The 39 Steps – Custom DVD cover.
© Criterion Collection. Original poster designer unknown.

Buy the film at Amazon.com! The 39 Steps (Criterion Collection Spine #56)

From the vault –
One of Hitchcock’s very best and the blueprint for my favorite of his works — North by Northwest — The 39 Steps is the kind of wildly fantastic romantic action comedy thriller that Hollywood has been trying to recreate for decades.

In a rare instance for me, this cover utilizes a (digitally cleaned up and enhanced) poster, and an outstanding one at that. The most personally necessary of my custom designs, this was created to replace Criterion’s extremely dark official cover, whose artwork was barely visible (a crime for a film that shines so brightly!).  I hope you’ll enjoy it.

The Silent Partner – Custom DVD cover.
© Lionsgate. Created using screen captures.

Buy the film at Amazon.com! The Silent Partner

From the vault –
It’s likely you haven’t heard of either The Long Goodbye or The Silent Partner, both starring Elliott Gould, both released in the 1970s, and both occupying my list of top ten favorite movies. What I appreciate with this film in particular is the cleverness of its lead character and how well that cleverness matches up against a startlingly vicious criminal played by Christopher Plummer. I struggle to think of a single moment where the characters’ actions seem unrealistic or ‘dumb’ given the circumstances. That kind of intelligence in a film is rare… but is perhaps lost on the ridiculous retail DVD cover.

At the risk of over-selling the film, here’s one final link for The Silent Partner.  If you have the opportunity to see it, by all means go for it.

American History X – Custom DVD cover.
© Warner. Still photography by Peter Sorel.

Buy the film at Amazon.com! American History X

From the vault –
Though admittedly not a fan of the movie (the cinematic works of Kermit the Frog are more my speed), I created this cover in a friendly challenge several years ago. The film itself is hugely popular, to the point of comfortably breaking the IMDB’s top 50, so hopefully there are a few visitors who might enjoy this.

Cassandra’s Dream – Custom DVD cover.
© Weinstein Company. Still photography by Keith Hamshere.

Buy the film at Amazon.com! Cassandra’s Dream

From the vault –
In a rare instance, I will completely disagree with beloved film critic Roger Ebert, who unfavorably compared this film to Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, which, on paper at least, shares a mildly similar plot. I found Cassandra’s Dream to be far superior, and quite different. For that matter, I would also edge it above Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the two Woody Allen dramas released in surrounding years. This film and the fantastic In Bruges should have proven a one-two punch labeling Colin Farrell as a top actor, but these things don’t always work out.

Released even more quietly than the movie itself (truly an impressive feat), this cover is a real favorite that I hope will inspire one or two people to give a flawed but interesting film a shot.