(Mrs.) Fletch's Favored Five: Movies that Open Well

Guest column week continues today with the lovely, beautiful and talented Mrs. Fletch picking up some of my slack (she's good at that). I can't remember if she suggested it or I did, but her task was to write a "Fletch's Favored Five," a feature I have yet to establish all that much around here, but hopefully this post will help to that end. Let's see what she's come up with...

-------------------------------------------------

Upon receiving the assignment of guest blogger, I was a bit overwhelmed… I’m not a writer, nor nearly the movie geek that Fletch is. Then I remembered, write about what you know. So the topic of today’s rant is about good…no…make that great design in opening movie credits. These are the (mostly) unsung graphic heroes who create the coolest movie credits, but are lucky to have their name listed in them, really tiny, at the end.

Mrs. Fletch’s Great 5 Movie Opening Credits

5. Casino Royale
by Pauline Hume

Fractal geometric patterns of flowing playing cards, lyrics sung by Chris Cornell is a nice bonus too.

4.5. Fight Club
by Custom Film Effects

These folks also did the fantastic effects for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

4.25. One Hour Photo
by Imaginary Forces

A beautifully delicate treatment of flash bulbs and film — stark and antiseptic, just like the movie

(no link available)

4. Se7en
by Kyle Cooper

A scratchy, twisted glimpse into the mind of a serial killer.

3. Around the World in 80 Days
by Saul Bass

Simplicity at it’s best. Considered a master title designer, Saul Bass is one of few truly famous designers in this genre.

http://www.notcoming.com/saulbass/caps_around80days.php

2. Thank You for Smoking
by Shadow Play Studio

The credits are set up like old-style cigarette packs, complete with the little tax stamps. Very cool. Great music too.

http://shadowplaystudio.com/smoking.html

1. Catch Me if You Can
by Olivier Kuntzel and Florence Deygas

Nexus Productions must have cloned a modern-day Saul Bass.

-------------------------------------------------

I guess I shouldn't be shocked that a graphic designer chose to honor other designers. Excellent choices all around, if you ask me - my only gripe is how far down Fight Club slipped, but that's just because that film is one of my favorites. The only film I've not seen on this list is Around the World in 80 Days, but I am familiar with Bass's work (it's awesome) - his movie posters are legendary, and check out some of the big-time logos he's responsible for ("I did not know that!" - Dana Carvey as Johnny Carson).

Thank you, my dear - great stuff. If you want to check out Mrs. Fletch's graphic work, just go here.