While growing up, one of my favorite movies was City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold. I don’t remember too much about the plot, but I do remember it being one of my favorites. However, I can remember the opening title sequence perfectly and it was great to relive it on watchthetitles.com I think it is why I loved the movie so much. First of all, the title sequence is an animation while the movie is a film with actors. The animation features non-stop bits of comedy and gags. The main character of the title sequence is a cowboy who just can’t catch a break. While the cowboy only makes incoherent sound, it sounds like he is voiced by Billy Crystal, who also has a rough time in the movie. The intro just feels like a separate movie; it could stand alone and be successful. Anyway, the title sequence is effective at getting its audience into a comedic mood.
The title sequence for 30 Days of Night is just as creepy as the movie. I have only seen the movie once, but I do remember it being a horror thriller. The title sequence utilizes both footage filmed in a studio and still photography. The stage is mostly black with the occasional shadow bouncing off whatever is in focus. This echoes the movie since the setting of the movie involves a town that is in complete darkness for 30 days. Grit, dust, blood, etc are also used throughout the frames. Creepy music that puts you on edge guides the sequence. I think it is effective at putting its audience in the mood for a creepy horror film. It definitely just gave me goosebumps.
And now for a movie I’ve never seen before:
I was looking for titles that I have seen before, but darn if Beauty is Embarrassing didn’t just catch my eye. The entire sequence looks like a big convergence of media. First of all, the sequence begins with the iconic old movie type thing where the film negatives are shown on the screen for a few seconds. So right away, that puts me in the mood for an old film or a home movie. But then you’re shown some magnificent faux-paper cutout stuff in motion. I mean it really looks like a lot of it was made with paper, but it is clearly animated and sometimes 3D models are shown. Occasionally, a realistic red curtain is used as a cut, which is also very cool. The whole thing is just really quirky, especially with the music you’d expect to hear on a hayride themed ride, but I am not sure if it is effective. I really have no idea what type of movie Beauty is Embarrassing is. Except that the film might be quirky.
Although this movie wasn’t on the list, I really like the title sequence of North By Northwest. At first, it is just some simple typography on a slanted grid. But eventually the grid fades to the grid of windows on a skyscraper. The typography continues to scroll over the building’s grid. It is pretty simple, yet genius; especially for 1959.