Movie Website Reviews for Weekend of March 28, 2008

March 30, 2008

Another slow week for top-notch websites with only one that could separate itself from the pack. That site is 21 - Official Site and it was the clear winner of the Weekly Website Award. However, there are a few others that are also worth checking out.

21 - Official Site
All of the usual features are here, synopsis, bios, images, trailer, as well as extras. Extras include common features like character bios and clips, plenty of clips. There are even clips that were made especially for the site, which is a huge plus in my book. (Strangely, these feature the supporting characters, not the leads. This is not a huge problem as the supporting characters are more interesting than the leads, but that's a knock against the movie.) There are also a few games, including a memory game that has a twist to it (that bomb card sucks). Finally, there's information on counting cards with more features made for the site. There's also enough sound and animation to help keep the site from being boring, but not enough to replicate Los Vegas. This is probably for the best, as that would become obnoxious really quickly. Overall, there's more than enough features to help set this site apart at it is easily the winner of the jackpot Weekly Website Award.

American Zombie - Official Site
Just the basics, but it is made like a documentary site, and not a mockumentary site, so this is a wise move and helps sell the movie better.

Amhurst - Official Site
The usual information is here, as well as more sound and animation than I was expecting. However, it has a trailer that kills any goodwill the site otherwise earns.

Backseat - Official Site
Just the usual features with nothing in the way of flash. The only extra is the blog, which has only two updates in the past two years.

Chapter 27 - Official Site
Not a whole lot is here. Also, I really don't like the way the bios are shown; you have to scroll down to read all of the bios, and you can't speed up the scrolling to skip past any of them. (This isn't a huge problem as there are only three cast members featured.)

Flawless - Official Site
Almost no features are here, not even all of the regulars (the bios are missing). Such a small site is rarely effective, and that is the case here.

Happy Valley - Official Site
Not much is here, not even a trailer. Under the trailer section you can hear praise from Jessica Biel, but that is the closest you get an extra.

Hats Off - Official Site
A lot of information here, including five clips. On the other hand, there's not a lot of flash. This is typical of documentary sites.

My Brother Is an Only Child - No Official Site
No official site, at least not for its North American release.

Priceless - No Official Site
No official site, at least not one for the North American release. The original is still online.

Run, Fat Boy, Run - Official Site
All of the usual features are here, synopsis, bios, images, and trailer. There's also a game, Fatboy Marathon, which is better than most games you find on these sites. Overall it sells the movie well, but it's award-worthy.

Samson and Delilah - No Official Site
Nothing to review.

Stop-Loss - Official Site
The usual features are here, as well as a section where you can create your own trailer. However, there's nothing here that really sets the site apart from the crowd.

Superhero! - Official Site
The usual feature are here, as well as several clips. However, the more I see of the movie, the less I want to watch it, so this is not a selling point. Also, the format is way too similar to the Scary Movie sites. I know that's the point, but I don't like it.

Who's Your Monkey? - Official Site
Just the very minimum (synopsis, bios, images, and trailer). And it's presented in a way that makes the site seem smaller than it is.

And as a bonus...

The Love Guru - Official Site
This movie isn't opening this week, it isn't opening till June, but it has a huge web presence already and should be mentioned. It has a character site and a YouTube page that will be updated weekly and has some great, great advice. ... No it doesn't, but it is funny advice. I dream someone finds the site accidentally and actually follows the advice give. That would just be awesome.

On a side note, there's a rumor that Mike Myers has been checking out sites that mention the movie and if he finds his way here, I would like to give him a personal message. ... I recently made fun of the Toronto Maple Leafs and since then the Canucks have lost four in a row and have fallen out of a playoffs spot. I'm sorry I made fun of your favorite team, I assure you it was all in jest and I root for all Canadian teams. Please remove the Hockey curse before it is too late. Thank you.


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Filed under: The Love Guru, Superhero Movie, Stop-Loss, Run, Fatboy, Run, Hors de Prix, Flawless, Mio Fratello è Figlio Unico, Happy Valley, Chapter 27, Hats Off, Backseat, American Zombie, Who's Your Monkey?, Samson and Delilah (San Francisco Opera), Amhurst, 21