<Sterling Archer>"What's with you people? Face/Off? Nicolas Cage? Jeez, watch a movie sometime..."
I won't say it's a great movie or anything, but it is probably John Woo's most famous picture in the States, and it was probably responsible for the move you see in picture 2
Not really my taste, but certainly not the worst I've seen. I probably would like them better on a gun with a gloss blue, nickel, or polished stainless finish. Fancy looking grips seem to fit better on a gun with a fancy looking finish IMHO.
When they first popped up on screen I hated em. BUT, after zooming in they look pretty nice. None of my guns have removable grips. No grip customizing for me.