Do you make a mental note, "Yeah, I've got to see that!" when you first lay eyes on a billboard for a new movie? No? Oh. I would think that's the intended purpose of movie posters. You know, publicizing, promoting, giving a hint about the genre, evoking fear, depicting humanity, causing smiles or winks of romance — there has to be a reason the studios and distributors go through all the bother, right?

It's fun to try to figure out what the movie marketing types are selling. With that in mind, I'm taking a look at a few new posters that have just been released. No, unfortunately, none are lesbian films … sigh … but I'm including the few that have women of interest in the cast. But be forewarned: I can't help looking for lesbian subtext in these things! Hmm, maybe it's the titles that do it?

Battle in Seattle

Now, this movie poster tells me one very important thing: There's not a damn thing funny about this movie! This poster screams serious drama, doesn't it? It also seems to be screaming Charlize Theron is hot even when she looks like your next-door neighbor! Fine, maybe it's just me that heard that scream.

Admittedly, when I first read the title I really wanted this movie to be a romantic comedy. I dreamed of an adorably contrived little battle between two lesbians from Seattle. One, a cute barista in a café that serves Seattle's Best coffee, versus another barista that serves Starbucks. The two press and pull and pour themselves into finding true love through lattes and the perfect espresso. … continue reading

Brad Brevet of RopeOfSilicon.com recently compiled a list of the worst movie titles of all time. Of all time? That's ambitious. It actually seems to be just of the last 10 years or so. Here are some of his choices (he didn't really specify any criteria) and some of my additions.

1. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

Here's Brevet's take: "I realize how much little girls seem to love this film, and even some older girls as well, but to deny the fact that The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is an awful title demands a smidge of insanity."

Nah, it's a great title! There are pants. And a sisterhood. And traveling. What could be more appealing? And all you have to do is see "America Ferrera" on the poster and the rest of the words disappear anyway. (Although I will admit that this is an easy title to pornify, which to me is an important consideration for titles. Don't call your movie Eyes Wide Shut if you don't want it to inspire Legs Wide Open.)

2. Thir13en Ghosts (2001)

Brevet says, "Substituting numbers for letters in a title is not cute, cool or scary." I totally concur. In fact, it's ugly, lame and off-putting.

3. Lucky Number Slevin (2006) … continue reading