It makes total sense: if you’ve gotta market an R-rated movie, it’s not a bad idea to cut an R-rated trailer, to be shown only before other R-rated movies. Yet, for some reason, “red-band” trailers are all too rare. Except for today. Today we’ve got two new R-rated previews for you. (Sorry, kids — you gotta be 18 to watch these. Yeah, sure you do.)
First up is the one for No Country for Old Men, the new movie from the Coen Brothers. And, man, is it bloody! No Country is adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s brutal 2005 novel, and in the first scene of the trailer, Javier Bardem (pictured) takes out an old guy with a cattle gun to the forehead. Bardem’s character is an angel of death hunting a Texas dude (Josh Brolin) who’s stumbled onto a couple million in cash, and a lot of bodies get dropped along the way; the mayhem in this trailer is crimson-red. Now here’s the thing: I saw a preview screening of No Country two days ago. And if I’m not sure if this trailer does it justice, it’s only because I’m not sure any trailer could do it justice. Don’t assume from what you see here that Joel and Ethan’s latest is merely a handsome Tarantino-esque bloodbath. The movie is fast, exciting, and downright ferocious, yes, but it’s also — I dunno — profound. Two days after I walked out of the screening room, a few of its scenes and moods and lines are still rattling around in my head at an hourly rate. So skip the trailer if you’re busy, put your trust in the Coens, and just go see the movie (opening November 21).
Up next, is the R-rated trailer for Beowulf, Robert Zemeckis’ computer-animated spin on the Old English poem. Frankly, I’m not so sure why this clip is R-rated, but it played kind of jerky on my computer, so maybe I missed out on a few moments of naked CG Angelina? Although, seriously, is anybody titillated by naked CG ladies? If yes, confess below!
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i WOULD comment on these trailers, but it seems only Americans can watch them.
I don’t have a zip code…i have a postal code…and it’s 6 characters long, dammit
i’m still over 18!
and yet…i’m shafted.
being canadian is not a crime : P
And this is a “red band” trailer……why again? I have read that the film is quite violent, but I sure didn’t see anything in the trailer that you can’t see on broadcast TV these days.
The site for No Country couldn’t verify that I was at least 17 even though I gave the correct info….and I’m 39! Did anyone else have this problem?
I couldn’t get the Beowulf site to verify my age (well into my 20s…), so I guess I can’t watch the trailer.
Why is Angelina doing that stupid accent that she did in Alexander? Tell me, what country is that supposed to be from?
They were aiming for a PG-13 for Beowulf – how can a PG-13 movie get an R Rated Trailer?
I agree with Chuck_A on the “No Country for Old Men” trailer. Why in the world would this be a “Red Band”? The violence seemed no worse than a regular trailer, teaser or even TV commercial. Did look like a great movie though. I do love the Coen Brothers. Great style and even better substance…
I thought perhaps the creature (Grendel?) impaling someone was enough to grab the red band. However, there appears to be a quick flash of topless somebody (presumably Jolie’s character, but it doesn’t look so much like her in that shot), but there also appears to be enough liquid covering her breasts to dodge things on that basis.
Either way, I’m actually motivated to watch a Zemeckis film. Been at least 10 years since that was true.
What a pic… It kind of reminds me of Jake Gyllenhaal in 20 years. *shivers*
You guys probably clicked on the “Play Trailer” link instead of the big, blood-red “Exclusive Red Band Trailer” link.
I see they’re taking rather…liberal…interpretations with Beowulf. As much as I love the narrative (I’ve actually read it in the original language for fun), I’m not sure if I want to watch this or not…mainly because the animations sort of remind me of the fmvs from Guild Wars.
Beowulf is getting the visual treatment 300 did and storywise the same treatment Sleepy Hollow had (expanded) several years ago. Oh, FJS – good one.
For any Canadians having a hard time looking at red band trailers, just google an important person in the US (like, say the President, or the head of the MPAA) and you can find out his birthday and zip code at wikipedia. Just use his info to watch the trailers. It works every time.
I have no plans to see Beowulf. I am planning to go see No Country for Old Men. That looks really good.
I saw a preview for Beowulf before Stardust. It looked like they are trying to imply that Beowulf is Grendel’s father, which changes the story entirely. The only reason that I am interested is because Neil Gaiman co-wrote the screenplay. Because of that, I suppose it could be interesting.
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