Initial Notes on Film Openings

Van Helsing

• Stephen Summers, 2004
• Music- unsettling but it sets the genre.
• Setting- castle, suggests a high budget.
• Gothic
• Bigs stars- Hugh Jackman, Kate Bekinsdale
• Includes intertextual references
• Action/Horror/Sci-Fi/Gothic/Fantasy... Hybrid genre.
• $160m budget.

Marley & Me

• David Frankel, 2008
• 40 seconds of company credits
• Sound and Editing signify change in mood.
• Big stars- Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson
• Romcom
• $60m budget.

Where The Heart Is

• Matt Williams, 2000
• Big stars- Natalie Portman
• 20 seconds of credits
• Based on a book
• Audio bridge included
• Exposition through dialouge
• Romance/Drama... Hybrid genre.
• $15m budget.

Rock n Rolla

• Guy Ritchie, 2008
• Exposition through voice over
• Central Antagonist rather than Protagonist
• Action/Crime
• $18m budget.

 

Donnie Darko

• Richard Kelly, 2001
• 40 seconds of company credits
• Drama/Mystery/Sci-Fi/Thriller
• $4.5m budget.

Anchorman

• Adam McKay, 2004
• Exposition through vocieover
• Main Protagonist is shown through the whole opening sequence
• Comedy
• $26m budget.

Hot Fuzz

• Edgar Right, 2007
• Intertextual references
• Exposition though voiceover
• Crime/Comedy
• Big Stars- Simon Pegg
• $16m budget.

Burn after Reading

• Coen Brothers, 2008
• Big stars- Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton
• 1 minute title sequence
• Exposition though signs and subtitles
• Film Noir/Black Comedy/Cult Film
• $37m budget.