Best Trailers of the Decade: Cloverfield - Teaser (2007)

Paramount really took a risk with this concept, which was basically a viral video as a teaser. It offered no stars & no title. Only a date. The risk payed off handsomely.

I have to admit I am quite fond of this movie because it delivered on the promise; unlike the majority of the micro-budget/high-concept movies. This and District 9 being the exceptions to the rule. More on D-9 in a later post.

Best Trailers of the Decade: Little Children (2006)

This trailer did away with traditional conventions and created a truly unique work of audio/visual art. It not only stays with you, but begs you to watch it again & again. Simply stunning.

Best Trailers of the Decade: Sin City (2005)

I don't know what I can say about this trailer other than it perfectly captures the gritty tone of the source material whilst simultaneously making it look like a kick-ass must see movie. Maybe Robert Rodriguez helped prove to James Cameron that you didn't need sets to create a world.

Best Trailers of the Decade: Spider-man 2 - Trailer (2004)

I am no fan of the 'Spider-man' movie franchise, but the sequel is the a decent effort (mostly because Alfred Molina's performance as Doc Oc). However, I believe this trailer is one of the best I have ever seen. Great dialogue selection and spot on music choices really give this trailer an emotional drive and a truly epic feel.

Best Trailers of the Decade: Kill Bill - Teaser (2003)

It took Quentin Tarantino 6 years after 'Jackie Brown' to deliver 'Kill Bill'. So needless to say expectations for his spin on the spaghetti western were running pretty hot. And hoo-boy does this teaser show us that we are in for a treat. 'Kill Bill' became so epic that it had to be split into two halves, rendering this teaser's promise that "In 2003, Uma Thurman will Kill Bill" inaccurate. But we can let that slide because the teaser did not lead us falsely. 'Kill Bill' was a saga worth waiting for.

Don't Fall Asleeeep . . . !

Michael Bay might not create the most intellectual films of our time, but he definitely knows how to entertain us. Next up on his horror sponsor list is NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2010) - a horror remake with some class. You can always count on a little girl's voice to scare the shit out of you, and this trailer executes it with gravitas. Oh Michael - how do you do (remake) that horror that you do so well?

Best Trailers of the Decade: Catch Me If You Can (2002)

I, like many folks, am a sucker for true stories adapted to the big screen. But I don't just hand over my hard earned cash for any "based on a true story" captured on celluloid (e.g. every Disney-branded live-action sports movie). The sell has to be a damn good one and they don't get much more alluring than the trailer for Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can. The movie tells the true story of teenage con-artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. played by an extremely charming Leonardo DiCaprio and the relentless pursuit of F.B.I. agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), to bring him to justice.

The trailer sets up DiCaprio's character as a smooth savant right off the bat as he charms a pretty bank teller (Elizabeth Banks!) with promises of grilled bovine; she gushes. We proceed to see DiCaprio as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer, which the copy tells us he's not qualified for because... he's still in high school!! The kid has ripped off millions of buckaroos by pulling stickers off of toy planes and putting them onto fake payroll checks. Easy money and hanging out with sexy stewardesses all day, gee the 60s were swell! We end on a cat & mouse chase carried by Bobby Darin's version of "Don't Rain On My Parade". The trailer really makes the movie look fun and interesting. And Hanks and DiCaprio are used to perfection. I dig this trailer.