Saturday, October 13, 2007

Secrets! A


Whether you're familiar or not with the heartbreaking site, Postsecret, you'll enjoy this wonderfully produced and poignant trailer for A Lifetime of Secrets. It will strum your heart-strings. Afterwards, if you need a little pick-me-up, check out the meme mash-up at LOLSecretz.
The Final Word: If you have a coffee table, this book will make it feel less lonely. Buy it. If you don't have a coffee table, just visit the website from time to time.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

War of the Words. D/A


I don't know if you remember the old Dianetics commercial, the one with the erupting volcano, but two book trailers this month utilize the image to varying degrees of success.
First, I Am America by Stephen Colbert (AKA, the writers of The Colbert Report) works more as a badly realized skit with the Volcano eruption moneyshot as the climax. However, the Gawker Guide does a much better job of staying true to the medium and format, lending to an overall cohesiveness (bonded by the viscus lava, I suppose).
The Final Word: Based on the trailer alone, I'd pass on I am America and give it a D (however, I love the show so I'll let this slide and buy it anyways).
As for the Gawker Guide, I give the trailer an A. It raises expectations and definitely delivers. Buy it.

Monday, October 8, 2007

We've Secretly Replaced This Review with Folgers Crystals. A



Thank god someone finally realizes how to make a fun, simple, funny trailer that does pique my interest. This trailer for Maynard & Jennica by Rudolph Delson calls back to the old Folgers Crystals commercials.


The Final Word: Makes me want to pick it up

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Good Idea Gone Horribly Wrong. F


The trailer for Body Movers by Stephanie Bond is like a Saturday Night live skit that goes on much longer than it should for the payoff... and it isn't even funy (just like SNL).

I have no idea what this book is about and after watching this trailer I don't want to know. This horrible voyeristic trailer tells me nothing. At the very least they could have cast someone with better legs.


The Final Word: Skip it.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Holy Glowing Tramp Stamps, Batman! B


I've been wondering what Roger Corman has been up to since his Black Scorpion series on the SCI FI channel was canceled. Now I know. He was obviously producing this trailer for Dark Demon by Christine Feehan. I don't even know where to start. The acting is sub par, the special effects hokey, and the music, oh my, the music. Well, its definitely worth watching for the glowing tramp stamp scene and the shadow with a sword.
The Final Word: Wait for the B movie.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Brilltarded! E for Effort


OMG, this trailer for Chris Loveway's Tree of Life is so incredibly over the top that it's as if it were produced by the 700 club and the writers of Guiding Light. The best part, is the book is available from Interestingwriting.com.
The Final Word (now that I've stopped laughing): Wait for the soap opera.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Brilliantly Simple. B+


What makes this trailer for Pond Scum by Alan Silberberg so endearing is the talking cover. That, and they don't pull any punches when it comes to Harry Potter.
The Final Word: Buy it for your nephew.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Guilty Pleasures. B-


I've got to admit, I feel a little randy after watching this trailer for Witch Fire by Anya Bast. Sure, it's just text and music (with a nice closeup of the witch's cleave) but I have a feeling this is the type of book that you'd blush while reading it on the subway.
The Final Word: If you like supernatural erotica and have a rich imagination, buy it. But if you're like me, wait for the soft porn version on Skinamax.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

When you feel like going to a rave. F


This trailer for Light at the Edge of of Darkness, the short story collection edited by Cynthia MacKinnon is so hideously bad that I now understand why so few people read short stories these days. However, the techno music they used for the soundtrack is perfect if you're getting ready to hit that rave tonight.
The Final Word: Wait for the soundtrack.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Orphans! Mayhem! Terror! A+


First Second Books released this incredibly stylistic trailer for The Black Diamond Detective Agency by Eddie Campbell. The graphic novel adapted from a screenplay by C. Gabe Mitchell lends itself incredibly well, which coupled with high production level V.O. and sound fx, results in a highly compelling trailer.

The Final Word: makes me want to buy it.