One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

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wagesoffear98
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One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#1 Post by wagesoffear98 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:11 pm

domino harvey wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 12:33 pm
Image Image Image Image Image
Is it just me, or is that Parasite cover kind of a major spoiler?
SpoilerShow
The Morse code messages
are probably one of the most important plot points in the entire film, and the pre-release press for the film went out of its way to keep them secret, so it feels strange to me that they'd be so upfront on the Criterion packaging.

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mfunk9786
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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#2 Post by mfunk9786 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:13 pm

It's a "spoiler" like a two second image from a key scene in a movie trailer is a "spoiler" - sure, once you've seen the film it's got meaning to you, but if you just saw it without having any of the context behind it, it doesn't spoil anything at all.

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Big Ben
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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#3 Post by Big Ben » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:14 pm

wagesoffear98 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:11 pm
Is it just me, or is that Parasite cover kind of a major spoiler?
SpoilerShow
The Morse code messages
are probably one of the most important plot points in the entire film, and the pre-release press for the film went out of its way to keep them secret, so it feels strange to me that they'd be so upfront on the Criterion packaging.
Only if you've seen it. I imagine most people won't know anything about what it actually means and if they do they won't know the context.

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domino harvey
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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#4 Post by domino harvey » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:14 pm

The cover is spoiled all right but not that way amirite high five guys

wagesoffear98
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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#5 Post by wagesoffear98 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:17 pm

Big Ben wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:14 pm
Only if you've seen it. I imagine most people won't know anything about what it actually means and if they do they won't know the context.
domino harvey wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:14 pm
The cover is spoiled all right but not that way amirite high five guys
True that. Glad most of us can agree that it's just a bizarre design choice - the poster itself is already simple enough to be distinctive and memorable, so adding so many extra bells and whistles onto it just feels like it's defeating the point.

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mfunk9786
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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#6 Post by mfunk9786 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:19 pm

Another example of this spoiling notion is the 45 Years cover - it is a massive spoiler for the film even though that image is never seen in it, but if you're looking at it you have no idea why whatsoever and so it doesn't matter

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#7 Post by criterionoop » Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:42 pm

mfunk9786 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:19 pm
Another example of this spoiling notion is the 45 Years cover - it is a massive spoiler for the film even though that image is never seen in it, but if you're looking at it you have no idea why whatsoever and so it doesn't matter
Is it really a spoiler if that information is given within the first 10/15 minutes of the film?

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#8 Post by therewillbeblus » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:08 pm

criterionoop wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:42 pm
mfunk9786 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:19 pm
Another example of this spoiling notion is the 45 Years cover - it is a massive spoiler for the film even though that image is never seen in it, but if you're looking at it you have no idea why whatsoever and so it doesn't matter
Is it really a spoiler if that information is given within the first 10/15 minutes of the film?
You could make a case for it. I have a friend who is adamantly against seeing trailers or knowing basically anything about a film going in other than genre- at least anything that can be 'revealed' even if it's a barely-delayed plot point. Also, think of all the movies where seemingly main characters get killed off right away within the first 10/15 minutes!

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fdm
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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#9 Post by fdm » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:45 pm

Really dislike spoilers myself... at any level.

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#10 Post by swo17 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:48 pm

Literally all of these covers include spoilers for things that are in the movies

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#11 Post by Andrew_VB » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:53 pm

"there's morse code in this film" is not a spoiler

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#12 Post by mfunk9786 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:33 pm

criterionoop wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:42 pm
mfunk9786 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:19 pm
Another example of this spoiling notion is the 45 Years cover - it is a massive spoiler for the film even though that image is never seen in it, but if you're looking at it you have no idea why whatsoever and so it doesn't matter
Is it really a spoiler if that information is given within the first 10/15 minutes of the film?
This reply is really a pretty good indictment of anti-"spoiler" sentiment at large, because merely receiving the framework of the information is in no way the same as experiencing the information in the proper context, which doesn't occur until the end credits roll. "Spoiling" the film would only happen if someone explained the entire plot to you in great detail. Or like the morse code, as swo mentioned - merely knowing there is morse code in the movie means nothing until you experience it in the proper context. People need to relax about all this spoiler stuff and stop treating actual films like Disney products designed to feed viewers a little more lore until the next sequel

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#13 Post by Michael Kerpan » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:56 pm

If one fanatically believes in the concept of "spoilers" discussion of movies (beyond descriptors like "it was really keen" or "it sucked") is well-nigh impossible.

But, in any case, that cover sucks.

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#14 Post by therewillbeblus » Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:04 pm

swo17 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:48 pm
Literally all of these covers include spoilers for things that are in the movies
Belmondo smokes butts: Spoiler of the year

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Re: Criterion & Eclipse Cover Art & Packaging Babble-on Vol. 7

#15 Post by mfunk9786 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:13 pm

therewillbeblus wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:04 pm
swo17 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:48 pm
Literally all of these covers include spoilers for things that are in the movies
Belmondo smokes butts: Spoiler of the year
First there was Greek civilization. Then there was the Renaissance. Now we're entering the Age of the Butt.

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domino harvey
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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#16 Post by domino harvey » Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:09 pm

Turns out Samuel L Jackson was giving us stock advice in Jurassic Park

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#17 Post by mfunk9786 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:24 pm

What's the closest thing to a big/egregious spoiler in the history of Criterion's covers? Now I'm curious...

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#18 Post by CSM126 » Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:29 pm

Who could forget the Citizen Kane laserdisc with “IT’S A SLED” printed across the inner gatefold…

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#19 Post by DarkImbecile » Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:32 pm

The reveal that Cluny Brown is a robot?


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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#21 Post by therewillbeblus » Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:34 pm

mfunk9786 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:24 pm
What's the closest thing to a big/egregious spoiler in the history of Criterion's covers? Now I'm curious...
For All Mankind shows
SpoilerShow
man successfully walking on the moon, thus spoiling history

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#22 Post by therewillbeblus » Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:56 pm

In all seriousness, there are plenty that aren't exactly spoilers but retain significance only after viewing, eg. Moonrise Kingdom, The Game, though the polar opposite of a spoiler (which still maintains a similar effect) is Kiss Me Deadly, since the cover depicts a scene that never occurs in the film. The first time I saw it, I was waiting for that moment to happen and when it failed to present itself, became hung up on the false advertising. I eventually got over it.

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#23 Post by FigrinDan » Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:36 pm

mfunk9786 wrote:
Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:24 pm
What's the closest thing to a big/egregious spoiler in the history of Criterion's covers? Now I'm curious...
The cover to A Night to Remember is VERY spoilery.

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Feego
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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#24 Post by Feego » Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:12 pm

The cover for M gives away the killer!

More seriously, the cover for Ordet pretty much reveals the finale, but first-time viewers wouldn't realize that. Simon of the Desert also gives away a surprise late-film image.

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Re: One Bad Appal: The Parasite Cover and Spoilers in Criterion Cover Art

#25 Post by black&huge » Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:20 pm

let's not forget pickpocket's cover spoiling the entire goddamn movie.

But Punch Drunk Love using a still from the actual ending shot of the film is all I got.

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