I’ve got to say that I’m a huge fan of those folks over at Gallery 1988 who continue to bring out new and original work, both for movies new and old. We’re now very intrigued to announced that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment are teaming up with them to launch “Project Pop Art” a collection of 7 cult classic films re-released on Blu-ray in (my personal favourite) SteelBook packaging, featuring innovative and unique artwork by top emerging artists and designers.
The collection commemorates popular and iconic films and will be available exclusively at Zavvi.com in the UK on January 19th 2015 (DAS BOOT, DR. STRANGELOVE, THE KARATE KID), February 9th (EASY RIDER, SNATCH), and March 9th (DISTRICT 9, TAXI DRIVER) for a limited time only. Each title is available separately for pre-order right now and – to be honest – ours are in because they’re pretty special.
Want a little run down of who’s doing what for Project Pop Art? Of course you do, here you go:
- DAS BOOT – Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the critically acclaimed 1981film is set aboard the claustrophobic world of a WWII German U-boat as the crew fights boredom, filth, and sheer terror. Illustration by Kevin Dart, an art director living in Los Angeles.www.kevindart.tumblr.com.
- DISTRICT 9 – From producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp comes a startlingly original science-fiction thriller where alien refugees, stranded on Earth, are exiled to a slum on the fringes of Johannesburg. Illustration by Dave Quiggle, a Southern California illustrator who is well known for his work within the music industry and pop culture work for Disney. www.davequiggle.com
- DR. STRANGELOVE – Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and Sterling Hayden star in the 1964 classic directed by Stanley Kubrick about an insane general who triggers a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop. Illustration by Rich Kelly an illustrator working in Pittsburgh. www.rkelly.com
- EASY RIDER – Two counterculture bikers travel from Los Angeles to New Orleans in search of America in this adventure starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson; directed by Hopper. Illustration by DKNG Studios: Dan Kuhlken and Nathan Goldman. www.dkngstudios.com
- THE KARATE KID – Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita and Elizabeth Shue star in this story about a handyman/martial arts master who agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and show him that there is more to the martial art than fighting. Illustration by Sam Gilbey, whose distinctive and contemporary illustrations and portraits are painted by hand and are inspired by a lifelong passion for popular culture. www.samgilbeyillustrates.com
- SNATCH – Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond, in this actioner directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Benicio Del Toro and Dennis Farina. Illustration by Anthony Petrie, a commercial artist and product designer living in NYC. www.anthonypetrie.com
- TAXI DRIVER – Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster star in this highly regarded classic from director Martin Scorsese about a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City where the perceived decadence and sleaze feeds his urge for violent action, attempting to save a preadolescent prostitute in the process. Illustration by James Flames, a storyteller who uses illustration and printmaking to share tales of adventure and inner exploration. www.jamesflames.com
Pre-order via this link now!
