Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Eddie Vedder Screen Print by Joshua Budich

After releasing a highly successful series of Dave Matthews Band prints (each print was a portrait of a different member of DMB), artist Joshua Budich is now turning his attention towards The Blot’s favorite band, Pearl Jam. There has been no indication that Budich will be producing an entire series of Pearl Jam prints, but this “Eddie” screen print is top notch. It’s definitely one of my favorite art prints featuring Pearl Jam’s lead singer, and I will be doing my best to snag one come Tuesday!

Eddie Vedder Screen Print by Joshua Budich
The “Eddie” screen print by Joshua Budich will go on sale today (Tuesday, March 23rd), sometime after noon PST, and will retail for $55 each. Each 19”x25” print comes signed & numbered by the artist and has a limited edition run size of just 200 prints. “Eddie” can be purchased directly from Joshua Budich at his online store.
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Barneyism of the Week - The Perfect Picture

“Wait a second, look at these pictures again.
Barney has the same pose in each shot
and these are like years apart.” - Robin

Ah yes, about that.
I never take a bad picture.
Never have, never will.

“There has to be a bad picture of you.” - Robin

Nope, not one.

“What about from elementary school?
Everyone has bad pictures from school.” - Robin

Not the Barnacle.

I always look drop dead, stone cold amazing.

Unlike Marshall who just looks dead, stoned and cold.

How I Met Your Mother - Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
- Barney Stinson

"Say Cheese"

How I Met Your Mother
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Monday, March 22, 2010

Lost - Recon

While I enjoyed last week’s episode of Lost, after watching it a second time I’m starting to understand everyone’s frustration with the Season 6. I loved the cameos by Charlie’s brother Liam and Rebecca Mader’s Charlotte and thought this week’s Flash Sidways was brilliant, but the so-called answers we’re receiving have been kind of a letdown.

Lost - Recon - Josh Holloway as James Sawyer Ford and Sheila Kelley as Kendall
When FLocke explained to Kate how and why Claire was crazy I almost threw something at my TV. After two years the only answer we get is that Smokey needed Claire to help him in his war against the Others, so he tricked her into hating them!?! I expect so much more from Lost and its writers, and this seemed like a weak copout to me. I really, really hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

Lost - Recon - Emilie de Ravin as Claire Littleton and Evangeline Lilly as Kate Austen
As for those loony scenes between Kate and Claire, they really freaked me out! Emilie de Raven is doing a fantastic job playing crazy, and I can’t wait to see her go nuts on Kate again (we all know it’s going to happen right?). What really terrified me was the look on Sayid’s face as Claire tried to kill Kate. He’s totally out of it and doesn’t seem to care about anyone or anything anymore. Naveen Andrews has always been able to convey a wide range of emotions with just a turn of his head and a piercing look, and in “Recon” he delivered once again. I don’t know what’s going on with Sayid, but I fear for anyone that gets in his way.

Lost - Recon - Evangeline Lilly as Kate Austen, Naveen Andrews as Sayid Jarrah & Terry O'Quinn as John Locke
After talking about “Recon” with some fellow Lost fans, I was surprised to learn that not everyone is as interested in this upcoming war over the island as I am. In some respects I agree with them that too much of the show has centered around the island’s new found mythology, and not enough time on the show’s characters. Truth be told, Lost has never been just about the island, but it definitely became a huge part of the show these past two seasons, really ever since the characters first began time jumping.

Lost - Recon - Josh Holloway as James Sawyer Ford and Sheila Kelley as Kendall 0
I for one have really enjoyed watching the Losties pick sides for the impending battle over the island, but throwing in a third team, Team Widmore, this late in the game may have been unwise. We don’t know anything about these new characters from Widmore’s sub, and it’s hard to want to give them a chance knowing all of the terrible things Charles has done over the years. Regardless, the rest of this season is definitely going to be focusing on the upcoming battle between FLocke’s team of crazies and the combined forces of Team Widmore and Team Jacob, so we’d better get used it (and ready for some action).

I know I mentioned it earlier, but how awesome was this week’s Sawyer-centric Flash Sideways!?! Learning that Sawyer and Miles ended up as partners on the police force was just too damn cool. If ABC had half a brain, they’d already be developing an hour long police dramedy spin-off staring Sawyer and Miles. That’s the show they should be making instead of a Hawaii 5-O remake!

Lost - Recon - Rebecca Mader as Charlotte Lewis and Josh Holloway as James Sawyer Ford
I enjoyed learning Charlotte works with Miles’ father at the museum in the Flash Sideways, and that she’s still an adventure seeking archeologist. But what really made this week’s Flash Sideways stand out was the twist that Sawyer had become a cop instead of a con-man. Thankfully, he’s still searching for the real Sawyer, a.k.a. Anthony Cooper, and now that Miles is in on the hunt, I’ve got a feeling this storyline is going to get really interesting really fast. Thankfully, with only ten or eleven more hours of Lost left, we won’t have to wait that much longer for a resolution to Sawyer’s quest for vengeance.

No big theories this week, but tomorrow night’s episode is going to be HUGE!!! From my understanding, it’s a Richard-centric episode and features an old school Flash Back instead of a Flash Sideways. The episode is entitled "Ab Aeterno,” which is Latin for “since the beginning of time” or, more figuratively, “since a very long time ago.” (link) I can’t wait!
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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Teaser Movie Poster

The Blot loves me some Scott Pilgrim, and this new teaser one sheet movie poster, released last week at SXSW, rocks! Fans have gone gaga over everything Scott Pilgrim ever since creator Bryan Lee O’Malley released his first SP graphic novel back in 2004, and 2010 is shaping up to be a huge year for the character. At this point, I’m not sure if I’m more excited for the release of the 6th and final graphic novel in the Scott Pilgrim series, Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour, or the first live action movie adaptation of the series, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Teaser One Sheet Promo Movie Poster - An epic of epic epicness
For those of you unfamiliar with the Canadian slacker, here’s the skinny: “Scott Pilgrim's life is awesome. He's 23 years old, in a rock band, between jobs, and dating a cute high school girl. Everything's fantastic until a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. But the path to Ms. Flowers isn't covered in rose petals. Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends stand in the way between Scott and true happiness. Can Scott beat the bad guys and get the girl without turning his life upside-down?”

Scott Pilgrim Vol. 6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour Graphic Novel Cover Artwork by Bryan Lee O’Malley
The Scott Pilgrim live action movie, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona V. Flowers, Kieran Culkin as Wallace Wells, Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, Anna Kendrick as Stacey Pilgrim, Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram, Alison Pill as Kim Pine, Jason Schwartzman as Gideon Gordon Graves, Ellen Wong as Knives Chau, Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel, and Mark Webber as Stephen Stills. The film is scheduled to premiere on August 13, 2010.

Scott Pilgrim Volume 6, Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour, will be released on July 20, 2010 at bookstores everywhere.
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Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - Provence

Tonight’s all new episode of No Reservations finds Tony visiting Provence, a region of southeastern France on the Mediterranean. Provence's simplistic lifestyle and approach to food is one of its most captivating and salient qualities. While there, Tony becomes enamored with its culture and cuisine, which stresses using fresh and superior ingredients like wine, cheese, bread and beautiful cuts of meat.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel
Anthony’s first adventure while in Provence is to learn how to make aioli, a sauce made of garlic and olive oil. As simple as it sounds, this sauce takes time and care for the perfect consistency and taste. In fact, the woman preparing it refused to do so outside because the wind might have affected the outcome. She uses a mortar and pestle, while Tony snaps green beans next to her. This sauce is traditionally served on vegetables and fish, which is exactly what Tony and his friends have for lunch.



Next, it's an early rise for drinks at Bar du Marche. The local men have made this an early Sunday morning tradition with wine, cheese, and sausages. Tony chats with his tablemates about their opinions on Provence food versus other areas of France. Tony then gets a family history lesson from his friend Anne and sits down for a snacks and drinks. The drink of choice in this region is Ricard wine (ice cubes and all). According to Anne, the popularity of this drink is due to how refreshing it is and the fact that it helps with digestion.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations - Provence - Tony on a tour of the Domaine de Val Joanis winery with owner Jean Chancel
After that, Tony tries his hand at a game called Pétanque, which is similar to Bocce. The game originated in Provence and the locals consider it a serious competition. Tony gets his you-know-what handed to him within just a few minutes! Bourdain then takes a tour the Domaine de Val Joanis winery. Interestingly, the soil is really rocky and unforgiving. The locals believe that the soil forces the grape vines to work harder and penetrate deeper, which provides a unique taste to the wine. Last but not least, Tony meets back up with his friend Anne at her dessert shop Au Petit Duc to try Calisson, a classic almond dessert. Anne ends up putting Tony to work in her kitchen to see just how good his dessert skills really are. I hope Tony brought his A game!

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations airs Monday nights at 10/9c on the Travel Channel.
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Friday, March 19, 2010

Breaking Bad Season 3 Premiere & Television Poster

Breaking Bad, one of the best shows on television, returns to AMC this Sunday night (March 21st) for the start of its third season. It’s truly amazing how quickly Bryan Cranston was able to shake off the wholesome image he cultivated while starring on Malcolm in the Middle to truly become Breaking Bad’s Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to making meth to support his family when he learns he is dying from cancer. Cranston has since won back to back Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for this role, and they were well deserved for his stunning portrayal of an everyman pushed to the brink.

Breaking Bad Season 3 One Sheet Television Poster
Aaron Paul (Big Love) also stars as Jesse Pinkman, a former student of Walt’s and his partner in meth making. Paul’s performance in Season 2 was so captivating, I almost wish they had given his character more screen time over Walt. Jesse’s struggles with drug addiction were interesting, exciting and depressing all at once.

I can’t wait to see what Season 3 has in store for Walt, his family and his newly expanding drug cartel. In many ways, Breaking Bad has become the blue collar equivalent of The Sopranos, with the show focusing on both Walt’s home life and crime family, and how the two effect each other. I hear Season 3 has some crazy game changers early on, so expect a bumpy ride this year!

Breaking Bad airs Sunday nights at 10/9c on AMC.
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Threadless - The Smurfs Inspired T-Shirt “It’s A Hard Life”

These past two weeks Threadless has produced some killer pop culture themed tees, and “It’s A Hard Life” continues that trend! This smurfy design takes a very unique look at Papa Smurf’s life by detailing his clan’s many struggles in the form of a highly detailed body tattoo. I’ve got to say, this is one version of Papa Smurf I never thought I’d see.

It’s A Hard Life by Alex Solis

Threadless - The Smurfs Inspired T-Shirt It's A Hard Life by Alex Solis
I think my favorite part of the design is either the dead Azrael on Papa’s lower back or the P-A-P-A finger tattoos on his left hand. This is definitely not your parent’s Smurfs! As a reminder, the Threadless 10th Anniversary Sale is still going on and all t-shirts are on sale for just $10!

You can purchase this Smurfs inspired “It’s A Hard Life” at Threadless.com on sale for $10 (normally it retails for $18). The shirt comes in both guys and girls styles, sizes S-2XL.
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Threadless - Star Wars Inspired T-Shirt “Gentlemen Love Light Swords”

Threadless 10th Anniversary Sale
Yesterday Threadless launched its 10th Anniversary Sale, and for 48 hours all t-shirts in stock are on sale for just $10! For those of you who love pop culture themed t-shirts this is a killer deal because Threadless has recently produced some awesome tees inspired by some of The Blot’s favorite movies, television shows and comics. Last week they released a Batman themed tee, and now comes the Star Wars inspired “Gentlemen Love Light Swords.”

Gentlemen Love Light Swords by Alvaro Arteaga Sabaini

Threadless - Star Wars Inspired T-Shirt Gentlemen Love Light Swords by Alvaro Arteaga Sabaini
As you can see, “Gentlemen Love Light Swords” takes some seriously old school photos of men playing golf and baseball and replaces their clubs and bats with lightsabers. It’s a cool idea that I think turned out even better after being printed on a crème t-shirt.

You can purchase the comic book inspired “Gentlemen Love Light Swords” at Threadless.com on sale for $10 (normally it retails for $18). The shirt comes in both guys and girls styles, sizes S-2XL.
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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Disney Vinylmation The Muppets Series 1

While there’s been a lot of mixed reaction to Disney’s limited edition Vinylmation blind boxed figures in the designer vinyl community, this is one Vinylmation series The Blot can really get behind. After the popularity of Vinylmation Park Series 1's Kermit the Frog figure comes a series dedicated solely to The Muppets! The Vinylmation Muppets Series 1 includes twelve 3” characters, including one hard to find mystery chase.

Disney Vinylmation The Muppets Series 1 - Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Rowlf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew & Beaker 3 Inch Vinyl Figures
Disney Vinylmation The Muppets Series 1 Display Case and Blind Box Artwork
The Vinylmation Muppets Series 1 includes Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Rizzo the Rat, The Swedish Chef, Sweetums, Statler and Waldorf, Bean Bunny and a mystery chase. The Muppets Series 1 chase figure has been confirmed to be a 55th Anniversary tuxedo wearing Kermit the Frog figure. If I could change one thing about this series, I would remove Sweetums and turn him into a 9” Vinylmation figure. He’s always been one of the biggest Muppets and a 3 inch figure just doesn’t do him justice.

Disney Vinylmation The Muppets Series 1 - Rizzo the Rat, The Swedish Chef, Sweetums, Statler, Waldorf & Bean Bunny 3 Inch Vinyl Figures
Disney Vinylmation The Muppets Series 1 - 55th Anniversary Kermit the Frog in Tuxedo Mystery Chase Figure 3 Inch Vinyl Figure
Disney’s Vinylmation Muppets Series was released exclusively at Walt Disney World Resort on February 8th. This collection will be released at the Disneyland Resort sometime in March. These Resort exclusives are sure to be a hit with collectors and fans alike, so be sure to grab a few blind boxes when you have the chance, because you never know when these might sell out!
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

PNE: The Hangover Print Set by Justin Hampton, Emek & Jermaine Rogers

PNE - The Hangover Screen Print by EMEK
A short while ago Justin Hampton of PNE (Post Neo Explosionism) was contacted by movie director Todd Phillips. Phillips explained that he wanted to do something special for the cast and crew of his hit movie The Hangover, as it had become the highest grossing comedy of all time. A great rapport developed and Phillips commissioned PNE for a special project. He wanted Justin, Emek and Jermaine Rogers to create a set of commemorative rock-art style prints that embraced the no-holds-barred and reckless abandon of his hit film. "Make the posters...just wrong" Phillips said. With this inspiration, the trifecta set out to do just that. After months in development the project is now finished and the set of 3 prints is complete, each showcasing a different slant on the film.

PNE - The Hangover Screen Print by Justin Hampton
In a special arrangement with Todd, the director has agreed to let PNE release a limited number of The Hangover print sets to the poster collecting community. This set of 3 screen printed posters will be released this Thursday, March 18th. The 3 prints measure 30”x20” and are available in a limited edition of only 100 signed and numbered sets, which will retail for $150. There is also a very limited edition of only 25 variant sets printed on holographic foil stock, which will retail for $200.

PNE - The Hangover Screen Print by Jermaine Rogers
This set of 3 screen printed posters will be released on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 12 Noon PST on the official Post Neo Explosionism online store. You can find out more about each of the PNE The Hangover screen prints, as well as some very cool limited edition gifts that four lucky buyers will have the opportunity to snag, here.

PNE - The Hangover Creepy Bonus Screen Print by Justin Hampton
One bonus gift is a fourth limited edition screen print created exclusively for Todd Phillips only and not made available at all to the general public. This bonus print (pictured above) was produced as a gift from PNE to Todd Phillips and the cast and crew of The Hangover. The image is sort of an inside-joke between PNE and Todd, and showcases the mysterious and raunchy Mr. Creepy (remember the scene in the elevator?). The character appears, under different credited names, in many of Phillips' films, and is always involved in the weirdest scenarios. In the film Road Trip, he makes an appearance on the bus wearing a track suit and a curly black wig. Mr. Creepy makes a cameo near the start of Old School, again, wearing a track suit and the same curly black wig. Let's just say that Todd Phillips absolutely loved this print, cleverly put together in beautiful day-glow by Justin Hampton.
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