[Count Von Gangrene]

I had this discussion with someone and I might be in the minority here. I frequently avoid trailers, especially for horror films. I'll often contend myself with a poster, stills, brief synopsys, reviews and comments before judging if I might be interested or not.

I think many trailers show too much, and spoil the fun of discovering the film as it unfolds. Many of the better movie watching experiences I ever got were when I went in completelly blind. Also, just from watching the trailer you can often piece together a complete synopsys of the film, leaving very few surprises out. And I hate that feeling when I just can point out what is going to happen next in a scene because I saw it in the trailer.

I am also annoyed by how formulaic trailers have become. That increasing pitch sound that many trailers overuse these days (i.e. The Dark Kight trailers) now seriously grates on my nerves. It's almost like a recipe these days. Show big dramatic action sequence (with pitching sound), insert some jokes, make it look over dramatic, sentimental, epic, etc...

There was a time when I enjoyed the pre-movie trailers when going to theater, but now it often annoys me more than anything else. Maybe trailers have always been like this, but the increased availablity on the web and DVD made the recipe become too obvious. It sure didn't help.

For instance, you've probably already seen this brilliant spoof trailer, but it perfectly summarizes my feelings about watching movie trailers.

[Melo]

If I see a teaser for something and I'm interested I avoid every other trailer as much as possible. Trailers give away way too much of the film now.

With Prometheus,for example, I've avoided every trailer like the plague... and it's killing me lol I see links for them everywhere and I'm soooo tempted.

Going into a movie as little knowledge of it as possible is always optimal.

[Nallix]

These days I've started avoiding trailers. Old trailers showed enough to whet my appetite and leave me hungry for more. Modern trailers cut the best jokes/scenes/scares from a film and shove them down my throat, leaving nothing but a desiccated husk of a film to pad out these "gems". Either that or EVERYTHING you need to see about the movie is shown in a series of trailers.

PROMETHEUS is a perfect example of this. I have been on a PROMETHEUS blackout because I don't want the movie ruined for me. The only one I've seen was playing in front of THE AVENGERS.

[Ashley O]

These are the kinds of previews I like to watch-



As for new movies coming out, I'm trying more and more to stay away from the trailers. I think the less you know going in, the better off you are. If I do see a trailer for a movie, I want it to at least be while I'm watching it on the big screen, not on Youtube.

[Dark Mark]

I seem to remember trailers back in the Jurassic period when I first started going to the cinema attempted to inspire you to see the films in question where as more modern ones leave you feeling that you already have and in the case of the many remakes this is doubly true.

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Originally Posted by Count Von Gangrene

For instance, you've probably already seen this brilliant spoof trailer, but it perfectly summarizes my feelings about watching movie trailers.

I hadn't. So thanks for posting it! It's a perfect illustration of why movie trailers (and many movies for that matter) suck donkeys' nuts. They're pure, unimaginative formula.

But there's a soulless method to this insidious madness.

Movie producers approach the industry like fast food franchises. And one of the great reasons why fast food is successful is because the customer knows what to expect. For instance, no matter where you go in the United States (and many parts of the world now), if you head into a McDonald's, you know what you're in for. There's no surprises.

So that's the mentality behind the endless remakes, sequels and adaptations of previously proven franchises. Movie producers are trying to eliminate as much mystery as possible, employing the proven 'familiarity principle' that drives the food industry.

So that's why the trailers spell out every plot point and critical scene from the movie, to dispense with anything that would cause the viewer to 'wonder.'

It's disgusting. All of it.

Movie trailers should do the opposite. They should intrigue and entice rather than spell out every pre-destined plot point.

So these movie producers, distributors, studios, exhibitors...etc don't realize that they're not selling fast food. Movies should be more than that.

And like many of you, I don't watch trailers. Sometimes I will for purely journalistic reasons or if I'm completely unconvinced on something - but as soon as I think I'm gonna watch the film in question, I turn the trailer off (or look away.)

But here's a couple of trailers that serve as an interesting case study.

First, the INTERNATIONAL trailer for SUSPIRIA. It's wonderfully abstract and leaves the viewer wondering what the film is all about. It's one of my favourite trailers.

[Count Von Gangrene]

Great post! The comparison between the trailers says a lot. Another cool example would the trailer for The Shining. It sets a tone, a static frame, creepy music, credits and then the final clue this is a horror film. I like it. It might be an extreme example though. I wonder what kind of mistery such a trailer could carry in those days when internet and movie information was scarce. It must have been a total WTF. Most people saw this trailer and had never even heard of the movie before.