Walk Softly Films

UPDATE: The Ragnarok trailer broke Disney's record for most views by raking in 136 million in 24 hours. That's across all brands including Marvel, LucasFilm, and Pixar. The previous record holder was Beauty and the Beast. Marvel's previous high was 94 million for Captain America: Civil War.

On Talk Hard 31 we discussed James Gunn's reaction to the Thor: Ragnarok trailer and wondered if he was just spouting hyperbole as he is prone to do. If you missed it, he said Ragnarok had the best Marvel trailer ever. Now, granted, its only competition are the two trailers for his own Guardians movies but, nonetheless, I think he's right. I love this thing and I think it's at least equal with the first Guardians trailer. So let me give you a quick list of my biggest takeaways...

I love that it opens with Thor narrating direct to camera and I hope that stays in the actual movie.

This trailer is metal. So metal.
I'm no Led Zeppelin fan (see: screaming Robert Plant), but the use of Immigrant Song in this trailer is just another example of the magic combination of music and the moving image to create something completely new, different, and greater than the sum of their parts. I'm not sure there has ever been a better song choice for a trailer because it makes everything in it look cooler. It's about Vikings for cripes' sake.
The title treatments are another perfect piece of this metal puzzle.
Cate Blanchett looks amazing and if there is one thing Marvel continually nails, it's casting. I'm ecstatic that they pulled Jack Kirby's design straight out of the comics and used her traditional headpiece because it looks incredible.

JEFF FLIPPING GOLDBLUM!
The biggest crime Marvel Studios has committed is the failure to produce solo films for Loki and the Black Widow. Those two characters/actors are gold in hand; massive equity that hasn't been cashed in and soon they will be gone. Loki is probably the MCU's most complex character and Tom Hiddleston is endlessly watchable in the role. A story of Loki as reluctant or inadvertent hero, or even a misadventure as he plots and schemes, could be a crown jewel in this universe and something wholly different for the superhero audience base.

It's nice to see a "winged" helmet on Thor for the first time since the opening scene of the original Thor.

thor, ragnarok, wing helmet, trailer, marvel

Man... They've really nailed the CG on the Hulk haven't they? It's kind of amazing the progress that's been made since Ang Lee's version and even since Marvel Studios' first long-haired go-round with Ed Norton. In my opinion he's now the best looking CG character ever. Just look at the life in those eyes!

I'm hoping there is still some polishing to do on that arena scene. As is, it feels awfully green screeny.
Trailer prediction time: when it's all said and done, this will be the best of the three Thor films and may contend for a spot in the MCU's top five.

Todd alerted us to a new trailer today (for a movie that must have the longest title ever) and, in turn, I'm alerting you. I'm warning you right up front though, the language is EXTREME. Apart from that, Three Billboards looks potentially fantastic. But, to judge how high you should set your hopes, let's talk about the Writer/Director for a moment...

Martin McDonagh is an indie film prince. He's written three feature films and directed two of those. I've seen the the other two: In Bruges and Seven Psycopaths. Each is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but personally I came away underwhelmed by both. Like Three Billboards, Seven Psycopaths had a fantastic ensemble cast. In fact, I liked the cast so much, the film's failure to maximize their talents made my disappointment more pronounced. If you have Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken in the same film, your script better drop them in some deep comedic waters and also give them a little room to thrash around. Thus far, McDonagh's humor hasn't connected with me despite the fact that I wanted it to. So, now I wonder: will this movie (which seems like such a great vehicle for Frances McDormand), see McDonagh finally and completely live up to the status he's garnered as a critical darling? Is there a chance that Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri could be his Magnum Opus? Judge for yourself and try to keep your expectations in check.