Top 20 Posters - 2012

This is my third year making this list, so maybe some of you have actually been looking forward to it. No? Well, I made it anyways.

The usual reminder, my top ten list won’t drop until much later as I try to be thorough. Also, this list is for 2012 films and the film quality is of no import. I’m just interested in something I’d be willing to hang on my wall. Onward! 

20. ELENA

I  still haven’t seen the movie, but this image intrigues me. The twin image design will pop up on this list again. It forces me to look closer and bend my neck. I like the subtle lines crossing through the middle and the muted colors. Why is she anguished? And what is the thing that will be done?

19. THE DICTATOR

It’s just a teaser with only a website and a date, but it’s simple and funny. It’s cleverly spoofing egotistical leaders while efficiently introducing us to the lead character.

18. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

Unlike Nolan’s other Bat-films, most of the posters for Rises were terrible. But this early teaser was cool and continued the interesting use of the bat symbol inside a thematic design.

17. ALPS

I don’t know what the hell is going on here and I love it. The tag tries to give the title context but illuminates nothing. Are the stacked people meant to be like Russian dolls or a literal alp(mountain)? The silver is sleek and adds to the mystery.

16. MISS BALA

Bala means bullet so this poster is rather literal. No matter. Sex and violence will always be a winner especially when done tastefully.

15. WRECK-IT RALPH

Another great teaser. Studios should release only these since they always fudge the follow-ups. Ralph is expertly sold with nostalgic 8-bit design.

14. ZERO DARK THIRTY

The redacted thing has been done before, but when it works it works. You have to look a little bit longer to ascertain the title and release date which is some damn clever marketing.

13. FRANKENWEENIE

This was the special IMAX only poster and it was better than any of the regular one sheets. It’s a blanket of white with the cutest little monster at the center. How can you resist?

12. THE LONELIEST PLANET

Another twin design. The rolling green and the shock of red look splendid. This is the right way to do floating heads.

11. ARGO

Like Zero Dark Thirty, this spy style has been done but this is the right way to do it. It helps that shredded paper is a crucial plot point in the film. The faded photos are a nice touch.

10. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

Yet another overdone style done to perfection. This Mondo poster uses the Escher design wonderfully. Plus, it fits so damn well with the movie. The subtle use of the force field is a nice bonus.

9. FLIGHT

You don’t need a garish floating head. Denzel’s name and a whole lotta negative space get the job done just fine.

8. V/H/S

Broken record here, but the hidden skull design is beyond overused, and yet here we are. Creepy VHS tapes made creepier. Plus, that’s a fantastic tagline.

7. LOOPER

And the Mondo version:

The first one is another thematically relevant use of the twin design. It has an effective tag and good use of the misused flying debris trend. The second is just fucking cool. There’s so much going on it’s a pleasure to look at and piece together.

6. JOHN CARTER

Another IMAX only poster. It’s gorgeous. I want to go to there.

5. SOUND OF MY VOICE

It’s a beat-up instruction manual for a secret handshake. The airport safety design is clever and rare for poster art. The message is a pleasing mystery.

4. DJANGO UNCHAINED

Instant iconography for legends we’ve yet to meet. Feels like a poster for a film we love already. Epic and clever.

3. KILLING THEM SOFTLY

and this one:

and this one:

and this one:

Balls out violent imagery that leans harder on the obvious metaphor than the film does. Brad Pitt holding a shotgun works too, but these are much more fun and deranged.

2. MOONRISE KINGDOM

It’s precious and quirky and cursive but also original and lovely and amazing.

1. THE MASTER

and this one:

and good God I couldn’t leave this one out:

The first one is a great teaser that sets up the imbibing of the film using classic liquor bottle stylings. The second is a kaleidoscope portrait searching for the person in control. And the last one is Turkish and a glorious use of inkblot. All three are dramatically relevant and easy on the eyes.

And just for fun, a new poster for a recently discovered masterwork:

What were some of your favorites? What did I miss?