Movie Website Reviews for Weekend of July 18, 2008

July 19, 2008

There were a lot of movies released this week, and while not all of them had real sites, it was still busier than usual. No one site really wowed this week, but The Dark Knight's Official Site, plus its two side sites combined into an award worthy effort.

Berfore I Forget - No Official Site
Nothing to review.

The Dark Knight - Official Site
The widest opening of all time, but not the best website. In fact, there's little on the main site that really sets it apart from most. Sure, it has all of the usual features (synopsis, bios, images, and trailer) and it does set the mood well with its use of sound and animation, but there's not much in terms of a wow factor. There is a Comcast side site that has more features, including several videos and a game. And another site for Harvey Dent's campaign, as modified by The Joker. None of these sites are particularly strong on their own, but collectively they are easily the best this week and enough to be the winner of the avenging Weekly Website Award.

The Doorman - Official Site
All of the usual features are here, there's even a chance for you to ask Trevor questions, which is just a list of clips. But if you explore enough clips, you can enter a contest.

Falling for Grace - Official Site
New site for the new release, however, it has less features (the interview clips are missing). It does have background music and enough incidental animation to set it apart from most limited releases, but not enough to truly stand out. Good, but not great.

The Legend of God's Gun - Official Site
The film is based on an album on the same name, and the official link is just a re-direct to the band's official site.

Lou Reed's Berlin - Official Site
Since this is a concert film, I was expecting music on the site. But outside of the trailer, there's no sound or animation and little content in total.

Mad Detective - No Official Site
There is a site for the U.K. release and IFC has a single page summary, but that's it.

On the Other Hand, Death - Official Site
Just a single page with no real content.

Mamma Mia! - Official Site
There's a lot of music on this site, which makes sense because it is a musical. Normally a lot of music on a movie site is a huge plus, but this music is by ABBA, so this is an exception. In addition to the songs, and the usual features, there are plenty of audio clips, video clips, and even a featurettes. It should be a big hit with its target demographic, but those who can't stand ABBA will want to stay far, far away.

Space Chimps - Official Site
Typical second tier kids movie site. There's lots for the target audience to explore, including several games, downloadables, and even a soundboard, but there's very little to sell the movie. (And that soundboard will drive anyone older than 10 years old completely nuts in mere seconds.)

Take - Official Site
There's not a lot here, not unless you want to download the pressnotes. The site has the trailer and information on restorative justice, but there's not enough here to sell the movie.

Transsiberian - Official Site
Mostly the basics, without the bios. There are also two clips and a map of the route of the actual Trans-Siberian train.

A Very British Gangster - Official Site
More style than most documentary sites. Besides the usual features, there's a featurette about the movie at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Interesting to watch, but not enough to truly set it apart.


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Filed under: The Dark Knight, Mamma Mia!, Space Chimps, Transsiberian, Falling for Grace, Lou Reed's Berlin, Avant que j'oublie, Take, San taam, On the Other Hand, Death: A Donald Strachey Mystery, A Very British Gangster, The Doorman