Movie Posters - The good, the bad & the awful

The Something Awful Forums > The Finer Arts > Cinema Discusso > Movie Posters - The good, the bad & the awful

Young Freud: Nov 25, 2006; My old avatar sucked anyway.

Dissapointed Owl posted:

Maybe not the most obvious example of a terrible poster, but I come across this one almost daily and it's absolutely godawful.

This tells me absolutely NOTHING about the movie. And this is a goddamn Cronenberg movie; there's probably a whole lot to tell.

I mean, why would anyone go to this? Oh, it has these actors? Well, sold!

As bland and boring as they come.

This is pretty awful. It looks very much like the mainstream DVD cover version, since I doubt audiences would have got the gestalt reference of the initial poster...

See how the Freud and Jung are merging together, almost to become some sort of third being with Keira Knightly. The desaturation also gives a supernatural quality to the poster, but it works within the context of the film.

Also, I'm pretty sure this is a reference to an earlier Cronenberg film...

# ? Jan 22, 2012 16:08

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# ? May 21, 2013 16:48

Robert Denby: Sep 9, 2007; Two personal bests...

cloudchamber posted:

No Country... had so great posters:

Those teaser posters are great, but I really wish this one had been used in the US.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 16:39

Lizard Combatant: Sep 29, 2010

Robert Denby posted:

Those teaser posters are great, but I really wish this one had been used in the US.

Wow, I really want this one. Good find.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 16:43

Dissapointed Owl: Jan 30, 2008; You wrote me a letter,
and this is how it went:

Young Freud posted:

This is pretty awful. It looks very much like the mainstream DVD cover version, since I doubt audiences would have got the gestalt reference of the initial poster...

See how the Freud and Jung are merging together, almost to become some sort of third being with Keira Knightly. The desaturation also gives a supernatural quality to the poster, but it works within the context of the film.

See, even though I'm not a fan of this one either, at least it's trying to say something. It's implying something. Bringing something to the table.

That other one is just WATCH THESE ACTORS IN A MOVIE! POSSIBLY A PERIOD PIECE?!

# ? Jan 22, 2012 17:07

Arkane: Dec 19, 2006; Wanna fight?

The Pickles posted:

Where did you get these? They're fantastic. Much better that the ones that amazon had, last I checked.

Signal Noise did the first one (link was posted a few posts ago)

Here's the Thief one: http://society6.com/davidallcock/DR...THIEF_Print#1=3

While I'm posting stuff I own, this one for Inglourious Basterds is my favorite: http://ibraheemyoussef.com/ibraheem...inglourious.jpg

# ? Jan 22, 2012 17:19

Young Freud: Nov 25, 2006; My old avatar sucked anyway.

Dissapointed Owl posted:

See, even though I'm not a fan of this one either, at least it's trying to say something. It's implying something. Bringing something to the table.

That other one is just WATCH THESE ACTORS IN A MOVIE! POSSIBLY A PERIOD PIECE?!

Yeah, it could be a lot better, but it seems far more cerebral than the other one. Also, I'm not even sure if you could imply "period piece" from the first poster posted, because of Knightly's up do and lack of identifiable clothing. She looks more like classy call girl and Mortensen and Fassbinder are her johns.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 17:33

raditts: Feb 21, 2001; The Kwanzaa Bot is here to protect me.

Robert Denby posted:

Those teaser posters are great, but I really wish this one had been used in the US.

Why is "floating heads in no particular composition" okay if it's within the confines of a cow skull?

# ? Jan 22, 2012 18:01

HUNDU THE BEAST GOD: Sep 14, 2007; everything is yours

Because Georgia O'Keefe is cool.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 18:04

TheBigBudgetSequel: Nov 25, 2008; Space Batman
is sick of your shit.

Alhazred posted:

The V for Vendetta posters were pretty good in how they emulated the style of propaganda posters:

And then we got the dvd cover where a giant Natalie Portman looks disappointed in you:

The two disc edition used the first post your posted, which was very nice compared to the regular DVD.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 18:07

Alhazred: Feb 16, 2011; Just bring your ass to where they got me
So you can feel the hand of the dead body

Dissapointed Owl posted:

That other one is just WATCH THESE ACTORS IN A MOVIE! POSSIBLY A PERIOD PIECE?!

It also seems to be saying MAYBE KEIRA KNIGHTLEY IS NAKED AT SOME POINT?

# ? Jan 22, 2012 18:19

falz: Jan 29, 2005; 01100110 01100001 01101100 01111010

Arkane posted:

I realize it's the glasses but I immediately thought of

# ? Jan 22, 2012 18:39

Alhazred: Feb 16, 2011; Just bring your ass to where they got me
So you can feel the hand of the dead body

This dvd cover is actually pretty great:

The blu ray cover on the other hand:

# ? Jan 22, 2012 19:31

SGRaaize: Jan 19, 2011; DONT YOU DARE TELL ME HOW THE FUCK TO HAVE FUN IN VIDEOGAMES!!! OR TO READ THE FUCKING OP!!!!

Hah, nice continuation of the other Poster Thread, it was getting pretty general, so it was a good idea to have a new OP.

BullChicken posted:

So what do people think of the new JDatE poster? I kind of like it but thought they could have used something more interesting.

I think this is one of those Movies in which the poster could just outright be the title of the movie with nothing behind the text, but that's a pretty good one too.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 20:43

Vagabundo: Mar 20, 2007; Pon farr is never logical, Mr. Spock

Mister Chief posted:

The UK cover is the best and the one I'll be ordering since Amazon UK always have the cheapest blu-rays and I'll probably be picking up a few other titles.

The fact that the distributors used the "Look at how so goddamn 80's I am!" neon pink text really does help.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 20:49

Farbtoner: May 17, 2011; by Y Kant Ozma Post

Arkane posted:

While I'm posting stuff I own, this one for Inglourious Basterds is my favorite: http://ibraheemyoussef.com/ibraheem...inglourious.jpg

This is exactly why people hate faux-minimalist posters. The entire poster is just a sly in-joke for people who have seen the movie, it doesn't tell you anything about the film itself or represent the tones and themes and in it.

I think one of the few times I've seen abstract in-jokey posters work is when it's a poster for an old, classic film rather than a recent release. When TCM did modern posters for classic films a few years ago their take on Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was pretty great:

# ? Jan 22, 2012 21:09

Arkane: Dec 19, 2006; Wanna fight?

OK, I understand your point. But why would I need the poster to tell me anything from the movie? I've seen the movie. It's on a wall in my house, and it *looks* drat cool

As far as what it represents...it represents one of the best moments in one of the best scenes in the movie.

Arkane fucked around with this message at Jan 22, 2012 around 21:32

# ? Jan 22, 2012 21:30

Victor F. M.D.: Jul 24, 2006; Dude, I told you it would work.

Young Freud posted:

Freud and Jung

I think this version of the Dangerous Method poster is pretty clever:

# ? Jan 22, 2012 21:31

Professor Clumsy: Sep 12, 2008; Count 'em.

Victor F. M.D. posted:

I think this version of the Dangerous Method poster is pretty clever:

Oh my!

# ? Jan 22, 2012 21:31

slinkimalinki: Jan 17, 2010; Through moonlight and shadow she'd prowl and she'd pry.

Cpt. Spring Types posted:

I so wish they would have used one of those for the Blu-ray cover, instead of this poo poo:

Ps. That OP is stellar.

There's pretty much no way to interpret this other than Ryan Gosling planning to whack himself in the face with a hammer.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 22:04

Jedit: Dec 10, 2011; Proudly representing vanilla Legends since 1994

slinkimalinki posted:

There's pretty much no way to interpret this other than Ryan Gosling planning to whack himself in the face with a hammer.

Or that he's going after someone with the claw end. Given the movie in question, that's not implausible.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 22:40

Maxwell Lord: Dec 12, 2008; I am drowning.
There is no sign of land.
You are coming down with me, hand in unlovable hand.

And I hope you die.

I hope we both die.

slinkimalinki posted:

There's pretty much no way to interpret this other than Ryan Gosling planning to whack himself in the face with a hammer.

As good a movie as Drive is, I don't doubt including a scene of just that would have made it even better.

# ? Jan 22, 2012 22:52

InVitro: Dec 23, 2008; I, Gary, the Scourge of Carpathia, the Sorrow of Moldavia, command you! Find me a child that I might live again!

Speaking of floating heads:

One is Hannah Montana, The other a 300 foot head-shaped rocketship destined for Mars.

The greatest love story, never told.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 00:33

Maxwell Lord: Dec 12, 2008; I am drowning.
There is no sign of land.
You are coming down with me, hand in unlovable hand.

And I hope you die.

I hope we both die.

I don't like this remake of Zardoz.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 00:42

Young Freud: Nov 25, 2006; My old avatar sucked anyway.

Professor Clumsy posted:

Oh my!

I gotta ask what is this really. I know what it's supposed to look like, it looks like it could be close-up of a drawn face or a printed page that, out of context, is being made to look like the abdomen of a naked woman.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 00:50

HoldYourFire: Oct 16, 2006; What's the time? It's DEFCON 1!

Young Freud posted:

I gotta ask what is this really. I know what it's supposed to look like, it looks like it could be close-up of a drawn face or a printed page that, out of context, is being made to look like the abdomen of a naked woman.

A Rorschach inkblot?

# ? Jan 23, 2012 00:52

Jack's Flow: Jun 6, 2003; What happen then, Mr Bones?
if be you cares to say.

Speaking of posters, I was very surprised when I walked past a local movie theater and saw Rooney Mara's tits on the poster for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Didn't expect that at all.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 01:18

Liar: Dec 14, 2003; Smarts > Wisdom

So are we in approval of the new Batman film's posters or not?

And here's a fan-made posters of what the film would be if Riddler was the villain, just because I loving love the Riddler:

# ? Jan 23, 2012 01:47

Cacator: Aug 6, 2005; You're quite good at turning me on.

Mister Chief posted:

The UK cover is the best and the one I'll be ordering since Amazon UK always have the cheapest blu-rays and I'll probably be picking up a few other titles.

The Canadian one is the best. Doesn't have all the poo poo on it.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 01:59

Desperado Bones: Aug 29, 2009; Cute, adorable, and creepy at the same time!

Is it me, or does he look like a midget?

And I love the second poster of Batman, although the ones for The Dark Knight were much better.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 02:01

Max22: Dec 8, 2007; Oops.

cloudchamber posted:

No Country... had so great posters:

Why is he wearing socks in a field?!

# ? Jan 23, 2012 02:20

Carwin: Feb 6, 2008; A hazard to himself and others.

Liar posted:

I think this one's very cool. It's striking and unique, doesn't have a title (and doesn't need one), and gets across the idea that "everything's falling apart."

# ? Jan 23, 2012 02:32

Canadian Surf Club: Feb 15, 2008; THUNDERDOME LOSER

cloudchamber posted:

No Country... had so great posters:

This was always my favourite, there's similar ones for the other characters. Bummer is I looked around online a bit but could never find it for sale.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 02:36

Rare Collectable: Apr 12, 2011

Max22 posted:

Why is he wearing socks in a field?!

He's an inscrutable madman. Killing shmos left and right, walking through a field in socks, its all the same to him.

# ? Jan 23, 2012 02:37

Sirotan: Oct 17, 2006; Sirotan is a seal.

I loves me some Olly Moss. Just wanted to share one of his recent movie posters he did for My Neighbor Totoro. Managed to snag one of the regular versions, they're taking their sweet time getting it shipped (ordered before Christmas...), but I can't wait to get it framed:

Regular