In Memory of John Hurt

Sadly, actor Sir John Hurt passed away yesterday...  Hurt was a part of so many movie and television projects, but the roles I will always remember him for include his performances in Alien, Jim Henson's The Storyteller, Hellboy, and Doctor Who.

Hurt holds the distinction of being the first victim of the Xenomorph in the Alien film series.  The way I understand it, Hurt was one of the few cast members who knew what was going to happen during the original movie's most shocking scene - the emergence of the chestburster.  While the other actors were visibly traumatized by the creature's bloody reveal (famously kept under wraps by director Ridley Scott, who hoped to catch genuine onscreen reactions), I can't help but imagine the fun Hurt had being in on the "joke".  Reportedly, Hurt didn't have the best experience working on this movie, but I'd like to think that he enjoyed that moment.

Regardless, he was willing to spoof himself in Mel Brooks' Spaceballs!

As the eponymous Storyteller in Jim Henson's unfairly short-lived television series, Hurt did an excellent job embodying the whimsy of the show's first season.  If you haven't watched The Storyteller before, I definitely recommend it, if for no other reason than to appreciate Hurt's quirky narration over the retellings of lesser-known (sometimes funny, sometimes disturbing) European fairy tales.

Hurt brought a great deal of understated dignity and gut-wrenching emotion to a movie about a kitten-loving demon who beats the crap out of tentacled monsters.  Personally, I love Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy film, but I can't imagine the reaction Hurt must have had to del Toro's pitch for the movie.  Perhaps he shared in the misgivings of the studio execs that cringed at the project only to be won over by del Toro's infectious enthusiasm, or - more likely - Hurt saw the potential for Hellboy.  Either way, Hurt delivered a great performance and proved - as he had throughout his career - that even as an award-winning, highly respected actor he wasn't afraid to take on a role in the often maligned Science Fiction/Fantasy genres.

Hurt's work on Doctor Who was limited to just one television special, but he brought his usual gravitas and dedication to his craft to the role of the War Doctor.  Apparently, Hurt accepted the role as the "forgotten" incarnation of the Doctor immediately, honored to be a part of the shows legacy.  Hurt delivered a nuanced performance as an uncharacteristically (but appropriate within the context of the story) cynical and hardened version of the beloved Doctor.

While we are certainly saddened by Hurt's passing, it's comforting to know that we have a great body of his work to look back on that ensures his legacy will long endure.

Rest in peace, John Hurt.

Hellboy versus the Lost Army

Classic Hellboy artwork by Mike Mignola from the novel The Lost Army.

Merry Christmas from Hellboy!

Artwork by Mike Mignola

The Art of Mike Mignola

"I don't know . . . I just like to draw monsters."

- Mike Mignola

Mike Mignola is one of the most talented artist working in comic books today.  His distinctive style is instantly-recognizable and - I know I toss this word around a lot, but bear with me here - iconic.

The enigmatic Alan Moore once described Mignola's style as a combination of German Expressionism and the work of classic comic book artist Jack Kirby.  This is probably the most accurate description you will find to encapsulate the essence of Mignola's illustrations.  His work consist of somber Gothic masterpieces that delicately balance light and shadow as well as pure adrenaline-fueled, comic-booky goodness that bound off the page to knock your teeth out...  And sometimes it is both simultaneously!  It's a juxtaposed balancing act that shouldn't work, but Mignola is able to do it consistently with relative ease.

Mignola at work

Starting his career in comic books in the 80's, Mignola soon found himself doing illustration work for the "big two" publishers, Marvel and DC.  Throughout the early 90's he stayed very busy, drawing back-up stories, covers, and the occasional one-shot.

In addition to comic book work, Mignola also provided concept illustration for films such as Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula and television shows including Batman: The Animated Series.

Mignola's design for Batman villain Mr. Freeze would be featured in Batman: The Animated Series

.

In spite of this steady stream of work, Mignola did not feel satisfied.  Seeking a new challenge he decided to try to create his own original character.  The result was Hellboy.  Printed by Dark Horse Comics, Hellboy was a combination of all the things that Mignola enjoyed drawing:  Monsters, Victorian and Gothic architecture, and more monsters.

Not long after the first series was published Mignola became the sole writer for the series enabling him to craft tales that drew from his passion for ghost stories, folklore, and fairy tales.  Within a decade the Hellboy series was successful enough to spawn a collection of spin-off titles and even two feature films.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Hellboy character and (in spite of a hiatus every once in a while) Mignola is showing no signs of slowing down.

There you go.

The Art of Drew Struzan

Whether it's "floating heads" or Photoshop gone horribly wrong, there is just something missing from the movie posters of today.  They are horribly lacking in character.

Drew Struzan is an artist who has for decades produced some of the most beautiful movie posters of all time.  Even if you had never heard of Drew Struzan, you would certainly recognize his work.  His style is instantly recognizable and really captures the attention of audiences.  I know I use the word "iconic" quite a bit, but there aren't many other words that could be used to describe Struzan's work.  

Struzan was the stereotypical "starving artist" early in his career and he struggled to make it as an artist before finally landing jobs at a record companies creating artwork for bands such as Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper.

 It wasn't long before Struzan's work captured the attention of movie advertising agencies and thus began his career as a movie poster artist.

Raiders of the Lost Ark 

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

A triptych for the Star Wars Special Edition trilogy

Return of the Jedi

The Back to the Future series

John Carpenter's The Thing

The Goonies

Unused artwork for Jurassic Park:  The Lost World

Unfortunately, the cost and time that used to be devoted to movie advertising has changed greatly since the creation of Photoshop.  Studios would much rather spend less money and time using computer-generated images.  Thus, Struzan's movie poster output has decreased.  However, a number of directors have sought Struzan out for various projects, including Guillermo del Toro and Frank Darabont.

Unused artwork for Hellboy

Unused artwork for Hellboy

Hellboy

The Mist

Pan's Labyrinth

The Walking Dead

Unfortunately, Struzan has retired as a movie poster artist.  But he continues to produce artwork for his own enjoyment.

A Stroll Around the Corridor...

I got bored the other day and decided to take some pictures of a portion of my collection of masks, busts, and action figures and then put them through some filters...  Enjoy.