The last round-up I did met with positive approval, so I will continue doing this as a monthly feature henceforth. Anyway, unsurprisingly, August was a month that brought us a multitude of delectable treats to drool over and no, before you mention it, I’m not talking about Snakes, Planes or anything of the Samuel L. Jackson variety. If you’re not going to read on without some kind of coherent description, think more along the lines of guns, motels, royalty and er, well, just read it.

The Motel
This movie was the first of last month’s independent bunch to catch my eye because despite having a fundamentally similiar “coming of age” theme that many films of this style possess, the unique setting looks like it could provide a fresh experience. Then again, it could go either way, I recently watched Elephant and Thumbsuckers - films in a similiar cinematic vein - and they were incredibly boring, arrogant examples of how critical acclaim does not always mean “entertaining”.

13 Tzameti
If you read this film’s plot outline on IMDB, it seems rather boring until you hit the last line - “behind closed doors in which men gamble on the lives of others men”. This is what the trailer demonstrates and I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the most effective teasers I’ve ever seen. It depicts a large group of men, standing in a circle, playing russian roulette - simple? Yes, but I challenge you not to be intrigued. 13 Tzameti looks to be a very stylish thriller, one that perhaps strays away from the typical Hollywood definition and provides a refreshing perspective on a considerably saturated genre.

The Bridge
This is a disturbing documentary from new director Eric Steel, that explores the lives of 24 people who, in 2004, chose to commit suicide by jumping from San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge. The trailer is a 2 minute glimpse into what seems to be an insightful and touching piece of cinema. The film links together the morbid endings that these people tragically met and explores their possible reasons for suicide and the location they chose.

49 Up
49 Up is a truly unique film, a group of children aged 7 were periodically tracked by Granada television up until their present age, 49. Every 7 years a film crew would go back and interview them as they grew up and now, the finished film shows us just how their lives have progressed - some have had relatively normal lives and and others have had rollercoaster rides, but ultimately both types will probably make for some incredibly interesting viewing. Don’t be put off by the poorly compiled trailer, I know it looks like a 70’s educational video but the concept is still ingenious.

And finally, here’s a new addition - the month’s worst prospect.

The Marine
I’d like to say that this looks like a thrilling action movie with some blistering car chases and amazing effects…but I’m not going to lie to you, this film looks awful. John Cena, an even cheaper version of The Rock, plays an ex-marine of the Rambo class and manages to confirm why acting and wrestlers never go together, hence the terrible skits you used to see on Raw and Smackdown. The trailer features lots of loud noises and bullets along with some car crushing action, but still fails to excite. It does, however, conjur a chuckle when Cena is lying on the floor reaching out for his wife and his expression is that of a mentally disabled Incredible Hulk. Anyway, The Marine is a no-no, got it? Yes Sergeant!

If you have any suggestions/comments regarding this Trailer Round-Up, please contact me.