Trailerblazing -- Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider -- March 16, 2018 -- directed by Roar Uthaug -- starring Alicia Vikander, Hannah-John Kamen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Walton Goggins, Dominic West

  

The new Tomb Raider adaptation is almost ready for the big screen and, personally, I am excited that we are about to get what looks like a fast-paced and engaging adventure. There have not been many good adventure films since Indiana Jones and... well, Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft. At first glance, though, I am not sure that there are huge differences between this iteration and the previous ones. Sure, the set-up feels grittier and the mood darker, but that is about it, so we will hopefully see some more innovation. There is definitely a contrast in the portrayal -- Jolie played Croft with a twinkle in her eye, while Vikander seems to be opting for a more relatable approach, which is appropriate for the new version's style. Fresh off her successful turn in Darkest Hour, Scott Thomas is always a welcome addition, while Goggins will make for a great villain and West is an ever-reliable presence. On another note, I am looking at the spring release date and wondering why the film is not being released in the summer instead. One, it might do more business. Two, Ready Player One might swallow it whole in March. Still, I am thinking that fans will flock and that it could be a significant spring entry. It looks smart and fun and it is a great continuation for the new wave of female heroines.

Trailerblazing -- Slender Man

Slender Man -- May 18, 2018 -- directed by Sylvain White -- starring Joey King, Annalise Basso, Javier Botet, Julia Goldani Telles, Jaz Sinclair, Kevin Chapman

  

I miss the days of Psycho, Don't Look Now and Suspiria -- you know, those days when horror cinema had meaning. This trailer shows... oh, I am not even sure what it is. I do not understand and do not want to understand the obsession with the Slender Man myth or whatever it is. What is so appealing about a creeper terrorizing, hunting and abducting children? I guess that, when an imaginative and inspiring story eludes you, a shock-and-violence narrative will do. Considering the horrendous 2014 crime linked to this inane character, I also find the idea of this film in bad taste. The concept should be forgotten, not exploited for financial gain and no, I am not blaming violence on fiction. I am saying that a character like this one is an empty shell of an attempt, one that does nothing for creativity and certainly does not help someone who is already over the edge. As far as the film goes, it looks like a cynical yawn. Young girls -- why is it always girls? -- getting lost in the woods and seeing things is an overdone trope. Is there a story here? Anywhere? The pretentious Goth wannabe imagery and cinematography is laughable, only adding to the effect of pure shlock. If there is anything that we can learn from this trailer, it is that Hollywood is officially running out of ideas.