Trailer Alert: Black Swan

After his passion project The Fountain turned out to be confusing metaphysical slop, Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) returned with the tight and affecting The Wrestler in 2008, known more as a comeback piece for Mickey Rourke than for its searing portrayal of a lost man. Aronofsky is back with Black Swan, a psychological thriller set in the world of New York's ballet. The script has been buzzed about for a while, and Natalie Portman (who trained for months before the film to learn proper ballet technique) already has whisperings of a possible Oscar nomination. The trailer is stunning, and the film looks like the kind of twisted erotic thriller Hollywood forgot how to make after Basic Instinct. Aronofsky has tackled a vast number of genres; we'll see if he can pull off this high-concept adult thriller without delving into laughable plot turns. The trailer is filled with arresting visuals, and glimpses of Aronofsky's raw directorial style; it also looks like Mila Kunis (an early casting decision I was incredibly worried about) might just hold her own in one of her first big dramatic roles. Black Swan's release date is December 1st, 2010.