2 Heads. 1 Shark.

Movie Review:  2 Headed Shark Attack.
Okay, I lied.  This isn't a movie review.   I wish that I could do a review, but I have been banned from renting the movie.  Even when there is nothing else on TV or PPV, I have been told that I could not spend the $6 of such a preordained classic. 

Yes, yes.  I have tried to explain the significance of "2 HEADS 1 SHARK"; however, Jamie does not seem to grasp the sheer brilliant concept behind the movie. 

I already know what I am renting, as it is akin to the now classic, "Sharktopus".   

For those of you who have not seen the trailer and/or realize the classic concept behind the movie, I would recommend you take a moment to watch and enjoy.   If you happen to rent the movie, please do not rub it in.  

DC Direct: Cyborg

And.....back to another statue. 

I went a little video happy there for a section.

I was peaking at the new stautes announced by DC Direct.  This one caught my eye. 

Distributor DC Direct
Artist Jean St. Jean
Size 6.25"H x 7.4"W x 4.5"D
Release Date 07/11/2012
Price $69.95

Zimm's Two Cents
YEAH!  I finally have a DC bust that I really, really want.  It's not Batman, Superman, Robin, or Wonder Woman.  It is not the Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow or Aquaman.  It is .... okay, you get the point.

It's Cyborg!

Points in Favor

• Loving the colors.  Great paint job.
• I actually like his face.  It has a "youthful" appearance to it.
• Just the right amount of detail.

Points Against

• We really have to work on his emblem.  Not a fan.

Recommendation:  Hot Buy!!!!  I'm grabbing this one.  I might even order it off of the new DC Direct website.  (Kudos to the new site.)

Sideshow Collectibles: Wolverine

What?  Another statue?  Have I fallen back to my old habits of why I first started this blog?  No, no.  It's just another really cool Sideshow Collectible!
Produced By Sideshow Collectibles

Artist The Sideshow Collectibles Design and Developoment Team

Dimensions 31"H X 33"W x 20"L

Type Legandary Scale
Edition Size Limited Edition

Ship Date January 2013

Estimated Price $1999.99

Zimm's Two Cent

If it weren't sheer beauty of this piece, the price of it would have kept me from mentioning anything about it.  Over 2.5 Feet tall, Sideshow did not pull their punches.

Points in Favor

• Look at the details.  If you jump over to their gallery, you can see the scratch marks on the mask and sholder pads.
• Paint job is beautiful.
• Fabric costume is going to add some realism to the piece.
• Love the gloves.

Points Against

• Something about the face.  As hairy as Wolverine is, I think there should have been some scruff.
• The price.

Recommendation.  Neutral.  If I could afford it, I would most definitely get it, but as I can't, I shan't.  In other words, if you can cut back on your other collectibles for a year, go for this one.

Blackest Night: Larfleeze the Orange Lantern

This one has already been released, but after seeing it, I definitely wanted to talk about it for a second.  Part of the Heroes of the DC Universe: Blackest Night series.

Produced By DC Direct
Artist Ivan Reis
Sulptor Jean St. Jean
Dimensions 5.75"h x 3.5"w x 3.5"d
Type Mini-Bust
Edition Size Limited Edition
Ship Date Already has.
Estimated Price $69.99  (You can find it for sale if you look around.)

Zimm's Two CentsI was really hoping for the best on this entire series, but after really looking at the Hal Jordan and Sinestro, I kindof gave up hope.  I realized that I would not be lining several shelves with a collection of interglactic ring barriers.

Lucky for me, Larfleeze carries the whole lantern with him instead of a ring.

Points in Favor

• Great colors.  The orange looks to be the perfect shine.  It contrasts nicely with the white, black and Larfleeze's skin tone.
• Great piece of sculting.  I actually like this rendition of Larfleeze.
• He's holding the Lantern like he means it!
• Always thought the base for this series was a good idea.

Points Against

• Is anyone really going to know who the hell Larfleeze is when they are glancing over your collection?

Recommendation.  Buy.  Even though I am not going to buy the entire series, this one is a statue that I would definitely put in a visitor viewable spot

Sideshowtoy: Dark X-Men

This is a BEAUTIFUL piece! I haven't really been that inspired by any of the pieces lately, but this one grabbed me immediately. I had to tell you about it.

Produced By Sideshow Collectibles
Artists

• Martin Canale (Sculpt)
• Mireya Romo Bowen (Paint)
• Kristafer Anka (Design)
• Ariel Olivetti (Art Print)
• The Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team

Dimensions 16"H x 13"W x 13"L
Type Polystone Diorama
Edition Size: Limited Edition
Ship Date August 2012
Estimated Price $349.00
Zimm's two cents:
Wow! Simply, Wow! I think that you know where I am headed with this review, but I wanted to get the basics out of the way first.

Points in Favor

• The faces are fantastic! Martin, I need to find more of your work.
• Mireya, your painting is extrodinaire. Are you related to Randy?
• Multiple (I repeat), MULTIPLE interchangable pieces. Yes, I got several with others, but these pieces really change it up. Go check out the gallery of pics!
• Namor's look.
• The base is outstanding! 
• I could keep going on and on about this one, but go check it out yourself!  Click on the gallery! 

Points Against
Pricey for these day and times, but hey, I'm actually considering the payment plan for the first time.
Recommendation: Red Hot! Finally, a piece that is going to pull me all the way back into collecting and blogging.  Now, I just have to find room for it in my room. 

Bowen Designs Yellowjacket

Distributor: Bowen Designs
Sculptor Jason Smith (Digital Sculpture)
Size Over 12 inches
Type Statue
Release December 2010
Run Size TBD
Price $185.00

Robert's Two Cents
I’m a huge Hank Pym fan. I hate the way he has been vilified and reviled over the years. Jan has forgiven him why can’t Bendis? I was even willing to accept that he had developed a multiple personality and the Yellowjacket persona was responsible for him striking The Wasp. My favorite of his guises was Dr. Pym, Adventurer. I really liked Rover his AI flying vehicle. He kept a gillion inventions and gizmos in his pockets and somehow, amazingly, he never lost any of them.

Points in Favor

• The colors are really good. Bowen has been doing a much better job of attaining the texture feel without making the colors splotchy for a while now.
• Classic pose.
• I like the goggles.

Points Against

• The base is bland.
• I’d have like a smaller Yellowjacket on there too that was flying or a companion mini Wasp flying around him.

Recommendation: HOT BUY! Yellowjacket is one of the most controversial characters from Marvel Comics ever. It’s especially interesting that the whole thing about him abusing his wife, The Wasp, seems to have been the result of a misunderstanding between the writer (Jim Shooter) and the artist (Bob Hall). This is one of the few male yellow costumes that makes sense and looks good. Wolverine, not so much.

Bowen Designs X-Factor Jean Grey

Distributor Bowen Designs
Sculptor Mark Newman and Randy Bowen (hair and costume)
Size Over 12 1/2 inches
Type Statue
Release February 2011
Run Size TBD
Price $225.00

Robert's Two Cents

This is from one of my favorite periods of X-Men history. X-Factor was a great title for a while. This costume was best drawn by Walt Simonson.

Points in Favor

• The colors are great. I'm a little iffy on the yellow, but I'm holding out hope it turns out better on the actual pieces.
  
• The hair. It's great!
  
• It's Mark Newman and Randy Bowen! That's a match made in heaven.
  

Points Against

• The base is blah! I've bought worse though.
• The energy signature should probably have more color.
• I'd like the face to be just a little softer, but it's not keeping me from purchasing this one.
  
  

Recommendation: HOT BUY! I love it! She looks great. I'm looking forward to the eventual obvious Cyclops piece to go with it. And if I didn't already have a Beast, I'd really be looking forward to the Beast.

Bowen Faux Bronze Modern Captain Marvel Statue

Bowen Faux Bronze Modern Captain Marvel Statue

Distributor Bowen Designs website exclusive
Sculptor Kucharek Brothers
Size I haven't found the size of the statue yet, but I'm willing to bet it's around 15"
Type Faux Bronze Statue
Release Early 2011, Order Cutoff October 2010
Run Size TBD, Will be made to order
Price $250.00

Robert's Two Cents
This is the first post that I started in a while.

This version of Captain Marvel has one of the best costumes in Marvel Comics history. He also has one of the most tragic deaths of any comic character. Not to mention he probably has the best head of hair of any character in comics.

The faux bronze pieces have all been very nice. Zimm has several of them on display in his office and they make for an impressive sight. This one would fit in nicely with the rest of his collection or any other Bowen collection.

Points in Favor

• The colors are just right for Captain Marvel and for a faux bronze.
  
• The hair. Cap had the best 70s hairdo of any super hero.
• The pose is iconic while not being overstated (like many Superman pieces)
  

Points Against

• The base is blah! While I don't get as hung up on the bases as Zimm, I do expect more of this one. It looks like someone took a blank base and added pyrite on top of it.
  

Recommendation: HOT BUY! I like Captain Marvel. He's a great looking character and the fuax bronzes for the most part have been really nice. Personally I prefer the museum pieces in the faux bronze treatment over some of the more "actively" posed pieces. So this one is perfect in my opinion.

Shazam! Maquette Statue

From the "Superman/Shazam: Return of Black Adam" DVD, DC Direct offers up Shazam!

Distributor DC Direct
Sculptor Derek Miller
Size 9"H
Type Maquette Statue
Release November 2010
Price $99.99

Zimm's Two Cents
What is it about these Maquette pieces that I like so much? Robert probably knows better then I do.

Points in Favor

• Colors. Great colors.
• Cape is awesome. I like how it flows.

Points Against

• It's Shazam. I'm not a big fan. You have to understand.
• Seems incredibly simple - even for a Maquette.
• Hair looks to be painted on.

Recommendation: Pass. Not because I am not a fan. I have bought a plenty of statues and busts of characters that I don't like, but I have to like the work.

Robert's Two Cents
I really like the balance between simplicity and detail of most of the DC maquettes. This one missed that mark.

Points in Favor

• The colors are nicely done.
  

Points Against

• The cape should have the detail at the edges and is not posed for a semi iconic piece. His cape should be too short to wrap around him like that.
  
• The hairline looks more like Black Adam than Captain Marvel.
• The seam on his chest is too thick. Am I picking nits? Probably.
• I'm not even sure they got his boots right.
• He should have more of a Fred MacMurray look to his face.
  

Recommendation: Pass. I like Captain Marvel. I'm not his number one fan, but I enjoy the character. His cartoon was on the air when I was a kid. He's an interesting character. One of the things that make the Big Red Cheese interesting is he's a kid, but he has all of this responsibility and power on his shoulders. Can you imagine? I can't.

This piece doesn't look like Captain Marvel to me. It's more of a Superman pose with the Captain Marvel costume. This character has a very iconic look and this piece doesn't fit that look to my eye.

Ame-Comi - Series 2: Wonder Woman

Okay, I've been busy.  I guess we all have been a tad bit busy.  School starting and all.  I will try to make some of it up, but you know how it goes.  

Distributor DC Direct
Sculptor Sam Greenwell
Size 5"h
Type PVC Mini Figure
Release April 2011
Price $49.99
Sale $39.99 

Zimm's Two Cents
I bought my sister-in-law the Wonder Woman from the first series, and the piece was AWESOME..  (You have to say 'awesome' in an awesome way.)  Only hard part was trying to figure out how to put the sword on.

Points in Favor

• Great addition to the series
• Always great colors with Ame-Comi.  (Ame-Comi don't make me eat my words.)
• Still has the great swordMini-Figures = Smaller but Affordable.
• I think Sam Greenwell has done some great pieces.  I think there is some research required.

Points Against

• In relation to other Ame-Comi pieces, this one doesn't have much wrong with it.

Recommendation:  Buy it - and put it next to your other Wonder Woman.

Bishoujo Emma Frost

I was looking for something different - other then a statue, and I kept coming back to this one.

Distributor Kotobukiya
Artist ???
Type Bishoujo Statue
Size 8" Tall
Release December 2010
Regular $59.99
Sale $49.99

Zimm's Two Cents
I think the Batgirl was the first Bishoujo that I really liked, but I'm getting a kick out of this one. Also, she is not as 'trampy' as some of the other Emma Frost's statues out there.

Points In Favor

• Price. With the economy the way it is, people may be able to handle the $50 a little easier; thus, it makes this one a good gift.
• Good colors - especially with the shades of blue and gray to contrast the white.
• Don't mind the face or hair.
• It's a good pose. I'm tired of all the same poses and facial expressions.

Points Against

• That's a base?
• Not really a statue for the younger X-Men fans.

Recommendation: For the price point, it's a buy. If you do buy it for the younger fan, just wait a while to give it to them.

Robert's Two Cents
At first my hangup was the "floozy factor", but actually after reflecting a bit, it's not that bad and there pieces where Emma Frost looks more like a hooker than she does here.

I think I actually like this one. They've done a good job integrating her two classic looks. There's the Hellfire Club Emma frost wearing a bustier, panties, boots, and a cape. And there's the X-Men Emma Frost where she basically almost looks like a street walker with the white too low cut pants and corresponding top with white lip stick.

Points In Favor

• The lip stick color. I hate the white lip stick that Emma Frost wears these days. Nothing says hooker like white lip stick.
• Her face. They made her look appropriately japanimation enough, but with her curled brow they kept her dark side. There is just enough balance of detail and cartoony to make the face work.
  
• While lacking the finer detail of a Bowen statue, the hair is nicely posed and conveys the movement this piece calls for.
  
• The pose is a classic Emma Frost pose without being an over used tired pose. I'm not sure what she's doing with her left hand, but then she does the same thing in the comics.
• The clothes, while trampy, are a good blend of her two looks. The boots and the bustier are definite throwbacks to what she wore when as the White Queen of the Hellfire Club and the pants and jacket are from her current look. The gloves, jacket/cape, and boots help make the transition between the two eras of her career.
  

Points Against

• I don't think I could carry it to the office, nor should it be in a room where my kids will be. But that's Emma Frost for you.
  

Recommendation: It's a Buy. I like it. I

Bronze Superman

Distributor DC Direct
Sculptor Unknown
Size 10"
Type Bronze Statue
Release August 2010
Price $400.00 Sale $339.00

Zimm's Two Cents
I've been looking for a Superman piece, and I have been looking for a 'solid bronze' piece.  This 'kills two birds with one stone.'

Points in Favor

• Solid Bronze is guaranteed to go up in value. 
• I like the rendition of superman.  Clap flapping and on the verge of taking to the sky.
• Little details always make the statues - and the wrinkles in his clothing are part of it.
• No painting was done, as all of the coloring and shades are left to the bronze.

Points Against

• Pricey - but it is solid bronze.  So well worth it in the long run.
• DC Direct does love simple bases.

Recommendation:  Hot Buy. It is both a good rendition of Superman and a piece that will go up in value.  Can't really miss on this one.

Apocalypse Supergirl Maquette

Based upon the Superman / Batman: Apocalypse DVD, this looks to be another great piece from DC Direct.

Distributor DC Direct
Sculptor Phil Ramirez
Type Statue
Size 11.25"
Release September 2010
Price $99.99

Zimm's Two Cents
Surprisingly, DC Direct has done several really good Supergirl statues, and this looks to be another one. However, this is the second strong statue from DC Direct.

Points in Favor.

• Like the colors - but they didn't do anything beyond the DVD.
• Unique pose. Its always nice to see something different.
• Based on the DVD, I like the face and hair of this character.
• Really clean sculpt.

Points Against

• Bland Base

Recommendation: Buy. I like this take of Supergirl, and I hope that they do a few more from this DVD. Or have they done some and I have missed them.

Hmmmm - time for some research.

Robert's Two Cents
Really sharp. It's clearly from the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse which is an adaptation of the comic, Superman/Batman: Supergirl with art by Michael Turner.

Points in Favor.

• It's simple...in a good way. Not over done. Very nice.
  
• Great pose. It's a tribute to the cover of her first appearance Action Comics #252
  

Points Against

• I don't have anything. The base is plain, but that's intentional. All of the maquettes based on the DC DVDs has the same plain base.
  

Recommendation: HOT BUY! This is probably the best Supergirl in years. I have the Kotobukiya Supergirl with the same costume and the difference is that one is a bit on the sleazy side, but this one is more tasteful. It was a great redesign when Michael Turner did it and I think it works even better here.

Dc Bishoujo: Batgirl

Are you tired of the statue reviews? I thought that I was, and then I stumbled upon this Bishoujo Batgirl Kotobukiya Japanese import. I had to comment.

Distributor DC Direct
Artist Shunya Yamashita
Sculpted by Atelier Bamboo
Type Statue
Size 9"H
Release Dec 2010
Price $59.99 (or for sale $43.99)

Zimm's Two Cents
This is a cool piece - a very nice piece. Look at it.

Points in Favor

• The colors are fantastic. Not simply great - but fantastic.
• Her ears are fun. Something you would almost expect from a teenage girl copying Batman.
• Excellent toolbelt, with some great gold coloring.
• What a pose! Look how the cloak highlights the pose! NICE.
• Great face. Her eyes are even glancing right at you.
• Detailed hands and gloves.
• And I haven't even mentioned the gargoyle, the lack of a 'true base', and her hair.

Points Against

• Can she really fight with that wedgy? (Click here to see what I mean.)

Recommendation: HOT BUY! For the price and simple detail, this is a definitive Batgirl for any collection. Even mine. LOL

Robert's Two Cents
Is that Batgirl or Buttgirl? Sorry! Couldn't help myself.

Points in Favor

• Nice "base"!
  
• The did a great job with the mask. I love the mask. It's almost helmet like. I almost believe it might protect her from a hit.
  
• I love the paint job. the costume almost has a clothlike texture.
  
• The hair is very believable.
  
• Overall it very much looks like the Barbara Gordon Batgirl.
• I love the belt.
• Batgirl from the TV show was one of my first TV crushes.
  

Points Against

• I'm with Zimm. Does Batgirl patrol commando style? It would seem so. This isn't necessarily a point against, but it's distracting.
  

Recommendation: HOT BUY! Me like!

Bowen Designs: Tigra

Distributor Bowen Designs
Sculptor Mike Cusanelli
Size 13"H
Type Statue
Release November 2010
Price $175

Zimm's Two Cents

I thought the fur kept her warm. Okay, never mind.

This is a pretty piece.

Points in Favor.

• Incredible colors and paint job.
• Little pieces of detail that stand out. (e.g. claws, belt, pendant.)
• For a museum based statue, the base is nice.
• Long Hair on statues tends to be a difficult thing, but this one doesn't look that bad.

Points Against

• Could she really go into battle with a wedgie?

Recommendation: Buy. This one would stand out. Colors, pose, and something different.

Robert's Two Cents

Sorry, I'm late to the game on this one. I was a huge West Coast Avengers fan back in the day. Tigra was one of my favorite characters. Then again I even liked Wonder Man back then. There's no accounting for taste.

Points in Favor.

• Awesome paint job.
  
• The stripes, color and paint are fantabulous.
  
• It looks like Greer. I'm amazed at how good the face and hair turned out.
  
• Her feet. They even have her walk perfected. She was prone to walk on the balls of her feet. It was a cat thing.
  

Points Against

• I don't really have anything. It's a great piece.
  

Recommendation: I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm giving it a HOT BUY! It's simple and yet the details are great. I'm a fan of the character. Tigra may be tied with the first Black Widow statue for best female sculpt from Bowen Designs.

Bowen Designs: Yellowjacket

A digital sculptor. "Digital." Still an artist - just a new medium.

Distributor Bowen Designs
Sculptor Jason Smith
Size 12"H
Type Statue - Museum
Release Dec 2010
Price $185.00

Zimm's Two Cents
Not a big Yellowjacket fan. Is anyone really a Yellowjacket fan?

Points in Favor

• Great colors. Even the 'shadows' are a little more subdued on this one.
• Clean lines - but is that due to the 'digital' piece?
• Muscles aren't really overdone.

Points Against

• How many ribs can a person show?
• Don't see much of a base.

Recommendation: Neutral. There is really that much to talk about on this one. It looks like a good piece, and Jason Smith looks to have done a really nice job. It just didn't launch off of the page and yell, "ORDER ME NOW!"


Robert's Two Cents
Um, I'm a Yellowjacket fan. More correctly, I'm a Hank Pym fan. He was originally a separate personality of Hank Pym's. then he beat his wife and it rolled downhill from there.

Generally I'm opposed to male characters wearing yellow as their primary color, especially their pants, but for YJ, I've made an exception.

Points in Favor

• I think Bowen's team may actually be understanding how the paint job should be used to provide texture and tone. The colors on this is dead on.
  
• I'm glad they didn't go the goggle route. The two lenses is definitely my preference.
  
• Good standard super hero pose. Normally, I'd be mocking this, but it seems appropriate for Yellowjacket.
  

Points Against

• The base is the standard bland base.
  
• There really should be a tiny Wasp on the base or flying around or something.
  

Recommendation: Neutral. Why a neutral? Like Zimm said, there's nothing screaming "Gotta have it!". It's a standard depiction of Yellowjacket. Plus it needs a Wasp piece to go with it. Without the Wasp, Yellowjacket was not that interesting.

Sideshow: Colossus

Just as a starter: "Drool, drool, drool."

Distributor SideShow Collectibles
Artists
Rudy Garcia
David Igo
Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
Size 19"H x 19"W x 11"L
Type Statue
Release 1st Quarter 2011
Price $289.99

Zimm's Two Cents

Wow! I have a small Colossus, and I have been considering getting another one because of it. And this piece would be a "Wow."

Maybe I am coming off of a Silver Surfer high, but this piece is looking really cool.

Points in Favor

• The coloring. I really like the coloring.
• Great pose. Have to give them something there, as it is a little different from what I have seen.
• Loving the costume. Not classic, but striking.

Points Against

• Not quite that sure about the face. Seems off.
• Size. Seriously, it would be another massive piece in my rather small office. However, I could really get into a couple more of these.

Recommendation: I am going with a "Buy." Sideshow is really kicking it up a notch. Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Colossus, and Thanos.....to name a few.  Update:  I'm going to have to agree with Robert.  The face is horrible, as is the one on Nightcrawler.   Definitive Pass! 

As a side note:  The pics from Comic-Con were spot on.  I wish they provided more of those types in the future.  Nice catch, Robert.

Robert's Two Cents

Very nice. I actually like that costume. I don't normally like that costume.
Update: I have seen a close up photo of the face on Statue Marvels and have to say I hate it.

Points in Favor

• Nice paint job. It has that splotchy effect that I bitch about too much, but it's used to great effect here.
  
• The metal textures are very nicely done even though it's not chrome.
  
• The pose is OK. Again it's not classic, but it works.
  

Points Against

• It's not the costume I'd prefer.
  
• The face looks too scrunched up.
  

Recommendation: I'll give it a BUY. It's not a classic Colossus and definitely not my favorite costume. Also, as Zimm said, the face is a bit off. Still it's a very nice Colossus piece.

Update: I am going to change my review from BUY to Pass. The face is awful. This isn't Colossus. It's Robo Colossus. See this close up pic from Statue Marvels for more info: http://www.statuemarvels.com/f226/san-diego-comic-con-2010-gallery-9389-5.html#post252447

Sideshow: Silver Surfer Update

My Sideshow Collectibles Silver Surfer showed up at the door - the other day. (I got it as a Birthday gift from Jamie, who ordered it from my good friend Tommy at Best Comics.)  

The phone pic (shown here) does not do this piece justice. The pictures at Sideshow do not do this piece justice. He is BEAUTIFUL. This piece is simply incredible. He is massive. (When I put in that he was 24", I didn't register the fact that he was that tall.) This Sideshow piece has me looking at other Sideshow Collectibles - which tend to run on the pricey side of collectibles. 

Hmmmmm....should I change my existing orders with Tommy to other Sideshow Statues? 

Anyway. Originally, I wasn't a 100% certain about this one (click here to find out more), but now that he is sitting in my office and I have taken a good look at him, this Silver Surfer is awesome! I have to change my recommendation. He's a Hot Buy!  

Sadly, I know not who I will leave it to in my inheritance.

Robert: Yeah! I think it would look good in my house. I know I dissed it before, but I may need to print a retraction.

Inception

After Titanic, I took a strong moral stance against Leonardo diCapiro. Surrounded by thousands of drowning freezing, screaming, struggling men, women and children, the old broad and the director and the audience remember only the supremacy of her love (even the beloved is disposable). The movie is a monument to the narcissism of romantic love. Titanic put me off of diCapiro.

Having seen the trailers of Revolutionary Road, I knew to avoid the story of a self-absorbed, wannabe artist who had to find his way to Paris to realize his full potential (Talk about advertising. Read some Stevens, Faulkner, McCarthy, and Cisneros, guy.)

Of course, Blood Diamond and The Departed drew me back--cautiously. I was surprised, but unconvinced. In my mind, DiCapiro was still a pretty boy tied to Hollywood romantic propaganda.

This weekend, the wife and kids drug me into Inception. We arrived early, giving me plenty of time to question my decision. The hot dog my wife bribed me with held me over to the start of the movie. Once it began, I stopped wondering.

Nolan has created a beautifully demanding masterpiece. A tight, complex narrative. Stunning imagery integral to the storyline. A tortured, broken protagonist uncertain of where to keep his past. And as much as I hate to admit it--spot on casting. DiCapiro was perfect.

Stand in line if you have to. This one is worth seeing.

Sideshow Collectibles: Morgul Lord

I promised you more TLOTR, so here is another one. Well, I promised, and Bayard liked this one. At least, he said that he did.

This one has been out for a bit, but it is still worthy of a review.


Distributed By Sideshow Collectibles
Artists
Kevin Ellis
Martin Canale and The Gore Group
Joe Allard
Heath Hammond
Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
Type Premium Format Figure
Size 29"H x 14"W x 17"L
Release 4th Quarter 2010
Price $289.99

Zimm's Two Cents

What is a "Premium Format Figure?" For almost $290, I think they should call it a statue. Definitely, a statue.

Points in Favor

• Black cloak is actually material. Looks GOOD.
• Paint job is incredible. Check out the dirty boots.
• Again with detail. Take a close look at everything from the gauntlets, to the sword, and mace.

Points Against

• Who is "Morgul Lord"? And what did he have to do with the endless walking of the trees? Seriously, those trees walked way to much.

Recommendation: For those TLOTR fans, this is a nice piece. Buy.

Bayard's Thoughts
All of the pieces in this series are evocative. They capture the world of the novels, as well as the character. I like the pose on this one; he is a predator, watching potential prey. If I could juggle the books to slip the $300 past the wife, he would be perched on the shelf, waiting for an opportunity or a Hobbit. BUY.

Robert's Two Cents

I agree that at that price point, it should definitely be a statue. Then again have you seen some of the Tonner Dolls?

Points in Favor

• I agree with Zimm about the attention to little details. This is a well made piece.
  
• He's very evil looking if a toy can be evil looking.
• It's a great companion piece to the previously mentioned Gandalf.
  

Points Against

• I know it's sacrilege, but I'm not a big LOTR fan. I love the Hobbit, but the sequel(s) never really did much for me. As a matter of fact I gave away two sets of the books before I could finish reading them. Plus where's Beorn?
  

Recommendation: I'm going to rate this purely for myself: Neutral. It's gorgeous, but it doesn't appeal to me.

Bayard's Response to Robert's Sacrilege
I agree--to an extent. I did enjoy LOTR (both the movies and novels). But it did not move me like The Hobbit.

I have a host of Tolkein's other works squirrled away around the house, waiting in the que to be read. None, though including LOTR, capture the gentle beauty and power of The Hobbit. If I could explain the difference, the reason The Hobbit lives and LOTR entertains, I would be a novelist.

(And just for the record--my attempts to get jiggy with the family funds have failed.)