The Best and Worst Posters of 2014

In an era of technology, movie posters designs have suffered along with the rest of the CGI enhanced and digitally altered landscape of modern cinema. Often times, it is a because of a poster that we decide whether to skip or see a film. It is one of the first impressions that must communicate mood, tone, star power, and why you should spend your hard earned $10 on a particular picture. The following list is not a critique of the films, nor their content. This is purely looking at various films of 2014 and their one sheets. As always, there are hits and misses, but I've chosen to list some honorable mentions and my favorite poster for the year.

Honorable Mentions

Particle Fever

This documentary dealing with particle physics, particle accelorators, and the "God Particle" itself gave us this minimalistic poster. Chalk circles against a backdrop of drawn stars conjure images of life's cyclical nature. Amazing.

Nightcrawler

After you see Dan Gilroy's debut film, you will never look at Gyllenhaal the same way again. This poster, prepares you for the pulp crime experience that the film drops its viewers into before even seeing a single frame of footage is seen. 

Misses

3 Days to Kill

Kevin Costner's character has a dark side. I got it. Unfortunately, I understood that a little too quickly. Besides the obvious black bar across the right side, what is up with that weird smirk on his face? What I took away from this poster is wanting to try wearing my French Cuff shirt sleeves up that high on my arms to see if it's even possible to clip them together with a cuff link in that way.

Any poster for Dracula Untold

"Hello, I'm not Batman - but I want to be."

Blended

Adam Sandler's film are essentially paid vacations - at least I'm convinced they must be at this point in his career. For this latest outing, not a single element looks real to me. If anyone needs any proof that an intern with photoshop knowledge throws these one sheets together in an afternoon in between bites of a burrito bowl from Chipotle, they don't need to look any farther than this poster. The three people in the background aren't even looking at Sandler, but past him. The lighting on each element doesn't match each other, the text elements are moronically simple, the animals in the background seem to be floating - I need to stop.

Favorites

Guardians of the Galaxy

Channeling the classic looks of posters like Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Empire Strikes Back, the artwork for Guardians harkens back to an era in which posters were hand painted. No one has their back to the camera, no debris falling all over the place, but most importantly, it sells the characters and cast.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

This one speaks for itself. "Apes together... Strong..." The latest chapter of the Planet of the Apes series lets audiences know that Caesar is front and center in this tale. It's amazing to think that this rendering of Andy Serkis' character is entirely CGI.

Top Picks

Under the Skin 

This poster for Jonathan Glazer's sexy tale of desire, lust, and humanity is every bit mysterious as the film. A minimalist approach that sells not only its star, but the sci-fi elements that make up the foundation of the plot. However, this is not your typical "star vehicle" for Scarlett Johansson to kick major ass in. Half of her face appears in shades of teal blue and red while the other side is completely obscured by stars. This is a level of minimalism that even Kubrick would be proud of. 

Any poster for Nymphomaniac Volume 1 and Volume 2

Lars Von Trier's 4 - 5 1/2 hour epic (depending on which version you saw) about sex, lack of love, and conversations with Stellan Skarsgard told us immediately that we were in for an experience unlike anything else we'd see this year, even in its marketing. The film had about a half dozen posters with the cast showing us their best "o-faces." 

What other posters did you like or dislike this year? Sound off on the comments below!