I’ve grown up as a preview lover in a let’s-get-straight-to-the-movie family. On those occasions when I could ignore the bellowing of angry parents, annoyed at my disobedience with the remote, I got to enjoy anywhere from two minutes to half an hour of genius. Previews, you see, elicit within me the delight of anticipation, familiar to us all in the best of every kind of story — when will Elizabeth finally fall for Darcy? Jim kiss Pam? Ender save the world? This movie actually come out so that I can see the whole, wonderful thing?

Previews manage to condense an entire two hours into two minutes, answering the most important questions about the movie, such as whether it’s a thriller, drama or comedy; whether there’s a halfway decent car chase; and whether the lead actor is hot enough to make the cut.

They also provide an absorbing way to pass the time whilst procrastinating, as one can easily watch them online. And since excitement and anticipation are some of life’s great joys — see, again, that Jim and Pam tension — here are a few examples of that greatness in action.

“Shrek the Third”: Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, et al are back — again. In the fairytale world of spoiled princesses and pure-evil villains, we find Shrek struggling to be king material, Donkey transformed into a cat and chaos and mayhem abounding. Looks like another hit.

“Lucky You”: Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore star in what appears more a cliché than a movie, a tale about a poker player who “plays cards as he should live his life, and lives his life as he should play cards” (rearrange the words a little, then cue Yoda). The only thing standing between our young hero and gambling victory is his dysfunctional relationship with his father (just after Yoda leaves, cue sappy music).

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”: Yes. Yesyesyes! If previews can predict the future, this movie is destined to be as amazing as its TV predecessor. Anything with fighting turtles and pizza has to be awesome, and the quick cuts, potty humor and juxtaposition of action and comedy are just right. There’s even a “your mom” joke.

“Perfect Stranger”: Halle Berry’s friend goes missing after having an affair with Bruce Willis. Berry sets out to discover the truth and in the process must get close to Willis herself. A seemingly run-of-the-mill thriller, but one that appears to have a good mix of intelligence and scariness, coupled with a hearty dose of “danger” music. But there is a chance that the preview gives too much away — I already think I know who did it without even being sure of what “it” is.

“Because I Said So”: Clichéd chick flick #1098432, right down to its starring Mandy Moore and the prominent use of Natasha Bedingfield’s song “Unwritten” in the uplifting second half of the preview. The storyline focuses on Diane Keaton’s upcoming 60th birthday, her romantic escapades and her obsession with the love lives of her daughters. What’s unclear from the preview is whether it will rise to the cliché-but-wonderful heights of “Love, Actually” or sink to so-cute-I-could-puke depths.

“300”: Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, the movie appears to be designed for anyone who doesn’t tire of seeing swords/spears/axes/arrows thrown/fired over and over again for the duration of a film. The preview itself is overwrought, over-dramatic and more than a little overbearing but contains a brilliant use of sepia tones. It’s an artistic preview, to be sure, although not necessarily one to sell a movie.

“Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”: Silver Surfer? Are you kidding me? The preview for this sequel to the first “Fantastic Four” showcases a chase scene between Johnny the human torch and a mysterious “Silver Surfer” from outer space (appearance-wise, he really is a flying silver guy on a surf board). Fun if you like cheesy. Ridiculous if you do not. Actually, ridiculous either way.

In the end, like all previews, trailers are just fun to watch. I mean, even the worst, most melodramatic of the bunch are at least more fun than that econ problem set, right?