OK I've finally got some time to sit and blog about my latest toy obsession. Disney's Vinylmation. These are 3" and 9" Vinyl Mickey's that are each designed by an artist to fit the sub-genres of each release. A few months ago the first batch of these came out, Disney Vinylmation Parks Series 1. 18 designs that reflected the spirit of the Theme Parks were chosen (12 Small, 6 Large)
Exhibit A)
So here is the first set of 12 3" figures, 11 of these are known and there is 1 rare chase figure. These figures are blindboxed so you don't know what you get til you've opened it. Here is a better look at the 11; Mickey in the Electrical Parade, Fireworks Mickey, Mickey as Monorail Red, Mickey as Poison Apple from Snow White, The Yeti from The Matterhorn, Kermit the Mouse,Figment the Dragon from WDW, Some funky stars like the Disneyland hotel, Mickey as SMRT-1 the robot from Epcot, Teacups Mickey, and Haunted Mansion Wallpaper Mickey. and here's a better look at the Chase Red Mickey balloon.
The 9" figures are...
Small World, Animal Kingdom Safari, Disney Cruisline, Waterparks (Innertube), The Infamous E ticket Coupon, and Haunted Mansion (this one came with a special black 3" which gives you a cool sense of scale between the 3 and 9 inch figures)
Then came the Urban Series made up of 11 3" figures, 1 chase 3" figure, and 4 9" figures Exhibit B) These are the 11 blindboxed figures. The chase figure in this collection is an all gold figure designed by Randy Noble. It's probably my favorite of the set.
Then there are the 4 9" ones...
This time around there is Robot, Mummy, Dragon, and Mortimer
All the figures in this collection are just fun designs the artists threw onto some Mickeys, they don't necessarily have any connection to Disney. Of course there are some exceptions, of the smaller figures "OOPSIE" is an upside down Mickey Mouse, and "PIRATES" has a pattern and logos based on the Pirates of the Caribbean films. In the larger ones, the Mummy allegedly has some relationship to Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas, and Mortimer was Mickey's original name and is also the name of Mickey's Nemesis.
A cast exclusive Mickey was released last week (yes, i did get it ;p) It's just Mickey wearing a cast member name badge. And Park Series 2 will be releasing in MAY. There is so much info regarding these awesome toys that I can't really throw it all in a blog. But a great place to check out if you are interested in these is VinylNation. They just listed some news on an upcoming Muppet line which would be absolutely sick. I dig em. Go browse around.
Went to Frisco for Wondercon last weekend. First of all, this could be by far the most boring city Ive ever visited. Secondly, this con SUCKS. I will stick to San Diego only from now on!
To get to it, here are a few of the highlights...
"Sit Down, Shut Up" a new animated comedy coming to FOX from the producers of "Arrested Development" starring the voices of Will Arnett (Arrested Dev.), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), Kenan Thompson (SNL), and Tom Kenny (Spongebob). As well as Jason Bateman and Cheri Oteri. The Show is based on a live comedy show from Australia about the lives/ shennanigans of teachers. Mitch Hurwitz (Producer) and the cast were on hand to talk about the show and show some clips. It seems funny, but I don't know if the animation can compete with the Simpsons. It uses some unique live action backgrounds, so we'll see when it hits tvs April 19th Heres a cool video that basically sums it up:
Autographs were a big draw for a lot of people at this convention. Normally actors will sign your dinky 8x10 or action figure for around $20. This year I saw what could quite possibly be the most blatant abuse of celebrity in human history. Mark Hamill aka Luke Skywalker was on hand to sell you his John Hancock for $100 ($90 for the second). Of course you have to buy an 8x10 from him for $20 as well. And don't even think of asking for a photo... there were costumed Storm Troopers standing guard ready to knock you out with the force if you even thought about it. But hey, I wouldn't have wanted my picture taken either if I now looked like this...
"Star Trek" Panel... obviously amazing. Featured Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), and director JJ Abrams. I missed the footage, but I caught the whole discussion. Not much new info given, just some cool posters. What was great was that JJ Abrams mentioned that the script for "Cloverfield 2" is done and is fantastic, they just want to make sure that it can be done well before production begins. So sick, that is a movie I cannot wait for!
"Super Capers" is a movie that will experience a limited release Mar 20th. If it does well it will receive a broader release. The movie stars Justin Whalin (Dungeons and Dragons, Susie Q) and Adam West (Batman!) and is a comedy that draws on old fashioned Super Hero stories. It looks pretty funny. The cast was there all weekend signing endless autographs for anyone who approached their booth. Except for Adam West who was there for an hour each day and signed 8x10s for $50 (yes, the second highest price behind Mark Hamill.) Sunday they did a panel and showed some scenes. Here's a trailer:
"Alien Trespass" is another movie that pulls from old genres, but this time its 60s paranoia sci-fi. This movie stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2, X-files), and Dan Lauria (the dad for The Wonder Years) This movie looks so cool to me; its from the creator of the X-files, its got a great cast, its got a theme that I love. I cant wait to see it. The cast was on hand to do a panel where they discussed and showed clips, then a few lucky people (myself included) got to do an autograph signing. Everyone was really nice and I kind of regret running off (I didnt want to miss all of the Star Trek Panel). Here's the trailer:
"Pandorum" is a creepy looking movie staring Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, X3) and some other really nice people I am too lazy to google. I only caught the end of the panel so all I really know about the movie is what is in the trailer. Its from the team behind the first 3 "Resident Evil" movies. Its dubbed a Horror movie, which I generally hate, but I dig the RE movies and this one looks a bit similar to "Sunshine" or "Doom" which are movies I actually enjoy even tho they scare the crap out of me. So Ill probably see this. I had tickets to the signing the cast did (since Im such a nerd for Ben Foster) and got to meet them. Everyone was REALLY nice and charming. Here's the trailer, its spooky, but still looks awesome.
"Terminator Salvation"... this was by far the best panel of the convention. McG, the director, made it really interactive. He brought fans onstage to accompany the stars that were up there; Anton Yelchin (Star Trek, Charlie Bartlett), Moon Bloodgood (Pathfinder), Common (Smokin Aces), and Bryce Dallas Howard (Lady in the Water). He also showed unfinished footage and asked for audience opinions. He showed the trailer (which premiered this past Friday before Watchmen) not once, but twice. It was really cool. He did a similar panel last year at Comic-con and I had the pleasure of meeting him and the cast there. He is truly passionate about what he's doing with this franchise and I can't wait for this movie to come out. Here is the trailer he showed:
Some other awesome stuff going on was a Pixar "UP" panel, that debuted beautiful footage from this upcoming film. I had already seen the first 15 minutes at Comic-Con but this panel showed several scenes from further on in the movie. I dont want to give away anything about this movie, so just know that it is gonna be fantastic! Its directed by Pete Doctor the director of "Monsters Inc." Cant Wait! "Adventureland" is a comedy directed by Greg Mottola, the director of "Superbad", Miramax had a very cool booth setup to be reminiscent of the movie. Girls wearing shirts that read "Games" across the front allowed visitors to compete against them in Skeeball. If you won you could get either a "Games" shirt or a "Rides" shirt. Which are the uniforms of the Adventureland employees. Those waiting in line to play could watch the trailer or clips on a TV that might have been older than me. Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks, Knocked Up) was on hand to sign autographs as well. Disney's "Princess and the Frog" had a short panel that showed clips. and of course "Watchmen" mania was in full effect. 250 guests were allowed to view the movie for free across the street at the local IMAX 6 days before it came out.
Toyzilla. Normally I dont have time to score toys (which I am obsessed with) but since there was not a lot happening I had more than enough time to go bonkers. Heres some useless crap I brought home...
Vinylmation Kermit, Vinylmations are these blind boxed Vinyl toys sold at Disney Theme Parks. They normally sell in the parks for $9.95 but since you cant pick the one you get a lot of people have been buying them opened up online. They've sold out within a few days everytime a new shipment arrives in the park. So far only the "PARK" Series 1 has been released. They feature 11 uniquely designed 3-inch tall Mickey's and one chase figure that no one knows about until someone finds it and puts it up online. Ive been trying to score one of these for a long time but they are so hard to get a hold of. Luckily I found a dude selling them opened so I got the Kermit (perfect to sit between my Kermit toys and my Mickey toys haha) and Alicia got the Yeti from Matterhorn. "URBAN" Series 1 of these toys comes out late March followed by "PARK" Series 2 in May. I'll surely be blogging about these more in the future.
Huckleberry Toys McDonaldland Grimace, I'll be honest... I just want to cuddle with this toy. He's adorable. It's part of this line of McDonaldland toys that include Ronald, Hamburglar, Captain Crook, and Mayor McCheese. Ive seen them before, but couldnt commit until now. He's cuddly!
Mighty Muggs Teebo, If you read this blog, then you know I am obsessed with Mighty Muggs... but I don't really have space in my house for them, so Ive been waiting for a Wicket the Ewok to be released. Obviously Teebo is not Wicket, but I could not resist. Teebo was a Target Exclusive, and the word on the street is that hes pretty tough to find. I couldnt find him so I made especially sure to look for him at the con. The same guy who had my Kermit Vinylmation actually had a few of these and I had to take him. Wicket is scheduled to come out in April, so anyone wondering what gift to get me for my birthday in April should think about this.
The best toy I got came from the guys who do "Mr Toast", its a stuffed animal "Shaky Bacon". Its basically just a toy bacon. Hes adorable, Ive named him Kevin. There isnt really a lot more to it than that. Hes awesome and cute, and I love my bacon. I love my Kevin Bacon.
So basically that is what I found really exciting about this particular convention. Enough that I could squeeze into a decent blog. Like I said, I doubt Ill be going to this convention again, but I did get to see some pretty cool work in process and snag some toys. So it's all good.
Ok Im off to bed to cuddle with Kevin Bacon. Night!
MiniMovieReview: "Henry Poole is Here". Generally I tell people I don't like drama films, but after watching this movie I realize that it's overly-dramatic movies I dislike. Shit like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Henry Poole is a moving, interesting, strange, yet relate able story. Luke Wilson doesn't always take on the most interesting roles, but with a good story his dramatic strength shows. I liked this movie, it brought me back to a genre I'd given up on. I mean, this isn't gonna snag any awards, but it is splendid in it's simplicity.
MMR2: "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie"... Can you handle a little anime? Are you down with a good story, cartoon action, and strangely sexy animation? Then you'll probably like Bebop. It got me extra pumped for the upcoming live action St. Keanu picture.
Bored? Love little shit laying around all over your room? Then consider paper models. Yes, the pastime that is sweeping Japan can be done in your spare time here in the states. I made this incredibly cheesy/ strangely exhilirating model Delorean with a pair of scissors, some scotch tape, and only 4 hours of my precious time. (BTW, I totally F'd up the car's butt). Anyways, if you've got no life, check it out I guess thats all the weird stuff I had to share tonight. sleepy time, I gots a big test tomorrow. Then LOST episode 4 at 9pm... YAY!
OK I know I just wrote a blog encouraging people to be consumers, but seriously... who is buying this shit right here???
Hang some history on your walls in the form of a rug.
"Change Begins With Your Socks" ??
Get dirty sexy clean with Obama Soap
Yes We Can. But White People Still Can't Jump. Sorry.
I would only use this to take pictures of people who look like Obama
Ok. Is the little one Bush? That'd be really cute.
Put the Puzzle together while the O man puts the economy back together.
Ba-ROCK
Reenact the Inauguration with Obama Finger Puppet. Boring poem lady coming soon.
You can have a pimp cup just like the leader of the free world!
Enjoy this historic moment with a beautiful plate you can't eat off of.
My New nametag for work
Add instant class to that room no one is allowed to sit in.
Obama paper dolls. A) Finally, I can undress Obama B) Where can I get a "HOPE" Pimp chain?
Just what every dude wants staring at his junk
The Official Mi Obama phone. Not Available in the US. ...?
Is there even a joke? Who has this in their house? Tell me now so I can sell them my useless crap.
Let the Obama Nightlight guide your little ones to the shitter in the late hours.
The Obama doll. Will Smith doll packaging sold separately.
The only person who should own this is Obama.
Flavor Flav wore this around his neck this morning.
"Bearack Obama" - $199.99 God Damnit.
Obama Chocolate Lollipop. I'm gonna eat this fool. for real.
Give this crappy photoshopper your real money and you'll get some *awesome* fake Obama money. Good call.
This is basically the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Not only can you open your Obama blinds every morning to in let the beautiful American sun, but the kiddies can have a set of Obama family blinds in their room!! I've already placed like 5 orders for these, they are going all over my house!!!
and here's a better look at the Chase Red Mickey balloon.
