Another Look at 'Killing Them Softly'

Campaign isn't as sharp as I would have thought. Good, but soft somehow. This may turn out to be one of those flicks everyone talks about, or so it seems, but it's just the hardcore movie buffs making all the noise. I don't think the average joe is wanting to see this.





















.

Great Posters. Hope The Movie is Good.

Posters for 'Killing Them Softly' have been excellent. I can't remember a movie that had as many notable graphics.

We're seeing more roll out. I like this one.

Really, I like it better this way.

.

International Trailer for 'Killing Them Softly'

I think this is a new cut. Looks new. Hard to remember every edit, though. I think there's new stuff.

Cogan : Killing Them Softly

And, here's the same thing but dubbed in French. I would never want to see such a product. How often do we get foreign films dubbed in English? Except for animation, never. This is bad. A bad thing. Although, the guy that covered Gandolfini did a nice job. But, that's beside the point.

Bad. Not good.



















.

One To Remember

Earlier posters were either too flag-waving, too on-the-nose, or too pointedly simple-minded. This one combines elements from previous efforts and somehow, in doing so, is the best of the lot. It trumpets the up yours America theme and is too obvious and too on-the-nose and pointedly simple-minded, yet is one of the most memorable posters I've seen.

This will make the 'best of 2012' list.

.

Spanish Poster for 'Killing Them Softly'

Again with the American flag but, hey, I like this take better than the last one which had that made-for-TV feel. This one has more of a, hmm let's see, 'straight-to-video' look...

This stupid campaign. Can't wait for the movie but the posters are killing me...softly.

.

Flags and Muscle Car Poster for 'Killing Them Softly'

Certainly better than the last effort but so unsubtle it's, well, laughable. This poster has devolved from a remarkable conceptual graphic to a literal-minded reminder to, now, a patriotic all-American (or anti-American), shotgun toting one sheet for what looks like a TV series debut.

And, "In America you're on your own?" I know that's a quote from Cogan that's in the movie. "I'm living in America. And, in America, you're on your own." But, so? What's that mean? Kill the next guy with a shotgun or he'll kill you? If you want someone dead you have to do it yourself? What? The only thing missing from that tagline is "Hell yeah, dammit! 'Merica! Pass me a Budweiser." Not that it would help clarify the tagline but, yes, it would fit. It's silly enough to fit.

And, a flag and muscle car? What's this movie about, a street racer that runs for president?

And, what does one thing have to do with the other? How is killing small time thugs who ripoff a poker game an all-American pursuit? What American virtue does this reflect? Maybe I'm not getting it. Maybe it's an anti-American, anti-Capitalist pursuit. Okay, how?

The movie has a political agenda. We've all heard that. However, is the average guy who wants to see a shoot-'em-up gangster flick starring Brad Pitt really going to get the Occupy vibe (or whatever vibe it is) from the poster and think 'Hell yeah. That's what I'm in the mood for. An anti-Capitalist, anti-America (or pro-America depending on how you look at it), Occupy-Everything-Now (or don't) movie'?

But, what about the more politically aware, you say? Won't they get it? You mean the politically aware, the politically active, who are headed to the multiplex to see a gangster movie? Those people? The people who are politically plugged in, who vote in every election, read the paper every day and want to see a crime flick with Brad Pitt shooting up the place. Those people. They're going to see this poster and get all excited about its anti-(fill in the blank) subtext then run every light in their Prius (a Japanese car, thank you very much) in their mad rush to the theater?

'Killing Them Softly' is a gangster movie. That's it. Few will notice the injections of political subtext and those that do will chuckle and forget it.

Dear Hollywood Suits: Please stop with the anti-America (yet nonetheless flag-waving) anti-money anti-whateverthefuck posters. You had us with the first poster. It was great. Remember that one? It had an American flag, yes, but it was a reflection in sunglasses so that was cool (especially considering the guy wearing the sunglasses was also pointing a revolver at us). We cool? Yeah, we're cool.

Given a choice between the new poster that bashes us over the head with...something, and the last one, I'll have to go with the last one. It was dumb but it was uncluttered. No silly subtext that no one cares about. It had Brad Pitt pointing a shotgun and that's really all we need to know.

.

New On-The-Nose 'Killing Them Softly' Poster

Not that it's bad. I didn't say that. It's just terribly literal-minded. Direct. Let me think...shows a lot of focus.

 

What do we learn? 1) Movie stars Brad Pitt. Check, got it. 2) He has a shotgun and is, well, killing someone (not that softly and from not that far away, not exactly 'from a distance' but let's not split hairs).

Yes, this is a simple poster. I like how there are no capital letters in the title -- that would run the risk of scaring people. And the giant font makes it easy to read. White against solid black helps, too. That's a nice touch.

And, once all that reading is done there's only one other graphic element: Scowly-faced Brad Pitt pointing a shotgun.

N o t   h a r d   t o   f o l l o w

When you compare it to the first poster it all makes sense.

What does that say? (Violent) American guy with revolver? See, it's not that easy to understand and that's where the new poster steps in. It clears things up. First one sheet was a snazzy artsy conceptual eye-catcher that only elite well-educated cinephiles (and a handful of movie bloggers) could appreciate, sooooo the next poster had to balance things out and be as plainly spoken and direct as possible.

"Violent movie with Brad Pitt shooting the place up."

Cause, let's face it, not everyone can appreciate subtext. We'll call this new poster 'advertising for dumb folks'. (Now, now. Don't take offense, cause if you do it marks you as a stupid mofo).

So, remember, when 'Killing Them Softly' opens at your local theater be sure to run out and see it. There will be an announcement when this happens. A simple straightforward announcement. The theater will have popcorn, fun snacks, and soda. Bring money.





















.

Trailer for Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softly'

Love it. Looks great. Love the Johnny Cash.
















.

Clip from Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softly'

.

Poster for Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softly'

With James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Sam Rockwell, Ray Liotta, and Sam Shepard. Directed by Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Chopper).

Based on the novel by George Higgins. Originally titled 'Cogan's Trade' which made me wince. When I first heard that title I figured I would never get around to seeing this. 'Killing Them Softly' is so much better.

Very confident poster.

The (new) title and this poster alone practically make this must-see no matter what it's about or who's in it. That is, you could make a movie with just about anybody and just about any plot and, as long as you called it 'Killing Them Softly' and used this poster, I'd want to see it.

Yes. Thank you. I will.

.