Elysium – Trailer

2013 will be a bumper year for science fiction and the two that have me psyched are the two most original concepts: Guillermo del Toro’s giant-robot/kaiju slugfest Pacific Rim and Neill Blomkamp‘s directorial follow up to the highly acclaimed District 9, Elysium.

Blomkamp will — much like District 9 — load Elysium with sociopolitical commentary, which I always welcome. Films with a message, whether you agree with them or not, at least prompt discussion and are more likely to have a longer shelf life than films without a strong message (which is why science fiction films from the 1970’s and 80’s leave a lasting cultural impression, unlike a majority of today’s product).

Elysium stars Matt Damon and co-stars Jodie Foster, William Fitchner, Alice Braga, and Blomkamp staple Sharlto Copley; Damon and Copley both sporting striking and unique visual looks. It opens in Australia on 15 August, and I can’t wait.

via Yahoo!

Carrie – Trailer

After the rather nifty teaser which dropped late last year, we’ve seen a series of posters for Carrie — based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel — featuring the titular heroine (Chloë Grace Moretz, following in the blood-drenched footsteps of Sissy Spacek); and now finally, a full theatrical trailer which… feels like déjà vu.

There is nothing on display which was not present in Brian De Palma’s original adaptation (or other adaptations to follow); which is clear because this trailer takes us through nearly the entire plot of the movie. Was this due to the marketing execs understanding that a large percentage of the population is already familiar with this story, or is it just a bad, spoiler-filled trailer?

Either way, this boasts all the hallmarks of an unnecessary remake — an odd choice for director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss), but I am a Stephen King fan and films based on his novels have dried up since the 90’s, so I remain optimistic. It also stars Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday, Gabriella Wilde, and Ansel Elgort. It will receive wide Australian release on November 14.

via Yahoo!

The Great Gatsby – Trailer #2

The films of director Baz Luhrmann are certainly an acquired taste; his storytelling sensibilities and grandiose style are not designed to appease all film goers, and thus I do not consider myself a fan.

With that in mind — as well as the fact that I have never read The Great Gatsby — I find declare myself not informed enough to make an opinion on this trailer. I can’t deny that, despite a George Lucas like reliance on green screen, that the footage here is visually stunning; yet I still find myself totally indifferent.

One of the things that bugs me with Luhrmann is his insistence of using modern music in a period setting: it was an interesting concept in Romeo + Juliet; but that was the mid-90’s, and I’m calling for him to change his gimmick.

The cast is top notch: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, and Isla Fisher are all great; but I shall still skip this one in theatres. I’m sure the target audience will be thrilled, though.

Will The Great Gatsby be redemption for Luhrmann after the Australia debacle? His fate will be decided on May 30.

via Warner Bros.

Rush – International Trailer

Ron Howard is a terrific director: Cocoon, Apollo 13, and A Beautiful Mind all major award winners (of course, his best work is Arrested Development), and now he sets his sights on the world of Formula One racing.

Rush is a biographical film about rival drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl, Inglorious Basterds) during the 1976 season. Based on this trailer, death is a major theme, so expect less Days of Thunder dumb action and more focus on the mortality of these drivers.

Rush currently does not have a set Australian release, but due to co-starring the pretty duo of Olivia Wilde and Game of Thrones‘ Natalie Dormer, I will be first in line; because I’m lonely.

via MSN