Nagel Meets Gatsby

Posted on April 8, 2011 by russ

Although the once-popular limited-edition prints of Patrick Nagel seem to be perpetually stuck in the 80’s, I can’t help but feel a soft spot for his memorable Pop Art style. Upon doing some research, it was disheartening to discover that Nagel died way too young at the age of 38 of a heart attack after appearing in a celebrity aerobics “aerobathon” for the American Heart Association. Wow, how fitting is that (considering his prints often featured jet black-haired women in sporty Flashdance tops and headbands)…

Famous for his Duran Duran Rio album cover, Nagel got his start in the 70s sketching Playboy babes (much like Alberto Vargas) — and doing commercial work, including this handsome Ballantine Scotch movie tie-in ad for The Great Gatsby, which is now up for auction at EMoviePoster. So whatever you think of Nagel’s work, it is undeniable that the man’s designs defined his time.

Hand Jobs!

Posted on April 7, 2011 by russ

Okay, don’t get too excited because this is just a simple tribute to movie posters with hands, including a few classics by such poster design legends as John Alvin (E.T.) and Saul Bass (The Man With The Golden Arm, In Harm’s Way, and Phase IV).

Crazy For Swierzy

Posted on April 5, 2011 by russ

Waldemar Swierzy, one of the most dynamic Polish movie poster designers of the 20th Century, tackled some of Hollywood’s greatest 70’s and 80’s movies (and American Jazz artists) with his striking, abstract “only in Polish” designs.

Oh yeah, and if you like Swierzy’s brush-tastic take on The Muppets Movie, it’s for sale at Film/Art.

The Russians Are Coming!

Posted on March 30, 2011 by russ

In the past, I haven’t featured ~~many~~ ANY Russian movie posters on the Meansheets, but here’s a colorful trifecta that seem worthy of mentioning — Solaris, The Professional, and the 80’s Mel Gibson drama, The River.

(*Full Disclosure: the Solaris poster (top left) was featured prominently on the cover of the excellent Art of the Modern Movie Poster book.)

Worst Spoofs Ever?

Posted on March 29, 2011 by russ

The point of most movie spoofs is to parody a film that is ripe for parodying…but what happens when the spoofs look even stupider than the original films? Check out these unfortunate Meatballs and Rollerball wannabes!

Elizabeth Taylor Tribute

Posted on March 25, 2011 by russ

This Wednesday, we lost a legend in Elizabeth Taylor, so I thought I’d sign off for the weekend with this lovely AMC tribute done a few years back by her Cat On A Hot Tin Roof co-star/fellow humanitarian actor, Paul Newman…

Elizabeth Taylor Dies

Posted on March 23, 2011 by russ

Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood’s great golden beauties, has died at the age of 79. Known for her sexy screen presence and a tumultuous romantic life, most notably a torrid on-and-off affair with fellow actor, Richard Burton, Ms. Taylor spent the latter chapter of her life dedicated to many charity causes, including fighting AIDS. Long live the queen!

Clint’s Gold

Posted on March 23, 2011 by russ

Reel Art Press has an interview up on their website with Bill Gold, frequent Clint Eastwood collaborator and author of their previously released coffeetable book, Bill Gold: Posterworks.