Recent weeks have been full of promotional materials for films and TV series. Many of them have caused a stir and ignited lively discussions among viewers. Some of them are works of art themselves, which are worth taking a moment to appreciate.
I will discuss the ones that I think are the most famous or interesting. I will focus on what new things we learn about the productions, what they tell us about the films. I will also try to show how much can be extracted from seemingly short material and how to try to read trailers. This article will, of course, be quite subjective. This kind of work cannot do without my perception of these materials and the feelings that these previews provoke in me.

The Fall Guy, Monkey Man and Furiosa

I mentioned these productions quite extensively in the article with announcements for 2024, so I will touch on them collectively. Each of the materials looks good but doesn’t tell us much apart from what we knew from previous production trailers.

Furiosa looks, as befits Miller, extremely energizing. Many of the dynamic shots evoke a sense of aggressiveness towards the viewer, which perfectly captures the malevolence of the Mad Max world. Even in these brief fragments we see the enormity of Ana Taylor- Joy’s charisma. Chris Hemsworth, on the other hand, steals scenes by charming with his acting, heralding us with another expressive villain. Also worth appreciating is the vividness of the picture’s colors and the director’s dash in cranking up the expressive and telling images on screen.

The Fall Guy still presents itself as a likable and engaging adventure cinema with likeable characters and interesting, as well as original ideas that will guarantee great time for the viewer. The trailer for Monkey Man, on the other hand, promises a dramatic revenge cinema, filled with brutal yet incredibly choreographed fight scenes. The whole thing is deeply immersed in Indian culture, highly stylized and shown in an artistically expressive way.

What these two films have in common is that they have already had a screening for critics at the SXSW Festival. Both films received extremely high ratings and mostly positive reviews. The director of the first one, David Leitch, received even personal congratulations from Steven Spielberg who was delighted with the production. In the case of the second film, the directing hand of Dev Patel is praised. This one was known to the public as a brilliant actor (he also plays the lead role here), but this is his first production where he also worked on the other side of the camera. The film is being called one of the most interesting and best directorial debuts of recent years.

Borderlands

We could see the first bits from the screen adaptation of the best-selling game of the same name. The design of the world costumes and atmosphere very much resemble the original. The story takes place on the planet Pandora. The post-apocalypse-like land is filled with dangerous madmen and predatory creatures. It is constantly occupied by conflicts of many groups who race to find the vaults hidden on the planet. Among these groups is one formed from our heroes. The dysfunctional team is led by the red-haired Lilith, portrayed by Cate Blanchet. The cast itself is a subject of discussion. Some fans dislike the strong departure from the image and age of the characters from the game. Others are happy with the originality in wanting to show new versions of characters they know. Personally, despite not being familiar with the game, I belong to the second group. For the most part, it is apparent that the cast choices are non-obvious and thus intriguing. Perhaps with the exception of Kevin Hart. It seems that the comedian was thrown into the film just to add few jokes to the production.

The trailer shows vulgar and black humor carried over from the original. The visuals themselves are fine, but do not create a “wow” effect. Rather, it connotes a safe genericness, despite the fact that such a colorful world was asking for some fun in this aspect. The film’s production problems are also worrying. The sensational screenwriter Craig Mazin was assigned to the project. However, due to changes made to his material, he left and forbade the use of his real name in the film’s credits. Inexperienced in large productions but extremely creative Eli Roth was in charge of directing. However, due to work on other projects he could not show up for the finishing touches and these were taken care of by Tim Miller, whose recent works leave much to be desired.

The Acolyte

Another Disney Star Wars series made for their streaming platform. Most of the productions in this lineup are characterized by a striking lack of creativity and abysmal, lazy execution. The exception here was Andor, a minor project done on the side, turned out to be a sensational war drama that showed once again what power lies in the Star Wars Universe. Praised by critics and audiences alike, the series was nominated for numerous awards. However, it is worrying that the only project that turned out to be this good was the one that escaped the eye of Disney executives during production. The Acolyte was made under similar conditions, which raised slight hopes. However, they fell when the first promotional material appeared. Let’s remember, we’re talking about fragments here, and the end result may turn out well. But at this point it looks dull, bland, visually flat and without flair. The designs of the locations and interiors are no different from the aforementioned generic Disney series. And, after all, we’re talking about a story taking place during the cultural peak and splendor of the Republic in the featured world.

The Crow

We also saw a trailer for the new version of The Crow. This time we will see Bill Skarsgaård in the lead role. The comic book adaptation will again show us the story of Eric Draven, who returns from the dead as an avatar of the Angel of Death with the goal of avenging himself and his beloved. After the first excerpts, we can already see that the film exchanges the gothic atmosphere of the cramped streets for a more contemporary style of action films. The music itself or the hero’s redesign brings to mind a rejuvenation and modernization. On top of that, you can add references to theatricality or painterly works on the visuals. All these changes are… well, certainly interesting. I will point out that I am not familiar with the previous adaptation or the comic book original. I don’t think it’s been a long time since any trailer evoked so many conflicted feelings in me. On one hand, the bold changes and the attempt to approach the story anew are welcome. In addition, I enjoy some of the frames, very artistic, using blood, light and visual expression in general to show beautiful compositions. However, they contrast with the mass of shots which are generic and filled with ugly CGI “noise”. Many of them are reminiscent of B-movies like Bloodshot and The Last Witch Hunter or Sony’s Marvel Universe films. The design of the trailer itself and the many scenes that try to be edgy and cool by force don’t evoke positive feelings either.

The Dead Don’t Hurt

Western directed by Viggo Mortensen. The actor probably needs no introduction to anyone. The legendary performer of the role of Aragorn in LotR is developing more and more each year as a filmmaker of extraordinary talent and sensitivity. In his latest work he refers to one of the oldest film genres. Here he is responsible not only for the directorial plane and the main role, but also for the script and composing soundtrack. The story tells about love between a French-Canadian woman and a Danish immigrant. Their desire to live together is interrupted when the Civil War breaks out. The trailer shows us an old-style film, full of beautiful static frames and calm narration. It also promises a balanced dramatic cinema, focused on characters that escalates from melancholy to tragedy by showing the horrors of war as an nightmare of individuals.

Horizon: An American Saga

Another Western directed by an iconic actor. This time we are talking about Kevin Costner. It is his return to directing after 21 years. This project was the filmmaker’s dream, which he finally decided to realize. The story has been split in two, both chapters will be released within few months apart this summer. Unlike the aforementioned western, this one is expected to be more spectacular story, on a larger scale. Costner wants to reference old-fashioned movie events from the golden age of Hollywood and create a new representative of epic cinema. Here, we also see old-style cinema. Many frames are gorgeous, static compositions. The narrative itself slowly builds up, developing constant tension. All these procedures were used to show a larger-than-life, breathtaking story, shot in the extraordinary American wilderness. As in the aforementioned film, the director also takes the lead role here. Costner portrays a gunslinger who tries to find a new place to live in the West for himself and his people. He will travel through Civil War-occupied America. Thus, the film will show how armed conflict affects the lives of entire communities. In addition, touching on the theme of indigenous people from America.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Another installment of the buddy cop comedy series started by Michael Bay. The story returned to movie screens after 17 years in 2020 with Bad Boys For Life. It was warmly received and praised for taking a more mature approach to the characters while continuing to maintain the atmosphere of its predecessors. Now we are in for the fourth movie in the series, entitled Bad Boys Ride or Die. It will continue the storyline of the third one, showing the adventures of our middle age policemen. All this accompanied by an exaggerated criminal intrigue in a comedic fashion. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah did a great job with the previous film, taking over the reins from Michael Bay. They efficiently referenced his style while blending their own ways of filmmaking to create a solid action cinema with likable characters. However, the first trailer of the new one, in my opinion, doesn’t look very good. Many of the CGI effects look really bad. It seems too exaggerated, overloaded with shallow jokes, losing somewhere the charm of its predecessor.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

We finally saw the first shots from Tim Burton’s latest film. The sequel after 36 years has received very short footage, showing barely anything. The only thing we can deduce is that we are in for a return of the cartoonish horror atmosphere and that the protagonists will continue to represent the gothic style of clothing. Also, the first lines in the role of Betelgeuse are delivered by the brilliant Michael Keaton. Just as with his return to the role of Batman last year, it only takes a few words for us to feel again that it’s the same character and that the actor has lost none of his charisma and talent and, despite the passing years, is returning to the role of ghost with ease.

Alien: Romulus

Also, the new film in the world of Alien got a short promotional footage. Fede Alvarez is responsible for directing, and the creator of this universe – Ridley Scott is the producer. Despite the short length, the trailer perfectly shows why Scott praised the director. From the first seconds you can feel the return of the atmosphere of gothic horror in space. Fear is built slowly, in a very subtle way with soft suggestions and suspense. Many of the frames are in wide shots showing us the work of the set designers. The scenery is amazing and beautifully lit, the corridors of the ship look fascinating and frightening at the same time. In fact, each frame of footage is a kind of artwork, like from the paintings of Giger, whose works were the inspiration for creating the film’s world.

The Penguin

The upcoming MAX series based on DC Comics also got a teaser. It is created by Lauren LeFranc within Matt Reeves Batman Universe and will be a bridge between his The Batman and upcoming The Batman: Part II. We will follow the story from the perspective of Oswald Cobblepot, one of the world’s greatest detective adversaries. The series will expand the world of Gotham according to Reeves’ vision, showing us the corners of the city where organized crime operates most vigorously. We will see how the protagonist rises to power in the criminal underworld.

The trailer itself is brilliant. It is maintained in the same style as The Batman. So we will have an artistic approach to comic book cinema in a neo-noir format. The series, just like the Reeves film, visually operates with contrasts between darkness and strong light sources building a gloomy atmosphere of the city streets. The whole thing is stylized as an interview with Al Capone. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable under the amazing characterization. He was already brilliant in the Batman movie in this role and made no secret of his excitement about being able to spread his wings in this streaming series.

Kinds of Kindness

The newest film from Yorgos Lanthimos. The idea originated during the shooting of the director’s previous film: The Academy Award-winning Poor Things. That is why much of the cast is the same. The films were shot one after the other. Kinds of Kindness is a triptych whose segments will show a man who will try to regain control of his life, a policeman whose missing wife has returned and seems to be a different person, and a woman who is determined to find the right someone to become her spiritual leader. The trailer itself doesn’t show much beyond a collection of unrelated parts edited to the rhythm of Sweet Dreams. Despite this lack of content, it is amazing. The kind of atmosphere it creates is incredible. From the first seconds it sells us a distinct style full of expressive characters and vivid colors. The whole thing is sprinkled with a delicate retro vibe. Every shot is gorgeous, wonderfully lit. All scenes tell mini narratives that create curiosity. The disco and light atmosphere creates a bright contrast to the bold or dramatic images.

Fallout

An adaptation of one of the most popular video game franchises in history. It is a post-apocalyptic retro sci-fi drama. The presented world is an alternate history, where nuclear energy and its use developed significantly after World War II. Most machines, equipment and weapons were powered by it. Humanity, however, lived in a constant Cold War and fear of atomic weapons. Despite technological advances, the culture stopped in the 1960s and dictate how everything in this world will look like. It gives a unique combination of futuristic concepts with counter-intuitive retro styling. However, this unusual world was eventually affected by a nuclear war that led to the bombing of the United States. America, however, was prepared for this by creating dozens of vaults across the country. Residents who bought access were evacuated and brought there.

However, the company that was responsible for them had a hidden objective. It used these vaults for inhumane social experiments that were monitored from their secret underground laboratories. Alongside this, life on the surface was not completely destroyed. Many creatures mutated to new unusual species, sometimes resembling fantastic monsters. Similarly, some humans survived. A few managed to escape the effects of radiation, while others were affected by it, turning into ghouls. They gained longevity in favor of an obscure appearance. When the crypts are opened and the first explorers (whom we play in the games) are sent out, it turns out that the world has already moved on. New villages, cities have sprung up on the ruins. Gangs and groups have formed, including several large military forces, fighting for control of the former US. Humanity, despite the catastrophe, continues to be unable to find a solution other than armed battles following the theory that “war never changes.” All this, despite so many differences, turns out to be affected by extremely similar problems to ours. This whole world is filled with black humor and a sarcastic approach to comment on many behaviors or absurdities of our world.

And the trailer looks sensational. The showrunner here is Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. The first one has co-written many scripts with his Oscar-winning brother’s films. It looks like they have perfectly captured the atmosphere of the series, its charm and fascinating contrast between the brutality of horrifying realities and the humor that sprinkles the stories happening there. The satirical layer is not created by force, with comedic slapstick. It stems, as in the original, from the absurdity of the discrepancy between the campiness of what we see and the situation in which the characters find themselves. On top of that, the creation of the world itself is amazing. The set designs are marvelous. Both those showing the interior of the vaults and the constructions created in the wastelands. The costumes brilliantly transfer the style from the games to the live-action interpretation. Especially stunning are the power armors which are representative symbols of the franchise. All this while maintaining the extraordinary atmosphere of interacting with this unique world.