Star Wars The Blueprints Review

Review by John Derricks submitted via email

Star Wars: The Blueprints contains the original blueprints that were made and used for the Star Wars Saga. The images are accompanied by a lot of commentary and show the extreme detail that was the foundation for a truly epic movie cycle. The funny thing is that you don’t even need to be a hardcore Star Wars fan to appreciate these drawings. Just from a technical and engineering perspective alone, these wonderful blueprints are true eyecandy. The amount of detail in these drawings is incredible. I wouldn’t what else to call it. This IS the ultimate book on Star Wars and it’s a massive release. How massive you ask? It has it’s own trailer!

The book has a list price of $500 (an an average online price of around $450). This might look a bit steep but wait until you see the sheer quality of the blueprints. For a full list of all the blueprints click here.

This book will give you the ultimate, rare insight in the foundations of what ultimately became one of the most beloved science fiction stores of all time. Among the never before seen artpieces are views of the Rebel blockade runner hallways, the bridge of the flagship of General Grievous, the interior of the Falcon, and the palace of Jabba.

The book measures 15.5 inches wide by 18.5 inches tall, contains 336 pages and offers more than 250 blueprints and 500 photographs and illustrations. The entire thing weighs a stunning 22 pounds.

Needless to say such an exclusive release doesn’t come in a cheap case either. The book is encased in a custom dyed cloth material enclosure with debossed stamping on the spine and cover and comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the publishers president. So the entire package has the looks to match the pricetag.

Star Wars: The Blueprints is limited to 5,000 hand numbered copies

Positives

• A lot of never before seen artwork presented in a beautiful high quality book that will entertain both fans as well as engineers
• Not your average behind the scenes book
• Insane amount of stunningly detailed blue prints and photographs

Negatives

Aside from the fact that there are a few of the drawings don’t contain any measurements, which is kind of weird for blueprints, there isn’t much I can complain about with this release. It’s pretty damn magnificent.

Verdict

This is a beautiful limited edition book of very high quality. But its odd that a publication of this sheer size and magnitude and most importantly a hefty price doesn’t come with a little something extra. The price will definitely put some people off and I wonder if aside from the novelty factor for engineers there will be a huge audience for this besides hardcore Star Wars fans. But if you can spare the money and love Star Wars then you’ll want to have this.

Jim Marshall: Proof (Limited Edition #51-75) Review

Reviewed by James D.

To honor the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, this special edition of Jim Marshall: Proof, comprised of a copy of this acclaimed book, accompanied by an 8×10 gelatin-silver print of Jerry Garcia, taken on site at Woodstock in 1969, both signed and numbered by Jim Marshall has been released by Chronicle.

I a big fan of Jim Marshall and the man is considered somewhat of a legend in this area so I was glad to see that the publisher has given this release the full high end treatment it deserves.

All the aforementioned awesomeness is packaged in a linen clamshell box stamped with Marshall’s signature. This great piece of musical history is limited to 75 pieces and 5 artist’s proofs. Both book and print are signed and numbered. (8×10 gelatin silver prints). Recommended retail price is $750.00, but the link below will give you a $200 discount! which is not bad for such a collection of legendary photographs along with some unique gelatin silver prints.

Verdict

$550 might sound like a lot of money but just Marshall’s prints usually start at around $1000 so that alone makes this book a worthwhile investment. It features stunning photography of one of the most important times in rock music history and is a must have for fans. Jim Marshall’s proof contains his contact sheets from the concerts and sessions for which he is best known as a photographer. More than sixty sheets are present here, together with the photograph that was the final choice for each series. Highly recommended but if you want one then better buy it now. Stock is extremely limited and last time I checked only a few were left.

Leica Titan M9 Titanium Limited Edition Digital Camera

The Leica Titanium M9 is a digital camera that is limited to a run of 500 pieces. Although it quickly sold out worldwide immediately after its release, some occasionally are available for sale again (see below) for those who have a significant amount of money burning in their pocket.

Weighing 0.576 kilograms and made out of solid titanium this full frame digital camera in a classic timeless design enclosure is a true masterpiece of engineering. It was designed by Walter da Silva, the man also responsible for the current stunning looks of the new Audi car series.The camera comes with the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 1:1,4/35 mm ASPH lense which is also housed in a full solid titanium enclosure. It supports most -- but not all -- Leica M lenses and comes in a stunning red box.

The camera’s monitor screen has been fitted with scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass and the entire enclosure has been treated with a special hardened surface material to make the enclosure itself scratch resistant as well.

The Leica Titan M9 comes with an ultra stylish carrying “holster” for easy transportation and quick availability when shooting pictures. If you are looking for the ultimate retro camera. This is it.

SEE AVAILABLITY
on Amazon.com

The A-Team: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Box Set)

CLICK -> HERE <- TO ORDER The A-Team: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Box Set) NOW AND SAVE ALMOST $60!!

“Ten years ago, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire The A-Team.”

Be a part of The A-Team like never before as the complete series arrives on DVD in this action-packed, 25-disc set. The iconic Mr. T stars as B.A., who joins forces with Hannibal, Murdock and Face to take down the bad guys in five explosive seasons. Groundbreaking, exciting and always fun, The A-Team remains an indelible part of television history and is the adventure that The New York Times proclaimed “a sensational hit.”

Release date June 8th 2010

Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Box Set

3 LPs, 3 CDs + 1 DVD

“GET YER YA-YA’S OUT!” – recorded in 1969 over two nights at Madison Square Garden – is the last official live document of the Rolling Stones in their swaggering Sixties prime; it’s also one of the greatest live albums of all time. This 40TH ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE BOX SET features three 180 gram audiophile quality vinyl LPs (one side of which features an etched replica of the album’s key art, with signatures from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor), 3 CDs that mirror the exact content on the LPs, 1 DVD, a 12 X 12/56-page Collector’s Book and a 12 X 12 replica of the original 1969 poster by Grammy Award© winning artist David Edward Byrd, whose works include the commemorative poster from the original Woodstock Festival and the historic Fillmore East posters from 1968 to 1971.

The first LP is a newly remastered version of the original GET YER YA-YA’S OUT! release. The second LP features 5 unreleased tracks by The Rolling Stones culled from the November 27 & 28, 1969 Madison Square Garden concert master tapes. The third LP features 12 never before released tracks by opening acts B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner. The DVD features performances by the Rolling Stones from their 2 night concert at Madison Square Garden, backstage footage, scenes of Keith Richards in the studio and footage of the GET YER YA-YA’S OUT! album cover shoot, all shot by Albert and David Maysles.

The 56-page Collector’s Book includes photos and an essay by acclaimed photographer Ethan Russell, an original article by Lester Bangs from Rolling Stone magazine and remembrances from concert-goers. A limited number of the Super Deluxe Box Sets will also contain an insert with a code to download “I’m Free (Live)” for Guitar Hero 5.

This three-disc remastered Ya-Ya’s includes the original in all its gritty glory. Disc Two is a five-song EP from the same shows, with acoustic performances – “Prodigal Son” and “You Gotta Move” – from Richards (playing a resonator guitar) and Jagger. The third disc is an unexpected treat: blistering sets by openers B.B. King plus Ike and Tina Turner (doing an outrageously steamy take on Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”). And serious rock geeks will enjoy the final flourish: the original ROLLING STONE review, by Lester Bangs.