DVD Corner

Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art From The Underground Hardcover Book Review

“Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art From The Underground” offers up dazzling poster art.

Once upon a time, film posters used to be a work of art, but sadly those days are long gone. Nowadays, studios are more concerned with slapping photoshopped garbage on posters to promote their titles. Thankfully, however, this seemingly lost art still lives on thanks to the Internet which has allowed incredibly talented artists to pay tribute to films they treasure. If you don’t know where to find this treasure trove of goodness online, author Matthew Chojnacki has graciously compiled together a TON of images into a new book titled “Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art From The Underground.”

Throughout the pages of this fine hardcover book, you’ll find art commissions, Mondo poster designs, art gallery images, film festival pieces, T-shirt designs, as well as pictures intended for movie theaters and websites. All of this artwork is done by a variety of artists across the globe who use a variety of art styles such as digital, pen and ink, vector graphics, screen printing, silkscreen, and yes, even some photoshop (but good photoshop). Each image is accompanied by information about each poster, the artist’s name, a link to where you can find the artist’s work, and a short Q&A’s with the artists about the story of the poster, their favorite films, and their preferred art style. As far as the film posters featured in this book go, a vast majority of them are cult classics, Wes Anderson and Coen Brothers films, and or established classics like “Psycho,” “Dr. No,” “The Thing,” “Star Wars,” etc.

While I could on and on about the dazzling posters you’ll find page after page, I would be remiss not to mention some of the highlights. Among my favorites are: Jesse Philips’ comic book esque “Iron Man” poster, Anthony Petrie’s “Beetlejuice” picture (which touches on so many characters and moments from the film), Jason Edmiston’s “Maniac Cop 2” (which is much more impressive than the actual movie), the bloody feet “Die Hard” poster by Derek Chatwood, an old school cartoon style “Ghostbusters” piece by Chogrin Munoz, a lovely tribute to “The King of Kong” by Rich Kelly (one of my person favorite films), a gorgeous “Friday the Thirteenth” series poster with Jason’s mask made out of various weapons by artist Adam Rabalais, and vintage 80’s style “Hatchet” and “Behind the Mask” pieces by Justin Osbourn.

Overall Thoughts: As author Matthew Chojnacki’s thoughtful introduction shows, this superbly designed book is created by and meant for film buffs and art lovers. Check it out.

April 17, 2014 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art From The Underground Hardcover Book Review, Film Posters, Mondo Posters, Movie Posters, Poster Art