Before the Movie: Total Recall

Branded promo poster

So, I saw Total Recall today.  It was fine.  I have my doubts as to whether I feel strongly enough about to write a full review, but the trailers shown before the movie were actually pretty awesome.

Here they are, in order of my excitement (the last one listed being the least exciting).

As always, the videos are from YouTube, the information from IMDb and the commentary from moi.

Branded (release date, Sept. 7, 2012)

Directors: Jamie Bradshaw and Aleksandr Dulerayn (and, yes, I checked and double-checked the spelling on that one)

Writers: Aleksandr Dulerayn and Jamie Bradshaw

Starring: Anna Abonisimova, Ed Stoppard and Ingeborga Dapkunaite (I swear, these names are correct)

Set in a dystopian future where corporate brands have created a disillusioned population, one man’s effort to unlock the truth behind the conspiracy will lead to an epic battle with hidden forces that control the world.

When this video starts, you might think you are watching a commercial for a burger joint.  Don’t be fooled into fastforwarding.  When it ends, you will likely feel like your brain as been infiltrated.  Don’t worry – I’m pretty sure that’s normal.

My friend and I looked at each other when this trailer ended.  “What was that?” said I.  “I feel like I just took acid,” said she.

Originally titled The Mad Cow, this film comes with both USA and USSR as country credits and one American and one Russian as both the writers and directors.  Somehow, that makes perfect sense.  There is a sort of twisted feel to it that fits with an American/Russian dystopian hybrid baby…I guess.  As strange as I find it, I can’t wait to learn more.

Paranormal Activity 4 (release date, Oct. 14, 2012)

Directors: Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Writers: Zack Estrin and Oren Peli

Starring: Katie Featherston and Brady Allen

IMDb lists the plot as “undisclosed” at this time, but from the looks of things, this is about the little boy around whom the action of Paranormal Activity 2 centered.  The character’s name is listed as Robbie, rather than Hunter, but that could be due to a name change in order to keep him hidden.

I know a lot of folks are over the Paranormal Activity franchise, and perhaps after the flop that was The Chernobyl Diaries, over Oren Peli in general, but I thought PA:3 was tremendously well done and even managed to introduce new ways to scare audiences to the found footage/POV horror genre.  I credit Catfish directors Joost and Schulman with much of the success of that film and am encouraged by their continued involvement here.

Skyfall (release date, Nov. 9, 2012)

Director: Sam Mendes

Writers: Ian Flemming and John Logan

Starring: Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory and Javier Bardem

Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Generally, Bond films are hit and miss with me.  Daniel Craig is appealing enough to get me into the theater, however, and this second trailer for the film is far more interesting than the first one I saw.  I’m looking forward to this one.

Resident Evil: Retribution (release date, Sept. 14, 2012)

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory and Michelle Rodriguez

Alice fights alongside a resistance movement in the continuing battle against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead.

Mostly, I am ambivalent about the RE franchise, but this one looks good.  I’m always up for a good action/zombie/Mila movie.

The Man with the Iron Fists (release date, Nov. 2, 2012)

Director: RZA

Writers: Eli Roth and RZA

Starring: Russell Crowe, Lucy Lui, Cung Li and, of course, RZA

In feudal China, a blacksmith who makes weapons for a small village is put in the position where he must defend himself and his fellow villagers.

I gotta admit, this trailer has sold me on seeing the film.  I had my doubts, as I am not a huge fan of surreal martial arts flicks set in Feudal China, and I have no idea who RZA is, but I am a fan of Eli Roth and I am a fan of kick-ass previews.  This is a kick-ass preview.

Dredd (release date, Sept. 21, 2012)

Director: Pete Travis

Writers: Carlos Ezquerra and Alex Garland

Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby and Lena Headey

In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.

I don’t know, y’all.  I want to like it.  I like Lena Heady, I like my friend Dieter who has been aching for a remake of Dredd for over a decade. But, I don’t like this trailer.  We’ll see.

That’s it for this installment of Before the Movie!  Stay tuned for more trailer-goodness, and feel free to let us know which trailers have piqued your interest lately!