My wasted youth

I spend many an hour watching film previews online. I am in fact obsessed with previews often watching them repeatedly – sometimes to the point of never going to actually see the film. This may just be a symptom of my very short attention span or the fact that I have probably now seen about 10,000 films and can kind of get the idea after 3 minutes (that’s an actual figure I'm afraid – a friend of mine worked out to demonstrate why I have no real life).

So as far as previews go I currently have a top 20 but I thought I’d limit it to five just to get us started

5. 10th and Wolf (release TBA). I have whined about the lack of good rolls for James Marsden and it looks like he has finally found something half decent to sink his teeth into. He plays a marine sergeant who leaves his mob family behind to fight in desert storm only to get sucked back in by the FBI who want him to be their mole on the inside. Also stars Giovanni Ribisi (not always good but always interesting) and Brian Dennehy (anyone who doesn’t like Brian should watch Belly of an Architect and then shut the hell up). It sounds terrible I know, but trust me the preview tells me this may be great.
Best Line from Preview: When I saw my father killed outside our house I remember thinking he probably deserved it.


4. A Scanner Darkly (21.9.06) I am not as convinced by Linklater as everyone else not having the deep affection for Before Sunrise or Slackers that everyone else seems to have. But I was intrigued to learn that you can watch the first 24 minutes of A Scanner Darkly online. Having done so I can honestly say I am really looking forward to seeing this film, tried to at the film festival but it had sold out. I don’t think this weird arse animation technique Rotoscoping is going to take off but it’s great to see an American filmmaker being innovative and not abandoning storytelling at the same time.
Best Line from Preview: It may just be my imagination, but whatever is watching is not human.

3 The Fountain. (13.10.06) I really admire Darren Aranofsky as a filmmaker. Not that I can ever rewatch his films because they are so freakin disturbing. I attempted to revisit Requiem for a Dream last week and turned it off after 20 minutes as the horror of it all came flooding back to me. The Fountain doesn’t look quite so bleak. Aranofsky may think differently as it’s taken him nearly a decade to get the thing made. I have no idea what it’s about. I know there is some weird time travel involved and Hugh Jackman does a lot of running. So I’m happy with that. Aranofsky clearly had a much larger budget to work with and he looks like he’s spent his money well. The preview is spellbinding.
Best Line From Preview: Our bodies are prisons for our souls.

2. Casino Royale. (December 2006) I can’t say I am a huge fan of the 007 franchise. It’s never really done much for me. Not to say I dismiss them but I’m not rushing out to by the box sets that’s for sure. I am however a huge fan of Daniel Craig. I was in fact outraged that he would be the new Bond. Now everyone would know about him and he would stop making films like Layer Cake, Sylvia, Enduring Love and Hotel Splendide. But I have to say that this preview is absolutely exhilarating. Expect a darker, grittier Bond.
Best Line From Preview: So you want me to be half monk half hitman?

1. Talledega Nights (release 21.9.06) Will Ferell is a comedy god. If there is anything that comes as close to bringing me as much joy as Anchorman I think Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby may just do it. I love Nascar, I love John C Reilley and Gary Cole, I love the preview.
Best line so far: Help me Tom Cruise! Use your witchcraft to get this fire off me!!!

Other films I’m looking forward to: Hollywoodland, 2:37.The Departed, The Wicker Man, Children of Men, The Last Kiss, The Prestige, The Illusionist, Down in the Valley, Pulse, The Book of Revelations, The Descent, Fearless, Half Nelson, Little Miss Sunshine, Running With Scissors, World Trade Center, Invincible, Babel, The Assassination of Jesse James, Ar School Confidential, Peaceful Warrior, Flyboys, Thankyou for Smoking.

phew. busy year.