edited by Jonathan Doyle

Cloverfield [BLU-RAY] (Paramount Home Entertainment, 6.3.2008) Disguised under deliberately goofy, yet deliciously edible-sounding, aliases such as Cheese and Slusho, Matt Reeves' Cloverfield was produced and rushed into theaters under an equally appetizing shroud of secrecy. From last year's incredibly elusive Super Bowl ad to the film's viral marketing campaign, Cloverfield had everybody scratching their heads and drooling in anticipation. Aside from the as-yet untitled title and the Blair Witch-ian visual style, the film's biggest appeal was the enigmatic creature who was last (un)seen hurling the decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty onto the crowded streets of New York City. All we knew about the mysterious beast was that it was big and angry. Now that the highy-anticipated project has come and gone, one question has fortunately been answered: Cloverfield was a major success. (continued)

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And speaking of great-looking classic one-sheets, I've had this color scan of an early Bulworth poster sitting in my office closet for exactly 10 years and three months.

Key poster-at image for Warren Beatty's Bulworth

I remember interviewing the artist-marketer -- the guy who took Warren Beatty's rough idea for a single-image concept and made it into an actual poster that stood on its own two feet -- for my L.A. Times Syndicate column. I think it's one of the greatest movie posters ever, and I can't even find the '98 article or the name of the guy I spoke to. I know he was living in Manhattan when we spoke.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 7, 2008 at 5:00 PM

comment #1

trimmer says ...

Not sure how much this helps, but it looks like Bemis Balkind is the design company.

Posted by trimmer at July 7, 2008 5:37 PM

comment #2

Ponderer says ...

That poster is one of my all-time favorites as well. It's one of the few American posters to conjure up the tone of those amazing Polish movie posters that people chat up from time to time.

Posted by Ponderer at July 7, 2008 5:38 PM

comment #3

p.Vice says ...

If only the movie were half as clever.

Posted by p.Vice at July 7, 2008 5:43 PM

comment #4

Jack Price says ...

Love the film. Think it's as underrated as they come.

Posted by Jack Price at July 7, 2008 6:03 PM

comment #5

lazespud says ...

p. vice is wrong; it's a great movie (and a great poster).

You can see it for free at hulu.com. My only complaint watching it again is that I just can't stand Halle Berry; she's ok in this film; but everything she's done since prejudicing me from going back and enjoying her in Bulworth...

Posted by lazespud at July 7, 2008 7:05 PM

comment #6

lazespud says ...

Here's a link to a collection of Bemis Balkind posters...

http://www.impawards.com/designers/bemis_balkind.html

Posted by lazespud at July 7, 2008 7:11 PM

comment #7

MickTravis says ...

Wow, ten years later and the thought of Warren Beatty "rapping" still (still!) makes me cringe.

Posted by MickTravis at July 7, 2008 7:18 PM

comment #8

ElstonGunnAICN says ...

Always thought that looked like it could be a frame out of a Bill Plympton animated short and wondered if he did the design. Guess not.

Posted by ElstonGunnAICN at July 7, 2008 7:28 PM

comment #9

TKC says ...

I'm guessing it was either done by Steve Brodner, or by someone who's very, very good at aping Brodner's style.

Posted by TKC at July 7, 2008 7:43 PM

comment #10

actionman says ...

This is one of the best political comedies ever made and one of my all time favorite films. I remember being blown away in the theater and I love re-watching it almost every year. Beatty was so fucking funny and Oliver Platt was utterly fucking priceless. So many great one liners, so many great ideas, so many great scenes. Vittorio Storaro's camerawork was very cool as well, very unique stuff visually in Bulworth.

Posted by actionman at July 7, 2008 8:54 PM

comment #11

folio says ...

Great fil but i always thought this poster was a goatse parody! Yeah, i know, i bring the conversation really down a level (or 3) :)

Posted by folio at July 7, 2008 9:41 PM

comment #12

BurmaShave says ...

Should have been his last movie, if he is indeed retired.

Posted by BurmaShave at July 7, 2008 9:56 PM

comment #13

paulyr says ...

Yes, it is a Steve Brodner and he still lives in NYC. He is an acquaintance and iirc, Warren Beatty contacted him directly. He has some short videos about the presidential campaign on The New Yorker's website:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/nakedcampaign/videos/?xrail

Posted by paulyr at July 8, 2008 5:52 AM

comment #14