Cutty

Nice pic of the fellowship! I easily like Gandalf and Gimli the most! But I have a major preference for copious facial hair, go figure. Those new beards! I welcome them with arms wide open! Only Gimli's helmet appears just a tiny bit overdecorated but that's most likely personal preference on my part. The Hobbits are all represented nicely, although Samwise's hair piece doesn't really do the reference material justice, too long and too uniform with the mischief-cousins. Aragorn and Boromir are solidly portrayed, so no complaints here. And Legolas thankfully conveys that "elven"-feeling, yet strays enough from his Mr.Bloom-movie-version to cut it with me, but only by a small margin. He is then also the one character I'd want multiples of, so I could dust off my old paints and brushes, give the hairpieces yellow ears and swap them with some of my CMF-elves. Also a perfect addition to that green princess from the Kingdoms joust set: Instant woman-elf. Everything else concerning this line is pretty irrelevant to me, unless we got really HUGE numbers of desirable new parts (a Narsil/Anduril-piece would be such a part; undecided on the new horses). My 2 €-cents... Be well all! Cutty

This is so perfect! Couldn't be any better than this! Thank you and be well! Cutty

I had my eyes on this for parts and the 'figs, because those come with excellent accessories and fabric-parts. This nice review might give me the shove I need to pick this up, knowing that I still didn't get the 2-3 copies of the mandalo-whateveritwas-packs for their armour. Shame this is a licensed set. An equally sized in-house theme set coming with the piece selection of this here would be a dream come true, yet sadly... T___T. Anyway, I appreciate the review, so thanks! :-) Be well! Cutty

I'm so excited for this! My birthday can't come soon enough next year (coincidentally, the movie will hit theaters that exact day in Germany :-) ) The big thing is: This movie, while setting the stage for all three subsequent "Alien" movies (cross-overs, spin offs and abysmal "Resurrection" don't count for me ^^), it will presumably focus on humans discovering the "space jockey" race and their interaction will explain the crash landed "egg-ship" on LV-426. There even existed a detailed, yet naturally unconfirmed, synopsis somewhere around the web, that, if true, would truly make this some epic stuff to remember. As for all the "NO ALIENS! BOO!"-shouters: Perhaps one should perceive this as a standalone work of sci-fi that will have a retroactive explanation, a by-product so to say, for the existence of the "Xenomorph" lifeforms. Mr. Scott explicitly made clear this is, if at all, only a prequel in spirit not in matter, although the footage already shown belies such sentiments almost to a perverse extent. Frankly, I'm a "fan" of very few things, but I'm very deep into all the (movie-based!) Alien-stuff and know my ways, but the concept of that alien killer-organism raping over groups of humanoids bad is worn out. That's why the AvP-flicks were a far fetched crap fest that would have liked to be a Mummy-meets-Saw-lovechild and failed in all instances and consequences of that. That's why Resurrection didn't work properly over ten years ago. Overexposure on the creatures' part, lack of significant new concepts to apply to them on the producers' is what broke the series beyond repair. Now the guy, who took a trashbound script and gave us awesome-on-film goes and does something wonderful, i.e. something NEW, and the die-hards complain. This is not GL wrecking his reputation as a filmmaker with 3 overlength toy-ads or M. Bay showing explosions, tits and one or the other robot. This is R. Scott adding to what is otherwise a dying franchise. Dying you say? Yes, something that lives off camp spin-offs, random niche paraphernalia and fandom ALONE is in fact dying. I await Prometheus with a vigour. And even if it sucks and has no facehuggers, chestbursters or any other Giger-Xeno in it, it will be something noone else had the balls to try. That alone is all the more reason to anticipate this. My 2 cents. Cutty

TLC won't simply rerelease its own collectable minifigures in a regular theme. And if they'd do that I'll eat a broomstick whole! Given the design goodness of the past month and all those wonderful figures, I'd believe if I were you, that there's some awesomeness with the line's figures ahead of us. Wait and see! That skeleton horse will be very welcome to my skeleton faction as I missed out on stockpiling the early sets. Now they're expensive on the aftermarket beyond anything rational or reasonable. What is going on with those colourfully highlighted shining triangular-pieces that are scattered all over the theme, very prominently exposed in forming a stained glass window in that vampire castle set? Same "collect all McGuffins"-strategy they used with those Atlantis-keys? Might be a useful element though, at least for deco. Be well all! Cutty

Though those sets will be majorly overpriced, as all licensed ones are and ever have been, by those preliminaries alone one can tell those will fill a gap left by a fading castle/medieval in-house theme. Nice parts and the new LOTR-exclusive armour-items may be generic enough to fit into other contexts. I for my part will look into the uruk army set the most. Seems promising. I take it those new horses are not fancy cgi-stuff but actual factual new horses? A novelty but a welcome one. Those will be useful for vignette style MOCing. Be well all! Cutty

Wow! I'm seriously grown out of SW for good, but that sexy new sand skiff and Jabba's palace are exciting! That skiff with Boba Fett and that Lando-helmet will be picked up in multiples! I just love that helmet for every NON-SW purpose. Be well! Cutty

Ok, ok, ok, late to the party again Now all these pics are preliminary and sport some of the CMFs as stand ins. Apart from that, I'm thrilled for this! I love all those classic horror-monsters and there's damn good potential in this. That swamp-monster is just sooo adorable with his flippers and huge "can I haz cookiez?"-eyes. ;-) Now here's hope to gain some cool new pieces in darker colours for a reasonable (read: un-licensed) price. Can't wait for better pictures. Be well all! Cutty edit: forgot to mention I reward an imaginary +1 to ANYONE who thought of "Time Twisters" and/or "Fright Knights" upon first seeing those pics ^^ The similarities are striking and leave me with a bad feeling in my tummy, despite the anticipation.

Congratulations to all well deserved winners and Skrytsson especially for scoring both 1st prizes! Indeed, this was a very fun to watch competition that showed the internet some of the best MOCs in a long time and will be remembered for some time onwards. Be well all! Cutty

This will be good for fans, I guess? I'm not very excited and hoped this was based on unfounded rumours. So this Hobbit/LotR theme exists. Hopefully those sets will be good parts fodder. Anyway, I want to see pictures before there will be any sane judgement. Be well! Cutty

Easily one of your best pocket monsters yet. Shaping, proportion, execution, posing: all opposable thumbs up. Kudos! That flame-piece for its tail flame is the ultimate choice. Any other combination just wouldn't cut it! Double kudos! Thanks for showing and be well! Cutty

Use it for? A plethora of random undead or near-undead characters or creatures showing parts of their ribcages for instance. A purple cloth belt would be more than befitting for such creatures as well and wouldn't look out of place in the slightest. The collar print is in that way a minor hindrance and easily overcome or incorporated into according designs by choosing a headdress, neckwear or even molded head-parts to conceal it. Do so and you have "t-shirt no more". Not so easily achieved in terms of overlay graphics that provide nothing but limitation. As for taking Garmadon's torso over Lloyd's for non t-shirt uses: My point concerning similar yet different designs, hence variation, I will repeat here. Why stick with one design for a custom faction when you could easily spruce things up by using two variations on a familiar design? This question is of course perfectly rhethoric in nature. I accept variation and possibility for "chaos" over a one-choice-is-no-choice road anyday. Nailing this specific torso to being a "t-shirt" and arguing in favour of such a sentiment is a limitation in perception and perspective that, without any intended offense, is genuinely your own. Arguing from a set in stone standpoint in favour of that standpoint while ignoring all perfectly available limitless alternatives is entirely that. I will not allow myself such limitation and in contrast perceive that torso-print from a more vantage point of view and will try different approaches to interprete its potential in a multitude of contexts, while pointing out its specific impediments in doing that and ways to overcome said impediments. I have done exactly that in my previous post. By that rationale my above "undead"-example would insofar only represent a small fraction of all uses possible as would your t-shirt approach. I will leave it at that, because it will, as it mostly does on internet fora, boil down to personal tastes. And I've grown too disaffected towards discussing those over time, as empiricism dictates excrement will start hitting the fan BIG TIME once you start arguing over personal tastes. Please concede to me I have tried to be as concise and precise as humanly possible at such a late hour in any of the above and mean NO OFFENSE to NO ONE. Be well all! Cutty

I can see where you're coming from, yet that torso, even as similar as it is to Garmadon's, loses a lot of it's usefulness on a global scale. That tiny little "5" will tie it to the Ninjago-theme always. And you said it yourself: "close to identical" which means "not identical" and "it's a variation of the predecessor" as an implication. And when it comes to torso-prints variation is key. Vanilla Lloyd's torso is thus intrinsically flawed, and if only by such a little "5". Be well! Cutty

Thanks for the outstanding review there! Good job! Although I'd be more interested in all things Batman, all the other DC characters I merely regard as "runner-ups". Superman and Wonder Woman especially since I can't stand both for the life of me. This fine little set however gives us both, a good selection of other very useful parts and a Lex Luthor fig that could easily double for almost any other purpose. Frankly, there's that idea for a global DC-Lego-relaunch/rewrite-story in it's embryonic state somewhere in my head that would need all of the figs here, so I'll probably get this and finally heave up my lazy butt to finally try my hands at some photo comic. Thanks again and be well all! Cutty

Good to see those boosters unpackaged. Nice selection of pieces, weapon elements and figures. Although my favourite of the ninja-bunch, Cole, is among them only as a kendo sparring version. Shame! His new regular appearance would be perfect for my tastes (*sigh* So I'll have to pick up either the costly big sets on clearance or duplicates of the new spinner starter set...). I anticipated Lloyd's torso very much and I agree it's a shame he's got that faint "5" on it. Perhaps some careful "brasso"-eing could help here? The new shorter cape and his face make up for that in some way. And some see-weed elements and the new golden snake give me the extra incentive to check him out. Jay looks solid and as it's a cheap source of getting him and he sports the new "sai" piece, a golden chainsaw blade and several other nifty cuttingy (scnr) instruments, he'll be a no-brainer for sure. Thanks for letting us in on the booster goodness! Be well! Cutty

Nice little set! And thanks for the mini-review! I agree to everyone who said swapping hair pieces with regular minifigs makes this theme. It does! However, I'm intrigued to know, whether a 1x1 round plate between head and hair piece would remedy the "mullety" look on a regular fig, although I'd suspect for that combination to look a bit weird. Anyway, can't say no to all those nice parts coming in the "Friends" theme. I wish the best of luck to TLC that this theme hits with the target audience ^^ Be well all! Cutty

First of all: Good luck to all contestants! Second of all: This category is much harder to place reasonable votes in, as there are so many outstanding contributions! Well played, you lot! Anyway, here's my vote for this category: 11) Croc's sewer (by Skrytsson) 1 point 8) Nightwing Hoverbike (by -zenn) 1 point 5) Cat Burglar (by Darkblane) 1 point Be well all! Cutty

First of all: Good luck to all contestants! And here's my vote for this category: 11) The Dark Knight! (by Skrytsson) 2 points 6) Batman Returns (1992 Burton) (by lego-maniac) 1 point Be well all! Cutty

Hello fellow Eurobrickians! I found no topic in culture & multimedia dealing with Disney's upcoming movie "John Carter" Anyone ever heard of him? Perhaps if I added, that the original books' titles had the fancy "of Mars" attached to the name? Written by Tarzan-creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, the movie will presumably be based on motives and characters from at least the first two John Carter novels "A Princess Of Mars" and "The Gods Of Mars". Yesterday, the second trailer was released internationally and believe it I'M PUMPED to see this in march next year! But please, Please note: Burrough's novels are a main inspiration for later science fiction epics, such as Star Wars. Coincidentally, the movie will be released almost precisely a full 100 years (!) after the novel "A Princess Of Mars" was first published! On an entirely different topic: This would be the PERFECT action theme for Lego to do, especially as they have a Disney license! Why not, TLC, WHY NOT?? Be well! Cutty

+2 !! That was my first thought coming up after seeing this! Imagine a big CS-HQ and a spacey megafountain with that impressive sculpture as crowning glory on top of it! Good stuff! Parts selection, proportions and execution are top stuff! Keep them coming! Be well! Cutty

Wow, this is one damn good achievement in scenic composition! The use of forced perspective, the customisation of the figures, the Joker's face and clothes being exceptionally well portrayed, and selection of scenes from the movie, all top-tier stuff! I was pondering to give this contest a try with some last minute MOC, but after seeing this I'll abandon all hope of ever getting so far. There's one strong contender in the ring, folks! I bow my head in lowliness! Be well! Cutty edit: Also, I just love your interpretation of the Batpod!

My thoughts exactly. Although I won't participate in this "Guild"-thing that's going on here these days, I do confess that of of all the watchtowers coming up due to the challenges this precise one I find to be one of the strongest entries yet. It perfectly conveys the feeling of a desolate ruin shaped into a dwelling place for the more foul and grim inhabitants of a fantasy world. And werewolves + beach is an instant "I like that!" in my books. Good stuff and keep 'em coming! Be well! Cutty

I have a policy of never, NEVER, asking anyone for instructions, but I feel a tingle down my spine that urges me to do so! Such a great looking MOC! And the Batpod transformation, while striking a necessary compromise between form, function and accuracy concerning the actual vehicles, is fantastic! Well played, man, well played!! Be well all! Cutty

I own only two Heroica games, namely Fortaan and Waldurk, and like them for their easy to follow rules and the imaginative set up of each game, which means that you have some layouts to choose from even if you play "rules-as-written". My only dislike would be that if you don't have someone to play the monsters side, those monsters would stay still on the board waiting for a player to defeat them. Somewhat counter-climatical I might add. So, if you have more than two players I'd recommend for someone playing the monsters. Or for the hero-players to take turns in playing the monsters additionally. Gameplay-wise Heroica is a solid boardgame with HUGE potential for additional combat and level-up rules (you might take a look into Dungeons-and-Dragons or older stuff like HeroQuest) of your own design or borrowed/inspired by other games (see above!). I like the games and would strongly urge anyone even remotely interested to give the concept a try: Some might find it has not enough "depth" to it, yet I value it for its easy-to-grasp rules while being competitive and challenging at the same time. I will not hold back that, at least for my tastes, multiples of each game will come in handy should you choose to design your own expansions. I'd say go get either Draida with Waldurk or Nathuz, or Fortaan as a standalone set for starters. I own Fortaan and Waldurk and had a blast playing both combined. Be well! Cutty

I anticipate the new "batwings"-neckpiece like no other, but why of all possible colours does it have to be dark blue? It would be so much more useful in black! It even has some studs for attaching an obligatory demon's tail! I just hope it gets a release in black or pearl dark grey to make representing some sort of generic demonic character so much easier... Be well! Cutty