While I may not have an art degree, I still find that it’s a shame that P&A departments don’t take bigger creative risks when it comes time to producing a film’s official one sheet. I’ve always been a big fan of poster art – and I’d rather treat myself to an eyeful of that than spoil my supper with countless movie trailers. So in the spirit of top ten lists, here are some of the special posters of 2006 that both caught my eye and made a lasting impression…:
10. The Notorious Bettie Page
Distributor: Picturehouse Films
Comments: My grandfather was a plumber – and the 12 month calendar girls in bikini were a staple detour during my visits. I like how they play with the pin-up premise here, and such as the Little Miss Sunshine Volkswagen Westfalia yellow, I also like the shine.
9. Little Children
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Comments: How do you downplay a film’s title and advertise adult themes? Remember those French avant-garde posters from the Godard époque? I love the darker tones and the nudity is best served without wrinkles. Note to self: Time to get that gym membership.
8. Art School Confidential
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Comments: We loved Ghost World. We love Daniel Clowes. We love the poster art for Todd Solondz’s Happiness. Here we like the film still accompanied by sweaty teenager.
7. Superman Returns
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Comments: Words like ‘pristine’, ‘crisp’ and ‘dramatic’ come to mind with this image. If his arms were slightly less magician like and more Jesus on a cross it would further the notion of the magnitude of his social responsibilities. Still – this is a striking image.
6. The Motel
Distributor: Palm Pictures
Comments: 99.9 percent of you haven’t seen this little gem – and 98 percent of you probably haven’t seen this poster. What I love is that the poster tells a narrative, places us in the mindset of a pre-teen’s world and reveals the sometimes cruelty found in growing up.
