When I look at trailers, there are 3 main things I need a trailer to be in order for me to feel completely sold on watching a movie as soon as it comes out.  Aside from who wrote and directed the story, and the movie’s genre, I specifically look for the following: chemistry in the casting (and/or the casting in general), does the story seem interesting, and most importantly, did the trailer make sense?  (Oftentimes I find that a trailer definitely has the visual punch that will make me consider watching a film, but I’m an advocate for not judging a book by its cover so I tend to be a little more hesitant about watching movies that looked excellent visually-speaking in the trailer, especially if I felt that it gave me absolutely no information that I could go on to tell me whether or not the story is actually worth the $6-13–depending on what time I watch the movie and if there are any extra charges for IMAX and/or 3D-effects–and the 2-3 hours taken out of my precious time.)

Basically, the bottom-line question I ask myself is this; did the trailer effectively use the limited time it had to hook me into watching this film in theaters?

That being said, just a quick fact about myself: I absolutely love movies and anything related to the arts.  In fact, even when no one is available to go with me, I’ll go to the movies and watch them by myself, if something’s been released that I was really interested in.  Below are some trailers that I’ve seen in theaters that you can watch as well, courtesy of YouTube, along with my thoughts on each movie being promoted, in no real particular order.  (Just a quick warning; I’ve embedded a lot of videos here so be prepared to be overwhelmed.

The following movies I definitely plan on watching in theaters:

Title: Arthur Christmas
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Casting: N/A – Since this is an animation and I don’t really think about the who’s behind the voices when I see animation characters.
Story: ***
“Go” Factor: ***

OVERALL:  This seems like a cute animation movie worth going to.  While I mostly enjoy movies that are deep or thought-provoking, I still do have an inner-child to feed, haha.

Title: J. Edgar
Release Date: November 9, 2011
Casting: ***
Story: ****
“Go” Factor: ****

OVERALL:  I am a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, especially of the work he directs.  I’m not familiar with the entire cast, but based on the trailer, the casting seems to have been done well, and I am looking forward to this film!

Title: The Adventures of TinTin
Release Date: December 23, 2011
Casting: N/A – Animated.
Story: ***
“Go” Factor: ***

OVERALL:  From what I see here, this story definitely looks intriguing enough to watch.  I am only vaguely familiar with the world of TinTin, so I can’t really say I have any prior expectations.  One thing I did note was that the animated characters appear very well made in this trailer.

Title: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Release Date: December 16, 2011
Casting: ****
Story: ****
“Go” Factor: ****

OVERALL:  I am a huge fan of Robert Downing Jr., and an even huger fan of him as Sherlock Holmes than as Iron Man.  It’s hard to say if I like his interpretation of Sherlock better or worse than Benedict Cumberbatch’s version in the BBC TV series, since I think they take two completely different takes on the same character, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing this second installment.  I wasn’t really expecting them to make a second movie so I wasn’t following the potential rumors that were circulating until much later, but I’m definitely looking forward to this.  In fact, if it’s safe to assume that this trailer is a good indicator of the movie’s quality, then I can’t wait because to me it seems like the story is going to be even better and definitely more hilarious than the last one.  There is something about Downing Jr.’s sarcastic and witty humor as Sherlock that I love.

Title: War Horse
Release Date: December 25, 2011
Casting: ****
Story: ****
“Go” Factor: ****

OVERALL:  To be honest, I can’t say that I’m really familiar with the cast (aside from Benedict Cumberbatch, who looks like he’s going to be appearing in a lot recently, which is absolutely fantastic).  However, two things really impressed me about this trailer.  One was the fact that it really reminded me of the foreign film, A Very Long Engagement.  I don’t think that it is often that a movie made in the U.S. gives me that kind of artistic feeling that’s refreshing on screen.  The second thing that impressed me was how quiet the trailer is when it comes to background music.  I think it really brings a lot more power to the trailer.  I have a hard time stomaching war movies and violence, but this story definitely seems like one worth watching.  (By the way, I realize this trailer says the release date is in January, but that’s the UK release.)

Movies that I am unsure about whether or not to watch in theaters:

Title: Anonymous
Release Date: October 28, 2011
Casting: ****
Story: ****
“Go” Factor: ****

OVERALL:  Based on the trailer, both the casting and story seem solid.  In fact, it plays on one of my favorite “what-if” theories, where people speculate that Shakespeare couldn’t have possibly handwritten all those plays and sonnets by himself.  Personally, I would like to think that he did, but who really knows for sure.  The reason for me being on the fence about watching this is because it seems like the type of movie I have to be in a particular mindset for–I usually lean towards comedies or serious films that are a little lighter than this.  This movie just seems like it’s going to be dark from beginning to end, so I’d probably have to go in prepared to watch something that somber.

Title: A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
Release Date: November 4, 2011
Casting: ***
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  To be  quite honest, the story looks like it’s going to be terrible, but hilarious.  I’ve always liked these two actors as Harold & Kumar though, so this is something I’d probably watch with a group of friends, just for a good laugh.

Title: Happy Feet Two
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Casting: N/A – Animation.
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  I think the only reason I’d decide to go to this one is because I find animated penguins to be incredibly cute.  Other than that, it won’t kill me if I miss it.

Title: Hugo
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Casting: **
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  Not entirely sure about this one.  It seems like it’s a fantasy film though, so that somewhat piques my interest.  Who knows, my thoughts might change later if I get more information on it.

Title: A Dangerous Method
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Casting: ***
Story: ***
“Go” Factor: ***

OVERALL: This seems very interesting since it’s about Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, whose accomplishments I enjoyed studying in many a psychology class.  Not too sure if the story will be too slow paced for my liking though; based on the trailer, that certainly seems like a possibility.

Title: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Release Date: December 9, 2011
Casting: ****
Story: ****
“Go” Factor: ****

OVERALL: My hesitation for this film would be the dark tone it seems to have and the potentially graphic violent scenes–which is something I have a weak stomach for on a personal level.  However, I love the members of the cast I do recognize, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, and Benedict Cumberbatch, and I think that this will be a fantastic movie.

I have decided to wait for the following movies to be available on DVD or a streaming service:

Title: The Muppets
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Casting: N/A – Puppets.
Story: **
“Go” Factor: *

OVERALL:  I think the only reason that I would watch this film is for nostalgia’s sake.  For the most part though, I’m pretty sure I’ve outgrown the whole Muppets thing from childhood.  Might make for a good chuckle though at home.

Title: Jack and Jill
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Casting: **
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL: I think the only two movies I thought Adam Sandler was hilarious in was Anger Management and Mr. Deeds, but this one looks like it might not be too bad.  Not something I’d watch at home though; I’d like to be able to fast-forward through anything boring.

Title: 5 Star Day
Release Date: November 4, 2011
Casting: **
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  I can’t really say I understand what this movie is about, but I do like looking at Cam Gigandet.  Haha, and because that’s the only reason I’d probably even consider watching this movie, I’m definitely waiting until it comes out on DVD or becomes available on stream.

Title: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked
Release Date: December 16, 2011
Casting: N/A – Animation.
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  My friends practically dragged me to the first one that came out of these little furry creatures.  I was unexpectedly surprised at how funny I had found it.  It’s not something I would jump on watching though, even though this one looks hilarious as well.

Title: New Years Eve
Release Date: December 9, 2011
Casting: **
Story: *
“Go” Factor: *

OVERALL:  If it’s anything like Valentine’s Day (2010), then this is definitely only going to be good for a one-time watch.  If a group of my friends go, I’ll watch it in theaters, but for the most part I’m content with considering watching this via Netflix or Hulu or something.

Title: We Bought a Zoo
Release Date: December 23, 2011
Casting: ***
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  The trailer looks interesting, but at the same time it looks like it might be a story that moves too slowly or is too dry for my personal preferences.

Title: The Descendants
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Casting: **
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  This looks like it might have its funny moments, but I’m not sure the story would be something that keeps my interest the whole way through, seeing as the trailer is extremely vague to me about the plot.  It’s kind of funny to me that this is playing in the winter too; looks like it would do better as a summer movie.  I could be wrong though.

Lastly, this movie that I may be inclined to watch on a “rainy day,” so to speak:

Title: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Release Date: December 21, 2011
Casting: ***
Story: **
“Go” Factor: **

OVERALL:  I think I was a Tom Cruise fan very, very briefly, before he got into all that Scientology business.  Anyway, I was never a huge fan of the Mission Impossible series for some odd reason, so I’m not too pressed to watch this.

For now, that’s all I have, but when I see more trailers pop up that seem interesting, I’ll be sure to put something up.

‘Till next time!