Pencils Down: Ralph McQuarrie (1929–2012)

Any kid (or kid at heart) who passed through the eighties had some sort of indelible impression made by Ralph McQuarrie.  He influenced so many decades before and after, but the obvious is any walking out of a theater during blockbuster season and spending all week trying to keep the imagery from flooding their heads.  If you randomly chuckle when saying you need to phone home, imitate breathing like behind a black helmet, or mention something about an object among 'top men'...then indirectly you have this guy to thank.  Anyone worth their lore knows the tale of this guy's concept work being the only reason Lucas got a green light concerning a space opera.



If you read this and you agree with the statement(s) above at all, doodle something on a napkin and say thanks to McQ.  Hit the jump to see more amazing work and check this great writeup from tor.com (no not *that* TOR, Old Republic junkies) by Irene Gallo:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/03/ralph-mcquarrie-19292012

The comments at the bottom of the article are fantastic as well, so do a favor and scroll down if you peek there.

One of the cool things I did read about was Mr. McQuarrie turning down doing the prequel Star Wars episodes because he felt it should be passed to a new artist for the next generation.  Very classy (even if I can't remember when/where I read it).

(hit the jump to see familiar imagery)

Ultimate Star Wars / THX theater

The picture certainly does no justice for what you'll see if brave enough to click the link.  Why?

 From Modern Home Theater(.com)...

"This Star Wars inspired theater rivals the LucasArts Ranch in regards to authentic Star Wars memorabilia. This Grand Imperial theater is owned by a couple passionate Star Wars fans just outside of Seattle. Designed to appear like the command deck of the Death Star from The Empire Strikes Back, you will find a variety of life sized Star Wars characters in the theater including C-3PO, Boba Fett and Han Solo frozen in carbonite. The entrance to the theater is covered in poster cases from the three original Star Wars movies as well as a poster for The Phantom Menace and the Clone Wars animated series."

The link has a slideshow which reveals too many things to be envious about.  On top of that, the theater IS THX CERTIFIED, and has a plaque to prove it.  More technical detail at the article's source.

http://www.modernhometheater.com/virtualtours/star_wars/slideshow/index.html

I promised no Hello Kitty this week...

...so instead, you get this:

Super7 Stormtrooper Super Shogun

Came across this and had to share.

A Jennifer Aniston movie worth seeing?