10. Catch Me If You Can
“Retro Animation”
9. Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
“9 Minute Intro”
8. Jaws
“Shark Attack”
7. 28 Days Later
“Walking Up To Emptiness”
6. Pulp Fiction
“Restaurant Scene”
5. Lord Of War
“The Life Of A Bullet”
4. Casino Royale
“Representing All Bond Movies”
3. Patton
“Patton Speech”
2. Saturday Night Fever
“Travolta Walks”
1.. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
“Judgment Day”
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Great list Heather, the openings of movies really can influence if you think it is going to be good or not. I loved the Casino Royale opening as I feel it makes you more excited for the film.
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I’m a huge fan of Chris Cornell so I have an allegiance here, but there are quite a few Bond movies that could have been acceptable here.
Great mention for Chris Cornell!!…It’s hands down the best intro and his song is my favorite 007 song which runs neck and neck with Goldeneye and Goldfinger.
Boy was that QoS intro a deflated letdown after Casino’s brilliance…
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Why the eff do girls love Chris Cornell?
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
Because he’s sexy without trying to be. And his voice is just………melty……
That is Black Hole Lame! ha
See what I did there?!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
Oh Kai. Yes, yes I did.
I think you are just jealous because you are still superunknown.
Give it time, Sweetie. Give it time!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
Some excellent choices as always Heather. You’ve reminded me of that great credit sequence in Catch Me If You Can – that is great, probably wouldn’t have thought about it to be honest.
Some great openings that spring to mind are Belushi leaving prison in The Blues Brothers with Frank Oz giving him back ‘one prophylactic…one soiled prophylactic’ etc., the Inglorious Basterds’ Hans Landa out on the hunt, and I love the opening to Alien 3, perhaps in the same way as T2 above, how it intros you into a long-running story (even though they kill Hicks!).
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Ahhh Inglourious Basterds, excellent choice Dan! Hans Landa is one of my favorite villains ever because of that scene. A lot of Tarantino’s films start off and grip you right away. Kill Bill did for me as well.
That is a terrific scene that sets the tone for the whole film. Just 15-20 minutes of brilliant acting and solid dialogue. Good call!
Nice list. I especially love that LotR opening, Cate Blanchett’s voice is just enthralling.
I think The Philadelphia Story has the best movie opening of any film, though.
I love that it was supposed to be 2 minutes and was nine. How on earth could they have shortened that to two minutes.
And yes on Cate…………Her character was the right one to narrate since she was all immortal anyway.
I would definitely add “Up” to that list. I didn’t care for the movie over all but the intro was some of the best storytelling of the year.
I think I’m permanently blocked it out of my head because it was so traumatic and made me cry so terribly. Still, no excuse. Should really have made it, and possibly Se7en or Jurassic Park.
Se7en is a great work of opening credits — brain child of Fincher and editor Richard Francis-Bruce.
Up’s opening though is an example of why I resent the emotional stangle hold that Pixar has on America.
dam pixar with it’s old people and children and randy newman and…..dogs and stuff.
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Love Pixar or not, their formula bloody works, and in the world of movies with no souls and emotional vulnerability, I’ll take them.
Bah! I say…..
Off topic but on topic: you are a mother of small children — Do you have any resentment towards Elmo for hijacking Sesame Street? because I do (though I am courteous enough not to ruin the experience for my Boy). That’s my feeling toward Pixar with their slow melodies and their fond remembrances of times past — only instead of Sesame Street, they’ve hijacked our emotions; and they dance on them like the big piano in Big.
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I can’t stand Sesame Street, never have been able to, so I’m indifferent to Elmo’s takeover.
As far as Pixar goes I’m not naturally mushy so the fact that they can expose my soft says a lot.
UP is a fantastic opening but I don’t feel like it exactly fits this list!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
Off topic, when my kids were younger I hated Sesame Street but didn’t mind Elmo’s World!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
What kind of sick person doesn’t like Sesame Street? Wrong, Heather, WRONG (although I’d willingly shoot Big Bird, annoying as hell).
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Thank you.
I never liked it. Elmo and Cookie Monster are cool in doses, but the show as a whole has always unnerved me.
I can still hear Elmo singing that song in my head… and I don’t mind… you guys must be communists.
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
I second mentioning Up.
Pulp Fiction and Casino Royale are two of my all-time favorites. Great list!
Fitz recently posted..
Thanks Fitz, the list was inspired by your post of Catch Me If You Can.
Yeah, that “Up” isn’t in there is a bit surprising, but, otherwise, great list! Love the “Lord of War” one. Those three minutes sold me on the movie!
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I thought Lord Of War was a decent enough movie, but that beginning certainly does set the tone for the rest of the movie.
I came here to scold you for not putting Watchmen on this list until I realized this didn’t necessarily mean opening credits. I rescind my remark I never made and counter with…am I seriously the only one who cannot stand the Lord of the Rings trilogy? Sure it looks pretty, but…I mean, REALLY?
…
Anyways, I dig the list. Can’t ever go wrong with the Travolta strut. It’s how I stroll into work every day. They are probably confused I’m carrying a paint can since I never actually paint anything, but whatever.
Yes Jon, you are the only one! Ha.
Watchmen would have been a nice addition. One of my favorite trailers of all time as well.
The opening in Catch Me If You Can is one of my favorites, but I’m really surprised that To Kill A Mockingbird isn’t on here. I agree with Mr. Sullivan, however- it’s hard to not blend intros with opening credit sequences. I did a similar post like this a while ago of the “opening credit” brand, and I kept confusing myself. I love that you included Pulp Fiction- Tarantino seems to have a skill for openers.
Fun list! Thanks for sharing.
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It was a difficult line to walk, as often a lot of these lists become pretty gray when you really start to analyze them.
A friend of mine did this recently and it got me thinking about what mine would be.
I’m biased, so my #1 would probably be the Days of Heaven opening sequence because it so perfectly summarizes the entire tone of the film.
There are some great ones on here. A lot of people talk about Casino Royale but I think I prefer Quantum of Solace because the music is way better and I found the visuals more compelling. Of course, the rest of the movie stinks, but at least the title sequence was cool.
And yes, you really should have the Watchmen title sequence on your list. Even if you didn’t like the movie, there’s something undeniably brilliant about that sequence.
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I walking the walk of shame here with my missing Up and Watchmen, but even so I don’t know which I’d replace what with, so it may have stayed the same.
I still haven’t seen Quantum Of Solace, but there are a ton of great Bond openings, to pick just one is rather difficult.
Fun list. One intro I’ve always been a fan of is the intro to The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (both the credit sequence and the start with Tuco jumping through the restaurant window).
The Fight Club intro with the neural network credits sequence is awesome as well. More recently the Inside Man setup is quite fun as well. Really sets a good tone for the film, but not all time good.
Univarn recently posted..
It’s just occurred to me that in my premature post (with no header, commentary or otherwise) I also neglected to add my honorable mentions here.
Fight Club was one of them Univarn.
Inside Man is another one I’ve yet to see myself.
Perhaps a Top 10 Opening Credits is in order?
Univarn recently posted..
I think that’s an excellent plan. I can already promise two films for certain.
There’s a fabulously long opening shot Orson Welles flick Touch of Evil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_of_Evil . I would totally recommend the movie, of course, but the opening shot is wpnderful and tense and brilliantly choreographed.
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Ooh, cool list idea! I definitely agree about Pulp Fiction and Terminator 2. The first scene of Harold and Maude has always been one of my favorites, too- it’s the perfect combination of dark humor, close-up shots, and Cat Stevens.
Alex recently posted..Inception 2010
After many discussions it’s interesting how you look back at most Tarantino movies and see that almost all of his films have amazing intros.
Great List Heather! For me number one is either 28 Days Later, or Saturday Night Fever. Also, with the honorable mention of Funny People. That had me laughing so much!
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I still haven’t seen Funny People, will have to check it out.
28 Days Later is simply so eerie.
I don’t think Funny People is anything worth seeing, except for Leslie Mann who’s always great.
Encore Entertainment recently posted..Encore’s Greatest Voices- 20-11
And HOT! I thought she was hot when she was Hooters girl in Big Daddy!
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I’d have to volunteer Layer Cake…that’s one of my dear favorites. Really the witty monologue is only as good as the music they used.
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Great List, Heather! Love the Patton opening. Almost forgot about that. Nice inclusion!
One of my favorites, well the entire movie is, but that opening sets the tone for the rest of the film. By the time he’s down, you know what that man is about!
This is a gem of a post, Heather, and I almost missed it! Good call on 28 Days Later, what a powerful opening indeed, and luckily the entire movie lives up to is, too. And I LOVE the intro opening of Casino Royale, it’s in my Top Ten Title Sequences http://wp.me/pxXPC-Nb I also LOVE the LOTR opening, Cate Blanchett should just narrate every movie, there’s a reason why she’s my favorite actress!
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This post made for enjoyable watching
1, 2, 7 & 10 are my favourites from your selection, although I enjoyed all of them! I’ve always had a soft spot for Catch Me If You Can.
One my choices would be the intro to Burton’s Batman..
You know, I’m glad you mentioned Burton. Sometimes I forget how compelling his film intros are. I’m quite fond of Edward Scissorhands as well.
Great list Heather! Love that you put Patton in here, it’s pretty awesome to put it on right after watching the news.
LOTR INTO=SIMPLY AMAZING!
Patton makes me want to run down my street with an American flag in tow.
For years I didn’t know Coppolla wrote Patton. Was very surprised to have learned that.
Fitz recently posted..
I didn’t know that til right now. How cool!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
He’s brilliant, and while it’s a good movie and George C. Scott was irreverent in it, the writing was incredible.
G-g-g-g-genius! Too much fun too. Mucho respect for someone who can acknowledge that Saturday Night Fever deserves a spot above Lord of the Rings… The opening sequence for 28 Days Later was the single most fascinating thing about the film – and I really liked the film. But the empty streets of London were totally freaky, so ominous (and way cooler than the opening of Vanilla Sky, cool as that was.)
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That walk has changed sexiness in men and music forever!
That Judgement day scene is phenomenal. Actually all of these are. I personally love 28 the most but I’m a zombie nut so what can I say?
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28 Days Later’s beginning is what sets the ton for the entire eerie feel of the film.
I got a post going up Monday about The Walking Dead which starts the same way but don’t let that bother you… the story is it’s own and is fantastic.
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
I would argue that the opening for Scream should be on here with the whole Ghost Face intro and Drew Barrymore thingy!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
It was definitely a good one. I think it’s sad a lot of people have forgotten how awesome the original scream actually was.
I think I told you this once but I was ready to leave after that scene. I was 17 and was like “I’m done. I’ve gotten my money’s worth!”
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
I think you have, but it’s fair. At that point it had been a long time coming for a horror film to come out and change the pace of the way we viewed them. Poking fun, while simultaneously scaring the shit out of us? Hell yes!
That’s what happens when a movie gets spoofed too much. Sucks that way.
I enjoyed the 28 Weeks Later intro where the dad abandons his family after they are found out by a bunch of zombies. I thought it was quite a powerful and shocking intro to the film.
Castor recently posted..
It was pretty intense.
to bad the rest of that movie was garbage
OK… WAIT! I just realized Raiders of the Lost Ark is not on here. WTF?
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
Hmmmm…………I think it was an honorable mention, but now that you point it out, I’m feeling a smidgen guilty.
And I forgot to add, Duplicity: that was my favourite opening of 2009.
What no Inglorious Basterds!!
Probably becasue IB sucks harder then most movies ever made would be my guess.
I agree with you on that one. Gotta say I like Lady gagas music but she is pretty crazy. Did you see she came 7th in the forbes list of world’s most powerful women. lol brilliant!
Lion King
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy! The world is destroyed!
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And where is the GHOST WORLD film intro? I mean, this under-appreciated awesome movie deserves o place here!
Just watch this in feel an unknown way to star a wonderful movie …
The Lion King beats them all, come on dont forget the legend.
Magnolia, with out a doubt has one of the best movie intos of all time. Dissapointed no-one mentioned it.
This list is completely bogus, Lord of War? LOTR, Catch Me If You Can but not the Road Warrior which should be NUMBER 1. Whoever made this list obviously doesn’t like movies and is held back by having a uterus.
This list is completely bogus, Lord of War? LOTR?, Catch Me If You Can? but not the Road Warrior which should be NUMBER 1. Whoever made this list obviously doesn’t like movies and is held back by having a uterus.
No Lion King = Complete Failure of List
Where the hell is Raiders of the Lost Arc? Mad Max could easily be on this list also.
where the hell is blow!!!!