Well im going to start this right now and keep track on my favourite posters of the year since this is a niche sub-industry im hoping to be involved with some day.

I'll pick my favourites and tell you why! But i only have fifteen minutes right now so i'll just be selective and expand as the year goes on.

First Looks

JUST ADD WATER



WHY?
What a great, simple blend of design and photography. The actors faces are actually displayed really creatively down the bottom, and the metaphor is actually kind of cute. Really nice, clear designing which gets the quirky appeal of the film across.


MY BLUBERRY NIGHTS

WHY?
The neon lights are genius. They cast all the actors in these beautiful glows which turn what could be something corny and shallow into something romantic, moody and interesting. Norah Jones is always a plus too. The UK QUAD is equally as beautiful. Funnily enough, the US poster is the dullest one, with the neon lights completely removed.

IN BRUGES


WHY?
The whole thing is very borderline. It could easily teeter into ridiculous ground. But I think it actually works pretty well. Gimmicky, but nicely designed.

SEX AND THE CITY


WHY?
Strong, bold and not making any minced words about who the star of the show is. With words flying about Kim Cattrall's demands and segregation from the cast, it was important to confirm that Carrie Bradshaw is still the central focus here. Clever pun with vivid title based on recognisable brand to millions.

THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN


WHY?
Probably the scariest horror poster ive seen in a while. Theres something deeply apprehensive about the whole thing. It still stinks of cheap horror movie, but being called Midnight Meat Train there were so many worse paths it could have taken. The tagline is no good, but the frosted out man with the tenderizer is pretty scary. The other poster is equally chilling.

WALL-E

WHY?
Not doing too much to distance itself from the "new ET" label its getting, but the character design is so sweet and cute, and it gives so little away, that you are desperate to go on a journey to the stars with this little robot who sees something more. Looking to the stars has always been a symbol of people destined for greatness in our culture, so having him atop of a pile of processed trash with his little sad eyes looking to the sky is night on genius. If this doesn't pull at the heartstrings, nothing will. Maybe the "creators of finding nemo" is a bit redundant by now and kind of trashes the importance of Cars, The Incredibles and Ratatouille.

I like the Blueberry Nights one. the rest, not so much.

andrew stanton directed both nemo and wall e so maybe thats what they mean.

does jude law play the same role in every movie? sheesh.

Rain looks Photoshopped

http://www.impawards.com/2008/funny_games.html

I love.

Love that Funny Games tagline.

this one.

Funny Games is not a successful poster.
It appeals to film fans but in terms of wide appeal it fails. Its not hugely imaginative but I can see why you guys are praising it. I like the image, but its all very boring and in a theater, lost.

The Blueberry nights one looks good. When does that come out?

I would disagree. The poster is an extension of the film, which is a bit off-putting to the average viewer. The image (of a crying, abused? woman) coupled with the tagline make a very strong statement about the tone of the film.

Personally, if we are talking about lost films, I think the Blueberry Nights, while a nice image, is a bit empty and Sex And The City is only interesting, not because of the composition, because of what it is. Same for Wall-E to an extent.

The only poster I like is Just Add Water. It's different and interesting. Blueberry Nights isn't anything special. It's pretty meh.

WALL*E is just good. Definitely not great.

Your argument doesnt make sense for SATC and WALL-E. A poster is designed to be interesting based on what the film is, it's designed to generate interest, and both posters are very successfully and nicely composed.

And the Blueberry Nights poster is the best of the year so far In my opinion. The colour, composition, everything, dead on.

http://www.impawards.com/2008/my_bluebe ... _ver4.html

Is the not quite as strong quad. I think the use of colour in these posters is beautiful

I'd personally be more inclined to take a closer look at the Funny Games poster than either of the ones you mention. Sex and the City in particular is a poster that's positively boring unless you have a vested interest in the show.

Heh, I like the Blueberry Nights poster that I see here in Germany, which is the same image you posted (the kiss), but without the neon lights, better.

The opinion of film fans does not reflect the opinion of the general public. Although Funny Games is probably directed towards film fans. I just find it typical of films like this. I dont find things like what Funny Games poster is trying to do particularly enamouring. Nor is it one which would create discussion. The point of the sex and the city poster is that people see the title without a doubt, they know the movie is coming, discussion begins. Its a perfect teaser and its generating much discussion.

I'm not speaking as a film fan though. The image on the Funny Games poster is one that would turn my head if I saw it on a bus shelter. I'd move in to take a closer look and as a result the film's name would stick in my head. This purely on an aesthetic level.

The Sex and the City poster reminds me of those posters you see around train stations advertising the new Andy McNab book. Lets you know it's out there, but does nothing to woo non-McNab enthusiasts into the fold. It's the kind of poster you zone out if you have no familiarity or love of the source material.

Don't take this as offensive, because I love you Michael, you dumb bitch.

But my instant reaction to seeing the Blueberry Nights poster was, "Of course Michael loves it, it has Nora Jones in it."

Throw up some counter examples. I'd like to see what you think is similar to this poster.


That's the point I'm trying to make. The poster design could have Sex And The City in black lettering on a white space and it would generate conversation, because it is Sex And The City. As a franchise (and Wall-E, being Pixar is somewhat similar) it has baggage and pre-arranged interest. Is the SATC poster particularly memorable on it's own as a poster? Not in the slightest.

Funny Games has to sell itself on the poster, trailer/movie unseen. And it does an exceedingly effective job at it.

I like the Blueberry Nights poster because I love just about everything about that film (pretty colors + WKW + Weisz/Portman), but it's not nearly as memorable or meaningful as the Funny Games poster. Every time I see that one, I crave the film. It's really well composed and just so bold and pretty. Plus, the tagline really is great. Also, if you look at it from far away the expression almost looks curious...the tears just look like a glare, and there's almost a smile on her face. Then you get close and see it all and see the title and it's just like, blam.

I think having seen Funny Games (1997) might have some effect, because I know everything the poster represents is as good as the poster/trailer. I'm just about melting with anticipation of how this film's gonna play (and the whole situation in general).

I find it funny that people are challenging my opinions like ive set them down as scripture.
These are my picks for my personal favourites of the year and people come in and are like "No, thats crap."

I have, and have always had, very very different ideas and tastes in film than the KJ majority. It's why my pariticipation in the movie forums is so rare, and even rarer is discussion about actual movies. Where you guys see something different i see something manipulative and uninteresting. I guess when i see the Funny Games poster i can't help but also see the guys in the marketing lounge thinking it up and thats no good.

And whilst i like Norah Jones quite a bit, she's not the reason i like the poster. Any actress could be in her place and i'd still think it was tastefully beautiful. It's the light and composition, and the unashamed kiss. I think film makers and the film industry is straying away from conventions too dangerously. I am a champion for good old fashioned romantic cinema. But

Whats kind of funny is that i nearly included Funny Games in this thread initially, but decided to balk due to limited time and the issues i mentioned. I think its a very good poster and agree with the points a lot of you have made about it, and dont doubt that for someone else its an incredible poster. But for me, I can't see past the train of thought which obviously produced the poster.

I know you were Loyal, thanks. My post was more of an extension on what you said.


If i was going by effectiveness and thought processes and impact then the list would look quite different.