Preview: Bottleneck Gallery & Silver Screen Society's "Alternate Ending" Art Show

I'm not sure I've ever seen a gallery go from being completely unknown to one of the most buzzed about things on the Internet as quickly as Bottleneck Gallery has. And as far as I'm concerned, there's zero secret as to why they've had so much success. The artwork, the philosophy, and the leadership. First things first, the artwork. I'm not exactly sure how they do it, but Bottleneck has been great about getting in-demand and little known artists alike to consistently offer up amazing work for each and every show they put on. Then there's the philosophy. Besides coming up with fresh themes for their shows (case in point: an exhibition built around what-if movie moments), Bottleneck has also embraced the philanthropic side of selling art by donating a portion of all proceeds to a variety of charities (the "Alternate Ending" show will benefit NYCares). Finally, the gallery's leadership completes this metaphorical three-legged stool and is probably the most important element necessary to its success. I'm guessing most of my readers probably haven't had a chance to interact with Bottleneck co-founder Joseph Bouganim, but I can assure you the dude is one of the nicest guys there is and 100% dedicated to the gallery, the artists he works with, and the art they create. Compliment explosion complete.

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, Bottleneck Gallery and Silver Screen Society's "Alternate Ending" show. What is it? Glad you asked. Here's the official verbiage:

"Life is full of endings that we cannot change, goodbyes we cannot take back, and letters we cannot un-send. Classic movie endings stay forever frozen in our mind, and a tragic book ending can haunt you for days. That is why Bottleneck decided to change the rules of space and time, commissioning over 60 gifted artists for our "Alternate Ending" exhibit. Each artist will present a piece representing what they wish had happened at the end of a certain film, video game, or book. It is our chance to rewrite the end, and we hope to see you there."

Pretty easy to understand and yet mindblowing-ly awesome, right? Here are a few pieces from the show along with my brief comments below. And if for any reason you're not familiar with Silver Screen Society, go ahead and change that right now by visiting silverscreensociety.com. Now onto the art!

"Alternate Ending" Gig Poster
Inspired By: Jurassic Park

This Jurassic Park inspired gig poster is fantastic for two reasons. Reason #1: Sam Jackson and Newman didn't get devoured by dinosaurs! Yay! Reason #2: there are a LOT of artists to be excited about, including: Alex Pearson, Barry Blankenship, Gabz, Jared Wright, Oliver Barrett, Ridge, Sam Smith, and Simon C. Page, among others. In other words: suh-weet.

"Akira" Art Print
Godmachine
Inspired By: Akira

I'm not going to write about every print here (I'll be saving that for my "Best Of" post), but I did want to put down a few words about Godmachine's epic Akira inspired print. And those words are: unbelievably beautiful and amazing. This print is definitely vying for the top spot in my "Top 20 of 2012" list. To learn more about the artist, head over to Godmachine's blog and follow @godmachineuk on Twitter.

"Seven" Art Print
Andres Martin
Inspired By: Se7en

This would have made for one hell of a deleted scene. And it's possibly the most hilarious print in the show. I'm not sure if Andres has a website, but if you know the address, please send it my way.

"Home Alone" Art Print
Eva Galesloot
Inspired By: Home Alone

Let's be honest with ourselves, would we really have been that disappointed if the Wet Bandits had successfully robbed the McCallister household? I say nay and Eva Galesloot's print shows us just how awesome it could have been. For more on the artist, visit her website and follow @skwirrol.

"Skyfall" Art Print
Mark Englert
Inspired By: Skyfall

The flashback that never was. Mark Englert has amassed a large following due to his amazing landscape portraits and this print is no different. Well done, sir! Head over to tacobelvedere.com (where you can find a killer process post) and follow @markenglert on Twitter.

"Robocop" Art Print
Emory Allen
Inspired By: Robocop

Emory Allen's "Robocop" print smartly uses negative space to show just how insignificant a dismantled Robocop could be. Sad face. For more of Allen's work, check out ocularinvasion.com and follow @ocularinvasion.

"Dark Knight Rises" Art Print
Rob Loukotka (Fringe Focus)
Inspired By: The Dark Knight Rises

Would I like to see the ruins of Gotham after a decidedly destructive bomb goes off? Yes, please. Rob Loukotka's beautifully precise poster is the perfect present for fans of the what-if. Visit fringefocus.com for more info on the artist and follow @fringefocus on Twitter.

Just a reminder the show will be opening on Friday (12/15) at 7 PM in Brooklyn, New York. Whatever doesn't sell out at the show will be available on Bottleneck's website on Saturday (12/16). Most importantly, if you're lucky enough to go, have a great time!

Write Up: Mute's "The Evil Dead" and "Suspiria" Movie Posters

While we may be long past All Hallow's Eve and nearing Christmahanakwanzika at breakneck speeds, the nice thing about great horror is its timelessness. I present exhibits A and B: Evil Dead and Suspiria. Both movies have stood strong against the ravages of time and are fan favorites amongst cinema lovers and their non-fanatical brethren alike. Accordingly, the films' followers (especially those who, like myself, have an unhealthy appreciation for “The Chin” and all that he does) have generously donated an overabundance of well-meaning (but usually mediocre) artwork to the global community known as the Internet. What I’m getting at is this: while there’s an ocean of inspired Evil Dead and (to a lesser extent) Suspiria posters floating around the Web, there’s very few pieces that actually get me excited enough to write about and / or purchase. But wouldn’t you know it, I found two such prints that I think are pretty damn fantastic, and led me to an artist who I wasn’t previously familiar with to boot. Take a look, won't you?

The Evil Dead Movie Poster
Mute
420 mm x 594 mm (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
£30 (~ $48) - Limited to 20

I love the artist's use of cross-hatching to imply detail and shadow, which also manages to give this poster a distinctly medieval look. And when combined with the print's muted color palette, the artwork is not only striking, but pretty terrifying.

Here's what artist Mute had to say about his relationship with the famed cult classic:

"One reason The Evil Dead is so fondly thought of is that the home-made, low budget effort is always endearing, especially when done so well! Few movies present you with something new and exciting, but in equal measures, say “you can go out and do it yourself”. Somewhere sat on a dusty VHS is evidence of me and my friends age 14, equipped with nothing but a camcorder, fake blood, and the woods behind my house. All I can think is thank God YouTube didn’t exist in 1997."

Mute's The Evil Dead poster is currently available through muteart.bigcartel.com for £30. The giclée measures 420 mm x 594 mm and is limited to an edition of 20. It's also worth noting that this print was created for the "Paper Cuts: Alternative Horror Poster Art" exhibition, which is a part of the Sheffield Horror Film Festival. To learn more about Mute, please check out mute-art.com and follow @mute_art on Twitter.

Suspiria Movie Poster
Mute
420 mm x 594 mm (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
£30 (~ $48) - Limited to 20

But it seems one classic wasn't enough for Mute as he also set his sights on the king of all Goblin-scored films set in a ballet school-cum-witches' coven. No, I'm not talking about White Nights, the answer is Suspiria! Mute wonderfully captures all of the terror, paranoia, and vibrant mise-en-scene in Argento's film by casting his design in an ominous crimson hue.

The artist on his memories of Suspiria:

"My first viewing of Suspiria was on 35mm here at the Showroom in 2003. By this time, my enjoyment of horror cinema was more about exploring the genre and trying to figure out how they did the special effects - the scare factor was almost gone from my viewing experience... I say ‘almost’ mainly due to this movie! I was genuinely creeped out by what was unfolding; the Goblin score (at times awesomely loud!) never lets you relax for a second! The infamous theme is hard to forget and still sounds amazing to this day.

If every room you go in is strangely lit with unexplainable red light, start to worry."

Like Mute's Evil Dead print, his Suspiria poster is currently available through muteart.bigcartel.com for £30. The artwork is signed and numbered and is limited to an edition of 20. Head over to mute-art.com to see more of the artist's work.

Write Up: FrightFest Originals' Movie Posters

I've never been to FrightFest, though by all accounts it sounds like one hell of a fun time, but I do make the yearly trek to Austin for Fantastic Fest. Besides all of the insane / fun / terrifying / hilarious / captivating films we see and the direct interaction attendees get to have with filmmakers and fellow film fanatics, I'm always super excited to see what Mondo releases during the festival. Sometimes it's a beautiful print for a movie that's premiering that year, sometimes it's a past Fantastic Fest favorite, and sometimes it's something completely unpredictable and even more exciting. All of this is my rather roundabout way of saying film festivals and limited edition screen prints go together like Italian cinema and questionable dubbing. That is to say, it just works.

FrightFest Originals, a venture spearheaded by Ian Rattray (a founding director of FrightFest) and Alex Chambers (an art collector and screen printing aficionado), recently went live and is now sporting five (count 'em five) sweet looking posters through their online store. Here's the official blurbage (taken from FrightFest Originals' About page):

"FrightFest Originals launched in August 2012 to promote UK screenprints for discerning collectors. All our artwork is fully authorised and gives each artist completely free reign - we're trying to create extremely limited edition prints that are rare, exclusive and most importantly, original...

...We are for the fans, for the artists and all for exclusive stuff. These posters are authorised and unique. Buying a FrightFest Orignals print guarantees you quality, collectability and access to the best upcoming and established artists in the world. Known or unknown, we'll work with you if you're good enough, and sell you a print if you're quick enough. Get in touch via the contact tab if you want to be involved. We hope you feel the same way we do - UK and foreign designs for the discerning collector."

That sounds all well and good to me, but how does the artwork stand up against those promises? Very well, actually. For your reading pleasure, I've included a brief review of each print below. Enjoy!

Zombie Flesh Eaters Movie Poster
Nat Marsh
26.5" x 38.5" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (UK) / £50 (International) - Limited to 75

Zombie Flesh Eaters AKA Zombie AKA Zombi 2 is definitely one of Lucio Fulci's better known films, if for no other reason than it features a zombie fighting a shark. Due to its increased popularity, there might have been a bit more pressure on artist Nat Marsh to create something compelling and beautiful. Good news! We can all rest easy, because Nat absolutely nailed it. His poster is moody, clever (notice the stalking silhouette created by the sole shaft of light?) and absolutely gorgeous. I also love the fact that the UK title, Zombie Flesh Eaters, was used. We can finally fill that unsightly gap on the wall between our Zombie and Zombi 2 posters! Marsh's tropical print is currently available through the FrightFest Originals store to both UK and international customers. The poster measures 26.5" x 38.5" and is limited to 75. Note: the higher international price also includes shipping. To learn more about Nat Marsh, visit nathanael.com.

Maniac Movie Poster
Aniheads
26.5" x 38.5" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (UK) / £50 (International) - Limited to 50

I've yet to see Franck Khalfoun's remake of Lustig's Maniac, but from what I've read it's incredibly creepy and very likely superior to the original. For the uninitiated, here's a quick rundown of the 1980s gem: a crazy guy scalps women, shortly thereafter placing their flayed skin on a mannequin's noggin. In other words: Mannequin: On the Move, this is not. And based on the film's simple premise, I'd say Aniheads' print fits the bill to a tee. It's disturbing, it features mannequins, we've got the titular maniac (played by Elijah Wood) skulking around the background, and it's not overly complicated. Now, there's not too much more I'd feel comfortable saying without first seeing the new film, but I did want to mention just how much I liked the small stream of blood running down Elijah's face. The use of red is subtle, restrained, and wonderfully eye-catching. Aniheads' Maniac poster is currently available through the FrightFest Originals site. The screen print measures 26.5" x 38.5" and is limited to an edition of 50.

"Cinema of Horrors" Art Print
Graham Humpreys
26.5" x 38.5" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (UK) / £50 (International) - Limited to 50

What's not to love about Graham Humpreys' "Cinema of Horrors" print? I've always been a fan of the kitchen sink approach, and the above poster certainly doesn't shy away from filling its borders with more film references than you can shake a stick at. And color-wise, Graham's print really compliments Nat Marsh's Zombie Flesh Eaters poster. Bottom line: if you're a horror movie fan, this poster has something for you. Mr. Humphrey's "Cinema of Horrors" print is currently available for purchase and is limited to an edition of 50. The screen print measures 26.5" x 38.5" and is signed and numbered. To see more of the artist's work, head over to grahamhumphreys.com.

V / H / S Movie Poster
Aniheads
26.5" x 38.5" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (UK) / £50 (International) - Limited to 50

I like this V / H / S poster for the same reason I so thoroughly enjoy Jay Shaw's work. Yes, it's smart, but even more than that, it's like a 3D sculpture in 2D print form. There's something immediately tangible and maybe even tactile about Aniheads' design. My only real complaint is that the standard title typography feels like a missed opportunity. I would've loved to have seen something more playful done with the letters. But, really, this poster works for me, and had I been a bigger fan of the film, would make for an easy purchase. In summation, I dig the print, but can't concisely explain why. Aniheads' V / H / S movie poster is currently available through the FrightFest Originals storefront. It measures 26.5" x 38.5", is signed and numbered, and is limited to an edition of 50.

Nightbreed: Extended Cabal Cut Movie Poster
Aniheads
38.5" x 26.5" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (UK) / £50 (International) - Limited to 50

This one brings back memories. Hazy ones, yes, but memories nonetheless. True, I don't remember much of Nightbreed's plot, I however do recall being completely enthralled by all of the monster makeup (that was sort of my thing back then). Enough of my doddering babble though, to the artwork! While this print plays it pretty straight and narrow, eschewing any radically stylistic elements beyond what was offered in the original one-sheets, the damn thing is beautiful to behold. The massive moon in the background (look closely or you just might miss it) is absolutely jaw-dropping and I can only imagine looks even more spectacular in person. My advice is this: as I doubt you'll be seeing too many Nightbreed prints in the near future, if you're at all interested in the film, you'd be stupid not to jump at this poster. Aniheads' Nightbreed: Extended Cabal Cut is available for purchase through the FrightFest Originals site. The signed and numbered artwork measures 38.5" x 26.5" and is limited to 50.

And that's that. As you can see, FrightFest Originals is definitely starting off on the right foot and promises to be yet another bright spot for us movie poster people. To learn more about FFO, be sure to visit frightfestoriginals.com, join their mailing list, and follow @frightfestorigi on Twitter.

Heads Up: Jay Shaw's "Escape from New York" Movie Poster

The Jay Shaw Fan Club, I mean, Posterocalypse, has long been (and by "long" I mean about a year and a half) singing the praises of Jay's meteoric rise in the movie / gig poster community. The guy's incredibly talented and has a seemingly endless amount of energy and inspiration. (I seriously don't know how he's still alive and well given his prolific output.) In addition to everything he's done with Mondo, Jack White, the Denver Film Festival, Twenty-Eyes Collective, and Gallery 1988, among many others, the man also found time to collaborate with Death Waltz Recording, creating the artwork for their recent Escape from New York vinyl release. Death Waltz has since screen printed the artwork and turned it into yet another wonderful Jay Shaw movie poster! Note: as of this writing there are only 19 prints available. In other words, run!

Escape from New York Movie Poster
Jay Shaw
12" x 12" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£10 - Limited to 100

You can pick up Jay's Escape from New York poster through Death Waltz's website for £10 (approximately $16). The print measures 12" x 12" and is limited to an edition of 100. For all things Death Waltz, head over to deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com and follow @deathwaltzrecs on Twitter. For more info on the artist, visit kingdomofnonsense.com and follow @tweetofnonsense. Happy Friday, folks!

Poster Per Diem: Dan Mumford's "Studies III" Art Prints

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

"Studies III" Art Prints (Set of 4 Prints)
Dan Mumford
16.5" x 11.7" (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
£50 (around $79.30) - Limited to 25

"Studies III X" Art Prints (Set of 4 Prints)
Dan Mumford
16.5" x 11.7" (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
£50 (around $79.30) - Limited to 25

"Amensalism (Studies III X)" Art Print
Dan Mumford
A2 - 23.4" x 16.5" (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (around $63.40) - Limited to 20

"Parasitism (Studies III X)" Art Print
Dan Mumford
A2 - 23.4" x 16.5" (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
£40 (around $63.40) - Limited to 20

I've been a big fan of Dan Mumford's ever since I first laid eyes on his grotesque The Thing poster. Since then, he's created a slew of stellar horror inspired art and some fantastic non-movie related prints. I'm happy to report that his work (film-centric or not) still retains that horrifically beautiful aesthetic that originally hooked me. Lucky for us, Mr. Mumford just released a bunch of prints as part of his "Studies III" series, and they're downright terrifying (the good sort of terrifying, that is). Head over to dan-mumford.com and follow @danmumforddraws on Twitter for more info on the artist. I think somebody needs to arrange a meeting between Mumford and Videodrome era Cronenberg. Me thinks that would be rad

Poster Per Diem: Kevin Luong's "Courage Wolf" Art Print

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

"Courage Wolf" Art Print
Kevin Luong
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$20 - Limited to 50

I know this isn't really television or film related, but when I saw Kevin Luong's "Courage Wolf" my inner wolf spirit's mind was blown. Luong's "Courage Wolf" print is currently available through his online store for $20. The poster measures 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 50. To find more of Kevin's work, visit kevinluongillustration.com and his blog.

Heads Up: Tyler Stout's "Reservoir Dogs" Movie Poster

No surprise here, Tyler Stout has created yet another Stout masterpiece. The man's already done two stunning posters for Inglourious Basterds and Kill Bill, and has now completed the Tarantino hat-trick with his latest release. Per usual, the detail is utterly mind-boggling and fully deserving of our undying love and respect. Check 'em out below.

Reservoir Dogs Movie Poster (Regular)
Tyler Stout
36" x 24" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$60 - Limited to 700

Reservoir Dogs Movie Poster (Bloody Variant)
Tyler Stout
36" x 24" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$110 - Limited to 280

Stout's Reservoir Dogs prints will be available on Thursday (11/15) at a random time through Mondo. Both posters measure 36" x 24" and are hand numbered. The regular version is limited to an edition of 700 and costs $60, while the bloody variant is limited to 280 and costs $110. These are going to go obscenely fast, so be sure to have your F5 finger nice and limber. To learn more about artist Tyler Stout, head over to tstout.com. Good luck!

Heads Up: Logan Pack's "No Names" Art Print

If you couldn't already tell, I've been on a bit of an Akira Kurosawa kick recently. First, it was Paul Pope's Mifune-filled "Belltower," then yesterday's "Criterion Connection" about Barnes & Noble's 50% Off Sale (by the way, you need to buy the Rashomon Blu ASAP). And now, I'm writing about Logan Pack's badass Yojimbo / "The Man with No Name" inspired (and appropriately titled) print. Beyond looking great, this poster also touches on the tenuous relationship between Kurosawa and Sergio Leone, the latter of which got into some legal trouble after releasing A Fistful of Dollars (an unauthorized remake of Yojimbo). It's a stellar piece of art and will be soon be making it's way to my wall.

"No Names" Art Print
Logan Pack
8.5" x 11" (Giclée) - $15 - Open Edition
13" x 19" (Giclée) - $25 - Open Edition
Inspired By: Yojimbo and "The Man With No Name" Trilogy

Logan Pack's "No Names" art print is currently available through the Certified Fresh Etsy store. The poster comes in two sizes and is incredibly affordable. To learn more about the artist, be sure to check out his deviantART page, cheshirecatart.com and follow @cheshirecatart on Twitter.

Criterion Connection - It's That Time Again!

The "Criterion Connection" is my little corner of the world where I can obtusely and clumsily wax on about my commitment to Criterion's commitment to important classic and contemporary films.

It's been a long, long while since I've posted one of these, and while I don't have too much to say, I did want to remind everyone that Barnes & Noble's 50% Off Criterion Sale is happening right now. If you're anything like me, you've already purchased the one, two, or five films you've had your eyes on. There's only a few days left (sales ends on November 19th), so act fast.

And my loot!

Rosemary's Baby

Weekend

Rashomon

Heaven's Gate

Brazil*

What did you grab?

* The price of the Brazil Blu-ray has risen recently for some reason. Lame.

Poster Per Diem: Paul Pope's "Belltower" Art Print

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

"Belltower" Art Print
Paul Pope
16" x 36" (Screen Print) - Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 250
Inspired By: Yojimbo

Today's PPD is one of those prints that I regret never having picked up. Not only is it a jaw-dropping Paul Pope masterpiece (we're talking about the guy who did 100% and Heavy Liquid after all), it's also a beautiful tribute to Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo and Toshiro Mifune's incredible performance. Damn I want this poster! This print has long been sold out and for good reason. Should this print ever be made available again (I'm guessing it won't), you can bet I'll be the first guy in line. To learn more about artist Paul Pope, head over to paulpope.com and follow @pulphope on Twitter.

Heads Up: Kevin Tong's "Optimus Prime" Art Print

Everyone loves themselves some Kevin Tong. And why not? The dude’s consistently creating some of the most stunning posters around and is especially well-versed when it comes to crafting his beautifully complicated and mechanically exact illustrations. Case in point: Acidfree Gallery's wonderfully designed Transformers inspired "Optimus Prime" art prints. Check 'em out!

"Optimus Prime" Art Print (Regular or Metallic Variant)
Kevin Tong - Screen Print
Regular - $40 - 16" x 24" - Numbered - Time-limited Edition (24 Hours)
Metallic Variant - $75 - "24" x 36" - Signed and Numbered - Limited to 100

"Optimus Prime" Art Print (Metallic GID Variant)
Kevin Tong
24" x 36" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$100 - Limited to 50

Tong's "Optimus Prime" posters will be sold through Acidfree Gallery's website at a random time on Friday (11/16). The regular version, measuring 16" x 24", is a time-limited edition that will be available for 24 hours, while the 24" x 36" variants will be significantly more limited at 100 and 50. For more info about the gallery, be sure to visit acidfreegallery.com, the Acidfree blog, and follow them on Twitter @acidfreegallery. To see more of Kevin's work, head over to tragicsunshine.com.

Poster Per Diem: James Gilleard's "Creature from the Black Lagoon" Movie Poster

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

Creature from the Black Lagoon Movie Poster
James Gilleard
420 mm x 839 mm (Giclée) - Signed
£80 - Open Edition

I've been having such a good time posting all of the Universal Monster movie inspired prints from Mondo's latest show, that I just couldn't let this one slip by unnoticed. While Gilleard's Creature from the Black Lagoon poster wasn't part of last month's exhibition, it's been a print I've long enjoyed. If you'd like to pick one up, head on over to James Gilleard's online store, where it's currently available. The artwork costs £80 (about $127) and measures 420 mm x 839 mm (approximately 16.5" x 33"). For more info on James, vist jamesgilleard.com and follow @jgilleard on Twitter.

Heads Up: Michael Latimer's "Tetsuo" Art Print

I found this incredible painted art print by way of the always informative Poster District. And all I can say in thanks is, "Tetsuuuo!" You may already be aware of this, but in case you're not, I'm a big, huge, massive fan of Otomo's mind-blowing Akira. The film is over 20 years old and, for my money, still looks better, plays better, and packs a bigger punch than any of Hollywood's animated offerings. It doesn't hurt that Akira's a pretty swell manga too. But enough about my obsession with Neo Tokyo, let's go ahead and stare at Michael Latimer's wonderful "Tetsuo" art print for a while, shall we?

"Tetsuo" Art Print
Michael Latimer
15" x 22" (Hand Painted, Hand Sprayed) - Signed and Numbered
£65 - Limited to 20
Inspired By: Akira

Latimer's "Tetsuo" print is currently available through Lowercase Industry's website for £65 (about $104). The hand painted, hand sprayed artwork measures 15" x 22" and is limited to an edition of 20. A quick heads up, because of the hand painted nature of the print, each piece will be slightly different. To learn more about artist Michael Latimer, check out michael-latimer.com. For more info on Lowercase Industry, be sure to sign up for their newsletter and follow @lowercaseshop on Twitter.

Heads Up: Oliver Barrett's "Cujo II" Movie Poster

I last wrote about Strange Kids Club's fantastic "what if" poster series in mid-October. And here we are, not even a full month later, with yet another killer print. Following Nathan Milliner's inspired The Burning 2 artwork, SKC hooked up with artist Oliver Barrett to celebrate the rabid, drool-covered sequel that never was. That's right, I'm talking about Cujo. More specifically, I'm talking about Cujo II. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a film with a tagline like, "More Dogs. More Rabies." Right? I rest my case. While there's a decent amount to highlight here, my favorite element in the poster has to be the eyeball in the dog's mouth. No contest. Here's what Oliver had to say about designing this print:

"Cujo appealed to me because it's one of those few horror films that still holds up to this day. While a rabid dog wreaking havoc on a small family is pretty outlandish, I could put myself in that situation and be terrified of a giant [bloodthirsty] St. Bernard. A sequel would have been equally outlandish, so that helped me make the decision to put together this bunch of rabid pups."

I can relate. Granted, chances of my Shih Tzu - Terrier mix going all "Cujo" on me anytime soon are slightly more outlandish than Cujo II becoming a reality.

Cujo II Movie Poster
Oliver Barrett
18" x 24" (Giclée) - Numbered
$35 - Limited to 25

Oliver Barrett's Cujo II movie poster is currently available through Strange Kids Club for $35. The giclée measures 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 25. To learn about the next print in the "sequels you never knew you wanted" series, be sure to visit strangekidsclub.com religiously and follow @strangekidsclub on Twitter. And for more info on the artist, you can check out oliverbarrettdesign.com, ohbarrett.com, his Tumblr, and follow him @oliverbarrett. I don't know about you, but all of this killer canine stuff is reminding I need to revisit the Lance Henriksen-starring Man's Best Friend.

Heads Up: Jay Shaw's Universal Monster Movie Posters

Mondo Gallery's recent Universal Monster show has already given us a ton of amazing artwork. From Martin Ansin's jaw-dropping Frankenstein to Laurent Durieux's five incredible posters, I would have been content with what Mondo had already given us. But wait, there's more! It turns out Posterocalypse favorite Jay Shaw also created some fantastic looking monster movie prints and (lucky for you and I) they'll be available through Mondo at a random time later today!

The Mummy Movie Poster
Jay Shaw
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$35 - Limited to 175

Shaw's Mummy print is absolutely wonderful. It captures the somber tone of the film and is jam-packed with tons of tiny details. Case in point: it took me at least three long stares before I even noticed the face formed by the falling sand. Bonkers! Shaw's poster measures 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 175.

Creature from the Black Lagoon Movie Poster
Jay Shaw
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$35 - Limited to 175

I'm torn between Jay's Creature from the Black Lagoon print and his Mummy poster. Thankfully, no one has a gun pointed at my head forcing me to choose a favorite. (Wouldn't that be crazy, though?) Both are exceptional, and offer up great interpretations of the films while wholly remaining Jay Shaw originals. The Creature from the Black Lagoon poster will be available on Thursday (11/8) for $35 at a random time.

The Wolf Man Movie Poster
Jay Shaw
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$35 - Limited to 175

And last, but certainly not least, we have Shaw's The Wolf Man. What better way to celebrate the Universal classic than by focusing on Chaney Jr.'s hairy mug? This poster reminds me just how amazing Jack Pierce and his exceptional monster make-up was and still is. The Wolf Man print will cost $35 and is limited to an edition of 175. It will be available sometime on Thursday (11/8).

To learn more about artist Jay Shaw, check out kingdomofnonsense.com and follow him on Twitter @tweetofnonsense. If you're liking these prints, but have no idea why these movies are all that important, pick up Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection. You won't be sorry. And of course, be sure to follow @monodnews for specific drop times.

Poster Per Diem: Craig Drake's "The Hunger" Art Print

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

"The Hunger" Art Print
Craig Drake
20" x 30" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$50 - Limited to 83 (Red Variant 1-33, Regular 34-83)
Inspired By: The Hunger

I'll be honest, I wasn't nuts about Craig Drake's Mondo Gallery show, but his Hunger inspired print is bloody fantastic. It captures that 80s sleek chic vibe to a tee and makes good use of Bowie's angular visage. Drake's "The Hunger" will be available tomorrow (11/8) through Ltd. Art Gallery's website at 12 PM PST as part of their "POP 2!" art show. The print costs $50 and is limited to an edition of 83, with the first 33 customers getting a metallic red variant. To learn more about the show's offerings, head on over to Crome Yellow, SlashFilm, and Blurppy. You can find more of Craig's artwork through his Tumblr.

Best Of: Spoke Art's Third Annual "Bad Dads" Art Show

There are a few things I count on every year. Taxes. Mondo selling at least a dozen posters I desperately want to own, don't have the money to pay for, but buy anyway. Gallery 1988's "Crazy 4 Cult" featuring at least two Army of Darkness prints I want, two Stanley Kubrick inspired posters I need, and one Shaun of the Dead piece I can't live without. And more recently, Spoke Art hosting a celebration of all things Wes Anderson via posters and paintings, thereby ensuring I have no money left to spend on friends and family come Christmas time. In only three short years, Spoke Art's "Bad Dads" has become one of the must-see shows for film art fanatics the world over and, as you can see below, this year's offerings only up the quirky dysfunctional ante. 2012 also marks the first year in "Bad Dads'" history that a new Anderson film (Moonrise Kingdom) is available for artists to work from. In other words: very exciting!

A quick note: As of this writing, the first half of this post ("Awesome and Available") is still available for purchase. The second half ("Sold Out But Definitely Worth Mentioning") features my sold out favorites. Enjoy!

Awesome and Available

"The Fantastic Mr. Fox" Art Print
Michael De Pippo
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$40 - Limited to 100
Inspired By: Fantastic Mr. Fox

I love Michael De Pippo's "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" print! It's simple, it's playful, it's intelligent, and it's still available for purchase! There's no doubt in my mind that Wes Anderson would approve of De Pippo's interpretation, as this artwork evokes the same carefree attitude that the film exudes while also paying its respects to Roald Dahl's brilliant source material. This poster is a winner in every respect. Michael's "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" is available through the Spoke Art store for $40. The print measures 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 100. Head over to michaeldepippo.com and follow @mdepippo on Twitter for all De Pippo related news. I'm not going to lie, I love this guy's last name. It's fun to write, fun to say, fun to read. De Pippo. That is all. De Pippo.

"The Old Chickchaw Harvest Migration Trail" Art Print
Jessica Deahl
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$50 - Limited to 75
Inspired By: Moonrise Kingdom

A Moonrise Kingdom poster! Huzzah! Jessica Deahl's print captures the meticulously staged and stylized greatness that is an Anderson film. There's a lot to love about this artwork, but I think what really sealed the deal for me was Jessica's choice of color. The paper, the inks, the landscape - all of these elements, when taken as a whole, conjure up a place only Wes' characters could thrive in. Deahl's "The Old Chickchaw Harvest Migration Trail" screen print is now available through Spoke Art's website for $50. The poster measures 18" x 24" and is limited to 75. To learn more about the artist, be sure to visit jessicadeahl.com.

"The Life Aquatic" Art Print
Randy Ortiz
18" x 24" (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
$40 - Limited to 100
Inspired By: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Alongside New Flesh's insanely beautiful "The Jaguar Shark," Randy Ortiz's "The Life Aquatic" may be my favorite print from this year's show (which isn't much of a shock when you realize that Randy's Fantastic Mr. Fox inspired print from last year's "Bad Dads" made it onto my "Top 20 Posters of 2011" list). The guy has the ability to merge the insanely detailed with the beautifully simple, consistently creating jaw-dropping compositions. I'm not really sure how this print hasn't already sold out, but it looks like Ortiz's "The Life Aquatic" is still available for purchase for $40. The giclée measures 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition 100. If you like what you see, check out damnthedesign.com and follow @damnthedesign on Twitter.

"The Life Aquatic" Art Print James Gilleard 18" x 24" (Giclée) - Numbered $40 - Limited to 100 Inspired By: The Life Aquatic

"The Royal Tenenbaums" Art Print James Gilleard 18" x 24" (Giclée) - Numbered $40 - Limited to 100 Inspired By: The Royal Tenebaums

I'm thinking James Gilleard is going to catch fire in a pretty big way soon. He's got a playful style that's easy on the eyes and has already put together several fantastic prints in addition to all of his commercial work. Need more proof? Take a look at his Life Aquatic and Royal Tenebaums inspired posters above. 'Nuff said. Both of the above prints are still for sale for $40 each through Spoke Art. Both giclées measure 18" x 24" and are limited to an edition of 100. For more info on the artist, visit jamesgilleard.com and follow @jgilleard.

"Ain't No Trip to Cleveland" Art Print
Ridge
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$25 - Limited to 50
Inspired By: Bottle Rocket

Everyone loves The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic, and Moonrise Kingdom, but it's Anderson's first feature, Bottle Rocket, that doesn't always get the respect it deserves. Enter Ridge's "Ain't No Trip to Cleveland" poster. There's a simplicity to this print's design, which is fitting considering Bottle's characters are a bit less complicated than the ones Wes' future films would house. And I haven't even started on the color, which is incredibly inspired and clever given the poster's explosive theme. Ridge on her design choice (taken from the artist's blog):

"My piece 'Ain’t No Trip to Cleveland' for the 'Bad Dads' Wes Anderson tribute show at Spoke Art that opens next Friday, the 26th. The color palette and simple illustration style are inspired by vintage fireworks packaging. Click the photo to buy on the gallery’s website.

I feel like the lone nerd who did not do either Moonrise Kingdom or The Life Aquatic for this show, but I can’t help it … Bottle Rocket is one of my favorite films of all time."

Ridge's "Ain't No Trip to Cleveland" print is currently available through Spoke Art for only $25. The poster measure 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 50. Check out Ridge's blog at ridgerooms.com and follow @ridgerooms on Twitter.

Sold Out But Definitely Worth Mentioning

"The Jaguar Shark" Art Print
N.E. (New Flesh Prints)
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 75
Inspired By: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

The guys at New Flesh are on a roll. Is the Life Aquatic inspired "The Jaguar Shark" their best print yet? I'm not sure, but I'm leaning toward very possibly. Head on over to newfleshprints.com and follow @newfleshprints and @nenewflesh for all New Flesh related news.

"The Royal Tenenbaums" Art Print
Joshua Budich
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 100
Inspired By: The Royal Tenenbaums

Another winner for Budich. Great use of red and a wonderful looking layout. For more info on the artist, check out joshuabudich.com and follow @jbudich on Twitter. Also, watch The Royal Tenenbaums.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" Art Print
Jayson Weidel
18" x 24" (Giclée) - Signed and Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 30
Inspired By: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Jayson Weidel is the the guy who curates the amazing Planet-Pulp. He's also the guy who created this beautiful Fantastic Mr. Fox inspired print. So, that's cool. I love the detail in the animals' faces. Head over to oo-de-lally.com and follow @planet_pulp for more on Mr. Weidel.

"The Sinking of the Belafonte" Art Print
Isaac Bidwell
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 45
Inspired By: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Isaac Bidwell's "The Sinking of the Belafonte" is sure to please any Life Aquatic fan. Too bad it sold out. At least those of us who weren't able to grab one still have the above JPG, right? In all seriousness, Bidwell absolutely killed it. Well done, sir! Visit isaacbidwell.com and follow @isaacbidwell for more info on the artist.

"The Life Aquatic" Movie Poster
Tracie Ching
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 100
Inspired By: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Posterocalypse favorite Tracie Ching created this awesome looking print, and wouldn't you know it, everyone and their mama wanted one and now it's sold out. Go, Tracie! I can't wait to see what she does next. To see more of the artist's work, point your browser to tracieching.com and follow @tracieching on Twitter.

"The Baumer" Art Print
Jeff Boyes
24" x 18" (Screen Print) - Screen Print
Sold Out - Limited to 60
Inspired By: The Royal Tenenbaums

The Baumer is back! Though this time it's in the form of Jeff Boyes' killer Tenenbaums inspired poster. This may be my favorite Boyes print yet! To learn more about Jeff, check out visualtechnicians.com.

And that's that! If you find yourself in the San Francisco area, be sure to see the show in person. Visit spoke-art.com for gallery info and sign up for their newsletter to get the heads up on all future exhibitions. Good night!