4. THX 1138 (1971)
Why it’s bad: ‘The Future is here’? Ok, a contradiction in terms, but let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and say that’s their wry point.
So, it’s here, is it? That’s quite exciting, actually... Let’s have a look at it...
Wait, what do you mean we are looking at it? Those grainy photocopied blobs? Meh, I think I’ll stay here, thanks. There’s probably something on telly later...
What could improve it: Choosing better glimpses of the future than what appears to be a sort of robotic gondolier and – Jesus wept! – A MAN DRIVING A WHITE CAR. Are you sure we’re ready for this brave new world, Mr Lucas..?
3. Brick (2005)
Why it’s bad: Ah, the old ‘collect them all’ campaign (see also: Trainspotting).
It’s a nice idea in theory, but not when every single one is as face-tearingly irritating and smug as these.
Ripping out the central figure only really works if the space that’s left tells you something about the character.
Those milky white splodges just look as though the artist got carried away and had some sort of literal design-gasm all over it.
What could improve it: Leaving what looks like it would’ve been a perfectly reasonable promo shot the hell alone.
Dropping the smarmy, nonsensical-until-you’ve-seen-the-film-anyway taglines.
Not crowning the name of the film with what appears to be a crudely drawn cock.
Comments
scarter2000
Apr 21st 2009, 22:17
Disagree with Wanted. I really like it. And your comment about Ange. Erm... There is nothing wrong with her head/limb positioning. If it was her right arm in the pic, then yeh. But no. Epic fail. Also,the Star Wars poster is iconic and amazing. You could have chosen some s****y poster like Basic Instinct 2 or Big Mommas House 2.
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alowe
Apr 22nd 2009, 8:42
Wanted arm wrangle aside, it's still pap. And BI2/Big Momma's House 2 are easy 'cos they're rubbish films. Star Wars poster is ridiculous - it only feels iconic because it's familiar. Art though, innit? :)
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digger
Apr 22nd 2009, 9:12
Guys, can we just take a moment here to think about Bangkok Dangerous, where Nicolas Cage's hand grips nothing...surely that must be in the top 10 somewhere
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mattburgess
Apr 22nd 2009, 11:06
Nobody ever told me that The Hottie and the Nottie features Paris Hilton rooming with a zombie...
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ThrashGordon
Apr 22nd 2009, 11:49
hahaha awesome guys, loved the Green Mile comments. Also, too right at Star Wars; Mark Hamill with a six-pack?? :D The Wanted poster is rubbish, I agree with the limb deformity thing... looks like an arm is growing out of her neck! Scary stuff! lol I'm surprised there was no comment on the fact that the poster for 'the hottie & the nottie' ( :/ ) the 'hot' and not so hot girl are labelled for the audience's benefit!! We do have eyes you know. lmao
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MarkPowell
Apr 22nd 2009, 12:08
@digger - haha, yeah that glorious flub was definitely overlooked. Well reminded! @scarter2000 - you don't think it looks as though Jolie's collarbone and/or spinal column must be about four centimetres long? Hm. Maybe it's just me then...I am, admittedly, not a doctor. ;) (Either way, I still can't stand the poster. Biology aside, one word: GOOOOOOOOOOLD.)
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Padman
Apr 22nd 2009, 12:35
I'm only on the first page, but I feel I have to say that in my opinion the Breakfast at Tiffany's poster, while a boring movie poster, is always a nice, clean classy looking one on a magnolia living room wall, and as such is fairly classic. And the Star Wars one with it's ludicrous hyperbolic drawings of characters who don't ressemble their real-life counterparts is also a classic! It can't be put in such a list as it's in it's own way a piece of history, surely?! Though admittedly these ones are both better: http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Star%20Wars/Star%20Wars.files/StarWars%20poster.jpg http://images.art.com/images/products/regular/10204000/10204240.jpg And yes, reading the comments, that Bangkok Dangerous one with Nicholas Cage clutching nothing, whilst shooting his way out of a glass box sinking in fire definitely should have made it on... why would you (presumably) photoshop out the gun?! I don't understand!!
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Padman
Apr 22nd 2009, 12:46
@ ThrashGordon; I believe the labels on The Hottie & The Nottie poster are meant to be a play on Paris Hilton's real-life (or at least Simple Life) catchphrase of referring to anything she likes by saying "that's hot", but no, this doesn't make the whole affair any less detestable. LMAO @ the plastic park keeper in The Green Mile, that is indeed quite a shocking lack of information. The Meet The Fockers one to me, rather than the film name, seems to focus on shouting "look at our cast! Look at our cast! You recognise them all, don't you? It's because they're really famous! That makes our film good! Look at our cast!!"
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SCQ47
Apr 22nd 2009, 15:09
If this is your top ten, you've clearly not seen very many films or film posters in your life time.
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spudmonkeysteve
Apr 24th 2009, 10:13
At everyone who has complained about this top ten, especially SCQ47 who says that because they have chosen these because they haven't seen many films. These posters are chosen because they do not adequately put across the point of the movie, the Star Wars poster looks like Conan The Barbarian in space, for example and, while it is an iconic piece of cinema imagery, does not adequately advertise the film. The image itself is very arty etc but you don't get a sense for what the film is about from the image. Also because something looks good on a magnolia wall does not make it classy or iconic, bravo to Total Film for being brave enough to challenge the commonly held opinion.
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razzaman123
May 6th 2009, 17:46
argh man paris hilton sucks to the fullist i hate the hell out of her damn shes annoying
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razzaman123
May 6th 2009, 17:46
th family guy blue harvest poster is better than that star wars one
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featherdustball
Jun 20th 2012, 14:34
How Bangkok Dangerous escaped this list I'll never know
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