Daily Design. No Fate But What We Make.
2009’s Graphic Footprint - Movie Posters
Hello guys and dolls it’s sure been awhile. I took an extended vaca from my blog and now I am back with a vengeance (no relation to Die Hard 3). This will be the first (and hopefully not last) look back at the year ‘09 and what kind of Graphic Footprint it left behind. In this first look back we’ll be checking out my top 10 favorite movie posters of the year. Lets do it.
Number 10 - Away We Go
Starting off my list is the indie flick Away We Go starring John Krazinski (aka Jim Halpert) and SNL alum Maya Rudolph. Now I really dig this poster but I do have some hesitation putting it on my list. That being it’s obvious influence from the indie flick Juno. I can just see a room full of execs throwing around ideas on how to sell this film and eventually landing on the notion that they have to capture the Juno crowd and you know what they pretty much nailed it. I mean this poster is in no way original but I still dig the hand drawn art style and the muted vintage colors…plus it’s a pretty solid flick.
Number 9 - Where the Wild Things Are
Second poster on my list is for the long-awaited adaptation of the much beloved classic Where the Wild Things Are. Now I know some where disappointed by the less then cheery tone of this film but personally I dug it quite a bit and I feel this poster captures tone of the film. I like the muted colors of the photography and how it gives you just enough of the monster (Carol) to make you wonder. I also love the hand drawn typography of both the logo and the tag line.
Number 8 - Watchmen
Now my personal expectations for this next film were only built up higher by kick-ass posters like this, it’s no wonder why I was disappointed by the final product. Now any comic book fan would have a nerdgasm from this visual. The amazingly accurate depiction of Rorschach standing over the circa 1980s New York with the true-to-comic typography on the left side of the poster is nothing short of perfect. It’s only made better by the rich contrast of the purple sky and yellow type…I only wish the movie could have captures the awesomeness of this poster.
Number 7 - Terminator Salvation
Now I still haven’t seen this next flick because of all the less-then-stellar reviews but I have to say this poster for the fourth installment in the franchise, Terminator Salvation, really rocks. They somehow took the tired Terminator symbol of the robotic skeleton and made it original. The concept and execution is truly awesome and even cooler in the motion poster, check it out here.
Number 6 - Up
Pixar never seems disappoint, well if you don’t count Cars that is and really who does. Not only is Up touching, funny and visually stunning but it’s poster is fantastic as well. The use of negative space in this poster is really nice and is something that isn’t used nearly enough. The colors are beautiful and the simplicity of the whole design is really impressive.
Number 5 - New York, I Love You
I have yet to see this U.S. interpretation of the 2006 film Paris, je t’aime but if this poster is indication of the film itself I should be pretty satisfied by the final product. I like really the contrast of the cool blues the bright red heart. The hand drawn script typography is really nice as well as the overall painted look to the poster. It’s also pretty admirable that the designer was able to take the immense amount of copy required to be on this poster and not make it overwhelming.
Number 4 - The Princess And The Frog
Now maybe I’m just a sucker for some classic Disney magic but there is something about this poster that I absolutely love. It’s the combination of the rich colors and the quality of the hand drawn characters. Though I shouldn’t be surprised, Disney has always impressed me with their poster/package design. Who would of thought that one of the world’s largest and most powerful corporations would still be able to produce art that feels as though it truly has heart.
Number 3 - Star Trek
When 2009 begun I never would have thought that a reboot of the Star Trek franchise would have done nearly as well or have been nearly as good as J.J. Abram’s action packed relaunch. This poster however should have given me some faith. I absolutely love everything about it. It’s simplicity, it’s high-contrast photography and strong 60s era colors all make this poster one of my favorites. If I wasn’t afraid of being labeled a super-nerd I would have already have bought this poster.
Number 2 - Inglourious Basterds
O’ Quentin Tarantino, you sure know how to make a quick-witted and brutally violent homage to to the films that made you into the directorial madman you are today. You rarely disappoint and this poster definitely doesn’t either. It’s amazing that such a simple image can be so powerful and tell a convey such a strong emotion…plus it’s really bad ass.
Number 1 - Moon
Here we have it, numero uno, the poster that inspired me to write this post in the first place. The winner of my ‘09 countdown is the independent sci-fi film Moon. There is something about this poster that I find absolutely perfect. The purely conceptual black and white imagery combined with the simplicity of the typography is really stunning and original. There is no doubt in my mind that this poster is the best of ‘09…though I am sure some will disagree.
