comment #1

Walter Sobchak says ...

A Five, Six, Seven, Eight...!

Bend those legs! Quit smiling, this isn't the high school play! Arms out! Hips back!

Sorry, Mr. Gideon.

Don't apologize, just do it right!

comment #2

BurmaShave says ...

They have Maximus and Bruce Wayne, why are they only using Ben Foster to sell this movie?

comment #3

T. Holly says ...

It looks like someone may have been inspired by "The Saint" stick figure. Bad choice on the poster too, because it looks like the back of Sharon Stone.

comment #4

Pinko Punko says ...

The design for the one sheet/ads is very stylish but almost seems like they are designing spots for "Western Week" or something on AMC. That said I really didn't like the trailer for the new "3:10"- I'll probably still see it, but I don't think it sold the idea of the film at all

comment #5

bmcintire says ...

You seem a little too focused on the positioning of the body in these posters. I, for one, am most grateful to see a campaign for a Western devoid of any sepia-toned, wood-cut, Ponderosa-styled lettering and not a plaintive horizon anywhere in sight. Completely digging Lionsgate's take on this one.

comment #6

futureman says ...

Both legs locked would have looked weird. The main problem with Yuma is that it comes out the same weekend as Shoot 'em Up, aren't they going after the same audience? Two smart action movies shouldn't come out the same day, especially when the marketplace is devoid of these kind of movies.

comment #7

Ogami Itto says ...

"The design for the one sheet/ads is very stylish but almost seems like they are designing spots for "Western Week" or something on AMC."

I was thinking more along the lines of the Encore Western channel. Very cheap looking.

"Again -- the guy looks like a dancer in a rehearsal hall on West 45th Street going over his moves as a hot gunslinger in a B'way musical called Yuma Boy."

Maybe they're hoping to capitalize on the success of Brokeback Mountain and target the "gay cowboy" demographic??

comment #8

lesterg says ...

Here's a question: what was the last effective / successful campaign that Lionsgate ran for ANY movie?

comment #9

Josh Massey says ...

You are completely spot-on about this, Jeff. I can't help but think of Catherine Zeta-Jones now when looking at that first poster.

comment #10

sandekat says ...

THe way he's pointing his gun is a little strange, too. Too casual and lazy with his elbow in that little bend. I can't tell but does he have one eye closed as he tries to aim?

But how is sold to see a film by the poster? I hope its good.

comment #11

sandekat says ...

THe way he's pointing his gun is a little strange, too. Too casual and lazy with his elbow in that little bend. I can't tell but does he have one eye closed as he tries to aim?

But how is sold to see a film by the poster? I hope its good.

comment #12

sandekat says ...

oh darn. sorry.

comment #13

Hallick says ...

Instead of a gun, he looks like his cowboy hat oughta be in his right hand after having gracefully rolled it down his arm.

comment #14

T. Holly says ...

"The Saint" from the front. OK, Zeta-Jones, not Sharon Stone, from the back. In action:

http://www.geocities.com/stickman_gallery/

comment #15

T. Holly says ...

Oops you have to click on The Gallery tab at the bottom. It's worth it, IMO, or I wouldn't post it.

comment #16

buckzollo says ...

I drove by the exact same one sheets yesterday and recall wondering "is that poster cool?" curious was I if it is "working." Clearly I am not alone in my suspicions.

comment #17

BNick says ...

These posters are too clever for their own good. As someone said earlier, a simple one-sheet with Crowe looking menacing and Bale looking heroic would have done the trick. This almost looks arthouse-ish to me. Gotta be able to attract those older men who want to see a good cowboy movie.

comment #18

T. Holly says ...

Take turns, we crashed Geocities. I liked "The Proposition" and I like the 3:10 trailer pretty much. When Crowe's on in the line delivery department, he's on. Looks like he hit the gym too -- nice.

comment #19

MickTravis says ...

They were going for Leone.

It came out Fosse.

comment #20

Edward says ...

Speaking of Leone: Walmart has the great, "Once Upon A Time In The West" in their $5 bin!

comment #21

Mark says ...

My question is who the hell are all the people Ben Foster is shooting? The whole point of the original was that when it came down to it, and the clock approached 3:10, no one would take a stand against Ben Wade's men. From Foster's shooting spree in the trailer, they appear to have muddied this crucial notion in order to increase the body count.

comment #22

Josh Massey says ...

Edward: We here at Hollywood Elsewhere wouldn't be caught dead in a Wal-Mart. I mean, dammit man, have you seen those thread counts?

comment #23

nycfilmguy28 says ...

Jeff:
I hate to be the guy who says this... but "poofster"? That's actually a pretty offensive term. Point taken about the poster, but even something like "queer" would work better there, or "gay-appeal," or "fey," which is plainly descriptive. Poofster is derogatory and rude and I don't think that's what you're going for.

About the ad campaign: maybe they *are* targeting the Brokeback crowd, trying to capitalize off the last really successful western? Especially given the stars, both of whom are popular with gay men. But of course drawing in gay filmgoers does not a mainstream hit make... I admit the strategy here is a little puzzling.

comment #24

Edward says ...

Josh: What was I thinking!

comment #25

malibugigolo says ...

And the town drunk is now a doctor? huh?

comment #26

cd says ...

Mark, Foster's shooting sprees come earlier in the film. At the climax it's still Christian Bale's Dan Evans against pretty much everyone else. Still, the film isn't as hard-edged and old-fashioned as it might appear; there's quite a sentimental streak.

comment #27

cd says ...

Oh, and I'm not sure I want to join the Brokeback discussion, but it probably bears noting that at the screening I caught, Foster told the crowd that he drew inspiration from his outfit, from the same designer as Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He made the correlation between outlaws and glam rockers.

comment #28

Scott Feinberg says ...

Jeff, as a fellow awards guy and a fan of your site, I feel obligated to point out that your statement "I've heard nothing but very good things about the film" is not entirely accurate.
I emailed you a link to my 'blurb' (no reviews allowed this early, as you know) after attending the film's first screening anywhere. I'm not saying it's all bad... just don't get overexcited.
In case you or your readers care, here it is again: http://andthewinneris.blog.com/1972762/

comment #29

Scott Feinberg says ...

That said, I have to come to the defense of Lions Gate when lesterg says "Here's a question: what was the last effective / successful campaign that Lionsgate ran for ANY movie?" How quickly we forget their brilliant campaign for "Crash" and a number of others unlikely films...

comment #30

thatrader says ...

Add to that list "Cabin Fever," "Hotel Rwanda," oh, and you know, the most successful documentary of all time, "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "Saw," the most profitable horror series in years.

comment #31

T. Holly says ...

"The Proposition" is sentimental; that's what makes it stick with you. Scott, your "general reactions" are promising. I'd rather you not hype is as an "instant-classic or major awards contender," then maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised by it. I'll take it over Shoot 'Em Up, which looks like an amuzement park ride by comparison.

comment #32

Armin Tamzarian says ...

HOTEL RWANDA and F911 were not released by Lionsgate in this country.

comment #33

cd says ...

If you find "The Proposition" sentimental, you might find "Yuma" to be overly saccharine. The former is much bleaker and more violent, and the character evolution much more subtle. It's not even the same universe.

comment #34

Smithie111 says ...

I think the poster is stylish, but in an effective manner. It exudes a sense of simplicity that seems to be the whole basis of the movie. It is a powerful but straight forward story. I am very excited to see this when it comes out.

comment #35

T. Holly says ...

Bleak, violent and subtle like "Raging Bull."

comment #36

T. Holly says ...

No, seriously, thanks CD for the heads up. I'm looking for something a little visceral in "Yuma," to go with my popcorn, and hopefully it'll be there, given all the testosterone.