Curio: Fotonovels

Alexa here.  Seeing Super 8 this holiday weekend left me with nostalgia for its template, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  And that brought to mind one of my favorite bits of 70s movie kitsch, Fotonovels. 

Fotonovels were "a collection of books that were filled from front to back with photos from a particular movie" and had "a shorter life than disco itself." Like comic books, but with real photographs! They were so exciting to me as a child. Grease was my favorite; before I even saw the movie I wore out my copy. I also loved Ice Castles (I was especially taken with the "Lexie" embroidered on her collar).  Recently, I scored a copy of the Close Encounters version. Here are some pictures of mine, as well as some I've spotted around the internet.

Click for The Champ and Ice Castles...

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Curio: Do you save your stubs?

Alexa here. I've been thinking about the movie theater experience a lot lately, about what it used to be, and how much it has changed. Certainly there are things to complain about. As the Alamo Drafthouse was helpful to point out, texting is seen as totally reasonable by many patrons.  And as Ebert discussed recently, the movies themselves are dimmer.  But one of the many things I still value about the experience is the ticket stub.  I've been collecting mine since 1989. I love opening my old tin; each stub serves as a marker of an experience.  ("Wow, I really did see Boxing Helena in the theater!")  Turns out I'm not alone; here are some images of stub collections, including my own.  Do you save your stubs?  Ever found one that surprised you?

A selection from my collection.

A self portrait by Joey Yee, featuring 6-7 years worth of stubs.

Radiostaticstar's stubs from the 80s and 90s, with writing over the faded ink.

Curio: Get Your Mutant On

Alexa here.  As far as Marvel superhero gangs go, I find the Avengers more interesting than the X-Men (although this may just be my inner Whedon fangirl panting in anticipation).  But mutants do have their outsider charm, and the 60s period mutants of X-Men: First Class are looking pretty slick (especially the "sullen, bosomy" January Jones). So in honor of mutant week, here is a collection of mutant goodies to satisfy your inner nerd.

Mike Sapienza is selling some sweet X-Men:First Class posters at his shop, in your choice of color.

Vandaleyez has created Women of Marvel-inspired eyeshadow sets! Here is Mystique.

Click for more, including Emma Frost art and Magneto headbands...

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Curio: Monster Gallery

Alexa here. Monster Gallery is the one-man show of Joseph, or JoE (as he is known), an artist from Singapore specializing in pop culture-inspired prints.  Monster Gallery might be a bit of a misnomer, since I've seen only a few monsters in his collection (although his Godzilla design is pretty nice). JoE is responsible for many of the indie film posters I've been coveting lately, and right now his shop is having a sale, so I thought I'd spread the love.  His typographic posters are especially strong, and he has utilized the recent craze of Penguin Classic-inspired designs in the service of a few of his film posters.  You can buy prints here. Everything is 20% off for the next two weeks if you use the coupon code MONSTER20.

Blade Runner, Run Lola Run, Fantastic Mr Fox and more after the jump.

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Curio: Bubblegum Card Oddities

Alexa here. Everyone knows that there is a whole universe devoted to sports trading cards, with stories of someone selling their Mickey Mantle card for thousands.  Of course a similar form of geekdom revolves around sci fi films, with Thor and Star Wars trading cards produced by the truckload.   But occasionally I run across some vintage film trading cards that I find a little unexpected.  Here are some I've enjoyed.

Yes, I bought this complete set of Saturday Night Fever trading cards about 15 years ago.  You'll be happy to know that I didn't spend all that much; apparently a card of Tony Manero in his black briefs isn't worth much in the open market.  The unopened packages still had gum!  My favorite part was being able to assemble the poster image from the back of the set.

Although it makes sense that they produced Alien trading cards in 1979 (in a feeble attempt to ride the Star Wars sci fi wave) I find it hilarious that this means there are trading cards out there of Veronica Cartwright and Harry Dean Stanton!

But wait there's more: Marlon Brando, Mia Farrow and...

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