tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3731913722882067242024-03-21T17:21:50.187-07:00Focus PullThe little details of the big picture.Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-62871481326308600342008-11-28T03:43:00.000-08:002008-11-30T04:07:41.336-08:00Influence or Coincidence?The Lodger vs. The Black Dahlia<div style="text-align: justify;">The artwork for the upcoming remake of Alfred Hitchcock's <span style="font-style:italic;">The Lodger</span> (2009) immediately brings to mind the poster for <span style="font-style:italic;">The Black Dahlia</span> (2006). Both designs use the horizontal profile of a woman's face, with a thin trickle of blood escaping from her parted lips. <br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5ZkyTy96m3JWvZQyE5vCsN9X2W60XL55wDww9iD2c6Dbe0_byZ4FF_8Y7psi_82kr_-foB12QSCsihgDJQ6k75NWoK1WlCbjRqeoZRKCF6LExN56amnBxBoaOdkfnykvlKLhCxK0nE4/s1600-h/DVD-Black+Dahlia.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5ZkyTy96m3JWvZQyE5vCsN9X2W60XL55wDww9iD2c6Dbe0_byZ4FF_8Y7psi_82kr_-foB12QSCsihgDJQ6k75NWoK1WlCbjRqeoZRKCF6LExN56amnBxBoaOdkfnykvlKLhCxK0nE4/s200/DVD-Black+Dahlia.jpg" border="0" alt="The Black Dahlia (2006)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274419459603848770" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Black Dahlia</span><br />(2006)</td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkRCqfj3pndpKw04jieHPRoq-KpurH0gnp_MD8U1iZyxTldRsNSiEUrwgOyuvND01UCW6fn1sFIlPpYSkw26WglKVR6cbjPbf5qn-5IGXxZLxMvAb73QS7WCij0tW09uGweljsBn6WwA/s1600-h/Poster_Lodger.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkRCqfj3pndpKw04jieHPRoq-KpurH0gnp_MD8U1iZyxTldRsNSiEUrwgOyuvND01UCW6fn1sFIlPpYSkw26WglKVR6cbjPbf5qn-5IGXxZLxMvAb73QS7WCij0tW09uGweljsBn6WwA/s200/Poster_Lodger.jpg" border="0" alt="The Lodger (2009)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274419833559959026" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Lodger</span><br />(2009)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-78754745678224423252008-11-27T12:00:00.000-08:002008-11-27T13:46:53.434-08:00Check Your Local Listings, Part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the more popular pages on this blog has been my roundup of <a href="http://focuspull.blogspot.com/2008/02/now-playing-to-your-subconscious.html">funny movie marquee juxtapositions</a>. Cramming multiple film titles onto a theater sign often results in some unintended humor. In the nine months since that original post, I've collected a few more examples for your amusement.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMGqbHv3dsq86xqSVOq0ScRdRCx-iPMBsZI24X552ekRqtyynGcgdV8-Sf8Xa3ksUTnOC8LUH_QmupjQ7qNFr4yh1ATAsY5OI_1Fib82KlBH4mI3Iq885Ow8qV5HnO-crlZ6XI45oJUw/s400/2008+-+Cock.jpg" border="0" alt="Cock - Not Your Average Superhero" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273432995245624978" />The script for the Will Smith movie <span style="font-style:italic;">Hancock</span> was originally called <span style="font-style:italic;">Tonight He Comes</span>, which producers changed to avoid unwanted pornographic associations. Unfortunately for the studio, this theater chose to put up their sign's letters from right to left.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1mmX2Iu1I5aoJTysMn4cVAeDueryjdLu3DSI21V959Qvx4_dSEuK_C-F5jkdAODR58Nv5BIPVCrYugECT_GOrkgsSlxsFuz0dswQafhW2E2Hv0hUMpTroOAQc4QKv8c9mFngn5_hRLk/s400/2008+-+Another+Gay+Sequel.jpg" border="0" alt="Another Gay Sequel - The Women Tell No One" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273455777154138930" />There's a message hidden in this sign. Is that how the supposed homosexual agenda works?<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF4StgBZ2hw6lWXdajOFUeNefJUCp0Ghq6fonITQoyNJZbz-aRQ4hMs6XVGDZ7BqXfYJ_52Hk9hk1XJR5L9vOT_KfiXhZxKEDmlIs0X1CcaDHaa8X74iLeYPm6ZBC9333dlWiWpCR7cw/s400/2007+-+Hitman+Mist+Beowulf.jpg" border="0" alt="Hitman Mist Beowulf" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273435631225013106" />He's already in trouble with his contractors for the botched assignment, and now some movie theater sign is rubbing it in.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PBhgLvIDb6n4buzg9WUbujJWtztG-UBT80Wc91TX5PzFDeH-7gqsdWrwSxdU0iE_gAV_Ye6hqPnQrgTGhH5by3AbX9VUv-A-xf-dMqf6nQM8QhQxM16AtHDKjIYCge1N5OiNe-2lCu0/s400/2007+-+Knocked+Up+Nightly.jpg" border="0" alt="Knocked Up Nightly" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273437605252667602" />This must be the behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of those <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077724/" target="blank">reality shows</a> about parents with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810742/" target="blank">unusually large clans of offspring</a>.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmjh0NBSMKhOVo-dLRk5yb3b-rWx34gwdVy1aeMp-LiDr455o936rFJrwR-mDJExX8C7GuwSfk_pc2GSOJpnxhdZsfzrr4QgGl1EAMK22gtQgmKP7GZvRcNu0tHrP8WauVPNuL-cynig/s400/2006+-+Barnyard+Pirates.jpg" border="0" alt="Barnyard Pirates" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273442707328260546" />The scourge of fish farms around the world.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qiFoWhUDby0oGjmcLXHrrC2_C_y1orr7Bjb_9gB3ZJ7wlJKNpxoIaW_fMUHxCPteOZMfPbXBxkzSvhIdKHxEXf_cDck9u5ZkM0BFvAlv2duoBl5wRQ0LykV87TzrsxqZl8Q6lIF6CEE/s400/2005+-+Virgin+Penguins.jpg" border="0" alt="40 Year Old Virgin Penguins" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273445643052149650" />Would these be known as PILFs?<br /><br /><br />As always, feel free to give more examples of this juvenile pastime in the comments.<br /><br />See also: <a href="http://focuspull.blogspot.com/2008/02/now-playing-to-your-subconscious.html">Check Your Local Listings, Part 1</a><br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-56182403468114867432008-10-06T12:23:00.000-07:002008-10-14T18:16:05.743-07:00The Porn Identity<div style="text-align: justify;">The upcoming release of Kevin Smith's <a href="http://www.zackandmiri.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Zack & Miri Make a Porno</span></a> brings the subject of adult entertainment to the multiplex. It's not the first to do so, having been preceded by <span style="font-style:italic;">The Amateurs</span> (2005), <span style="font-style:italic;">Orgazmo</span> (1997), and <span style="font-style:italic;">Boogie Nights</span> (1997). However, it did get me thinking about Hollywood and the porn industry. In particular, the influence that the former has on the latter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLtqSi9EG_SSnLTJ-3r4Mp3rSntreyaxeUQIekLoJz0buBwQpfE8M0nK-LCHHTABYK6jWEKojqKebuE0YjYyhYpU2G5RDa5sPQUNmkU24Kk3MrSqGFszbi9KFMY73uj0qeUjS_cRnnPU/s1600-h/CAP_Star+Whores.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLtqSi9EG_SSnLTJ-3r4Mp3rSntreyaxeUQIekLoJz0buBwQpfE8M0nK-LCHHTABYK6jWEKojqKebuE0YjYyhYpU2G5RDa5sPQUNmkU24Kk3MrSqGFszbi9KFMY73uj0qeUjS_cRnnPU/s320/CAP_Star+Whores.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254124896861033218" /></a>Smith's film follows a pair of financially challenged roommates who try their hands at skin flicks to pay the bills. They decide to helm <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Whores</span>, since "the porn I liked when I was a kid," explains Seth Rogen's Zack, "it was always a spoof of a popular movie." Indeed, dirty minded twists on pop culture will certainly raise an adult film's notoriety. The pornification of Hollywood movie titles is such a cliché that even an individual who has never seen an X-rated feature has probably heard of <span style="font-style:italic;">Flesh Gordon</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Edward Penishands</span>, or <span style="font-style:italic;">Pulp Friction</span>.<br /><br />Some releases will simply tweak a blockbuster's name for some light-hearted innuendo, as in <span style="font-style:italic;">Analyze These</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Done in 60 Seconds</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">I Know Who You Did Last Summer</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">There's Something Inside Mary</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Honey, I Blew Everybody</span>. Others will play off one word by swapping it with something more explicit, such as <span style="font-style:italic;">Big Trouble in Little Vagina</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">League of Extraordinary Genitals</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Gangbangs of New York</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">A Clockwork Orgy</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Intercourse With a Vampire</span>. There are a few that really stretch and take it to another level with titles like <span style="font-style:italic;">E Three: The Extra Testicle</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Sheepless in Montana</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Pocahotass</span>.<br /><br />Occasionally, these porno spoofs go all out and parody a movie's logo and poster art, too. Here's a gallery of some adult releases that put a little extra effort in the design of their DVD covers.<br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-f1UwTz1-Oygfr8fcl3EBdYQbAeoeZvhBcl7_mZCfClMFC2tfCOjgAQP1wDhiTP3ZYaoeiJXX-0ivSpiAtPS9mfQSy-PkhvY0J9VVGXOVVQR0zT5JZyAPraTi2ANyBC_V4Sp7gTaNPg/s1600-h/DVD_American+Booty.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-f1UwTz1-Oygfr8fcl3EBdYQbAeoeZvhBcl7_mZCfClMFC2tfCOjgAQP1wDhiTP3ZYaoeiJXX-0ivSpiAtPS9mfQSy-PkhvY0J9VVGXOVVQR0zT5JZyAPraTi2ANyBC_V4Sp7gTaNPg/s400/DVD_American+Booty.jpg" border="0" width="120" alt="American Booty" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254128434583835330" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">American Booty</span></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVGIp7-r_LvwRqhGh-wJt_iuWo1b8E5DzF7EJsvXQ8YI6xpGZlmWR18jHHbU24mX4Vy1jRRI-X57zK1-izcFHT6tx6LeU4oJkzAD78olUGgVZUENK-f0lhSsalAl5JfZfq3K599dA3bY/s1600-h/DVD_Not+Another+Porn+Movie.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVGIp7-r_LvwRqhGh-wJt_iuWo1b8E5DzF7EJsvXQ8YI6xpGZlmWR18jHHbU24mX4Vy1jRRI-X57zK1-izcFHT6tx6LeU4oJkzAD78olUGgVZUENK-f0lhSsalAl5JfZfq3K599dA3bY/s400/DVD_Not+Another+Porn+Movie.jpg" border="0" width="120" alt="Not Another Porn Movie" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254129373969017106" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Not Another<br>Porn Movie</span><p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPOiuIY2pSjUKkmkiNGA3-RXP8hZh-tu7IraGebJhVXI5qgySB4u9P8Z4RRawDYWRIeavq6G8OjVqQ6AuylouDse5YlLJxslNFwRALIGzHGzfSwHO302vSCjw9OEN8O5YkP2eMcovmhA/s1600-h/DVD_Strap-On+Club.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPOiuIY2pSjUKkmkiNGA3-RXP8hZh-tu7IraGebJhVXI5qgySB4u9P8Z4RRawDYWRIeavq6G8OjVqQ6AuylouDse5YlLJxslNFwRALIGzHGzfSwHO302vSCjw9OEN8O5YkP2eMcovmhA/s400/DVD_Strap-On+Club.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Strap-On Club" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254129986297129330" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Strap-On Club</span><p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuYwSJroboO9RruOC6cqLiah8RDoWAxGG1zqQMP9TkINVibfPCOi2j6THYkY-lTJc3z5fMcryejCPh2ck0jdIVnShzDiU-rP9n_NXCTHAYxcNbVru1Oq4FlBirU1LAl4jGJLPB1JN4GI/s1600-h/DVD_Pulp+Friction.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuYwSJroboO9RruOC6cqLiah8RDoWAxGG1zqQMP9TkINVibfPCOi2j6THYkY-lTJc3z5fMcryejCPh2ck0jdIVnShzDiU-rP9n_NXCTHAYxcNbVru1Oq4FlBirU1LAl4jGJLPB1JN4GI/s400/DVD_Pulp+Friction.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Pulp Friction" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254130539545581970" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Pulp Friction</span><p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw3FAgP9jGKltzScpIPXRWH6uzGGN3QJovbSZnUCcpeHVhLJDffN73ZfdB8Tj1Hd6eeXKDd8pNalwsJcTbrKSRCLg5AtwwKUhqsLM8pxIR5Vu0dYFoH5zPdutOc6yrcDnYCXw2YC_GbU/s1600-h/DVD_Horat.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw3FAgP9jGKltzScpIPXRWH6uzGGN3QJovbSZnUCcpeHVhLJDffN73ZfdB8Tj1Hd6eeXKDd8pNalwsJcTbrKSRCLg5AtwwKUhqsLM8pxIR5Vu0dYFoH5zPdutOc6yrcDnYCXw2YC_GbU/s400/DVD_Horat.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Horat" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254131002062052946" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Horat</span><p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex_ziMWDycsrbzJzq2TdPbfkJDuIy_xRdFKXVubRlJLFrtFBE4ryaII680WhSusrOpO6siismGprKhY4mu-rwMjX3YXkdKLPaEKL9Pf1IGaDbOrXrzMHj4ERuY4IZ-i4O3vUZb75jIYc/s1600-h/DVD_Trixxx+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex_ziMWDycsrbzJzq2TdPbfkJDuIy_xRdFKXVubRlJLFrtFBE4ryaII680WhSusrOpO6siismGprKhY4mu-rwMjX3YXkdKLPaEKL9Pf1IGaDbOrXrzMHj4ERuY4IZ-i4O3vUZb75jIYc/s400/DVD_Trixxx+2.jpg" border="0" width="120" alt="Trixxx 02" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254131603208823938" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Trixxx 02</span><p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kSDZUg5_Rv04KBFnQTkdBdIW7zxJPb4QjS20fWDEHDfM13HiTxgT50hJiWnnGjevWYfak5ipt63c0uFM0zc4xFYF4hMGdvrFzJ7Hqx2NCfqEIvAwFsIENoB35mL16O-Z9JPdF9HjqzI/s1600-h/DVD_Porne+Ultimatum.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kSDZUg5_Rv04KBFnQTkdBdIW7zxJPb4QjS20fWDEHDfM13HiTxgT50hJiWnnGjevWYfak5ipt63c0uFM0zc4xFYF4hMGdvrFzJ7Hqx2NCfqEIvAwFsIENoB35mL16O-Z9JPdF9HjqzI/s400/DVD_Porne+Ultimatum.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="The Porne Ultimatum" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254134094082988258" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The Porne<br>Ultimatum</span><p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTFZcSIhbSfAW-t7DSqGA-aJUWpyKCSvtRX2uVMzv_7wddDyNcFqxJ8qMbAnySNFxx-fhGaHhl8mHz6jGA7M2N_kbP773eM0klXN8lHHBGQ2uQA-6RwnQJDZlVcRwm8emaAEKb9JkMl8/s1600-h/DVD_Bareback+Mountain.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTFZcSIhbSfAW-t7DSqGA-aJUWpyKCSvtRX2uVMzv_7wddDyNcFqxJ8qMbAnySNFxx-fhGaHhl8mHz6jGA7M2N_kbP773eM0klXN8lHHBGQ2uQA-6RwnQJDZlVcRwm8emaAEKb9JkMl8/s400/DVD_Bareback+Mountain.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Bareback Mountain" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254133675349265970" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Bareback Mountain</span><p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCXhD6_UORztszZBe7iwlnmyDefFDau_2_sKlwNgG5dmGPpqbqnS6ZRPEGr112RhETQaBduObmJd4wfbvDxiHuc4JI_GzBnjevVo_7c7NUvciaWuxKvA3khNtXa5x8BNZD1q6fb1tcmE/s1600-h/DVD_Re-Penetrator.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCXhD6_UORztszZBe7iwlnmyDefFDau_2_sKlwNgG5dmGPpqbqnS6ZRPEGr112RhETQaBduObmJd4wfbvDxiHuc4JI_GzBnjevVo_7c7NUvciaWuxKvA3khNtXa5x8BNZD1q6fb1tcmE/s400/DVD_Re-Penetrator.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Re-Penetrator" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254133312301533954" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Re-Penetrator</span><p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PTPLbPsJ2OSit3804E9-Sm8X9CJ62yc3tdsy5m5NSsRu3yK844vcECny6Yo08RMic1huCRsQj5TmLrG0fihehHcti6imLVGdL337vd0AmDfP4Y_kENb-XoLiuvPVh2G-4SGA6FyNvvc/s1600-h/DVD_XXXorcist.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PTPLbPsJ2OSit3804E9-Sm8X9CJ62yc3tdsy5m5NSsRu3yK844vcECny6Yo08RMic1huCRsQj5TmLrG0fihehHcti6imLVGdL337vd0AmDfP4Y_kENb-XoLiuvPVh2G-4SGA6FyNvvc/s400/DVD_XXXorcist.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="The XXXorcist" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254135207229359938" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The XXXorcist</span></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBycgHgqXpxixksuZvcBmGDsEIxBfKAOkqRpaLHCHgdd7QfcMyzHpFJP93pd0y2-SlhoPJTp5QV57IRzbXbM0vM40uyxj5DpbzOVq2lSpWKOiKrUc8oG5Woodz2vbiFzuJYWvKYKfav4/s1600-h/DVD_Crocodile+Blondee.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBycgHgqXpxixksuZvcBmGDsEIxBfKAOkqRpaLHCHgdd7QfcMyzHpFJP93pd0y2-SlhoPJTp5QV57IRzbXbM0vM40uyxj5DpbzOVq2lSpWKOiKrUc8oG5Woodz2vbiFzuJYWvKYKfav4/s400/DVD_Crocodile+Blondee.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Crocodile Blondee Part Two" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254134842156418834" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Crocodile Blondee<br>Part Two</span></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNmllOxIFHqZHTSlZSPgXUFwpl4Wu-h6kJQe7alxb4fbMReJGLwts3sfgUi1I_Hw9k_rTQdwql80pVpOB6HNFvJo9atYeiAi0V8ITBQ5e3jNY21W6Tya_r84glQmHfPGknd06TPHGnkE/s1600-h/DVD_Edward+Penishands.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNmllOxIFHqZHTSlZSPgXUFwpl4Wu-h6kJQe7alxb4fbMReJGLwts3sfgUi1I_Hw9k_rTQdwql80pVpOB6HNFvJo9atYeiAi0V8ITBQ5e3jNY21W6Tya_r84glQmHfPGknd06TPHGnkE/s400/DVD_Edward+Penishands.jpg" width="120" border="0" alt="Edward Penishands" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254135511769121026" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Edward Penishands</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-52649175192707204342008-09-15T11:11:00.000-07:002008-10-06T13:23:03.387-07:00Mondo Aficionado<span style="color:#cc6600;">It's a Fan's Fan's Fan's World</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Quirky individuals with curious worldviews have routinely found favor within the field of documentary film. Whether it's the peculiar townsfolk of <span style="font-style:italic;">Vernon, Florida</span>, the tenacious indie auteur of <span style="font-style:italic;">American Movie</span>, or the eccentric bear enthusiast in <span style="font-style:italic;">Grizzly Man</span>, audiences love seeing an intriguing wildflower that doesn't wilt in front of the lens. This new breed of human interest story has become especially popular over the past couple of decades, thriving on oddball characters who are inspired, passionate, and obsessive.<br /><br />All of those qualities would aptly describe the dedicated denizens of genre film fandom. There are a myriad of science fiction and fantasy sub-cultures, and a good majority of them have been profiled on film over the last ten years. These documentaries range from slick, Hollywood quality productions to no-budget, labor-of-love endeavors, but each one looks at the experience of being a true fan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v7jIqjI-rBPD3vDox3bwN5nn7NO-1yD5Gcloy5meFAZM5Gug4JEh3lyQimqUiJ4LbRbFmJIEqjI7YrR4KPr6g2T23cSQtE7hQmzfKFSf-JMF9lpZNWQkC3l9T_wIckwnwCHb0UQt_gA/s1600-h/Cap_Trekkies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v7jIqjI-rBPD3vDox3bwN5nn7NO-1yD5Gcloy5meFAZM5Gug4JEh3lyQimqUiJ4LbRbFmJIEqjI7YrR4KPr6g2T23cSQtE7hQmzfKFSf-JMF9lpZNWQkC3l9T_wIckwnwCHb0UQt_gA/s320/Cap_Trekkies.jpg" border="0" alt="Trekkies" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246274559174283042" /></a>The faith of a fanbase can be a very powerful thing. Even though <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Trek</span>'s initial broadcast run in the late 1960s was short-lived, stubborn fans of the syndicated series showed such support over the ensuing decade that the show's cast were brought back together for <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Trek: The Motion Picture</span> (1979). It proved successful, a string of sequel films and TV spin-offs followed, and the rest is science fiction history.<br /><br />The documentary <a href="http://www.trekdoc.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Trekkies</span></a> (1997), of course, refers to the fanatical followers of the franchise, which currently boasts six different televised series and ten feature films (along with a highly anticipated reboot movie due next spring). The film features comments from many familiar faces in the <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Trek</span> universe, as well as a colorful cross section of dedicated fans. The focus is limited mainly to fandom within the United States, but a follow-up documentary, <a href="http://www.trekkies2.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Trekkies 2</span></a> (2003), looks at <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Trek</span>'s impact around the globe.<br /><br />It is only fitting that this particular sci-fi sub-culture was among the first to be documented on film, since Trekkies have informed the geeky fan stereotype more than any other segment of pop culture devotees. This persona was lampooned in the fictional comedy <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177789/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Galaxy Quest</span></a> (1999). The film portrays the aging stars of a cult sci-fi TV show (a spot-on <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Trek</span> homage) who have been reduced to making convention appearances and fielding trivia questions from nitpicking fanboys.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qmRX2PBf49Q8jCQSXlRZ4FceQquGaC04o7_a_S5TimPt5eVVppPe0Hmb5EEl-5LG0tBmtER8cHnMtZd2DTC7Efiw4F43QlsD_nR2SWImVgGdpYWzn4_2VLd7gTB9iTaJ17qybvcfT_U/s1600-h/Cap_SNL_Shatner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qmRX2PBf49Q8jCQSXlRZ4FceQquGaC04o7_a_S5TimPt5eVVppPe0Hmb5EEl-5LG0tBmtER8cHnMtZd2DTC7Efiw4F43QlsD_nR2SWImVgGdpYWzn4_2VLd7gTB9iTaJ17qybvcfT_U/s400/Cap_SNL_Shatner.jpg" border="0" alt="William Shatner on SNL (1986)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246597299546052658" /></a>William Shatner used a similar premise to have a laugh at the Trekkie world for a famous sketch on <span style="font-style:italic;">Saturday Night Live</span> in 1986. Tired of elaborating on insignificant episode details, he snaps and tells a room full of Vulcan-eared convention-goers, "Get a life, will you people? ...Move out of your parents' basements! ...Grow the hell up! ...It's just a TV show!" Shatner also poked fun at his own celebrity status in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141105/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Free Enterprise</span></a> (1999), a comedy about a pair of Kirk-worshipping nerds who get a chance to meet the man himself.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLQ_hmeKYUPRLSTNARNtmzFzf5A8W0VnFcxpP0XXLM4WILbu93wigM3d0Tqi_wpRQOiY1MEdcNbHF3i_oVeWGq7x0ex-8OIYQxOgLpho7cRZEG7SXGS5xiRN7M9Rd2K-OM9LXliZ-nsM/s1600-h/Cap_Fanz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLQ_hmeKYUPRLSTNARNtmzFzf5A8W0VnFcxpP0XXLM4WILbu93wigM3d0Tqi_wpRQOiY1MEdcNbHF3i_oVeWGq7x0ex-8OIYQxOgLpho7cRZEG7SXGS5xiRN7M9Rd2K-OM9LXliZ-nsM/s320/Cap_Fanz.jpg" border="0" alt="Fanz - Doctor Who" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246630414837961794" /></a>One faction of sci-fi die hards whose legacy and legion arguably rivals that of the Trekkies, particularly in the U.K., is the Whovians. <span style="font-style:italic;">Doctor Who</span> holds the title of the longest running science-fiction TV show in the world. The series appeared on BBC television from 1963 to 1989 (26 seasons) and recently returned to the air in 2005, along with two subsequent spin-off shows, <span style="font-style:italic;">Torchwood</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">The Sarah Jane Adventures</span>.<br /><br />The good doctor's fervent followers are the subject of the upcoming British documentary <a href="http://www.mevproductions.co.uk/fanz.html" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Fanz</span></a> (2008). The film puts the spotlight on an enormous fanbase that spans multiple generations. The filmmakers encounter the conventioneer, the collector, the cataloguer, the completist, and the costumer--often while talking to one person.<br /><br />While <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Trek</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Doctor Who</span> are undoubtedly loved by great numbers of people, no other franchise in science fiction has approached the level of mass popularity and cultural influence that <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> has achieved. The 1977 epic and its two sequels, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Empire Strikes Back</span> (1980) and <span style="font-style:italic;">Return of the Jedi</span> (1983), were record-setting blockbusters. A massive merchandising effort infiltrated countless childhoods with toys, bedsheets, games, and fast food tie-ins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvxwRq2pQaBch-HVp7f2Y1OLw0iO9iifQw5oKKQbpkAOqLpqRvC3FNLeSvnujprgKphyphenhypheniaa_rBeIY1S_XbmFiwb3TGS6dkPcU9TrAtOyIpaW7A52_hB8ukecTNuz2ZG6r3gLKmS4PcA8/s1600-h/Cap_Millennium's+End2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvxwRq2pQaBch-HVp7f2Y1OLw0iO9iifQw5oKKQbpkAOqLpqRvC3FNLeSvnujprgKphyphenhypheniaa_rBeIY1S_XbmFiwb3TGS6dkPcU9TrAtOyIpaW7A52_hB8ukecTNuz2ZG6r3gLKmS4PcA8/s320/Cap_Millennium's+End2.jpg" border="0" alt="Starwoids" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247417360893224018" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> fandom truly became a force to be reckoned with (pun optional) when, twenty years later, George Lucas announced plans for a new trilogy of prequels. The originally three films were digitally remastered and re-released in theaters to prime audiences for the new chapters, thus resurrecting the childhood fervor of an entire generation of twenty-and-thirty-somethings. Line camping was a common sight in front of any theater expected to premiere a <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> film. <br /><br />This new era of <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> mania did not go unrecorded. No less than ten different documentaries have been produced on the subject. Two of the earliest efforts were <a href="http://www.wishnow.com/starwars/" target="blanl"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tatooine or Bust</span></a> (1997) and <a href="http://www.wishnow.com/starwars/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars or Bust</span></a> (1999), covering the line camping events that preceded <span style="font-style:italic;">Episode IV</span>'s re-release and <span style="font-style:italic;">Episode I</span>'s premiere, respectively.<br /><br />The theatrical run of the prequels is bookended by a pair of documentaries from Jeff Cioletti. <a href="http://www.fadproductions.com/index.php?categoryid=10" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Millennium's End: The Fandom Menace</span></a> (2000) chronicles the anticipation leading up to the new chapters, while <a href="http://www.fadproductions.com/index.php?categoryid=11" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Galaxy's End: Revenge of the Myth</span></a> (2006) gauges fan response after the release of the final film in the new trilogy, <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith</span> (2005).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.starwoids.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Starwoids</span></a> (2001) focuses on hardcore fans enduring a six week wait in front of two different theaters in Los Angeles, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230234/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">A Galaxy Far Far Away</span></a> (2001) is a portrait of Lucas loving conventioneers and line campers, and <a href="http://thephandommenace.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">The PhanDom Menace</span></a> (2002) documents the Force's influence down under. Both <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGNpgytB4xk" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">George and Me</span></a> (2006) and <a href="http://www.heartofanempire.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Heart of an Empire</span></a> (2007) examine the inspirational aspects of being a <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> acolyte.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHBzFrZywFPO9pq7pMPukRaa9gjalKD9BO3staz8ZUQe4JHEouGPIH7yovSZu5SROAkuAM1ju32VMi0cVsZv7Cqcy1F78Cyi2pJlYZXACgKlIt1nOA8e7bslWlOlpLqWxZXSOuzIT-y4/s1600-h/Cap_Force+Among+Us.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHBzFrZywFPO9pq7pMPukRaa9gjalKD9BO3staz8ZUQe4JHEouGPIH7yovSZu5SROAkuAM1ju32VMi0cVsZv7Cqcy1F78Cyi2pJlYZXACgKlIt1nOA8e7bslWlOlpLqWxZXSOuzIT-y4/s320/Cap_Force+Among+Us.jpg" border="0" alt="Star Wars - The Force Among Us" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247432210333584786" /></a><a href="http://www.theforceamongus.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">The Force Among Us</span></a> (2007) looks at <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> fandom as a whole. We hear from people who dress up in custom made costumes, people who obsessively collect the merchandise, people who make pilgrimages to filming locations, and people like the gentleman pictured above who built his own light sabre.<br /><br />The films' followers also provide some laughs in the upcoming comedy <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489049/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Fanboys</span></a> (2008), set in the year leading up to the release of <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace</span>. A group of friends take a road trip to Skywalker Ranch in an attempt to steal an advance print, since one of them has cancer and may not live to see the film's proper premiere.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu1z_bYodxCe68a01JYgkOgz2mYsvcInDQAAM01BDhH2JJFX6Slz0cug3AEFXig551Er8LmYotUYsTckBnAosVNmHkiZL0HlNT6qz-O25EtGdnkRMBsZ8RGFkKbvEzJH-6po3X3cmdNA/s1600-h/Cap_Done+the+Impossible.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNu1z_bYodxCe68a01JYgkOgz2mYsvcInDQAAM01BDhH2JJFX6Slz0cug3AEFXig551Er8LmYotUYsTckBnAosVNmHkiZL0HlNT6qz-O25EtGdnkRMBsZ8RGFkKbvEzJH-6po3X3cmdNA/s320/Cap_Done+the+Impossible.jpg" border="0" alt="Firefly - Done the Impossible" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247441153383110242" /></a>Much like the Trekkies in the '70s, fans of Joss Whedon's very short-lived sci-fi TV series <span style="font-style:italic;">Firefly</span> successfully campaigned for the cast's return. <a href="http://donetheimpossible.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Done the Impossible</span></a> (2006) is essentially a thank you letter to these supporters, who call themselves Browncoats. Through interviews with the cast and crew, as well as conventioneers, the documentary recollects the strange journey from cancellation to cult following to big screen resurrection in <span style="font-style:italic;">Serenity</span> (2005).<br /><br />Fans of another Whedon show form the basis for <a href="http://www.dlfilms.com/irl/index.html" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">IRL (In Real Life)</span></a> (2007). The film celebrates the diverse community that developed around "the Bronze," the official posting board on the <span style="font-style:italic;">Buffy the Vampire Slayer</span> website.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6pn6oak0sCBfDcSrNxHYToFwZI0qfcI21mt5W4ni8EOuZn4f2GeGHCwJnCS7F6eZJoprHH-n695qpz5gR1-NBv-BI4H4oG0Yx-9jqxEyNb6i3SrCFWQbSaPaxgaejO7U6-NLCpBG4C8/s1600-h/Cap_Darkomentary.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6pn6oak0sCBfDcSrNxHYToFwZI0qfcI21mt5W4ni8EOuZn4f2GeGHCwJnCS7F6eZJoprHH-n695qpz5gR1-NBv-BI4H4oG0Yx-9jqxEyNb6i3SrCFWQbSaPaxgaejO7U6-NLCpBG4C8/s320/Cap_Darkomentary.jpg" border="0" alt="#1 Fan - A Darkomentary" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248906553686869746" /></a>In the few years since it's debut, <span style="font-style:italic;">Donnie Darko</span> (2001) has developed a strong cult following, with many viewers reading deep into the details of both the film and its equally engaging <a href="http://www.donniedarkofilm.com/" target="blank">website</a>. So while compiling supplemental material to be included on a special "Director's Cut" DVD, a few of the crew members put together a short piece that playfully addressed the reality challenged contingent of the movie's audience.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436005/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">#1 Fan: A Darkomentary</span></a> is a poker-faced profile of Darryl Donaldson, a rabid fanboy who proudly displays close to forty identical copies of the <span style="font-style:italic;">Donnie Darko</span> DVD on his shrine shelf. He also treats the film's fictional handbook, "The Philosophy of Time Travel," as gospel and sings along with his own words to the movie's instrumental score. It's all ridiculously over the top, but the mockumentary's outrageousness isn't far from the tone of a lot of serious fan footage scattered around YouTube.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrruBV_rK9jcRkbqYw3g9mL9jV4rYIXXNPapQT_lwB5-eDK41Nah_NHwdMPTKZfDrD4LEqSepoSAlqOgZmX4oAa7ocnu8UZH5tanmFLSX3l3sAUaq22rx34J6ffdUHl7CYgs-ydKz9ds/s1600-h/Cap_Ringers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrruBV_rK9jcRkbqYw3g9mL9jV4rYIXXNPapQT_lwB5-eDK41Nah_NHwdMPTKZfDrD4LEqSepoSAlqOgZmX4oAa7ocnu8UZH5tanmFLSX3l3sAUaq22rx34J6ffdUHl7CYgs-ydKz9ds/s320/Cap_Ringers.jpg" border="0" alt="Ringers - Lord of the Fans" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247989503463835522" /></a>The writings of J.R.R. Tolkien have had a massive impact on fantasy fiction novels, and most recently, fantasy films. <a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/ringerslordofthefans/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Ringers: Lord of the Fans</span></a> (2005) follows this influence through the decades by showcasing a vast array of individuals who've been touched by the stories.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffpHyYNJz9YJGK3fkZusb8cfXz77YIzW8e9oQQfpVJ3OvMvz1FKZ48H4XFDadE3TmIknfODUivEaiHTOtbgd47QU8XnUFIyd4cPTMP-tFKvXR9Z_ifcfb-QXhz7LiKeWbnr0sK88QvI0/s1600-h/Cap_Harry+Potter+Parking+Lot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffpHyYNJz9YJGK3fkZusb8cfXz77YIzW8e9oQQfpVJ3OvMvz1FKZ48H4XFDadE3TmIknfODUivEaiHTOtbgd47QU8XnUFIyd4cPTMP-tFKvXR9Z_ifcfb-QXhz7LiKeWbnr0sK88QvI0/s320/Cap_Harry+Potter+Parking+Lot.jpg" border="0" alt="Harry Potter Parking Lot" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247995902155005442" /></a>Another book series that has enjoyed a wildly successful adaptation to film is J.K. Rowling's <span style="font-style:italic;">Harry Potter</span> saga. Bookstores experienced unprecedented fandom on the release day of each new novel in the canon. For <span style="font-style:italic;">Harry Potter Parking Lot</span> (2000), Jeff Krulik set his sights on devoted young readers waiting in line for a book signing by Rowling. The filmmaker is known for showcasing fans of various stripes in his short films, such as <a href="http://www.heavymetalparkinglot.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Heavy Metal Parking Lot</span></a> (1986) and <span style="font-style:italic;">Monster Truck Parking Lot</span> (1988). All three titles are included on the <a href="http://www.filmbaby.com/films/620" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Heavy Metal Parking Lot</span> DVD</a>.<br /><br />An interesting sub-sub-culture has developed within the world of Pottermania, and has already been documented twice. <a href="http://www.wearewizards-themovie.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">We Are Wizards</span></a> (2008) and <a href="http://www.wizardrockumentary.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">The Wizard Rockumentary: A Movie About Rocking and Rowling</span></a> (2008) provide a look at the bands and fans of the Wizard Rock genre. Groups such as Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, and The Hermione Crookshanks Experience perform Potter-inspired songs in all-ages venues like libraries and coffee shops.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqyupM2mIPJJq8om6cMohm_HGGWy1pS-J0CHusanRP63VQvKjKpMwpWnmTwiVPwZQgveQpLPSrqcUWX7svBjgDsr2nRngx-fuFYGpxhsyH23tmXWbp1rpw5qExuUfBxm7DoBOQbY4t0U/s1600-h/Cap_Regular+Frankie+Fan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqyupM2mIPJJq8om6cMohm_HGGWy1pS-J0CHusanRP63VQvKjKpMwpWnmTwiVPwZQgveQpLPSrqcUWX7svBjgDsr2nRngx-fuFYGpxhsyH23tmXWbp1rpw5qExuUfBxm7DoBOQbY4t0U/s320/Cap_Regular+Frankie+Fan.jpg" border="0" alt="A Regular Frankie Fan - Shadow Cast" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248054480880231682" /></a>When watching their favorite films, fans might mouth the words to memorized dialogue, sing-along to musical numbers, and maybe even move in sequence with on-screen dancers. Few films, however, have attracted the level of audience participation that <span style="font-style:italic;">the Rocky Horror Picture Show</span> (1975) receives. One of the most successful midnight movies ever, it is also the longest running theatrical release in history.<br /><br />The movie has been made available on VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD, yet cinemas showing the title continue to bring people in. The reason for this is the engagingly elaborate, almost ritualistic relationship that fans have with the theatrical screenings. Viewers often dress as their favorite cast member, bring props to use throughout the picture, and shout out responses to on-screen actions and dialogue at key points in the film. A troupe of die hard regulars will sometimes "shadow cast" the movie, acting it out directly below the screen or even in front of it as it plays.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253555/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">A Regular Frankie Fan: Rocky Horror Lives On</span></a> (2000) documents this peculiar phenomenon, and explores an enviable cult following that can enjoy their favorite film on the big screen every weekend at midnight, somewhere in the country.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkWKQO4c4FkrFo9dLGsFrgWK7A-WZyLj4VMBBCIZEU5eYRuV68T_qNAqE16Jv6D74xR81ue6rBnt1p9OjBfPKi1munFzl2p7oCS_sGKzr-kGe3H6S7P5-GcBWz-IXpeK_BT0qyi9MTcQ/s1600-h/Cap_Indyfans.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkWKQO4c4FkrFo9dLGsFrgWK7A-WZyLj4VMBBCIZEU5eYRuV68T_qNAqE16Jv6D74xR81ue6rBnt1p9OjBfPKi1munFzl2p7oCS_sGKzr-kGe3H6S7P5-GcBWz-IXpeK_BT0qyi9MTcQ/s320/Cap_Indyfans.jpg" border="0" alt="Indyfans" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249283931189850130" /></a>The recently released <span style="font-style:italic;">Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</span> (2008) brought a previously low key pocket of fandom into the spotlight. Excitement over a new chapter in the franchise had movie-goers sporting fedoras and bullwhips while line camping for movie tickets. <a href="http://www.indyfansfilm.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Indyfans and the Quest for Fortune and Glory</span></a> (2008) covers the anticipation leading up to the release of the fourth installment, speaking with fans as well as film industry folks about the appeal of the adventuresome archaeologist.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1W_WY-e-LIQ4QLfL6VUhRK6jh4_QUNJCp4luxi-2RvX2qVi3TgqYvUqZyJmn7hH4LdGcSTB0ZLJpMhrAd6Nd7mQMV6JoErvYBcWr0ViiR0U6paZeFKysettC6i7v9FyZ4t5lzKHRny8/s1600-h/Cap_Confessions+of+a+Superhero.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1W_WY-e-LIQ4QLfL6VUhRK6jh4_QUNJCp4luxi-2RvX2qVi3TgqYvUqZyJmn7hH4LdGcSTB0ZLJpMhrAd6Nd7mQMV6JoErvYBcWr0ViiR0U6paZeFKysettC6i7v9FyZ4t5lzKHRny8/s320/Cap_Confessions+of+a+Superhero.jpg" border="0" alt="Confessions of a Superhero" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248009453089816578" /></a>You can usually expect a few fully costumed über-fans to turn up at the occasional movie premiere or fan convention, but such extravagant displays are a daily sight along Hollywood Boulevard. Dozens of individuals choose to don uncomfortable, often punishingly hot costumes and stand around on the Walk of Fame.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.therealsuperhero.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Confessions of a Superhero</span></a> (2007) profiles four people who adopt modern mythic personas (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Hulk) and try to make ends meet by posing in tourist photographs for tips. It's a compelling portrait of questionable career choices, misguided fandom, and loneliness in pursuit of the American dream.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyYy7X4snAtzH_S0m6jk3xrsIyw7ol95iT8rjAs54T_6lQUzv6B1MQW7o1TBHagiCLJZhzED6J1zXGECGiHMD_Q-EgTjIBAY3PRl4cFlvYRaWWI9b4RrXpspaGE2Yt1U7Xt3AE7qSoaQ/s1600-h/Cap_Otaku+Unite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyYy7X4snAtzH_S0m6jk3xrsIyw7ol95iT8rjAs54T_6lQUzv6B1MQW7o1TBHagiCLJZhzED6J1zXGECGiHMD_Q-EgTjIBAY3PRl4cFlvYRaWWI9b4RrXpspaGE2Yt1U7Xt3AE7qSoaQ/s320/Cap_Otaku+Unite.jpg" border="0" alt="Otaku Unite!" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248017649404741874" /></a>Japanese animation has seen an explosion of American interest within the last decade, developing a generation of reverent followers. The documentary <a href="http://www.otakuunite.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Otaku Unite!</span></a> (2004) attempts to cover the history of this fandom in the U.S., from early imports like the <span style="font-style:italic;">Astro Boy</span> (1963) and <span style="font-style:italic;">Speed Racer</span> (1967) programs to recent fare such as the <span style="font-style:italic;">Sailor Moon</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Pokemon</span> franchises. The field now boasts a healthy national fanbase on par with that of comic books or science fiction, and an anime convention is held somewhere in the U.S. every month.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWA-5s41JEnpJb31a27n7G1OP3-CNqCMqTI59JZWNeXfYjVRT16HljmzSO9hJCVUk_aYTLQ4ics1XFzW-IkVs_xeSmjrK55aHzGTUqt1Wf6ul9Q5VLnBPJMVEbfM7xQ2zElGTC6slI6g/s1600-h/Cap_Fanalysis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWA-5s41JEnpJb31a27n7G1OP3-CNqCMqTI59JZWNeXfYjVRT16HljmzSO9hJCVUk_aYTLQ4ics1XFzW-IkVs_xeSmjrK55aHzGTUqt1Wf6ul9Q5VLnBPJMVEbfM7xQ2zElGTC6slI6g/s320/Cap_Fanalysis.jpg" border="0" alt="Bruce Campbell - Fanalysis" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249274730854883650" /></a>Actor Bruce Campbell has endured enough book signings and fan conventions to have seen his fair share of extreme fandom. Fascinated by the variety, intensity, and often the creativity of it all, he decided to turn the camera around and examine the other side of the entertainer/audience relationship. In <a href="http://www.bruce-campbell.com/pilot.asp?pg=filmography-fanalysis" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Fanalysis</span></a> (2002), Campbell speaks with assorted conventioneers, reads excerpts from some of his more colorful fan mail, and ponders what separates the casual fan from the costumed zealot. This documentary short can be found on the <span style="font-style:italic;">The Evil Dead: Book of the Dead</span> special edition DVD.<br /><br /><br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-22040512623568248522008-07-29T04:46:00.000-07:002008-11-30T04:07:41.337-08:00Influence or Coincidence? True Blood vs. Jennifer's Body<div style="text-align: justify;">The image on the left is part of HBO's multi-faceted viral marketing campaign for their upcoming vampire show <span style="font-style:italic;">True Blood</span>. Just two days after this poster debuted, 20th Century Fox unveiled the teaser one-sheet for the upcoming film <span style="font-style:italic;">Jennifer's Body</span>. Although the two projects have very different stories, the marketing approach is strikingly similar.<br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllKb3sGkEh5lXI0S6Ps4D7tOZaCzL3ByP9JuRnbZ_RgiA-sYc0GkS-NV_r_vPY2JFoUq1PMJ-NdA8J-W35ewcxOfdXz3qfS0lXkRyb4ckjDPKWsHsHyfRTESt6yZTjP5fjAe4zKKTvAA/s1600-h/Poster_True+Blood.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllKb3sGkEh5lXI0S6Ps4D7tOZaCzL3ByP9JuRnbZ_RgiA-sYc0GkS-NV_r_vPY2JFoUq1PMJ-NdA8J-W35ewcxOfdXz3qfS0lXkRyb4ckjDPKWsHsHyfRTESt6yZTjP5fjAe4zKKTvAA/s200/Poster_True+Blood.jpg" border="0" alt="True Blood (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244364630824009826" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">True Blood</span><br />(2008)</td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwselD2GqdfOFjgPcfOoCcxuX22-mNHMKMN2Kh5UQr0cLFmeeLK7fci5x58qflC39xQubwrRugmdwas2S8gzstkFOoltinfWyTi7PkJmUgaqS4JbvBMEhe3OfDsQPQFaZLoU8yQ9EJp2E/s1600-h/Poster_Jennifer's+Body.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwselD2GqdfOFjgPcfOoCcxuX22-mNHMKMN2Kh5UQr0cLFmeeLK7fci5x58qflC39xQubwrRugmdwas2S8gzstkFOoltinfWyTi7PkJmUgaqS4JbvBMEhe3OfDsQPQFaZLoU8yQ9EJp2E/s200/Poster_Jennifer's+Body.jpg" border="0" alt="Jennifer's Body (2009)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244365765305485634" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Jennifer's Body</span><br />(2009)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1fILgY0a4JaRhJCU9d45phtD4rtQRzvoXf7y0ygg6rrhjchIogertXtVB5pHYDpYK-rBKV1QhtCZzO5KyYN9m7EaA9ONDFbpzfxT-USfUQwPXRALRejrxl-iHTlQE8KP1J0jYZrHNhY/s1600-h/Poster_Draghoula.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1fILgY0a4JaRhJCU9d45phtD4rtQRzvoXf7y0ygg6rrhjchIogertXtVB5pHYDpYK-rBKV1QhtCZzO5KyYN9m7EaA9ONDFbpzfxT-USfUQwPXRALRejrxl-iHTlQE8KP1J0jYZrHNhY/s200/Poster_Draghoula.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262879936381505474" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE 10/29/08</span></span><br />I recently found this poster for a little known horror flick called <span style="font-style:italic;">Draghoula</span> which used the familiar lip-licking closeup back in 1995.<br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-85097288028126524172008-04-01T16:04:00.000-07:002008-04-03T14:52:02.069-07:00The Sincerest Form of Flattery<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyx9HtMgtRoBScHqBjWrUZ8fKhICEoYPf_pSr-kMB2RmgbwoQ0cbQIoT_LPxaHxp-Ks3BzejxgvlJcs1JxdaGBVjMa35Vp3jTgULXtMFDEAdvZHLIecqh28KlAGwbYGYgwDRhLqu6B9E/s1600-h/Poster-American+Teen.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyx9HtMgtRoBScHqBjWrUZ8fKhICEoYPf_pSr-kMB2RmgbwoQ0cbQIoT_LPxaHxp-Ks3BzejxgvlJcs1JxdaGBVjMa35Vp3jTgULXtMFDEAdvZHLIecqh28KlAGwbYGYgwDRhLqu6B9E/s200/Poster-American+Teen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185128674345701522" /></a>The upcoming documentary <span style="font-style:italic;">American Teen</span> examines the various cliques within the senior class of an Indiana high school. The theatrical poster pays tribute to the artwork for another film that dealt with teen cliques, the '80s teen classic <span style="font-style:italic;">The Breakfast Club</span>.<br /><br />They did a very good job on matching the poses, but my favorite nod to the John Hughes film remains the original poster for <span style="font-style:italic;">the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2</span>. Released just a year after <span style="font-style:italic;">Breakfast Club</span>, it sent a clear message that the saw sequel would be much more fun than its brutal 1974 predecessor. It's a shame that MGM didn't keep this artwork when they released the film on DVD.<br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOrTgWoo197tOG-mjkHHhzjC-tOHaOdJrb10Uw-6fdRJWdgwLYUIRNPxfXHqG-VgqxrOQuIBGVmaGg8WIGfOgrRzXrHQJJcTUrX9rmqDLT2jFtWlYSE2HIgteUhnYfuyWNSPUZEhIADw/s1600-h/Poster-Breakfast+Club.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOrTgWoo197tOG-mjkHHhzjC-tOHaOdJrb10Uw-6fdRJWdgwLYUIRNPxfXHqG-VgqxrOQuIBGVmaGg8WIGfOgrRzXrHQJJcTUrX9rmqDLT2jFtWlYSE2HIgteUhnYfuyWNSPUZEhIADw/s200/Poster-Breakfast+Club.jpg" alt="The Breakfast Club (1985)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185135348724879522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Breakfast Club</span><br />(1985)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFteLUzHNJ-M0-RGcmz2mieUuLqqGiZZIRF_3IR2mESkMjb-l_I-HyMTRLjffxvmKGMru9LdHi7sxEk0-HJRlrf5IxZ69rpMUobygmLspVZGNeN8qFM-bl9UTsD91reXvY2d2hL11AFU/s1600-h/Poster-TCM2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFteLUzHNJ-M0-RGcmz2mieUuLqqGiZZIRF_3IR2mESkMjb-l_I-HyMTRLjffxvmKGMru9LdHi7sxEk0-HJRlrf5IxZ69rpMUobygmLspVZGNeN8qFM-bl9UTsD91reXvY2d2hL11AFU/s200/Poster-TCM2.jpg" alt="The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185135911365595314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Texas Chainsaw Massacre<br>Part 2</span><br />(1986)<p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Since it's April Fool's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to look back at a few other movie posters that spoofed an earlier film's artwork. Here's a handful of examples from the last couple of years.</div><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSxdANksYFTz7ZmqjMH_Wh32jZ5Kfh5miu0sGDWrCR_fxQVpGpmJRHuxrZpHaG3uPRZubwTJYcxf1tzHhc1NZPPjvAdMl3ND5rhndz-XzDtjoIfo4Ca1YoRQMZRu7lSdbsaaTxDOhYxc/s1600-h/Poster-Where+in+the+World.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSxdANksYFTz7ZmqjMH_Wh32jZ5Kfh5miu0sGDWrCR_fxQVpGpmJRHuxrZpHaG3uPRZubwTJYcxf1tzHhc1NZPPjvAdMl3ND5rhndz-XzDtjoIfo4Ca1YoRQMZRu7lSdbsaaTxDOhYxc/s200/Poster-Where+in+the+World.jpg" alt="Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185118237575172114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Where in the World<br>Is Osama Bin Laden</span><br />(2008)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzVWOkDwzT5QkztvUw5CCYchGSZ7N9ZsHKBQebH8gphe3dc6zPTH9JnGb2iOIvOcb3bD4f_miNd6M2riQ-nvpCWuFydkX19Iwa_4xH-XScELLJg3dXJTJsJ3JyWPmnrmiVX-xhPY-EoE/s1600-h/Poster-Raiders+of+the+Lost+Ark.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzVWOkDwzT5QkztvUw5CCYchGSZ7N9ZsHKBQebH8gphe3dc6zPTH9JnGb2iOIvOcb3bD4f_miNd6M2riQ-nvpCWuFydkX19Iwa_4xH-XScELLJg3dXJTJsJ3JyWPmnrmiVX-xhPY-EoE/s200/Poster-Raiders+of+the+Lost+Ark.jpg" alt="Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185118718611509282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Raiders of the Lost Ark</span><br />(1981)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVS2TyEq8FJ32HfMzaIAthzFfjnlzlFvHg6YuOUckZLpJ00AGZJlz1bD4MtQXhQBRVwA21d58o9MJjJeJDv6hX1AofwioBSH5XZNghy0xOm3pj3bC8ztxjcHzxC7Qu3MHkSaWXf3chl0/s1600-h/Poster-Fanboys.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVS2TyEq8FJ32HfMzaIAthzFfjnlzlFvHg6YuOUckZLpJ00AGZJlz1bD4MtQXhQBRVwA21d58o9MJjJeJDv6hX1AofwioBSH5XZNghy0xOm3pj3bC8ztxjcHzxC7Qu3MHkSaWXf3chl0/s200/Poster-Fanboys.jpg" alt="Fanboys (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185123352881221746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fanboys</span><br />(2008)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2d7neEn0so-me3yquAhWtG3nDkuHWm_K8jgc9X8cpu-yXG_xhuH3SqV98wq1tugKhHcMPXcEsU8MhQpEa3sRcYAdgBKMqeWIe8-3UD3blhgxdKgxTQALbqmDtuo97y4ih169bECfWmU/s1600-h/Poster-Return+of+the+Jedi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2d7neEn0so-me3yquAhWtG3nDkuHWm_K8jgc9X8cpu-yXG_xhuH3SqV98wq1tugKhHcMPXcEsU8MhQpEa3sRcYAdgBKMqeWIe8-3UD3blhgxdKgxTQALbqmDtuo97y4ih169bECfWmU/s200/Poster-Return+of+the+Jedi.jpg" alt="Return of the Jedi (1983)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185123773788016770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Return of the Jedi</span><br />(1983)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2GTp9n_lT3PdDZeN0_qjAealteP3pN0V4kjJfnMDf0IWdtIQtxMun2kmg3oNet1MWstByZl11Hd9T2KXiYvMCo0IrkZkBDLb2VUGZCtBc4koLK3z9PuaEIx7duaA21WPf0ivcXyQQnM/s1600-h/Poster-Delta+Farce.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2GTp9n_lT3PdDZeN0_qjAealteP3pN0V4kjJfnMDf0IWdtIQtxMun2kmg3oNet1MWstByZl11Hd9T2KXiYvMCo0IrkZkBDLb2VUGZCtBc4koLK3z9PuaEIx7duaA21WPf0ivcXyQQnM/s200/Poster-Delta+Farce.jpg" alt="Delta Farce (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185119796648300594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Delta Farce</span><br />(2007)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3Rg_OUfHmpZuX1al1JR_WY3Y46ChIhNYaHWXh6ibbhDAMfD8p95CuN0FX2P9SY0YWVqGCiHItjiVITIAVwUZh3UET0gEHNqaTnl4jkWJZrdNFXKQkwiUpnAWiybt8hkFydd0nJyaDA/s1600-h/Poster-Full+Metal+Jacket.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3Rg_OUfHmpZuX1al1JR_WY3Y46ChIhNYaHWXh6ibbhDAMfD8p95CuN0FX2P9SY0YWVqGCiHItjiVITIAVwUZh3UET0gEHNqaTnl4jkWJZrdNFXKQkwiUpnAWiybt8hkFydd0nJyaDA/s200/Poster-Full+Metal+Jacket.jpg" alt="Full Metal Jacket (1987)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185120488138035266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Full Metal Jacket</span><br />(1987)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhZCqxl86-8_s44Y7EyUGpZqpAxeFNkp4Q8yiMZ-fb0HFpJHnqIOIjC5oG4t_G5ySMdfBPcziFT2Ai4MCauEz5A4T5uU0FD1wQXYq9VAQ4ASSMkzIkKa8Z0pTEeeEwYuj3skotZZDYoA/s1600-h/Poster-Epic+Movie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhZCqxl86-8_s44Y7EyUGpZqpAxeFNkp4Q8yiMZ-fb0HFpJHnqIOIjC5oG4t_G5ySMdfBPcziFT2Ai4MCauEz5A4T5uU0FD1wQXYq9VAQ4ASSMkzIkKa8Z0pTEeeEwYuj3skotZZDYoA/s200/Poster-Epic+Movie.jpg" alt="Epic Movie (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185139188425642178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Epic Movie</span><br />(2007)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GCjLuIbsOI2VK8AiKgQsAHltrfUtIstKru3e_D1CWPQrmx1g_rltPxgZwaBKiDrG-CKUMSPjC8MWwoYNNMhgikCIumxp4wWeoRCzcPwhtS06UF084YYmGip-EwqN1IVjNvIVHK8H_IM/s1600-h/Poster-Charlie+Chocolate.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GCjLuIbsOI2VK8AiKgQsAHltrfUtIstKru3e_D1CWPQrmx1g_rltPxgZwaBKiDrG-CKUMSPjC8MWwoYNNMhgikCIumxp4wWeoRCzcPwhtS06UF084YYmGip-EwqN1IVjNvIVHK8H_IM/s200/Poster-Charlie+Chocolate.jpg" alt="Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185139609332437202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Charlie and the<br>Chocolate Factory</span><br />(2005)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi6mkEk1VxaVd_aWm1kQv4l5YAjdb-L1lmA-5qyQqam7GLVbYE4kuSB1Oim9SmWSqqbJkGuKIRWDhPLxkXadZJZGcDCCEbt2XPzFE-IUgRPox14aOB1SfRiv34hkeIDWKcZqsAK0xT8A/s1600-h/Poster-Scary+Movie+4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi6mkEk1VxaVd_aWm1kQv4l5YAjdb-L1lmA-5qyQqam7GLVbYE4kuSB1Oim9SmWSqqbJkGuKIRWDhPLxkXadZJZGcDCCEbt2XPzFE-IUgRPox14aOB1SfRiv34hkeIDWKcZqsAK0xT8A/s200/Poster-Scary+Movie+4.jpg" alt="Scary Movie 4 (2006)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185121630599336034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Scary Movie 4</span><br />(2006)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqLYg5PODB3rAbxaNGnjoI2te37YPwxI4OOZzjrvQIrmZ4ej798mD8BcYqTM1UrMjMNGSTxW0xZG_528S3OkIwDJfjuKMtTcELsdo_NKZvMiK3_0jpmU7TIQLvn4jcZxNVKFCcWIC-iE/s1600-h/Poster-Grudge.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqLYg5PODB3rAbxaNGnjoI2te37YPwxI4OOZzjrvQIrmZ4ej798mD8BcYqTM1UrMjMNGSTxW0xZG_528S3OkIwDJfjuKMtTcELsdo_NKZvMiK3_0jpmU7TIQLvn4jcZxNVKFCcWIC-iE/s200/Poster-Grudge.jpg" alt="The Grudge (2004)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185121201102606418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Grudge</span><br />(2004)</td></tr></tbody></table>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-19176040836565828282008-03-31T22:02:00.001-07:002008-09-28T03:15:10.677-07:00Coming Distractions<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IUUXgAFcb_r149NkiIIl806qFcGH6bglvUqV3PKuRgmk8o4DnJp-DTUs803UCVjUBy5xsFWbULPLyQX15draBaOMYZk4ufbfYAQ6oidmL6z8Cj6NTPFD1P5ALcmF8iJkFSsr1HFldlA/s1600-h/Batman-Harvey+Dent.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IUUXgAFcb_r149NkiIIl806qFcGH6bglvUqV3PKuRgmk8o4DnJp-DTUs803UCVjUBy5xsFWbULPLyQX15draBaOMYZk4ufbfYAQ6oidmL6z8Cj6NTPFD1P5ALcmF8iJkFSsr1HFldlA/s200/Batman-Harvey+Dent.jpg" alt="The Dark Knight - Harvey Dent ad" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184380229049732914" border="0" /></a>The promotional campaign for the Batman sequel <span style="font-style:italic;">The Dark Knight</span> has been impressive with its creative and engaging mix of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_marketing" target="blank">viral</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_media" target="blank">ambient</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experiential_marketing" target="blank">experiential</a> marketing. The film doesn't even arrive until July of 2008, but Warner Bros. started planting seeds online back in May of 2007. This build-up has utilized faux websites, international scavenger hunts, and mobile phone messages to heighten the awareness and interest of the movie-going public.<br /><br />To compete for attention in environments that are over-saturated with advertising, media companies are forced to experiment with innovative and unconventional methods of promotion. Audiences have become so jaded that it takes something really clever, humorous, or just plain shocking to trump consumer apathy and ad blindness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrfJAuKzn2XtGPQ7zH9dNoxyxEtNv304aGCuqPvJgJXF2O-Oa-IGFIqFkT4RDXtnN65mTmMyUEWg94f2qckdbGtrIe4y6yCypbOQ1cKVZFmSmY2v1rfeGME8O40-63uuqDg85gpObhe0/s1600-h/ATHF-%5BBoston%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrfJAuKzn2XtGPQ7zH9dNoxyxEtNv304aGCuqPvJgJXF2O-Oa-IGFIqFkT4RDXtnN65mTmMyUEWg94f2qckdbGtrIe4y6yCypbOQ1cKVZFmSmY2v1rfeGME8O40-63uuqDg85gpObhe0/s200/ATHF-%5BBoston%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Mooninite placard" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184482560940527442" /></a>Forgoing the traditional advertising approaches will help keep a film from getting lost in the crowd, but it also brings a new set of risks to the table. The public might be confused and misinterpret the campaign, or worse, not even realize that something is being advertised.<br /><br />Last year, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Boston_bomb_scare" target="blank">guerrilla marketing efforts for the <span style="font-style:italic;">Aqua Teen Hunger Force</span></a> movie went awry when Boston police mistook the electronic placards for improvised explosive devices. Although Cartoon Network's parent company Turner Broadcasting had to pay a couple million dollars in recompensation to the city, the wealth of news coverage from the event provided more publicity for the film than the channel's original marketing plan ever could have.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS9x4yj0VzkVuSLsAX5j8u2P22U4WvjL56OUMRZlMlhq_RE8dP_-n2St9XRSGa8j8MLxXGg-DgPPvuKElz9Fzs05p3z-6Fx2vqhKdXgIJPT7h63hUvHzuYJA-eKbYydY7nfC_QRb9Emo/s1600-h/Fantastic+4-Quarter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS9x4yj0VzkVuSLsAX5j8u2P22U4WvjL56OUMRZlMlhq_RE8dP_-n2St9XRSGa8j8MLxXGg-DgPPvuKElz9Fzs05p3z-6Fx2vqhKdXgIJPT7h63hUvHzuYJA-eKbYydY7nfC_QRb9Emo/s200/Fantastic+4-Quarter.jpg" border="0" alt="Fantastic Four - Silver Surfer quarter" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184506488203333474" /></a>Twentieth Century Fox must have thought they had the ultimate viral marketing campaign for <span style="font-style:italic;">Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer</span>. The studio had commemorative coin company the Franklin Mint alter the backs of 40,000 U.S. quarters to promote the movie's summer release. The modified coins featured an image of the Silver Surfer and the URL of the film's official website.<br /><br />Within days of releasing the custom currency into circulation, Fox received notice from the U.S. Mint that advertising on any form of legal tender was a federal crime. The news had fans seeking out the controversial coins, and the studio no doubt saw the resulting fine as a small price to pay for such publicity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTpOsWGZr8POckpJpULWzkBMzKjJrhvuvuoUVwDshkg8l6tuI3ZK7T4jO6_imOmHjp4c_zatdnGsSJk_XFt875X3ee-YoTVwBEezDmIqGaqyUEhkm7V6SEl-Zw40ejd9QDqQzuUBpZBo/s1600-h/Simpsons+Movie-%5BEngland%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTpOsWGZr8POckpJpULWzkBMzKjJrhvuvuoUVwDshkg8l6tuI3ZK7T4jO6_imOmHjp4c_zatdnGsSJk_XFt875X3ee-YoTVwBEezDmIqGaqyUEhkm7V6SEl-Zw40ejd9QDqQzuUBpZBo/s320/Simpsons+Movie-%5BEngland%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="The Simpson Movie - Giant Homer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184512526927351666" /></a>Also that summer, Fox insulted modern pagans when they hired British artist Peter Stuart to put a massive Homer Simpson next to the carving of the giant hill figure at Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England. The image depicted Homer in his underwear and wielding a donut in his left hand. The promotional stunt garnered plenty of press, and in turn, even more publicity for the studio's already over-hyped release of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Simpsons Movie</span>. While the famously phallic geoglyph is a chalk figure carved into the hillside, the giant Homer was just a fleeting joke, rendered in water-soluble, biodegradable paint.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VC5F52FSu6kAa1lQW3rKPAZhRGnQjMYv_3_aphzADuzZ509qDRFin_bRk9qDhev8bHvD1ZX-PvqwcX4YEQO_jjCmfjrRPHeVd1RmNY0-bwCMp7t2Ey-ZQL4hj8_42K-0JmxwDh8h_HM/s1600-h/Water+Horse-%5BTokyo%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VC5F52FSu6kAa1lQW3rKPAZhRGnQjMYv_3_aphzADuzZ509qDRFin_bRk9qDhev8bHvD1ZX-PvqwcX4YEQO_jjCmfjrRPHeVd1RmNY0-bwCMp7t2Ey-ZQL4hj8_42K-0JmxwDh8h_HM/s320/Water+Horse-%5BTokyo%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="The Day After Tomorrow - Submerged billboard" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184450013678358338" /></a>Sony dipped into the Disneyland trick bag to trumpet the opening of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep</span> in Japan. A hologram-like image of the Loch Ness legend rose out of Tokyo Bay to astonished onlookers. The illusion was produced by a very precise interaction between water, light, and sound. Computer controlled water jets created a 15-meter wide liquid screen onto which the images were projected. Disney theme parks pioneered this kind of hydrotechnic display over fifteen years ago in their nightly <span style="font-style:italic;">Fantasmic!</span> show. Watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0TpDxLfjHc" target="blank">a report of the event from Fuji News Network</a>, or for an unedited angle, there's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHDT8cfY6jA" target="blank">a Japanese onlooker's video</a> as well.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cYH0oeklDW0WpRha1s67EPMFlkadpY4lO-ZbH7YYRntbrvR6V2WZyzD3fgQq0aAha5izvq6gNSlh7-9jwoUClz3LiSdYcQLMcFsMqwNdrmL4gatAMvllqX987Mbvst1b0y9mzzTei4U/s1600-h/Day+After+Tomorrow-%5BIndia%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cYH0oeklDW0WpRha1s67EPMFlkadpY4lO-ZbH7YYRntbrvR6V2WZyzD3fgQq0aAha5izvq6gNSlh7-9jwoUClz3LiSdYcQLMcFsMqwNdrmL4gatAMvllqX987Mbvst1b0y9mzzTei4U/s320/Day+After+Tomorrow-%5BIndia%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184525978764922754" /></a>The apocalyptic weather in <span style="font-style:italic;">The Day After Tomorrow</span> inspired the creative location of this billboard. The idea is simple and echoes the film's plot wonderfully. It was placed just off the coast of Mumbai, India, to promote screenings at the local multiplex Fame-Adlabs.<br /><br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDNSGkBobKacxLcVJOpVJ1ZCt2-Ikk9b2ttAY_AQQq6aHx4l1dGGkVn3yskimftW7FpCKhsdirDiSJdSF8PfGRozwf-5SXaF0S8mQpyzaCZZQ_T-oPDfEkq1o2Wsu4VaRvNBC9WC8bz4/s1600-h/Spider-Man+2+%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDNSGkBobKacxLcVJOpVJ1ZCt2-Ikk9b2ttAY_AQQq6aHx4l1dGGkVn3yskimftW7FpCKhsdirDiSJdSF8PfGRozwf-5SXaF0S8mQpyzaCZZQ_T-oPDfEkq1o2Wsu4VaRvNBC9WC8bz4/s200/Spider-Man+2+%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184761102454575010" border="0" /></a></td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFli9CEdTdECMJXP7m7eqyO39L72jmMoNEULKRbltYm5ZL7FNs4b2iNDWXkF3ICqDrfViPaP8ZYW0HaNuXt-5Q8culFGTD49M7uPPANqM6DxPT1A8m92pKf1JgMJ0BRmTd8nol6R2ekw/s1600-h/Spider-Man+2+%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFli9CEdTdECMJXP7m7eqyO39L72jmMoNEULKRbltYm5ZL7FNs4b2iNDWXkF3ICqDrfViPaP8ZYW0HaNuXt-5Q8culFGTD49M7uPPANqM6DxPT1A8m92pKf1JgMJ0BRmTd8nol6R2ekw/s200/Spider-Man+2+%5B2%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184761935678230450" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>When <span style="font-style:italic;">Spider-Man 2</span> came to India, the same group installed a clever sight gag in the men's bathroom. This simple promotional effort hits all the right notes--it's humorous, hard to miss, and very memorable.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqWPcNtJtw3TauG73QKSTUlJimvx4Cd9XDlQ2F8kgG8bc-Zz-UQu1lHA0xOKwkhw4hv0qkQyLcuODjnkAseF0vD8ncs62L69m_lIEyeKaqAnD7vzcaqwb_eytl46cIHAWdbbzs2UsIaY/s1600-h/Dude+Where%27s+My+Car-%5BHK%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqWPcNtJtw3TauG73QKSTUlJimvx4Cd9XDlQ2F8kgG8bc-Zz-UQu1lHA0xOKwkhw4hv0qkQyLcuODjnkAseF0vD8ncs62L69m_lIEyeKaqAnD7vzcaqwb_eytl46cIHAWdbbzs2UsIaY/s320/Dude+Where%27s+My+Car-%5BHK%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="Dude, Where's My Car - Guerrilla ad" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184530497070518162" /></a>STAR Movies made clever use of ambient marketing with these parking space ads for the Asian network's premiere of <span style="font-style:italic;">Dude, Where's My Car?</span> in Hong Kong.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVIhOpA0ruTAdkg1Cx0VrCQOD0Xe-hxfNfRZzEjiH3djsDizIGg4sksOKvZsPLBXtvYkYXvpITz7r-RLWpHMGCn-3R6eUZoE85suoQ_OX5plAIdr-oprX69MiGFaF5XqScgEtsA8KhuA/s1600-h/Jurassic+Park+2-%5BHK%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVIhOpA0ruTAdkg1Cx0VrCQOD0Xe-hxfNfRZzEjiH3djsDizIGg4sksOKvZsPLBXtvYkYXvpITz7r-RLWpHMGCn-3R6eUZoE85suoQ_OX5plAIdr-oprX69MiGFaF5XqScgEtsA8KhuA/s320/Jurassic+Park+2-%5BHK%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="The Lost World - Guerrila ad" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184817873332293570" /></a>Another inspired ad placement from STAR Movies in Hong Kong. The image is printed on removable static cling vinyl and when affixed to a car's side mirror, it recalls a famous shot from <span style="font-style:italic;">The Lost World: Jurassic Park</span>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZT3niM8Y44_IUfj66PbR2a7q1WKP85K_Ik9rdKbhfujVxoZdmBeAVje0lavV0z6A81OAGhDr6u3Z_JIwTRSQbzmA39iQ87YNVpfFXzumBG8tz_wDPGsVUF2kraAlr7UJYVNeEzh_kgI/s1600-h/Death+Proof-%5BAmsterdam%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZT3niM8Y44_IUfj66PbR2a7q1WKP85K_Ik9rdKbhfujVxoZdmBeAVje0lavV0z6A81OAGhDr6u3Z_JIwTRSQbzmA39iQ87YNVpfFXzumBG8tz_wDPGsVUF2kraAlr7UJYVNeEzh_kgI/s320/Death+Proof-%5BAmsterdam%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="Death Proof - Ambient Ad" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185117206783021042" /></a>Several movie theaters throughout the Netherlands grabbed the attention of passers-by with a realistic severed arm gag placed in front of their establishments. The fake limb gripped a dummy DVD announcing that Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof" was now showing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KQPAcCKHSdMNT3fjlWmPdLSms7hPrB3N02c8XX9fK2VKB6JlhACuJhQrfXP_YwxcRfgZb57fvgfZk2FV48unLfviLU1NO_Mk8pf3YhnOdqQiJsKV_EmaeYeV25rfEvKzUyXCHDkvqDg/s1600-h/Sopranos-%5BRussia-2%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KQPAcCKHSdMNT3fjlWmPdLSms7hPrB3N02c8XX9fK2VKB6JlhACuJhQrfXP_YwxcRfgZb57fvgfZk2FV48unLfviLU1NO_Mk8pf3YhnOdqQiJsKV_EmaeYeV25rfEvKzUyXCHDkvqDg/s320/Sopranos-%5BRussia-2%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="Sopranos - Taxicab trunk gag" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184868034255343586" /></a>This same trick was used earlier in a Russian ad campaign for HBO's <span style="font-style:italic;">The Sopranos</span>. Local cabs had folks doing double takes when it appeared that a dead mobster's arm was dangling from the trunk. Bumper stickers bearing the show's logo were strategically placed to keep people from needlessly calling the authorities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwov7XhrvYPHgGnQo1CKQWUO6u1slNDYMsECTw666K8AxChziWWRSYutpXu101vQMxmo-l0n3HFqjqbC1H_UcnrsELZPhQfbtGrdUYNN1TQcMJn9WgEL9dnvznkxT2cRxfmXJ0aSu383k/s1600-h/Sopranos+%5BNY-2%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwov7XhrvYPHgGnQo1CKQWUO6u1slNDYMsECTw666K8AxChziWWRSYutpXu101vQMxmo-l0n3HFqjqbC1H_UcnrsELZPhQfbtGrdUYNN1TQcMJn9WgEL9dnvznkxT2cRxfmXJ0aSu383k/s320/Sopranos+%5BNY-2%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="Sopranos - New York Cab Arm Gag" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242896242600513938" /></a>Interestingly, an identical guerrilla tactic was used in New York for an <a href="http://www.adcglobal.org/archive/yg/?year=3&id=34#0" target="blank">Art Directors Club Young Guns</a> advertising assignment.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUktveej_ZgRhUUqEu_Ng6wGzgW5OZ2fMngs3ZWhkOCjYwAE4y513zh6MQPeL8ERZctE5LrzAW9NWLjBSq7zvcbN1QvoisfqWtZE9JQyY57rePguDP3Cjn5qeOKXbr0fgF5kPDcqIKlaw/s1600-h/CSI-%5BSingapore%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUktveej_ZgRhUUqEu_Ng6wGzgW5OZ2fMngs3ZWhkOCjYwAE4y513zh6MQPeL8ERZctE5LrzAW9NWLjBSq7zvcbN1QvoisfqWtZE9JQyY57rePguDP3Cjn5qeOKXbr0fgF5kPDcqIKlaw/s320/CSI-%5BSingapore%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185117361401843714" /></a>The line between cleverness and poor taste is becoming increasingly blurred as advertisers strive to make an impression. This faux crime scene in a Singapore bathroom for the <span style="font-style:italic;">CSI</span> TV series is undoubtedly successful at conveying the show's morbid milieu. However, it must have startled and confused a number of restroom visitors who weren't so pop culture savvy.<br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqba9hyro-_g08L1iE-i-QnIFZNNXfY4wUY_f9mkL2DKrXX9Mn6-NGP8C8338DKBPIR8pXCLivLA03DGGZYgLox5N7duuYJxenz_ABOnR0z_DgnyjRvC1R-WT2bkUq4ClI_z4N4yXIq_w/s1600-h/Kill+Bill-%5BIndia-1%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqba9hyro-_g08L1iE-i-QnIFZNNXfY4wUY_f9mkL2DKrXX9Mn6-NGP8C8338DKBPIR8pXCLivLA03DGGZYgLox5N7duuYJxenz_ABOnR0z_DgnyjRvC1R-WT2bkUq4ClI_z4N4yXIq_w/s200/Kill+Bill-%5BIndia-1%5D.jpg" alt="Kill Bill - Stall Ad (India)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242905044608169986" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><br /></td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLkxMBxm9p7qcCM5NkLFb8vzCqQlFgkI7fItY1cswfA7rkPvIwHY6WpjxqzUBuxwwntXtITaUcyTn0w3YbPTqUrzbrezKvNGwGKBdn4kciLALciv8PhLdVtpxML1xB6vm7UgNx_QSsdM/s1600-h/Kill+Bill-%5BIndia-2%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLkxMBxm9p7qcCM5NkLFb8vzCqQlFgkI7fItY1cswfA7rkPvIwHY6WpjxqzUBuxwwntXtITaUcyTn0w3YbPTqUrzbrezKvNGwGKBdn4kciLALciv8PhLdVtpxML1xB6vm7UgNx_QSsdM/s200/Kill+Bill-%5BIndia-2%5D.jpg" alt="Kill Bill - Stall Ad" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242905628492997762" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><br /></td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpVZVwy7apNUKvZfFeMsfGjDVy1z3vrjI29V74GMVna0BEqOeYMUgQRA-n7uGoXLyvNKlk0J9Acx7hBvtpyzYIv0bGK9Drr7tY6bSDMFbok6Qo3YuUsdkLU3b8HwNhFp0pptfSl9fMEo/s1600-h/Kill+Bill-%5BIndia-3%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpVZVwy7apNUKvZfFeMsfGjDVy1z3vrjI29V74GMVna0BEqOeYMUgQRA-n7uGoXLyvNKlk0J9Acx7hBvtpyzYIv0bGK9Drr7tY6bSDMFbok6Qo3YuUsdkLU3b8HwNhFp0pptfSl9fMEo/s200/Kill+Bill-%5BIndia-3%5D.jpg" alt="Kill Bad - India" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242906270130181154" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This promotional stunt for <span style="font-style:italic;">Kill Bill</span> in India is bolder still. The adhesive floor gag only pays off when you actually enter the stall, leaving more squeamish individuals to seek out another restroom.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpNBUMdUdYRepHz-DGw9nVW3_6d_Up6_VJ7q6WOgbs8O1Xl1E7M5CCu6e1l4xvgGKLaX3s8HFrVcwClOYT_L5Gl5GSXwLZ8QrXVwZe3p4fmzV54vprdPF-E8NbzcgWBwDGZdDk8nfstU/s1600-h/Kill-Bill-%5BNZ%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpNBUMdUdYRepHz-DGw9nVW3_6d_Up6_VJ7q6WOgbs8O1Xl1E7M5CCu6e1l4xvgGKLaX3s8HFrVcwClOYT_L5Gl5GSXwLZ8QrXVwZe3p4fmzV54vprdPF-E8NbzcgWBwDGZdDk8nfstU/s320/Kill-Bill-%5BNZ%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242914266345627554" /></a><br />The bloodiness of <span style="font-style:italic;">Kill Bill</span> is effectively illustrated by this billboard promoting the premiere of the film on New Zealand cable television. Transcending the confines of the advertisement's frame, the gore not only coated the surrounding wall, but it sprayed a nearby prop car for a nice mix of traditional and ambient marketing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwF92gvmO8fFknRnjQunN-Sj2scjO8uGdetTOQ50DZs77fMn8addSmualzZ8WXrjtPVdz9RuX9oDAe_vbkglxUTwe2Gntcw1Hs40J4X0EU8rSVjRGvfzx1hCurvrWthaHOfRTecOvgAX4/s1600-h/kill_bill_ad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwF92gvmO8fFknRnjQunN-Sj2scjO8uGdetTOQ50DZs77fMn8addSmualzZ8WXrjtPVdz9RuX9oDAe_vbkglxUTwe2Gntcw1Hs40J4X0EU8rSVjRGvfzx1hCurvrWthaHOfRTecOvgAX4/s320/kill_bill_ad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242919316993360034" /></a>One more example of innovative Kill Bill marketing, this time making good use of the way elevator doors open.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_F2hLBsQ_GHv7eVvqKKYBvViXf7n7xGT_C4GBV0bVCeYhgDlmTiesDAnxeDXjbhtAprPy8lfhTXGb52QI8ZcSgO7kVuXhgLjHMhfWZUi9rHGBOS7GN6H9OBspTr1p42Ch21lNnXK7fw/s1600-h/Superman+Returns+%5BBrazil-%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_F2hLBsQ_GHv7eVvqKKYBvViXf7n7xGT_C4GBV0bVCeYhgDlmTiesDAnxeDXjbhtAprPy8lfhTXGb52QI8ZcSgO7kVuXhgLjHMhfWZUi9rHGBOS7GN6H9OBspTr1p42Ch21lNnXK7fw/s320/Superman+Returns+%5BBrazil-%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242921566441136834" /></a>The effect is even more suited to this campaign for <span style="font-style:italic;">Superman Returns</span> in Brazil.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPUjphBh3Qj3X8ravKh6MaYHTp47NstrXA5Nto0O1sfV4Ge5z-edQv0FiW-iNE_6J0hGbydM6dvT703u7hDcGS0_ycXGC4UX0JRozHWfooMKrt_IGzJzkuvsjaplj4-c5LStFmrtbcH8/s1600-h/Catch+Me+If+You+Can+%5BHK%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPUjphBh3Qj3X8ravKh6MaYHTp47NstrXA5Nto0O1sfV4Ge5z-edQv0FiW-iNE_6J0hGbydM6dvT703u7hDcGS0_ycXGC4UX0JRozHWfooMKrt_IGzJzkuvsjaplj4-c5LStFmrtbcH8/s320/Catch+Me+If+You+Can+%5BHK%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242922902478563730" /></a>The multiple panels of a revolving door can also be effectively utilized, as shown by this simple ad for <span style="font-style:italic;">Catch Me If You Can</span> in Hong Kong.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wmCsPSTnWZU_82IKzWs2ChnvsdYcB-_-e_xvFFURUai_dcVo3l_rPf11IUunRBcciQT7c0hhWWfncx5sEpyhurs3HZbGx6Q8xcDxuBhwHQpwMllNxrvS4tfXGihIxzDgXm9oGMYGUNk/s1600-h/Natl+Geo+%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wmCsPSTnWZU_82IKzWs2ChnvsdYcB-_-e_xvFFURUai_dcVo3l_rPf11IUunRBcciQT7c0hhWWfncx5sEpyhurs3HZbGx6Q8xcDxuBhwHQpwMllNxrvS4tfXGihIxzDgXm9oGMYGUNk/s320/Natl+Geo+%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242924868846467762" /></a>Even something as mundane as the doors of a bus can be enhanced with an inspired idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2mivrQeNFzF_7yGX0Mnh9SUUSgesNkyPlH-FUCLy3SVeCOCgUZ3TqzJA9HTAMmMrTPH6G-7_5X04d_ead6SQ1UU0CGFl9gA11skGuFNHO9P5KqCG8n2Q1Kmhb45wjOwv4uDVXhl9WbE/s1600-h/Natl+Geo+%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2mivrQeNFzF_7yGX0Mnh9SUUSgesNkyPlH-FUCLy3SVeCOCgUZ3TqzJA9HTAMmMrTPH6G-7_5X04d_ead6SQ1UU0CGFl9gA11skGuFNHO9P5KqCG8n2Q1Kmhb45wjOwv4uDVXhl9WbE/s320/Natl+Geo+%5B2%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242925223989269826" /></a>This shark-themed wraparound ad for the National Geographic Channel is very eye-catching and truly memorable.<br /><br /><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ijv_9S_f_6Yi0E21BAuxqcSUPVP0L4RaVruHvShN505uQGrpt5iG9jIy6ZDReVCMFIwn9BE1Gd4dUjYnelK5T12ZuTdREgvvFbFbrfK86wTO1fbaf_bUz8DM_G-PS8lRoRfWkRZcsFc/s1600-h/Superman+Returns-%5BBelgium-2%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ijv_9S_f_6Yi0E21BAuxqcSUPVP0L4RaVruHvShN505uQGrpt5iG9jIy6ZDReVCMFIwn9BE1Gd4dUjYnelK5T12ZuTdREgvvFbFbrfK86wTO1fbaf_bUz8DM_G-PS8lRoRfWkRZcsFc/s200/Superman+Returns-%5BBelgium-2%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242927857102651538" border="0" /></a><br /></td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY_kDqBmb-fgs4vB03zqbXmrirKjQTux41UeUy_vF_5cVJf7PSjk2j-uWVmzaSgVgBw68KrkGByxapqXp4PlxvYbjWPFE0nsVX9VTonT47D0CIqoeRZ-Z-tLm_Rep84lPVgi8qhAIUBw/s1600-h/Superman+Returns-%5BBelgium-1%5D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY_kDqBmb-fgs4vB03zqbXmrirKjQTux41UeUy_vF_5cVJf7PSjk2j-uWVmzaSgVgBw68KrkGByxapqXp4PlxvYbjWPFE0nsVX9VTonT47D0CIqoeRZ-Z-tLm_Rep84lPVgi8qhAIUBw/s200/Superman+Returns-%5BBelgium-1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242927185314480770" border="0" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>With a simple twist, conventional methods of advertising can be elevated to higher levels of noticeability. A flat poster for <span style="font-style:italic;">Superman Returns</span> becomes an amusing optical illusion thanks to a clever incorporation of the ubiquitous grey light poles in downtown Belgium.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTYS_TAolEKCBC8FPaUsGZjSrRfNrJ7c76IuwqxwKKi7HI71roiAig1iIdz5cAd5x58uMrJSx5QT0wwDaGMyjKsAweASFjyE4y8Vl5zwM5NM-L0TjPP9WFKDcLEYMTGSmg5AzBJCZG8U/s1600-h/Ugly+Betty-%5BFrance%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTYS_TAolEKCBC8FPaUsGZjSrRfNrJ7c76IuwqxwKKi7HI71roiAig1iIdz5cAd5x58uMrJSx5QT0wwDaGMyjKsAweASFjyE4y8Vl5zwM5NM-L0TjPP9WFKDcLEYMTGSmg5AzBJCZG8U/s320/Ugly+Betty-%5BFrance%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242931235689141826" /></a>An otherwise unremarkable <span style="font-style:italic;">Ugly Betty</span> spot becomes much more with the placement of an oversized paper bag over the sign. The covering draws attention while also evoking the stereotype of the title character. Just the vital information is still showing (what show, what time, and what channel).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3cAKAE__MSTv89e88NepKkkZIUQgnB0MNtLkymT8-mUv2nHJYG9EAI9MflHBKDm1FOBUTGegEXN3MVBGdh_7vwy9D018HVDuX3CxinpsCLbNP-O1PA2JGgcCgFPg2QrarJS3QbR0cZc/s1600-h/Star+Wars+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3cAKAE__MSTv89e88NepKkkZIUQgnB0MNtLkymT8-mUv2nHJYG9EAI9MflHBKDm1FOBUTGegEXN3MVBGdh_7vwy9D018HVDuX3CxinpsCLbNP-O1PA2JGgcCgFPg2QrarJS3QbR0cZc/s320/Star+Wars+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242932916343809330" /></a>And finally, this inspired use of the bulbs behind the sign brilliantly brings to mind a trio of <span style="font-style:italic;">Star Wars</span> light sabers, while simultaneously announcing the arrival of the third installment in George Lucas's latest trilogy.<br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-84639809278924326952008-03-31T10:26:00.000-07:002008-03-31T21:51:36.916-07:00Tarsem Channels Dali<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fall</span>, Tarsem Singh's follow-up feature to <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cell</span>, is finally hitting theaters after a two-year delay. The poster art features a pair of eyes peering through a rectangular mask, with a nose and mouth suggested in the combined imagery of a butterfly, flower petals and the Taj Mahal's silhouette. The layout reminds me of Salvador Dali's 1935 painting, "Face of Mae West (Usable as a Surrealist Apartment)."<br /></div><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOklDXuqWuZnD1SBUKSaeqgSfzqbu4s1Juu1wpfgR1E8v7jdg5ZpGGQxMe4A_NMMOknzJ9I5SRVUp232onbjJ3MsPwFuQHBH8PzsekoeGcu1T-Gj9zq_r07aJwBIH2y6BOWISY2kYIAk/s1600-h/IMG-Dali_Mae-West.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOklDXuqWuZnD1SBUKSaeqgSfzqbu4s1Juu1wpfgR1E8v7jdg5ZpGGQxMe4A_NMMOknzJ9I5SRVUp232onbjJ3MsPwFuQHBH8PzsekoeGcu1T-Gj9zq_r07aJwBIH2y6BOWISY2kYIAk/s200/IMG-Dali_Mae-West.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184112369119350546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Face of Mae West</span><br />(1935)</td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUttPedXwVwkop23bj7emybXb1P4vaARsQaDCmOqig7oeQpYBDT-TuUHia2XLgy2OsNG6BghUiY19QuhW-cwGfNegSgEAwYMX7qqSfaCDl-5m1beD86w8nMXMb7qVVAPfkMi-RTx_pmc/s1600-h/Poster-The+Fall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUttPedXwVwkop23bj7emybXb1P4vaARsQaDCmOqig7oeQpYBDT-TuUHia2XLgy2OsNG6BghUiY19QuhW-cwGfNegSgEAwYMX7qqSfaCDl-5m1beD86w8nMXMb7qVVAPfkMi-RTx_pmc/s200/Poster-The+Fall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184114508013063970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fall</span><br />(2008)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />See also: <a href="http://focuspull.blogspot.com/2008/02/hidden-images-in-horror-movie-art.html">Hidden Images in Horror Movie Art</a>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-62409663139502966072008-03-22T00:41:00.000-07:002008-11-27T14:18:38.515-08:00Déjà View: Sex and Breakfast vs. Manchild<div style="text-align: justify;">The DVD artwork for the recently released <span style="font-style:italic;">Sex and Breakfast</span> features a cluster of naked male and female legs poking out from the end of a sofa. Such imagery is often used to convey the playful romps inherent in a modern day sex comedy (for example, the posters for <a href="http://www.impawards.com/2008/virgin_territory.html">Virgin Territory</a>, <a href="http://www.impawards.com/2006/shortbus_ver5.html">Shortbus</a> and <a href="http://www.impawards.com/2001/all_over_the_guy.html">All Over the Guy</a>). It struck me as very typical, but I otherwise didn't give too much thought to the cover design.<br /><br />A few weeks later I happened across the first season of the British TV series <span style="font-style:italic;">Manchild</span>. The cover of the American DVD version features a very familiar jumble of naked legs poking out from the end of a sofa.<br /></div><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AlwV_fQqjMmmvmQ-IWqfKVZRP5k8Yfj4nQFrilDeWd76DvEWuPXh2BejrYN2XVaiMblgCT6zbo-IWoMrGKzFVnyCvQ_K1R2-b8fviD6yEZwMXr87OnzVArQU5R3qTatlCqvC4xkEXr8/s1600-h/DVD-Manchild.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AlwV_fQqjMmmvmQ-IWqfKVZRP5k8Yfj4nQFrilDeWd76DvEWuPXh2BejrYN2XVaiMblgCT6zbo-IWoMrGKzFVnyCvQ_K1R2-b8fviD6yEZwMXr87OnzVArQU5R3qTatlCqvC4xkEXr8/s200/DVD-Manchild.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180472998516313698" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Manchild</span> Season 1<br />(2004)</td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZStxI2DG282BS9De_mOPhUtXqRlLkXUNH_kZmrswiEoj-sKrh3v9sCFTNmxCu_htMaxaJWCuJKVPzGb4tiWYaMNqBKYn8DCUlyA3Wio8Qtw0ftXKFMB4_1_c42ISkpaI3nPzIOStSfM/s1600-h/DVD-Sex+%26+Breakfast.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZStxI2DG282BS9De_mOPhUtXqRlLkXUNH_kZmrswiEoj-sKrh3v9sCFTNmxCu_htMaxaJWCuJKVPzGb4tiWYaMNqBKYn8DCUlyA3Wio8Qtw0ftXKFMB4_1_c42ISkpaI3nPzIOStSfM/s200/DVD-Sex+%26+Breakfast.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180473818855067250" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Sex and Breakfast</span><br />(2008)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The designer of <span style="font-style:italic;">Sex and Breakfast</span>'s cover pitched the angle of the original couple's limbs to make room for a third person's leg. Either the latter completely ripped off the former, or they both employed the same stock photo source by chance.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuxCDgKJ4dIgThqNLlAEY7qJtbOODeLw2tXhHRANI7gYSfix5tIK3OYObBIrmAy854ku2_mPCgiP02fWTSlDESM0YSd3OAG0P7Bx-yGe6bhJ6yNie60DF66r6Isfvmsm_rsEqYn4AKxM/s1600-h/Poster_Antisex.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuxCDgKJ4dIgThqNLlAEY7qJtbOODeLw2tXhHRANI7gYSfix5tIK3OYObBIrmAy854ku2_mPCgiP02fWTSlDESM0YSd3OAG0P7Bx-yGe6bhJ6yNie60DF66r6Isfvmsm_rsEqYn4AKxM/s200/Poster_Antisex.jpg" border="0" alt="Antisex (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262878236853681922" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE 10/29/08</span></span><br />The plot thickens with this artwork for the Russian comedy <span style="font-style:italic;">Antisex</span> (2008). It's obviously the same source image, only now the couch has been tipped even further and a bra and more body parts have been added.<br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-80024327926493429662008-03-19T11:36:00.000-07:002008-09-13T05:35:51.156-07:00The Version Suicides<span style="color: #cc6600;">Never Say Special Again</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqt6KB1kbAq_6OckvKi8FHV3gU8sTGeZZ_l-HEyx4lvUDRNwVv-nrmysQsGZ-ksAL3HUmiiSJYrR-MyiEsHFYAmBLRh0SD8DKRFU22Vg6B0UJfk1C7Z969Ar4NYa8E4MIgieZEEHQpXo/s1600-h/DVD-Evil+Dead.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqt6KB1kbAq_6OckvKi8FHV3gU8sTGeZZ_l-HEyx4lvUDRNwVv-nrmysQsGZ-ksAL3HUmiiSJYrR-MyiEsHFYAmBLRh0SD8DKRFU22Vg6B0UJfk1C7Z969Ar4NYa8E4MIgieZEEHQpXo/s200/DVD-Evil+Dead.jpg" alt="The Evil Dead: Ultimate Edition" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179638662464359954" border="0" /></a>Anchor Bay released <span style="font-style: italic;">The Evil Dead: Ultimate Edition</span> a few months ago, making it at least the sixth version of the film to be released on DVD in Region 1. This 3-Disc set offers nearly four hours of bonus material, but one has to question if yet another edition was really necessary. The other two entries in Sam Raimi's trilogy have been equally whored out, with four versions of <span style="font-style: italic;">Evil Dead 2</span> and six versions of <span style="font-style: italic;">Army of Darkness</span> on DVD. There are other film franchises that have been repeat offenders. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Lord of the Rings</span> trilogy, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Matrix</span> trilogy, George Romero's original zombie trilogy, and the vast James Bond canon are available in a variety of versions on DVD.<br /><br />The term "Special Edition" begins to lose its meaning when there are two or three other versions of the same film to choose from, often with their own assortment of bonus material. Sometimes the studios will switch it up and call it a "Collector's Edition." Other times it may be "Limited Edition" and come housed in a custom tin, or gift box, or some other fanciful packaging twist.<br /><br />When an even more special edition comes along, the ante is upped and we get majestic proclamations like "Deluxe Edition," "Definitive Edition," and "Ultimate Edition." Warner Bros. attempted to cover all the bases with their 10-disc <span style="font-style: italic;">Ultimate Matrix Collection Limited Edition Collector's Set</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDvfXHRb-_ua85-ab49G-ReyI-JRAv-jsY1aXJxXF2QWwUwyH5TqUVaPWBI1Y6r2UjKIoPO61OWiZn1gc4L8ODxYAgdZohUnB5ppRc9ds4YEJ-yDNNkYBMZFv9vMKe1a0ok9lpyNI8ak/s1600-h/DVD-LOTR-Set.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDvfXHRb-_ua85-ab49G-ReyI-JRAv-jsY1aXJxXF2QWwUwyH5TqUVaPWBI1Y6r2UjKIoPO61OWiZn1gc4L8ODxYAgdZohUnB5ppRc9ds4YEJ-yDNNkYBMZFv9vMKe1a0ok9lpyNI8ak/s200/DVD-LOTR-Set.jpg" alt="The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers: Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180251885009980962" border="0" /></a>It would seem difficult to justify any further re-release of a film after such bold nomenclature, but the studios have plenty of other angles they can work. There's always an "Unrated Edition," an "Extended Edition," or a "Director's Edition" that can be unveiled.<br /><br />If not, marketers can do a lateral move and employ such ambiguously regal banners as "Signature Edition," "Gold Edition," and "Platinum Edition." New Line took a bunch and mixed them all into a mouthful for <span style="font-style: italic;">The Lord of the Rings: Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set</span>. Should that somehow fail to lure the completists, the occasional "Commemorative Edition" tends to work, and of course, anniversaries are ripe for exploiting every five years. Fans of the films <span style="font-style:italic;">Pretty Woman</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Edward Scissorhands</span> recently had their once adequate "10th Anniversary Edition" upstaged by a newly packaged "15th Anniversary Edition."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEE8zTSjp6qbKzk3mNkm7lt9det-c_-tbUZH6BOzW4leIJpctuZNYgpE_rls5L3owTm3z1BatJ3g01cIPtqJF6_nWFeGl-RBpGVh0A0JVvG1sLarwk-tzFmvQ7q-BJ5wBJOHjmG_wG9E/s1600-h/DVD-Doubtfire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEE8zTSjp6qbKzk3mNkm7lt9det-c_-tbUZH6BOzW4leIJpctuZNYgpE_rls5L3owTm3z1BatJ3g01cIPtqJF6_nWFeGl-RBpGVh0A0JVvG1sLarwk-tzFmvQ7q-BJ5wBJOHjmG_wG9E/s200/DVD-Doubtfire.jpg" alt="Mrs. Doubtfire: Behind-the-Seams Edition" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179623234941832690" border="0" /></a>Even with this vast array of gimmicks to re-release films under, 20th Century Fox still felt that none of the labels could adequately represent the fanfare that something like the third DVD version of <span style="font-style: italic;">Mrs. Doubtfire</span> deserved. So the studio used another approach: the Cutesy Pun Edition. Thus their triple dip release became <span style="font-style: italic;">Mrs. Doubtfire: Behind-the-Seams Edition</span>.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this release was hardly the first instance of such winking wordplay in a DVD edition title. There had already been Sony's <span style="font-style: italic;">Kung Fu Hustle: Axe-Kickin' Edition</span>, Paramount's <span style="font-style: italic;">Summer School: Life's a Beach Edition</span>, and Fox's <span style="font-style: italic;">Ice Age: Super-Cool Edition</span>. The studios are no longer concerned with making each subsequent edition bigger and better, so they've largely dropped the exponentially hyperbolic labels. Now they just make sure each version has its own wacky edition title to differentiate it from future re-releases.<br /><br />Five years ago, Universal hit upon the catch phrase method with their <span style="font-style: italic;">Animal House: Double Secret Probation Edition</span>. An oft-quoted line from the film is used in the edition title, resulting in something like <span style="font-style: italic;">Fast Times at Ridgemont High: Awesome! Totally Awesome! Special Edition</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4SvQlLRfbHnBD5F7yapICPwbpPaWdn_m7AZ1pF1HQWx5IFie_fcr30AGqnU1CdYMtdBEbHjwPk4XbqlpKfLKNsYpNEp3ExhFGjbsExuCl3rxN34yNGuN17UgP5cyfTzTda7D9kB0agc/s1600-h/DVD-Airplane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4SvQlLRfbHnBD5F7yapICPwbpPaWdn_m7AZ1pF1HQWx5IFie_fcr30AGqnU1CdYMtdBEbHjwPk4XbqlpKfLKNsYpNEp3ExhFGjbsExuCl3rxN34yNGuN17UgP5cyfTzTda7D9kB0agc/s200/DVD-Airplane.jpg" alt="Airplane: Don't Call Me Shirley Edition" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180253083305856562" border="0" /></a>Paramount took this idea and ran with it, churning out far more of these inane DVD titles than any other studio. They started out by giving us <span style="font-style: italic;">Tommy Boy: Holy Schnike Edition</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Clueless: "Whatever!" Edition</span>, which were quickly followed by <span style="font-style: italic;">Airplane!: "Don't Call Me Shirley!" Edition</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Ferris Bueller's Day Off: Bueller... Bueller... Edition</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Pretty in Pink: Everything's Duckie Edition</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Trading Places: "Looking Good, Feeling Good" Edition</span>.<br /><br />It wasn't long before Fox realized that they, too, had plenty of quotable movies that could be re-released in ridiculously titled versions. The DVD market was therefore graced with <span style="font-style: italic;">Revenge of the Nerds: Panty Raid Edition</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Porky's: The One Size Fits All Edition</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Point Break: Pure Adrenaline Edition</span>, and the most impressive one yet: <span style="font-style: italic;">9 to 5: Sexist, Egotistical, Lying Hypocritical Bigot Edition</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VHKOODudWEFI3LhXVX5_bKLcNsdbhB4Iv8ctJsLqhfQTwI-IpaYfkNZpfzF6uc76T2g7EqvYhBZN_eKVJFiurJrbbkTYjCcf23XYPohnzBplYp59oXE0uj3ttFVH7qjtSte5uL9ZVmQ/s1600-h/DVD-Office+Space+Flair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VHKOODudWEFI3LhXVX5_bKLcNsdbhB4Iv8ctJsLqhfQTwI-IpaYfkNZpfzF6uc76T2g7EqvYhBZN_eKVJFiurJrbbkTYjCcf23XYPohnzBplYp59oXE0uj3ttFVH7qjtSte5uL9ZVmQ/s200/DVD-Office+Space+Flair.jpg" alt="Office Space: Special Edition with Flair" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180253538572389954" border="0" /></a>Fox showed admirable restraint in the titling of special editions for two of their most obnoxiously over-quoted comedies. Rather than pull from the expected pool of PC Load Letter/Oh! Face/Case of the Mondays/TPS Report quotes, they went with <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Office Space: Special Edition with Flair</span></span>. We were likewise spared from the wealth of irritating <span style="font-style: italic;">Napoleon Dynamite</span> lines, and instead were presented with <span style="font-style: italic;">Like, the Best Special Edition Ever!</span><br /><br />It's refreshing when the joke is a little more subtle, such as with Universal's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Jerk: 26th Anniversary Edition</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">Billy Madison: Special Ed-ition</span>. A simple twist on the special edition idea is always preferred, especially when the wordplay echoes the movie's theme. You know there's bonus material included with titles like MGM's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert: Extra Frills Edition</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Back to School: Extra-Curricular Edition</span>, and Sony's <span style="font-style: italic;">Little Man: Loaded With Extra Crap Edition</span>. It's less clear with awkward titles like Disney's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: The Friendship Edition</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Shaggy D.A.: The Canine Candidate Edition</span>, or <span style="font-style: italic;">The Emperor's New Groove: The New Groove Edition</span>.<br /><br />When the marketers are at a loss for wordplay or if they feel the film isn't well known enough for its own catch phrase, they tend to go with a third, increasingly common method: the Random Reference Edition. This involves a word or two that's related to the film in some way and almost makes the re-release sound like a cheesy direct-to-video sequel, like in Universal's <span style="font-style: italic;">Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">Xanadu: Magical Musical Edition</span>. The phrase is almost meaningless, and can be typically concocted from a quick scan of the movie's artwork or plot synopsis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINSrYbFCDZFyJcPHhQsG1Pi40IKBN9OCaUgB5BxNMgewPkKPfIm85YhBn_2EP4wXX4skTNGGQRKpvEdkmieMZ1ms1czvD5A6nmqAmGQNnDC5oFC2waXo1vLIVZXfrrM1oryD2xtwme3Y/s1600-h/DVD-13+Going+on+30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINSrYbFCDZFyJcPHhQsG1Pi40IKBN9OCaUgB5BxNMgewPkKPfIm85YhBn_2EP4wXX4skTNGGQRKpvEdkmieMZ1ms1czvD5A6nmqAmGQNnDC5oFC2waXo1vLIVZXfrrM1oryD2xtwme3Y/s200/DVD-13+Going+on+30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180256115552767570" border="0" /></a>The guilty parties include Buena Vista's <span style="font-style: italic;">Rock 'n' Roll High School: Rock On Edition</span>, Sony's <span style="font-style: italic;">13 Going on 30: Fun & Flirty Edition</span>, Fox's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Siege: Martial Law Edition</span>, and Paramount's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Wood: Back in the Day Edition</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Grease: Rockin' Rydell Edition</span>.<br /><br />The studios aren't likely to end this practice anytime soon. Selling your favorite movie to you over and over again in absurdly titled, slightly different versions is their business, and as the corporate cliché goes, business is good.<br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-51635514767846035132008-03-13T16:29:00.000-07:002008-09-28T03:12:36.876-07:00Deadly Extremities<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kYRgG7PdGO4BCzdy-lZmJ55rTy0IKgt7t1mYTme3DW7ydooPblQdRE13CdmNMb3YJhB1GhxXqqwGr-udt1pXS8DD8TIsZILLAmSrZY-h24F0-eWR9plE2uDKdNXcKE7O3kEE_cp-nns/s1600-h/Poster-Machine+Girl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kYRgG7PdGO4BCzdy-lZmJ55rTy0IKgt7t1mYTme3DW7ydooPblQdRE13CdmNMb3YJhB1GhxXqqwGr-udt1pXS8DD8TIsZILLAmSrZY-h24F0-eWR9plE2uDKdNXcKE7O3kEE_cp-nns/s200/Poster-Machine+Girl.jpg" border="0" alt="The Machine Girl (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177658070869404674" /></a>The upcoming Japanese film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1050160/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">The Machine Girl</span></a> (Kataude mashin gâru) is an over-the-top revenge story about a schoolgirl who lost her family as well as her left arm to a Yakuza gang. In her quest for vengeance, she replaces her dismembered limb with various weapon attachments, such as a chainsaw or a rotary machine gun. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, pay a quick visit to <a href="http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/disfigured-school-girl-heavy-weaponry-first-machine-girl-trailer/" target="blank">Twitchfilm.net</a> and check it out.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />The Machine Girl</span>'s prosthetic weapon gimmick started me thinking about other films in which a character's limbs have been enhanced for combat. It may simply be an amputee tricking out their stump or an individual who's undergone significant body modification, but I've rounded up a baker's dozen of notable instances from the last four decades of film.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGINOejAn3KQpQWWaae_j1ojQtPI3tf3LnZCuVFxhTOJP9UMD2P0pfz6yee80OOYflW_BIp9PZQ3NBE_3wfg5h095CjxRUK8cDMg1DMKz4dXEdGRFkXmYMEV_GGWOqldrIwjWBM7LrSs/s1600-h/IMG-Cherry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGINOejAn3KQpQWWaae_j1ojQtPI3tf3LnZCuVFxhTOJP9UMD2P0pfz6yee80OOYflW_BIp9PZQ3NBE_3wfg5h095CjxRUK8cDMg1DMKz4dXEdGRFkXmYMEV_GGWOqldrIwjWBM7LrSs/s320/IMG-Cherry.jpg" border="0" alt="Grindhouse: Planet Terror (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177662417376308242" /></a>The most recent example is also an obvious influence on <span style="font-style:italic;">The Machine Girl</span>: Cherry Darling's combination machine gun/rocket launcher leg in Robert Rodriguez's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077258/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Planet Terror</span></a>. Although it's unclear just how the trigger mechanism functions, it looks cool enough to forgive the lack of real-world logic. It's also par for the course in the director's unapologetically outrageous love letter to seventies grindhouse cinema.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yK6a20VtijPXeRJvymYbsAjmOZ49wEmZQlxipJ1ITdeZlJo1cXIUI7GTY26q6edo7y9iSOOIJtnSAG0uU0xqg8n6Uj7Nu6ertMec3G5a5U6onyWLaEsAS_Gq6UMNiHBruGTs38PSDpI/s1600-h/IMG-Ash.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yK6a20VtijPXeRJvymYbsAjmOZ49wEmZQlxipJ1ITdeZlJo1cXIUI7GTY26q6edo7y9iSOOIJtnSAG0uU0xqg8n6Uj7Nu6ertMec3G5a5U6onyWLaEsAS_Gq6UMNiHBruGTs38PSDpI/s200/IMG-Ash.jpg" border="0" alt="Evil Dead 2 (1987)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178125797102906514" /></a>Devotees of his oeuvre know that this is not the first time that he has creatively customized a firearm. In 1995's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112851/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Desperado</span></a>, Rodriguez modified mariachi guitar cases so that they hid rocket launchers and automatic machine guns, and he gave Tom Savini's character a phallic crotch revolver the following year in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116367/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">From Dusk Till Dawn</span></a>.<br /><br />Discussion of this particular topic cannot really get going without mentioning what is surely the most memorable deadly extremity movie of all: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092991/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Evil Dead II</span></a>. After cutting off his possessed right hand with a chainsaw, the character of Ash modifies the power tool to fit onto his stump. Bruce Campbell achieved an international cult following with the role, and the iconic character returned in another sequel (<span style="font-style:italic;">Army of Darkness</span>), a handful of video games, comic books, and even a stage musical.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbUKj0zQdnrc3a8JoESHQxHAQ-pmCMMZGHP60U9Ow7kRNSc55YtFpSm-IOi-q4CfvBjk36KqycJRFEmgA3a0iNbfFaHf8jIZQxTbeK3b35okkj3qNJJfWr8erxex8exM-mdm3WGfWqHI/s1600-h/IMG-Scobie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbUKj0zQdnrc3a8JoESHQxHAQ-pmCMMZGHP60U9Ow7kRNSc55YtFpSm-IOi-q4CfvBjk36KqycJRFEmgA3a0iNbfFaHf8jIZQxTbeK3b35okkj3qNJJfWr8erxex8exM-mdm3WGfWqHI/s320/IMG-Scobie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177672162657102882" /></a>Missing hands are probably the most common disfigurement in this pseudo sub-genre. Herman Scobie (played by George Kennedy) sported a steel claw as a substitute for his right hand, with which he menaced Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant's characters in the 1963 Hitchockian romp <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056923/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Charade</span></a>. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint3OZES1oQQzIJ-a1SMBd5UVDozUZpa9H-RzssOgKbro568KOgfvKptBk_T85CypZKM7DUqHcGvTQFlxlm1AVoCF98Sdga52PQsksCe-NBmPY7pQk1uVoijS_zg9U7z__RL0UXlRX5C4/s1600-h/IMG-TeeHee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint3OZES1oQQzIJ-a1SMBd5UVDozUZpa9H-RzssOgKbro568KOgfvKptBk_T85CypZKM7DUqHcGvTQFlxlm1AVoCF98Sdga52PQsksCe-NBmPY7pQk1uVoijS_zg9U7z__RL0UXlRX5C4/s320/IMG-TeeHee.jpg" border="0" alt="Live and Let Die (1973)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177675860623944754" /></a>Roger Moore's debut as Agent 007 in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070328/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Live and Let Die</span></a> had him taking on a corrupt Caribbean Prime Minister known as Mr. Big. One of Mr. Big's henchman was a reptile wrangler named Tee Hee Johnson who lost his hand to an alligator bite and subsequently wielded a set of mechanical pincers. He demonstrated their power by twisting James Bond's gun into scrap metal.<br /><br />Before the advent of such useful devices, a lost hand was often replaced with a simple hook. Thanks to numerous permutations in urban legend, the image of the hook-handed killer has been well represented in cinema. For the purposes of this post, I'll just single out a couple of popular examples. If you're eager for more, Richard Harland Smith offers an extensive examination of this type of villain over at <a href="http://moviemorlocks.com/2008/02/15/the-pull-of-the-hook/" target="blank">MovieMorlocks.com</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFy-vrkrtqDMS3tY64eF9nFOK6APs0LCiX7dzHSa_cZynU6rBQ6BSF-6tXV8rOk0EmM0ty8BlMWn-UKFSlJ7tQvotkbQvkp-AneSwin-okBoD2PWqknSUrVr4P2h-gcZVdkDZehPm2tE/s1600-h/Poster-Rolling+Thunder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFy-vrkrtqDMS3tY64eF9nFOK6APs0LCiX7dzHSa_cZynU6rBQ6BSF-6tXV8rOk0EmM0ty8BlMWn-UKFSlJ7tQvotkbQvkp-AneSwin-okBoD2PWqknSUrVr4P2h-gcZVdkDZehPm2tE/s200/Poster-Rolling+Thunder.jpg" border="0" alt="Rolling Thunder (1977)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177682324549725250" /></a>After penning the screenplay to <span style="font-style:italic;">Taxi Driver</span>, Paul Schrader co-wrote another late seventies meditation on violence and vengeance called <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076637/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Rolling Thunder</span></a>. A recently returned Vietnam vet is targeted by a band of outlaws. They rob his home, kill his family, and stuff his arm in a garbage disposal. He ends up wearing a hook-hand, which he sharpens into a lethal weapon and uses to seek bloody revenge.<br /><br />The film later inspired the moniker of Quentin Tarantino's short-lived film distribution company. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0RY55Z8642jSjPMunsTDmn6KAepovA9Cud5Y7Mi2Idoie6uC5EYDVwcUB1-QeDNNepTLHb1_T2JwE-EBOYqGEoeZPtHl9QkyUVybGGNVzn98na_rWbD7-LfFJvQ9Efp-nLREhY-1jfg/s1600-h/IMG-Thunder+Logo.jpg" target="blank">The logo for Rolling Thunder Pictures</a> even featured the image of a hook striking a flat surface, which mimicked the letterform of a capital 'R.' Unfortunately, Tarantino's endeavor didn't survive long enough to oversee the release of its cinematic namesake; this grindhouse classic remains tragically unavailable on DVD.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbTBAf2R5KbjAlc4dwgVs2pbLz_Cvbm5_2St5JV3mrOy8bQyLFpnrvz8UcR5YFM4osM5QM_padJ6Dkb_AKshdLxnESRtYOe07nqCsKuP7SFVwlcBiN4G-NLHKZb-4_vtxUWKWdV0isuA/s1600-h/IMG-Candyman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbTBAf2R5KbjAlc4dwgVs2pbLz_Cvbm5_2St5JV3mrOy8bQyLFpnrvz8UcR5YFM4osM5QM_padJ6Dkb_AKshdLxnESRtYOe07nqCsKuP7SFVwlcBiN4G-NLHKZb-4_vtxUWKWdV0isuA/s200/IMG-Candyman.jpg" border="0" alt="Candyman (1992)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177700814383934562" /></a>One of the more infamous hooks in modern movies belongs to Daniel Robitaille, a.k.a. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103919/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Candyman</span></a>. Borrowing elements from the folklore of Bloody Mary, the 1992 film introduced horror fans to the vengeful killer who terrorized the residents of Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects.<br /><br />After having his hand sawed off by a lynch mob, Daniel was covered in honey and swarmed to death by bees. His soul was somehow captured inside a mirror, allowing him to return whenever the name Candyman is repeated five times. The living urban legend swung his gnarly appendage through two sequels: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112625/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh</span></a> (1995) and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165662/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Candyman 3: Day of the Dead</span></a> (1999).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn-NuPTQlQ2DFyCo9chr8ZxAp1-kFgNTQ4nSTwpnbc9vXbB6cBD04f4HLOMcAoPCN0esa3e3_tI_VBPX7SjE9InUYaTMpj0fdqLo3x2b_glIlxEM_X0Ge4douHRU6Fsayqtv1-iYxyHw/s1600-h/IMG-Han.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn-NuPTQlQ2DFyCo9chr8ZxAp1-kFgNTQ4nSTwpnbc9vXbB6cBD04f4HLOMcAoPCN0esa3e3_tI_VBPX7SjE9InUYaTMpj0fdqLo3x2b_glIlxEM_X0Ge4douHRU6Fsayqtv1-iYxyHw/s320/IMG-Han.jpg" border="0" alt="Enter the Dragon (1973)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177372983825198066" /></a>In the 1973 kung fu favorite <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070034/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Enter the Dragon</span></a>, the crime lord Han makes use of interchangeable attachments for his left hand stump. Throughout the majority of the film, he wears a fake hand discreetly sheathed in a black glove. For the big rumble in the third act, however, he switches out the fake hand for an exotic tiger claw weapon. When Bruce Lee quickly disarms him of that one, he opts for a four-bladed extension that resembles the paw of a robotic wolverine.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumveGt-UyQkpkBPIsED9VqvEFkD81tIF6K2bUhsYF9uvSKQ0ScIqEryU1dlgDW8LE-PpbcIqgnZx3us38svBFy3mOvATe-btPe-5nqxUEA-zEb78tdcfX_CNoH5O5L7-ya9Caq3-5GKU/s1600-h/IMG-Wolverine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumveGt-UyQkpkBPIsED9VqvEFkD81tIF6K2bUhsYF9uvSKQ0ScIqEryU1dlgDW8LE-PpbcIqgnZx3us38svBFy3mOvATe-btPe-5nqxUEA-zEb78tdcfX_CNoH5O5L7-ya9Caq3-5GKU/s320/IMG-Wolverine.jpg" border="0" alt="X-Men (2000)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178124323929123954" /></a>Speaking of wolverines, Logan is easily the most popular character in the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120903/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">X-Men</span></a> movie franchise. A set of retractable claws in both of his forearms inspired his mutant nickname. Coated in the nearly indestructible alloy known as adamantium, Wolverine's twin weapons give him a distinct advantage in hand-to-hand combat.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyzqTJ1nQCNqQV_XFethZbVGcAdB2So6GVLTGtkTcKVye2HNN2eGI6wQtIH6ZHShYTRhjbaX-nS2qbjHGcg3NTRDmp13NSSGic9lwXsASqxSydIgo712wBPjwlZnha6DfbJdAGlZf5KE/s1600-h/IMG-Edward.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyzqTJ1nQCNqQV_XFethZbVGcAdB2So6GVLTGtkTcKVye2HNN2eGI6wQtIH6ZHShYTRhjbaX-nS2qbjHGcg3NTRDmp13NSSGic9lwXsASqxSydIgo712wBPjwlZnha6DfbJdAGlZf5KE/s320/IMG-Edward.jpg" border="0" alt="Edward Scissorhands (1990)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178125359016242306" /></a>The shear-fingered subject of Tim Burton's 1990 fairy tale may never have engaged in much violence, but <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Edward Scissorhands</span></a> could certainly give Freddy Krueger's customized glove some competition in a slasher contest.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ckDS4n5tPNn-iiTxFnu5eAb-_cXlXSXNoJo4QNnUz6uoBR-xjF7gAHOGf0g4LpetwOd8sSabtM7VwNhkcbNX4Tn0FCPVsZev9aAyzpX0bkSVsC_YBXQwJFHv4PZyJiQrRlyMsvcWn9E/s1600-h/IMG-Hellboy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ckDS4n5tPNn-iiTxFnu5eAb-_cXlXSXNoJo4QNnUz6uoBR-xjF7gAHOGf0g4LpetwOd8sSabtM7VwNhkcbNX4Tn0FCPVsZev9aAyzpX0bkSVsC_YBXQwJFHv4PZyJiQrRlyMsvcWn9E/s320/IMG-Hellboy.jpg" border="0" alt="Hellboy (2004)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178126260959374498" /></a>It may not be versatile enough to type with, but <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167190/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Hellboy</span></a>'s Right Hand of Doom sure proves useful during a fight. It's indestructible, impervious to pain, and delivers blows with the force of a sledgehammer. The ancient appendage is also a potential catalyst for the Apocalypse, as seen in Guillermo del Toro's 2004 film adaptation.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKT5LeyEp4pfHsE0UcnOeqZ6ieDph4k7QEyshUWZ5ovn7bXChDJN5DeAhS2DfU7TkucOoyAT-N7vn6pojdTEH08GEiNo5viKQfjEcCNHJ92cN8qxY577y_TFu8QK8QWGfMuYjQE89rNk/s1600-h/IMG-RoboCop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKT5LeyEp4pfHsE0UcnOeqZ6ieDph4k7QEyshUWZ5ovn7bXChDJN5DeAhS2DfU7TkucOoyAT-N7vn6pojdTEH08GEiNo5viKQfjEcCNHJ92cN8qxY577y_TFu8QK8QWGfMuYjQE89rNk/s320/IMG-RoboCop.jpg" border="0" alt="Robocop 3 (1993)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178126866549763250" /></a>As a cyborg, RoboCop's entire body could arguably be considered a weapon. However, a scene from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107978/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">RoboCop 3</span></a> is what ultimately inspired his inclusion in this post. Officer Murphy receives an impressive upgrade in the form of a multi-weapon arm attachment. The combination machine gun/anti-tank launcher/ flame thrower extends from where his left hand was.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KtCRcl3GkzvyAtP-xJYma6g5pU8k28bFl3fr8p1P6a5QXycid8G04iI9ilJOhEig5Fz9EyqPgpxgAwZoafez2vTekp6RnOlk3La0S_utLlUzEkTK6E3ScpNbmr9RG5CdELAeSXUU00U/s1600-h/IMG-Tetsuo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KtCRcl3GkzvyAtP-xJYma6g5pU8k28bFl3fr8p1P6a5QXycid8G04iI9ilJOhEig5Fz9EyqPgpxgAwZoafez2vTekp6RnOlk3La0S_utLlUzEkTK6E3ScpNbmr9RG5CdELAeSXUU00U/s320/IMG-Tetsuo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178127351881067714" /></a>The 1989 film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096251/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Tetsuo: The Iron Man</span></a> went beyond the usual enhancements of arms and legs. The title character's body gradually becomes metalized, and his penis mutates into a large power drill. In one of the movie's most controversial moments, the man's girlfriend gets fatally ravaged by his spinning tool.</div><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l6wtlV2zmMUGMbmNri1bF_nSuMpzWQqS7jtnqGdwV8DxIUwSl9J0xQaXuErXX-BZ0T_qW_sRZod4EFfj41AbZwr6mtj8AwRIvJniCIDwzT2heccPKmkyXOr5YSk_3YCQHmuuaagD1YQ/s1600-h/IMG-Tunneler.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l6wtlV2zmMUGMbmNri1bF_nSuMpzWQqS7jtnqGdwV8DxIUwSl9J0xQaXuErXX-BZ0T_qW_sRZod4EFfj41AbZwr6mtj8AwRIvJniCIDwzT2heccPKmkyXOr5YSk_3YCQHmuuaagD1YQ/s320/IMG-Tunneler.jpg" alt="Tunneler" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178506704867486930" border="0" /></a><br>Tunneler from<br><span style="font-style:italic;">Puppet Master</span></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxI_q52aTXUTlUZh5cwvAi53P54hcnIPyFYcGWAtUf6erZgTZIo8Zi1neL31iz2RH74yZAFz-mTlHFV-kUSDbIj8v2gk8UEjdWeN08h6dmIvtYC8LplUeoAC4hhgZVlT_XBAwVFT93kY/s1600-h/IMG-Blade.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxI_q52aTXUTlUZh5cwvAi53P54hcnIPyFYcGWAtUf6erZgTZIo8Zi1neL31iz2RH74yZAFz-mTlHFV-kUSDbIj8v2gk8UEjdWeN08h6dmIvtYC8LplUeoAC4hhgZVlT_XBAwVFT93kY/s320/IMG-Blade.jpg" alt="Blade" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178507585335782626" border="0" /></a><br>Blade from<br><span style="font-style:italic;">Puppet Master</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />And finally, even though they're not human, several of the murderous marionettes in the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098143/" target="blank"><span style="font-style:italic;">Puppet Master</span></a> film franchise have specialized weaponry built into their anatomy. The top of Tunneler's head is a deadly drill, Torch wields a flame thrower in his forearm, and instead of hands, the character of Blade sports a knife and a hook.<br /><br /><br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-21526968107326375162008-03-04T16:52:00.000-08:002008-09-28T03:15:53.809-07:00A Farewell to 'R's<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6olKsg_-5LXpwqTF0DBxJWFJ3jd0cQ5iPYIHkESOoUGiAEieHeBLTCFJDjo5E9W2AF1suEG1QtqWG_9U0VJUtCm9SsMzgDJr_b9Hym2i25fmAyGisg8xwQKsOycETGGJHr_uClvfaoc/s1600-h/Poster-First.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6olKsg_-5LXpwqTF0DBxJWFJ3jd0cQ5iPYIHkESOoUGiAEieHeBLTCFJDjo5E9W2AF1suEG1QtqWG_9U0VJUtCm9SsMzgDJr_b9Hym2i25fmAyGisg8xwQKsOycETGGJHr_uClvfaoc/s200/Poster-First.jpg" border="0" alt="The Sopranos (1999)"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174084136351005474" /></a>Ten years ago, HBO was worrying about a new crime drama series they had in the works called <span style="font-style:italic;">The Sopranos</span>. The cable channel was afraid the name would give potential viewers the wrong impression. People might expect a show about singers or musicians, rather than a New Jersey mob boss and his family. In the wake of media saturation by popular Classical music acts like the Three Tenors and their numerous knock-offs (the Irish Tenors, Three Mo' Tenors, the Three Sopranos, the Three Cantors, etc.), such trepidation from the network was certainly understandable.<br /><br />Alternate titles that made implicit references to mafia culture—<span style="font-style:italic;">Made in New Jersey</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Family Guy</span>—were briefly considered, but an elegant touch in the show's logo design solved the problem completely. Graphic designer <a href="http://www.coreyholms.com" target="blank">Corey Holms</a> simply substituted a pistol for the letter 'R' and created what quickly became a cultural icon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZGKkXlnboP1Eu7CMLOzG-4YDDRyuiv9D63ztAaAvguea7zqxKkMeeXiRgLgRHA-uvk63xIPHFibWUIxNn7qwOSO7McErgCVG7JD2QNY9XIHInBWBLTn93q02yIpGwWfrOAVP7NH_O_w/s1600-h/Poster-Sopranos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZGKkXlnboP1Eu7CMLOzG-4YDDRyuiv9D63ztAaAvguea7zqxKkMeeXiRgLgRHA-uvk63xIPHFibWUIxNn7qwOSO7McErgCVG7JD2QNY9XIHInBWBLTn93q02yIpGwWfrOAVP7NH_O_w/s200/Poster-Sopranos.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174085626704657202" /></a>The upturned gun is so equated with the show's brand identity, that HBO often didn't even include the name of the program in their media campaigns. A promotional poster for the sixth season depicted no one from the cast, but merely had an anonymous hand gripping a pistol. In a clever nod to the show's logo, the weapon is tinted red and doubles for the third letter in 'March.' This subtle reference, paired with the network's own logo, removes any doubt about which TV series is being advertised.<br /><br />Unsuprisingly, Holms's typographic twist has since been mimicked several times. The 1998 hitman comedy <span style="font-style:italic;">Jerry and Tom</span> references the HBO show with a pair of letterform guns in 'Jerry.' The DVD packaging even has a tagline that boasts "these guys make the Sopranos sing!" The pistol trick was borrowed again for the DVD of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Pleasure Drivers</span>, except the designer opted for a realistically detailed firearm.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJFvgsj-sQe8x5k7W2UllLii6k1Abhagg0w78cTwuh3jntZgxjRZQc5JJk3N63JzQcjUIr2tzTQcj2KG2byQuisnKNAeAXzcOvoEzbTjYJQAfBOq015MhmPqcIghdaeci2E1J_UtKQ8o/s1600-h/DVD-Jerry+%26+Tom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJFvgsj-sQe8x5k7W2UllLii6k1Abhagg0w78cTwuh3jntZgxjRZQc5JJk3N63JzQcjUIr2tzTQcj2KG2byQuisnKNAeAXzcOvoEzbTjYJQAfBOq015MhmPqcIghdaeci2E1J_UtKQ8o/s200/DVD-Jerry+%26+Tom.jpg" alt="Jerry and Tom (1998)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174107316289502018" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Jerry and Tom</span><br />(2000)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rguKl0LhAE_PSuQ78DMJ0uG__73vIKq11laIPjtkJUs0i3G4sjdDiVZ1lTD-hPZfxKD429LxoeO0YR2_fpv-HVMCbx2CnpBvfmrVknqppCcN6_9K_eTMlE4o9DEMLoGK7tq2HEmy55U/s1600-h/DVD-Pleasure+Drivers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rguKl0LhAE_PSuQ78DMJ0uG__73vIKq11laIPjtkJUs0i3G4sjdDiVZ1lTD-hPZfxKD429LxoeO0YR2_fpv-HVMCbx2CnpBvfmrVknqppCcN6_9K_eTMlE4o9DEMLoGK7tq2HEmy55U/s200/DVD-Pleasure+Drivers.jpg" alt="The Pleasure Drivers (2005)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174108162398059346" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The Pleasure Drivers</span><br />(2007)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqvFqkTfWx9l1dhQHzjYPcoSkKX0vVBXh6lDd25gDlfbmq6uIGP9zfg_h86gb1ScKALOI45_t9kH5GHcF_lpF4GEr9j5h1btAZd7XIwJjDfDn3AeDqp10_W1XmRpce9Qym68ggkxjxmc/s1600-h/DVD-Mike+Marino.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqvFqkTfWx9l1dhQHzjYPcoSkKX0vVBXh6lDd25gDlfbmq6uIGP9zfg_h86gb1ScKALOI45_t9kH5GHcF_lpF4GEr9j5h1btAZd7XIwJjDfDn3AeDqp10_W1XmRpce9Qym68ggkxjxmc/s200/DVD-Mike+Marino.jpg" alt="Mike Marino - New Jersey's Bad Boy of Comedy (2006)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174109523902692194" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Mike Marino</span><br />(2007)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLMUhyphenhyphenKnqyeLQO697iXs-JfJ1-F4AVuZyosZx1a0-hkh0DnWP8e6d5hc2bCWlPQansA2JrlzoGCGxcy6fHcPoifJ0StpJIFu_G8HnNarqbOcklx29CU8v-_GQ_Ws8vd5pGZTjfCNvYHY/s1600-h/DVD-I'll+Sleep+When.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLMUhyphenhyphenKnqyeLQO697iXs-JfJ1-F4AVuZyosZx1a0-hkh0DnWP8e6d5hc2bCWlPQansA2JrlzoGCGxcy6fHcPoifJ0StpJIFu_G8HnNarqbOcklx29CU8v-_GQ_Ws8vd5pGZTjfCNvYHY/s200/DVD-I'll+Sleep+When.jpg" alt="I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (2003)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181877951038312114" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">I'll Sleep When I'm Dead</span><br />(2004)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Garden state comic Mike Marino employed not one, but two famous mafia fonts on the cover for <span style="font-style:italic;">New Jersey's Bad Boy of Comedy</span>, while the American DVD artwork for the British thriller <span style="font-style:italic;">I'll Sleep When I'm Dead</span> flips the pistol around and puts it to work as a capital 'L'.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTXyAv-Wr0oNJ29lQULuKqslPkhkdJArR5lxiankqICscyylvkkVOTsK_iPKKwXtF0-ttSdmkD1gb7J6CeWSj1x-0GWlABJT2o0fwvSk1Dvy-ABFf26lbt7eWExv954ugh-YNwT8zfeA/s1600-h/DVD-Thieves+%26+Liars.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTXyAv-Wr0oNJ29lQULuKqslPkhkdJArR5lxiankqICscyylvkkVOTsK_iPKKwXtF0-ttSdmkD1gb7J6CeWSj1x-0GWlABJT2o0fwvSk1Dvy-ABFf26lbt7eWExv954ugh-YNwT8zfeA/s200/DVD-Thieves+%26+Liars.jpg" alt="Thieves and Liars (2006)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181879445686931138" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Thieves and Liars</span><br />(2008)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo4EuYNBOEao-YgJNuhHROnUrktvCFfSUz3n9kQk3M83v9lyd3_u2Wwl_qLZ8q8AvXAOLOCWUDERWrx2IyYWIxdts5gaxOp6g_aczlF5fCNPDOt9tCozmcMAY37vzHJ9Yiu6nSW6Gqzw/s1600-h/DVD-Pistol+Whipped.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo4EuYNBOEao-YgJNuhHROnUrktvCFfSUz3n9kQk3M83v9lyd3_u2Wwl_qLZ8q8AvXAOLOCWUDERWrx2IyYWIxdts5gaxOp6g_aczlF5fCNPDOt9tCozmcMAY37vzHJ9Yiu6nSW6Gqzw/s200/DVD-Pistol+Whipped.jpg" alt="Pistol Whipped (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174110060773604210" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Pistol Whipped</span><br />(2008)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />The Puerto Rican drama <span style="font-style:italic;">Ladrones y Mentirosos</span> (Thieves and Liars) uses both gun letterforms on its American home video release. Upping the ante, Steven Seagal's latest direct-to-video effort <span style="font-style:italic;">Pistol Whipped</span> stuck a silencer on the barrel of the titular weapon and used it to represent the letter 'i' in both words.</div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-70457656264264106822008-02-28T00:23:00.000-08:002008-11-27T13:32:21.634-08:00Check Your Local Listings<div style="text-align: justify;">An amusing side effect of the modern multiplex is the crowded marquee. Take a couple of proper name film titles and a verb-based film title, and then fit them in a confined space and titter at the accidental phrases that occasionally result. While this sort of thing has been fodder for 'funny photo' forums and obnoxious catch-all humor sites for years, last summer's release of the film <span style="font-style:italic;">Knocked Up</span> made possible an unprecedented number of suggestive juxtapositions. Theater signs around the country seemed to be boasting more paternity claims than a TiVo filled with Maury Povich episodes.<br /><br />In the interest of interest, I have put together what very well may be the most comprehensive collection of "naughty movie sign" photos anywhere. Here, then, is a rundown of various examples from the last seven years or so.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipFOmT_yYtAfNjSrUFAxths8Rebt_ayqzMpbOVNCY8-_GOW1cv6BEP-G8BQlpVfCtMtb3imlPi5WME-TBtw-TaF0ZabMB54Z1noGoKcUAFF4_eoJx8MBPIrd7dU0FOrqsL0LNcCVRpi0/s320/2007+-+Knocked+Up+Waitress.jpg" border="0" alt="Knocked Up Waitress" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171944314954454754" />Although short and sweet, this one gets bonus points for working on more than one level. Not only do you have a fine "Whoops! I'm pregnant!" double feature, but the sign simultaneously describes the premise of the second movie.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9fY0N7KgXwef7vy3u_GT2mWjBk2sldNrP5WKP_vHVxYkU1dAN0JVN80oY5ea6_u4QDL50DuQQ8vPUNOTEzxwq_A9kqT4LXYEdA_0UEniaP_pwi56_oQMqhyQY0FlHZWfBVbd9M2oHdE/s320/2007+-+Knocked+Up+Nancy.jpg" border="0" alt="Knocked Up Nancy Drew" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171944551177656050" />The beloved teen detective has grown up fast for this modern day film version. If only we had an idea of who was responsible for this predicament.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHnEkZ8_bzth17_J-9OtjlKjRcnBSBHbtATS87BD9M22Da8RJYxwS7zm4Un1YgP3tXz3KmNVyi2VzoDhOwZVwQ3kvwqUgr0O_RoHmSC-4wPVt9v76KrivU2RqZmiANz3kdn_pPPQSJwY/s320/2007+-+Fantastic+4+Knocked+Up.jpg" border="0" alt="Fantastic Four Knocked Up Nancy Drew" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171945006444189442" />That's what you get for asking. It must've been one wild night. Either all four of them did the deed, or Johnny Storm is the culprit and the rest of the gang decided to share the blame as a show of team solidarity.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmlj5Ak_zt9N8SmSABtCYleuR8tAoKuCAVUNJAQoBK3tsmYwhEzxUl0lSQyB2sz4aX87pqbpMZnuR0S4Axdq5gYX5XhAQVMCWe0XLpktRLSZFR77XxGZfBMLs7jVpNhQeYZouGUfaUds/s320/2007+-+Mr.+Brooks+Knocked+2.jpg" border="0" alt="Mr. Brooks Knocked Up Nancy Drew" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171945332861703954" />Well, now it looks like the mysterious Mr. Brooks is also a candidate for fatherhood. The plot thickens.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4lh94qnIjuqZAw7ueMTEKlH_ehn0BhoR_IotvVUj-w8L3s9sci4BryQ0_k66BVv1BrR1LT-DcrFTg5UX5YHcdWrMDa2h3QMoOg-Y_hjZBuKN165JjZJJmqRctuuZlbpzZ5w7OcY5_kY/s320/2007+-+Potter+Knocked+Up+Nancy.jpg" border="0" alt="Harry Potter Knocked Up Nancy Drew" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171945453120788258" />The boy wizard appears to be yet another suspect. This particular photo also gave birth to its own <a href="http://potterknockedupnancy.ytmnd.com/" target="blank">YTMND site</a>. Click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ytmnd" target="blank">here</a> if the preceding abbreviation looks like a keyboard spasm to you.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshgHcyUxWD0YPASSq62UkVq7nPf1vIm1iVs6VoRMpKJqJuxF6CEnR-H0XdeEDk7WYTxFwHjRWveukUYAcEbtGAwfN369MQ3HnSS__7cmB-fU1Xkuz_YfK3QanIBSZWQOH58U3NMfaw3A/s320/2007+-+Mr.+Brooks+Knocked.jpg" border="0" alt="Mr. Brooks Knocked Up Nancy Drew" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171945732293662514" />A second claim of Mr. Brooks as the daddy. He's a dirty old man! There's even <a href="http://mrbrooksnancydrew.blogspot.com/" target="blank">a blog named after this particular phrase</a>.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWrmTyRWwlyIq8DcaqLtThP4UqddDq4MJGDm6-vEx0wPJ_isqDi0QzWLqrtfyf4WbJGkOn_wDVwO7M9Rgs_oJUgRp1-4cIgjgpyJNYF6TS7tGOWrvrg51XE_-syDREWaNRLHUyzMODZE/s320/2007+-+Potter+Knocked+Up+Evan.jpg" border="0" alt="Harry Potter Knocked Up Evan Almighty" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171945938452092738" />That would have to have been an immaculate conception.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwbu6dLBCaUXp8p4NfuleIKh9fb668QGZPloLGVjtlOiwoP8pjl39-xy0NI1oWiF1-UVO-wAD9XGdQxW5FbEvfucQV3e9CHJadLmH8PEZ1mP4itgJgVJGWTj2G-S_goCFsthi_xwvbUE/s320/2007+-+Pirates+Knocked+Up+Shrek.jpg" border="0" alt="Pirates Knocked Up Shrek" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171946054416209746" />What do you expect? They are pirates, after all.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhl_krj47Sb4kgR50Ep8UZEIYZxJOVosYxlpqq27aWUXLSI_6EL5sitS8vp-J4wDH8kuFN4P9c43VkQxHz3rAERSduXQTKgmcJhqFX8qoxV4Fiya_PZVV-E7fJzCHDPTB0PlxK7OGNwQ/s320/2006+-+Stick+It+Inside+Man.jpg" border="0" alt="Stick It Inside Man" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171946282049476450" />In case you were wondering where to start in getting someone knocked up.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrZwFNziGJRoC45QnHnivfopyvZtcb72yX8c9nyMcvOaT8dtk9R3w5q3i9VFrT3rRjZtaJRUo7lXlNrDZTAD2SskJU6s9UFKSRtIKQLer14_XUcHPqxO1AcJKZuJng8PlNlb5fRP2nNU/s320/2005+-+Virgin+Corpse+Bride.jpg" border="0" alt="40 Year Old Virgin Corpse Bride" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171946982129145714" />A ringing endorsement for necrophilia.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAO3aV0PBpZmz3qoFvSk9SgYEFErIrTrEX7OvfOzzdtpInMKLbnt0LtOlsK2a__RDZZCESPmbY3RJj5kufYvitBxADuiCEzdvykjTM1zwlpCzxWuqD-AWVu_tAd1M5xk50yXvtFNYI10/s320/2005+-+North+Country+Prime.jpg" border="0" alt="North Country Prime" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171947480345352066" /><a href="http://www.sushiesque.com/sushiesque/" target="blank">The blog where I found this photo</a> hit the nail on the head in the original post: "Second-run movie theater marquee or worst personal ad ever?" Indeed.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hf46TR6ji9yWztUOW5L5MlD7gMwwaLojiYN1HfplCpmZNP061flCqI8bZ17jgAizeDX5pMy4Li-UGvq7dglw6OdEWARquNgDj874A0jOdon2gRgizBfJJxJNJ74pqAeFDCyZohRxoUI/s320/2001+-+Spy+Kids+Blow+Pokemon.jpg" border="0" alt="Spy Kids Blow Pokemon" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171947656439011218" />Before <span style="font-style:italic;">Knocked Up</span> came along, clever theater employees made the most out of the release of <span style="font-style:italic;">Blow</span>.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWv4-D_xKpKmjhPW8rvXB2OSsJohrBd1vhX0HVjP9uxFATUC1uWHB6Ef9c23ai0qb2Ox9L-fKpq4PUaOpi2kbmbu16b_MeGaGtsG6oBhqpFBmpeu7bIDbyjt1X17qjs1szH2XBc5s0gk/s320/2001+-+Spy+Kids+Blow+Dundee.jpg" border="0" alt="Spy Kids Blow Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171947776698095522" />Those Spy Kids have fallen on hard times.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpWwHNgVKHfo7YU4LVvDI4w5EWKHUTEHe6uBNBcZjKJ4NN_eVR_7mYX3nbt7P_2e4vOCe22ujFqfk2ztZLx4dl2hNBaaVrbvfa17UfZ0oAGPHD7RHoIntfszYWKIulThOByuw86JLr-w/s320/2001+-+Blow+the+Mexican.jpg" border="0" alt="Blow the Mexican Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171948098820642738" />Wow. That's a mouthful (shameless pun intended).<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCy0nrNhsol0NWAjlP0OJmvYVEf5uz3HFVS5ocT3gwF5CVo3vilm60Zpb9tk4BWRqV-w8ClfH7baO2vCjJdpudT05ITcPlIUVcsl21xEZfkxMKCGSXUVozX72uZVvRqcZz7sNR-bhHPk4/s320/2001+-++Mexican+Snatch.jpg" border="0" alt="The Mexican Snatch Just Visiting" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171948274914301890" />If they had put <span style="font-style:italic;">Just Visiting</span> first it would've made a lovely souvenir postcard for a Tijuana brothel.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBJuoXz0fZtqYZ0q6d_KSkV5sTYeYnzfEpn33DXUPlARz8EcERDKiJeyOj6ZVBJwuxBJ3GmANUNYO_d2OAFm1LEQH_v3gGXf-siu6H4Jzczx-plc8Kmquu4xs3yg5dE4oKT8G_N1bjhI/s320/2000+-+Erin+Brockovich.jpg" border="0" alt="Erin Brockovich Screwed My Dog Skip" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171948386583451602" />This was the first "naughty movie sign" I saw online, circa the year 2000. It's still one of the best.<br /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrbqL4H3lvR08J4TndLrikaaTe5gc-AMqy7RDswJRNpqTiHWh7kWSqc6ijOV0hXjQSBsdvQFAfoZ7M1WFYk1V8xi2bDwjRJRQl9oE73AbzjuA1M2qj-pJ0kT29B1dmVrs8_sehIM404s/s320/1999+-+Iron+Giant+Dick.jpg" border="0" alt="The Iron Giant Dick" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171948605626783714" />I may as well end on a dick joke.<br /><br />As a sidenote to this topic, here's a pair of photos showing some strategic poster placement in two different movie theaters. The trio of posters in both examples form the same subliminal suggestion. <span style="font-style:italic;">Superman Returns</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Eragon</span> are the first two films advertised, while the third poster is <span style="font-style:italic;">X-Men III</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Pirates of the Caribbean 2</span>, respectively.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iRY5NlxANJesWXiPX4iHYQOYF3zQvYuGHfbvf-NZxkUeka6HYcEl91vqjQBUimHvf915bhjCLBuSlJfjNL1vRsxrNDBljwZuCy-SV0si2554HRtXT-QrPaor_7Lqow1-ZZRgn7Vis6A/s320/2006+-+Subliminal+Sex.jpg" border="0" alt="Subliminal S - E - X" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171948932044298226" /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; width: 250px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4otP-dASWVfUrLCq8eZS9yNpQUBbmyPx2yNDU7e3x_QtOISrcJB2aUuR9422z_QDPatXfhFrMd9WP0fIe31YUgsyS48K9J-Xw0a3Z4ssc-IEQHJPTmbBnW8ySNvBwgslCy8MT-M1cdrc/s320/2006+-+Subliminal+Sex+2.jpg" border="0" alt="Subliminal S - E - X" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171949425965537282" /><br /><br />Still want more? <a href="http://focuspull.blogspot.com/2008/11/more-movie-marquee-fun.html">Check Your Local Listings, Part 2</a>!<br /></div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-88001145532728279292008-02-26T23:23:00.000-08:002008-11-27T14:15:05.662-08:00The Saul Bass Look<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVkqyHi0Gpzvj1J0V2DhZ5Ay7SShMNxIOqS6CkoOWXObBpL3xRXPY5ziKSoZdSudrzInwczr8QIcDuHdrQjv_0IDFIcLd_fzBZXesQLiGsiX5ric3ZzNGz0aWu039oRGy-4FEs38xz4w/s1600-h/Poster-Before+the+Devil+Knows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVkqyHi0Gpzvj1J0V2DhZ5Ay7SShMNxIOqS6CkoOWXObBpL3xRXPY5ziKSoZdSudrzInwczr8QIcDuHdrQjv_0IDFIcLd_fzBZXesQLiGsiX5ric3ZzNGz0aWu039oRGy-4FEs38xz4w/s200/Poster-Before+the+Devil+Knows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171742464376444578" border="0" /></a>The world of graphic design lost Saul Bass in 1996. Whether or not you know the man's name, his pioneering style in poster art is easily recognized. He did memorable artwork for <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.impawards.com/1955/man_with_the_golden_arm.html">The Man With the Golden Arm</a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.impawards.com/1958/vertigo.html">Vertigo</a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.impawards.com/1961/west_side_story.html">West Side Story</a>, and <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.impawards.com/1965/bunny_lake_is_missing.html">Bunny Lake Is Missing</a>.<br /><br />Bass's influence can still be seen, and there's been several examples in the dozen years since his passing. A recent one is <span style="font-style: italic;">Before the Devil Knows Your Dead</span>, designed by <a href="http://www.coldopen.com/">Cold Open, Inc</a>. Besides being a shortcut to retro cool, following the design icon's lead has other advantages. The stark contrasts in color and simplicity of the images are very eye-catching, and the ample use of negative space allows plenty of room for review quotes in newspaper ads (a key reason why ThinkFilm went with the look).<br /><br />Here's an overview of nine other film posters that have borrowed from his style to various degrees.<br /></div><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEN8wFWWwkGUhR_9Cslrbsfar4pouttYTVV9RqVK35n1_vUR4RdskmnXMO8wcMFvsbYSVAeOAFwQj4Jyv_EVkiAqcRf4C2JfJ_Wnjvm5KJnhp3GFoIi6lyWlLQM6wY7W14oFrIrQR15w/s1600-h/Poster-Clockers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEN8wFWWwkGUhR_9Cslrbsfar4pouttYTVV9RqVK35n1_vUR4RdskmnXMO8wcMFvsbYSVAeOAFwQj4Jyv_EVkiAqcRf4C2JfJ_Wnjvm5KJnhp3GFoIi6lyWlLQM6wY7W14oFrIrQR15w/s200/Poster-Clockers.jpg" alt="Clockers (1995)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Clockers</span><br />(1995)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyQ7e2bnMwxr3axhs0htnT8GhuS866ui-RyPJ9RCMKeP_aBUTsFvCAt5INM9wXdTwyJ8xF0H0RYU1jTls0PfIb7yKmTX0XeguRvxzcI3sQK-idFQ7sceiTeHEitZ2AwyhNMbKposrHy0/s1600-h/Poster-Butcher+Boy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyQ7e2bnMwxr3axhs0htnT8GhuS866ui-RyPJ9RCMKeP_aBUTsFvCAt5INM9wXdTwyJ8xF0H0RYU1jTls0PfIb7yKmTX0XeguRvxzcI3sQK-idFQ7sceiTeHEitZ2AwyhNMbKposrHy0/s200/Poster-Butcher+Boy.jpg" alt="The Butcher Boy (1997)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248630270727234" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Butcher Boy</span><br />(1997)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOTMxeu78cLwR2V7TL0QlAm9GLgf6tXr8HLbmk8ubUzEdu5Q7qjgRsK_27LSXgTEFbil7Mw8M1CqvYlKrHa9zgIvWe7_CLssiFIMbpDkFURwBFee4NlEYSGPy3GRm_ZuTzWrIpK07js8/s1600-h/Poster-Lock+Stock.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOTMxeu78cLwR2V7TL0QlAm9GLgf6tXr8HLbmk8ubUzEdu5Q7qjgRsK_27LSXgTEFbil7Mw8M1CqvYlKrHa9zgIvWe7_CLssiFIMbpDkFURwBFee4NlEYSGPy3GRm_ZuTzWrIpK07js8/s200/Poster-Lock+Stock.jpg" alt="Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Lock, Stock and<br />Two Smoking Barrels</span><br />(1998)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJTgu2APrqczw5eBHCzsQwys1DHqqnWbCTnNzGHXrstsTCq9yydWvz3Ht8SQ8tURibAo3l_-SFQIdypezlh_0aEpYx_0urOmxW5hefmJzorOYHOWuQWxx_YKt-SZ0KgXIXjnalyZ3NFc/s1600-h/Poster-Idle+Hands.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJTgu2APrqczw5eBHCzsQwys1DHqqnWbCTnNzGHXrstsTCq9yydWvz3Ht8SQ8tURibAo3l_-SFQIdypezlh_0aEpYx_0urOmxW5hefmJzorOYHOWuQWxx_YKt-SZ0KgXIXjnalyZ3NFc/s200/Poster-Idle+Hands.jpg" alt="Idle Hands (1999)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Idle Hands</span><br />(1999)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-KLWEXojMrqva-mIlp5zp0bXUYfK-0QV7xcXCNLRMe1j_lC7d5Q3puCqlEz4PwUM6uNe4N28s1bNQYAYxOwKnsl2naTFEy-O-boDA_NqlE92x6e64B_MnhbDRlt4uiNXi0aPO6dyO-g/s1600-h/Poster-Small+Time+Crooks.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-KLWEXojMrqva-mIlp5zp0bXUYfK-0QV7xcXCNLRMe1j_lC7d5Q3puCqlEz4PwUM6uNe4N28s1bNQYAYxOwKnsl2naTFEy-O-boDA_NqlE92x6e64B_MnhbDRlt4uiNXi0aPO6dyO-g/s200/Poster-Small+Time+Crooks.jpg" alt="Small Time Crooks (2000)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248630270727234" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Small Time Crooks</span><br />(2000)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNNYWLxxnBBwyiX8HA8fnN1l1bgkqF2SXRyxHh6H_L6L83zEv5NBt7rX-vTYBQMhLZxZCq3b9bAuQ4reY2Eld0DfDhfkrYVrMDHxFaHwXyVEOy4NDCaXHvon_9L0dlYhhWzkot1y3xaw/s1600-h/Poster-Criminal.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNNYWLxxnBBwyiX8HA8fnN1l1bgkqF2SXRyxHh6H_L6L83zEv5NBt7rX-vTYBQMhLZxZCq3b9bAuQ4reY2Eld0DfDhfkrYVrMDHxFaHwXyVEOy4NDCaXHvon_9L0dlYhhWzkot1y3xaw/s200/Poster-Criminal.jpg" alt="Criminal (2004)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Criminal</span><br />(2004)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubDB9wze1EGaHqkiW1zkLBfzl3i78wJGQXn52T8oEk7XnmBXEttzZnoev2czKzRwRzFM-nvsUPChq8CjXkAa9_xYO_FaoS8VY4rpxpYBwUbOrjNXV3CcFrxQl1SVgpSfdi0AIl4ICXS4/s1600-h/Poster-Prisoner.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubDB9wze1EGaHqkiW1zkLBfzl3i78wJGQXn52T8oEk7XnmBXEttzZnoev2czKzRwRzFM-nvsUPChq8CjXkAa9_xYO_FaoS8VY4rpxpYBwUbOrjNXV3CcFrxQl1SVgpSfdi0AIl4ICXS4/s200/Poster-Prisoner.jpg" alt="The Prisoner (2006)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Prisoner</span><br />(2006)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXW67hjUI0C1rInMhbiy9iJE5PILd-GT92aG4TLB-z2G_wVNxO1iWzF8kNoGJTmbFaqnBoSotpxh-bR_RC2Gczc1abxqyMUikOVQ-djmyyFOoTavos9w2GZfutGYlTxL9JTyEFEiP0uw/s1600-h/Poster-Protagonist.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXW67hjUI0C1rInMhbiy9iJE5PILd-GT92aG4TLB-z2G_wVNxO1iWzF8kNoGJTmbFaqnBoSotpxh-bR_RC2Gczc1abxqyMUikOVQ-djmyyFOoTavos9w2GZfutGYlTxL9JTyEFEiP0uw/s200/Poster-Protagonist.jpg" alt="The Protagonist (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248630270727234" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The Protagonist</span><br />(2007)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoRXFap7eh7GfvccwZjzUB-apN_8-N0rn2HuwitQwf3e5WNcMAvz8PSbnvlfN13APa4x4FzN-Kmjl15ykiOr2XGi0XL0s_yVjF5FHw13sqQkrl0JfbwXF1Zefy5oxxJEL_uHEGwc6liM/s1600-h/Poster-Flawless.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoRXFap7eh7GfvccwZjzUB-apN_8-N0rn2HuwitQwf3e5WNcMAvz8PSbnvlfN13APa4x4FzN-Kmjl15ykiOr2XGi0XL0s_yVjF5FHw13sqQkrl0JfbwXF1Zefy5oxxJEL_uHEGwc6liM/s200/Poster-Flawless.jpg" alt="Flawless (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Flawless</span><br />(2007)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pRVCicCD4kTDsgI08drwjSIxNz2X64sZRzG-qbnMo7ebngnjbu5Fo9c5u-1J6nTr2KANDIIn-F0Z-IJfFLjjKm8qouun4Y9kwvAXyZ2ZtDHj0vlMPivXJJ4OH0AO3giY8n62jBZL7jc/s1600-h/Poster_Burn+After+Reading.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; width: 120px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pRVCicCD4kTDsgI08drwjSIxNz2X64sZRzG-qbnMo7ebngnjbu5Fo9c5u-1J6nTr2KANDIIn-F0Z-IJfFLjjKm8qouun4Y9kwvAXyZ2ZtDHj0vlMPivXJJ4OH0AO3giY8n62jBZL7jc/s200/Poster_Burn+After+Reading.jpg" border="0" alt="Burn After Reading (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273460877960840242" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE 11/20/08</span></span><br />While <a href="http://www.impawards.com/2008/burn_after_reading.html" target="blank">the initial poster artwork</a> for the Coen Bros. comedy <span style="font-style:italic;">Burn After Reading</span> (2008) certainly showed a Saul Bass influence (particularly in the typeface), this later design echoes his style even more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For a thorough appreciation of Saul Bass's portfolio:<br /><a href="http://www.saulbass.tv/"><br />Saul Bass on the Web</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.notcoming.com/saulbass/index2.php">Titles Designed by Saul Bass</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.designmuseum.org/design/saul-bass">Design Musem: Saul Bass</a>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-47168057484090893382008-02-22T12:52:00.000-08:002008-11-27T14:40:49.946-08:00Hidden Images in Horror Movie Art<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RsetR9H2HZSyrNQbTUyC2SwUwi98_y-ikESH6HE_6uEj5XhPyjTYQqZ-16bLjhMS01IMpwSAHw1M9O3PxKw3NzlFx0KfsV2qxK581yWAzsbLaRQ3e7jkC06YFb2Cl9anZSw6NRCWB-Q/s1600-h/Poster-Shrooms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RsetR9H2HZSyrNQbTUyC2SwUwi98_y-ikESH6HE_6uEj5XhPyjTYQqZ-16bLjhMS01IMpwSAHw1M9O3PxKw3NzlFx0KfsV2qxK581yWAzsbLaRQ3e7jkC06YFb2Cl9anZSw6NRCWB-Q/s200/Poster-Shrooms.jpg" alt="Shrooms (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169912262847501490" border="0" /></a>The poster for the recent Irish horror film <span style="font-style: italic;">Shrooms</span> features a clever subliminal image of a skull, formed by the silhouettes of three mushrooms set against a full moon in the background. While this is an effective and well done gimmick, it's also nothing new. There have been a number of similar optical illusions on scary movie posters in the past few years.<br /><br />In today's saturated horror market, such methods make perfect sense. Any novelty that will make a film stand out from the crowd of theatrical and direct-to-video releases each year is a good thing. Eye-catching poster art has always been an effective way to generate interest in a title, especially when it makes you look a second and even third time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNytNCmQHvqq-_yO8fn8qadlYH9JzwZcSAT15lUPXlca6dFeiRQjM5r-kb2G_j_ZV6XCU3r4iu95sibPuzJsdOJsfbhAFv4ks6xqK3dmgiG7yt3oTlhf9YiI9rROk8PMQZKDl9oCwJcAY/s1600-h/Poster-Pathology.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNytNCmQHvqq-_yO8fn8qadlYH9JzwZcSAT15lUPXlca6dFeiRQjM5r-kb2G_j_ZV6XCU3r4iu95sibPuzJsdOJsfbhAFv4ks6xqK3dmgiG7yt3oTlhf9YiI9rROk8PMQZKDl9oCwJcAY/s200/Poster-Pathology.jpg" alt="Pathology (2008)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173743346967517794" border="0" /></a>The upcoming thriller <span style="font-style:italic;">Pathology</span> also employs a hidden skull in its poster design, although it's much more subtle. The artwork initially appears to be nothing but rows and rows of Polaroids.<br /><br />We see snapshots of the main characters, some anonymous body parts, and what looks like the tiled walls of a morgue. Some of the photos are oddly framed or poorly lit, and the color has been washed out of all of them. When viewed at a distance, however, the light and dark areas of the snapshots form a photomosaic of a skull.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHkiyiruCEmu9woaUeXxYFtFA8nF5XAFiM1R_H5-U9YY1_yZQ1-uw_7JBN8dagklVbk8bn8-WNIpacfl94iKMSPEjm3cUcUGr0D2mDgG_NkwZqZXX_dILQWxj1diqlHbsvq3dnXR-Xsw/s1600-h/DVD-Ferryman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHkiyiruCEmu9woaUeXxYFtFA8nF5XAFiM1R_H5-U9YY1_yZQ1-uw_7JBN8dagklVbk8bn8-WNIpacfl94iKMSPEjm3cUcUGr0D2mDgG_NkwZqZXX_dILQWxj1diqlHbsvq3dnXR-Xsw/s200/DVD-Ferryman.jpg" alt="The Ferryman (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169917829125117122" border="0" /></a>The Region 1 DVD release of the New Zealand fright flick <span style="font-style: italic;">The Ferryman</span> features yet another variation on the skull. This time the trick uses a sailboat at sea, with the vessel representing the nose and the moonlit waves suggesting the jaw and teeth. The clouds forming the eye sockets are a bit dubious, though, and make the illusion seem forced.<br /><br />Nonetheless, First Look Pictures must have thought this design approach would turn more heads than <a href="http://www.impawards.com/2007/ferryman.html" target="blank">the theatrical poster</a>. The original campaign went with more of a grindhouse aesthetic, featuring cropped close-ups of the actors looking terrified. Perhaps they thought the U.S. home video market already had more than enough images of tortured women on DVD covers (see <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Unrated-Widescreen-Kristen-Bell/dp/B000I0RNYI/" target="blank">Pulse</a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Creek-Unrated-Widescreen-Jarratt/dp/B000EOTVU2" target="blank">Wolf Creek</a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Death-Kristy-Swanson/dp/B000ICL3MO/" target="blank">Living Death</a>, and <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hills-Have-Eyes-Unrated/dp/B000FAOC2W/" target="blank">The Hills Have Eyes</a>, just to name a few).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfhrQ_5I8v9imzFAzUndsaMYfgeWu0Us7LQRc0UWZskHUawnLplqf5gIAH_8TgXthd3KAdxGQCLPYV_AnwUxbAjC7ct2eqRTYfblKnMa4YBkdlIwwYQKzv55JzcveZR0ECfmJl-XmJFM/s1600-h/IMG-Face.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfhrQ_5I8v9imzFAzUndsaMYfgeWu0Us7LQRc0UWZskHUawnLplqf5gIAH_8TgXthd3KAdxGQCLPYV_AnwUxbAjC7ct2eqRTYfblKnMa4YBkdlIwwYQKzv55JzcveZR0ECfmJl-XmJFM/s200/IMG-Face.jpg" alt="Anonymous French postcard" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171424168645105042" border="0" /></a>These hidden skulls are actually just the latest in a long tradition of illustrated illusions. Novelty postcards depicting double images were very popular around the end of the nineteenth century. For example, the picture to the right might seem to be a cluster of women in various poses, but a second look would find a man's profile forming out of their huddled mass.<br /><br />The artists behind these images employed a handful of visual tropes, but the human skull was by far the object most often evoked (which explains why the gimmick is a favorite of horror movie poster designers). Some notable early examples are Charles Allan Gilbert's "All Is Vanity" from 1892, Judge Magazine's May 1894 cover, and "L'Amour de Pierrot," an anonymous French postcard circa 1905.</div><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk6NnW7DOpXOXqqKdr3mSVxx5TCrXBKYpH889J4T553HX4Gz9QRvD94IGXWJDZ28Gyn-IsegRNoGGcuqSvCaqRJmhy_2tcMJOqbv48TfodFedInc8RgvtEyG5QpxnEv7soRG63S2qvC4/s1600-h/IMG-All+Is+Vanity.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk6NnW7DOpXOXqqKdr3mSVxx5TCrXBKYpH889J4T553HX4Gz9QRvD94IGXWJDZ28Gyn-IsegRNoGGcuqSvCaqRJmhy_2tcMJOqbv48TfodFedInc8RgvtEyG5QpxnEv7soRG63S2qvC4/s200/IMG-All+Is+Vanity.jpg" alt="All Is Vanity (1892)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">All Is Vanity</span><br />(1892)</td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRus4qEwdY3LxEVA0IePLkBF1AJ4_YKu9miEwpHs4sWtgOB-y7WkExSaVQs0ViOu3kWYGwgOXv_GG-qN6QVLShrsAJk7JRfOvwnTDT4iq-3ZtgNLV77hniFimbQbOkw0SA2d0KQr-_cxw/s1600-h/Judge-Skull.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRus4qEwdY3LxEVA0IePLkBF1AJ4_YKu9miEwpHs4sWtgOB-y7WkExSaVQs0ViOu3kWYGwgOXv_GG-qN6QVLShrsAJk7JRfOvwnTDT4iq-3ZtgNLV77hniFimbQbOkw0SA2d0KQr-_cxw/s200/Judge-Skull.jpg" alt="Judge Magazine (1894)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248630270727234" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Judge Magazine</span><br />(1894)</td><td align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09xIoxCub9etuXRBKjP7IlGSE4IIITall6SeRkJzKd9pxMnTw7uXQDq0xZG0r9WlsYyrEeGSk0V0AS6fvuuWrYs_FWobShB6dYdTWe3pmr5rO3g_KI-3UHzD5dVIP1GDjT2lOFMWyxjg/s1600-h/IMG-Pierrot.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09xIoxCub9etuXRBKjP7IlGSE4IIITall6SeRkJzKd9pxMnTw7uXQDq0xZG0r9WlsYyrEeGSk0V0AS6fvuuWrYs_FWobShB6dYdTWe3pmr5rO3g_KI-3UHzD5dVIP1GDjT2lOFMWyxjg/s200/IMG-Pierrot.jpg" alt="Anonymous French postcard (1905)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" height="180" width="120" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">L'amour de Pierrot</span><br />(1905)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali contributed several works to the canon of hidden skull imagery. He illustrated the dangers of casual sex and venereal disease in a wartime poster depicting a soldier looking at two comely females. Shift your eyes and he hints at the consequences of an affair with these women.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u6UyHkn_wcSyjDGpPrxqbiygBIPCZDBAf5tB7aT8eFtBM5Vp34wdoJw-vu5HnA7k8R-ZJmZuAVDcusEzXgdi-hS2vPD4DdyRhyphenhyphen6fL1JIVx91F3Z0EbVrCOe0U4S4SG6NHzV2XPkY7zg/s1600-h/Dali-VD.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u6UyHkn_wcSyjDGpPrxqbiygBIPCZDBAf5tB7aT8eFtBM5Vp34wdoJw-vu5HnA7k8R-ZJmZuAVDcusEzXgdi-hS2vPD4DdyRhyphenhyphen6fL1JIVx91F3Z0EbVrCOe0U4S4SG6NHzV2XPkY7zg/s200/Dali-VD.jpg" alt="Soldier Take Warning (1942)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Soldier Take Warning</span><br />(1942)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tqxs3D6TDo9-fH-K51Pw9W-zeCzFzhAwjT8ZZGJdIN74MwOed4cpN3lrP2pswMkmKmG63yS4CbbEpblTqdtoOneiSgnFyhQB1idv1S2RL2DrbPIsIg2qH9iEQuf9UnrVTPG5nEYy47k/s1600-h/Dali-Skull.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tqxs3D6TDo9-fH-K51Pw9W-zeCzFzhAwjT8ZZGJdIN74MwOed4cpN3lrP2pswMkmKmG63yS4CbbEpblTqdtoOneiSgnFyhQB1idv1S2RL2DrbPIsIg2qH9iEQuf9UnrVTPG5nEYy47k/s200/Dali-Skull.jpg" alt="Skull of Zurbarán (1956)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Skull of Zurbarán</span><br />(1956)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeQIMk9N09KSCUoBkd-wgJU9mfZfJtysuA6KOtVgLVAmCq9_iCD-h-Y0tPVbER1nmxLzfaIEhd2rucLQ3FNi7nZ1Myo7GlLp5E2AoZKRQ8lAbgBzzSETPEAYmIh6gpXp08muE8VnzJDU/s1600-h/IMG-Dali.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeQIMk9N09KSCUoBkd-wgJU9mfZfJtysuA6KOtVgLVAmCq9_iCD-h-Y0tPVbER1nmxLzfaIEhd2rucLQ3FNi7nZ1Myo7GlLp5E2AoZKRQ8lAbgBzzSETPEAYmIh6gpXp08muE8VnzJDU/s200/IMG-Dali.jpg" alt="In Voluptas Mors (1951)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169912262847501490" border="0" /></a>One of the most celebrated of Dali's endeavors in this field is his "In Voluptas Mors" (a.k.a. "Human Skull Consisting of Seven Naked Women's Bodies") from 1951. The image is very much in the spirit of the French novelty postcards from five decades earlier.<br /><br />His artful arrangement of the female form has turned up in the artwork for two different motion pictures. The marketing for Jonathan Demme's <span style="font-style: italic;">Silence of the Lambs</span> subtly placed the image on the back of a "Death's Head" moth, while a sextet of spunky spelunkers strike similar poses on the poster for the British horror film <span style="font-style: italic;">The Descent</span>.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOPktKlqG0PJM7ymRM-vSrlyUCK6wne_qcY8ojlbQdkPR3LEY1FzgbpJDG_or0yRAj30reFhnQlqKdbzlmb18YIYr-4h_Sx5aYqWArYQ1jRn_tVOM6wZVI7ZHQcFAh6wbL8YZY_Bkb9o/s1600-h/Poster-Silence+of+the+Lambs.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOPktKlqG0PJM7ymRM-vSrlyUCK6wne_qcY8ojlbQdkPR3LEY1FzgbpJDG_or0yRAj30reFhnQlqKdbzlmb18YIYr-4h_Sx5aYqWArYQ1jRn_tVOM6wZVI7ZHQcFAh6wbL8YZY_Bkb9o/s200/Poster-Silence+of+the+Lambs.jpg" alt="The Silence of the Lambs (1991)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The Silence of the Lambs</span><br />(1991)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d3Wc2NH-qF-4HqZX5vVl72GcE0JzN2HCY6t7XQoclRePAPM84EzLz-Ks7SmKx-Sg84Of6FgSUsB42aebZqz5QadqbuHqyR7ry_5-B0vwD2L7ZA-KG-ri8oBsTox7bHq0GmC7Uh2ZCcg/s1600-h/Poster-Descent.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d3Wc2NH-qF-4HqZX5vVl72GcE0JzN2HCY6t7XQoclRePAPM84EzLz-Ks7SmKx-Sg84Of6FgSUsB42aebZqz5QadqbuHqyR7ry_5-B0vwD2L7ZA-KG-ri8oBsTox7bHq0GmC7Uh2ZCcg/s200/Poster-Descent.jpg" alt="The Descent (2005)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The Descent</span><br />(2005)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />The one-sheet for the Sandra Bullock thriller <span style="font-style: italic;">Premonition</span> gives a haunting impression of her likeness through some strategically placed branches, leaves and birds. This impressive effect is also reminiscent of Dali's art. The forming of a face with tree branches is a trick he employed in 1974 with his "Transformation of ‘Antiques’ Magazine Cover into the Apparition of a Face."</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZRFtgZ09wRsQbsr1mRm3Oi24k2U-DscxJsdvVW7d5JcPZH0MqnxGeNoV3pg8W7kQfp9GSrkgc-oHC42JdmwAJ72QqauiXOtohzYmaXtGSweXx5TAtNhFAgGbtTD-VGEkcKCVyri4Jqw/s1600-h/Dali-Cover.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZRFtgZ09wRsQbsr1mRm3Oi24k2U-DscxJsdvVW7d5JcPZH0MqnxGeNoV3pg8W7kQfp9GSrkgc-oHC42JdmwAJ72QqauiXOtohzYmaXtGSweXx5TAtNhFAgGbtTD-VGEkcKCVyri4Jqw/s200/Dali-Cover.jpg" alt="Antiques Magazine (1974)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Antiques Magazine</span><br />(1974)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDpQCDuVMvwxSPrQ1b2qZ_1FOrCyI6Sv8wWihmd6PcxkIxEVOUQN1NDHb_CzJuBKgwH_ZHCrYhcACiIthBHk2ufo8bYLJr1nmPSiK5IofiGqfmvLYnfWmNI7nBMVpbuidc9BPx-lph3Q/s1600-h/Poster-Premonition.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDpQCDuVMvwxSPrQ1b2qZ_1FOrCyI6Sv8wWihmd6PcxkIxEVOUQN1NDHb_CzJuBKgwH_ZHCrYhcACiIthBHk2ufo8bYLJr1nmPSiK5IofiGqfmvLYnfWmNI7nBMVpbuidc9BPx-lph3Q/s200/Poster-Premonition.jpg" alt="Premonition (2007)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Premonition</span><br />(2007)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">A stand of trees form yet another subliminal skull in the poster for Eli Roth's 2002 breakout film <span style="font-style:italic;">Cabin Fever</span>. The dwelling itself provides the teeth for the image. The various elements of the layout bring to mind the artwork used for the <span style="font-style:italic;">House on the Edge of the Park</span>. The face of the skull is formed in much the same way, but the inclusion of the cloak and bony hand destroys any subtlety the illusion might have had. The Italian chiller represents the earliest use of this imagery in contemporary film marketing that I encountered in my research.* If anyone knows of additional examples in this field, please add a comment to this post.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KgMqRymyBx8hpuScjTyxr9obw1q05YiMaCbyqIv_66vtbFRIJo42asGjqaXD9wt9l_j2ReZt1jmGW3hDVVtjN5M6VtwRrck2x2QiiEwM8AM88rgH2UObrH6guvRN7WCrv5FPQou52bM/s1600-h/DVD-House+on+the+Edge.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KgMqRymyBx8hpuScjTyxr9obw1q05YiMaCbyqIv_66vtbFRIJo42asGjqaXD9wt9l_j2ReZt1jmGW3hDVVtjN5M6VtwRrck2x2QiiEwM8AM88rgH2UObrH6guvRN7WCrv5FPQou52bM/s200/DVD-House+on+the+Edge.jpg" alt="House on the Edge of the Park (1980)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">House on the<br>Edge of the Park</span><br />(1980)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuIvZRTePFhIJRZNaESgoZ4ENnxzsU0Kt6hQ9DoY_xwM1wDhOMiWDA-UeFxgGvSf_rZ31d_qgpQ1LiYDFstl1ILTsqX4oOjV30TgqT3dneNBHzUGuQGXHbYpylLaGGn5VtJdpImwgkeo/s1600-h/Poster-Cabin+Fever.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuIvZRTePFhIJRZNaESgoZ4ENnxzsU0Kt6hQ9DoY_xwM1wDhOMiWDA-UeFxgGvSf_rZ31d_qgpQ1LiYDFstl1ILTsqX4oOjV30TgqT3dneNBHzUGuQGXHbYpylLaGGn5VtJdpImwgkeo/s200/Poster-Cabin+Fever.jpg" alt="Cabin Fever (2002)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" border="0" /></a><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Cabin Fever</span><br />(2002)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />*An exception would be the elegant <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6FsIMba0BTbrUNgBcj_uYTZQjR5cbDkamAzBoZFhBjIdq16niLe78GCgKj-LNah6C-l9HFFv0k9bZFXUs_c3_gp_Kd3OeXxklllon4zW0VtBea5tbJCUOfi8E_KDo_OUO33i_82vnk/s1600-h/DVD-Killing+Sister+George.jpg" target="blank">line drawing illusion</a> used on posters for <span style="font-style:italic;">The Killing of Sister George</span>. Although not in the horror genre and therefore outside of the scope of this post, the film was released in 1968.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMEjgPAb7fKPZe_p2k_hUePtwrIPNoy5zmZbUAoeoZhnhsCKkAiBAtoi4nR6kqDFG7uCPtW9rRweVVYvq0yahdeUZSpXgTBURyv1rDk46S3wAteWkW3pjK5AvOscW50FIFmtj-pfHtlM/s1600-h/Poster-Terminator+4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMEjgPAb7fKPZe_p2k_hUePtwrIPNoy5zmZbUAoeoZhnhsCKkAiBAtoi4nR6kqDFG7uCPtW9rRweVVYvq0yahdeUZSpXgTBURyv1rDk46S3wAteWkW3pjK5AvOscW50FIFmtj-pfHtlM/s200/Poster-Terminator+4.jpg" border="0" alt="Terminator Salvation (2009)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273470386120045410" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UPDATE 11/26/08</span></span><br />Sony Pictures recently unveiled a cool animated poster for the upcoming sequel <span style="font-style:italic;">Terminator Salvation</span> (2009). A bird's eye view of Los Angeles is ravaged until it resembles the skull-like head of a Terminator android. An animated flash version is viewable on the <a href="http://www.sonypictures.net/movies/terminatorsalvation/poster.html" target="blank">official Sony Pictures film site</a>.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />See also: <a href="http://focuspull.blogspot.com/2008/03/another-dali-influenced-face-illusion.html">Tarsem Channels Dali</a>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-73321183474988798352008-02-20T19:30:00.000-08:002008-11-30T04:07:41.337-08:00Influence or Coincidence? Spiral vs. Spartan<div style="text-align: justify;">The cover art for the recently released DVD of <span style="font-style: italic;">Spiral</span> looks remarkably similar to the layout for the 2004 Val Kilmer film, <span style="font-style: italic;">Spartan</span>.</div><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBp2Hyc98ARHZRD3iP3o0C3yxBgOWQYVt-VFRJ03f73Vowx7N_YnLLr8dIOPYrir6IjFQ2ciND3v0DbBe1q5-7m4pcfqJ84ZQAuu83ph59OgvhhyphenhyphenYC1UN8_5nmmGlHv8Ne-UuhBm0BUw/s320/DVD-Spartan.jpg" alt="Spartan (2004)" id="Spartan" border="0" /><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Spartan</span><br>(2004)</td><td align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBE1NbDA1e0UDJCWqFFnD0q3e9O5m6bNdETlJ30GDbYh2tDdqbc-KuihyphenhyphenedsOX76XqCuv7jENVti7CeiUpWJWFCwzhPNs4qoj-VofuYN6MvumkIaRGza8iPSJBR8phyphenhyphenblRtp7nGlvizo/s320/DVD-Spiral.jpg" alt="Spiral (2007)" id="Spiral" border="0" /><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Spiral</span><br>(2007)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Both films have single word titles that begin with "Sp." Both films use a black-and-white image of a face with the eyes covered by a stripe of red. For <span style="font-style:italic;">Spartan</span>, it's a female face with a man visible in the stripe. For <span style="font-style:italic;">Spiral</span>, a male face with a woman visible in the stripe.</div>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-74418565731816875472008-02-19T17:38:00.000-08:002008-09-28T03:18:45.558-07:00Spelling with Numbers<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K69gbpyx7UMywjYv7HrKwWWzVJl0cAij1GlMvknF1czignEKLIVPM_2CnDnoCe_H8igksvSeTWmCgaz7APpb5P77VMS2tihCt1Jwzn4RIz7qbt5vO_mjiGHc2lyjgrs8O5a500yFBTY/s1600-h/DVD-Seven.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K69gbpyx7UMywjYv7HrKwWWzVJl0cAij1GlMvknF1czignEKLIVPM_2CnDnoCe_H8igksvSeTWmCgaz7APpb5P77VMS2tihCt1Jwzn4RIz7qbt5vO_mjiGHc2lyjgrs8O5a500yFBTY/s200/DVD-Seven.jpg" alt="Seven (1995)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168881621020316578" /></a>During the promotion of the 1995 film <span style="font-style: italic;">Seven</span>, some clever chap took the movie's titular numeral and used it in place of the 'v.' While most people can agree that the Morgan Freeman/Brad Pitt thriller is a benchmark in serial killer cinema, not everyone appreciates the numeric nod in the logo.<br /><br />Many have argued that the '7' looks nothing like the letter it's supposed to represent, and when written out in a sentence as Se7en, I would certainly agree. However, the typeface used in the marketing was much better suited for the gimmick than your average serif print font. The designer even faded out the horizontal top of the number a bit to help emphasize the vertical stem, which echoes the right side of the letter 'V.' There are studies that have demonstrated how we see the general shapes of letters within a word and not necessarily what the letters actually are; our brains infer the rest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2VoeofVgTy356Mw_vsYlbKG4X86SEqAxq9NKVFlQPizi1dimocKBCXLQ2Y_eYkEbEJdYlvNH07tfKTzLXfvcnUZUj08L0VK2RI7L4XupKQ2OViQ4ZSQL5Mv4vCDNu6PNeG9TGWRt5CE/s1600-h/DVD-Thirteen+Ghosts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2VoeofVgTy356Mw_vsYlbKG4X86SEqAxq9NKVFlQPizi1dimocKBCXLQ2Y_eYkEbEJdYlvNH07tfKTzLXfvcnUZUj08L0VK2RI7L4XupKQ2OViQ4ZSQL5Mv4vCDNu6PNeG9TGWRt5CE/s200/DVD-Thirteen+Ghosts.jpg" alt="Thirteen Ghosts (2001)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169139808684348354" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Seven</span> did well in theaters, and went on to do even better on home video. Since then, marketing departments have repeatedly laid waste to the Roman alphabet. Graphic designers are probably getting a kick out of it, but now film critics and their copy editors risk a loss of reader comprehension if they don't translate a film's title back into traditional letterforms.<br /><br />The logo for the 2001 remake of <span style="font-style: italic;">Thirteen Ghosts</span> put this theory of word recognition to the test. As with <span style="font-style: italic;">Seven</span>, the gimmick is passable within the cover's all-caps typeface. Written out in traditional print as <span style="font-style: italic;">Thir13en Ghosts</span>, however, the effect breaks down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKuUAJ5K_yte8VMC-CMDRECL886wCknbIjIyUMCXj1sGidlkqlEq7CPnZ7HlXYnvi3f8X-jmpnJuykD2-iJWMO0XqyHH7Gfnl3Tlm-tZp4qSc1Hf5u_mIqcbrXn2VfPOwPP-M_0-ho7U/s1600-h/Poster-Murder+By+Numbers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKuUAJ5K_yte8VMC-CMDRECL886wCknbIjIyUMCXj1sGidlkqlEq7CPnZ7HlXYnvi3f8X-jmpnJuykD2-iJWMO0XqyHH7Gfnl3Tlm-tZp4qSc1Hf5u_mIqcbrXn2VfPOwPP-M_0-ho7U/s200/Poster-Murder+By+Numbers.jpg" alt="Murder By Numbers" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168955103615783858" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" /></a>The poster for the 2002 Sandra Bullock thriller <span style="font-style: italic;">Murder By Numbers</span> found a nice balance between cleverness and legibility. The popular "3-for-an-E" trick is employed, but the numeral is reversed to better resemble the vowel. A vertical string of numbers counting 1 through 9 intersects with the word 'By,' drawing attention to the fact that the letter 'B' is actually an '8.'<br /><br />You'd be forgiven for thinking that this film was some sort of <span style="font-style: italic;">Seven</span> knockoff, or at least involved a killer obsessed with numerology. However, numbers don't really play into the plot of the film at all. The designer was just having some fun with the uninspired name of a basic suspense flick.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyRVwfW0W2HYHibHXDgwj0yo776by3K4j5a3ZfI_QiVPUPwaV-DtHc-fI0cQEnJuBv0ZS3Rq6vAQndXkbceyT6xNemt7G5Mf7ncyuoyNg0AQxV-VUuGRXq3TNlFBqg2PJ2SBJJjEb2o8/s1600-h/DVD-Numbers."><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 10px; float: right;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyRVwfW0W2HYHibHXDgwj0yo776by3K4j5a3ZfI_QiVPUPwaV-DtHc-fI0cQEnJuBv0ZS3Rq6vAQndXkbceyT6xNemt7G5Mf7ncyuoyNg0AQxV-VUuGRXq3TNlFBqg2PJ2SBJJjEb2o8/s200/DVD-Numbers.jpg" alt="Numbers (2005)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169222899121656786" border="0" /></a>Sometimes the use of numeric substitutes for letters is conceptually justified. The television series <span style="font-style: italic;">Numb3rs</span> features a crime fighting mathematician, so the '3' that replaces the second vowel in the title becomes a sly nod to the character's view of the world. He sees numbers within everything and uses them to augment traditional police work.<br /><br />Once again, it plays well within the show's all-caps logo, but it looks as tacky as a typo when written in a sentence like the one above. At least they didn't take the idea any further and go with a more convoluted spelling like NUM83R5.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKebYARNKHnEy6ATdqCIYDFwtRwqe2cOn6mAUeHNU5AbfMgeNDKN375On6wAYGWYeYhXN5mHmf8wGMdWWe5zOnaXWvht_Rie-sYmieqjavuZekK4K9w963t0jZgV75B7KMteLW0iF4Mtg/s1600-h/Poster-Lucky+Number+Slevin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKebYARNKHnEy6ATdqCIYDFwtRwqe2cOn6mAUeHNU5AbfMgeNDKN375On6wAYGWYeYhXN5mHmf8wGMdWWe5zOnaXWvht_Rie-sYmieqjavuZekK4K9w963t0jZgV75B7KMteLW0iF4Mtg/s200/Poster-Lucky+Number+Slevin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169237214247654386" border="0" /></a>The awkwardly titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Lucky Number Slevin</span> isn't helped by the inclusion of an upside down seven as an 'L.' Josh Hartnett's character is actually called Slevin Kelevra, providing the basis for the weak pun on the phrase "lucky number seven."<br /><br />However, this fact is not really apparent to those who haven't seen the movie, and the strained attempt at wordplay is just confusing. Throwing the numeral into the mix doesn't clue the audience in so much as it underscores what a bad idea the clumsy title was in the first place.<br /><br />Some attempts at this rudimentary <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leetspeak" target="blank">leetspeak</a> look more awkward than others, but it's clear that such alphanumeric folly is no longer limited to automobile license plates and Prince lyric sheets.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxdTEhbAFzzvxtmTX8MfapFL3BWjKGvlXDEfJZNNJ-j37de67RLlqIsq_8h_anI3YLaBy2UxcUptmRBZcbCn_hW2rvyCCBb40TTvsBIJ85jZJe38le0oD4YkUQGBqwq_bbGhRLlDrCvM/s1600-h/DVD-6ixtynin9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxdTEhbAFzzvxtmTX8MfapFL3BWjKGvlXDEfJZNNJ-j37de67RLlqIsq_8h_anI3YLaBy2UxcUptmRBZcbCn_hW2rvyCCBb40TTvsBIJ85jZJe38le0oD4YkUQGBqwq_bbGhRLlDrCvM/s200/DVD-6ixtynin9.jpg" alt="6ixtynin9 (1999)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169243596569056258" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">6ixtynin9</span><br>(1999)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCErjs24cXFvRXpQo5SBlmZ3niLlG39VXwSh_A8oNYmTur7TZibro2ZvyFWByo0WQ6bfZZw6AcVkuFyLmUxGjK6TVZDitpikJTH79QeMyduOSIG0EVG98vxPhr_IvfK5kT5x_YKnAx39w/s1600-h/DVD-Legion+of+the+Dead.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCErjs24cXFvRXpQo5SBlmZ3niLlG39VXwSh_A8oNYmTur7TZibro2ZvyFWByo0WQ6bfZZw6AcVkuFyLmUxGjK6TVZDitpikJTH79QeMyduOSIG0EVG98vxPhr_IvfK5kT5x_YKnAx39w/s200/DVD-Legion+of+the+Dead.jpg" alt="Legion of the Dead (2001)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181488917195607682" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Legion of the Dead</span><br>(2001)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-jQ06VIktM0Zfty8YM1l_kDfkTOJ51z7IH9PE7M8k1fL708vXMi8ExMgySKlNNkl5BAQW5czSI8V4nIoTSQAAc1-rfWAkgzZ3Ngn3Sk0f7Jh9q_RZbXEiy1y2OoH5NWhZi3bBoJUtGc/s1600-h/DVD-Simone.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-jQ06VIktM0Zfty8YM1l_kDfkTOJ51z7IH9PE7M8k1fL708vXMi8ExMgySKlNNkl5BAQW5czSI8V4nIoTSQAAc1-rfWAkgzZ3Ngn3Sk0f7Jh9q_RZbXEiy1y2OoH5NWhZi3bBoJUtGc/s200/DVD-Simone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169244614476305442" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Simone</span><br>(2002)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUISe9FPegnHWeg5wugld0607dbluDV_8Zm5MUypXmT-V6z8o0b6RymhCO8xStvG47_SNcsdrbRQrLIT5_B-CbaIURJ-iK9DX5b-wtIWeHG0619_lA9Dxs7WEieJikeatnGlj7qMKpAmY/s1600-h/DVD-Nine+Lives.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUISe9FPegnHWeg5wugld0607dbluDV_8Zm5MUypXmT-V6z8o0b6RymhCO8xStvG47_SNcsdrbRQrLIT5_B-CbaIURJ-iK9DX5b-wtIWeHG0619_lA9Dxs7WEieJikeatnGlj7qMKpAmY/s200/DVD-Nine+Lives.jpg" alt="Nine Lives (2002)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181489853498478226" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Nine Lives</span><br>(2002)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LGWP5fMlE8OoZpzM8mhlF_pIuIowJdNnCEsjb84NLM2kTSoUrcxTL-IfjNBR0nxEXi5FuLtBAZJEb3dEQlO5yyCuW8VYoOHXY2zWrPhp0HHppUzfC9hjlVOAKqoaEXDasHRxM2jfzvU/s1600-h/DVD-Men+in+Black+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LGWP5fMlE8OoZpzM8mhlF_pIuIowJdNnCEsjb84NLM2kTSoUrcxTL-IfjNBR0nxEXi5FuLtBAZJEb3dEQlO5yyCuW8VYoOHXY2zWrPhp0HHppUzfC9hjlVOAKqoaEXDasHRxM2jfzvU/s200/DVD-Men+in+Black+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169244412612842514" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Men in Black II</span><br>(2002)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZFAdFWf3aF8ggJbk756BEVmtj8zUfl7pTUR7Bbx96rA7Nln24JAstJ-S53s9vcGwjt3nhHDs_RxBPUPNNfArSnzLd8ehwhKv3P9ASWu8_zwu9Y370hc-r7drRlgnKXn6sVA-yfTVvAE/s1600-h/DVD-5ive+Days.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZFAdFWf3aF8ggJbk756BEVmtj8zUfl7pTUR7Bbx96rA7Nln24JAstJ-S53s9vcGwjt3nhHDs_RxBPUPNNfArSnzLd8ehwhKv3P9ASWu8_zwu9Y370hc-r7drRlgnKXn6sVA-yfTVvAE/s200/DVD-5ive+Days.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169245121282446386" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">5ive Days to Midnight</span><br>(2004)<p></p></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgPJ_j8h6BsZbAvfXerzhV1p5mT67UKI6dW2gu0wIVI6p1AQ9caWtTmxKA9OMmJVseYYcaPe9b273hqWciCgFJEZr7QU7V5Qsm4L5zjwqvTtqCserajgpi_gxmHpV0l1kIJBzr9UNMn8/s1600-h/DVD-Layer+Cake.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgPJ_j8h6BsZbAvfXerzhV1p5mT67UKI6dW2gu0wIVI6p1AQ9caWtTmxKA9OMmJVseYYcaPe9b273hqWciCgFJEZr7QU7V5Qsm4L5zjwqvTtqCserajgpi_gxmHpV0l1kIJBzr9UNMn8/s200/DVD-Layer+Cake.jpg" border="0" width="120" height="175" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248630270727234" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Layer Cake</span><br>(2004)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2YtTr8HY6V71ZY8hIS7W1CCbgu9Ql0oQgv40GThE4tqQrpTc83Pvr9Q8ElH7TJHNIh03onBqPMLtgjW0WAEKyvjp8v4y6tbU9P-vHvorayv-NTY-_A3Bbn0sHpNBKTDFbOR3VE623Ik/s1600-h/DVD-Last+Sign.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2YtTr8HY6V71ZY8hIS7W1CCbgu9Ql0oQgv40GThE4tqQrpTc83Pvr9Q8ElH7TJHNIh03onBqPMLtgjW0WAEKyvjp8v4y6tbU9P-vHvorayv-NTY-_A3Bbn0sHpNBKTDFbOR3VE623Ik/s200/DVD-Last+Sign.jpg" alt="The Last Sign (2005)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181491137693699746" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">The Last Sign</span><br>(2005)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPY0Ypu96lFGmubhPKdO9AtwNr2qgzlNvCXdgHiOuEG9Bx4WD0k8F8Ohvg8vxrgaN1JbC203RbdDAUZq7A7dchp_INNCDmrumWFe7is17yEF8khRtv39y2QcO4xxqAZiVdPg9t-Cpib8/s1600-h/DVD-5ive+Girls.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPY0Ypu96lFGmubhPKdO9AtwNr2qgzlNvCXdgHiOuEG9Bx4WD0k8F8Ohvg8vxrgaN1JbC203RbdDAUZq7A7dchp_INNCDmrumWFe7is17yEF8khRtv39y2QcO4xxqAZiVdPg9t-Cpib8/s200/DVD-5ive+Girls.jpg" border="0" width="120" height="175" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169248857903993938" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">5ive Girls</span><br>(2006)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdytnVuMp0ZND2bWRj53TUyy5_As5a0Dum6cPSjo-nlCg9NRFPeuo1-nmKNa41CA8ISCBxEd7JPWZG8j0G2DSTj4eUdIX-3dtS4m5EJAgA3c5K2PWll_35S_PUCagRCYI2u9CgEFjtssI/s1600-h/DVD-Thr3e.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdytnVuMp0ZND2bWRj53TUyy5_As5a0Dum6cPSjo-nlCg9NRFPeuo1-nmKNa41CA8ISCBxEd7JPWZG8j0G2DSTj4eUdIX-3dtS4m5EJAgA3c5K2PWll_35S_PUCagRCYI2u9CgEFjtssI/s200/DVD-Thr3e.jpg" border="0" width="120" height="175" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169249557983663202" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Thr3e</span><br>(2007)<p></p></td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxHzi32eFGcaTO_IxyXjvBMGkLlbV9hRalaQCCxaxD3LKl6l4VXM074H3of8c86hQmZSrvxh0U6Vwzu9TPsHwiHHwjG5RzADFw_pITyY0qZKt1qmuIVJoZuwQf6Mj3vZR49kVa4aydm8/s1600-h/DVD-7eventy5ive.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxHzi32eFGcaTO_IxyXjvBMGkLlbV9hRalaQCCxaxD3LKl6l4VXM074H3of8c86hQmZSrvxh0U6Vwzu9TPsHwiHHwjG5RzADFw_pITyY0qZKt1qmuIVJoZuwQf6Mj3vZR49kVa4aydm8/s200/DVD-7eventy5ive.jpg" border="0" width="120" height="175" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169249828566602866" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">7eventy 5ive</span><br>(2007)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3iHX8QF77pgXEmnawFw9pvBc8hjaBBAh7yFVC0yI9bZTNq07IwiMlNd9y_y5pnGPJF31le8MfkQMDeNj6ENn30Tr3UV_sjyVkujv7UPmxWg3qa_b1tM7U1yPRnjpPXS1qx7FWJdbgCI/s1600-h/Poster-Nines.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3iHX8QF77pgXEmnawFw9pvBc8hjaBBAh7yFVC0yI9bZTNq07IwiMlNd9y_y5pnGPJF31le8MfkQMDeNj6ENn30Tr3UV_sjyVkujv7UPmxWg3qa_b1tM7U1yPRnjpPXS1qx7FWJdbgCI/s200/Poster-Nines.jpg" border="0" width="120" height="175" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169250026135098498" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">The Nines</span><br>(2007)</td></tr></tbody></table>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373191372288206724.post-2850191881347091762008-02-15T12:21:00.001-08:002008-03-15T19:43:55.445-07:00What Gives With the Thing?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5y7wfr3pukzKv5azgoLRQ2yKpGKsLUYhpmIz2ErU4YAw9v1GF5nidbgV3xW8TVwwR_TNAt8o6Bv_oo304SSRIKxYwFhyphenhyphenNWmMo-4Y1eDn5Ypy3J6lSpTMyKZFkRHhJZCuGD-Fy1GDjRQ/s1600-h/DVD-Something's+Gotta+Give.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; float: left;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5y7wfr3pukzKv5azgoLRQ2yKpGKsLUYhpmIz2ErU4YAw9v1GF5nidbgV3xW8TVwwR_TNAt8o6Bv_oo304SSRIKxYwFhyphenhyphenNWmMo-4Y1eDn5Ypy3J6lSpTMyKZFkRHhJZCuGD-Fy1GDjRQ/s200/DVD-Something's+Gotta+Give.jpg" alt="Something's Gotta Give (2003)" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167752096161076114" border="0" /></a>Apparently, the layout design of <span style="font-style: italic;">Something's Gotta Give</span> spoke to its target demographic well enough to prompt the studios to redress a couple of older romantic comedies with brand new lookalike packaging. Not surprisingly, they star Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, respectively.<br /><br />Sony resurrected <span style="font-style: italic;">Hanging Up</span>, a Diane Keaton/Meg Ryan stinker from 2000 with new cover art based on the same template as <span style="font-style: italic;">Something's Gotta Give </span>. Are there cropped closeups of the stars with selective focus (blurred background)? Check. Title on a white background separating the photos? Check. Bland, tired layout to accurately reflect the clichéd efforts of the genre? Check. Compare the original, gabby sisters artwork of the first DVD release with the new style.</div><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDiLVtDyPXv35OZ0cfCDfwggQXy185wyPnuvukFrUvCSA0Rachdkgenuq3lGValb_Khcwtu09Qv__ZDiJDrgOh7eAUljJckRyg6LK9pJs9tX_wYxN9xnyw_FVLcHwvyxCin7gbzxp-_Q/s320/DVD-Hanging+Up+%28Old%29.jpg" alt="Hanging Up (2000)" id="Hanging Up (2000) - Original Cover Art" border="0" /><br>original cover</td><td align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEmAPX-lrsmEKrZ3VMLXbD7zA_9uS5mawiHPoAb7c79QuEkfkzMXueB7gZ7Jr-sM_tMjQnBT4ITS6KeKYu6Op5u5GfhJBdcF0VOdyEErL_JCHllasxTzglt_i_VAEfscxBOdZMxTVpp0/s320/DVD-Hanging+Up.jpg" alt="Hanging Up (2000)" id="Hanging Up (2000) - New Cover Art" border="0" /><br>new cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">20th Century Fox did the same for the old Jack Nicholson/Ellen Barkin vehicle <span style="font-style: italic;">Man Trouble</span>. The sans-serif typeface is the only element that strays from the template. At first glance, you'd never guess that this film was from 1992. That's precisely what the studio hopes for.</div><br /><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiyOVjCisTg1SDxDhwYQKLFUDxRVPZ4njx0G13cxGQL28U3kWqKCMADZnZm3qtnFzOEjIF4k8NQ96e3jcO8uknVtn035Bj53jZw4ksTHFCXlrOOww9w9W33ZR79DyCoen4ZRN0HjNjLc/s320/DVD-Man+Trouble+%28Old%29.jpg" alt="Man Trouble (1992)" id="Man Trouble (1992) - Original Cover Art" border="0" /><br>original cover</td><td align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFt7hzzBo343Lov0OJnFIA8vcoBjSsZswIc5VCDZMK1r45kwqxx2wK2cHu-2dAfDxOJeMJuMpZrQ-5xvPlA8bHKrTFXyDUIcZNF9IBium3KNrvhqS4gLl70jjnyP5kNxOBVu2H8VikRc/s320/DVD-Man+Trouble.jpg" alt="Man Trouble (1992)" id="Man Trouble (1992) - New Cover Art" border="0" /><br>new cover</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It appears that the template is being used for recently released romantic comedies as well. The layouts for <span style="font-style: italic;">The Holiday</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Snow Cake</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">I Could Never Be Your Woman</span> feel awfully familiar.</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQERr57owhHLPL5lyvtEd2vp0gQ0yTrN7_CHcAtBFQHqwHX_WsN-N70ZpL5iajGF0eg7byWa-AZPTnmBfOw_wx2y1CY1YsRlJ_Ycjx5_X0YTw0PtaHolhqoR4aMNwC6XvTgN3quvxo5TQ/s1600-h/DVD-The+Holiday.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQERr57owhHLPL5lyvtEd2vp0gQ0yTrN7_CHcAtBFQHqwHX_WsN-N70ZpL5iajGF0eg7byWa-AZPTnmBfOw_wx2y1CY1YsRlJ_Ycjx5_X0YTw0PtaHolhqoR4aMNwC6XvTgN3quvxo5TQ/s320/DVD-The+Holiday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169243596569056258" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">The Holiday</span><br>(2006)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCDJi7W66JQCIlU0G7UMa5RjILUfHiNaDF17WnsDCWrXra0z4OgjlHuozFOqkYQK3YXK3oou9EDvqSYCvv0R77Eb7uYJkbXajhQrOO6VSXDf4qOzBMxG9q1IRf4fQ9NeL2ZapN030dd0/s1600-h/DVD-Snow+Cake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCDJi7W66JQCIlU0G7UMa5RjILUfHiNaDF17WnsDCWrXra0z4OgjlHuozFOqkYQK3YXK3oou9EDvqSYCvv0R77Eb7uYJkbXajhQrOO6VSXDf4qOzBMxG9q1IRf4fQ9NeL2ZapN030dd0/s320/DVD-Snow+Cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169244412612842514" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">Snow Cake</span><br>(2006)</td><td align="center" valign="top"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ia2-pjmAHKYidL2FFh0FO2ozIQ1Fewq2X0350Z-q7V0TOnMeMBl2AZr5bqJJqO4bSy-xkon3txTDRCFAL9pdwYvjuM5LwZaULaJGozWsdQq98m4OXjilwm9jVDNTcXJQnCJABGWuu_k/s1600-h/DVD-I+Could+Never+Be.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ia2-pjmAHKYidL2FFh0FO2ozIQ1Fewq2X0350Z-q7V0TOnMeMBl2AZr5bqJJqO4bSy-xkon3txTDRCFAL9pdwYvjuM5LwZaULaJGozWsdQq98m4OXjilwm9jVDNTcXJQnCJABGWuu_k/s320/DVD-I+Could+Never+Be.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169244614476305442" border="0" width="120" height="175" /></a><br><span style="font-style:italic;">I Could Never Be<br>Your Woman</span><br>(2007)</td></tr></tbody></table>Michael Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05468535602544171496noreply@blogger.com0