Way back in 1965, when I was 12 years old, a TV series
premiered on CBS the like which had never been seen before.
The story centered on the Robinson family who had been selected
to go into hibernation for a long distance space mission to set up a colony in
Alpha Centauri.
All went well until a spy (the family’s doctor) snuck on
board the spaceship (Jupiter 2) and reprogrammed the ship’s robot to activate
and destroy the ship once the mission was under way.
Unfortunately for the doctor was on the spaceship when it
took off. As programmed, the robot went
berserk and the doctor was forced to awaken the family just in time to see the
robot disable the guidance system hurtling the Jupiter 2 into unknown
space. Thus the show’s name: Lost In Space.
The show had everything a kid could want. Especially a soon-to-be teenage boy. Two beautiful girls, a brainy kid, a
dastardly villain, a stalwart father,
mother and pilot, aliens, strange new worlds, danger on all sides and cool ‘special
effects. I loved it!
Titan Books presents
a very special oversize hardbound book called: Irwin Allen’s Lost In Space The Art Of Juan Ortiz.
You may recognize Juan’s name as he is the same artist
who created his own unique Star Trek series of posters, also from Titan Books.
This time around Juan tackles all the classic Lost In
Space episodes with clever movie poster designs using retro art, photos,
cartoons, montages, unusual type designs and bright flashy colors.
What a great collection of art that is sure to please Lost
In Space (and sci-fi) fans. Pick up a
copy-but be sure and not to get ‘lost’.
The Tokyo SFX Makeup Workshop is at it again. Titan Books presents the Workshop’s A Complete Guide To Special Effects Makeup 2.
This time around readers are introduced to dark fantasy
and zombie makeups and boy, do they deliver!
Full-color photos spotlight a killer Rabbit Sergeant, a Hand-Head
Man, a Bizarre Dwarf, a Mischievous Fairy, Mechanized Monstrosities, a Bio-Alien,
a Zombie, Mother Hydra and Thistle Head.
Beside the cool (and a little disturbing) color-photos,
full step-by-step instructions and demonstrations show how each special effects
makeup monstrosity was created.
This is a ‘must-have’ book for anyone seriously considering
special effects make-up as a career.
Industry experts share their secrets and the materials and techniques
they use to make them spring to life.
Long before computer graphic special effects were created
movie makers depended on practical visual effects and camera sleight of hand.
The master of movie special effects magic was Ray
Harryhausen.
Richard Hollis proudly presents Harryhausen Movie Posters that collects all of the various domestic
and foreign movie posters in one giant-size hardbound book spotlighting such
movie classics as Jason And The Argonauts,
Mighty Joe Young, The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, It Came From Beneath The Sea, The
Animal World, Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers, 20 Million Miles To Earth, The 3
Worlds Of Gulliver, Mysterious Island, First Men In The Moon, One Million Years
B.C., The Valley OF Gwangi. The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad, Sinbad And The Eye Of
The Tiger and Clash Of Titans.
Included with each series of posters are brief
descriptions of the movies, the history and production of each film and insider
information on the clever use of visual effects, stop-motion animation, miniatures
and more.
For a complete rundown about one the most influential
creative geniuses in the film industry this book is far more than a visual
treat, it is an examination of the media and the man who changed film-making
forever and influenced generations of film makers who followed him.
It’s an absolutely beautiful compilation of photos, art
and so much more.
I gotta say I love David Tilotta and Curt McAloney’s new
book: Star Trek Lost Scenes. It is a
real gem and as of this moment my very favorite book about Star Trek the Original
Series.
Where else can you get and see behind-the-scene photos of
pranks, gaffs, unused sequences, special effect set-ups, visual effect secrets
revealed, miniature ships and sets, candid shots and more.
Throw in segments of scripts never used, scenes discarded
and unused footage and you’ve got a book that is every Star Trek fan’s dream
come true.
It’s real treat get to see the cast, guest stars and crew
at work, play, goofing off and having a good old time. I felt as if I were on the set amidst the
hurry, hustle, hilarity and hard work.
Filled with hundreds of photos and complemented by
fascinating text about the show, its cast and crew, production and special
effects teams all of which make the reader realize the tremendous amount of
time, talent and toil it took to bring the ground-breaking sci-fi series to
weekly TV.
As every bit as controversial as the comic book series it
is based on, Preacher dares to defy conventionality and pushes the envelope of
genre TV.
Jesse Custer is a Preacher, along with his true love
Tulip and Cassidy a 120 year old vampire, who set out to find God.
Along the way they meet up with disenchanted angels, gangsters,
demons, secret agents and even a Cowboy From Hell.
It’s twisted, tainted and manages to pull in large
audiences.
The Art
And Making OF Preacher by Paul Davies delves deeply into the series
looking at the characters and the cast who plays them, sets, special effects,
creatures and creepy characters accompanied by storyboards, cast and crew
commentaries, production notes and information and lots and lots of photos and
art.
It’s not your Sunday-go-to-church kind of book or TV
series.