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That’s it, I’m starting a new column. On Christmas Eve. Why? Because I’m the editor of this site and I have something to say: Hello, my name is Neil and I’m addicted to collecting movie posters. I have a moderate collection of classics (a Saul Bass Vertigo and an Italian Dr. No) to some modern favorites (Miracle and 300) to some absurd ones (one year, Brian Gibson bought me a poster for the Lizzie McGuire movie, signed by Hilary Duff. I never have it on the wall, but I keep it for kitsch/weirdness value.)

That said, I am a lover of the postered arts. It usually causes me to hold up press screenings, as I’m usually in the halls inspecting the latest posters and it kills my productivity every day that a great new poster is released. So here I am, trying to channel my love in this new weekly column This Week in Movie Posters. Original, I know.

Starting next week, this column will run every Friday, but seeing as Friday is Christmas, you’re getting one early this week. So here we go, time to talk about the best and the worst, and what they’re saying about their respective films.

Robin Hood – Bloodiest Poster of the Week

What is it saying about the film? It’s telling us that this is going to be one bloody affair. The close up of Russell Crowe looking vengefully down the shaft of an arrow is there to remind us that Crowe was a badass in Gladiator, and that he and Ridley Scott are looking to recreate said magic with Hood. It’s a mean poster, and one that will effectively draw attention. Poster courtesy of Warner Bros.

Psycho – The Work of Mario Graciotti

Special Prize of the Week: Our friends at /Film hipped me to the work of Mario Graciotti, who has published some awesome prints on Deviant Art under the name Mr. Bluebird. His posters range from the work of Paul Thomas Anderson to Pixar to Alfred Hitchcock. In fact, his Hitchcock posters are an inspired blend of Tom Whalen and Saul Bass. I dig, indeed. Check out his work on Deviant Art.

Click Here for More, including Tekken, Knight and Day and This Week’s Worst Poster >>

Tekken – This was a video game, right?

What is it saying about the film? Best guess is that it wants you to remember the cover of the Tekken video game, so that you know what it’s about. This Japanese poster is the first look at Luke Goss as the film’s main character Steve Fox. It also borrows typography and style from the game. It all feels too much in the neighborhood of Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li for me. Poster courtesy of the film’s official site.

Inception – Potentially Fake Poster of the Week

What is it saying about the film? Nothing quite as powerful as the new trailer that hit theaters this week, in which something quite astounding happens to that cityscape. I won’t spoil it. For the time being, lets just say that this poster is par for the course for Christopher Nolan’s mysterious next film. Enough to be intriguing, but it doesn’t say anything at all about the film.. Except that your mind is still the scene of the crime. Poster courtesy of /Film.

Click Here for More, including The Crazies and This Week’s Worst Poster >>

The Crazies – A Continually Creepy Marketing Experience

What is it saying about the film? If you aren’t yet, you should be creeped out by this remake. The two trailer have been creepy and creepier, and the first poster was pretty interesting in a “oh shit, something went wrong” sort of way. This thriller shows all kinds of signs of potential. And this simple poster is only adding to the advanced pandemonium. Mission accomplished. Poster courtesy of Lionsgate.

Knight and Day – Retro Cool, Movie Not So Much

What is it saying about the film? There’s a certain element of 1970s secret agent flicks here, and maybe a bit of Saul Bassian influence. Too bad, seeing as the first trailer for the film (released later in the week) was off the wall and absurd, and not in a good way. This is the kind of poster that I’d have on the wall, if it wasn’t attached to a seemingly lackluster film. Poster courtesy of IMPAwards.

Click Here for More, including Shutter Island and This Week’s Worst Poster >>

Shutter Island – Blue and Orange, Again

What is it saying about the film? That its marketers are happy just going with this trend of blue and orange balance in posters. It’s meant to grab the eye, and put you in a place of ease with the property. Another thing putting you at ease: the name of Martin Scorsese and the face of Leonardo DiCaprio. The poster is stylish, and busy, but will likely be effective. Not a wall hanger, but certainly an eye-grabber. Poster courtesy of CHUD.

Grown Ups – Please No

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What is it saying about the film? Hey look! It’s a bunch of famous comedic actors’ childhood pictures. We’re trying to take your attention away from that awful trailer we released and the almost certainly abysmal experience you’ll have in seeing our movie by showing you something cute, but also relating it to Rob Schneider. Please see our movie! Sadly, I’m not buying it. Poster courtesy of Columbia Pictures.