Trailers are one of my favorite things when it comes to movie advertising. Some people don't watch them, fearing they may spoil the movie, but I don't care about any of that. For me it's the trailer that makes me the most excited about films/TV series. The right combination of images, music and pacing can produce works of art that often times are actually better than the movie they are promoting (eg. Love and Other Drugs).Below is the list of some of the trailers I saw countless times and continue to watch them to this day.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
This is the most epic trailer I've ever seen - the editing is just superb and what gives the trailer such memorable quality is the use of terrific music from Requiem for a Dream.
2. Kingdom of Heaven Trailer 2
Certainly a unique and controversial promo - I myself really love the mix of the images from the film with the rock music. Amazing!
3. Black Swan International Trailer
Though I'm very fond of Black Swan official trailer, the international one is even better - the use of music is terrific and the trailer is extremely dynamic, especially in its ending. While the official one had a chilling image of Nina pulling out the feather out of her shoulder, this one also ends on a mysterious and creepy note with the haunting shot of broken ballerina figurine turning in infinity.
4. The Matrix
Such an epic trailer, that stood the test of time so well, mostly thanks to the great use of "The Eyes of Truth" by Enigma.
5. Game of Thrones 3 Extended Trailer
I'm not a big fan of mixing non orchestral music with the images in trailers but this one works so well - the short pauses and then rapid speed in the ending of the promo only add to my anticipation for what will be the best season yet.
6. Frost/Nixon
While the trailer uses a lot of the best moments of the movie it certainly doesn't spoil anything and the choice of music is just splendid especially with Clint Mansell's Death is the Road to Awe from The Fountain soundtrack.
7. The Fountain
I'm very fond of the movie but the trailer for it is just as good - Mansell created separate track just for that promo and somehow only in 2 minutes the trailer carries some of the powerful emotional impact of the film itself.
8.Casino Royale
Very dynamic trailer that got on this list for one simple fact - the use of some of the most romantic words I ever heard in movies - I have no armor left, you stripped it from me. Whatever is left of me...whatever I am - I'm yours.
9. Prometheus International Trailer
Some will argue that this trailer is better than the movie itself - I won't agree with that but somehow that promo is much darker than the actual movie and the shot of Shaw pulling herself together while we hear the panic and horror in crew's voices is absolutely chilling.
10. The Hours
Beautiful trailer for a stunning film - especially the last 30 seconds are very powerful and mix some of the best moments from the picture.
I don't even know how many times I've watched that Prometheus trailer.
ReplyDeleteSame here, it's such a fantastic promo!
DeleteI love trailers and you've picked some awesome one here, Sati! I was disappointed w/ Kingdom of Heaven mainly because of Orlando in the lead role but the trailer was very good indeed. I do love the LOTR trailers, I also love a lot of Nolan's films. I think the TDK one is one of my faves. Casino Royale was definitely awesome, what a way to introduce a new Bond!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of trailer, you must watch this one real soon!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PnZS370dKo
Kingdom of Heaven was disappointing indeed, I wasn't a bit fan of Bloom either but the Director's Cut is a vast improvement here - they cut 3/4 of Eva Greeen's scenes in theatrical version :/
DeleteMUST...WATCH...NORTH...AND...SOUTH...THIS...WEEKEND *faints*
I really should watch the Director's Cut. My friend Ted told me it's a heck of a lot better, too.
DeleteI'm just glad North & South is on Netflix Instant, though I also have it on DVD so I can watch that anytime I want. Mr. Thornton is just sooo swoon-worthy (and drool-worthy, too!!) :D
Much better indeed, Scott's films are always improved by director's cuts, even Robin Hood :)
DeleteI have to see it, damn should have done that today instead of working on my stupid dissertation :P
So now I want to watch black swan, casino royale and the hours again. Those were all great trailers though. BUT, I too kind of think the trailer for Prometheus presents a darker film I wish I had seen on screen :\
ReplyDeleteSame here, I wish they went with original script.
DeleteGreat post. I love trailers as well. Black Swan's official trailer would definitely make my list.
ReplyDeleteI can't watch anything The Hours related without crying. That film kills me.
My favourite trailers are The Social Network, Blue Valentine and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's teaser.
Thanks! The Hours is so moving! Definitely one of the most affecting movies I've seen.
DeleteLove that Dragon Tattoo teaser, it got me so excited for the film and the music was just awesome.
Well this is an interesting post for a person who has become an expert of ignoring trailers. :D
ReplyDeleteWatched all of them... except GoT. ;)
I love trailers too much not to watch them :) Though occasionally when I'm forced to watch some before the films in cinema it's horrifying - I saw that gigantic beans movie or whatever before OZ and I facepalmed for the whole runtime of it.
DeleteFound this random fact, thought you might want to know:
DeleteViggo Mortensen loved riding the horse he used in Lord of the Rings so much that he ended up buying it after the films were complete.
:D
Yeah I heard about that - he is so adorable! :)
DeleteGlad you've got Prometheus on there, I thought it was an incredible trailer! And yes, I'm one of those who think it's better than the actual film! I think The Dark Knight Rises trailer was pretty cool as well.
ReplyDeleteNice choices...I'd go with The Lord of the Rings. Seeing those trailers come out was like a Christmas present for me. I remember seeing the Matrix trailer for the first time and my mouth was agape for at least 20 minutes.
DeleteOh yeah it was great, one of my favorite from last year but for me that Prometheus trailer was darker than the film and that was accomplished mostly by the use of music and great editing, shame the movie didn't have better moments as freaky as that combination. Still loved it though, but it could have been darker.
Delete@ Chris: Yeah I remember how everyone waited for new LotR trailers. It's really fun when something is based on books/comics because then all those people analyze every single tiny detail from trailers with such joy and anticipation.
DeleteI've never listed out my top ten trailers, I guess I let them go too easily once Ive seen the movie. But I would definitely agree with Prometheua, that trailer was great.
ReplyDeleteAnother one I loved was the trailer for "Drive". Great trailer, totally had me psyched for the movie!
Glad you at least liked the trailer :) I forget most of the trailers too, but some are just so awesome they got stuck in my memory.
DeleteI agree, Drive trailer was great, no wonder with such stylish images to use and great music :)
I LOVE trailers! (I seriously just want to hug that Game of Thrones one) This is a great list. Two trailers that stand out to me are The Dark Knight (when we first saw the Joker, and he turns around slowly at the end of it, and it cuts to the title) and We Need To Talk About Kevin. I thought that trailer was absolutely perfect for it.
ReplyDeleteMe too, it's so well made also I kinda love they are not spoiling us with trailers this year - last year I think in the month before the season premiere there was a new trailer every week or so.
DeleteTDK had a great trailer, that moment with Joker was awesome!
I've seen that Matrix trailer more times than I care to admit, good stuff :)
ReplyDeleteI wish there were more movies like The Hours getting made, great trailer as well.
I agree, The Hours was such a great and intense drama. The only movie I can think of similar to it that was released in recent time is A Single Man.
DeleteGreat post. That trailer for Prometheus brought tears to my eyes because the final product was not as good as that. The ending of The Hours trailer for me looked like an action that one that tries to upsell the drama
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really like dynamic editing in trailers, gets me excited for the film.
DeleteGosh, I must have watched the Black Swan trailer so many times haha.
ReplyDeleteGood picks overall, especially with Prometheus and Casino Royale!
It's awesome, isn't it? :P
DeleteSome fantastic trailers here, Lady Sati! I love trailers (I know you know that) and there was some thought put into this post of yours! I like that the new Game of Thrones one made it into your list! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, glad you liked it! These new GoT trailers are insane! :P
DeleteGreat stuff. I hadn't seen that particular spot for Prometheus. That was a fantastic watch.
ReplyDeleteAnd that Black Swan trailer... perfection.
It's such an awesome trailer, international ones are often better than domestic trailers. Glad you liked the post!
DeleteNice picks. I forgot how great some of these were, especially The Two Towers and Frost/Nixon. My most watched trailer would probably be the Sin City one. Couldn't count how many times I've seen it.
ReplyDeleteOh Sin City trailer was great, I bet the one for the sequel will be awesome too.
Delete