Movie Websites Launches for January 2 - January 8
January 8, 2004
During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. This week we have a larger list to make up for the holidays, but a winter storm took out my internet access on Tuesday / Wednesday so the column is a little late today. Here the list of new releases, updated sites, and some upcoming releases that slipped through the cracks, including the winner for the week Along Came Polly - Official Site . If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
29 Palms
Current Content: There are a lot of unusual features on this site. A couple of behind the scenes clips, interviews and even the first 15 pages of the script. But this seems to be at the expensive of some of the more usual features, like synopsis or cast and crew bios. And while there is a little animation, there is no sounds outside the previously mentions clips.
50 First Dates
Current Content: During the Holidays the flash site launched for this movie. This site has the usual information as well as a couple of games and the two stars talking about their first kiss. The site also makes good use of animation and sound, including using the sound of crashing waves instead of background music.
Aileen - Life and Death of a Serial Killer
Current Content: Just the synopsis, director's statement, a few reviews and the poster.
Along Came Polly
Current Content: The flash site recently launched and it is great on all levels. It has all the usual content, synopsis, trailer (TV spots are marked coming soon), cast and crew bios, etc. Some extras like movie clips and downloads. And even some unique, movie related extras like the Riskmaster 3000 Assessment Quiz, or Deep Coverage (Celebrities insuring body parts.) There is even an excellent level on animation, sound and background music. Although my only complaint is the background music becomes too repetitive too soon. But that's not enough to stop it from winning the perilous Weekly Website Award.
Barber Shop 2
Current Content: Placeholder site with the synopsis, trailer and a music video.
The Butterfly Effect
Current Content: A new section, Into the Chaos was added to the site.
Chasing Liberty
Current Content: The About the Film section was added to the website, just in time for tomorrow's opening. This section has most of the usual features like synopsis, cast and crew bios and production notes.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Current Content: Just a redirect to the Disney Movie page.
The Dreamers
Current Content: Typical Fox Searchlight placeholder site with just the synopsis, trailer and cast and crew list (no bios.)
Eurotrip
Current Content: The flash site launched, sort of. The trailer is there, but everything else is marked coming soon.
Ginger Snaps II: Unleashed
Current Content: Placeholder site with just the trailer and a link to the original movie site.
Hellboy
Current Content: The Timeline was added to the site. As were some more concept art and other smaller additions. On a side note, this site has one of the more active movie forums and it is s good place to check out.
Hidalgo
Current Content: The flash site launched over the holidays and while there is good use of animation and sound, there is little in the way of content for now. The synopsis is there as is the trailer and image gallery. But cast and crew bios and a section simply called Discover More are marked coming soon.
Jersey Girl
Current Content: Typical Miramax site with the trailer marked coming soon.
Man on Fire
Current Content: Just the trailer and synopsis so far.
Miracle
Current Content: The flash site launched over the holidays, but much of the content is marked coming soon. Content like cast and crew bios, production notes and clips is standard fare, but it's the section Hockey 101 and games that I'm looking forward to the most.
My Baby's Daddy
Current Content: Miramax site. 'Nuff said.
National Lampoon's Lady Killers
Current Content: Not to be confused with the Coen Brothers movie of a similar name, and it won't be. This isn't a bad site, hitting the major points and even having some audio clips. But there is nothing memorable enough to make it stand out in such a busy week.
New York Minute
Current Content: Another redirect, this time to the Warner Bros. main site.
Prince and Me
Current Content: Just a placeholder site with the synopsis, image gallery and the trailer.
The Reckoning
Current Content: Just the synopsis.
Robot Stories
Current Content: The format is simple, no animations or sounds, but there is plenty of content: synopses, trailers, cast and crew bios. There are also long lists of awards and reviews. The best feature is the web log, a very extensive web log, talking about not just the movie but robots and A.I. in real life.
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Current Content: The full trailer was added to the site.
Shaolin Soccer
Current Content: Just the two trailers, but hopefully as the release date nears more content will be added. That is if the release date doesn't change, again.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Current Content: The trailer was added to the site.
Spartan
Current Content: Typical Warner Bros. placeholder site with just the synopsis and the trailer.
Starsky and Hutch
Current Content: A photo gallery, posters and AIM icons were added to the site. But the trailer is still marked coming soon.
Teacher's Pet
Current Content: Another flash site that launched over the holidays. The synopsis is there, as is the trailer, image gallery and some downloads. But the character bios and the DNA game is marked coming soon.
Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself
Current Content: Simple site with just the synopsis, cast and crew (no bios) and the trailer.
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton
Current Content: Another flash site that opened during the holidays. This one has most of the usual features, synopsis, trailer (not on the flash site), photo gallery and downloads. Notably absent are the cast and crew bios. They aren't even marked coming soon.
Submitted by: C.S.Strowbridge
Filed under: 50 First Dates, Starsky & Hutch, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Man on Fire, Hidalgo, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Miracle, Hellboy, The Butterfly Effect, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, The Prince & Me, Jersey Girl, Eurotrip, My Baby's Daddy, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, New York Minute, Chasing Liberty, Teacher's Pet: The Movie, Spartan, The Dreamers, Shaolin Soccer, The Reckoning, Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself