About Flynn

Flynn is builder who hails from Oakland, California. His relationship with LEGO is long, but like all good relationships, it has had its ups and downs. After a long absence from the hobby, he started up again 4 years ago with an X-Men vs. The Sentinel. Since then he has won multiple Best in Show and People's Choice awards at various conventions. He is also a cake decorator, knitter, ukulele player, singer, actor, director type. He has a soft spot in his black heart for anything horror or fantasy related.

Posts by Flynn

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for April 25, 2020

In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best of LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the fourth week of April 2020.

We’ve got the info on all the upcoming summer LEGO Creator sets! Keep reading our Brick Report to get all the details.

TBB NEWS, FEATURES AND REVIEWS: This week we saw Universal and LEGO tie the knot (movie wise), learned about an update to the Powered-Up system, revealed the May 4th LEGO Star Wars Gift with Purchase and got touchy-feely with the new Collectable Minifigure set!

LEGO Collectible Minifigures 71027 Series 20 Feel Guide [Review] – Collectible Minifigures Series 20 is available now! Want to split a case with friends? We’ve got just the thing for you with this handy Feel Guide.
LEGO and Universal Pictures strike deal for new LEGO movies – LEGO and Universal Pictures will be making more LEGO Movies for the next 5 years, in a new deal that opens the way for movies based on both existing and new franchises.
It takes all sorts of sorts: LEGO organization and me, Chris Doyle [Feature] – Brothers Brick contributor Chris Doyle (@Whatevscj) takes us through his workspace and sorting strategy.
LEGO Powered Up update to the community – LEGO shares with the community a message on the Powered Up system and how they’ve been listening to the feedback.
LEGO Star Wars gift with purchase for May the Fourth revealed as 40407 Death Star II Battle – This exclusive LEGO Star Wars Death Star II Battle set will be available from LEGO May 1-4.
LEGO Creator Summer 2020 wave features a pirate ship, space rover and camper van – LEGO Pirates are making another comeback in these new Creator 3-in-1 sets coming this summer.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

Huge 3D-printed LEGO go-kart makes you the minifig, Hackaday – The LEGO Technic line is definitely the hacker’s flavor of LEGO.
NASA and Lego Host ‘Build a Planet’ Challenge, Smithsonian – The event was part of the company’s week of #LetsBuildTogether challenges
Some Good News (SGN) by John Krasinski, YouTube – Episode 4 starts off with a low-tech stop-motion LEGO opening.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Let Aladdin take you on a magic carpet ride

It’s a whole new world of LEGO building when MSIndustries uses the plastic bricks to create this spectacular Aladdin model. I will admit to being a hardcore Disney fan so of course, my scrolling stopped upon seeing this image. I was immediately drawn to the nicely rendered characters and that wonderfully fluid magic carpet that seems to float in the air by magic.

The characters are full of life and interesting parts usage. The construction of Aladdin’s turban and Jasmine’s hair is particularly well done as well as their outfits. The Genie’s expression and pose are perfect and really give him a lot of personality. But for once, Genie isn’t the center of attention here. Its’ the magic carpet’s turn to shine. The patterning is beautiful and the undulation in its’ form is achieved using a combination of 10 x 10 LEGO nets, round 2×2 plates and bars. And that floating look? It’s not Photoshop trickery but in fact a practical effect.

Check out the magic that helps keep the carpet afloat

This brick built figure is a real Peach

Builder ZiO Chao has given a us a beautiful rendition of a somewhat obscure character from the Mario Universe, Peachette. She made her first appearance in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and is a unique form of another character but looks like Princess Peach. It’s all a bit confusing, but I digress.

This figure contains a lot of nice parts use and clever build techniques. The petals on her dress make use of the 4X4 with Bow brick combined with a few other types of curved bricks and plates to create a pleasing shape. The arms and puffy sleeves are nicely constructed and the modeling of the face and hair is detailed and full of character. The attention to detail includes perfect recreations of her unusual crown and trademark bow using the 1×1 heart tile. The pose is wonderful and really captures Peachette’s essence, bringing the whole character to life.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for April 18, 2020

A new addition to the Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Series arrives! Keep reading our Brick Report to get all the details.

TBB NEWS, FEATURES AND INSTRUCTIONS: This week we saw the announcement of two new sets, learned how to build a tiny bowling alley and met the winning team crowned the US’s first LEGO Masters.

LEGO 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R motorcycle revealed as newest Technic superbike – Take a spin on the newest LEGO Technic motorcycle, the Ducati Panigale V4 R superbike.
LEGO 75275 A-wing Starfighter revealed as next Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series set – The next LEGO Star Wars UCS set is this sleek 1,673-piece A-wing Starfighter available on May 1st.
See the new LEGO Star Wars UCS A-wing Starfighter in action from the designer Hans Schlömer himself – LEGO designer Hans Schlömer shows a sneak-peek of the newly announced Star Wars UCS A-wing Starfighter.
Chibi-scale Millennium Falcon and X-Wing befitting the official Star Wars Master Builder Series Cloud City [Instructions] – Build your own Millennium Falcon or X-Wing to fit the Master Builder Series Cloud City official set thanks to Hachiroku24
How to build a bitty bowling lane [Instructions] – Want to learn how to build a LEGO bowling lane? Following along with this video tutorial by Tiago Catarino.
How to organize and sort your LEGO collection, by the Mad Physicist [Feature] – If you are holed up at home, you may finally want to sort your huge pile of random LEGO. In the first of a series of features, The Brothers Brick will show you how our contributors organize their collections.

TBB LEGO MASTERS INTERVIEWS:

LEGO Masters: An interview with finalists Sam and Jessica [Feature] – LEGO Masters finalists Sam and Jessica talk about how they went from being in the bottom to becoming a finalist on LEGO Masters.
LEGO Masters: An interview with finalists Tyler and Amy [Feature] – We sat down with LEGO Masters finalists Tyler and Amy to chat about their entire experience on the show.
LEGO Masters: An interview with finalists Mark and Boone [Feature] – LEGO Masters finalists Mark and Boone share the secrets behind their building success.
Winning LEGO Masters: An interview with the first ever U.S. LEGO Masters [Feature] – Find out who won LEGO Masters in the U.S. and see close-up photos of each build from the finale in our interview with the winning team.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

Lego Donates $50 Million To Support Families During COVID-19, Forbes – Forbes interviews the Chief People Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs at LEGO to find out more about their purpose and how it manifests itself in the values and culture of the company.
‘A bit like early LEGO’ — rare photo shows Stonehenge’s uncanny similarity to the plastic bricks, CNN Travel – A photo of the ancient site in Wiltshire, England, shows the rocks from above and reveals details that show the famous stones looking remarkably similar to LEGO bricks.
LEGO, Costumers & FX Artists: How the genre world is helping during Corona Virus, SyFy Wire – Using six of the factory’s molding machines, more than 100 of LEGO’s gloved and masked workers have been cranking out 13,000 protective masks a day to help healthcare workers combat COVID-19.

The chief forms of beauty are order and symmetry

Symmetry in art is a funny thing. It is the cause of much disagreement. Some find it fascinating and perfect, while others see it as unnatural and repetitive. I fall squarely in the first camp. I find symmetry and the attention to it in art to be fascinating. Two of my favorite directors, Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick, deal heavily in symmetry to great effect. Builder Markus Rollbühler taps into this form with great aplomb and gives us a LEGO creation that is quite beautiful and fascinating to examine.

At first, I thought perhaps there was some visual tricky going on here, but closer examination reveals this to be a fully realized, symmetrical model brimming with detail. There is some really fun parts usage, like Minnie Mouse’s skirt for the planters in the front and those beautiful purple potion bottles. The treasure chests as table legs are another nice touch. It should also be noted that those brick walls aren’t just stacked bricks! They are actually tiles placed on SNOT (Studs Not On top) pieces, providing a much more dimensional and realistic look to the walls. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go stare at this photo some more and revel in the perfect symmetry of the world between those walls.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for April 11, 2020

We take a closer look at the new Super Mario Adventures starter course. Keep reading our Brick Report to get all the details.

TBB NEWS AND FEATURES: This week we saw several reveals including a golden Wonderwoman 1984 set, two new Minecraft sets and a close up look at two of the new Super Mario sets.Plus we talk with Brickmasters Jamie & Amy with another behind he scenes look at LEGO Masters.

Wonder Woman 1984 LEGO set revealed as 76157 Wonder Woman vs. Cheetah – Check out this golden LEGO set based on the upcoming blockbuster Wonder Woman 1984.
Behind-the-scenes of LEGO Masters with Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard [Feature] – We asked LEGO Masters judges Amy and Jamie your questions about how difficult it is to create and judge challenges, if they agree all the time, how they became LEGO designers, and how they are adjusting to working from home.
LEGO 21161 Minecraft Crafting Box 3.0 and 21163 The Redstone Battle sets revealed – We take a first look at the LEGO 21163 Minecraft The Redstone Battle and the LEGO 21161 Minecraft The Crafting Box 3.0.
LEGO and Nintendo unveil Super Mario Adventures starter course and Bowser’s Castle expansion set – Get a close-up look at the LEGO Super Mario starter course and Bowser’s Castle expansion set.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

Monopoly houses, toy soldiers and Lego: the museum of plastic lost at sea, The Guardian – The waste washing up on British beaches is a shocking but fascinating catalogue of our times.
The LEGO Group does it’s part in the battle against Covid-19, Facebook – LEGO is using its facilities to produce masks for Danish hospitals.

Lego Backs Lego Dots Line With Snapchat AR Lens, ADWEEK – Users can decorate frames around their faces with different styles

Manage your inventory with this LEGO tribute to Don’t Starve

When it comes to survival in an unforgiving world, the video game Don’t Starve can teach you everything you need to know about managing a sparse inventory. Builder Nathan Proudlove has created LEGO model of the game’s main character, Wilson, as a present for his girlfriend. As an avid player of this game, I must tell you this is a spot-on representation! The figure perfectly encapsulates all of Wilson’s characteristics from his striped vest to his wild hairstyle. A lot of work went into the clever design of his face, which incorporates sideways building by way of SNOT (Studs Not On Top) pieces to create the symmetry and angled curves. If you’re going to be stuck at home with limited supplies, Wilson should definitely be on the top of your list for quarantine partners.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for April 4, 2020

We’ve got details on all the new LEGO sets coming for April! Keep reading our Brick Report to get all the details.

TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS: This week we saw the reveal of the new Fast & Furious Dodge Charger and the new LEGO Star Wars 501st Legion Clone Troopers battle Pack, got our free download of the most recent issue of Hispabrick, PLUS we take a look at all the new sets coming out for April 2020!

LEGO goes Fast & Furious with Technic 42111 Dom’s Dodge Charger – This 1,000+ piece model of the iconic Dodge Charger from Fast & Furious is speeding our way with pre-orders available now.
Hispabrick Magazine March 2020, Issue 34 now available for free download – The latest issue of Hispabrick is out and filled with great content. Download your copy today if you haven’t done so!
New LEGO Star Wars 501st Legion Clone Troopers Battle Pack to hit stores August 2020 – Here is the first look at the new LEGO Star Wars 501st Legion Clone Troopers Battle Pack which will be available this August.
Leaving LEGO Masters: An interview with the seventh team to leave [Feature] – We sat down with the team of LEGO Masters contestants eliminated last week during the Good vs. Evil challenge.
Your guide to the 19 new LEGO sets for April 2020, including Pirates of Barracuda Bay [News] – We are building from home to pass the time, so here are the new LEGO sets for April including the Pirates of Barracuda Bay.

TBB INSTRUCTIONS:

How to build the baby-est of baby grand pianos [Instructions] – Expert LEGO artist Tiago Catarino will show you how to build an adorable baby grand piano!
Relive the Star Wars Trench Run with a LEGO custom build kit [Instructions] – Stuck at home during the lockdown? See if you can gather enough parts to build this splendid animated Trench Run scene from Star Wars designed by Jason Allemann.

TBB April Fools

Hands-on with the new LEGO SPOTS for boys [April Fools] – We managed to get an early look at the upcoming LEGO SPOTS for boys. Are they totally dope or totally dank? Our reviewer certainly has some opinions on the matter.
LEGO SPOTS for boys revealed as new extension of LEGO DOTS [April Fools] – LEGO SPOTS have arrived with new tile-based crafting kits for boys.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

Top Gear’s Top 9: the best LEGO cars to build right now, Top Gear – Time on your hands? Waste it in most excellent fashion with these LEGO kits
The LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation support children and families impacted by COVID-19, LEGO – With many families staying at home and millions more facing job, food, and medical insecurity, the LEGO Foundation and the LEGO Group have joined forces to address the critical needs of children in these unprecedented times.
LEGOLAND New York Openeing postponed, LEGOLAND New York Facebook – LEGOLAND New York postpones its grand opening.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for March 28, 2020

Ahoy! The return of LEGO Pirates is off the port bow! Keep reading our Brick Report to get all the details.

TBB NEWS,FEATURES AND REVIEWS: This week we saw the triumphant return of LEGO Pirates, reviewed the new set of Collectable Minifigs and the Technic Mobile Crane, plus we took a quick look at the latest gift with purchase just in time for Easter.

LEGO Collectible Minifigures 71027 Series 20 celebrates the theme’s 10th anniversary [Review] – We’ve gotten our hands on LEGO Collectible Minifigure Series 20, and we’re taking a close look at each of the 16 new characters in this detailed review!
LEGO Technic 42108 Mobile Crane [Review] – We are building and testing the new LEGO Technic mobile crane. Is it really better than all the previous models?
Behind the scenes of LEGO Ideas 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay with designers Milan Madge and Austin Carlson [Feature] – We got to pick the brains of the two designers behind LEGO’s newest Ideas set, 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay.
Leaving LEGO Masters: An interview with the sixth team to leave [Feature] – We sat down with the team of LEGO Masters contestants eliminated last week during the Storybook Challenge who shared their thoughts on the show.
LEGO 40371 Easter Egg Limited Edition Gift With Purchase [Review] – We take a quick look at the LEGO Easter Egg Exclusive set for the holiday season.
LEGO Ideas launches 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay marking the return of classic pirates [News] – Classic LEGO pirates are back with this massive Barracuda Bay which can transform into a complete pirate ship, available April 1st.
LEGO Ideas 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay is a 2,500-piece love letter to classic Pirates [Review] – The Black Seas Barracuda is back! LEGO’s newest Ideas set is 21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay, and it’s a whopping 2,545 piece shipwreck island.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

This Building Block Waffle Maker Is Like Eating Lego for Breakfast, Gizmodo – Beating Lego to the punch, a clever inventor wants to turn breakfast into not only the most important meal of the day, but the most entertaining one as well.
11 of the Coolest Builds By Bored People With a Lot of Lego Bricks, Gizmodo – Here are 11 of the best projects a person could tackle given enough Lego bricks.

It takes a village to make a village

I’ve recently started being interested in the idea of collaborative LEGO builds. Everyone does their part and they all come together to create an amazing piece of art. Such is the case with The Village of Thornefeld a terrific medieval village collaboration from Cole Blood, Timothy Shortell, Grant Davis, Eli Willsea, James Libby and Jake Hansen.

I had the pleasure of seeing this model in person at Bricks Cascade. Photographs can never quite capture the grandness of these large creations, but it was joy to see up close. What’s incredible about this build, besides it’s huge size and masterful execution, is the cohesiveness of the whole thing. Each builder worked within a tight color scheme and used matching rock styles to make all the sections mesh seamlessly. I love the way the ground slopes slowly upward, creating a wonderful rolling landscape and various levels. This is great territory for storytelling which each builder does nicely, creating a bustling village that’s full of life.

TBB Weekly Brick Report: LEGO news roundup for March 21, 2020

Three new Star Wars models geared towards adults have been revealed. Keep reading our Brick Report to get all the details.

TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS: This week we saw the reveal of the upcoming Series 20 Collectible Minifigures and LEGO begins catering to adult fans with three new Star Wars models.

LEGO Collectible Minifigure Series 20 official images revealed – We got a closer look at Series 20 of the Collectible Minifigures. Tell us about your favourites.
LEGO unveils three buildable Star War helmets including a TIE Fighter Pilot, Stormtrooper and Boba Fett – These three new buildable Star Wars helmets from LEGO will challenge even the best of builders.

OTHER NEWS: There were quite a few other interesting LEGO news articles from around the web this week. Here are the best of the rest:

Twisting Steel with LEGO Motors, Technabob – Brick Experiment Channel loves to create LEGO machines that show off their strength.
Study finds discarded LEGOs may last for up to 1,300 years in the ocean, Slash Gear – The research involved LEGO bricks that had washed up on the South West England coastlines.
Some LEGO convention attendees at risk of coronavirus exposure, The News & Observer – Wake County is asking for help identifying who might have been exposed
LEGO House closed for a month, LEGO House – LEGO House will not open again until April 24

At this research facility, the future is NOW!

Inspired by the work of Syd Mead, builder Jme Wheeler packs a lot of punch into a fairly small area, creating a sprawling, Futurist research facility in LEGO microscale form.

The builder makes great use of a limited black and blue color palette on the buildings and all light gray rocks. Restricting the colors of the structures gives the whole facility a cohesive look. It makes the green plant matter quite striking and yet doesn’t distract from the beautiful building designs. The tall, stacked building gives us some impossible architecture that somehow feels right at home in the scene and you can almost imagine workers bustling through the covered walkways between buildings. I love the use of the gray curved tiles to represent a raised road or perhaps a monorail track. The windmills are a clever addition and the tiny island with a single palm tree is a great little gem hiding in plain sight.