Tulsa World: The tease of some film trailers didn't deliver

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The tease of some film trailers didn't deliver

By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
Published: 11/26/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/26/2009 9:57 AM

This year, as I reviewed movie trailers in my “Previewing the Previews” column in the Spot, there were trailers that got me all geeked out and others that simply made me cringe.

I recently looked back on all of my 2009 trailer reviews. As I did, I added my post-release verdicts.

Disclaimer: Some of my “now” verdicts are based on the Tulsa World’s, and others’, movie reviews. After all, some of these movies don’t deserve to be seen — ever.

STATE OF PLAY

Then: Sounds way too familiar. Still, I'm curious.

Now: Not worth my curiosity.

9

Then: This post-apocalyptic tale has a "Matrix"-like vibe, but I trust producer Tim Burton won't let us down. I expect "9" to be an enthralling romp.

Now: Burton let us down.

500 DAYS OF SUMMER

Then: Looks like it's going to be a romantic comedy that defies the tired formulas and digs deeper into relationships with serious acting and a bit of whimsical fancy.

Now: Couldn't agree more with myself.

I LOVE YOU, MAN

Then: (Jason) Segel will probably do his best to make us love him/cringe at his various crude antics. Eventually, (Paul) Rudd will have to decide between his bro and his bride. It'd be rad if he chose the bro. He won't.

Now: One of the best comedies I saw this year. And, no, he didn't choose the bro.

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

Then: It'll be a good date movie. And one I will never want to see.

Now: "Good date movie" is debatable, but I still don't want to see it.

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA

Then: (Disclaimer: The following comment is fueled by childhood memories of plastic toys deified in the reviewer's mind.) IT'S GOING TO ROCK!

Now: Wish I hadn't drank so much Diet Coke when I wrote that. Still, it did rock, but only in lower-case letters.

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Then: I bet it falls into the sequel formula: bigger, louder and skimpier outfits for Megan Fox. Oh, and is it me or does Shia LaBeouf need to go far, far away?

Now: Couldn't make it through the movie. Awful. Worse than awful.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

Then: This one is going to test my stomach for sure.

Now: Definitely want to see it, but I'm waiting for it on DVD. I didn't want to faint in the theater aisle.

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3

Then: I'm passing on this predictable ride.

Now: Yup, I just let this stinker cruise on by.

PUBLIC ENEMIES

Then: (Johnny) Depp, as Dillinger, is going to top some of his best on-screen appearances.

Now: And he did it without a pirate accent.

GIGANTIC

Then: As I've professed before, I have a boyish crush on Zooey Deschanel (although my love doesn't extend to the lousy "Yes Man"). I like to think of her as the second coming of Audrey Hepburn.

Now: Not even Hepburn could save this one.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Then: (Spike) Jonze seems to have made a contemplative live-action masterpiece.

Now: I was dead right.

YEAR ONE

Then: It's a can't miss.

Now: Stunk like Jack Black's feet.

FAME

Then: This packs "High School Musical" and "American Idol" into a nice little package — one ready for a teen near you.

Now: I was right, but maybe everyone should just watch "Glee" instead.

AWAY WE GO

Then: Looks really touching and funny

Now: And it was.

MOON

Then: The trailer gave me the willies, which is a credit to Sam Rockwell, who does crazy really well.

Now: It could easily be named one of the best sci-fi flicks of the year.

THE HURT LOCKER

Then: I wouldn't be surprised to see the flick get some Oscar love.

Now: Just you wait, I'll be right about Oscar's crush on this explosive flick.

THE BOAT THAT ROCKED (PIRATE RADIO)

Then: (Philip Seymour Hoffman and the ensemble cast) will surely give this flick the heart and fun of "The Full Monty," save, hopefully, a bunch of naked blokes.

Now: PSH should have jumped off this sinking ship.

DISTRICT 9

Then: Alien movies are sometimes just alien movies. Sometimes, though, they can speak to controversial real-world issues better told with a sci-fi slant.

Now: District's slant nabbed it both box office success and critical acclaim. Take that, Optimus Prime.

SURROGATES

Then: This could be a poignant sci-fi flick Or it could take an interesting idea and turn it into the equivalent of Arnold Schwarzenegger's promising, but ultimately disappointing, "The 6th Day."

Now: Not as bad as "The 6th Day" but still avoidable.

THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD

Then: It just doesn't look like it's worth my time and money. Not even on DVD.

Now: One of the worst movies of the year.

SHRINK

Then: The shrink-in-need-of-a-shrink is so very tired. However, I must say the trailer shows glimmers of an actually interesting film.

Now: Didn't have enough glimmer to overcome its plot fatigue.

DEAD SNOW

Then: Oh heck yeah, I want to see this. The subtitled trailer made me laugh out loud.

Now: Zombies in snow (plus subtitles) are silly fun. If it's late enough on a Friday night, go for it.

THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE

Then: The smattering of sci-fi gives it just enough oomph to make me want to rent it.

Now: Oomph-less.

AMELIA

Then: Seems like a lock for Oscar attention.

Now: Seems like a lock for the bargain bin.

SPREAD

Then: The plot seems as tired as "That '70s Show" reruns.

Now: At least I enjoy "That '70s Show" reruns.

COUPLES RETREAT

Then: There's a soul to all the hi-jinks.

Now: Soulless. Funnyless.

THE INVENTION OF LYING

Then: Sounds like a one-joke movie, but it should provide lots of laughs.

Now: It's amazing how funny a one-joke movie can be.

THE INFORMANT!

Then: It's a can't-miss.

Now: It looked a lot funnier than it was, but could nab Oscar attention.

THE BOX

Then: Cameron Diaz ruins it for me.

Now: That's putting it nicely.

ZOMBIELAND

Then: Very soon, I will be tired of horror/comedy zombie flicks. Not yet, though.

Now: Decent enough. By the way, I've officially reached my tolerance of all things zombie and vampire.

GENTLEMEN BRONCOS

Then: I giggled at the trailer, which is always a good sign.

Now: A classic case of a movie trailer being better than the movie.

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS

Then: A definite must-see.

Now: A definite wait-for-it-on-DVD.

CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT

Then: A decent Netflix rental.

Now: A decent Netflix rental when there's nothing else worth renting.

By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer

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FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 1:43:50 AM)

I got to give some props to hollywood. The motion picture industry certainly keeps me shopping every Tuesday for the latest blockbuster.

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