T-Shirt Reviews Blog

Posted: 28 Sep 2009 04:41 PM PDT

There’s the movie world, the fictional geography of a million hits and flops, the corporate PR and image stylists, you know La La Land. Then there’s the world of Mondo Tees, a highly creative company with more than a few feathers to their bow, they love film, that can be gathered almost immediately on viewing their wide range of classic t-shirts and posters, but more so they offer an alternative vision, merchandise that was never made (but should’ve been), imagery that can conjure up the intrinsic feel of any plot line or character, with a level of finesse unseen for many years by the movie industry.

MondoTees.com offer one of the wildest selection of t-shirt collections seen this side of the silver screen, including memorable titles such as Badass Cinema and would you believe it even vintage nudie films get the treatment, there’s a section featuring a rather glitzy treatment of past and present famous directors in the business, and although they do offer a range of music tees too, I personally think that movie-influenced designs are their strong point.

MT don’t have a biography or ‘about page’, it’s a conscious choice to focus on the products rather than the people behind the label, their Facebook statement reads as follows - “If we have to explain what we are, you wouldn’t understand.” We understand, we understand. If you want to stay updated on all the latest if rather bizarre news from Mondo, then check out their blog, as well as their Twitter and Flickr pages. But don’t expect any indepth discussion there either, MT are about the art, flat out, there’s nothing more to say, so let’s check out their tees (oh and one poster :/)

Badass Cop Tee

Eastwood is the man, no argument, if you’re feeling lucky (punk) you might want to grab this superb t-shirt, Badass Cop, also available as a hoodie and b/w ringer, the design says it all. Marvellous perspective on the Magnum barrel, a great combo of colours, one of many in Mondo’s Badass Cinema range, and this must be the baddest of them all. Guaranteed to deter the meanest mofos on a dark rainy night, just don’t let all that power go to your head! $20 in black, sizes Women S to XL, Men S, L, XL (as stocks last!)

Remember The Alamo Tee

Remember The Alamo Poster by Tyler Stout

For some true grittiness, why not take Mondo’s Remember The Alamo tee for a ride, it features the phenomenal art of poster designer Tyler Stout, and celebrates all the gun toting, dirt kicking, rootin’ tootin’ action of the 1960 movie The Alamo directed and starring the all-time giant of the Western genre John Wayne. OK… it actually it celebrates the work of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, but what the heck. Now I fully admit I’m not a fan of Cowboys and Indians, I preferred the idea of flying around in rockets and walking on the moon, although there was a lot of that about when I was a nipper - but even I bow down to the illustrative excellence of this tee and the original poster by Stout. Available as a brown ringer tee for $20, available in sizes S to 2XL (Medium sold out). Stout is a great artist who really could do with a lot more offers for t-shirt licensing and here’s why…

Inglorious Basterds Poster by Tyler Brown

Yes it’s a poster, yes it’s sold out, and I know that Tarantino has thrown a few fans with his latest release but whatever your opinion on the film, bow down to the sheer exuberance of design offered by this Mondo Tees poster. If anything should be a t-shirt it should be this, it’s a shame it isn’t, a crying shame, but what can you do, an artist has to work within the medium he feels comfortable. Then again, Mondo could always offer a reprint of the poster?

Herzog Tee

For those not in the know, Werner Herzog is a celebrated German director, almost singlehandedly afforded the dubious accolade of being a founding father of German New Wave cinema, but here’s the funny thing, Mondo are planning on the majority of their market’s obliviousness to the talents of this giant of European film. It’s deliberately designed to emulate thrash and dark metal merchandise, to confuse and betray the sensibilities of a closed-minded generation looking for their next musical fix. Here’s what Mondo have to say on the subject - “Make everyone think you’re cool by wearing a “band” shirt, but watch their minds blow when they realize that it wasn’t what they thought it was. You’ll seriously be as cool as AC Slater minus the muscles, athletic ability, girlfriend, mullet and charisma!”. They then proceed to promise instant respect at any video store, well perhaps not Blockbusters, and who’d want that anyway? If you want to back up your film literary clout then an easy entry to Herzog’s work is most probably Nosferatu, then again none of them are primetime fodder. Oh, except for his upcoming remake of Bad Lieutenant with Nick Cage - which I am sure will suck in comparison to the original. Still, you can always lie :p Get the Herzog tee for $24 in black, sizes S to 2XL.

Debbie Does Dallas Tee

It’s so bad it’s good, the DDD tee celebrates a rather corny 70’s adult movie that pours over the sexual antics of Debbie, who erm lives in Dallas. Still worth a laugh? Get this (if you dare) for $20 in black, sizes - girls S to XL - unisex XS to XXXL - but don’t blame me if people get the wrong idea about you :/

No I didn’t end this review on an anti-climax! Lol. Check out Mondo’s strange and bizarre collection of tees at www.MondoTees.com and never judge movie merchandise in the same light again.

Lifestyle World

Monday, 28 September 2009