And I Said To Myself... What A Wonderful World!!!!

People get attached to the settings in every type of entertainment they consume,whether it is movies, books, video games, comics or anything else. The setting is so key to the background story that it often overshadows a majority of characters in the work, save for the most important characters. I mean, think how much more you remember about Hogwarts as opposed to the literally 100s of non main characters in the 7 books by J.K Rowling. Or how about the fact that after 20 years I can still remember how to navigate Hyrule when I downloaded Zelda on my Wii, yet forgot ALL of the 8 final bosses names in the game except for level 9 baddie Ganon? The setting can often make the story what it is and be the driving force in a work of fiction. With that being said, this is the most complete map of fantasy lands that I have ever seen. I have not been able to locate the creator of this map (I hate not creating brilliance) but all the links I am finding around the web seem to go back to the I WASTE SO MUCH TIME blog. So check them out cause their blog is cool and seems to be pretty chill. Tell em CCD sent ya! Check out a larger version of the map after the jump and see if you can figure out oall of the locations and what properties they come from... enjoy your trip!!!

'I'd Buy That...As a Tee!' Vol 28

Always on the look out for inspiring art... emblazoned across the chest of humanity. Here's some of the t-shirts I have my eye on to do just the trick but, there's only one problem....they aren't for sale yet! Please click the links below to the Threadless.com voting pages for each and give these beauties '5' ratings so I can throw 'em on my charge card one day.

**Please click READ MORE below..for Mo' Tees...Mo' Tees....Mo' Tees!**

Check Out Salvador Dali's Take On 'Alice In Wonderland'

This one goes out to all you art geeks out there... yup, you get love here on CCD too! Salvador Dali is one of my favorite artists, and I think it has to be because he gave a fuck-all what anybody thought about his ongoing shenanigans and crazy lifestyle. Despite being a lunatic, his art pedigree is amazing. Anywho, apparently Dali was contracted  Random House Publishing back into 1969 to illustrate the Lewis Carroll classic "Alice In Wonderland". He responded by creating 12 visually stunning heliograuves (I guess thats an artsy-fartsy art world word for paintings... WTF do I know!) for each chapter in the book, as well as a front piece for the edition. Thanks to the gang over at Brain Pickings, we have digital images of these beautiful pieces for your viewing pleasure. Click after the jump to see them in all their glory...

DVD Release Day March 30,2010

Sherlock Holmes - (Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mack Strong)

This is Guy Ritchie's take on the classic english detective that starred in the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ritchie is know for gritty, grimy crime drama's that are filled with wit and humor... and in this version of Holmes, he does not disappoint. Downey is awesome as Holmes, creating the perfect balance between eccentric and genius.  Law plays a much different Dr. Watson then we have seen in the past. In this film version he is not just a sidekick, he is an equal to Holmes as well as a good friend concerned for his good friends mental health. Mack Strong has the villian thing down pat, and his turn in this film cements him as one of the great bad guys in recent cinema. After he becomes a star in Green Lantern next year, you will remember that this is where the casting directors probably fell in love with him. The stage is set for a sequel, so I think this is just the first step in a potential franchise for Ritchie and the crew.

Disney's Alice In Wonderland - (Animated)

Released in 1951, some people view this as the greatest animation ever done in the history of the Disney studios. Telling the story of Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland and intertwining in certain elements from his sequel Through The Looking Glass. It features the most songs of any Disney film and was also one of the first Disney movies to be released on home video. The movie was a pet project of Walt Disney himself, and although it never recieved such great results upon intial release, it has gained cult status over the years. The 70's drug counter-culture brought the film into popular circles again, and its been enjoying a status boost ever since. Disney is trying to capitalize of the success of Tim Burton's live action version of the story, so why not release a DVD of the seminal animated version of the same story. Even 59 years later, the film holds up. Enjoyable for the whole family.

Also Being Released This Week: Alvin and The Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel, The Abbott and Costello Complete Series, Collateral (Blu-Ray), An Education, Lupin the 3rd: Episode 0

It's Saturday: Lets All Go To The Movies

OK, OK... you made it through another week. And even though the weekend starts at 5 pm on Friday, most of us really don't start to enjoy our weekend until Saturday morning. Waking up and not having to go to the hell hole of a job that you occupy during the week is a relief of epic proportions. You can do whatever you want, and usually for me that involves wanting to hit up a movie theater at some point. The reasons why its a great idea to go to the movies are endless, but one reason I like it is that its a short term event (like 2,3 hours tops) that you can fit in anytime during a busy weekend. We all know whats playing at the Multiplex... everyday we are bombarded with ad's for movies in the newspaper, on the train, and on the radio. My then 3 year old son used to ask me what the date was, and when I would tell him, he would then immediately shout out the big movie that was opening that week. But in most cities across the US, there are alternative/boutique type theaters that show mostly independent and revival films. The independents are cool, but the revival films are the best. What better way to relive your childhood then seeing "Gremlins" on the big scree en after 20 years. Or maybe getting a chance to see something at the movies that you weren't around to see during it's original run. Either way it's a great activity for day or night. Here was going on in movies this week. Enjoy the fresh popcorn !!!


Opening March 5th: Alice In Wonderland (3-D and Imax), Brooklyn's Finest, Harlem Aria

Independent/International Releases: The Secret of the Kells (Animated, Ireland), A Prophet (France), Harlan: In The Shadow of Jew Suss (Documentary, Germany)

Special Screenings:

The Abyss, El Topo and Antichrist playing midnight shows on Saturday @ IFC Center (212) 924-7771

Raging Bull playing at 9:15 on Saturday, The Godfather playing at 1:30 pm on Sunday, Annie Hall playing at 4:45 on Sunday @ The Film Society of Lincoln Center (212) 875-5600

The Wizard of Oz is playing at 1 pm, 5:10 pm and 9:30 pm on Sunday @ The Film Forum (212)-727-8110

All of Tim Burtons classics playing @ Moma (various showtimes) (212)-708- 9480

Pick of the Week:

In Cameron's 1986 classic sequel to Alien, Sigourney Weaver rehashes her role as Ellen Ripley. She travels back to the planet where the original crew encountered the alien monsters in Alien, and she gets the pay back that she had been looking foward to for 57 years. Excellent effects, Cameron's penchant for a the deatails being just right, and allstar cast make this one of the greatest sci-fi movies in history. As Cameron hopes to hoist up the Academy Award this weekend, watching him earlier in his career will make you appreciate his genius that much more.

Playing a midnight show @ Landmark Sunshine Cinemas (212)-330-8182