Saturday, August 30, 2008

Movie Review - WALL.E

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It was a choice between Clone Wars and Wall.E, and I let my nephew decide, even though I was hoping he choose Clone Wars. Luckily he made the right choice, after reading quite a number of bad reviews about Clone Wars. My colleague wanted to bring her kids to see Clone Wars as well, but in the end decided to see Wall.E. Good choice.

In terms of storyline, it is the usual lonely, innocent male robot meets state-of-the-art female robot, falls in love, and saves the world, and makes a few friends along the way. Nothing groundbreaking. But the story telling, pace is indeed quite good.

The computer graphics and animation is once again top notch, as PIXAR time and time again improves and amazes us in every new movie they make. Check out the details, dirt, trails, etc, lighting, mood, backgrounds, effects, etc. Much of the designs of the robots seen on the Axiom, as well as EVE, were influenced by Apple.

It is a funny and heart warming movie, and you can relate to the characters. My brother told me my niece cried during the scene when Wall.E was crushed.

I recommend to all people, couples and kids.

This is another title for my DVD collection.

The funny thing I noticed is how Wall.E developed a personality without any human contact, except for the Hello Dolly ! video and his only faithfully pet cockroach. I would assume his programming and hardware would not allow this to happen, as they only followed their directives (ala Robocop). Only the new robots on the Axiom displayed certain personality and were able to make independent decisions.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Haul of the Day

Was out looking for discounted Transformers, but did not find any in the end.

Star Wars

Finally able to find the Ewoks, and surprisingly a Super Battle Droid as well.
The kind staff at Metro Woodlands asked me if I needed a particular figure, and he would go to the store and check. Now that's customer service !

Iron Movie

I finally succumb to the temptation and bought the snap on armour Iron Man. The artculation is not so great, and the reason why I did not get it initially. But the snap on mask is quite a neat gimmick.

Indiana Jones 4

Finally also found this item. Was looking for it since the clearance started at Carrefour. Now if I can only find the military truck and German soldier 2pack. I passed on the German Officer, but is regretting a bit.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Haul of the Day

Coca-Cola Miniature Collectibles





Thanks to the tip off from SGCollect members and cosmicbaby, got this series from the local 7-11 convenience store. It seems that some stores require a minimum purchase of 2 bottles of 500ml coke before you can purchase any of these items, so check with the counter staff first. The one at the bottom of my block has this policy, while the one near my work place does not need any other purchase.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Hot Toys Joker Melody

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Check out what mix master shaun did with a cool toy and a cool song here. Wicked !

Friday, August 22, 2008

Haul of the Day

Hellboy II Movie

Picked these 2 up at Simply Toys. Although a bit expensive without membership, but I can live without the rest of the figures. The HB in the first wave is such a disappointment, with a bent elbow with no articulation on the right arm. Still contemplating if I should get Abe Sapien.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Haul of the Day

Medicom RAH


Had to get this figure because someone backed out due to too many purchases these few months, and also after seeing a preview at the local toy event STCC 2008.

Haul of the Day

Revoltech

It's the same as the previous figure No. 50, except it has additional drill sticking out. Impulse buying #1.

Bandai SHFigarts

Punch/Kickhopper. The newer figures comes with a display stand.
I only noticed the upside down flyer when I took the picture.

Transformers Animated

Loose Lockdown. Impulse buying #2.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Transformers Marvel Crossover









Movie Hulk with Animated Grimlock sword.


Origins Black Spider-man with Animated Optimus Prime Axe and shield combo.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Haul of the Day



Managed to pay the megastore Ikea located in Tampines, and for someone who has not been to other country's Ikea before, it does look huge, like a warehouse.
These adjusted table lights are a steal, at only S$14.90 per piece.


I chose these 3pack 11W energy saving light bulbs at S$7.90. There was another 2pack round bulbs, but costs S$16.90. Asked the sales person who said that the 3pack is brighter/glaring while the 2pack is less glaring and has a safety feature. It seems that if the bulb breaks, the glass will stay within the bulb somehow. And the reason for the price difference.
Well, seeing how much I am paying for the lights, I thought I should just go for the 3pack.

Hopefully these lights will help with the picture quality, as I usually take them at night after work.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Haul of the Day

Transformers Movie

Finally, was able to hunt down this piece at Comics Connections, at the island wide discounted price of S$16.90.

Batman The Dark Knight

With a tip off from SGCollect, I made a call in the morning to TRU United Squares and luckily there were still some left on the shelves. When I collected in the afternoon, none was there, but still have Batman Begins Batman and Scarecrow.
Even though the price for this Movie Masters line is ridiculously high at S$39.90, Joker is still being snapped up.

Star Wars

Got this sometime back from Carrefour, but kept it in the office. But later all department stores are also selling at the discounted price of S$29.90. I guess it was to clear the 30th Anniversary crap before the Clone Wars crap start to flood the shelves.

Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Looks like clearance is the new trend these days with department stores. Months after the movie has completed its run, all Indy 4 merchandise are on clearance.
This is still going for S$15.
The likeness of Harrison Ford is way off, but the horse looks nice.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Upcoming Movie - Gatchaman



Felix Ip, creative director of Imagi (who gave us the CG animation TMNT) showcased some concept art from the upcoming 2009 release Gatchaman CG movie. See them at his blog here and here.

Not liking the logo too much though.

The Godphoenix looks identical to the 1994 OVA version.
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Can't wait for more information and its release next year ! And with the movie, there's bound to be toys, similar to TMNT !

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Haul of the Day

Medicom RAH

Mail away The Next Shocker. Now if only I have the money to buy 6 of these figures, that would be cool.

SIC

Vol 42.

Spider-Man Trilogy

Got another Venom, this time with a better paint job.

Be@rbrick

Full set of 16 70% be@rbrick, from Medicom Star Wars Be@rbrick x Pepsi Nex promotion.

Gundam Mobile Suit In Action

Been quite some time since I bought anything related to Gundam. Had been eying this odd figure for sometime.

Ultraman

Also had given up on Ultraman merchandise for quite a while, except for the Medicom RAH figures. But could not resist this craft from Ultraman Max series.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Comic Magazine Haul of the Day

Took advantage of the National Day holiday discount offers at Popular and Kinokuniya bookstores.

Was surprised, but elated that the Zombies vs Robots (Ashley Wood) trade paperback arrived just in time. But sad that World War Robots was not in stock.
Still missing the previous copy (#61) of International Artist.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Haul of the Day

Marvel Legends

Was hopping to get some discounted Transformers, but they were not on sale. So in the end got this set at S$9.90 !

Friday, August 08, 2008

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Haul of the Day

Konami MMS

Finally, series 9 made it locally. Alas, series 8 is still in limbo.


And the biggest surprise yet ! MMS Yoko ! Had given up any hopes of seeing this figure, and Passion came through by importing the reissue.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Haul of the Day

Transformers Animated

Missed out on the loose Snarl, so just got the carded one instead, along with Oil Slick.

Transformers Universe


Boxed SDCC 2008 exclusive Nemesis Prime and loose Springer (supposedly part of a Target - Universe Comic Packs, War Within - Springer and Ratbat coming November 08). Got to thank Clifford from TFH for sacrificing his piece for me !

Transformers Alternators

Yeah, some figures from this line are still making its way to shops, somehow.
After buying this, I realised I might already have the Binaltech version. Rats.

Kaiyodo Revoltech

Summer vacation version.

Zoids

It's been quite a long time since my last Zoids purchase. I have almost given up on this line as I did not really like the designs of the last few series. Now there is a little resurgence with reproduction of old models.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Haul of the Day


Picked up for the cute Destroyer Driod. Why can't they have a 2-pack, and stuck us with a JarJar ?


Finally complete my Marvel Legends 2-pack, when forum members alerted to the restock at TRU VivoCity, though I did not see lots of them as what was supposedly reported.
Had to rush down on Friday night after late work.


And while I was there, picked this up as well. Surprisingly find on the shelves.