Mean Beginning

It's incredibly rare when a main-title sequence simultaneously (a) uses a very cool pop song, (b) is stylistically sharp and creative, (c) introduces the characters, (d) tells you a little bit about who the lead character is, and (e) manages to be smart and entertaining with exactly the right attitude (i.e., one that agrees with and expresses the milieu and spiritual world of the characters).

When's the last time any film managed to do all these things in a single credit sequence? I'm not saying it hasn't happened in the last ten or twenty years. I'm saying it's not coming to me.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 20, 2008 at 1:55 PM

comment #1

R. Hunt Author Profile Page says ...

A great sequence. I was setting up a 16mm print of this many years ago, and when that first drum beat hit, it literally blew out my sound bulb. And is it my imagination, or did Scorsese actually manage to synchronize the pin holes in the film with the music?

Posted by R. Hunt Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:24 PM

comment #2

bildeaux Author Profile Page says ...


Snatch or Rock'N Rolla?

Posted by bildeaux Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:24 PM

comment #3

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

BIG LEBOWSKI.

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:24 PM

comment #4

sutter kane Author Profile Page says ...

maybe 4 out of 5, but I think stylistically and in terms of story, both the Dawn of the Dead remake and Donnie Darko do a really good job with their opening credits.

Posted by sutter kane Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:24 PM

comment #5

televisiontears Author Profile Page says ...

Though there's no actual credits, the opening for Magnolia (not the brilliant prologue) ranks up there. Gives you just the right amount of information about each character, and has energy to spare. However, I'm not a big fan of Aimee Mann's Three Dog Night cover.

Posted by televisiontears Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:26 PM

comment #6

Monument Author Profile Page says ...

7even has one of the best title sequences ever. It doesn't really introduce all of the main characters but it certainly introduces the killer, other than that I think it fits the bill.

Posted by Monument Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:26 PM

comment #7

Rich S. Author Profile Page says ...

I can't find an example on the 'net, but I believe Rushmore qualifies.

And though it might not be fashionable to bring it up, Juno hits about 4 out of 5 on that list.

Posted by Rich S. Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:28 PM

comment #8

televisiontears Author Profile Page says ...

It's probably a matter of preference, but I can't stand the Juno opening. I think I've just grown to hate lazy Photoshop rotoscoping. It seems like there was absolutely no reason for it to appear, other than "it looks cool". I thought it stuck out like a sore thumb.

Posted by televisiontears Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:33 PM

comment #9

modernknife Author Profile Page says ...

Dazed and Confused.
To Live and Die in L.A.

Posted by modernknife Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:34 PM

comment #10

Craptastic Author Profile Page says ...

R.I.P. Rudy Ray Moore

His opening for The Human Tornado features him jumping down a hill naked and saying, "You motherfuckers don't believe I did that shit?!"

Posted by Craptastic Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:34 PM

comment #11

siyengar1977 Author Profile Page says ...

Jackie Brown

Posted by siyengar1977 Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:37 PM

comment #12

lazarus Author Profile Page says ...

The reviews from the 20-30 minute preview of Watchmen shown a month or so ago mentioned a supposedly phenomenal, epic title sequence that does all the things Jeff mentioned, though I'm not sure if the pop song used ("Like a Rolling Stone") is going to be in the final cut.

Posted by lazarus Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:42 PM

comment #13

JeffGP Author Profile Page says ...

"One" is not a Three Dog Night cover, it is a Harry Nilsson cover. As is the Three Dog Night version. The Mann clearly, clearly resembles the original Nilsson.

Posted by JeffGP Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:42 PM

comment #14

115thDreamer Author Profile Page says ...

It's a bit of a cheat, it being a "music" film and all, but "A Hard Day's Night" fits the bill, I think. That's just a joyous opening sequence. I think it was the 30th anniversary when I saw it in the theater last, and when that first chord from the title track sounded, and the lads starting running down the train platform...people clapped. We were just so happy. Also - someone mentioned "Magnolia", but "Boogie Nights" applies as well, with "Best Of My Love" on the soundtrack as PT goes all Altman-y for the opening sequence.

Posted by 115thDreamer Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:42 PM

comment #15

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

Boogie Nights doesn't have opening credits. Just the title. (Great opening, but just like Trainspotting, doesn't provide credits.)

Dazed and Confused was great example above. 5 out of 5.

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:55 PM

comment #16

JaySmire Author Profile Page says ...

speaking of Altman, although there is no pop music over the credits, MASH has one of the greatest opening credit sequences of all time. It's all right there in the narration.

Posted by JaySmire Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 2:55 PM

comment #17

Pertwillaby Author Profile Page says ...

Two words: Casino Royale.

Posted by Pertwillaby Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:00 PM

comment #18

pm123 Author Profile Page says ...

I second JaySmire's vote. Henry Gibson singing "200 Years" is the whole film, in miniature.

How about "A Hard Day's Night"?

Posted by pm123 Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:04 PM

comment #19

Craptastic Author Profile Page says ...

Harold & Maude

Posted by Craptastic Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:10 PM

comment #20

Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page says ...

Imitated, sometimes passionately, sometimes very well. But never duplicated. Just like the Velvets' first album in '67.

Posted by Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:11 PM

comment #21

berg Author Profile Page says ...

this clip misses the first two or three edits of the sequence ... we hear sirens outside and as Keitel falls Scorsese mixes slo-mo (36 fps?) with regular motion, cutting on each bass drum beat ...

Posted by berg Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:47 PM

comment #22

lazarus Author Profile Page says ...

Isn't it odd that De Niro gets "top" billing to the left of Keitel, when the latter is clearly the lead, Scorsese had worked with him already, and De Niro was the new face "discovery" here?

It's like putting Jodie Foster or Kathy Moriarty first.

Posted by lazarus Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:52 PM

comment #23

JaySmire Author Profile Page says ...

Henry Gibson was Nashville. But another genius credit sequence.

Posted by JaySmire Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 3:54 PM

comment #24

MilkMan Author Profile Page says ...

Does Resevoir Dogs count? Little Green Bag comes on, the guys are walking in slo-mo, and the credits rise from the bottom of the screen? I know it's not full credits, but still, that was the moment when QT sold me.

Posted by MilkMan Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 4:18 PM

comment #25

MAGGA Author Profile Page says ...

I think Catch Me If You Can does all those things, except the melody is an original and has no vocals

Posted by MAGGA Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 4:44 PM

comment #26

televisiontears Author Profile Page says ...

Thanks for the correction, JeffGP.

Lazarus, I heard the Dylan song for Watchmen was "The Times They Are A-Changin'". I have a soft spot for "Rolling Stone", but for a story like Watchmen, "Times" fits perfectly. It makes me itch to see it.

Posted by televisiontears Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 5:41 PM

comment #27

lipranzer Author Profile Page says ...

If you think of Seattle as a character, and "Waiting for Somebody" as a pop song, I think SINGLES qualifies.

Also, CLUELESS has no credits, but it's a good opening sequence as a way of not only introducing its characters, and using a good song, but also setting up its tongue-in-cheek tone.

Posted by lipranzer Author Profile Page at October 20, 2008 6:23 PM

comment #28

JB Moore Author Profile Page says ...

NASHVILLE.

Posted by JB Moore Author Profile Page at October 21, 2008 12:02 AM

comment #29

JB Moore Author Profile Page says ...

^^ Not a "real" pop song intro, but "pop" in that particular Altmanverse and great anyway.^^

Posted by JB Moore Author Profile Page at October 21, 2008 12:05 AM

comment #30

Baron von Lego Author Profile Page says ...

Adventures in Babysitting (1987).

Yeah, I said it.

Posted by Baron von Lego Author Profile Page at October 21, 2008 1:56 PM

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