Firebelly Design

October 28, 2009 by Antonio Garcia

I am a huge fan of horror movies. More specifically, the gore-terror-survival horror genre. I love the ultra-violent blood bath stuff that comes over from Europe and the twisted sadistic torture imports from Asia. In other words, I don't mess around with anything less than R and prefer unrated and/or banned.

As I was looking for inspiration for my annual Halloween movie marathon invitation, I stumbled across director Ti West's poster design contest for his new film The House of the Devil. (Although this flick is pretty tame compared to what I described above, I thought it was an absolutely perfect homage to classic '80s scary movies—you should see it when it comes out on Friday). The 6 contest winners can be seen here and I think you'll agree they're pretty much all awesome.

I also found this great set of color schemes inspired by vintage horror movie posters. So tell me, "what's your favorite scary movie (poster)?"

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relevant links

• 60 Classic Horror Movie Posters
• 100 Illustrated Horror Movie Posters

October 21, 2009 by Antonio Garcia

Last night I saw a special screening of Erich Weiss' Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry at the Metro. Exploring the roots of American tattooing through the life of its most iconoclastic figure, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, the 73-minute documentary (and Weiss' first feature film), served up an incredibly well-researched history—spiritedly told by the tattoo world's last living legends. In fact, Michael Malone aka Rollo Banks took his own life in 2007, making Weiss' interview footage some of the last record of his work and life. Thanks to Weiss' deftly executed penetration into the the highly guarded and incredibly insular group of old school tattoo masters, artists, designers and fans of tattoo art can find an all-new appreciation for the cult, legacy and ideology behind American tattooing.

Although I was probably the only person in attendance without any tattoos, I think I might have gotten more out of this film than anyone else—that might also have to do with the fact that Sailor Jerry Rum sponsored the screening and the audience was nearly drunk before the title credits started! The whole time I kept thinking: these stories, this imagery, all the found ephemera has been so perfectly sorted and presented in such an honest and authentic way. Hori Smoku feels like so much more than a time capsule. The film is a genuine loveletter to Americana tattoo artistry and lore.

I'm especially glad the doc ignored Christian Audigier's entrepreneurial ambitions to mass market Ed Hardy and Von Douche—I mean, Von Dutch—on mainstream everything.

Besides the history lesson and entertainment value Hori Smoku gave me all new reasons for (and against) getting my own tattoos—I have so much more to think about now...! So whose got ink and where'd you get it done? I'd love photos and referrals if you've got 'em!

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relevant links

• Buy the DVD
• Taylor Street Tattoo
• Angelique Houtkamp
• Yann Black