5. Fight Club (1999)
Back in 1999, 20th Century Fox had no idea how to advertise David Finchers viscerally violent study on masculinity, which led to some incredibly interesting teasers. Masquerading as Public Service Announcements, the two trailers, headed by Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, had their characters talk directly to the audience, providing the usual information (no smoking, fire safety), followed by a twisted addition. Particularly memorable is Pitts Did you know urine is sterile? Noticeably toned down compared to the film theyre promoting, the informative delivery directly to the audience is something that does pop up in the feature. Just as the two main characters are about to have their first fight, we cut to an aside where Norton details the various work placements of Tyler Durden. As well as making it impossible to watch a 35mm film without spotting the end of a reel, the sequence seamlessly seeps into the action of the film. Its an incredibly kinetic scene, with the actors flowing with the camera, referencing visual ticks and delivering the lines with a straight face that betrays the sadistic nature of their actions. This only adds to Fight Clubs irreverent tone. Throughout the film there are moments that reference cinematic conventions (Tylers comment on Flashback humour is a particular favourite) and they, along with the more obvious wall breaking above, tie the film in with its themes of chaos, making Fight Club itself feel like part of Project Mayhem.