Film School Rejects » Movie Posters

Kick-Ass Character Posters Spell Things Out

Neil Miller — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:48:27 +0000

The folks at IGN have debuted for new character posters from the upcoming Lionsgate release Kick-Ass, from director Matthew Vaughn and the mind of Wanted writer Mark Millar. This comic property, now highly anticipated due to a wicked-cool showing at the San Diego Comic-Con this year, will star Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as average folks (mostly kids) who dress up as superheros and take on crime. Well, sort of.

The new round of posters shows off the characters in costume. And when put together — seen above — they spell out the film’s title and the most likely pun that critics will use if the film succeeds with its plans to delight audiences with mayhem: Kick-Ass kicks ass. Get it?

Alas, here are the posters and some character descriptions. Click any of the posters to see the larger versions at IGN.

First up is Davi Lizewski (Johnson), the central character of the film. He’s no superhero, nor is he particularly smart or strong. In fact, he’s not extraordinary at all. He just wants to be a hero. So he dawns a scuba suit, ski mask and wields a pair of clubs as he takes on crime. Sure, he gets beaten quite badly (and stabbed) several times along the way, but that won’t stop this determined youngster from upholding justice.

Next is Hit-Girl (Moretz), an acrobatic junior assassin who will slice and dice anyone who gets in her way. She’s only 11-years old, but that doesn’t stop her from delivering the pain when it comes time.

Big Daddy (Cage) is the father of Hit-Girl, a dubious character who has raised his only daughter to be a ruthless vigilante. His plans are more complex than those of his youthful daughter and her newfound friend Kick-Ass, as he’s looking to get even with a crime boss who killed his wife.

Finally, we have Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse), a new hero who emerges in the aftermath of Kick-Ass’ debut. He’s a little stoner who becomes a participant in Kick-Ass’ mission, ever close but always plotting with his own underlying motivation.

There’s more than just a little bit to be excited about here. I’ve read several reader reviews from various sites, as well as the ones that a few of our readers have sent in, and I couldn’t be more pumped to see this film finally hit the big screen. From what I’ve heard, Matthew Vaughn has captured perfectly the razor’s edge that Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. gave this story when they inked it, and we will all be delighted when it finally drops.

Kick-Ass hits theaters on April 16, 2010.

Exclusive: Women in Trouble Poster Premiere

Neil Miller — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:10:00 +0000

Adrianne Palicki spells trouble. And she does it while looking pretty hot, if you ask us. Once again we’ve got an awesome little exclusive to support one of our favorite films of the year, Sebastian Gutierrez’s Women in Trouble. This time, it’s Ms. Palicki showing up in her favorite costume just in time for Halloween. I’m not sure what our resident sex columnist Bethany Perryman would say, but this might be something that you ladies out there might consider… Just a thought. Don’t hit me.

Palicki stars as Holly Rocket, a porn star by day, call-girl by night who is most certainly in trouble. She stars alongside the likes of Carla Gugino, Emmanuel Chriqui, Connie Britton, Marley Shelton and Cameron Richardson in this tale of ten women and the trouble they have in common. It is a film that I myself called a genuinely honest dramedy that is held together by a very strong all-female cast. A cast that our own Cole Abaius sat down with during SXSW. It is worth a watch, if only to see how shakily Dr. Abaius is with the FlipCam… Nervous, much?

Women in Trouble is in theaters November 13, 2009. Check out the brand new poster below (click to enlarge).

New ‘Invictus’ Poster is Genius

Dr. Cole Abaius — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:05:29 +0000

As you may well know, I love falafel sandwiches. I also love movie marketing (to a slightly lesser degree), and I’ve combed through thousands upon thousands of one sheets from every point in film history out of an obsession for knowing what draws in an audience.

Invictus might be the worst name change this year, but the first poster for it is absolutely perfect. A major star front and center (but not just standing around), the visage of Mandela looming large but still in the background (as a metaphor for how Mandela led), simple lettering, and the first successful use of in-laying I’ve seen (but they sure as hell tried for Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li).

Check it out for yourself:

Not to mention a really solid tagline.

My only question is whether or not that’s Morgan Freeman as Mandela or just an image of Mandela. So either the make up department should get a standing ovation or the marketing department decided against using the actor on the poster.

But I don’t care really either way. It’s a small detail in an otherwise beautiful little piece of marketing.

And, “Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela” might as well be written on post-its and handed to Academy members as this flick’s Oscar push.

What do you think? Set aside your bias of wanting Samuel L. Jackson to play Mandela.

Source: Yahoo!

New Daybreakers Poster Wants to Harvest Your Blood

Neil Miller — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:30:41 +0000

Lionsgate has provided us with a brand new poster this morning for their upcoming vampire film Daybreakers, which still looks cool from just about every angle. Our own Brian Salisbury reviewed this film as part of our Fantastic Fest coverage (where it was the closing night selection), saying that it is “a dystopian, sci-fi vampire film that is every bit as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.” I don’t know about you, but that has me jonesing for a little non-Twilight vamp action.

The poster below is focused on the film’s main plot point: the year is 2019, vampires are the majority of Earth’s population, and blood is running out. They’ve harvested all they can from the remaining humans on Earth, and now our blood has become the world’s most precious natural resource. Even though the new poster reminds us of The Matrix, I still think it has some merit.

Two-time Academy Award nominee® Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a researcher in the year 2019, in which an unknown plague has transformed the world’s population into vampires. As the human population nears extinction, vampires must capture and farm every remaining human, or find a blood substitute before time runs out. However, a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race.

Daybreakers opens nationwide January 8, 2010.

Official Poster for ‘The Lovely Bones’ Debuts Online

Neil Miller — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:58:14 +0000

Paramount Pictures has debuted the first official poster for Peter Jackson’s upcoming film The Lovely Bones, which is an adaptation of the heartbreaking but hopeful book by Alice Sebold. The poster continues to show us the aesthetic of Jackson’s film, which appears to have a very cool, whimsical feel to it.

The film follows the story of a young girl (Saoirse Ronan) who is brutally murdered and must watch her family and friends cope with her loss from a place in between life and death. It is sure to be a real chipper tale, I will tell you that. Anyway, check out the poster below, courtesy of Yahoo Movies.

The Lovely Bones is due in theaters on December 11, 2009.

Three New ‘Women in Trouble’ Movie Posters

Neil Miller — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:14:27 +0000

We’ve been beating the Women in Trouble drum quite loudly lately, haven’t we? And for good reason, as it was by and large one of our favorite SXSW ‘09 films. Directed by Sebastian Gutierrez, it follows the story of ten seemingly desperate women, all of whom are having a really bad day full of, well, trouble. There’s a flight attendant (Marley Shelton), a psychiatrist (Sarah Clarke), a porn star (Carla Gugino), a pair of call-girls (Adrianne Palicki and Emmanuelle Chriqui), a masseuse (Cameron Richardson) and a young girl (Isabella Gutierrez), all just trying to stay out of trouble.

In these three newly release photos, seen below, we see all of these women and some of the men in their lives (Josh Brolin and Simon Baker). It’s an interesting way to market the film. And if I do say so, a very busy and almost confusing one. My hope is that we see something a little sexier, and maybe a bit simpler in the next batch of posters.

Regardless, the new posters are below (click to enlarge). Women in Trouble opens November 13th. For more, read my Women in Trouble review from SXSW ‘09.

Which poster do you like best?

Officially Cool: Unused Posters for Duncan Jones’ Moon

Neil Miller — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:03:11 +0000

Our friends over at Quiet Earth (via FirstShowing) have stumbled upon something pretty rad today, a series of unused posters for Moon, one of the most talked about sci-fi films of the summer. And certainly one of my favorite indies of the year. From director Duncan Jones, the film stars Sam Rockwell as a man who is working alone on a mining base on the dark side of the moon. But when he has a near-fatal accident, he discovers that he’s not exactly alone — and that he’s not exactly who he thought he was.

The official theatrical poster (which can be seen above and hanging in the living room here at Reject HQ) is really sweet, retro and funky. But these new posters are pretty rad, if you ask me. And according to the report at Quiet Earth, they are not fan art.

Exclusive: New Art for Thomas Jane’s Dark Country

Neil Miller — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:40:18 +0000

Today we’ve received some exclusive new posters for a little project that we’ve been keeping an eye on for a while now, the noir road trip thriller Dark Country from first time director Thomas Jane (The Punisher, HBO’s Hung). Originally slated as a 3D theatrical release, it will now go straight to DVD on October 6th. And after seeing the official trailer that we posted back in July, I can’t tell why it’s not being released in theaters — but alas, we’ll take it any way we can get it. And we aren’t going to let the direct-to-DVD stereotype scare us off, as the film has a very unique and cool feel to it.

The film stars Jane and Lauren German (Hostel: Part II) as a couple traveling through the desert from Las Vegas to California who come upon a mysterious stranger. After almost killing the stranger, they pick him up and begin their journey into darkness. The film also stars Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy).

Check out the two new posters below, one that was designed by Tom Jane and friends (I have a sneaking feeling that production designer and notable bearded-artist Tim Bradstreet had a hand in this) and another that features Jane’s co-star Lauren German in a missing persons ad (click either of the posters to enlarge). I’ve also attached the film’s trailer, for those who have not seen it.

Dark Country is on DVD October 6th.

Watch the Dark Country trailer:

Aussie ‘Antichrist’ Poster Will Cut Your Mind in Half

Dr. Cole Abaius — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:43:06 +0000

I’ve already heard too much about Antichrist. Whether it be from critics twatting all over twitter about it or from random people talking about what scissors are used for, I’ve sadly overheard things that I’d rather not know before heading into a darkened theater.

So I plan on saving you all from that fate. Luckily, knowing nothing about the movie as you hopefully do, this poster is still incredibly creepy.

[Clicking Makes it bigger!]

Your guess is as good as mine as to what that string-esque entity under the scissors is. Shoelace? Skinny stain? Mini-umbilical cord?

I know what I’m crossing my fingers for? Thank goodness the Aussies can handle a little abstract marketing.

What do you think?

Source: ShockTilYouDrop

4 Gorgeous New ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ Posters

Dr. Cole Abaius — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:03:18 +0000

Everything that comes out about this movie looks absolutely breathtaking. So kudos to the marketing department. Soon, it’ll be time to see if Where The Wild Things Are lives up to the expectations that it’s been building for itself.

Adding to that expectation pile is a series of new character posters that look fantastic:

[Clicking on the images makes them slightly larger]

I cannot wait for October 16th.

And is it just me or does Judith look a little bit like a horned Falcor from The NeverEnding Story?

Just me? Thought so.

The Deeper Meaning of The ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ Poster

Robin Ruinsky — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:56:02 +0000

The new poster for the Gerard Butler/Jamie Foxx thriller Law Abiding Citizen has appeared over at Cinematical. The poster depicts Foxx against a mottled gray to white background and Butler against blood red. Both actors look out from the poster, intense, focused and clearly on opposite sides in this story about murder, justice denied and revenge.

Are these just arresting images or visual metaphors or both? Butler against the blood red backdrop is obvious. His character is a man whose wife and child are brutalized and murdered in front of him. Left with what he sees as no choice he turns to violence to exact his revenge on the system and the people in it.

Foxx is trapped in a no man’s land of black, white and gray. He’s the cool rational cog in a legal system that doesn’t always serve up justice, but often settles for the expedient deal.

This looks like an interesting film filled with explosions not only from special effects, but from the two actors who go head to head. It’s a game of cat and mouse gone ballistic.

Law Abiding Citizen opens on October 16.

What do you think of the poster? Are you looking forward to the film?

Walt Disney, Nazis, and ‘El Grupo’

Dr. Cole Abaius — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:11:09 +0000

When I tell you that Walt Disney was charged by the United States government in the early 1930s with going down to South America in order to spread American goodwill and ward off the growing National Socialism movement there, you’re immediate thought is that you wish someone would make a documentary about it, right?

Don’t be freaked out. I’m not psychic or anything. I just know stuff.

And if you are freaked out, let me change your mood instantly by assuring you that there is such a documentary. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, director Theodore Thomas has put together personal writings, interviews and photographs to create Walt & El Grupo, a film that follows the path Disney took while traversing our neighbors to the south.

I would check out the full article for some cool details, but suffice it to say that Disney undertook the journey during a dark time in his company’s history and saw it as an opportunity to get fresh ideas for stories and characters. And, ya know, to stop those damned Nazis. Where did you think The Three Caballeros came from?

As we mentioned in our Movie Watcher’s Guide to September, the film isn’t coming to a theater near you anytime soon, but they are releasing it this Friday (September 11th) in a limited, independent way. Go to the flick’s official website to see if it’ll come near you in the coming weeks and to find out whether it’s rolling out wider.

I’m snagging the trailer I have snagged the trailer and will have it up on the site a bit later right now:

Also, you should check out the poster:

What do you think?

House of the Devil Poster: Creepiest Poster of 2009?

Neil Miller — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:43:53 +0000

The folks over at Vulture have gotten their hands on a first look at probably one of the single creepiest posters I’ve seen all year. It is for the Magnet release House of the Devil, starring Jocelin Donahue and indie darling Greta Gerwig. From The Roost director Ti West, this new thriller has a very simple tag: “Talk on the phone. Finish your homework. Watch TV. Die.” It all seems too simple…

Sam (Jocelin Donahue) is a pretty college sophomore, so desperate to earn some cash for a deposit on an apartment that she accepts a babysitting job even after she finds out there is no baby. Mr. and Mrs. Ulman (cult actors Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov) are the older couple who lure Sam out to their creeky Victorian mansion deep in the woods, just in time for a total lunar eclipse. Megan (Greta Gerwig) is Sam’s best friend, who gives her a ride out to the house, and reluctantly leaves her there despite suspecting that something is amiss. Victor (AJ Bowen) at first seems like just a creepy guy lurking around the house, but quickly makes it clear that Sam will end this night in a bloody fight for her life….

House of the Devil will premiere on Amazon, XBOX Live and Video on Demand October 1st and hit theaters October 31, 2009.

Whip It Poster: Be Your Own Hero, Like Ellen Page

Neil Miller — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:59:00 +0000

Fox Searchlight has released a brand new poster for their upcoming film Whip It, the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore. It features a look at the probably heroic Ellen Page, who plays Bliss Cavendar, an indie-rock loving Texan teen who deals with her small-town misery by joining up with a roller derby league in Austin. The poster, which can be seen below, urges you to be your own hero. I don’t know about all that, but it looks as if Ellen Page is searching for a way to become her own hero. Foreshadowing? Probably.

What excites me about this film is the cast — Page is joined by Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Zoe Bell, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern. Yes, the Daniel Stern from Home Alone. The film looks like fun, as evidence by the trailer — which I’ve been so kind as to embed below the poster. So once you’re done clicking that, enlarging it and checking it out, do yourself a favor and watch the trailer.

Whip It is in theaters October 9, 2009.

Check out the trailer below.

Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air Poster Takes Flight

Neil Miller — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:37:52 +0000

Empire has released the first poster for Up in the Air, the next comedy from Thank You For Smoking and Juno director Jason Reitman. The film stars George Clooney as a corporate downsizing expert who travels all over the country looking for opportunities to relieve strangers of their jobs. And just as he’s about to hit the 10 million frequent flyer miles mark, he meets the woman of his dreams, a fellow frequent flyer played by Vera Farmiga. Now his cherished lifestyle is threatened as his company wants to move him to headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.

You won’t get all of that from the poster, seen below. What you do get is a cleanly designed one-sheet that features Clooney, Farmiga and Anna Kendrick (Twilight) in an airport. What I get is a chance to talk about Jason Reitman, who can do no wrong in my mind — leading me to be front and center, waiting for this film to hit theaters.

Based on a novel by Walter Kim, Up in the Air will also star Jason Bateman, Danny McBride and Two and a Half Men’s Melanie Lynskey. It will debut at the Toronto film Festival in September and will likely hit theaters across the United States later in the fall. Have a look at the poster for yourself below.

Update: Our friends at /Film have posted the domestic one sheet this morning as well, which features the characters from a different angle. The folks at Empire seem to have removed their version, and the folks at Paramount asked us to do the same. Guess its hot stuff. Check it out below.

Film School Rejects » Movie Posters

Kick-Ass Character Posters Spell Things Out

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Exclusive: Women in Trouble Poster Premiere

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New ‘Invictus’ Poster is Genius

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Three New ‘Women in Trouble’ Movie Posters

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The Deeper Meaning of The ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ Poster

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Walt Disney, Nazis, and ‘El Grupo’

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House of the Devil Poster: Creepiest Poster of 2009?

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