One of my creative writing teachers made a huge impression on me when I was very young, when he told the class that the most important thing about any short story was the opening line.
It has to be compelling ar captivating, whether that be through intrigue, shock, suspense, or whatever...something that drew you in and had you wanting to know more.
I had a flashback to that today and it got me thinking...what is the most compelling or our favourite opening to a Nic film?
I need to give this far more thought.... but off the top of my head I am thinking I really loved the opening to Drive Angry, when the DRIVE ANGRY logo appeared with the soundtrack it was so mega cool! Further back, 'for some reason' the opening of 'Red Rock West' comes to mind ( I wonder why.. ) I love how immediately magnetised to the characeter you become, with no dialogue, and how you are left wanting to know more about Michael, where is he going? how did he injure his knee? what kind of a trip is he on?
'Leaving Las Vegas' also has an intense and incredible (and really pleasantly indulgently long) opening, before the opening credits appear.
There will be more, but for now i would love to hear everyone elses favourite Nic film openings?!!!
Ooh yes, Lord of War is one of my favourite movie openings ever, so powerful!
I guess i was thinking of ones including Nic's character, so I will have a bit more of a think!
Wild At Heart was the next on my list too clc, the long opening with the credits over the flames and the symphony playing i think foretells of a passionate transcendent love supreme, and tragedy, and then cutting into that upbeat dancehall kind of music that sounds from a different era, juxtaposed with that totally shocking opening scene...... 'uh oh'....
The opening of Birdy.. dreamlike echoey voice flashbacks, with the music, Birdy in his cell looking out the window, Nic on the trolley all bandaged...
Raising Arizona! Such an epic opening with that unforgettable soundtrack with Nic doing the voiceover 'my name is H.I Mcdonagh' and the mugshot / 'desert flower' line !
Vampire's Kiss opening with that fantastic almost silent vampire movie flavour music and the dramatic almost gothic looking city sillhouette against the red skyline.. then panning backwards into the psych office with Peter Loew on the black leather couch pinching his nose in angst with that hilarious accent...
Face/Off awesome opening scene, so utterly heart wrenching...
8mm opens with a film projector and Nic arriving at an airport..there is a sense of urgency.. mysterious music.. Jumping into a cab..furtive..where 's he going?
Bringing out the Dead, (writing this is making me realise how important soundtrack is in the opening) EPIC soundtrack with opening credits interspersed with nighttime New York ambulance shots with glimpses of Frank at the wheel, bathed in red, lights, sirens, voice over 'I was good at my job there were times when my hands moved faster'
More voiceover openings...Adaptation.. charlie's stream of consciousness soliloquy ...
I find the lighting in the cafe pleasing in The Wickerman opening where Nic is in the leather biker jacket and takes the 'everything is ok' self help book out the rack, noticed the louise hay's 'you can heal your life' is on there too which is a book I've always loved...
The opening to NEXT is intriguing.. no dialogue..
Wowza..braingasm! That will do for now! Lots of great openings which don't include Nic's character too!
Oh my goodness...how could I have forgotten...THE SORCERER'S APRENTICE! I love the opening ..the back story of Merlin and his three apprentices, Morgana's betrayal, Veronica's sacrifice for Balthazar..Merlin gicing Balthazar his ring...Nic looking if very knight like...then his centuries long quest across the world looking for the apprentice
Yes, Lula - the opening to Bringing Out the Dead is bleary eyed greatness. Caught me from the start. Gah - I really like that film!
Hi Sprocket! Yes, a gripping opening and the attention is caught with equal intensity through the whole film.
An amazing film and one that is ridiculously underrated / lesser known from Nic's wide ranging library of work..(and scorceses') For me in that sense it is a grower not a show-er, a powerful movie, but that power is almost as if lurking to be discoverd over and over again and ever growing. It has depth so it never becomes superficially easy. very fabulous performance from Nic and also Patricia Arquette.
love the opening to drive angry and after that would have to be gone in sixty seconds both my fave films . close after that would be the rock a great film .
I agree cagecrazy, the opening credits to GISS are fantastNIC!! a feast of images and great soundtrack! but the first scene itself doesn't have Nic in it, so that is auto points deduct for me! Not that it is a bad thing when Nic isn't in a first scene, for the suspense facto,and it adds to the thrill when his character appears! but if i am judging a first scene on it's own merit and he's not in it....! Same prob with the Rock, which has an epic opening!
The opening scenes of Wild At Heart always give me shivers and chills. There are a lot positive thoughts in my mind, as well as heart to deny it, but no pretending this time ~ It is my 'lifelong' I mean all-time fav.
I love the openings from Sorcerer`s Apprentice, especially the look on Balthazar`s face, when he traps Veronica/Morgana in the Grimhold, and then, when he gets his mission from Merlin, to find the Prime Merlinean!
Another fave is the scene in CoA, when Seth reaches out his hand for Susan to grab it! It reminds me on the famous painting of Michelangelo (the creation of Adam)! That is def one of my absolute fave openings!
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"When you think about magic, it is imagination plus willpower focused in such a way that you can create a conscious effect in the material world..."
Yes, a gripping opening and the attention is caught with equal intensity through the whole film. 
Not that it is a bad thing when Nic isn't in a first scene, for the suspense facto,and it adds to the thrill when his character appears! but if i am judging a first scene on it's own merit and he's not in it....! Same prob with the Rock, which has an epic opening!
