Mongol - an awful/awesome trailer
I’ve been a fan of Tadanobu Asano for a while now, he has this presence about him that’s really enjoyable to watch on screen. I’ve seen most of his movies, good ones and bad ones - I’d recommend: Vital, A taste of Tea, Itchi the Killer, SharkSkin Man PeachHip Woman, Party 7 - When I saw teaser trailers for Mongol I was pretty excited and I’m still to this day really looking forward to seeing this movie. What struck me though was how awful the american trailer is … with that darn cheesy voice. I can’t believe that trailers like these are still made … they seem caricatures of a caricature. This movie is absolutely stunning and it looks to have a powerful story at its core, does it need to be sold in this homogenized way to get people in theaters? I don’t get that … I’d say it’s time to let the “IN A WORLD guy” go into retirement. Don’t you think?
April 4th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
ouch.. i wonder how he feels about it himself.
i love it when only dialogues from the movie are used for trailers (well mostly teasers usually). these recent 2 from hollywood come to my mind but there are plenty more.
http://www.movie-list.net/exclusive5107/rockybalboa_tsr_h264.mov
http://wbads-69.vo.llnwd.net/e1/wbmovies/jessejames/teaser_500.mov
April 4th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Hmm, could be a movie in itself. I can see the trailer now:
“In a world of retired trailer voiceover guys, no man’s voice is his own.”
Then scenes of retired trailer dudes narrating over other retired trailer dudes just trying to play some golf. Uneasy orchestral music in the background, tensions building. An echoing heartbeat-like drum takes over, then suddenly an action montage accompanied by a 100 piece choir, armies clashing, man kissing woman forcefully with flames ablaze all around them, then all is silent except for the man eating popcorn in the row behind you, and you see the words fading in and out — “In a World” and “Spring 2012″ because that’s how early we need to show teasers nowadays.
I didn’t watch the trailer for Mongol yet, but I’m guessing it might go something like that?
April 7th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Hey Enrico,
If you have not seen Café Lumière by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, check it out. He has a small but very cool role. The lead is played by Yo Hitoto in a beautiful, understated performance. I didn’t know she was such a huge star when I first saw the film.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:13 am
…yes, I think the “IN A WORLD guy” should retire. What about when the rock music kicks in?
April 10th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Pascal - those are great examples!!! I absolutely loved The assassination of Jesse James, really wish the movie got more recognition and viewers.
Mike- eh eh …
Justin- haven’t seen Cafe Lumiere yet, will try and check it out. The rock music is indeed part of the problem for me … but go figure, ultimately, I would hope, it was the director’s choice … but yah not my taste.
Still really can’t wait to see this movie though, heard it’s playing in San Francisco soon, maybe the Asian Film Festival? I forget …
e
April 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
MONGOL was released in France this week & I saw it in a packed theatre with an audience who really seemed to enjoy it. It’s as visually stunning as the trailers suggest-similar to APOCALYPTO in its authentic depiction of an age & culture foreign to us yet still relatable on a human level. The production design & costumes are excellent & the photography is sumptuous. Traditional music adds a lot of atmosphere. The battles scenes are handled with skill-just when you thought you’d seen it perfected in the likesof Braveheart & Gladiator the ’scimitar cavalry charge’ in Mongol really thrills. Top marks to Kazakhstan’s first ever Oscar nominated picture. Apparently it’s the first part of a trilogy-
May 8th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
check out more movie trailers at http://www.freemovietrailerstowatch.com