LET'S TALK: TEASER TRAILERS

The most powerful tool at any studios disposal is undoubtedly the teaser trailer. Throughout the history of cinema, studios have used the teaser trailer to entice audiences all over the world to find the answers to the questions proposed in their sixty second clips. Teaser trailers work phenomenally well in planting an idea in our minds of what wonderful things we might see in our local cinema. They tells us, "We can't show you. You must see it for yourself".

And so with the release of 20th Century Fox's superb teaser for Ridley Scott's Prometheus, I've decided to take a look back at some of the greatest teaser trailers of our time. From horror, to sci-fi, to superhero epics, these trailers not only excite and intrigue, they often go on to become more popular and revered than the movies they represent. Find the list below.

SUSPIRIA 

Showing only about 25 seconds of footage, Suspiria's teaser is probably my favourite of all time. It's a beautiful and terrifying compilation; showcasing the wonderful lighting and direction but also giving you a the briefest taste of the horror that lies ahead. And that closing image of the slashed-up old hag dribbling blood while holding a knife above her head...really great stuff. The perfect teaser. 

HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES 

This teaser was released by Universal before director Rob Zombie had even begun principal photography. The ad was meant to pique the morbid curiosity in us all by hinting at the "worst crime in American history", similar to that of the poster of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which proclaimed, "Who will survive and what will be left of them?". Mostly released on VHS copies of other horror titles, the teaser for House of 1,000 Corpses is extremely effective. The imagery is extremely macabre, with hundreds of little wooden crosses surrounding investigative teams as they pull body after body out of the dirt. And what's even better is that the way the teaser is shot, it's almost as if we are an onlooker at the scene, desperate to know but excluded from the grizzly details. And the only way to find out said details? Go and see House of 1,000 Corpses. 

SUPERMAN RETURNS 

Regardless of the quality of the completed film, the teaser trailer for Superman Returns embodied everything a fan could ever want from a big screen adventure for the man of steel. Each hallmark in the life of Kal-El is brought to life by director Bryan Singer and we get a test of how his life will eventually go from small town boy to savior of the world. The accompanying John Williams music takes the trailer to another level; one of cinematic wonder so strong it'll leave you with goosebumps. And massive plus points for this teaser ending with our hero in an almost meditative state above the planet earth. Beautiful stuff.

PSYCHO 

What a great little quirky teaser! For such a dark, terrifying film. A fantastic piece of advertising; director Alfred Hitchcock gives us, the audience, a tour of the set of his newest thriller, Psycho. The motel, the house, the grounds, all are explored as Hitchcock remains deliberately secretive as to what kind of crime actually took place here. Was it a theft? Rape? Murder even? Of course, Hitchcock eventually indulges us and shares some of the building's secrets. And right as he's explaining the ghastly murder that took place in the motel's bathroom...well, watch and see. It's a powerful teaser trailer that sucks you into the mystery of it all and leaves you with more questions than answers. 

TOBY JONES, SIENNA MILLER JOIN BBC2'S THE GIRL!

A quick one; Toby Jones (The Mist, Infamous) will play legendary master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, in BBC2's upcoming drama The Girl. Joining the British actor is model-cum-actress, Sienna Miller. Miller will play Tippi Hendren, the star (and object of desire for the director) of The Birds & Marnie. 

The TV film is said to be focusing more on Hitchcock's infatuation with the actress and their relationship on and off screen. A seeming friendship with mutual gain that ended in bitterness and animosity. The Girl should make for wonderful television. Consider me intrigued. 

PETER WELLER JOINING STAR TREK 2 = PERFECTION

The hard working folks at Variety got wind that Peter Weller is joining the cast of J.J. Abrams hotly anticipated, Star Trek 2. The actor is, of course, known to you and I as Robocop; the greatest police officer of all time. Er, at least in film. Weller brought his wonderful presence to Robocop and it's sequel Robocop 2, as well as standout episodes in 24, Dexter and the mind-bending sci-fi series, Fringe. Let me explain why this is such terrific news. If you've seen the aforementioned episode of Fringe (titled White Tulip), you know how magnificently humble & wise Weller comes across in character and presence, so if Abrams has cast him in a role aboard the mighty U.S.S. Enterprise, then we should rejoice. After the announcement that the director will shoot his latest film in 3D, my hopes were slightly dashed for the sequel. But with this I find them rejuvenated! A fine actor for a fine sequel? I do hope so.

TOP 5 OF 2011!

It's coming to the end of 2011 and with only 3 major releases left (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol & Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows), I thought I'd go ahead and make my annual Top 5. For those wondering why now, simply because I probably won't get to see the aforementioned titles until 2012, as this season is always a busy one for me. So, without further adieu, my Top 5 films of 2011.

5) SOURCE CODE - DUNCAN JONES

Source Code is intelligent, thrilling and masterfully directed by Duncan Jones. His previous film, Moon, highlighted his ability to squeeze the best out of each of his actors and Jake Gyllenhaal gives a career best here. The screenplay (written by Ben Ripley) is tight and full of twists, keeping you compelled until the credits roll. Like a great novel you can't put down, if you haven't seen Source Code, I highly recommend doing so. 

4) RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - RUPERT WYATT 

An awesome, awesome reinvention of the classic sci-fi series. Honestly, who thought the suits at 20th Century Fox would allow Rupert Wyatt the freedom to create such a wonderful, intelligent and exciting blockbuster? I was completely wrong about this one. To the point that I'm now adamant that Andy Serkis should take home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in March 2012. Here's hoping the institution recognizes his outstanding work in Apes. Hail Caesar! Hail this movie! 

3) I SAW THE DEVIL - JEE-WOON KIM

South Korea's answer to Se7en; Jee-woon Kim's I Saw The Devil is a monster of a film. Starring two superb actors (Min-Sik Choi of Oldboy & Byung-hun Lee of A Bittersweet Life), the film sees a special agent turn the tables on the serial killer who slaughtered his wife. The hunter becomes the hunted and ultra-violence commences. Certainly not one for the squeamish and while I'll probably never sit through it again, I'm really glad I caught it. 

2) HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN - JASON EISENER 

Jason Eisener's Hobo With A Shotgun is a wonderful ode to the trashy films of the VHS-era. Rutger Hauer dirties it up as the hobo; a wandering soul in search of cash to start up his own lawn-mowing business. When the hobo encounters the town's brutish mayor and his two maniac sons, he realizes there is a more important task at hand; the destruction of the town's scumbags, pimps and dealers. Hobo With A Shotgun is a symphony of neon-glow violence conducted by a capable and interesting director. If I had seen this film when I was a young teen, I've no doubt it would have become a monthly midnight watch for sure. 

1) 13 ASSASSINS - TAKASHI MIIKE

A strikingly beautiful film by gonzo director Takashi Miike. This gets my number one spot due to the culmination of great acting, writing, direction, costume design, set production, etc. The climactic action sequence is certainly the best of the year and could very well be one of the best battles ever filmed. A truly great film with a wonderful sense of camaraderie between the samurai. Oh, and I almost forgot; 13 Assassins has, quite simply, the vilest villain of the naughties. Check this out immediately.

And so that's that. Another year finished! Honorable mentions go to Drive, Hanna, Crazy Stupid Love and X-Men: First Class!