MovieViral Staff’s 12 Most Anticipated Films of 2012

The new year is almost upon us and there is a lot to look forward to in 2012. This could be one of the biggest years ever for the sci-fi and action genre, and us nerds at MovieViral are just as excited as anyone else. After the break, read each staff members’ list of their twelve most-anticipated films of 2012. You might be surprised by some of the results!
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What Does Latest “The Dark Knight Rises” News Mean For Its Viral Potential?

If there was one thing I took away from the news surrounding Empire Magazine’s story on The Dark Knight Rises, it is just how little everyone knows about the upcoming film. Despite an entire summer of set videos and spy photos posted online, as well as some snazzy official looks at Batman and Bane in the magazine, it was director Christopher Nolan’s quote on the timeline of the movie that has had the strongest impact on fans. The eight-year gap he says is between the two Batman sequels leaves a multitude of stories to be told and even more questions to answer. While I don’t pretend to hold any such answers, I cannot help but think about a great opportunity this may present for the film’s viral campaign. Hit the jump for more.

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“The Avengers” Trailer Joins Recycled Footage Trend: Is It Justifiable?

After watching the trailer for Marvel’s The Avengers over 20 times today, one shot stood out to me. I knew I had seen it somewhere before. I didn’t want to seem like a nitpicking fanboy (the trailer is absolutely awesome, by the way), but then I found out I wasn’t the only person who noticed it. Whoever edited the trailer threw in a shot from the Iron Man movie, and recolored it, among other adjustments, probably thinking no one would be able to recognize it. They thought wrong. To see the pic and more about recycled footage, hit the jump. [Read more...]

Hollywood Second-Guessing Comic-Con, Could Viral Marketing Be Next?

The New York Times ran a piece yesterday about how movie studios are taking a more cautious approach to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. After propelling the comic book convention into the mainstream in recent years, why are they turning away now? Also, what could this shift in priorities mean for viral marketing? Read my thoughts after the break.
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Does 3D Projection Mapping Have A Future In Film Marketing?

As marketing firms continue to discover new and inventive ways to use 3D technology in their campaigns, one area that has garnered notable attention within the past year is 3D projection mapping. Like something out of a wild Disney ride, buildings can now appear completely transformed thanks to the use of high-tech 3D projectors. It is a sight to behold, and I believe it may offer a new way for films to be marketed that might draw a lot of attention. Hit the jump to learn more.

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Tron Vs. Tron Legacy: Which is the Better Film?

Tron

With the release of TRON: Legacy on Blu-Ray this past week (and the re-release of the original TRON from 1982 on the same day), fans of the cult Disney film-turned-blockbuster-success are jumping in joy to see both these films in HD for the first time. However, newcomers to the Tron franchise might not be as excited due to their lack of knowledge of what it’s about. With that in mind, allow me to compare the two films in detail as a way of explaining why this series is so famous. This article will be divided into three categories: Story, Visuals, and Music, with decisions made as to which of the two films does better in these areas. Without further ado, let’s dive into the Grid and take a look at Tron and Tron Legacy.
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When Virals Fail To Live Up to Their Potential

Movie virals have always been a huge part of the film industry since the dawn of its simplest form; the movie trailer. Its only now that virals have become more prevalent to studios since they introduced a more interactive version for fans and moviegoers. There are effective virals, the virals that allow us to experience the movie without even knowing it. Then there are virals that has us think, “what did I just watch?” or “what is this for?” these are the kind of virals have the opposite effect and fails to generate any interest. But it can work if the studios or viral companies do it the right way. But there are examples where they go through that process and as a result the virals that fail to live up to its potential. Hit the jump to read my thoughts on this. [Read more...]

Does Green Lantern’s Marketing Risk Spell Doom For The Film?

While X-Men: First Class may have been considered the black sheep of 2011 superhero films, multiple trailers and a plethora of images released have seemingly quieted criticism and turned many into believers. Naturally, attention has shifted to the next film with apparent shortcomings, and that is Warner Bros. and DC Comics’ summer blockbuster Green Lantern. Four months after the release of the initial teaser trailer and what I thought was the beginning of a viral marketing campaign, we have seen almost no marketing for the film. This week, we were told why. The movie is not finished, and the studio does not feel comfortable releasing promo materials until it is. In reaction, many have questioned what this means for the eventual marketing strategy, and the film itself? Hit the jump for my analysis of the events this week, and why, contrary to our hopes and desires, a consolidated and subdued marketing strategy might not be a bad thing for the film.
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Latest Viral Trend: Charlie Sheen

In case you didn’t know, actor Charlie Sheen has been in the news a lot lately. After a few scandalous parties became public, he went into rehab, but quickly came back out and started doing interviews where he spewed a lot hatred (mostly towards Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre) and nonsensical rantings to any news outlet that would listen. Thanks to his over-the-top sayings, he has become the latest meme.
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Film Marketing Trends in 2011

We have learned over the past few years that there is no exact science to film marketing, particularly within the online realm. Hollywood studios have developed any number of different campaigns using social networks and alternate reality games that have lead to astounding success and abject failure. Writer and marketing pro Chris Thilk of MovieMarketingMadness.com has written an intriguing editorial over at AdvertisingAge that expresses five things he wishes to see from Hollywood when it comes to marketing films this year. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.
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