What Happened To The Art Of Movie Poster Design— Bad Film, Cool Posters

For the past couple of months I've been obsessively complaining about the sorry state of current movie poster design. 99% of it is pure, undiluted crap that would embarrass a first year art student. When I look at the artwork lining the walls of my local cineplex, I'm baffled as to how any of it was ever approved, much less printed and sent out for use.

Today I thought I'd try something different for a change, and present a series of movie posters that are actually GOOD. Bear with me—  I'm a little rusty, as I'm not used to praising poster art.

Here we have the poster for Warner Bros. latest opus The Kitchen. By all accounts the movie's a massive flop, but damn if that isn't a good looking poster.

By the way, this movie's about a trio of women whose husbands all go to prison, so they attempt to keep their criminal rackets going by themselves. Um... didn't we already see this movie last year, when it was called Widows?

Anyway, normally I'm not a fan of photographic posters, as I think they're lazy and uninspired. I like what they've done with this one though, especially the closely cropped faces and duotone tinting.

They released a series of character posters for the movie as well, which are all just as nice.

I'm loving the color-coded grid arrangement behind the large figures, which makes for a striking layout.

I especially like this one, as all the elements just come together perfectly here. These posters have a very strong graphic design feel to them, which is probably why I'm so drawn to the series.

By the way, the movie's supposedly based on a DC/Vertigo comic of the same name, which I've never heard of or ever seen in a shop. I looked it up and apparently it's true though. Great job by the casting director! I wonder which one of these characters Melissa McCarthy's playing?