Top 12 Recent Movie Trailers
There are many components that contribute to the success of a movie. Of course, there are the obvious things: strong plot, relatable/believable characters, great actors, sharp editing, stimulating music, and stunning visuals (be they special effects or just great cinematography). However, there are things you need to do before people even see the movie, which includes all forms of marketing, and movie trailers are the most important of all the marketing techniques.
I love movie trailers. In fact, I’m a self-professed Movie Trailer Whore. If they hadn’t been eating up so much of my computer’s memory, I would have upwards of 1000 trailers right now, though I’ve sadly had to delete the majority of them. Thankfully, they will live on throughout the internet for all time.
What makes a good trailer? Much the same things that make a good movie, in fact. Yet, it’s much harder to do. In a movie, you get hundreds of minutes to go through your plot and such, but with trailers you only get a couple. In those few minutes, a lot of things need to be accomplished: explain the story, create an emotional connection with the viewer, plant the seed for wanting to see the movie when it comes out, and hold on tight!
Below, I have collected twelve of my favorite movie trailers from the past five years. Why are there twelve and not ten? Because I can’t choose between them! They span a broad range of movie genres, but they all have one thing in common: they made me want to see the movie REAL effing bad! And, they worked. I’ve seen all of these movies. Most of them were great, but some of them didn’t live up to the trailer, which can completely set the tone for the movie (rightly, or wrongly, it would seem!).
They’re in alphabetical order, since I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite!
What about you? You seen any trailers in the past few years that sent shivers of excitement up your spine? List them below with a link (not code) so everyone else can see them, too!
Enjoy!
300
There are a number of things I like about this trailer. It starts out with very simple music and slow moving scenes, and progresses nicely into electronic guitar riffs and hardcore action sequences. It also showcases the stunning special effects job done on the film. One of the best parts are all of the great one-liners that are spattered throughout, giving lots of quotables for around the office water-cooler.
Music: Just Like You Imagined - Nine Inch Nails (iTunes : Amazon)
Atonement
The best thing about this trailer is the gradual progression from relative sanity, to utter chaos. You see Saoirse Ronan and Kiera Knightly just lounging in the grass, and all of a sudden you’re in the middle of a war. What also aids the trailer is the original score by composer Dario Marianelli, which actually won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Music: Atonement (Music from the Motion Picture) - Dario Marianelli (iTunes : Amazon)
August Rush
This trailer just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! It strikes an emotional chord within the viewer, creating an immediate connection with and concern for the main characters, which makes you want to run out and see the movie. This is also helped along by a beautiful original score for the film.
Music: August Rush (Music from the Motion Picture) - Various Artists (iTunes : Amazon)
Children of Men
Not only does this have a great progression, but it also has the “Holy Sh-t” factor of a great storyline as well. Sharp editing, the quick flashes of scenes, helps create a speedy drive for the trailer, letting you know the kind of ride you’re in for when you go to see the movie. If only they could have showcased some of the amazing tracking shots in the movie! That could have been a trailer all its own.
Music: Hoppípolla - Sigur Rós (iTunes : Amazon)
Who wasn’t excited about this movie to begin with? I mean, with the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, there was a lot of anticipation gathered behind this new adaptation of such a beloved fantasy series. You couldn’t help but get chills when you saw this on the screen! It gives you exactly what you’ve been waiting for: a trip through the wardrobe and right into Narnia. Add in a number of talking animals, and a smattering of visual effects only Weta Workshop can produce, and you’ve got a mega trailer on your hands here. None of the music in the trailer is available, but the original score by Harry Gregson-Williams is worth a listen.
Music: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) - Harry Gregson-Williams (iTunes : Amazon)
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
This one showcases the stunning cinematography for the film, opening with a beautiful shot of a castle overlooking a tranquil pond and ending with a 180-degree spin around the queen in fully decked out garb, standing in front of a window that floods the shot with bright light. Plus, you can’t beat a pissed off Cate Blanchett (”I too can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!”). I also love this song, which I was surprised to find out was part of the original score for the Michael Bay helmed The Island…!
Music: My Name is Lincoln - Steve Jablansky (Not available on iTunes : Amazon)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I love the juxtaposition between the serene sounding voice singing over the trailer; at first, it fits right over the images of seeing Harry at school again and the other schools arriving at Hogwarts, but then continues on as the scenes venture into dark and dangerous territory. For those HP freaks (like myself), it gives just enough of the Tri-Wizard Tasks to whet your whistle a little, as well as scenes from the book that we’d been imagining since the book came out five years earlier. I also like how the action of the trailer is so perfectly synced up to the music in the trailer.
The music, unfortunately, isn’t available for download (because it was created specially for advertising purposes), but it can be heard HERE (scroll down and click on ‘Slay the Dragon’).
Music: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Patrick Doyle (iTunes : Amazon)
In Bruges
This trailer is just plain FUN. It’s got a snippy song, witty dialogue, and lots of confusing images. Perfect combination to pique your interest! And I can’t find the song anywhere online; apparently, no one knows what it is or who performed it. Ah well.
Music: In Bruges (Music from the Motion Picture) - Carter Burwell (iTunes : Amazon)
Iron Man
Every once in a while, you get one of those trailers that’s just f-cking AWESOME. From the second the sports car zips onto the screen, this trailer doesn’t slow its pace! You get explosions, you get witty banter, and you get… Iron Man. Oh yeah, and he races a couple of jets.
Music: Iron Man - Black Sabbath (iTunes : Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Right off the bat you get the ominous tone of the movie with “The end has come.” Not to mention the Peter Jackson trademark move of intercutting a couple of scenes into short flashes, which is very disorienting. And who doesn’t love a great motivational speech in the throes of battle? The way this is edited, I actually like the way it sounds in this trailer even MORE than I do in the movie! And it all ends with the heart-wrenching yell from Sam, “No!”
Music: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Music from the Motion Picture) - Howard Shore (iTunes : Amazon)
Miss Potter
This is one of those instances where I like the trailer a lot more than I liked the movie. The movie was good, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t live up to the version I’d built up in my head because of this trailer. That just goes to show you the power of a good trailer. I even bought the movie before I’d seen it, so sure that I would love it. Yet, I haven’t watched it a second time. One of the most important things about this trailer is probably the song at the end, which is one of my favorite songs of all time (you might remember it from the movie Love, Actually). It just builds up so that you have this great pressure in your chest, and all of the scenes with them running and hugging and her standing up to her mom… *happy sigh*
Music: Sometimes - Gabrielle (Not available on iTunes : Amazon)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dean Man’s Chest
This one starts out loud, with great drum beats, and instantly gives the audience what it wants: images of Will, Elizabeth, and (of course) Captain Jack Sparrow. It also doesn’t try to hide the new creatures in the film, Davie Jones and his fishy crew. They’re all there within the first 20 seconds. I also like that the trailer goes on for about a minute after you think it’s going to stop, and that last minute is one hell of a thrill ride. And, what’s great about movies like this one, is that there’s so much footage in the movie that nothing is really spoiled in the trailer! You walk away from it going, “Wow, that was really cool!” Yet you still don’t really know anything about it. But it’s given you that itch, and that’s all that matters.
Unfortunately, as seems the theme with some of these trailers, the music was made specifically for the trailer and isn’t available for download anywhere (save for the identifiable POTC themes, which will be on the soundtrack).
Music: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) - Hans Zimmer (iTunes : Amazon)
Audrina Patridge Glams Up Goa
Audrina Patridge Glams Up Goa
When it comes to nightlife, Audrina Patridge is always up to something. And last night the brunette babe was spotted with a few friends at Goa nightclub.
The “Hills” hottie brought her fashion A-game and came to party in a white lacey tank top and a pair of figure-flattering jeans along with some strappy sandals.
Recently, Miss Patridge addressed the rumors that she and BFF Lauren Conrad were having issues with their friendship. “Whenever our show is not airing, there are always rumors and assumptions made. But when the show starts airing, everyone will get back on track. We are friends, and every friendship goes though ups and downs.”
As for the new season of the Hills, Audrina reports there will be plenty of fun and excitement all season long. “Bathing suits, drama, romance and friendships! There is still a lot more to film!”
Mariah Bottles Up Her Excitement
Mariah Carey is in a great place and she wants everyone to smell like it.
The platinum-selling diva has spilled the details on Luscious Pink, the second scent for her signature Elizabeth Arden fragrance line. It’s inspired by her whirlwind romance with hubby Nick Cannon and her recent success on the charts, as well as the other sweet things in life.
“This scent is feminine, flirtatious and fun, and truly reflects where I am in my life now, after an incredible year,” Carey said earlier this week, per WWD.com.
“Elizabeth Arden has been a fantastic partner and the end creation of Luscious Pink is beyond my expectations,” the “One Sweet Day” singer continued. “The response from my fans with my debut scent was overwhelming, and I can’t wait to see what happens with my second Luscious fragrance.”
Luscious Pink, which is being touted as a “floral melody that is as enveloping as Mariah’s voice,” will join Carey’s first scent, M, in department stores nationwide in August.
Project Runway starts July 16
Unless that little ad I saw during Top Chef was a total lie, Project Runway’s fifth season will be starting Wednesday, July 16 at 9:00 (new time). I definitely was not expecting the new round to start this early. It feels like the painful fourth season ended only three months ago because, umm, it did. It worries me when competition shows seem a little too eager to pick the next hottest thing. Let the old hottest thing bask in the limelight for a little while! I really hope PR doesn’t turn into a non-stop barrage of half-talent the way that American Idol has, popping out new seasons like they’re Danielle Steel novels and not allowing the talent pool to grow.
Also, remember that this is the last season that PR will be on Bravo. All future seasons will be on Lifetime. Ironically enough, the fact that it’s on a women’s TV network makes me want to watch the show less.
I’ve already expressed my worry about the state of this show, so I’ll leave that be. My heart can handle only so much bitterness at a time. The show hasn’t inspired very much positive excitement in me since Season Two, and this upcoming season is going to be the deciding factor in whether or not I have the strength to follow the move to Lifetime. Here’s to hoping there’s something worth watching.