Imagine an art show that focuses on “prominent characters of fiction and their often creative ways of getting around.”  If that sounds cool, then I recommend checking out the new Hero Complex Gallery show called “Righteous Rides…And the Dudes Who Drive Them” that opened in Los Angeles tonight.  The show is located at 2020 South Robertson Blvd., Studio D (90034) and it’s filled with artwork based on the rides from Blade Runner, Akira, Bullitt, Back to the Future, Star Wars, James Bond, Ferris Bueller, Prometheus, Transformers, Up, Star Trek, and so many others it’s too many to list here.  The most important thing to know is that the artwork is really well done and it’s definitely worth the drive.

However, since most of you live outside of Los Angeles, I took pictures of everything on display and after the jump you can check out about 70 images from the show.

We’ve showcased some of the amazing screenprints by artist David O’Daniel in the past and now he’s released a whole new batch to drain your wallet.  There’s a King Kong 3-poster set that’s limited to an edition of 300 and costs $60.  Each poster in the set measures 18 x 24 inches. There are 250 posters for 2001: A Space Odyssey. The posters for True Grit (2010), Jaws, Bullitt, and Vertigo are each limited to an edition of 200.  The posters for Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Searchers, Il Fuoco, and North by Northwest are limited to an edition of 150.  There are only 75 posters for The Great White Silence. All of the posters measure 18 x 24 inches except for Il Fuoco (19 x 25) and The Searchers (26 x 17).  Except for King Kong, the posters cost $35 each plus $9 shipping U.S. and $15 shipping international (it’s a flat shipping cost no matter how many posters you buy).

Once again, I can vouch for these.  I’ve bought four posters in the past from Mr. O’Daniel and I’m about purchase the one for North by Northwest.  Hit the jump to check out all the posters.

British director Peter Yates has passed away at the age of 81.  The AP reports that the filmmaker died in London yesterday after an illness.  Yates had an eclectic filmography that ranged from fantasy (Krull) to horror (The Deep) to drama (The Dresser) to one of the all-time great action films, Bullitt.  With Bullitt, Yates directed one of cinema’s best car chase scenes as Bullitt (Steve McQueen) races through the streets of San Francisco.  Yates also directed one of my personal favorite films, Breaking Away.  He received four Oscar nominations during his lifetime, two for Breaking Away (director and producer) and two for The Dresser (director and producer).

Our condolences go out to Mr. Yates’ friends and family.