Best Movie Posters of 2010

With the year winding to a close, its time to look back at all the best things of 2010's cinema. And yes, that includes movie posters. While most are mere advertising (and some are truly horrible), these pictures can convey all sorts of themes (or just be cool). Having to tell the premise for the story, the reason to see it, and be genuinely artistic is a tough job to fill. However, the guys behind these ten posters did it excellently.

10. Clash of the Titans: "The Clash Begins"

Sure, "the clash begins" is not a brilliant tag-line, and it uses all the tricks (including having most of the image either black or blurred nothing), but it still is the film of the year that screams EPIC the most. It is so cool, and so big, one (who is male) feels compelled to see it. Look at the Kraken. Isn't it incredible?

9. For Colored Girls: "Many Voices. One Poem"

It shows all the heartbreak, abuse, and strife--but in a creative way with remarkable beauty. It is far better than the "depressed, naked girl in a bathtub" one Lionsgate also released.

8. Eat, Pray, Love: "Let Yourself Go"

Don't get me wrong, the film was awful; this, though, abstains from showing someone happily running with a bright background (or Julia Roberts and James Franco kissing). Instead, it gives us an image with such surprising depth--and makes you want to experience the world like Julia Roberts seems to beginning to. Unfortunately, the movie fails at that task; still, it's a good poster.

7. The Human Centipede [First Sequence]: "The Human Centipede"

This both shows the horrifying monster but keeps its secrets as well--it makes you HAVE to see the film (when maybe not, but awfully close). It also has that "100% Medically Accurate" note, which makes it all the more interesting (or else I am a complete sicko).

6. Black Swan: "Swan Lake"

This is not the only Black Swan poster on this list, but I felt it had to mentioned. The innocence of the ballerina contrasting with the overpowering dark evil of the black swan--and all depicting a scene from the ballet. This is beautiful.

4. Devil: "Down"

This creates both a sick little joke (congratulations if you got it by now; it took me three minutes) while conveying its premise of a devil in an elevator. Two birds (and their souls) in one stone!

3. The Expendables: "Choose Your Weapon"

This movie needed to convey that it was the ultimate action event with the most awesome kills out there. So what better way to express that then by showing a skull surrounded by practically every single weapon that can be found in a five-year-old's fantasy. The instant I saw this poster, I knew this was one film I could not miss.

2. Harry Potter Saga: "It All Ends Here"

An entire generation has grown up on the wonders and the charm of the Harry Potter Universe--what could be more devastating and yet more captivating than to see than Hogwarts, the Wardrobe of the 21st century, looking like that? Well, they could always show a screen-shot of a dead Dobby, but other than that I think this is the best we can get. So beautiful yet so terrible--and so destined to rake in millions of dollars.

1. Black Swan: "Insanity"

What better shows the haunting spirit of insanity as this image. I know the basic purpose of a movie poster is to sell the movie, but this is art.