top three trailers would be for 2012 films. I think you can guess which ones.

But, here they. 2011's Top 5 Best Trailers! Enjoy!!!

5. The Muppets (Dragon Tattoo Parody)

A lot of the best trailers this year came courtesy of Jim Hansen's creations. Those were some damn fine parodies. This one wins out above all of them because it had me laughing so hysterically the whole time! It tells you nothing of plot or gives any sense of what's to come. Just that there's going to be a lot of Muppets in the film. Point! Taken!



4. Contagion

Easily one of the scariest trailers I've seen in a long time, this one perfectly set up the terror and chaos of Steven Soderbergh's brilliant disease thriller. It's actually fairly minimalist, showing quick shots of the big carnage while focusing more on the individual characters. I knew a movie about one of my biggest fears would scare the crap out of me. Who knew the trailer could do so as well?



3. Drive

I don't really see how the crazy broad from Michigan or wherever thought that this film was like The Fast and the Furious after seeing this trailer? The Fast and the Furious never had no trailer set to a slow, melancholy symphony. This trailer beautifully alludes to the art house qualities that the film was pushing, as well as its more awesome aspects. That shot where Ryan Gosling is about to hammer a bullet into that guy's forehead? So tight!!!



2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

When it came to big, epic trailers, this was the cream of the crop. We all knew that the finale of the Harry Potter franchise would have some sweet action, but holy crap, we didn't know it would be that sweet. It's loud! It's rousing! It's altogether wonderful!



1. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Well, yeah. Easily the coolest minute, thirty seconds of advertising you could catch in theaters all year. No dialogue at all. Hell, there's not even a single sound that was used in the film at all. Just Trent Reznor's totally bitchin' cover "Immigrant Song" over an elaborate montage of super quick cuts. I was all in for Dragon Tattoo before most, based on Fincher alone. But if there were any doubts on my mind, this trailer dispelled them all! It's the one I kept going back to watch again and again. Then again, that could just be because of the song.



Well, that's all for today. We're almost done with the silly stuff. Just a few more days before we get into heavy hitters like actors and directors. Stay tuned, and be sure to check into 2011: The Retrospect for anything you might have missed thus far. See you tomorrow kids. Always drink your Ovaltine!

2010: The Retrospect: Top 5 Trailers

Things are starting to heat up. 

Day 3 of 2010: The Retrospect is gonna focus on the most popular part of a film's advertising, the trailer. It's the thing that gets people most excited about upcoming movies, and the aspect of a films production that many film bloggers avoid like it's the plague... or Battlefield Earth. People like going into movies blind, and they have every right to. I, on the other hand, love trailers. Not only do they lovingly tease me with what I'm going to experience, but they also help me decide whether or not I should go see a film. You didn't see a review of Burlesque from me, did you? Maybe its lame trailer had something to do with that. There have been some amazing trailers this year, but only five can make the cut. Sit back. Enjoy. 

5. Tron: Legacy (Comic-Con Footage)

It's not an official trailer, doesn't delve into plot at all, and doesn't reveal anyone involved with the film with the exception of Jeff Bridges. But, that's all technicalities. Even though it wasn't played in theaters, this is the one that got me über excited to see the return of Flynn and all that it would bring. It may be cheating, putting Comic-Con footage on my list of best trailers of the year, but, since when have I played by the rules. Got a problem with it? Talk to the caribou outside. He's wise. 

  

4. The Tourist

So, apparently, the movie actually sucked. Well, that's a shame, because this trailer kicks ass. It's kind of awesome, looks cool, and all that, but you all know why I love it. It's the Muse track that's playing in the background. Oh, advertisers. You have a key to my heart, and I love you so! It's a weird thing though. The last film to have a Muse song in its trailer was disappointing as well, despite having talented people working on it. LE GASP!!! Maybe Muse is cursed... Oh, whatever. Here's the trailer.

3. Inception

Oh, please. What did you expect? The most exciting action movie of the year. Of course the trailer would show up on this list. The music is epic! The imagery is epic! It beautifully tickles you with plot elements and character motivation, while still keeping most everything a mystery. For an example of quality advertisement for a pop product, look no further than this. 

2. The Social Network (IM Trailer)

This one inches past the competition because of its totally bitchin' idea. No characters are shown. No scenes from the film are shown. Just dialogue, shown via a Facebook chat. That's brilliant. It got me excited for the film, and adequately showed how friggin' boss the dialogue of the film was. 

1. Sucker Punch

I could tell you, but why would I do that, when I could show you?

Hope you enjoyed that. Tune in tomorrow for Top 5 Best Scenes of 2010, and be sure to refresh yourself on everything that 2010 had to offer with the Black Hole's 2010: The Retrospect. See you tomorrow kids. Eat your vegetables. 

There's Wizardry Afoot!

Look. I know we all have our own vehement opinions on this one, so, I'll make this as concise as possible, which, for me, is saying something.

Inception Fever: Trailers

We're really coming down to the wire here, aren't we? As July 16th inches ever closer, the crazy levels of anticipation begin to reach monumental levels. I honestly have not been this excited for a movie since, well, since The Dark Knight. It's Chris Nolan, man! The guy knows where my weak spot is, and continually jabs at it with his sword of righteous awesomeness. Anyway, where was I? Oh, right! As I have said before, as July 16th looms around the corner, I will continue to review and analyze all the juicy little things that have made up the marketing. I've already gone over posters, so, now's the time to go over the trailers. Take a seat. Open your mind.