Indie film news, reviews, commentary, interviews, podcasts and more, updated throughout the week.
49. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
By IFC
on 06/25/2009
Anatomy of a Trailer: we open in a nondescript courtroom, Anytown, U.S.A. But almost immediately, a sign of the unusual: the bailiff stands and announces "There is a new movie coming to this town. All those involved in this film will now be sworn in!" The oath is then delivered by "Anatomy of a Murder" director Otto Preminger. "Raise your right hand!" he barks. "Do you solemnly swear that you have done your job in this picture to the best of your ability... James Stewart?" Jimmy nods and says he does, followed in rapid succession by the rest of the cast. I'm not sure these statements are legally binding, but the enthusiasm is nice. Next Preminger has a conversation with "Anatomy" novelist John D. Voelker, who rightly observes that their courtroom scene is missing a jury. "Our jury is not just twelve men and women in a box!" Preminger chuckles. "Our judge and jury sits out there!" as he points into the camera, "millions and millions of people in the theaters!"
The entire judicial conceit is cheeky fun, obviously in keeping with the film's subject matter, and Preminger's salutation to the audience is an apt metaphor for the court of public opinion. Plus the overly excited pull quotes from newspaper reviews -- just what the hell is "Socko cinema!" anyway? -- shows that dubious blurbage in movie ads is not just a recent problem. --Matt Singer
I guess you guys haven't seen the trailer for The Hughes Bros.'s Dead Presidents, huh? What about Forest Gump? I think those are the 2 greatest of all time. Gump is better than the movie. And Dead Prez is the best ever.
Oh... what about the SW Ep 1 teaser? Maybe you should call this the best film trailers on YouTube! LOL. Dead Prez is probably too hard for you to locate.
I think The Dark Knight, Iron Man, and 300 should be included!
Clerks? No love for the Clerks trailer? Sigh.
Honorable mention for the Grindhouse fake trailers? "Don't" was brilliant.
Great list, by the way. Thanks for including 'Man Who Wasn't There'
Seriously? We have to click 50 times just to get the damn list? No thanks.
Like clicking 50 times is soooo hard, right? But you guys forgot about There Will Be Blood!!
50 PAGES?!!! Get back to work researching how to post an article. No Digg for you.
50 PAGES?!!! Get back to work researching how to post an article. No Digg for you.
GREAT article and flawless pick for #1. I actually did a lil piece on that trailer at our own movie blog, so I'm elated to see as your top pick. Yay trailers!