I saw Minority Report today. While the movie was good, I was once again reminded of a horrible trend at movie theaters, at least around here: movie trailers being replaced, or preceded by, god-awful advertisements. For example, I saw a Dodge ad featuring some not-so-good Aerosmith music. Dodge suggested that I purchase the Aerosmith greatest hits CD, then buy a Dodge, in a horribly produced, generally confusing ad. Following that, I was given a behind the scenes look at the making of: an advertisement! For Pepsi! Starring B. Spears! Just a bunch of unrelated shots of Ms. Spears bending over in front of a camera. Finally, the REAL show (previews!!!!) started. But was I in for a surprise!

The previews were the lowest quality of any I have seen this year. First up was XXX (it's TRIPLE X). Better than the last Triple X preview I saw, but that's not saying much. Next, I was treated to a just plain confusing collection of unexplained, completely unrelated scenes. Apparently the movie advertised was "Dare Devil", but that is based only on the website listed at the end of the preview. Nobody spoke during the thing, and the name of the movie was identified nowhere other than the URL at the end. I then had the delight of seeing a preview for "Signs". Poorly acted, with comedy (or is it just bad writing?) that seemed out of place. At the end an attempt was made to spook the audience, but it was so poorly set up that nobody noticed.

Following that disgrace to filmmaking, I was informed of a movie called "Solaris". I don't know what it is about, or when it is being released. All I know is that it involves a large spacecraft floating in what appears to be a jellyfish-infested ocean. Boring, boring, boring! Finally, I saw a preview for: (unknown). All I remember is that it was some teen thing involving a swimming pool and e-mailed porn. :bawling:

I've had enough of this. Is anyone else sick of the non-previews being shown? And even worse, the previews themselves? I know I am. Next time you visit a theater, demand to speak to the manager, and ask him who to complain to. Make your voice heard. Everybody knows that the previews are half the fun. DON'T LET THEM TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU!



ps. post 700 :rolleyes:

I commented on this when I saw Star wars, same thing, Dodge commercial (though I didn't think the song was that bad, heh), and more ads. I don't think they showed a movie preview.

If I know the theatre isn't going to be sold out I usually just show up late to movies nowdays due to the god-awful previews they have now.

Greg Moore

Originally posted by Chicken
I don't think they showed a movie preview.

:mad: That's terrible! What's the fun of going to the movies if you don't even get to see one preview? Even a bad one is better than not seeing one at all.

Sometimes the previews are better than the movies. Is it any wonder I hang out at Apple's trailer park section all the time streaming movie trailers?

Following that disgrace to filmmaking
Are you saying Minority Report was a bad movie? I've seen the previews some 20 times now and it looks great. I didn't have time this weekend to see it due to baseball, but I plan on going sometime this week (maybe?).

I definately plan on showing up a good 10-15 minutes late so I don't have to sit through the commercials. I definately agree things have gotten out of hand, although at the midnight release of Star Wars seeing the Matrix II preview was pretty cool, even though the kid next to me with the mohawk wouldn't stop laughing.. stoners.

Man, I can't show up late. I've got to get into the theater and stake my claim on the most strategically-positioned seat(s) I can find. And if a movie is playing in a theater that DOESN'T have stadium seating, I ain't going.

Originally posted by Joey

Are you saying Minority Report was a bad movie?

I then had the delight of seeing a preview for "Signs". Poorly acted, with comedy (or is it just bad writing?) that seemed out of place. At the end an attempt was made to spook the audience, but it was so poorly set up that nobody noticed.

That was the disgrace to film-making he was referring to.

I'm hoping Minority Report will be good movie. Looking forward to seeing it sometime soon. :)

Gotcha! That makes much more sense.

Maybe I'll just try to find a screener of Minority Report. :D

Regarding the previews or trailers, there are generally three types. The earlier "sneak peek" style is typically released six to nine months before the movie's opening and usually does little more than give a hint of the atmosphere of the film. Then there's a second one released later, that reveals more of what the story is actually about... and then sometimes one or more of the third type, which focus more specifically on one character or event in the film (for example, the Attack of the Clones trailer that was all Yoda).