More and more, I’m finding that the first 2-3 minutes of a movie are my favorite part of the film. My life is devoted to the beautiful expression of information, which is why film title sequences hold a special place in my heart.

On this episode, I talk with Ian Albinson (Editor-in-Chief and Founder of the kick-ass Art of the Title) and the brilliant Gareth Smith (title sequence designer — along with his wife Jenny Lee — of such films as Juno and Up in the Air) about the benchmarks of film title design and the constraints involved in presenting what is essentially a legal document to a paying audience.

Here is “A Brief History of Title Design” edited by Ian Albinson:

Check out this great overview of Saul Bass titles sequences put together by the website Not Coming to a Theater Near You.

It’s hard to pick a Saul Bass favorite, but IFC picked Vertigo as the greatest title sequence of all time.

Kyle Cooper is largely considered the new modern master of title sequences. Here’s his game-changing opener for Se7en:

And if the Cheers title sequence (a favorite of Gareth Smith) doesn’t make you happy, then I don’t want to know what lurks in that cold, black soul of yours.

OK, team. Let’s fill up those comments. What are your favorites? I’m particularly partial to the titles for Catch Me If You Can, which has the stylish audacity of pretty much revealing the entire plot of the movie. Your turn…