Learn to appreciate a movie's opening with 'Forget the film, watch the credits'

Posted Monday, January 22, 2007 at 10:19 PM Central

by Tim Briscoe

Do you watch the credits that appear at the beginning of a film? You know, the ones that names of the principal cast, the director and the title of the movie? They are known as the title sequence.

A lot of weight rides on those openings. For one thing they have to set the scene and mood for the 90-plus minute journey you are about to embark upon. The directors and producers put a lot of time and money into them to make them look just right.

Until now, title sequences have been an underappreciated art form within film. The new web site Forget the film, watch the titles showcases many of these more creative title sequences. The categories include animation, motion graphics, 3-D, mixed, and comedy -- and they're all great examples of this high art.

Best of all, you can actually watch the entire title sequence of each featured movie on the web site. You'll find stellar sequences from Irreversible, Thank You For Smoking, and Nanny McPhee. A couple of my favorites on the site are Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and The River King. You can even watch the opening to the upcoming Smokin' Aces.

Alas, the number of films represented is somewhat limited but it is, as they say, a "growing collection." Visit the site, bookmark it and check it out again in a couple of months.