As I said recently in Random Factoid #351, I have become obsessed with listening to segments of NPR on my iPhone. I heard a fantastic one yesterday called “The Lost Art of Credit Sequences.” Either click on the bolded link or on the picture to go to NPR’s site to listen to the segment.
If you listen, and I hope you do, you’ll hear Bob Mondello wonder why directors have moved away from really utilizing an opening credit sequence. The two highest grossing movies of the last decade, “Avatar” and “The Dark Knight,” gave us virtually nothing – a helicopter shot of Pandora and a bat symbol emerging from blue flames. So why is it that we just have to jump straight into the movie now? The credits sequences are fun, and I always enjoy seeing a good one.
Really, the only director I can think of that still utilizes them well is Jason Reitman. All three of his movies have done a great job setting the mood for what is to come, particularly the lovable “Juno.” I can’t find a full YouTube link, but here’s the animation and the song.
I also really love the credits for “The Kingdom,” but here’s my all-time favorite: “Monsters, Inc.”
So what’s your favorite? And why are they dying?
