Monday, November 20, 2017

Screen-used film props from Darkest Hour on display...

In director Joe Wright's new WWII film written by Anthony McCarten, Gary Oldman plays infamous British Prime Minister 'Winston Churchill', who in the early days of the war in Western Europe had to decide whether to negotiate a peace with Hitler and Nazi Germany, or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds to defeat an evil never before seen.

Winston Churchill office movie props featured in Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour movie prop exhibit
Darkest Hour Winston Churchill desk props
Darkest Hour Winston Churchill desk props
Darkest Hour movie props
Darkest Hour film props
Darkest Hour typewriter cigar props
Darkest Hour movie desk props
Darkest Hour Winston Churchill office film props
Darkest Hour Winston Churchill movie exhibit
This exhibit of Winston Churchill office props, including military papers, period specific magazines, typewriter and cigars, was photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema on November 17, 2017, and it's nice to see a display with just screen-used props for a change.

For more World War II-themed movie fare, be sure to also check out Keira Knightley's nurse costume from Atonement, these Dunkirk movie costumes, these film costumes from The Imitation Game and Jack O'Connell's bombardier costume from Unbroken

Darkest Hour movie poster
Darkest Hour movie poster

Sunday, November 19, 2017

The Disaster Artist movies costumes on display...

In The Disaster Artist real-life brothers James and Dave Franco star as 'Tommy Wiseau' and 'Greg Sestero', the actors behind the 2003 film The Room, a criminally bad movie which achieved cult status for being one of the worst ever made. This biopic is based on Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell's non-fiction 2013 book of the same name, which chronicled the meeting and early friendship of the men and the troubled making of the movie in Hollywood and their subsequent success.

Original costumes worn by James Franco and Dave Franco
in The Disaster Artist
Disaster Artist movie costume exhibit
James Franco Disaster Artist Tommy Wiseau costume
Dave Franco Disaster Artist Greg Sestero costume
Disaster Artist movie poster wall ArcLight
Disaster Artist movie costumes
Disaster Artist film costumes
This fun movie exhibit featuring costumes worn by James and Dave Franco and designed by Brenda Abbandandolo were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema on November 17, 2017.

UPDATED: Here's also more photos of an amended exhibit on November 30, 2017, featuring more props (chairs and an American football), signage and a very recognisable wig.

The Disaster Artist movie costume exhibit
Disaster Artist costume exhibit ArcLight Hollywood
Disaster Artist James Franco costume
Disaster Artist Dave Franco costume
James Franco fans can also check out his film costume from Oz The Great and Powerful.

The Disaster Artist movie billboard
Disaster Artist movie billboard

Friday, November 17, 2017

Favourite picks from Prop Store's live auction of Star Trek movie costumes and props...

On December 2 our friends at Prop Store will be joining with Paramount Pictures to auction off original costumes, props and memorabilia from the rebooted Star Trek movie universe. In 2009 J.J. Abrams breathed new life into the long-running and beloved sci-fi franchise and now it's your chance to own screen-used items from Star Trek and 2013's Star Trek: Into Darkness. Here's a selection of some cool picks from the upcoming live-auction that caught my collector's eye.

Iowa police uniform from Star Trek
Star Trek Iowa cop uniform
Star Trek Iowa police badge
Star Trek Iowa cop boots
Star Trek Iowa police uniform back
Michael Kaplan was Costume Designer on the rebooted movies and I don't know why, but there's something about this futuristic Iowa State police uniform used by the cop who chases a young 'Kirk' at the start of the 2009 movie that makes me smile.

This cool law enforcement costume has an estimated sale price of $1,000 to $1,500.

Mr. Spock's Enterprise Sciences uniform
from Star Trek: Into Darkness
Mr Spock Starfleet uniform Star Trek Into Darkness
Star Trek Into Darkness Spock Starfleet insignia
Star Trek Into Darkness phaser prop
Star Trek Into Darkness Starfleet communicator prop
Spock Starfleet costume back Star Trek Into Darkness
Michael Kaplan was Costume Designer on both movies and I love how he integrated the Starfleet insignia pattern into the very fabric of the Starfleet costumes, like with this blue Enterprise Science Officer uniform worn by 'Mr. Spock'.

This costume from Star Trek: Into Darkness stunt costume for Spock comes with phaser, belt and communicator and is estimated to sell for between $8,000 to $12,000

Alien Nibiran costumes from Star Trek: Into Darkness
Star Trek Into Darkness Nibiran costume spear
Star Trek Into Darkness Nibiran costume back
Star Trek Into Darkness Nibiran film costume
Star Trek Nibiran costume detail
Star Trek Into Darkness Nibiran costume detail
I also loved how the rebooted films and cast explored new, never-before-seen worlds and alien races, like the primitive Nibiran species featured at the start of Star Trek: Into Darkness.

I always thought this alien look was created with body makeup, but as you can see they're actually costumes. In this auction there are several different examples of these, expected to sell at auction for between $600 to $800 and some come with accessories like spears and wrist-mounted dart guns.

Klingon guard uniform from Star Trek: Into Darkness
Star Trek Into Darkness Klingon guard costume
Star Trek Into Darkness Klingon guard helmet
Star Trek Into Darkness Klingon disruptor
Star Trek Into Darkness Klingon uniform back
And speaking of alien races and it wouldn't be Star Trek without fan-favourites the Klingons, although the warrior race and their wardrobe was totally reimagined for these rebooted films.

This Kronos Klingon guard uniform from Star Trek: Into Darknesss comes with a disruptor rifle, helmet, gloves and boots and is expected to go for $5,000 to $7,000.

Light-up Starfleet Phaser prop from Star Trek: Into Darkness
Starfleet Phaser prop Star Trek Into Darkness
Star Trek Into Darkness Phaser prop
Star Trek Into Darkness Phaser prop
Star Trek Into Darkness Phaser movie prop
And speaking of iconic elements of any Star Trek universe and phasers are an essential part of Starfleet equipment.

This little high-tech gem from Star Trek: Into Darkness actually has LED panels that light up and could set you back around $3,000 to $5,000 if you're interested. Set phasers to stunning.

If you have someone special in your life who's a fan of Star Trek, just imagine how excited they'd be if they received an authentic piece of movie history from their favourite franchise this gift-giving season.

The Star Trek live auction is the first to be hosted at Prop Store's new facility in Valencia, L.A. County and will take place on stardate Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11am and you can visit the Prop Store website to peruse the auction items and register to bid online.

What will you beam up this holiday season?

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Emmy-nominated Feud: Bette and Joan TV costumes on display...

In the first season of anthology series Feud, which was subtitled Bette and Joan, Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange played legendary Hollywood rivals Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The eight episode season chronicled the backstage tensions between the aging actresses during and after the production of the 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Original costumes from Feud: Bette and Joan
Feud Bette and Joan costumes
Feud Bette and Joan costumes
Feud Bette and Joan costumes
Feud Bette and Joan TV costumes
Feud Bette Joan costume exhibit
This display of glamorous Emmy-nominated costumes from the TV show were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum on August 23, 2017.

The series earned each of the lead actresses an Emmy nomination, plus sixteen further nominations, including for period costume design.

Feud: Bette and Joan TV billboard
Lou Eyrich was Costume Designer, with Hannah Jacobs Assistant Costume Designer and Katie Saunders Costume Supervisor on the series.

Lou Eyrich was also Costume Designer on several other Ryan Murphy shows, so be sure to also enjoy her American Horror Story costumes and these Scream Queens costumes.

Costumes worn by Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis
in Feud: Bette and Joan
Susan Sarandon Feud Bette Davis gown
Susan Sarandon Feud Bette Davis costume
Susan Sarandon Feud Bette Davis costume
In the show Susan Sarandon played the legendary 'Bette Davis', known for such classic feature films as All About Eve, Now, Voyager, The Letter and Jezebel, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as the demented sister, 'Baby Jane Hudson', in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Fans of Susan Sarandon can also check out her evil Queen Narissa costume from 2007's Enchanted.

Costumes worn by Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford
in Feud: Bette and Joan
Jessica Lange Feud Joan Crawford gown
Jessica Lange Feud Joan Crawford costume
Jessica Lange Feud Joan Crawford costume
Jessica Lange Feud Joan Crawford gown
In the series Jessica Lange stars as 'Joan Crawford', famously known for roles in films like Possessed, Mildred Pierce, Flamingo Road and The Women, who was jealous of Joan's Oscar nomination and offered to accept the award if any of the other nominees won and couldn't attend, which she did for the winner Anne Bancroft.

Costume worn by Judy Davis as Hedda Hopper
in Feud: Bette and Joan
Judy Davis Feud Bette Joan Hedda Hopper costume
Judy Davis Feud Hedda Hopper costume
Former actress 'Hedda Hopper' was also an infamous gossip columnist in Hollywood writing for the Los Angeles Times from 1938 and in Feud she was played by Judy Davis who received an Supporting Actress Emmy nomination for the role.

Helen Mirren also played the notorious writer in 2015's Trumbo, so be sure to also check out her Hedda Hopper film costumes.

Feud: Bette and Joan TV billboard