So I did some digging over the weekend (I have loads of stuff I need to go through) and I came across some neat old watches I saved. The watches were worn on my wrist from the years 1989 to right around 1996. The range from a Batman watch that was released with the 1989 movie (still my all time favorite super hero flick) to Lost World and Congo watches (both Michael Crichton books incidentally).
Is it weird I still remember the day I got this? As far as I was concerned, I WAS Batman with this thing on.
These were offered by Taco Bell when the movie came out. I remember my brother and going after that orange one with the evil gorilla pretty intensely!
"We are watching you...."
These were offered by Burger King when "The Lost World" hit theaters.
This one with the eye hologram was the one to get from this collection!
This weeks assignment is another vague one "The Oscars". These are some of my favorite types! The ideas coming from other League blogs have been really great! I'm going to go with.....
"Best Original Scores"
To Kill a Mockingbird By. Elmer Bernstein (Nominated)
There's just something about this that seems to capture that magical feel of being a kid. Scout, Jem, and Dill engage in some of my favorite childhood activities throughout the course of this book/movie. It's an excellent story that unfolds from the perspective of innocent children. One of the great ones!
Jaws By. John Williams (Won)
This one doesn't really need an explanation. I remember watching this as a kid while on vacation at the Jersey Shore (long before those no talent ass clowns ruined its perception!). Seemed like a great place to be watching it.
"You're gonna need a bigger boat"
Heaven Can Wait - Dave Grusin (Nominated)
This one brings back lots of great memories, and is also very fitting if you've ever seen this movie.
"don't show me anymore hats!" - A personal favorite quote when I feel overwhelmed!
Superman by John Williams (Nominated)
John Williams has defined many heroes (and villains for that matter) with his uncanny ability to epitomize the very essence of the character.
"I'm here to fight for truth, justice, and the American way"
The Empire Strikes Back By John Williams (Nominated)
There are few themes with as much raw emotion as this one. Especially when you consider what has happened in the movie while this theme is playing (I don't think I need the embellish here) Simply epic!
"Obi Wan never told you what happened to your father!"
Raiders of the Lost Ark By John Williams
If AWESOME had a name it must be.....JOHN WILLIAMS!
This theme basically IS Indiana Jones.
"bad dates..."
E.T. the Extra Terrestrial by John Williams (Won)
This theme could be the soundtrack to my childhood. It is my all time favorite. I don't think I've ever watched this movie and not gotten chills when the bikes take off to the bewilderment of the adults present. Timeless.
"I'll...be...right...here"
The Untouchables - Ennio Marricone (Nominated)
Another one of my all time favorite themes. Really captured the feel of this movie and the "crusading cops".
"Word is they're going to repeal prohibition. What'll you do then?"
"I think I'll have a drink"
Great scene and ending to this awesome movie
Forrest Gump By Alan Silvestri (Nominated)
"Luitenant Dan said "we didn't have to worry about money no more". I said "good, one less thing!"
Gladiator - Hans Zimmer (nominated)
This movie came out the summer I graduated high school. Great memories attached to this one. I took a trip to Italy with my class two weeks after seeing this. Awesome.
"what we do in life, echoes in eternity"
So that's it for my painfully nostalgic ramblings! I could probably add another dozen to this list but I'm gonna cut it there. I'm sure I'm not alone in my love of themes. It's nuts how a song can transplant us instantly to a time long past. I think that's what I love most about these themes. That's why they were chosen for this list.
Check out these other awesome takes on this week's assignment:
This week's Newbie will be a quick one. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I avidly collect Super Powers. Well I added some loose foreign figures this week that I'm pretty excited about....
The Estrela Super Powers Collection was made in Brazil. Collectors agree that of the South American lines, Estrela produced the highest quality figures. These figures are rare, especially mint on card examples.
These examples of Batman and Superman are foreign variants, both being from the Estrela toy company.
"Estrela" molded into the plastic.
Carded examples from of Estrela Super Powers are pretty rare. I'm hoping to eventually score a carded Estrela Batman.....eventually....maybe.....
Both Estrela Batmans. The one on the right was made in 1989 for a very short time to go along with the release of 1989's Batman. The mold from the Super Powers Batman was used, making this a very desirable figure for collectors.
Here is a comparison of the Estrela cape (left) and Kenner cape (right). I personally think the Estrela cape is cooler and includes more detail.
So that does it for this quick Nerd Nook Newbie. I personally love the diversity and excitement foreign figures bring to Super Powers collections. For a Super Powers fan such as myself, these additions are pretty sweet. I'm excited to have them in my collection.
So Masters of the Universe Classics are pretty much awesome. I have resisted the temptation thus far to collect these regardless of how amazing they are. Before the holidays MattyCollector released their Granamyr figure. Fans had the chance to vote for the color of the highly anticipated dragon. Granamyr appeared both as the red pictured above and a bright green. The reddish/burgundy color won and ultimately was the color produced and sold (I wouldn't be surprised if they wound up selling a green too). Anyway I was browsing eBay, as I often do, and came across this totally awesome custom.....
After seeing this incredible custom I must say the fans dropped the ball on this one. The green Granamyr looks WAAAAAAY cooler.....thoughts??????
So I've really been focusing on my Super Powers Collection lately. Like I said before, for a while I was picking up items from other lines. I have since gotten back to my favorite toy line and have made some great scores.
Batman and Superman are my two favorite characters from this line. I have been working on picking up all the variants and rarities for these two characters. My Batman focus is a bit further along then my Superman. Either way I added some cool variants to both collections this week.
Newbie #1 - Gulliver JuguetesBatman
This Batman is made by Gulliver Juguetes (Toys) from Brazil. This is a super special variant in my opinion. I feel this way because it is truly different. The card is much smaller then a Kenner card. The figure itself does not have articulated knees and has a vinyl cape in place of the typical clothe. The colors on batman are much darker when compared with the Kenner Super Powers version.....
Gulliver Kenner
The Gulliver figure also came with a poster. Kenner figures included a comic until series 3. Needless to say I am totally psyched to have this figure in my collection. It's pretty rare and it's Batman!
Newbie #2 - UK Palitoy Sticker Superman
This Superman looks just like a US version to the normal collector =) To us Super Powers nuts we can spot the subtle difference. This Superman was sold in the UK. In order for the kiddies over there to get in on the Fan Club offered poster, the Palitoy company slapped a sticker on the back so kids knew how to order theirs...
This is not as cool a variation as the Gulliver Bats, but definitely essential in completing a full run of Superman in my opinion. I have a Batman UK Palitoy as well that can be seen here
Newbies #3 and 4 - Pacipa Super Amigos Brainiac and Aquaman
These figures were made in South America as well. Argentina this time. Like many other Super Powers collectors, I enjoy adding foreign variations to my collection. I've been on a bit of a role lately and have added a bunch in 2013. I particularly like the Brainiac as he is one of only two figures that have a uniquely shaped bubble (Hawkman being the other or Hombre Halcon). These are not in the greatest shape, but when it comes to foreign and rare items I'm less picky. If you'd like to see some of my other recent foreign acquisitions check out this page.
5th and final Newbie - Jawa Bank
90s era Jawa was happy to help show the scale.
I was at my local collectible shop yesterday checking out his new stuff and spotted this guy. For as big and detailed as it was (and for only 10 bucks!) I had to have it for the Nerd Nook!
Here he is among his fellow toys.
So that's it for another Newbie update. I'm way excited with the progress my foreign collection has made so far in 2013!
I've been checking out a few channels I subscribe to on YouTube for updates on stuff from ToyFair. This morning I watched a 20 minute long video which was showing off Funko's new vinyl figures coming out (with loads of other stuff). There are literally TONS of cool new Funko toys being released. Here are a few that jumped out at me....
These two are too funny.
This is literally screaming "put me in the man cave!". I think I'll have to oblige!
Cortana and Master Chief will probably find there way into the man cave....
Masters of the Universe!
I could literally go on posting pictures more awesome characters to get the Funko treatment but I gotta get to work! I'm looking forward to adding a few of these items to the man cave!
So unbeknownst to me, the League of Extraordinary Bloggers is celebrating its first birthday. Being relatively new to the League, I missed many of the awesome topics from the past year. Anyway this week's topic is:
"1. Write about your involvement in the League of
Extraordinary Bloggers and recall some of your favorite posts — these
could be your own and/or those written by others. 2. Come up with a list of potential topics you would like to see as future weekly League challenges."
I guess I'll start by saying I really enjoy the League. I enjoy the assignments and I also really enjoy reading my fellow League member's takes on the same topics. This will mark my tenth post for the League. We've covered all sorts of things in those weeks. I especially enjoyed the one word topics. I felt like those topics really got my brain going and unearthed some memories that were buried pretty deep...not to mention led to my discovering a childhood toy that I thought was lost forever!So far my favorite posts from my blog would have to be:
Pirates (unearthed some great memories with this one)
There have also been loads of League posts that I really enjoyed. Without singling out specific blogs I'll simply say I really enjoyed last week's posts. Everyone seemed to really lay it on the line with what they love. I also remember reading many of your "Saturday Morning Cartoon" lineups (this was before I had my own blog). The mix tapes assignment was also a good one! I've been reading Brian's blog since discovering it this past summer and have really enjoyed much of what you all have been up to. I wanted to get in on the fun and finally took the plunge into my own blog. It's been really fun so far and I look forward to seeing where this blog will be when it celebrates its first birthday.
Part 2 - Potential League Topics:
1. Choose one of your favorite old school Pop Culture related movies and recast the lead roles with modern/current actors.
lol....for the record I wouldn't choose these two!
2. More one word topics! Those were fun.
3. Share photos from childhood that prove your life long love of pop culture.
4.The shelf expression assignment was cool (I missed that one by one week!) More assignments that show off leaguer's collections. Maybe specific to a character or genre.
I kind of like Super Powers Batman! (They are all different by the way)
5. Top 5 movies that influenced your love of pop culture.
6. All time favorite toy (yup one)
7. Topics relating to old school gaming (I miss going to arcades! I remember going to ChiChi's, eating enchiladas and playing the Ninja Turtles arcade on that giant machine with four joy sticks!
8. Favorite montages from the 80s and early 90s!
9. How do you foresee your fandom evolving as you get older and wiser. Where will you and your collection be 20 years from now. In other words "what is your pop culture destiny!?"
10. Favorite toys you never had as a kid...
Ok that's all I have for now. I hope all or some of these ideas will help will potential future assignments. I must say the league members are a great bunch with some awesome blogs! I'm psyched to finally have gotten in on the fun!
I was once again itching to go to another show. With the April Fools Toy Show still about 7 weeks away I figured I'd give this antique show a visit. The flyer did advertise "toys"!
There were some old toys like the ones seen here.
I totally had that Motorcity playset!
There were loads of old items. Kinda wish I picked up that Batman glass.
There was no shortage of old toy cars, Hess Trucks, you name it. The truck above was way cool. It had some old Batman stickers stuck to the back of it. Some kid must have had tons of fun playing with that thing!
There were some odds and ends toys.
I used to love Micro Machines!
This poster of the Apollo 11 astronauts certainly caught my eye!
Some random assortments
For the most part the items there were not really up my pop culture alley. Lots of knick knacks and stuff like that. There were a few booths that had some cool old money as well as items relating to World War 2 and past presidential elections which was cool to look at. My friend and I spent a few minutes listening to an old timer's story about how he came to own many of the items at his booth. That was pretty neat. I found myself wondering if that would be me 30 years from now. One can only hope!
As for my haul I didn't buy much. Spent 13 bucks on a few items that brought back some fond memories....
Had this toy as a kid. I really love the 1989 Batmobile
Another purchase driven by nostalgia. A McDonald's Happy Meal Toy (also had this guy)
The Alf just caught my eye and I love E.T. so there's those. Love the Speak and Spell on the figure!
So that's it for my journey to Delaware. My friend and I had a good time talking old stuff on the ride there and back. We certainly saw some neat old stuff and met some neat old folks to go along with it.
These figures have been popping up at shows and conventions for a few years now. They are basically Be@rbrickified Super Powers characters. They use the same card artwork (on smaller cards). They don't include any capes however. Those are painted on.
Cyborg and Robin are the latest Super Powers figures to get the Be@rbrick treatment. So far they have released Batman, Plastic Man, Green Lantern's Lantern, and of course the two featured here. I myself have not purchased any....yet....
