Movie Website Updates for January 20 - January 26

January 26, 2006

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. The winner this week was Curious George - Official Site, which was extremely well done, although it is aimed at a very young audience.

8 Below - Official Site
A few more features were added to the site, (mostly real-life information), as were a lot of new stuff marked coming soon, (clips, behind-the-scenes, TV spots, games, etc.). There's still not enough style to set the site apart, but at least there should be more than enough content.

16 Blocks - Official Site
The placeholder site underwent a complete redesign this weekend, but the only content there is the image gallery and the trailer. However, since last week's link didn't work for me, this is the first time I got to see the trailer, and I liked it. I thought from the premise that it wouldn't work, but there is certainly potential here.

300 - Official Site
Another Production Journal was added this week, but it is just a link to a sneak peak at the second video journal.

Annapolis - Official Site
The TV spot is online as is a clip, but you have to surf over to Apple.com to view it.

Big Momma's House 2 - Official Site
Nothing new since the flash site went live and while there's the minimum level of content, there's not enough style to set it apart.

Clerks 2: The Passion of the Clerks - Official Site
Another week, another two video clips are up. The total running length of the video journal is longer than the movie itself at this point, and there's no sign of slowing down.

Curious George - Official Site
The flash site launched this week and it is clear that the movie is aimed at the youngest kids, (ones that probably are too young to go to the movies). It is also one of the best site on this week's list with plenty to explore; however, the site was terribly slow for me and that really hurt it. There are four main sections to explore, Museum, Zoo, Big City, Africa, and eight objects to find and once you find them all you get a printable explorer kit. It's a fun site for the target demographics, but those of use that are older and less mature might want to check out Furious George instead. (No, it doesn't have anything to do with the movie, it's just a fun game I like to play.) And despite the fact that I'm well outside the target demographic, I'm still awarding the site the inquisitive Weekly Website Award.

Failure to Launch - Official Site
A few more features were added this week, but they are doing nothing to help sell the film.

Firewall - Official Site
The flash site is up, but so far just the regular features are online with all the extras marked coming soon. Also, some promotional materials were added this week.

Hard Candy - Official Site
The synopsis and cast and crew list have been added to the site.

House of Sand - Official Site
Placeholder site with just some images and the press kit.

Imagine Me & You - Official Site
Simple site with just the basic information and a little bit of animation.

The Inside Man - Official Site
So podcasts by Spike Lee were added to the cast.

Manderlay - Official Site
Typical of Lars Von Trier' previous Land of Opportunities' site. Unfortunately, it doesn't sell the film very well.

Nanny McPhee - Official Site
Not much has changed since the site won the award.

Pan's Labyrinth - Official Site
Just the synopsis and the teaser trailer, neither of which illuminated the film enough to make a preliminary judgement.

Race You to the Bottom - Official Site
Simple site with all the usual features, (trailer marked coming soon), but without a very polished feel.

Silent Hill - Official Site
The flash site was redesigned this week and a bit more content was added. However, it is still a case of style over substance and while I appreciate the style, the content counts for a lot. In other words, it's too soon to judge the site, but I'm hopeful.

Slither - Official Site
The new trailers are up, including a Red Band trailer. For those who don't know, Red Band trailers are basically R-Rated trailers and a pretty good indicator that the movie is going to be released on an Unrated DVD. As for the quality of the trailer, it's clear the filmmakers didn't take the movie too seriously, which should really help.

Something New - Official Site
The soundtrack section was added this week, as were the TV spots.

Special - Official Site
Just the synopsis and the trailer so far. The film definitely has potential, but I think their giving away too much in the trailer.

Steve Harvey's Don't Trip... He Ain't Through with Me Yet! - Official Site
Just the poster so far.

Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story - Official Site
This is a fun site that is deceptively complex. For instance, on the main page where you can launch the flash site, there are other features including the e-mail, images, and even the recycle bin. It is that last one that's is of the most interest since it includes rejected posters and the like. The flash site contains all the usual features including synopsis, cast & crew bios, extensive production notes, etc. Add in small touches like the faux Latin names and this is a strangely bent site for what promises an off-kilter movie.

Ultraviolet - Official Site
The trailer was added to the site, but it didn't do anything for me. I'm not writing the film off, but it's going to take a bit more that what I've seen so far before I'm sold.

The Wendell Baker Story - Official Site
Just the trailer so far with the image gallery protected by a press only password.

Who Killed the Electric Car? - Official Site
Typical site for a documentary with the trailer marked coming soon.


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Filed under: Movie Website Updates, Failure to Launch, Inside Man, Eight Below, Big Momma's House 2, Curious George, Firewall, Nanny McPhee, Silent Hill, Clerks II, Ultraviolet, Annapolis, Something New, Slither, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, Hard Candy, Imagine Me & You, The Wendell Baker Story, Manderlay, 300, 16 Blocks