10 Greatest Trailers of All-Time

IFC named the 50 greatest trailers of all-time and to be completely blunt I found the list shamefully inadequate. They felt "the best trailers are those that most effectively combine art and commerce, and that sell and entertain with equal skill."

Whatever.

I decided to compile a list myself of what I feel are the 10 greatest trailers of all time...I also added an extra handicap to my task by choosing trailers that are NOT on IFC's list which does happen to include some great trailers like Psycho, Eyes Wide Shut, Unbreakable and Dr. Strangelove.

I think a trailer should be evaluated for it's ability to make one's proverbial ass go watch the movie ASAP. Some of the movies on this list, are what I would call...pieces of shit. Which goes to show that the trailer was pretty damn good, since it fooled me into watching the film. I also LOVE trailers that don't reveal too much of the plot and don't ruin the entire movie for the viewer by showing the best action or comedy scenes. Lately most films are just long versions of the trailer.

Not good.

Trailers are supposed to be just a tease not a complete synopsis with spoilers.

Here are my choices for best trailers that are NOT on IFC's list.

UPDATED: Honorable mentions:

Superman Returns:

The movie was a disappointment. But this trailer featuring Marlon Brando gave me goosebumps when I first saw it.



Star Wars Episode 1:

The wait for this film was unbearable and I don't think there's ever been a more anticipated trailer in the history of film.



And now the top 10!

10. The Godfather Part 3
There's no doubt Part 3 is inferior to the first two Godfather films. But that's alot to live up to isn't it? I think this trailer does a fantastic job of setting up the legacy of the first two films. Also don't tell me the viewer didn't get a chill when they first saw the image of an aged Al Pacino as Michael Corleone. The great casting of Andy Garcia as Vincent also increased expectations for the film, which obviously suffered from the absence of Robert Duvall.




9. The Exorcist

The Exorcist is the scariest movie ever. That's not debatable. This trailer is just as creepy and disturbing as the film. It's all done with showing no gore. It's all sound effects and our imagination. Chilling. Scares me just putting it on here.





8.Monty Python and the Holy Grail

This trailer is typical Python craziness. Hilarious and absurd. What I like about it the most is that it stands on it's own as a humorous piece.




7. Raging Bull

Classic Score. Martin Scorsese. Robert De Niro. One of the 10 greatest films. Nuff said.



6. Pearl Harbor

Titanic was still on everybody's mind when this trailer hit. People were hoping for the next great historical tragedy on film. Unfortunately, what we got was Michael Bay silliness. The truth is this trailer sold an audience a film that they never saw.

We all fell for it. To this day it pisses me off. The fact that it came out Memorial Day 2001 added insult to injury.




5. Batman

I never seen a crowd go crazy for a film like the time I first saw this trailer at the Mann Village in Westwood. People were screaming and cheering like a Lakers game at every image of and line recited by the Joker. The trailer itself is choppy and actually...um... not very good. But the film teased a genre of film to a generation who were desperate for a serious superhero movie. So it lands at number 5 for the historical significance. Jack Nicholson as the Joker was the highlight of the summer of 1989. If you were alive back then. Then you know what I'm talking about.




4. Wyatt Earp

This movie was ambitious and actually isn't that bad, but something just didn't quite click. The trailer illustrates the epic scale the film was aspiring to. I think what really sells the film is the amazing soundtrack in the trailer by Ennio Morricone. Ironically, Morricone did not do the score for the actual movie. Perhaps the fatal flaw of the actual film.




3. Kill Bill Volume 1

The score for this trailer is now a legitimate viral classic and has now been used in other movies, trailers and commercials. It all began here. Before this it was an obscure piece of score in a obscure foreign film. Now it'll be forever known as "THE music" for Kill Bill.






2. The Big Lebowski

Great trailer for a great film. So much going on. It's almost as fun as the movie itself. Almost.




1. Buffalo 66

This trailer isn't just a great preview. It's a friggin work of art. I'm shocked that it wasn't in the top 50 of IFC's list considering that it's exactly up IFC's alley. Amazing film too. If you haven't seen the film do yourself the favor.

BUFFALO '66: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: Christina Ricci, Jan-Michael Vincent

Daybreakers Trailer

I'm sick of Vampires.

They are EVERYWHERE.

The excellent film Let the Right One In failed to make my top ten list last year because I am just so sick of the genre. In the late 90's and the early part of this decade, storytellers were using the Vampire mythology as a metaphor for the AIDS crisis.

Which is STILL going on by the way.

But, unfortunately, the entertainment industry is done raising awareness about that cause...apparently. I'm not sure WHAT is inspiring this recent trend of vampire entertainment which has overtaken the industry.

Perhaps it's this generation's fascination with vanity, celebrity and mortality?

The latest entry into the vampire canon is the film Daybreakers directed by twin brothers Michael and Peter Spierig.



Judging from the trailer, the film seems to be making a statement about the exhaustion of natural resources and the corruption which happens when there is a limited supply.

Interesting take and definitely timely. Certainly looks action packed, has a good cast and is visually stimulating as well.

We'll see.

With True Blood on everyone's mind, I'm not sure if it'll help or hurt the film's cause.

Daybreakers is tentatively scheduled for release January 8, 2010.

The Invention of Lying Trailer

Ricky Gervais is arguably the funniest person alive.

When I first heard of the premise of The Invention of Lying, I have to admit I cringed. It didn't sound very promising and actually sounded similar in concept to the disappointing comedy Idiocracy or worse Liar Liar.

But I was wrong.



Hilarious.

I'm an idiot for doubting the man's genius. Who the hell am I to doubt the creator of The Office and Extras?

The Invention of Lying and Bruno are the two comedies I'm looking forward to the most this year.

The film is tentatively scheduled for release on September 25, 2009.

There are going to be 10 Oscar nominees for best picture this year. Which gives comedies a greater chance of being nominated for the award. Wouldn't it be great if Gervais was nominated for an Oscar this year for his feature film directorial debut?

Michael Jackson Dead at 50

The King of Pop is dead.

There will never be another entertainer like him.

Say what you will, as a musical entertainer Michael Jackson had no equal. The first concert that I ever attended was the Jacksons Victory tour which took place at the height of Michael Jackson's popularity.



I was thirteen years old.

I distinctly remember witnessing hundreds of teens crying in uncontrollable hysterics while listening to his music during the concert. It was unbelievable. To this day I've never seen anything like it.

The first VHS video that my family ever owned was "The Thriller" video directed by John Landis. We must've watched that thing a thousand times.

He was an entertaining actor too.

He notably appeared in "The Wiz" which was directed by Sidney Lumet and the 3D Disneyland attraction "Captain E.O." which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas.









Big names...I know.

If that wasn't enough, he was directed by Martin Scorsese in the short film / music video "Bad".



Of course, later in his life he was known more for the controversy that was generated in his wake. At best, he was ridiculed for his eccentric behavior, at worst, he was accused of being a child molester.




But what was undeniable was his incredible music.

I remember going to Club 70's on Sundays in Hollywood. Every time Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till you get Enough" played the whole club rocked, literally EVERYONE in the club would dance. People would come streaming out of the bathroom, people would stop drinking their drinks, strangers would grab strangers just so they wouldn't have to dance alone. People would be doing the moonwalk. Grabbing their crotch, spinning, the whole deal.

It was classic.

The song symbolized the height of that evening's festivities.

Cause it was all down hill from there.

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson.

Inglourious Basterds Trailer #2

This is the second trailer for Inglourious Basterds and with this footage we get a better sense of the tone of the movie. Looks like Brad Pitt's character has some comedic, even slapstick moments in this film. We also get a hint of some of the historical liberties and re-imaginings the story takes.



Looks good. I'm hoping that the negative buzz is just Much ado about Nothing and unrealistic expectations placed on the works of Quentin Tarantino.

Can't wait till August 21st to see the film.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

USA Today has revealed concept artwork for Tim Burton's 3D take on"Alice in Wonderland".



Freaky.

I'm not a fan of crazy hallucinogenic fantasy films like "The Wizard of OZ".

Those kind of films just freak me out.

But I am a fan of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. So I'll probably check this film out.

Ummmm...actually after seeing this image of Tweedledum and Tweedledee via Movies.IE....maybe not.



Yikes. Apparently, I won't be taking the kids to see this.



"Alice in Wonderland" is tentatively scheduled for release in the U.S. on March 5, 2010.






Make-up photo of Johnny Depp via Ain't It Cool News.

Inglourious Basterds International Poster

Although reviews for Inglourious Basterds have been decidedly mixed so far, this is still the most anticipated film of the year for me.

One look at this poster, which I found via Ain't It Cool News and the reasons become apparent.



Quentin Tarantino really knows how to sell a film. Doesn't he?

He also knows how to tell a fun story. At least so far.

I admit my expectations are lower considering the negative to mediocre buzz the film generated at Cannes, but Tarantino hasn't disappointed me once yet. So I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Inglourious Basterds is released nationally on August 21, 2009.

Los Angeles Lakers 2009 NBA Champions

Photo courtesy of Robert Gauthier/ Los Angeles Times


It's been a long, brutal road since the Los Angeles Lakers last won the NBA championship in 2002.

Chick Hearn passed away. Kobe Bryant was charged with rape. Karl Malone and Gary Payton joined the team. Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA finals. Shaquille O'Neal was traded for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and Caron Butler. Phil Jackson left the Lakers. Rudy Tomjanovich was named head coach, then retired soon after. Lakers missed the playoffs. Shaq won a championship with the Miami Heat. Phil Jackson returned to the Lakers. Kobe Bryant demanded a trade. Lakers acquired Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown. Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics, of all teams, in the 2007 - 2008 NBA Finals.

Then we finally have today.

I have to admit, although it's great to celebrate a championship for the Lakers and their fans, it wasn't a fun ride.

I'll be the first to admit that I've been critical of Kobe Bryant and the franchise during this time and I still mourn the loss of my favorite player Shaquille O'Neal.

It's hard for me to just forgive and forget the horrible road it took to get to this position again.

But I've been a fan of the Lakers since I first learned to dribble a basketball. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was my favorite player growing up and I cried when Magic Johnson was forced to retire prematurely.

So I recognize and celebrate the significance of a NBA championship for the team and the fans of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Some milestones in this series win include the first NBA Finals MVP for Kobe Bryant.

Phil Jackson won his tenth NBA Championship as a head coach. The most for any coach in the history of the NBA.

Derek Fisher won his fourth NBA Championship, all with the Lakers.

The Lakers won their 15th NBA title in the franchise's history.

Congratulations to the 2008-2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Shutter Island Movie Trailer

Here's the new trailer for the new Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio film Shutter Island.



Wow.

Looks like Scorsese is in Cape Fear mode.

Really like the look of the film and the production design.

The thriller also stars Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson and Max von Sydow.

Shutter Island is set for release October 2, 2009.

Check out the trailer in HD here.

Mickey Rourke in Iron Man 2

I found this image of Mickey Rourke in Iron Man 2 via Dark Horizons and also through the blog of my friend Lon Harris.

Not sure what to...um...make of it.

Word is Rourke will be performing his role speaking in mostly Russian. He also spent some time in a Russian prison preparing for the role.

Nice.

No doubt Rourke is back. But what is up with that costume?

Dude, looks like a silly extra in an episode of Farscape.

I liked the first Iron Man movie.

But ironically what I liked about the film had nothing to do with the action or comic book elements.

I pretty much just enjoyed Robert Downey Jr.'s take as Tony Stark.

Truth be told, I thought a lot of the movie felt kinda silly and the action felt almost like a television movie of the week. Especially in comparison to The Dark Knight. Almost like an A-Team television reunion.

Well...maybe not that bad. But close.

I'm sure it was just the limited budget. I trust Jon Favreau. I'm sure he'll deliver a great movie with a bigger budget.

And I'm sure there's an excellent explanation for that outfit that Rourke has on.

Right?