Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit were some of my childhood’s favorite books. The stories took you to another world and got my “juvenile” imagination running like no other book. It was great to see these books grow into blockbuster movies and now children (and big kids) can re-live the adventures with LEGO series dedicated to the Lord of the Rings. LEGO’s site has a teaser picture up and the rumor has it the toy collections will be release next year. The timing matches the release of the Hobbit movie stated to be released next year. Another great series transferred to the LEGO realm. My guess is that we’ll see a LOTR LEGO game by 2013. Time to start shopping LEGOs for Maxwell.

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It’s amazing how the modern technology combines the interactive applications and tangible products (toys, games etc.). The kids these days can combine a mobile gaming experience with toys such as LEGO to create something unique taking creativity to another level. Of course nay-Sayers and critics keep arguing that kids should not be mixed with gadgets, but I say it’s pretty awesome how the child’s playing experience can be further enhanced with an applciation that reacts to his/her LEGO creation for instance. A good example of such games is LEGO’s Life of George App in which players, “Follow George around the world as he challenges you to a series of fun building tasks. Build as fast as possible, capture your model with your iPhone/iPod camera and get scored on your building skills.” (LEGO) Pretty cool.

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I remember back in the day I used to have my matchbox cars which I raced on the kitchen table, floor or cruised around this mat that had printed roads on it, you know jsut to have your own little city. Combine this with some LEGOs and damn, it was on like Donkey Kong. Back then Nintendo was a big deal, where as today’s youth is fully versed with digital goods and gadgets with many kids learning their A, B, Cs through an iPad. So what’s next for kids? Introducing Disney Cars 2 AppMates. Toy cars meet iPad.

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One of my all time favorite toys has to be a Transformers action figure/truck from way back, like end of the 80′s or beginning of 90′s. The truck was awesome and transformed into a huge Optimus Prime and smaller version of him. You could also transform the set into a battle station. I mean this particular toy was just so great. Check out the pic below to know exactly what toy I mean.

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Being that the release of the Captain America: The First Avenger movie is just behind the corner it comes as no surprise that Hot Toys is also gearing up to release a collectible figure based on the Comic Book hero’s movie version. The authentic looks of the 1:6 figure and add ons like the iconic shield and an assault rifle (?) make this one hot toy. Damn, if these action figures were around when I was growing up. Maybe I need to get Maxwell one of the collectible figures, at least once he gets into the age when he learns how to appreciate action figures, he would be the coolest kid on the block (as if he wasn’t already). Nicely done Hot Toys!

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Now this is something I consider the coolest thing I’ve seen today. Craftsmanship comes in many forms as we have discussed in the past, robotics being one of these forms. Japan has strong foundation on robotics, with the introduction of automata or self-operating machines working on clock-work already intruduced back in the Edo period (300 years ago). These Karakuri is an amazing tradition with modern day craftsmen still creating these early form of robotics using age old techniques. The video by Matthew Allard is definitely worth a watch.

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This is probably like the third post on this particular collaboration but when something this cool comes along, it just needs to be shared. Needless to say I’m a big fan of the joint venture project between coolrain and MINDstyle, in association with the NBA of course. The NBA Collector Series 1 features a number of NBA players in a unique collectible figure form. It’s all in the details. I really hope to cop one of the figures on my desk. Probably won’t have the space for the entire collection but one should suffice. Check out pictures of the collection below and for more detailed pictures check out J.M.E.

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You know we are regularly posting cool LEGO findings on the blog, from LEGO Angry Birds to Millenium Falcon made entirely of LEGOs. Today’s finding might be among the coolest things I have seen. A Kaws-Milo Dissected figure made entirely of LEGOs from Schneider Cheung. I mean the original figures are cool on their own but this piece… Words are barely enough to express this piece of work, so let the pictures do the talking. Impressive, most impressive as Darth Vader himself would put it.

More pictures after the jump.
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Relationships always have their ups and downs but sometimes its the hobbies or interests of the other party that can really stir trouble in paradise. Of course it’s all about understanding but when the other party is obsessed enough with whatever his/her interest might be, it’s sure to cause a problem. One such issue could be collections. Whether it’s video games, action figures, jeans or T-shirts, everyone has their tolerance levels. One housewife just came to an end of her tolerance level with her husband’s action figure collection.

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You might remember the awesome NBA figures/collectibles by MINDstyle and Coolrain? The other day I came across an awesome set of photos for the NBA Collector Series by these two toy/design houses. The figures themselves are just awesome, but when you combine great surrounding for the photoshoot you get something even better. At least the pictures made me smile.

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