Title & Registration (Top Five Opening Sequences)

While I managed to pick a flaw or three in THE WATCHMEN, I was actually quite impressed with the title sequence. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a series of tableaus that are essentially revisionist history introducing us to the characters we’re about to watch and seeing the roles they played in major world events. Underneath it all, Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin'” rings out beautifully.

I’m fascinated by details when it comes to art, so the imagination that goes into something as straightforward as a title sequence is something that I really get a kick out of. Really, it’s just a studio, a title, and a bunch of names…so i’m sure the temptation is often there just to slap ’em up there and let the high priced movie stars get right to work.

But every once in a while, some imaginative soul puts together something that pulls the audience in, and stands on its own as a memorable aspect of the film. I know, listing such a detail may scream of heralding the most minute detail – but what can I say…That’s me.

(If you don’t get your fill here, go check out Sean at Film Junk who rhymes off another 15 awesome openings – complete with YouTube clips).

Hatter’s Top Five Favorite Credit Sequences
#5. PANIC ROOM (2002)…
While the movie is set almost entirely in a brownstone townhouse, the creators wanted us to remember that this is a New York story. What better way to do that than to have the opening credits hover over the city that never sleeps in a 3-D way that makes them look like they too are part of the landmarks of the city? Simple, yet thoughtful, they provide for some well thought out graphic design.

#4. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975)…
Shocking red coming forward out of pitch black…and then they start singing! Is there any better, or more provocative opening number in the last thirty five years? I highly doubt it. As if that iconic moment wasn’t enough, we get that glorious title card announcing the depravity to come with no apologies. Finally, and I can’t put my finger on why, I love the cast is credited one by one…including their character names…an even a one line bio! Millions of midnight-movie-goin’ fans can’t be wrong.

#3. THANK YOU FOR SMOKING (2006)…
That series of images sorta looks like I’ve just scanned a handful of cigarette packs, doesn’t it? As it happens, those are the title cards for this clever comedy. They shuffle across the screen merrily while some dusty 1947 ditty called “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette” chugs along. If you were to walk out right there, you might very well believe that this movie was advocating the habit, and that’s what makes it so clever. So cheery. So bright and inviting. So very, very wrong.

#2. VOLVER (2006)…
Sometimes, you just have to keep it simple. The opening credits for this film are actually the two title cards you see above, and one more that starts it all off reading “El Deseo presenta”. The whole scene is one beautiful panning shot of a group of Spanish women tending to the graves of their family members on a blustery Saturday morning, with the camera seemingly pushed along the dolly by the gusts of wind. The short sequence tells you much about the women you’re about to meet – how they are strong, bound by blood, and care deeply for tradition and each other. What makes it even better is how it doesn’t take time to marvel at its own cleverness. just a few seconds pass, before the scene opens up and this fantastic story begins.

#1. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1960)…
When I first got the idea to do this five, my knee-jerk reaction was to include my favorite film, ALMOST FAMOUS, in the list. However, then I remembered that the title sequence for that film is an homage to one of the greats. The child humming, the box full of treasures, rubbing that turns into the title. It all works together to convey the timelessness and preciousness of this classic story. But just after we get a look at that whimsical crayon-drawing of a bird, the page is torn down the middle…reminding us how easily innocence is lost. This is cinematic perfection.
Did I miss one? Feel free to leave comments naming your favorite credit sequences, along with suggestions for the next top five.