Movie Website Updates for July 29 - August 4, 2007

August 5, 2007

Another big list of movie sites, but not much in the way of top-notch entries. For a movie site to be an award winner, I expect it to have all of the usual features, extras like clips, something interactive like a game, and background sound and animation. The film that best exemplifies that criteria is Stardust - Official Site, which is the winner of the Weekly Website Award.

3:10 to Yuma - Official Site
Nothing. It says the trailer is there, but clicking it does nothing for me.

Across the Universe - Official Site
The flash site is up this week, and it's quite trippy, but that's not necessarily a good thing. So far the only regular features are the synopsis and the trailer, but there are sections for the six main characters with videos and background music. Speaking of music, there is also a section on the soundtrack, which could be better than the movie itself. So far I've seen nearly nothing that sells me on this project.

Alvin and the Chipmunks - Official Site
That's it. I can't stand that music and I'm not coming back to this site. It's a really good song and killing it like that should be criminal.

Balls of Fury - Official Site
Another instructional video was added this week and I have been informed there will be one added each Monday. Also, if you are registered, vote for Ben Garant in this week's poll question cause he's currently sitting at 0%.

Becoming Jane - Official Site
All of the usual features are on this site, including synopsis, bios, gallery, etc. There are also a couple extras like clips and a personality quiz. However, there's not enough style to make is stand out. Effective but not award-worthy.

The Bourne Ultimatum - Official Site
Not much new this week, but it had already won the award so it didn't need much more.

Bratz - Official Site
A section for Boys and Girls of American were added to the site and there's a link to the charity auction for signed posters on E-Bay. There's less than 2-days for the posters, but so far there's not much activity.

El Cantante - Official Site
All the usual features are here, but there's not enough style to set it apart. Also, the site is strangely quite for a biopic about a singer.

Cash - Official Site
All the usual feature are here, as well as a clip from one of the dance numbers. Better than most Bollywood movies get and should sell it to the niche market.

Charlie Bartlett - Official Site
The site now says coming soon. I've heard rumors of a November release and a February release. November would be ideal as the early reviews are excellent, but February seems more likely at this point.

Cloverfield/1-18-08 - Official Site
Another week, another picture. I'm hoping we'll get something a little more substantive soon.

Daddy Day Camp - Official Site
Just the trailer, which is enough to make me want to skip the movie.

The Darjeeling Limited - Official Site
Typical Fox Searchlight website with a rather effective trailer. I'm a little worried that it will be too much like Wes Anderson's previous films.

The Dark is Rising - Official Site
This site was incredibly slow, so slow that I couldn't navigate the menu. Then is crashed my browser.

Deep Water - Official Site
More style than most documentary sites and a trailer that sells the film very well.

Eye of the Dolphin - Official Site
New look, and the film has a release date, August 24, 2007.

Good Luck Chuck - Official Site
The flash site is up and it has all of the usual features. It also has video clips for introduction and a section called Features that is marked coming soon. Overall it's a good start, but Features would have to be brilliant for it to be award-worthy.

Halloween - Official Site
There are some new features this week, including a link to the new trailer and an audio only interview with Rob Zombie.

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass - Official Site
The preview shown at the ComicCon was added to the site this week. It looks like it has all the ingredients for an excellent film, I'm just not sure how well they came together.

Horton Hears a Who - Official Site
Just the synopsis, two images, and the teaser trailer. After The Cat in the Hat I'm a little cautious about this movie and it will take quite a bit to sell me. Certainly more than a teaser trailer.

Hot Rod - Official Site
The usual features were here, plus extras like some clips and a game. However, nothing came close to selling the movie to me, and given its box office performance, I'm not alone in feeling that way.

If I Didn't Care - Official Site
All the usual features, but not enough style.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters - Official Site
There are several clips you can find by clicking the quarters in each section. They are mostly quite short, but add enough to the site to put it above the pack.

Lions For Lambs - Official Site
New look, but still just the trailer.

National Treasure: The Book of Secrets - Official Site
The full trailer is online, but not on the site so far.

The Orphanage - Official Site
Nothing. There is a doll you can click, but it just takes you to the Pan's Labyrinth site.

The Price of Sugar - Official Site
Typical documentary site with a section to help people take action.

Resident Evil: Extinction - Official Site
I was able to gain access to the game and it was better than expected Half the levels are driving levels and the other half are shooting levels. It's nothing fantastic, but it is fun. (However, I think it would be better if there was some reward for completing the game, like a restricted clip.)

Right at Your Door - Official Site
Just the basics, in fact, there's only a cast list with no bios.

Shoot 'Em Up - Official Site
Figured out how to get into age restricted sections of websites. Well, I didn't, but I read a website that did. I won't tell you how, but I will say I have your president to thank. Seeing the red-band trailer this movie reminded me a lot of The Transporter, a lot of action, a lot of violence, a lot of style, not much in the way of realism. It's the kind of movie where you put your mind in neutral and just enjoy the ride.

Skinwalkers - Official Site
The synopsis, bios, and image gallery were added to the site. As were several TV-spots and an interview clip.

Stardust - Official Site
Another game was added to the site, which lifts the total number of games to three. And there are three other interactive features, as well as the usual synopsis, bios, images, trailer, etc. There are also more than a dozen character bios, all of which has been added to the site slowly over the past several weeks. It might have made a bigger impact if it was released all at once, but the slow rollout helps keep surfer's interest longer and that helps sell the movie more. At least it is being recognized now as the winner of the celestial Weekly Website Award.

The Ten - Official Site
Nothing new this week. Overall it has good content, but weak style.

'Tis Autumn - The Search for Jackie Paris - Official Site
Typical documentary site with the trailer marked coming soon. I was expecting more in the way of music, but maybe that will be added later.

We Own the Night - Official Site
Just the trailer, but it looks good.

Underdog - Official Site
Kept crashing my system, so I banned it from the list. Can't review what I can't see.

When Did You Last See Your Father? - Official Site
Just the gallery so far.

The Willow Tree - Official Site
Not a whole lot of polish on this site and this distracts from what content there is.


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Filed under: Movie Website Updates, The Bourne Ultimatum, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Horton Hears a Who, Cloverfield, The Golden Compass, Halloween, Resident Evil: Extinction, Underdog, Stardust, Good Luck Chuck, Balls of Fury, We Own the Night, Across the Universe, Becoming Jane, Lions for Lambs, Hot Rod, Daddy Day Camp, Shoot 'Em Up, The Darjeeling Limited, Bratz, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, El Cantante, El orfanato, And When Did You Last See Your Father?, Skinwalkers, The Ten, The King of Kong, Deep Water, Eye of the Dolphin, Right at Your Door, Beed-e majnoon, If I Didn't Care, The Price of Sugar, 'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris, Cash, 3:10 to Yuma