i appreciate a creative title sequence as much as the next person, but over the past few years i've come to the conclusion that there's really no need for them. or at least, that 98% of the ones i've seen are useless. i see no reason to sit through a parade of names that i may only end up cursing by the end of the movie. i'll praise you *after* i've seen your work, not before.the whole thing reeks of the culture of self-aggrandizement that permeates hollywood. where else do you have to sit through minutes of names listing those responsible for what you're about to experience? not at most sporting events, concerts or theatrical performances.
but a title sequence that sets the tone of the movie, gets the audience prepared and even gives some information to the audience in a concise manner, those are at least easier to justify. but those are also rare.
regardless, www.artofthetitle.com is an excellent resource for viewing and discussing opening title sequences. they host clips of many titles, including the seminal 'se7en,' opening, which blew me away when i first saw it. the site also works as a serendipity generator. i've added two films to my netflix queue that i discovered there.
some highlights:
we're here to help
sky fighters
to kill a mockingbird
3 deep thoughts:
I like them for a chance to hear the musical themes of the films. But you're right, they are a pointless chore in 99% of cases. Just start the movie. One of my favourite opening credit sequences though is Alien.
I think I read/heard somewhere (commentary track?) that the title sequence for To Kill a Mockingbird was the inspiration for the opening of Se7en.
hmmm, that would be surprising as they couldn't be more different. however if you visit their page for mockingbird you'll see that the opening for 'almost famous' was an homage to it.
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