News Update: The latest trailers and BFI's Gothic season

Let’s kick off the latest film news with a few trailers that have surfaced in the past week or so. Arriving in cinemas at the start of 2014 we have I, Frankenstein - the first official trailer for which, has just been released. 

As you can see it’s a distinctly different take on the age-old Frankenstein tale, starring Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy and Yvonne Strahovski. With CG monsters and fire in abundance, the film looks to be nothing more than a bit of easy-watching, popcorn fodder. 

Something else to recently surface online is the concept trailer for Final Destination 6. "Another one!?" I hear you say? Well, it is worth noting that nothing official has been stated about the next installment of the franchise. However, this concept trailer, compiled of footage from existing productions, is an idea. It's a suggestion of the tone and setting the sixth film will adopt if granted financial support - it's a business pitch, if you will. Rumor has it this was commissioned by producer Craig Perry to eventually reach Warner Bros, but it could also quite easily be a fan made paratext. Either way, it's worth a watch so check it out below.

So what do we think - is Final Destination heading back in time to the dark ages? It is most certainly a smart move, placing the death-defying plot into an era of ships, castles and other medieval ephemera. It opens up a plethora of new, deathly opportunities that I'm sure fans of the franchise will enjoy. However, we'll just have to wait and see as to whether this is a legitimate step in the films' pre-production or not. Hopefully it is, as this concept could prove that there is life in death yet. 

Last but not least, lets turn our attention to the BFI's latest season - Gothic: The Dark Heart of Film. From October to January, the BFI will showcase filmic restorations, new publications, DVD releases, previews, panels and interviews surrounding all that is gothic, providing an opportunity to marvel at cinema of 'nightmarish intensity, uncanny vision and monstrous imagination'. It's an opportunity, I hasten to add, that we should all relish (although I should warn you now that the Q&A with George A. Romero is unsurprisingly sold-out). Check out the trailer below and click the link for details regarding what's on at a cinema near you. 



http://www.bfi.org.uk/gothic

That's it for now - stay tuned for the next Wise Words... post!