Tim Zarki (Spook) consistently creates cool sci-fi models that also have an air of beauty to them. It seems funny describing an undersea salvage vessel as beautiful, but it is…
Monthly Archives: June 2013
The streets of Brooklyn
The Brooklyn buildings by Jonathan Lopes (BKNY Bricks) aren’t as elaborately decorated as your typical Café Corner compatible building, but as far as I am concerned that is a good thing. Every detail seems to naturally fit into place.
The buildings were inspired by the block where the builder lives. Their overall look is so nicely composed, that at first I didn’t realise that they are only about half the scale that is typically used for minifigs. The size of the trees finally made me realise that my mind was being tricked.
Micro Aliens dropship and APC by Legohaulic
We’ve seen plenty of LEGO models inspired by the Alien universe over the years, including some lovely Ripley and xenomorph minifigs by Tyler (Legohaulic) back in 2008. Tyler’s latest LEGO upload takes him back to LV-426, this time in microscale, and with a bit more firepower.
Tyler’s APC fits inside his UD-4L Cheyenne Utility Dropship:
But look at that adorable power-loader and alien Queen!
Honey, I’m home!
Flickr user Hippotam created this hilarious little scene for a contest, the purpose of which was to depict the same scene occurring in both 1963 and 2063. The only thing I am confused about is whether that little green critter on the floor in 2063 is a pet, or the result of the affair?!
Schnellboot Docked at Night
More and more it seems that we are seeing lighting integrated into a model’s presentation. When done right, it can create a wonderful ambiance for the photo. Nate Flood’s Schnellboot (Fast Boat) is a perfect example of this. The lighting and simple diorama sets the perfect mood for the image. Nate says that the photo is courtesy of Jim Liermann, so it appears this was a team effort.
For those that want to have a closer look, there are further photos of the Schnellboot in Nate’s flickr photostream.
Thanks a bunch to Mike for the heads up on this shot…I surely would have missed it.
Fashionably Late & Always Stylish
Remember that R-Type Build challenge from way back when? Well Uspez Morbo not being one to follow the herd said to himself, “Pfft…who needs monthly deadlines?!”
And I said to myself, “Am I ever glad that Uspez is a rebellious bugger!”
So without further delay, here is Uspez’s contribution to the R-Type & Beyond build challenge…finally!!
Please peruse the crazy textures and complex detailing within the full photoset.
Also, way to rock the UFO panels…
Visit Oechsnerville & see the sights!
Long-time readers are probably most-familiar with Thomas Oechsner because of his stellar Neo-Classic Space models, but Thomas recently posted a big batch of Micropolis modules.
Thomas used four base modules to assemble this cluster of gorgeous tan skyscrapers. (I’m including some pretty tall pictures in this post so you can get a sense of the sheer height of Thomas’s LEGO buildings.)
This neighborhood of townhouses includes some lush backyards and lovely mottled brickwork.
The antenna atop N. Nielson Center first drew my attention, but scroll down for a wonderful tribute to a great builder.
See dozens more photos on Flickr.
Warner Bros debuts The LEGO Movie trailer [News]
Warner Bros have released the first official trailer for the upcoming LEGO Movie. I guess they knew everyone would refer to it as “that LEGO movie” anyway, so they made life simpler for all of us by actually calling it that. Anyway, despite some initial trepidation about the quality of the film, the trailer heartens me. It’s usually a mess for old fans when a big company tries to break into a new market, but LEGO and Warner Bros seem to be hitting a lot of the right notes here. Aside from the terrific cast, the world looks well constructed, and there are lots of humorous nods to adult fans. I hope the final film will be as amusing. The film is tentatively slated for a February 2014 release.
Brickworld 2013 Wrap-Up
This past weekend was Brickworld 2013 in Schaumberg, Illinois, and Chris and I attended. I attended for the first time; it was fun being a “newbie” for once, despite this being my 11th LEGO convention. This was my first event outside of the Pacific Northwest! Though really, Chicago, the tornados were a bit much. Really. No need for that.
All weather and terrible airline travel aside, the event was a blast. This was the first year in the new location and by all accounts, it was a fabulous decision to move and improved the convention-going experience greatly. Unlike last year, all the creations this year were housed in the same MASSIVE space.
Over the next few days, pictures of some of the amazing creations will pop online. I want to highlight a few of my favorites:
Smaug by Sharon Vance
The Marquis, by Peter Mowry
Area 51 by Brian Williams
This was really fantastic. We’ve blogged the warehouse previously; now he’s added the shooting location for the Moon Landing, a Stargate, and a number of other fantastic references!
Product announcements
There were two bits of news which we already reported: the reveal of 10234 Sydney Opera House and announcing the Curiosity Rover.
For me, the value of any convention comes from the memories; I attend just as much, if not more, for the people as I do the brick. I saw people I haven’t seen in years, met new friends, and made enough memories and paper planes to last a lifetime. Or at least until BrickCon.
Strandbeest inspired, post-apocalyptic LEGO by Jason Allemann
We’ve posted a couple of LEGO Strandbeest’s here before, but never one wearing clothes. Jason Allemann (True Dimensions) left his version (inspired by Chris Magno) in a box for six years until giving it a post-apocalyptic makeover and posting it yesterday (dated May, apparently). And of course one must watch the video. And to make it even cooler still, Jason has posted instructions for the frame.
EDIT (TG + AB): TR and I posted at exactly the same time, so I include my short description above and leave TR to the rest of the post
I have typed and re-typed this post a few times now, but apparently I am not feeling very eloquent today. So I’ll just keep this simple…flickr user True Dimensions has had this in the works for six years. I am glad he decided to pull it out of the box and dust it off, because it is thoroughly good.
It is just too bloody much fun watching this thing clatter across the floor.
He was also nice enough to offer instruction on how to build your own walking frame on his website.
The Marquis
I should be writing a BrickWorld report, but frankly, this was so frickin’ awesome that I wanted to blog it first. I saw this beauty at BrickWorld, while everyone held their breath for display. Because this hangs precariously from a tripod of tubing. The effect is totally worth it.
Peter Mowry‘s Marquis stands 56 inches tall, and is simply a sight to behold. According to the backstory he’s given it, this vessel was designed to be part of a fleet geared toward colonization, and was supposed to carry people, machinery, and materials to wherever it needed to go.
Check out his flickr gallery for more ships to accompany the Marquis!
Starfighter Telephone Game
The Starfighter Telephone Game was started over two years ago and now for the first time a round has been completed. The game works just like the grade-school game from which it got it’s name. Someone starts off by building a starfighter and ships it to the next player, they keep it and build a new fighter inspired by the previous. Game carries on until the first player receives the final fighter.
With three rounds underway and dozens of builders spread across the globe, I think it is safe to say that the game is a success (even with a few delays and hiccups along the way).
Mark Stafford just posted the pictures of the final version of the starfighter for his team (which I was lucky enough to be a part of). All I have to say is that Mike Yoder is a lucky boy to end up with this thing.
Mark also did up a quick video showing the progression of the design from start to finish.
Here are links to each version from our round:
#1 by Yoder
#2 by me
#3 by Cole Blaq
#4 by Red Spacecat
#5 by Shamisenfred
#6 by Proudlove
#7 by Bart De Dobbelaer
#8 by Jake
#9 by Mark
Update:
Mike just did up this edit of the linear progression of each version. It is very cool just how much it changes from step to step.
