Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Pacific Rim and Turbo


If you love giant robots.  If you love giant monsters.  If you love death, destruction on a huge scale and spectacular visual special effects.  Then you're sure to love the new Pacific Rim movie.

I just got back from watching the movie and I was blown away by the entire experience.  Pacific Rim is like the giant monster movies made in Japan-on steroids!  Watch it!  Love it!

To discover how it was possible to make such a visually spectacular story translated to film be sure to pick up a copy of Insight Editions new Pacific Rim: Man, Machines & Monsters written by David S. Cohen.

Pages are packed with the inner workings of the epic film.  Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

First, let's talk about the book itself.  The oversize hardbound book grabs your attention immediately with its spot varnished cover image of a giant robot holding a ship in one hand about to clobber a huge monster as they face down on a city street.

A back cover image shows the facility for housing the huge robots.  Then on to the inside of the book---WOW!

Page after page are filled with production sketches, paintings, set designs, costume designs, behind-the-scenes production photos, cast photos, robot schematics, set pieces and special tabbed-in inserts with some pretty cool extras.

Throw in cast and crew interviews, technical information, production notes and a Foreword by the film's director Guillermo Del Toro and you have a book practically as big as the monsters and robots themselves!

Have you ever had the need for speed?  I'm not talking about the drug, I'm referring to going really fast.  Who hasn't wanted to run fast, zip by others as if they are standing still or careen around traffic, obstacles and anything else that bars your way?

What if you were a snail?  Talk about frustrating!  That's the premise behind the new Turbo movie from DreamWorks Animation.

A snail has big dreams of speed.  When he is sucked into the fuel chamber of a racing car something remarkable happens.  All of a sudden he's the fastest thing on two feet (uh, a slimy underbelly).  

The Art Of Turbo written by Robert Abele with a Foreword by Ryan Reynolds and a Preface from David Soren takes readers on a fast and furious joyride behind the inner workings of the computer animated speed fest.

You'll see character sketches and drawings, background renderings, vehicle designs and more plus tons of info on how the film was put together and read conversations with cast and production staff all wrapped up in a hardbound book bulging with full-color art and photos.

So hurry!  Race out to your closest bookstore, website or retail outlet and buy this book!  It's sure to go fast!