Untitled for Now

First, I’d like to set the mood with this excellent trailer for the movie “The Comedian”.

What a lovely piss take on what has, in my mind, become an art form in and of itself. How many trailers have you seen that have just knocked your socks off, only to disappoint you when you see the actual finished film? This trailer side steps the content of the movie completely but still conveys the spirit of the movie.

We’ve also become accustomed to narration by a deep, sonorous voice illustrating the true epic quality of the film which you should, no, must go see! That voice actor is key in convincing audiences to part with their hard earned cash later down the line for a product that they themselves aren’t even a part of. What a selfless act!

One such voice actor is Don LaFontaine, whose talents you’ve certainly experienced between mouthfuls of popcorn. Here’s a great video bio of him, he certainly sounds like a great guy – pun intended of course.

I find it all quite refreshing, as you could view the music trailer business as a con. It all reminds me that we don’t have to settle for the same old trailer style. There’s more out there.

Recently I came upon another gem of a trailer, for “Time Bandits” in 1981, a movie which is arguably brilliant for being terrible in odd ways that stay with you. The trailer does the same and like “The Comedian” trailer, it keeps the spirit of the movie without really attempting to make it epic or humorous based on the film’s content.

“You’re sitting there telling millions of people to see a movie you haven’t even seen?!”
“Well I can’t see every film I do now can I?”

You get the picture, enjoy!

Before I close a small side note, at the beginning of the trailer for “The Comedian” is Greg Grunberg, also known as Matt Parkman from the TV show “Hereos”

Tagged: Don LaFontaine, The Comedian, Time Bandits, Trailers