Movie Trailers in Focus

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Movie trailers in focus: answers

1. Action

The Matrix 1999 Directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski (View trailer #2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/

Can you list three features that identify it as an action movie? 1. Big budget stars, sets and special effects 2. Non-stop drama and action 3. Fight against evil with impossible odds Tagline: Be Afraid of The Future Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Ann Moss Plotline: “In the near future, a computer hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers that all life on Earth may be nothing more than “the wool pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth” an elaborate charade created by an evil cyber- intelligence to placate us while our life essence is ‘farmed’ to fuel the Matrix's campaign of domination in the "real" world. He joins like- minded rebel warriors Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie Ann Moss) in their struggle to overthrow the Matrix.”

2. Documentary

Bowling for Columbine 2002 Directed by Michael Moore http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310793/

Can you list three features that identify it as a documentary? 1. Voiceover 2. Ordinary people in real locations – not glamorous movie stars 3. Interviews not special effects and action Tagline: Are we a nation of gun nuts or are we just nuts? Starring: Not Applicable Plotline: “Filmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's gun violence. With his signature sense of angry humour, activist filmmaker Michael Moore sets out to explore the roots of this bloodshed and learns that conventional answers of easy availability of guns, violent national history, violent entertainment and even poverty are inadequate explanations. He discovers that answers may lie in unscrupulous and powerful political and corporate interests that fuel a culture of fear, bigotry and violence for their own gain.”

3. Family, Fantasy

Charlotte’s Web 2006 Directed by Gary Winick http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413895/

Can you list three features that identify it as a children’s film or family/fantasy movie? 1. Child star 2. Talking animals 3. Narrator (story telling voiceover) Tagline: Help Is Coming From Above Starring: Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts (voice), Oprah Winfrey (voice) Plotline: “Wilbur the pig is scared of the end of the season, because he knows that he will end up on the dinner table. He hatches a plan with Charlotte, a spider that lives in his pen, to ensure that this will never happen.”

4. Horror

The Grudge 2 2006 Directed by Takashi Shimizu (View trailer #2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433386/

Can you list three features that identify it as a horror movie? 1. Sudden cuts to special effects like apparitions in the mirror 2. Silences full of suspense and spooky music 3. Paranormal research storyline Tagline: What was once trapped, will now be unleashed Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Tamblyn, Edison Chen Plotline: “In Tokyo, a young woman (Tamblyn) is exposed to the same mysterious curse that afflicted her sister (Gellar). The supernatural force, which fills a person with rage before spreading to its next victim, brings together a group of previously unrelated people who attempt to unlock its secret to save their lives.”

5. Sci-Fi

Alien 1979 Directed by Ridley Scott http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/

Can you list three features that identify it as a science fiction film? 1. Setting – futuristic/space ship 2. Theme of conflict with aliens 3. Special effects Tagline: In space no one can hear you scream Starring: Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt, Harry Dean Stanton Plotline: “The crew of the deep space mining ship, Nostromo, are awoken from hypersleep to investigate a strange signal from a nearby planet. They discover it was intended as a warning and not an SOS. What follows are some grisly and inventive special effects.”

6. Western

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 1969 Directed by George Roy Hill http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0064115/

Can you list three features that identify it as a western film? 1. Setting (Wild West), period (Early Frontier Days in USA) and costumes 2. Plot – train robbing, outlaws 3. Action: guns, horses Tagline: Just for the fun of it! Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katherine Ross Plotline: “Butch and Sundance are the leaders of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang of bank and train robbers. Butch is the ideas man; Sundance is the action man. The West is becoming civilized and when the gang robs a train once too often, a special posse begins trailing them. They flee to Bolivia when the law gets too close. The film is based on the exploits of the two historical characters.”