Stanley Kubrick Was Much More Than A Filmmaker...

I haven't blogged for a while, but when I saw this treasure trove of Kubrick's photography work from before he was a filmmaker I knew I found the right topic to start up again with. Kubrick is by far my favorite film director, it is not really close. I adore all of his movies, and I love each of them for very different reasons. The subtle touches and unique watermarks that Kubrick leaves on all of his work make his films stand out. I identified these touches very early on and they made me fall in love with his work. But he didn't start making films until his early 20s... so what was he doing before that? Well, starting at the ripe ole age of 16 Stanley was a professional (ie: PAID) photographer that worked mostly for LOOK Magazine (the leading competitor for Life Magazine back then). He loved life photography, or photographing people participating in everyday activities. The grittiness and realness of the photos is what makes them great, and if you look at the various sets on file over at The Museum of the City of New York's website there are some fantastic looks into NYC of the past. The one set that really caught my attention was the set that took place on the subway. What a great look into the past, and how different the trains were back then! As a native New Yorker I love these pics, and as a uber-fan of Kubrick I can see his markings all over these. The man was truly a genius!!! Click the above link for even more wonderful pics from Kubrick's other career, and click after the jump to see more of the subway series of pics that I enjoyed so much....

Shaun of Rage by Aled Lewis

I am getting super pumped up for the upcoming Crazy 4 Cult show here in NYC. The Gallery 1988 show opens this Thursday at the Gallery 1988 pop up shop and will run until September 1st. These shows always feature amazing mashup pieces from some of the greatest artists in the game and blow my mind consistently. The first piece I am featuring from the show (pieces are already starting to leak online) comes from Aled Lewis (one of the best doing it right now) and is a mashup of the side scrolling fighting game classic Streets of Rage with Edgar Wright's awesome zombie thriller Shaun of the Dead. I love seeing Shaun and Ed kicking zombie ass outside of the Winchester Pub. Sick piece from a sick collection. Can't wait to see the show opening night on Thursday!!!! Check out Lewis's piece after the jump...

The "Old" New York License Plates Make A Comeback

People driving around NYC will start to notice something a bit different about the license plates on the car in front of them. NY state is switching to a gold and blue colored license plate that is reminiscent of the old fashion license plates of the 1970's and early 80's. Everything that is old is new again and some point, so why not apply this policy to license plates as well. The state is reporting an 80% approval rating of the new design, and state that the new plates will generate income for our cash strapped state. They began issuing the new plates in April, so as the next few months come and go you will start to see more and more of these floating around NYC. Whats your opinion on the new plate. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Let us know people... say your piece. Happy travels!!!

King Tut Is Back In The NYC...

No, not the Arch Villian from the 1960's Batman TV series featured to your left... the real thing!!! There is a major Ancient Egyptian exhibit on display over at the Discovery Time Square Exposition, located on 44 st. between 7th and 8th Avenues in Manhattan. The exhibit features thousands of Egyptian items, but the highlight would have to be King Tut's coffinette and the crown that was found upon his head when the tomb was discovered. Also, for the first time ever there will be a DNA exhibit that sheds new light on the life of the boy king. It is crazy how well known King Tut is here in the USA, even though he died at a really young age and didn't accomplish much in his short time as pharoah. I have also included a short Youtube video that was included on the homepage for the exhibit. If you have any additional questions, check out the website here.