I just got this film from Netflix. I cannot wait to experience the madness of Alejandro Jodorowsky!The way Jodorowsky plays with iconography and pushes the limits of every medium he works with baffle me. As you can see from the trailer, Jodorowsky does no less when tackling the sensitive topic of religion.

I'm not sure if it's an official collaboration but Jay-Z began work on his new Album after watching an advanced private screening of Ridley Scott's "American Gangster" starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. The album will be released in early November (close to the release date of the film) and tracks from the album have begun appearing on the internet.Production-wise the stuff I'm hearing is close to Jay-Z's "Blueprint" (my favorite Jay-Z album). Lyrically it's closer to "Reasonable Doubt" (lots of gangster mafioso storytelling).I wish I could get a little more of the introspective Jay-Z...but I'm really digging the overall feel of the music.Intentional or not, this is a brilliant cross-promotion. The movie gets the street-cred it needs to make it cool from the young kids. Jay-Z has a justified reason for sounding both gangsta and soulful.Below are the tracks I could find on YouTube:Roc Boys (produced by Kanye West)Blue Magic Video (music produced by Neptunes)???? (featuring Lil' Wayne, prouduction sounds like Kanye West)American Gangster Trailer (the inspiration)

Mike Olmos invited Jerry and I to the LALIFF Lucha Libre Night. The evening began with a public showing of "Santo Vs Blue Demon In Atlantis" and ended with 3 Lucha Libre matches starring 100% Mexican wrestlers (from Crenshaw, South Central, Whittier, and San Fernando). We also had the opportunity to take photos with Lucha Libre legend: Hijo de Santo. Good times to be had by all!

I just purchased a copy of James Jean's "Process Recess 2". Jean's art is looking better than ever. The book is an attractive and affordable package: 64 cardstock 15" X 11" full color pages for $30.I first discovered Jean when he was doing the covers to DC's "Fables" comic. I instantly loved James Jean's lyrical style...so much so that I couldn't read the comic because Jean's work was leagues beyond the skill showcased by the interior artwork. It's awesome to see that in the years since "Fables" debut he has found great success in the fine art scene.So often, when you have sub-par artists with classical styles, the art becomes lifeless in it's strict attempts to look real. James Jean has an instinctive sense of balancing energy and realism. There's a delicate grace to his line and a dreaminess to his color palette.I am especially drawn to his horrific illustrations. His style is so naturally beautiful that his portrayal of horror becomes creepier because it's so close to what we consider beautiful.Below is a sampling of the works in Process Recess 2. I'm particularly fond of Succubus.Sex EdSuccubusInvasionSecret

It was with great pleasure that we met the Mexico-based LEDY LEDY crew at the Esquina Norte Design Conference a couple weeks ago. They are currently hard at work on a line of vinyl figures that will be developed entirely in Mexico. Ledy Ledy is:MR. KONE is an illustrator based in Mexico City whose done tons of work for a variety of Mexican Magazines and publications. His blog is filled with work that demonstrates his great range of artistic style.ZOVECK'S whimsical art is both familiar and fantastic...like that wonderful dream you can't quite remember. His San-Tos statue is one of Jerry's favorite pieces, EVER!ROBOT SODA'S Arenas illustration has a crisp modern style that finds inspiration in classical animation. He's the only guy I've met whose adoration for retro Anime robot design and Tezuka surpasses my own.ESCOBAS is Mexican Wrestling's Ed Hardy. He's reinterpreting the iconography of Lucha Libre through a variety of fashion-based products and new Luchadores mask designs.Mr. Kone, Escobas, Jerry, Zoveck, Arenas, MPBUpcoming Ledy Ledy VinylMr. KoneZoveckArenas (Robot Soda)EscobasJerry, Mr. ? (w/Escobas mask), MPB

Here a pics of my latest toy purchase: both color versions of Fire from the "Nostalgic Heroes" Soft Vinyl figure collection. I bought them both from the Super7 Store.I have no clue who Fire is...but he looks a lot like Black Ox, the primary nemesis of Gigantor (Tetsujin28). To me, Fire feels like either a redesign or earlier rendition of the character. His form and horns are far more organic than the chunkier design of Black Ox...but I LOVE it!I'm having a very difficult time finding information on the other figures in the "Nostalgic Heroes" collection. Based on the quality and beauty of Fire, I would love to see what other figures they have to offer.