Ralph McQuarrie leaves us...dazzled!

The legend that is Ralph McQuarrie left this blighted planet recently, the better for him having graced it.

For those who are unaware of McQuarrie's work (you may not know the name but you will know the imagery) he is solely responsible for many of the iconic images that underpinned George Lucas' "Star Wars" trilogy. My favourite McQuarrie story though, is a one that Lucas tells often.

George was shopping his "The Star Wars.The Adventures of Luke Starkiller" all over Hollywood, and had been rejected at every turn. Not one Hollywood exec could "see" his vision, let alone believe in it enough to invest the $9 million (yep $9 million!!) required to realise it.

In desperation Lucas turned to industrial designer Ralph McQuarrie (who was working for Boeing at the time) and commissioned him to produce some conceptual paintings illustrating the script. This McQuarrie duly did and, in doing so enshrined a look (particularly for Vader) that would be adopted as lore for the entire series.

With McQuarrie's work tucked under his arm Lucas set up a meet with Alan Ladd Jr at Twentieth Century Fox. The script met with the same raised eyebrows but, when Lucas showed the paintings...well, let's just say that the film-making landscape changed irrevocably...and forever.

I love this story for two reasons. Firstly: it illustrates that Lucas has ALWAYS relied on the visual skill and imagination of others to bring his hackneyed concepts to life, Frequently standing on the shoulders of genius' like McQ to make himself artistically "Taller". Secondly: it confirms, as if confirmation were needed, the POWER of illustration. The crystalline simplicity of communication that is visual imagery and it's ability to stir the blood of the viewer.

Sail on McQ. Godspeed to you, sir...your immortality is assured.

Excelsior Out!

Look, this is the point!

Above is an homage to my favourite podcast! All power to "The Co-Host and Doctor Rant"!

Updated: Part "Un" of my "Three Colours Critique" trilogy... recently completed with the podcast crew from Empire magazine.

Update the Update: The good doctor has now seen this tribute, and approves wholeheartedly. He's promised to Re-Tweet it on Friday 12th October's radio show...what co-host Simon thinks is a mystery, thus far. 

The layout, as you've doubtless sussed, is inspired by David Bailey's "Kray Twins" photo (ooohhh the irony). As far as the likeness' are concerned: I was going for a judgemental, implaccable, "Easter Island-y" thing with Mark and a rag tag, mop top, unkempt, cheeky, quintessentially Dee-Jaay thing with Simon. Have I been successful? "Yoooo Deeeside!" (read in a Marcus Bentley voice)

Excelsior out!!

Is there a Doctor in the... ?

A tribute to, quite simply, one of the best television programs ever made. Now in it's final season, "House M.D." has been uniformly brilliant from it's (Bryan Singer directed) opening episode to, what I'm sure will be, it's grandstand finale.

Hugh Laurie (hired by producers ignorant of the fact that he was English) towers in the central role of Dr. Gregory House. Remaining steadfastly unchanged throughout the eight season run he plays a combination of Scrooge/Sherlock Holmes and Groucho Marx in a completely convincing medical procedural drama. If, in later series, the "Soap" factor became more prevalent then it's Laurie's performance that rescued it.

To everything there is a conclusion, here's hoping House's is a fitting send off for a T.V. legend.

Excelsior out!

"Elementary, my dear Watson!"

Available to buy as print, and other stuff, at: http://gastongrimsdyke.deviantart.com/gallery/

This image is now framed and hanging on the wall at, the legendary, Speedy's Cafe. Check it out, Sherlockians!

I recently fell head over heels for the BBC's "Sherlock", Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have crafted a brilliant version of Conan Doyle's mercurial sleuth. It demands so much of it's viewers and, in return, delivers both visceral and intellectual thrills aplenty. It's little wonder that each series consists of only 3 episodes, they're so densely plotted. Based on the Conan Doyle stories, but expanded, updated and infused with credibility to burn.

It's, not so secret, weapon is the ineffable Benedict Cumberbatch; his intense, haughty intelligence practically crackles from the screen. You cannot tear your gaze from him as the support characters marionette around him expertly. Cumberbatch is clearly having the time of his life, it's undoubtedly the performance he would've given had Moffat been courageous enough to give him "Doctor Who". Martin Freeman gives sensitive and capable support as Watson, learning the lessons of Ritchie's "Holmes" by making him more than just a sidekick.

To those of you yet to discover it, I urge you to go out and connect immediately...you will not be disappointed.

Excelsior Out!

The Fab Four

Having throughly enjoyed our family trip to Liverpool, before Christmas, to celebrate my daughters 16th birthday i felt compelled to mark the occasion with a caricature. We loved the time we spent in The Cavern Club, you really do feel the weight of the history (in a good way) when you're in there. I'll leave it to you, dear viewers, to identify the subject of that caricature...hopefully you won't need too many guess's.

Excelsior Out!

England Press Conference descends into Farce!

The latest England press conference descended into farce today, as the assembled media accused the FA of "fielding a ringer" to avoid Mr. Capello facing any embarrassing questions. The FA representative denied this vehemently but, it soon became apparent, that "Mr Capello" had only a sketchy working knowledge of Football. Ordinarily this would not have aroused undue suspicion but; when asked whether he favoured a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 for the Euro's he responded: "Look, i'm no expert but i'll have a bloody good look at it for you!".

In no time at all he began waving a Sainsbury's carrier and challenging the journo's to guess it's contents? He then jumped on the table and began performing impromptu contemporary dance moves? All in all an interesting afternoon was had by all!!!

Excelsior Out!

RIP Leonard Nimoy

I wrote this prior the Leonard's passing, I stand by every word now that he is gone.

"Leonard Nimoy has been around for a very, very long time, and has been brilliant throughout. His love hate relationship with Spock is the stuff of Sci-Fi legend. This year he finally retired his alter ego, announcing that he would no longer play the character, or be attending any more conventions.

The iconography of Spock , whilst being breathtaking, has sometimes served to mask Nimoy's abilities as an actor. Anyone captivated by his performance as William Bell, in J.J. Abrams excellent "Fringe", will attest that he has lost none of his gravitas or ability to intrigue.

Above is an illustrative tribute to the great man, and a small note for him here:

"If ever the future brings a darkness to your soul. If ever you find the weight of legend presses too heavily on your mind then remember this: You ARE Spock! Whereas there may have been a time that phrase was a millstone, now see it as an affirmation.

As long as there are innocent minds, and open hearts, that ponder and wonder at the complexities of space and time...your name will be spoken in hushed and reverent tones. And that, in it's blissful simplicity, bestows upon you.... immortality."

Mr. Nimoy...thank you."

Excelsior Out!