The marketing for Kubo and the Two Strings sold a movie that the audience would love, despite it being a bit out of the ordinary. It sold a story that was familiar – a child travels into danger to achieve some personal goal – and promised to tell it in a new and interesting way.
In the story, Kubo is a young man who’s been living with his mother his entire life. By day he entertains the residents of the nearby village with his magical stories but by night he hides in a cave, having been told his villainous grandfather is searching for him. One day he strikes out following the death of his mother under the protection of Monkey and Beetle, two guardians designated to keep him safe from all dangers and who, it’s revealed, have very personal connections to Kubo. By the end, secrets have come to light and everyone grows stronger, more compassionate and more wise.
What’s surprising in taking a look back at the trailers and other marketing is just how little of the story is hinted at here. Sure, it provides a look at how Kubo embarks on a magical-filled adventure but that’s about it. Not only is there little here about the way all the characters are connected but there’s nothing about the actual details of the quest he’s in the midst of.That meant it was incumbent solely on the visuals to sell the movie to audiences. While that didn’t turn it into a box-office smash it did wrack up a good amount of positive critical buzz. Still, with no story points to latch on to there may not have been enough substance to the campaign to really hook the audience. The visuals are amazing, there’s no doubt. And the story is wonderful. But the former was the central focus of the marketing while the latter received short shrift to the point of being, in retrospect, almost non-existent.
That meant it was incumbent solely on the visuals to sell the movie to audiences. While that didn’t turn it into a box-office smash it did wrack up a good amount of positive critical buzz. Still, with no story points to latch on to there may not have been enough substance to the campaign to really hook the audience. The visuals are amazing, there’s no doubt. And the story is wonderful. But the former was the central focus of the marketing while the latter received short shrift to the point of being, in retrospect, almost non-existent.
There’s a valid criticism to be made of the movie that it views Asian culture through the lens of white people. Most of the main characters are voiced by white actors, with Asian actors only doing work for some of the villagers. That shouldn’t diminish the quality of the movie, but that perspective is notable.
Eloise (Anna Kendrick) is an an awkward situation in the new movie Table 19. She *was* scheduled to be the maid of honor at an upcoming wedding, but those duties have been stripped from her after being dumped – via text – by the best man. Determined not to let that change in situation beat her down and maintain face, she decides to attend anyway.
The first poster is pretty simple, making the ensemble cast the main selling point. So it’s just a place card with the names of the cast members on it that’s being held by a fork which is meant to look like it’s giving you the middle finger. Copy at the top tells you “You’re invited to the wedding of the season” which is pretty generic and has been used many times before. Slightly better is the tagline that’s below the title treatment: “Don’t fit in? Take a number.” This one features the January release date the movie originally had.
Director Ry Russo-Young is back with this week’s new release Before I Fall. Based on the book of the same name, the story follows Samantha (Zoey Deutch), a young girl with a close group of friends and a pretty good life going for her. One night she and her friends are invited to a party and have a good time until they all get into a car wreck on the way home.
There are a few reasons why Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner is the perfect movie to revisit this Flashback Friday. For one, the movie has just turned 50 and just received a new anniversary Blu-ray release. Star Sidney Poitier also just turned 90 (meaning he was already 40 when the movie was released, which wow). Finally, this week’s new release Get Out has been widely described as a new, horror version of GWCTD as it involves a black man going to meet his white girlfriend’s parents for the first time. The comparisons pretty much end there, but that premise is shared between the two.
Ruth (Melanie Lynskey) is depressed in the new movie I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore. She doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in her life and sees everyone around her acting like complete self-centered jerks. One day she snaps after her home is burglarized and her grandmother’s silver is stolen along with other items. The authorities are no help, saying her problems aren’t enough to warrant any close attention.
Jordan Peele, one half of the iconic comedy team Key & Peele, makes his directorial feature debut with this week’s Get Out, a movie that’s billing itself as a socially conscious thriller. Daniel Kaluuya stars as Chris, a guy who’s getting ready to go for a weekend away with his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) to meet her family. He’s understandably nervous because they don’t know he’s black, but goes along with her because that’s where the couple is in their relationship.
