Trailer Tracker: Megamind, The Last Exorcism and more

Welcome back to Trailer Tracker, where we at Player Affinity play the role of judgmental parent to new trailers hitting the web. Finally, after some relatively clip-dry weeks there are seven newcomers to explore. We’ll take a look at a trifecta of animated films all from rival studios, the teaser for thriller The Divide, get scared with horror flick The Last Exorcism, wake up with ensemble dramedy Morning Glory starring Harrison Ford and last off take a peek at the trailer for the controversial Sundance film The Killer Inside Me.

Megamind

First on the animated docket is DreamWorks’ Megamind starring Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt in voice form. DreamWorks has come a long way in its storytelling ability from its pioneering efforts and their latest looks to be quite amusing if far from masterful. Ferrell plays Megamind, who after killing his heroic nemesis Metro Man (Pitt) finds his villainous life without meaning. With Despicable Me, another super-villain flick hitting theaters later this year voiced by another comic titan Steve Carell, it will be interesting to see which fares better in an increasingly crowded market.

Rio 

Fox’s Blue Sky Studios follows with the trailer for Rio, about a domesticated macaw from America who ventures to Rio de Janeiro. Known best for producing the “Ice Age” trilogy, Blue Sky boasts a similar vibe to what DreamWorks was producing eight or so years back. The trailer promises plenty of slapstick and not so much in the realm of emotional oomph. Colorful animation and 3-D should please the kiddies, however. We'll have to wait awhile for Rio, out in April 2011.

Alpha and Omega

Another animated film, another drop in notoriety. Crest Animation Studios (Lionsgate's animation company -- they have no affiliation with the toothpaste) bounds onto the big screen with Alpha and Omega, a tale about two wolves, one the tough female pack leader and one an inconspicuous male, who must travel back to Canada after they are relocated to copulate in The States. While the talent behind the camera may be fresh, they have assembled an impressive voice cast including Dennis Hopper, Hayden Panettiere, Justin Long, Christina Ricci and Danny Glover. Not surprisingly in 3-D, the flat animation looks to be a second-fiddle choice this year.

The Last Exorcism

How far can Hollywood stretch the very limited sub-genre of exorcism-based horror? At least one film more apparently. The Last Exorcism seems to have the requisite creepitude but also seems to borrow more than a little from movies with that same buzz word in the title, The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose in addition to using the growing gimmick of "found footage." Yet in the film's favor, it was obviously deemed good enough to premier at Sundance and lets all be thankful it’s not a remake.
 

Morning Glory

After Harrison Ford’s recent failed dramatic ventures in Crossing Over and Extraordinary Measures, who would have though he would look right at home as an ornery anchorman. Ford is joined by the likes of Rachael McAdams, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Diane Keaton and … ummm … 50 Cent? With a cast like that and what looks to be a nice blend of comedy and redemption, Morning Glory could most certainly become a late year hit.

The Killer Inside Me

Criticized heavily for its depiction of violence against women, Michael Winterbottom’s (Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story) The Killer Inside Me finds Casey Affleck as a southern sheriff being uncovered as a brutal serial killer. Good or bad in the end, the trailer looks hugely enticing and Affleck has proven himself an actor to recon with since his Oscar-nominated role in The Assassination of Jessie James. Toss in some sex appeal from Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson and this will not be the last time you hear about this film.

    

The Divide

No, it’s not “Cloverfield 2” but The Divide is a post-apocalyptic morality tale that leaves much to the imagination in its new teaser. Directed by Xavier Gens (Hitman), the casting of Michael Biehn and Peter Stormare certainly piques my interest as does the technique of ambiguous promotional clips in itself (cough, Inception). Due for a release in 2011, there is plenty of time for the movie to build itself up. Let’s just hope “the divide” isn’t between its intriguing trailer and its actual quality.