Jeff’s Movie Poster blog

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Jeff posted in Books, Poster on May 2nd, 2006

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A wierd inventor (Caractacus Potts - Dick Van Dyke) invents an amazing flying car, which drives by itself. It takes him and his family to Vulgaria, where the sinister buffoon Baron Bomburst kidnaps the car. The baron has made children illegal, and Caractacus and Co. have to try and rescue the children of Vulgaria…

The original novel is by Ian Fleming - Yes, the James Bond Ian Fleming! Who knew!

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The Queer Movie Poster Book
Jeff posted in Books on April 29th, 2006

Book Description
Films about “the love that dare not speak its name” have been around for decades, but only recently have they formed an out-and-proud genre. In the first overview of its kind, The Queer Movie Poster Book traces the history of gay film through its posters and promotional art. Sometimes alluring, sometimes lurid, often coded, the posters speak volumes about the social mores of the times and the struggle for queer identity. Historian Jenni Olson includes over 150 posters — from Wallace Beery drag follies to the latest indy productions — which showcase the varied spectrum of queer cinema. Fascinating sidebars discuss dykesploitation films (typically made by straight men for straight men), gay porn (an overlooked means to social liberation in its own right), and films with transgender themes (studded with pulled-from-the-headlines movies). From the earnest to the campy, The Queer Movie Poster Book constitutes a vibrant feast of popular art and a valuable document of gay film culture.

About the Author
Jenni Olson is one of the world’s leading experts on queer film. A filmmaker currently developing her first feature, she lives in San Francisco. Bruce Vilanch is lead writer for the Academy Awards ceremonies, and one of the most sought-after jokesmiths in the entertainment industry. He lives in Los Angeles.

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Retro Stud: Muscle Movie Posters from Around the World
Jeff posted in Books, Collecting Posters on April 28th, 2006

Let’s face it, sex sells. Posters that teem with muscle-rippling heroes in skimpy loincloths, frail beauties in diaphanous gowns, pointy-bearded tyrants, and evil queens with heavy makeup and beehive hairdos were all classic lures that used to tempt patrons into theaters to see the sword-and-sandal movies of forty years ago. The posters advertising the films were every bit as dramatic and alluring as the movies themselves, and theater patrons lined up to SEE these “surging spectacles of savagery and sex!” Studio marketing departments learned quickly how to keep the public interested in this distinctive genre. Retro Stud displays beautifully reproduced artwork from around the world—replete with the sly sexuality and lithographed excitement that was typical of these posters.

About the Author
David Chapman is an author and historian who has studied the history of strength and physique display for the last quarter century. He has written several books on the history of physique photography and is a regular contributor to such popular magazines as Muscle & Fitness and Ironman. Chapman has amassed a collection of bodybuilding photographs, books, magazines, and other memorabilia that numbers in the thousands. Chapman lives in Seattle, Washington, and teaches English and history.

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IN CHARACTER: ACTORS ACTING
Jeff posted in Books on April 27th, 2006

In this fascinating book, photographer Howard Schatz photographed 100 of Hollywood’s best loved actors as they transformed between characters instantly before him.

Well known character actors like Fred Willard, Don Cheadle, Danny Glover, Edie Falco, Christopher Lloyd and comedian Robert Klein sat for Schatz without makeup and immediately affected sometimes random transformations of character.

Giving them little to work with, and no time, Schatz offered them character suggestions and a bit of background but left it to them. Some went through incredibly quick and easy changes to find the character, others threw themselves entirely into it, sobbing, screaming and ad-libbing lines to get into the character.

Schatz also talks to each actor about their process of finding a character for each and every role. The book includes some real insight into the mind of these actors whom we have all come to know and love over the years.

The Introduction by Roger Ebert is an insightful appreciation of Schatz’s work and the ongoing dialogue between actors and their audience.

Price: $30 from Amazon.com

Picture Show: Classic Movie Posters from the TCM Archives
Jeff posted in Books, Collecting Posters on November 1st, 2005

This book features a wide variety of movies from the extensive Turner Classic Movies library. With over 160 pages, the book covers the range from “Bad Girls” and movies like “The Mask of Fu-Manchu”, “The Outlaw”, and “Born to be Bad” to “I Walked with a Zombie” and “Cat People” along with sci-fi’s “The Thing” and “Them!”

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