A night of movie trailers and bad commetary

Monday night, the Happy Fun Time Friend Service & I went to the DC Film Society's semi-annual Movie Preview Party over at E St. Cinemas in DC and we enjoyed two hours worth of trailers- some good, some bad, and some just plain wrong.

And this was high-lighted with banter from the DC Movie Guys: two overgrown adolescents who think they may be Don & Mike of radio fame and are most definitely lacking much of the wit and banter and, especially, humour of those two radio hosts. Over the past events I've attended, there has always been a sense of semi-untolerance for their outbursts, but this time there were plenty of vocal people telling them they suck and to keep their comments to themselves during the trailers themselves. Hopefully, the next trailer night won't be hosted by them.

Movies I'm looking forward to

The Fountain: The latest film from Darren Aronofsky, who is (IMO) one of the most visionary directors of the past decade. This trippy time-traveling triptych features Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman as lovers in three distinct time periods (present day, 16th century conquistadors, and 26th century whatevers), and each story involves the search for eternal youth (said fountain of the movie title, perhaps?). Sounds trippy and the visuals appear to rival the cinematographic artistry of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette (IMO, the most beautifully photographed movie of the past two decades).

Spiderman 3: Uh-oh, Venom's coming (squishing?) out! While I didn't think too highly of the first movie, the sequel was an great comic-book movie that delved into the aspects of identity and heroism that kinda gets me off, and this trailer makes it seem like there's still some more depths to be plunged in the Spiderman story.

Notes on a Scandal: Four words: Judi Dench & Cate Blanchett.

Pan's Labyrinth: I always look forward to a new film by Guillermo Del Toro. They each have a sense of whimsy, while still being serious and adult. This one throws in what looks like a fantastical spooky-ish story and it makes me wonder why he hasn't been asked to direct any Harry Potter films.


Dreamgirls: The only movie that I'm willing to drive up to New York in four weeks to catch an advance reserved-seat Road show edition (no trailers, overture, intermission, program, etc.) engagement at the esteemed Zeigfeld Theatre. Or I might even be abel to see it earlier than that...Nuff said.

Movies that I now want to see, thanks to the trailer

Charlotte's Web: When I was younger, I enjoyed the animated film and like the story, but had no real inclination to go see this. Until I saw this trailer. It may be it's similarities to (one of my favorites) "Babe" or just my affinity for talking animal movies (don't ask), but this looks to be a nice adaptation and with such a stellar voice cast- Kathy Bates, Steve Buscemi (as Templeton the rat!), Robert Redford and Oprah Winfrey- it looks like it can't lose. Except for my one concern: Julia ROberts doesn't exactly sound like a warm spider-mamma should.

The History Boys: The play was panned and praised and won a whole lot of Tony Awards, but I never saw it since I knew that a filmed adaptation was already in the can and awaiting release. Not sure if I'm going to like it but it looks great and has a kick-ass soundtrack.

Evan Almighty: The first film ("Bruce Almighty") was enjoyable and I really had no inkling of wanting to see a sequel to it, but when you add genius Steve Carrell to the mix it becomes must-see. The trailer takes the Noah story and turns it on its ear with Carrell assigned to build an ark in the 21st century.

Movies that everyone should avoid at all costs

Unaccompanied Minors: One of two dreck-filled holiday movies this year. It's basically "Home Alone" x5 in an airport.

Deck The Halls: The other slice of holiday dreck. Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito are wasted in this mash-up of "Christmas with the Kranks" and "Christmas Vacation." And, yes, that is Kristin Chenowith as DeVito's wife.

Surf's Up: The second animated penguin movie to come out in a twelve month period ("Happy Feet" opens friday), but, come on, surfing penguins?!? I know it's not a documentary, but it just screams uninspired. To me, anyways.