Sandy Bottom - Halloween Art

Scooter as Sandman!

He's a Mystery - Halloween Art

The Great Gonzo as Mysterio!

Wild Man - Halloween Art

Animal as Kraven the Hunter!

Bird's Eye View - Halloween Art

Sam Eagle as Vulture!

Plays with Electricity - Halloween Art

Crazy Harry as Electro!

Helping Hand - Halloween Art

 Bunsen Honeydew as Doc Ock!

Funko POP! Ant-Man & Ant-thony

The fine folks at Funko have done it again! This time for their vehicle line of POP! vinyls. I can't wait to add this one to my Ant-Man collection!

Everyone's favorite flying ant is here for your Ant-Man vinyls. He's a loyal friend and soldier. Entertainment Earth has this piece labeled for pre-order to be released in December 2015. Just in time for Christmas! Let's hope Disney Infinity releases Ant-Man soon, too!

Muppet Halloween Art

Another Halloween, another costume. But what do you go as this time? That's the very question the Muppets asked themselves this year . . .

Join us every few days as we reveal our Halloween Art surprise . . . one costume at a time!

Review: The Muppets "Bear Left Then Bear Write"

the muppets "Bear Left then Bear Write" 

In the third episode of the muppets, we are introduced to a few new things: Rowlf's Tavern, which is across the street from the studio, Gonzo is trying online dating (where's Camilla?), and Miss Piggy does not like being embarrassed on live tv (no matter how funny).

This episode felt more muppety than the first two. It showed a lot more muppet interactions and story lines. Christina Applegate makes a great guest star and has a story line that doesn't just fizzle out like the Nick Offerman story. Gonzo also gets a complete story as well. It seems that the show can handle two guest stars, but when they hit three, things start getting a little off-balance. 

It seems weird to make the conscience decision to not include chickens and penguins and talking food in this muppet universe. Those characters, especially Camilla, are integral to the Muppets. We all known Gonzo has a girlfriend named Camilla and we're okay that she's a chicken. I'm not sure it makes it any more of a funny plot line if Gonzo is online dating. Why can't he just be dating on a Chicken Website or something? Anywho, Gonzo and Camilla have been together for a long time and it's a little odd not to get an explanation of why they Camilla has just disappeared. 

I like Rowlf's Tavern a lot. It's fun to see Rowlf and the other Muppets outside the studio. Can't wait to see more of it! I also really liked seeing the pie revenge with Miss Piggy and Scooter. It's always fun to see more Scooter. The introduction of Chip was also really funny and brought a lot of simple humor to the show.

Overall, I felt this episode captured the Muppet humor more so than the first two episodes. However, there is still one thing that has not changed. Kermit is still not Kermit. Why would he lie to Fozzie? He cares about his friends. It doens't take a life-changing situation to get Kermit to care. Let me share this, "Underneath the zaniness or perhaps standing next to it, there was a sense of decency that the characters had, about the world and to each other. [. . .] But at the core, there was always a sense of social values and decency." Jerry Juhl, one of the head writers for the Muppets, said that. I think that's what is missing from the new show.

Let's get these characters back to their core values. They can be funny and zany and goofy and pop culture icons and still be caring and decent to one another.

Captain America - Civil War comes to Disney Infinity

Captain America - The First Avenger comes to Disney Infinity!

Disney announced today that Captain America - The First Avenger will be released in March 2016 for Disney Infinity. The figure is quite impressive - new detailed costume, new pose, and new powers!

It's likely that this figure is intended to tie-in Captain America: Civil War. Both the figure and the movie will be released in March 2016.

They also announced Marvel Battleground Playset details, and here they are:

Today, Disney Interactive revealed details for Marvel Battlegrounds, the upcoming Play Set for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, featuring a new four-player, arcade brawler style of gameplay, and an original Marvel storyline. Developed by United Front Games, in partnership with Avalanche Software, Marvel Battlegrounds is the first Disney Infinity Play Set to feature four-player gameplay. With full compatibility for all Disney Infinity Marvel characters, Marvel Battlegrounds features the widest selection of playable characters of any previous Play Set.

“With Disney Infinity 3.0, we’ve aimed to provide a wider variety of gameplay than ever before, and the Marvel Battlegrounds Play Set represents our commitment to developing something entirely new for our players,” said John Blackburn, SVP & GM of Disney Infinity. “The four-player arena style combat gameplay is a perfect way for friends and families to come together and play in head-to-head battles with some of their favorite Marvel characters.”

Launching in March 2016, Marvel Battlegrounds will feature Hulkbuster, Ultron and Captain America – The First Avenger, a new version of Captain America with a new pose, costume and enhanced abilities.  Additional Marvel Battlegrounds figures will be announced in the coming months. All Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) Marvel figures will be playable in the Play Set and will feature adapted abilities and skills to complement the new style of gameplay of Marvel Battlegrounds.

“We worked closely with the Disney Infinity development team to come up with new gameplay and storyline for Marvel Battlegrounds that is unique to the platform,” said Jay Ong, VP of Games, Marvel Entertainment. “We’ve created an authentic Marvel story that will give players the freedom to choose any Marvel figure in Disney Infinity and have them face off against each other in an arena style combat.”

In the original storyline, Ultron teams up with Loki in an effort to steal Asgard’s immensely powerful Infinity Stone. To accomplish this, Ultron and Loki create robotic replicas of the famed Marvel Super Heroes and turn them against each other in an effort to distract them while they commit their crime. The Marvel Super Heroes duplicates battle each other in iconic environments such as a wrecked Brooklyn train yard, Wakanda and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Lunar Base, culminating in a universe-shaking battle against Ultron.

 
Fans can get a more in-depth look at the Play Set during the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition: Facing Off in Marvel’s Battlegrounds panel at New York Comic-Con, featuring participants from Disney Interactive, Avalanche Software, United Front Games and Marvel Games. New York Comic-Con attendees can attend the panel on Saturday, October 10 from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. at Empire Stage 1-E and will receive an exclusive pre-release figure giveaway. Fans at home can watch a live stream of the panel here:http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/NYCCLIV

 

 

The Good Dinosaur Trailer #2

Disney and Pixar has released the 2nd US trailer for The Good Dinosaur and it looks incredible! The first trailer for any Pixar movie generally just shows of the concept. The second actually dives into story and we get to see that in this second trailer. Arlo and Spot are also coming to Disney Infinity 3.0, with Spot as a playable character and Arlo and the rest of the cast as mounts. We cannot wait to see and play The Good Dinosaur this fall!

Review: The Muppets "Hostile Makeover"

The second episode of the muppets, entitled "Hostile Makeover," aired this past week. This time we found the gang setting up Miss Piggy with Josh Groban to try and calm the set down, as code reds are the norm around the stage. Fozzie is invited to Jay Leno's house and steals something of his. And Bobo and the Newsman are selling cookies.

What was nice about this episode is that Piggy was happy! She was having a great time being with Josh Groban, and all the Muppets seemed to appreciate it . . . until she starts changing the show. There are some great jokes, especiall the Electric Mayhem going acoustic. The Up Late with Miss Piggy segment was fantastic and I hope we get to see more of those. It was funny and muppety. We also got to see more of Deadly and Scooter.

The Jay Leno and Fozzie plot line didn't really do much for me. We got some funny moments, but overall it didn't really seem to fit with the rest of the show. It was sort of wedged in there between Piggy and the backstage antics.

Same goes for the cookie selling rivalry between Bobo and the Newsman. I feel like there was potential here, but it didn't really go anywhere. There were some funny moments, but overall it didn't quite work.

I think we had some formatting issues with this episode. If you want to see three interconnected plot lines that work together, watch Phineas and Ferb. They mastered the three-plot story for an 11 minute program. I also found it odd that everyone, including the guests stars, were mean to the Muppets again. Why does everyone hate on them in this new format? I liked seeing Laurence Fishburne interact with Kermit, but not in that way. I get it was meant to motivated Kermit to get the show back to its normal state and get rid of Josh Groban, but it came off way too harsh. Kermit also called Groban a dork. Since when does Kermit call people names?

Here's the thing, we know how this characters behave behind the scenes. It was a regular part of The Muppet Show. Yes, Kermit gets mad once in a while, but he seems to be stuck in a stupor, permanently.

Anywho, besides the above comments, I think its most important that I laughed throughout the episode. I tuned in and will tune in next week as well. Let's hope we're getting closer to a more balanced format and some niceness from the characters.

Review: The Muppets "Pig Girls Don't Cry (Pilot)"

 The Muppets came back to television this past week with a prime time series called the muppets. This time around we see the characters putting on a late night show called Up Late with Miss Piggy. Piggy is, of course, the star of the show. Kermit is the executive producer, Gonzo is a writer, Scooter is a talent scout, Uncle Deadly is wardrobe, and The Electric Mayhem is the show's band. All your other favorite Muppets are there doing things, too. Don't worry.  The show is a documentary style series looking at the personal lives of the Muppets as well as behind-the-scenes of the show within a show.

The pilot episode begins right in the thick of a putting on a episode of Up Late with Miss Piggy with Elizabeth Banks as a guest and Imagine Dragons as the musical act. We're introduced to some of the roles of the characters and what they will be doing for the show. We're also given some idea of a few of the characters personal issues, such as Fozzie dating a human and Miss Piggy and Kermit's break-up.

As for overall plot of the pilot, it was a little mixed. The balance between personal life scenes, backstage scenes, and Up Late with Miss Piggy scenes seemed a little jumbled. There wasn't necessarily a overall plot, besides trying to find another guest star to take Elizabeth Banks' spot, as Miss Piggy didn't want her on the show. This was a device used mostly to get to the break-up scene.

The break-up scene was unexpected. I think Piggy gave one of her best performances ever. You could see the hurt in her every movement. The uncertainty of what just happened, and what will happen to her, was evident. She deeply cares for Kermit.

What I liked about the show:

• Seeing the Muppets putting on a show once again
• Humor was almost spot-on for these characters 
• I particularly liked Sam's role as head executive of broadcast standards and practices, especially when Kermit says, "My life is a bacon-wrapped hell on earth."
• It strikes a good balance between adult and family
• The characters were all there with roles (though this may prove to be troublesome)
• Seeing the Muppets in the real world doing real things with people
• Tom Bergeron was used quite effectively

What I didn't like, or hope is just pilot jitters:

• Denise's dead eyes
• Characters being stuck in roles (will Gonzo get to perform? or is he stuck at the writer's desk?)
• Sketches - we almost had one with Dancing with the Czars
• Characters not seeming to care for one another, except Piggy
• Guests stars used as plot devices (Elizabeth Banks) and musical guests relegated to the end credits (Imagine Dragons)
• Kermit seems like such a downer again here, he seems more stressed out then ever

 I enjoyed the pilot enough to keep watching to see what happens to these characters. My concerns are the longevity of the documentary style show and if we'll ever get to see sketches, songs, and stunts the Muppets are so well-known for, the Piggy/Kermit break-up sub-plot driving the show, and the inclusion of too many guests. We'll see where the next few shows go! I look forward to spending my Tuesday evenings with the muppets.

My other major concern is an idea I have brought up before . . . what happened to the good guys the Muppets used to be? I feel like the sense of caring and respect for one another is gone. Jim Henson said, "There is a sense of our characters caring for each other and having respect for each other. A positive feeling. A positive view of life. That's a key to everything we do." I'd like to see this idea be more forward and prominent in the show. They were always putting on a show and even though things didn't go as planned, the characters helped each other out and took what they had and ran with it with a smile and a song. I'm not saying they can behave like real people who have bad days, we're all entitled to it. But these characters always rose above that and made you feel that even though things are bad or don't work out, there's always something to laugh and smile about when you're with your friends.

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Happy Birthday to Jim Henson! 

Celebrate Jim's birthday today by doing something different, something fun, something nice, and something silly. Sing a song, play a game, make a friend, watch the clouds. Imagine. Laugh. Create. Design. Work Together. Celebrate.

Disney Infinity Characters Released Today

If you've been patient and have been waiting for the release of the retail exclusives, then today you can celebrate by going out and getting them! As of today, all of the retail exclusives are now available in all stores.

That includes Fear, Mulan, Ezra, Kanan, Zeb, and Sabine. Each figures retails for $13.99. Amazon doesn't seem to have any of the exclusives up besides their own (Fear), so be mindful when making purchases.

Happy Collecting and Gaming!

 

 

First Impression: Disney Infinity 3.0

Disney Infinity 3.0 launched on Sunday and we couldn't be more excited! We couldn't wait to add Star Wars characters, themes, and vehicles to the ever expanding universe that is the Toy Box. After D23, we had some more ideas of what the came would contain, as well as a sneak peek at some fun items that would be joining the game.

These are just some first impressions of the game, as we've only scratched the surface. At this point, it's worth mentioning that one of our favorite aspects of the game is the inclusion of nostalgia inducing toys. So, without further ado, here's some of our first impressions!

1. The Introduction made us smile wider than a kowakian monkey lizard! It was a perfect blend of the new and the classic. Seeing the classic trilogy Star Wars characters come together felt like Christmas . . . and now they can be played with our favorite Marvel and Disney characters. Yoda and Stitch team-up is a go!
2. So many new toys! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which comes with a goat) is not a static set piece. It has falling dust that helps make for a more dynamic world-creating and playing experience. Gravity Falls has a lot more toys, too! Can't wait to add a Gobble Wonker to a world!
3. The expansion of town sets. Halloweentown can now become an actual town. Including pieces like Finkelstein's Lab, Jack's House, some gates, and other exciting buildings. Sugar Rush ca also be expanded to fill up your Toy Box with sweet treats.
4. Characters are amazing. Besides having beautiful sculpts, the few we played play well and fit perfectly into the universe. We're so happy to see Yoda be a nice mesh between classic Yoda and Clone wars Yoda. Let him sit for moment, you'll see.
5.  Vehicles - this is one of the best improvements. Many of the vehicle power discs have music upgrades. This is a small detail, but an important one. Some of the music was just bland and did not fit thematically with the piece. Now when you play Darkwing Duck's Ratcatchter, you get to hear the Darkwing Duck theme song! The Electric Mayhem bus has it's music back, which for some reason was lost in DI2.0. We highly encourage you to try all of your vehicles, as the music changes make for a more fun gaming experience.
6. The Boom Box now includes an amazing set list. We get most of the music from DI2.0 plus some fantastic new ones. I'm very happy to see that The Electric Mayhem Bus music can now be selected (so glad the Muppets are still being included in some small way!). You can now add a bunch of new classic John Williams scores to your Star Wars Toy Boxes. I can't wait to make a Dagobah themed toy box with Yoda's Theme. 
7. Star Wars themes and new Disney themes for the Toy Box. The inclusion of such classic art from Sleeping Beauty is wonderful. We love playing with the sky and terrain themes!
8. Packs and Tools has some new items, too. Our favorite by far is the Ewok Glider! We've never been a fan of the glider pack, but now I think it's safe to say that this pack will always be on our characters! It's one of those fun fan items that make the care and love that is put into every game shine and take the limelight. It reminds us why we're fans and why we love the game!
   
   Those are just a few of the things that we love about the game so far! Check back as we put up more impressions of the game, like Toy Box Takeover, Twilight of the Republic playset, characters, and more!

Marvel Collector Corps: Secret Wars

The Secret Wars Collectors Corp box was quite a surprise. Having no idea what was in the box and with no hints from Marvel, this one really was a very pleasant surprise. Not only do you get the standard patch, pin, and comic, but you got a pretty cool looking POP! themed t-shirt and the biggest surprise was Thor AND Miles Morales from Secret Wars! Behold the beauty below!

So far each box has delivered some pretty awesome items. We can't wait to see what Octobers box will be!

Twilight of the Republic Trailer Disney Infinity 3.0

Checkout the new Twilight of the Republic Playest Trailer. We see lots of familiar faces from the Clone Wars series such as Cade Bane and Padme Amidala, along with General Grevious and Jabba the Hutt. WE also get our first look at Yoda, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka working together to defeat Darth Maul (who should technically have his robotic legs). Below is a video of flight combat, Boba Fett, and some Hoth footage.We are only 2 weeks away from launch so enjoy this little sneak peek.

D23 Disney Infinity!

D23 was a huge day for Disney Interactive. Disney Interactive announced Kingdom Hearts III adding Big Hero 6 as a world, where the Heartless have taken the original Baymax left in the portal and takes place after the film. Note, this is where Baymax came onto the stage to applause! There will also be a world based on Tangled. There are even more surprises planned!

Disney Magic Kingdoms, a new way to experience Disney Parks. The short clip showed the iconic Cinderella Castle with Mickey Mouse and Maleficent. You can build your own Disney Park with the famous attractions while a unique story unfolds with the Disney Villains. 

Disney Playmation combines imaginative play with technology. Repulsor Gear and Gamma Gear are the two major packs right now, with Iron Man and Captain America in the starter pack and Hulk and Loki in the expansion. The toys interact with the player and with each other. The power activator brings Ultron enemies into battle and bring smart figures to life. Support single and multi-player action any where, any time. Playmation can also connect to an App as mission control to extend the game. 

Bandai Namco has created a Star Wars arcade-style experience - Star Wars BattlePod. A 180 degree dome screen that immerses you into Star Wars vehicles. Hydraulic seat activators. Pilot the Millenium Falcon in the second Death Star Battle, amongst others. A premium edition will be the ultimate collector's item. 

Star Wars Battlefront is one of the most highly anticipated games in the history of the Walt Disney Company. Electronic Arts has partnered with Disney Interactive with unprecedented access to behind the scenes items and source material. It took home more awards than any other game this year. The game is based on the vision of living your Star Wars fantasies with photo-realistic experiences. Access to Lucasarts Archives allowed artists to bring characters, vehicles, and environments. The Battle of Jakku from the Force Awakenings will be free on December 8th, if you pre-order you will get it first on Dec 1st. The game experience is centered on one thing - fun. Epic multi-player mode for 40 players. Personal experiences for two players. Become an iconic hero or villain from the films. Fighter Squadron will feature up to 20 players in space battle. 

Darth Vader PS4 announced! Coming this holiday for Battlefront and Disney Infinity. Will also include four classic games - Super Star Wars, Bounty Hunter

Disney Infinity -

Raises the bar for content and quality. 

5 Playsets - Inside Out, Twilight of the Republic, Rise Against the Empire, The Force Awakens, Marvel Battlegrounds (original story, four-player simultaneous play with all marvel characters)

El Capitan Theatre and Flynn's Arcade - Competitive Online Play with 3 other players

Toy Dispenser - unlocks toys

Over 5000 virtual toys

Parks and Resorts - Magic Band unlocks Walt Disney Statue

Churro plants, Mickey Ice Cream bar trees

Cruise Lines - will have game kiosks and interactive experiences, Castaway Cay ToyBox environment, the Disney Dream

Toy Box Summit  - adding Peter Pan

November - Hulkbuster and Ultron

Spot from The Good Dinosaur and 4 new power discs from the Good Dinosaur

Zootopia characters

Light-up lightsabers for Star Wars characters this fall

Ultimate Unlock - Keyblade

D23 exclusive is a costume change from Kingdom Hearts for Mickey as King Mickey

Force Awakens Characters were revealed and the actors voiced their characters and were onsite in-person

D23 Disney Infinity

 The D23 Expo is just a one day away. In the mean time, Disney has been tweeting about the Disney Infinity Presentation. Not only will there be big reveals, but gifts as well. I wonder what they have in store. Any guesses! 

We're still rooting that The Muppets, with their new series coming out shortly after the release date will be the three new figures. 

Kermit and Miss Piggy No More!

Today we saw the most important announcement of the year - Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are no longer a couple!

This announcement comes a mere two months before the new series, The Muppets, airs on ABC. Seems like a great way to generate interest in the series and get the Muppets back in the spotlight. Yesterday we got a new video from the Electric Mayhem and Sam Eagle. We do know from the pilot for the series that Kermit and Piggy are dating other people. However, I do wonder how much thought was put into what seems to be a publicity stunt. A sad one at that.

Here is how it happened:

For many Muppet fans, including us, this is quite an announcement. Heartbreaking, even! Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy have been through everything together - getting blown up, motorcycle chases, jail, hard times in Manhattan, a fake wedding in Manhattan (or was it?), sailing for adventure, and living in a house full of Muppets.

It's also odd that earlier today, we got this tweet from Mr. the Frog:

Even when the times got tough, their true love for each other showed. I think one of my favorite moments in their relationship comes from The Great Muppet Caper:

Followed by this beautiful song:

Here's my question for you Disney, would you break up Minnie and Mickey for the sake of a television series?