Movie Website Reviews for Weekend of October 10, 2008

October 12, 2008

There are plenty of sites on this week's list, but the best of these sites are only above average and none of them rise to the level of an award worthy site. Hopefully next week will be better.

Ashes of Time Redux - Official Site
Just the trailer, some still, and a downloadable press kit on the site, with Enter Site being a link to facebook.

Billy - The Early Years of Billy Graham - Official Site
There are a huge number of clips on this site, and not just clips from the movie, but behind-the-scenes clips, music video, and even clips of audience reactions. However, while watching this the phrase, "Preaching to the choir." popped into my head.

Body of Lies - Official Site
I like the main menu here, where you have to look for different section on the Landscape, as it is called, including looking each cast bio separately. However, that's the only part of the site that stands out, as there are no special features.

Breakfast with Scot - Official Site
All of the usual features, plus some information on the NHL's official involvement with the movie. However, there's no sound or animation to make the movie stand out.

Choose Connor - Official Site
Just the basics features without much style to drawn surfers in.

City of Ember - Official Site
All of the usual features are here (synopsis, bios, images, and trailer), as well as a few clips from the movie, a short making of featurette, and two games. The games are addictive, but repetitive, while the featurette is too short to add too much to the site.

The Express - Official Site
The widest release of the week, and the website is sadly average. It does have more video clips than most sites, and a few audio clips, but that's not enough to stand out.

Fall of Hyperion - Official Site
Anyone who has seen any of the Everyday Gay Heroes movie sites will instantly recognize this one. It has the usual features (synopsis, cast bios, images, and trailer), but no real extras and no real style.

Happy-Go-Lucky - Official Site
All the usual features are here, plus a trio of clips and a hint of animation, but no sound, outside the trailer and clips. Good for a limited release, but that's it.

Ice Blues: A Donald Strachey Mystery - No Official Site
No official site, but the trailer can be found here.

Lola Montes - No Official Site
Nothing to review.

Nights and Weekends - Official Site
Just the synopsis, four images, and three trailers.

Quarantine - Official Site
This site sets the mood very well, but it is not big enough to take advantage of it. It would be better if there were more rooms to explore in the apartment, and if there were extras to be found. The night-vision mode is nearly completely wasted. So much potential.

RocknRolla - Official Site
All of the usual features are here (synopsis, bios, images, and trailer), but there are a lot more features than that. The best feature is the character bios that deal with the main cast, who they are, and who they know, most of which also have short videos. There is also an e-card where you can write yourself into a police report for an art theft. Overall it works, and it is better than most on this week's list, but not quite up to the level of an award-winning site.

Saving Marriage - Official Site
Typical documentary site that has plenty of information, but not a whole lot of flash. As an advocacy documentary, it also has a focus on the issue as opposed to the movie itself.

Talento de Barrio - Official Site
The official site is not in English, which makes it hard to review. I can say there appears to be all of the usual features, but no extras. At least there's a bit of animation and background music.


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Filed under: Body of Lies, Quarantine, The Express, City of Ember, RocknRolla, Happy-Go-Lucky, Ashes of Time, Breakfast with Scot, Saving Marriage