Spooky Town Creepy Pumpkin Patch

There’s scary and then there’s REALLY scary! Get ready for chills and shivers with Lemax’s Spooky Town Creepy Pumpkin Patch Michael’s Exclusive.

You read right. The only place you can get Lemax’s Spooky Town Creepy Pumpkin Patch is at Michael’s. When it comes out you better be one of the first in line or (poof!) they’re gone!

You’ll need three AA batteries (not included) or a power cord (sold separately) to light up this monstrosity. Pumpkins have never looked more frightening!

The Creepy Pumpkin Patch comes in a unique full-view, clear-plastic, front box panel so buyers can see the entire set-up. Photos of the Pumpkin Patch are on both sides of the box. It also features full-color logos, text, etc.

Shipped in a sealed, heavy cardboard box the Pumpkin Patch display box also is protected by a three-sided, corrugated cardboard container with special seal strips that must be cut in order to remove the Pumpkin Patch.

As I mentioned earlier the Pumpkin Patch has lots of lights. Here’s what they are: five extended pole lights (four white, one purple), nine interior lights behind windows, through missing roof shingles and a roof spotlight. They vary in color from green, purple and white. They look awesome in the dark!

The Creepy Pumpkin Patch building sits on a dirt and grass platform.

Several figures are included. They are three skeleton dogs, a skeleton sitting on the stairs, a skeleton looking out a window, rats in an upper window and on the steps, two spiders on the steps with one on a wall, a zombie dressed in a tan jacket, white shirt, red ties, blue pants, and brown shoes holding a pumpkin over his head, a large pumpkin head scarecrow, a zombie holding a pumpkin, a zombie holding a small pumpkin and a skeleton dog on a leash, a pumpkin headed person leaning out an upper window, two skulls in an upper window, a pumpkin head skeleton leaning out the upper most window, 21 pumpkins alone or in groups scattered over the house and a crow on the roof.

Starting on the left side of the mansion there are three small brown wooden barrels and one large wooden barrel with a silver steel pipe coming out of its top entering a two-pane widows with a brown wooden casing.

The left side of high-pitched roof building with painted vertical wooden slats with a brown horizontal divider between the upper and lower floors. A rickety windmill tower of brown wood with a nine-blade, metal weather van tops the steep roof with broken brown wooden shingles.

The back of building is plain with a large black panel where the light controls are hidden and the battery compartment is housed. The power switch is on the right side of the building.

The front of mansion left to right includes gabled, high-pitch rood with a large and small hole in the roof where an eerie green light shows through. A small, four-side, brick peak with a metal roof has cascading pumpkins sitting upon it. A small craggy tree sits behind the peak.

Next to it on the crest of the roof is a small room attachment with two, black-trim, four windows and a partial cast iron fence. attached to the main crest of the roof. On the other side is another roof attachment with a cast iron fence. Next to it is another small craggy tree and the round point roof with a small awing and opening that a ladder than extends all the way to the base of building.

On the lower left is another small pitch roof attachment with a small window and wood trim. Sitting on the window sill are four bottles and a sign below them that reads CIDER. A striated patch of light brown hay extends out from the small building attachment. 

In the middle of building is a large, gaping mouth pumpkin with jagged teeth and green glowing eyes. Inside the pumpkin’s mouth is a set of stairs leading up the main entrance with hay on both sides a stepped in porch with pumpkin decorations and four sets of lite up eyes. Above the alcove is a CREEPY PUMPKIN PATCH sign, a open hay loaf door with hay on each side and a peaked roof horn.

To the right of the front is a small PUMPKIN PATCH THIS WAY sign with a black arrow. Standing next to it is the aforementioned scarecrow and a stacked hay bail. inset area with an open wooden door with the IF YOU DARE sign. A large bat spans the area above the door way to the alcove. 

Above the bat is a HAUNTED BARN sign in orange and above the sign is an open hay loaf with two doors of wood with a wood casing and above that is another opening. The roof to the barn opening is patchy with several holes where light emits from.

The far right tower sits partially inside the side of the house and green foliage creeping up its side.

It a very complicated and well executed miniature set of interconnected rooms and buildings. Color application is first rate with no rough edges or uneven lines. The sculpt is amazing with various textures, lots of detail and extremely well executed. All the elements fit perfectly together into a very creepy assembly.

The whole set up looks especially spooky when the lights are out. Trick or Treaters are sure to get a kick out of it when seen through my front window on Halloween night.

Of the three Halloween sets Lemax sent me this is my favorite.  It really captures the essence of Halloween with its spooky shadows and creatures and haunted house setting.

My daughter stopped over the other day and saw it and said, "I want to set it up at my house for Halloween!'  Of course, how could I say no?

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Teddy Bear Factory

Can you believe it?! It’s June already! Before you know it July 4^th, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here!

Time sure does fly past fast when you’re an old coot like myself. But, at least I’m a kid at heart. Especially when it comes to Christmas. Celebrating Christ's birth, a Christmas tree, decorations, gifts and the holiday spirit make it all worth while.

Also, getting to see Lemax’s Christmas display sets let’s me know that Christmas is truly here.

As I mentioned before in my first Lemax review the company was kind enough to add me to their reviewers’ list. Several of Lemax’s products arrived. The Teddy Bear Factory is one of them.

The factory comes as one piece in a colorful flip-lid box decorated with images of the factory. Inside the factory is housed in a form-fitted, cardboard container consisting of three parts, No shifting around or bumping with this container! A power cord that attaches to the back of the factory comes in a separate Styrofoam bag and is secured with a plastic coated wire. Instructions are included.

When the factory arrived at my house it was also sealed in a heavy-duty, cardboard box sealed with tape and filled with popcorn packing. Lemax is very particular, careful and thorough when it comes to protecting their products.

As I mentioned earlier a power cord comes with the Teddy Bear Factory. It attaches to the back of the Factory and once connected to power it’s the push of a red button to light up the factory’s triple gold lights, twin porch lights and the interior of the gazebo. It really look awesome at night.

It’s perfect for displaying with Lemax’s other Christmas scenes on a table, fireplace mantle or in a window for others to see.

Being a Christian I’d love to get some of Lemax’s Nativity and Biblical scenes and figures. They look amazing.

The Teddy Bear Factor scene consists of two small buildings connected by a silver-fluted tunnel between them. A separate gazebo comes with five full-length windows that light from the interior. 

A hazy, muted light is made possible by the light, cotton-like stuffing in the gazebo. The gazebo has a five-side green with tan and red trimming roof, a Teddy Bear Factory sign on its front window and the base that are also five-sided that has a green banister red side and decorated with oversize buttons of a variety of colors.

The left building of the scene has a snow-covered roof with the upper second roof shingles of green showing through. Twin Teddy Bears sit on the peak of the roof, front and back. A circular green chimney with a red strip sits on the back of the roof.

The snow cover opposing roof has a Teddy Bear sitting on its peak to the left.

The upper, face front second floor is trimmed in tan and green with red wood slats. Silver and gold, over-sized, engaged gears are attached to the red slats.

In front of facing wall is a Teddy Bear Factory sign in red letters, twin red hearts and small brown Teddy Bear image, The sign is trimmed in light blue. On the left of the sign is a brown wooden drum decorated in yellow and on the right a drum decorated in red.

The bottom floor facing forward has a large picture window with two Teddy Bears inside against a gear background. It has yellow and blue oversize buttons and yellow roof supports. There are a green floor mat and a two-step, gray cobblestone combination that leads up to the window.

On one side of the steps is a Factory Hours sign and on the other side is a small brown basket filled with red, blue and yellow Christmas tree decorations.

The two interconnected buildings and gazebo sit on a stone base consisting of large gray blocks and brown and gray cobblestones with a light yellow backgrounds. Snow partially covers the stone base.

The left side of the first building has two green, six panel windows, with gray upper stone casings, and red frames. A circular red and stone frame, four panel window is above them.

Four yellow roof support beams, green and brown wooden corner braces and a brown barrel with a pant finish the left side ensemble.

The back of the building also supports two green, multi-pane windows, similar braces and the dark gray roof shingles show through the snow.

The right side of the building is a plain light brown with the fluted silver tunnel in its lower part.

The second Welcome building to the right has a three-step set of stairs capped by two large faux flames.

The door consisted of light and dark brown panels, diamond shaped accents, gold hinges and door knob assembly. The entire door casing is a light brown wood.

On both sides of the door are old-fashioned lamps in black and gold. A Welcome awing of gray is over the front entrance. Three Teddy Bears sit on the top of the awning. Above them is one of the gold lights I mentioned earlier.

The casing below the roof line is painted in tan, green with red accents and decorated with oversize buttons in a variety of colors. On the overlapping roof line a large Teddy Bear sits waving its right hand. 

Above him is another gold light. He rests against the upper floor wall of green and tan and trimmed in red. A small black chimney stack extends from the roof and twin Teddy Bears sit on the front and back roof peak.

Side extended roof gabbles with red, four-panel windows trimmed in brown extend out front each side of the upper roof. The left side of the building consists of red wood slats with the fluted metal tunnel attached to it.

The back of the building consists of red wood horizontal slats, a single six-panel green window trimmed in brown and a detailed upper floor of tan trimmed in red and green wooden planks-very Norwegian. The plug in with on and off button is on the lower left.

The right wall is also of red slats and has a small silver tube attaching it to the gazebo.

The entire Teddy Bear Factory ensemble is adorable with excellent sculpt and assembly, crisp and tight paint application along with a clever use of lights. It really sparkles when lit up. I know my grandkids with be delighted when they see it.

It's really hard to describe just how adorable the Teddy Bear Factory is. I suggest you visit a Michael’s or other store that carries the Lemax’s line of figures and settings and see for yourself. I guarantee once you do so you’re bound to buy a few and then a few more and then even more.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Spooky Town The House Of Shadows

Each year about a month or so before Halloween I like to visit my local Michael's store to check out the various Halloween decorations they have for sale.

The first place I go is to the front of the store where Lemax has its Halloween themed display of spooky houses, characters and the like.

The Lemax display is easy to spot. Lots of small lights, animated figures and the like can't help but draw my attention. I love watching the various actions and movements of each piece. The superb sculpture work, clean and bright colors and comical and spooky characters are so much fun to watch.  

No matter how many times I return to Michael's during the Halloween holiday I can always spot something new on the Lemax spooky scenes.

This year Lemax added my blog to their reviewer's list and provided me with three of their Halloween products for review. I am excited to share my review of the first one of them.

First up is Lemax's Spooky Town The House Of Shadows and boy is it spooky. It certainly lives up to its name.

Before I get into the House Of Shadows itself I'd like to talk about the packaging it comes in.

As a former graphic designer, Vice President of Marketing and high school teacher of commercial art, graphic design and drawing I can’t help but be impressed by Lemax’s incredible packaging not only for The House Of Shadows but all of its holiday products.

As I mentioned earlier I am privileged enough to be on Lemax’s reviewers’ list and they were kind enough to send many of their holiday sets.

As to the shipping box itself. It is completely sealed with tape. The box is made of heavy cardboard. Inside the product box is snug in place courtesy of packing peanuts and bubble packing. There is no way the product box or its contents are going to be damaged.

The product box itself has a large, flip-lid with three sides.  The cardboard box is all in black save for a full-color illustration of The House Of Shadows setup.

The Lemax and Spooky Town logos decorate the side of the flaps and a built-in plastic handle makes carrying then entire package easy and safe.

Side flaps slide into the main body of the box while two top tabs secure the lid.

Inside the house itself is packed in a Styrofoam box in two pieces which are held together with a Velcro strap. The house is wrapped in tissue paper as are all the separate set pieces, including the power cord and expansion cable.

Small boxes contain all the smaller components of the set. Each box has black line drawing of the components in their individual boxes. Additional clear plastic wrap and paper stuffing are also used to pad out boxes providing additional protection.

A full instruction sheet comes in several languages along with a special postage card insert. Nicely done.

It’s obvious Lemax takes special pride in its products and extra care when it comes to shipping and packaging.

Let’s talk about the house.

Standing approximately 10-inches tall the house features some the nicest miniature sculpting I’ve ever seen. That goes along with its superb paint application.

The house appears to be an old two-story Victorian mansion with a steeply pitched roof, library/bell tower with a five-side bell-shaped roof covered in brown wood shingles. Large windows encircle the tower. Each window has the silhouette of a ghost in it. The ghostly figures show up when the display is lit as do other window figures all over the house. The inner light ebbs and flows giving the house an eerie pulsating glow.

The first story of the tower also has a wraparound wooden shingle roof with only one window. Below that are upper base panels in gray, white and black accents.

The entire house rests on a cobble stone base of light brown. The house consists mostly of dirty gray and white horizontal wooden slats. Black metal lights extend out from the first story of the tower and on the opposite side of the house gabble.

Sections of the house are also sheathed with off-brown bricks, wood and stone trim and decorated gabble and roof pitch wooden carvings reminiscent of Norwegian homes.

The back of the house is mostly plain with wood, stone and wooden roof shingles. The power cord plug-in to the house is just below the eight-panel window on the right rear. A single switch turns on the house lights.

The entire house rests on a base painted to look like grass and soil. On the left side of the house is a craggy gray tree with no leaves, a stone planter with a green leafy plant, an orange scooter with black handles and a stone birdbath with water and a black bird.

The entire house looks slightly dilapidated with wood patches, faded colors and some holes in the stone-ridged roof with its crows nest (with crows) and intermittent sides and extrusions.

The roof has several holes in it. The overall look of the house is shabby and creepy.

The front of the house has a wooden pole with metal mailbox, two steps and porch with two-gray posts and handrails with a large black metal canon ball on the lower step. The door is blood red with a BEWARE! sign on it.

The right of the front has a room extension with a large picture window. Above it is another large window with a small multi-colored porch wrapped in front of it. A gray stone bench with a blackbird and craggy tree to the left of it sets in front of the lower bay window.

The right side of the hose has a boarded up window in the extended room addition, A boarded up window in the lower main building with a bare tree in front of it and an upper window that is open with white sheet blowing out from it as does a sheet on the left side of the house through its upper four-pane window.

Included with the house are several figures. All are stagnant on squared-off bases in different colors.

A woman with blond hair carrying a black purse steps back from a creepy ghost in all white advancing toward her. the woman’s cloths consist of a red skirt, light blue blouse and brown knee boots. The woman’s expression of fear is easy to see.

Another white ghost attacks a man dressed in gray trousers, black belt with silver belt buckle, dark brown shoes, a white shirt and dark brown jacket.

A white ghost in a blue jacket looks to be attempting to scare a black cat. On the ground is a silver chain and a red book entitled How To Scare.

A wooden sign with the words KEEP OUT! is surrounded by four creepy orange pumpkins and a human skull and bones on a grass and dirt base. On the top of the sign a large black and white vulture waits for its next victim.

Two large black craggy trees are also included, A large black succulent tree with lights and a pole stand with a full moon that lights up are also included.

Additional figures and props can be purchased separately.

A master switch turns the house, tree and moon lights. Separate switches allow each to be turned off independently. It’s an easy set-up.

The house and its accessories looks especially spooky when you turn out the lights What a delightful display to show-off when the Halloween season comes around. Well done Lemax!

I know my family (especially my grandkids) are sure to get a kick out of this spooky display.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Han Solo As a Stormtrooper

Way back in 1995 Kellogg Cereals offered to Star Wars fans the chance to get a Han Solo as a Stormtrooper action figure by mailing in cereal coupons.

The promotion coincided with Lucasfilms' reissue of the original Star Wars Trilogy in theaters upgraded with digital effects and extra scenes.

The partially articulated figure came in a small white box with the figure contained within a plastic bag.  

The helmet removed from the head revealing Han Solo’s familiar mug.

I sent away for one for each of my kids-I still have them here at home (the toys not the kids-they’re both grown up and have a kid each of their own).

Both of our kids were thrilled when they received their Han Solo as a Stormtrooper figures.  I have them tucked away in a box and someday when my wife and I have passed on, maybe, just maybe, our kids will look back fondly and remember what a simple act of kindness meant to them.  

Perhaps they’ll pass the figures on to their kids along with a few other mementos of their childhood items.

Better still they’ll talk of my wife and I and know just how much we loved them.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Alex Trevelyan in Goldeneye

Who would make the ultimate nemesis for James Bond 007?

What better choice for a villain than a fellow 00 secret agent who has gone bad?

That’s what Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Goldeneye gets when he faces of against Sean Bean as Alex Trevelyan: secret agent 006.

It seems Alex joined the British Secret Service as a means by which he could obtain government secrets--specifically Goldeneye.

After supposedly dying at the hands of the Russians on a joint mission with James Bond Trevelyan reappears as the head of a rogue group of Russian military types bent on destroying both the British and Russian government’s finances and securing unimaginable wealth for themselves.

The final fight scene between Trevelyn and Bond is a classic and its the first time we see how ruthless and cold Bond is as portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.

Sideshow Collectibles acquired the rights to produce 12-inch James Bond film figures and Alex Trevelyan was one of them.

The figure is housed in a flip-lid box decorated with photos from the film along with text about the film and film stars.

Inside the figure is snug in its form-fitted, clear, plastic cocoon held in place with plastic covered wires.  Accessories, along with its circular base and support wire, are also held in place in the cocoon.

The figure comes dressed all in black: a cuffed pocket shirt, a black belt with a silver buckle in the shape of a triangle, trousers with pockets and shoes.

He wears a standard issue ‘00’ wristwatch with a laser.  His hair is brown, eyes are blue and his chin is strong with high cheeks and a straight nose.

The fully-articulated figure has preset hands for holding the handgun, small explosive magnetic mine and stockless rifle with twin barrels and a clip.

The Goldeneye computer-targeting module is silver with translucent orange panels and eye.

Details (especially on the weapons and Goldeneye) are extremely well done and the figure’s clothing is loose enough to shrift with the character when posed with no binding or unnatural bundling.

Paint application is clean on the figure with minimal tonal changes and the stitching, creases and folds on the real cloth outfit are in scale and match actual sized clothing.

The figure can stand (with limitations) on its own or posed with its weapon and Goldeneye module with the help of the enclosed stand.

Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Young Frankenstein The Monster

Of all the actors to play Frankenstein's monster Peter Boyle seemed like an unlikely choice.

You may remember him as Frank, the father of Ray Romano in the TV series Everyone Loves Ray.

And yet, he pulled it off with panache.

Sideshow Toy (Collectibles) created a tree figure set of Young Frankenstein featuring Doctor Frankenstein, Igor and The Monster.

All three figures came in special clear front panel boxes with the Young Frankenstein logo prominent on their fronts.

The Monster fully-articulated figure is dressed in a gray and fuzzy (mole hair) jacket with not pockets or buttons, gray pants with no cuffs and a slid black shirt.  He also wears large black, platform boots with no 

The figure's features look exactly like Peter Boyle’s albeit with a heavy brow, a partially bald head, stitches and two heavy metal bolts protruding out of his neck.

The figure’s skin color is a pallid gray with heavy shadows.  His hands are large, as are his feet.

The figure’s articulation is well hidden beneath its cloth and posing the figure in various stances is easy with or without its custom made cobblestone base.

Included with the figure it and extra forearm and hand clutching a rat, two flower petals, a handle from a broken but, chained shackles and a large earthenware bowl. 

Paint application is clean and crisp.  Clothing is stitched and fitted to perfectly fit the figure with no unsightly bunching or wrinkles when the figure is posed.

Only 7,500 of the figures were created and as collectors clamor for earlier Sideshow figures the price continues to escalate.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Richard Kiel As Jaws Moonraker

The lovable giant with the metal teeth (Jaws) made his second appearance in the James Bond film Moonraker starring Roger Moore as James Bond.

The Jaws figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip-lid box (slightly larger than conventional boxes because of the character's size) with information about the movie on the inside of the flap.

The cover of the box is a recreation of the movie’s poster.

Inside the 14-inch figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form-fitted, clear plastic cocoon with plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

The massive figure captures the likeness of the actor perfectly with his huge, square head, large brow and deep-set eyes.  Jaws smiles and his metal teeth shine in the light.

The figure comes dressed in a long sleeve white shirt with a collar and cuffs, a green/gray tie and trousers and large brown shoes with heavy soles.

The articulation is smooth and even with no catching or looseness and the preset hands easily hold the various accessories that come with the figure.

They include an altitude watch that fits snuggly over the figure’s wrist, goggles that slid over the figure’s face and rests on the bridge of his nose and a cloth black parachute with straps, hooks and latches that fits over the figure’s shoulders.

The figure and accessories look very authentic like those in the film.  Cloths fit loosely on the figure so there is no bunching or unnatural folds in the cloth when the figure poses on or off its circular Moonraker base and wire support.

Stitching and tailor work on the clothing and parachute are to size and nicely done, clothing is of real fabric, the goggles and ‘watch’ look like the real things and coloration of the figure is lifelike with subtle variations in skin tone.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Halle Berry As Jinx Die Another Day

Actress Halle Berry got to strut her stuff in the last Pierce Brosnan James Bond film: Die Another Day.

The Jinx figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip lid box with information about the movie on the inside of the flap.

The cover of the box is a recreation of the movie’s poster.  On the back are photos from the film and a short description about Jinx.

Inside the figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form-fitted, clear plastic cocoon and secured with plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

The 12-inch, fully articulated figure features a head sculpt that looks exactly like Halle Berry.  With her short cropped black hair, large expressive eyes, luscious lips and square chiseled (yet soft) features the figure looks as it could actually take a breath and speak.

The propositioned hands easily hold the included accessories with no slippage or awkwardness.

Jink wears a deep red leather, form-fitted jumpsuit with a long sleeve jacket with no pockets and a Nehru collar with no buttons.

She also wears red leather pants that are tucked into knee-high black boots and her hands are in black leather gloves.

A large, wide black belt with a silver buckle and six black knife sheaths make up the balance of her outfit.

Included with the figure is a circular Die Another Day base with a wire support for posing the figure.

Six silver throwing knives and a handgun with a silencer come with the figure.  All look authentic and are finely detailed right down to the open handles to the knives and wooden handle of the gun along with the detachable silencer.

The cloths on the figure fit loosely enough to remove and when the figure is posed the cloths do not bunch, crease or have unsightly and unnatural folds.

Coloration and sculpt work are superb and look very realistic while the cloths are real cloth with stitching, ceases and tailored to fit the figure.

Overall it is an excellent figure, container and accessories combination.

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Sean Connery As James Bond In Goldfinger

The James Bond film Goldfinger set the template and standard by which all other James Bond films from that point would follow.

The super gadgets, nefarious villain, the car, the women, the action, the locations-all were hyped up and over the top beginning with Goldfinger.

The Sean Connery James Bond In Goldfinger figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip lid box with information about the movie on the inside of the flap.

The cover of the box is a recreation of the movie’s poster.

The figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form- fitted, clear plastic cocoon and plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

Also included is a circular Goldfinger base with a wire support that clips into a slot on the base allowing the Bond figure to pose and stand.

The cloths fit the figure perfectly and are loose enough to allow the figure to pose without causing unsightly and unnatural folds and creases in the real cloth outfit.

The pre-positioned hands easily and securely hold the enclosed accessories.

The figure’s head and face look remarkably like Sean Connery’s with his short-cropped and styled black hair, dark, deep-set eyes, chiseled chin, straight nose and thin lips.  

The figure comes dressed in a solid black, two-piece jumpsuit, (made with real cloth) as seen in the film, along with black shoes.

A black backpack with blue straps and Velcro flap contains a large grappling gun with rope attachment, a large tube of plastic explosive, a silver homing device, a gold bar and Bond’s PPK Walther handgun.

All are to scale and look movie accurate.

All the pieces are finely-crafted with careful attention given to details.

For example check out the stitching and assembly of the backpack, the grip, trigger and precision of both weapons and even the Third Reich symbol on the gold bar.  Remarkable!

Articulation is tight and offers remarkable poses made possible by the various articulation types such as swivel, tilt, rotate, hinge, ball and join, etc.

Construction and quality is excellent overall on both the figure and the accessories.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Mutant Leader

One of the most horrific surprises seen in the classic Beneath The Planet Of The Apes film is the true appearance of the Mutant Leader. Talk about a creepy looking character.

The movie takes place not long after the original Planet Of The Apes film.  The sequel starred Charlton Heston reprising his role as an astronaut trapped in the future where the earth was ruled by apes.

The second film found him up against the remaining humans who have transformed into mutants due to the nuclear radiation from the war that destroyed mankind.

The Sideshow Collectibles' Mutant Leader comes in a flip-lid box suited for the 12-inch, fully-articulated figure.  The front panel has an image of the Mutant Leader on the cover and on the inside flap there’s information about the character and film.

The main body of the box has a clear plastic viewing panel.

Behind the panel the figure and accessories are held in place by a form-fitted clear plastic cocoon and plastic straps.

The figure has two faces: one that looks like a normal human and underneath a terrifying mutant face with transparent skin revealing the musculature and bone underneath-just like in the film.

The normal face slips on and off the mutant face with no problem.

Clothed entirely in what looks like light tan tweed cloth the figure wears a full hood, a zipperless long-sleeved jacket, a white smock/shirt, loose pants with no cuffs, tan slippers, white socks, and tan gloves.

Also included is a long white robe with a large, folded-over collar and simple elongated silver cross on the middle of the robe’s chest area.

A circular base with a wire support is included for posing the figure and a silver tipped vial with red liquid and an open holy book accompany the figure.

The figure’s preset hands hold each of the objects easily with no slippage, posing is smooth and stationary with no cloth binding or bunching.

Coloration and sculpting on the face is precise both on the human mask and mutant face underneath.

Variated skins tones make the flesh look real, even the transparent flesh is realistic as are the muscles, tendons and bones seen underneath the transparent skin.

Stitching and scaling of the cloth look authentic in their scaled down versions and the vial and book are finely crafted and look like real items.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

The Batman Batmobile

Like so many things in The Batman animated series, the Batmobile went through a remarkable transformation.  It’s much sleeker and high-tech, lower to the ground and compact.

The shortened, stocky, high-powered Batmobile is all business with its low to the ground profile, custom tires and wheels, open cockpit and sleek, side exhaust vents.

The car has a short hood tapered into the large tinted front windshield.  Narrow side windows obscure the driver.  There is no rear window.  

The rear of the Batmobile holds the massive engine twin tapered vents allow the engine to breath and the side exhausts light up and make noises when either of the two buttons on the top vents are pushed.

The rear of the car has four large engine panels glowing a bright yellow and red. 

Both the front and the back of the car have large, heavy-duty bumpers.   A bat symbol decorates the front of the car.

Inside full instrument panels, a steering wheel and a custom seat with a real cloth seatbelt make up the cockpit.

The side exhaust panels pop out with the push of a button and twin missiles fire. 

The Batman action figure fits easily in the cockpit via the open roof. A Batcycle is also available.

Construction of the Batmobile is sturdy, tough and resilient enough to take hard play.   Components, stickers and the body can take a lot of punishment.  Coloration and textures are crisp and clean, the tires are rubber and the wheels a hefty enough to stand up to hours of play.

The Mattel Toys' Batmobile comes in a see-thru front panel box emblazoned with images of the Batmobile and bat symbol.

An open red circle above the Batmobile allows prospective buyers to test the sound and light buttons.

Psalms 56:3-4 - What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

The Kurgan

Few onscreen villains can beat Highlander’s Kurgan.  Sworn enemy of the Highlander’s Kurgan is ruthless, clever and a resourceful foe who was incredibly powerful.

He is ruthless and determined.  The more than human hulking Kurgan’s only wish is to gain the ultimate prize: immortality.  And he will do anything and kill anyone who gets in his way.

With his pale skin, piercing eyes, shallow cheeks and tattooed baldhead the Kurgan figure is menacingly looking as his human namesake.

Dressed entirely in black leather the Sideshow Collectibles' Kurgan 12-inch figure wears a sleeveless leather jacket with lots of rivets, heavy buckles, zippers and rings he also wears patched together left black leather sleeve with a gray jagged mesh coming from his left breast pocket.

His leather pants has a string of silver buttons running down the crotch area on both sides and his feet are shod in black leather, high-top biker boots.

The figure, along with his accessories its are cradled in a clear plastic form-fitted cocoon behind a clear plastic viewing pane.  Plastic straps assist in keeping the figure secure.

The figure comes in a flip-lid box with the history of the character printed on the inside of the flap.

Archaic symbols decorate the box along with Kurgan photos.

Inside a circular Highlander base and wire support are included.

The Kurgan carries only one weapon: a huge silver double blade sword with and ornate and sharp pommel and black leather strap handle.

The figure easily holds the weapon in his pre-positioned hands.

Coloration on the figure, along with the sculpt work is tight, precise and extremely well done.

Articulation is hidden beneath the cloths and the clothing moves easily over the figure when posed with no bunching or binding.

Various articulation types allow the figure to pose naturally, with or without the stand.

It’s an extremely well done figure with real cloth clothing and the complementary packaging real sets the figure off. 

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Battle Board Robin

To me one of the best DC Comics Batman toy adaptation was the series produced in 2003 by Mattel Toys that included the Battle Board Robin.

Robin looks like a buffed, tough and rough guy in his newly redesigned Robin outfit.

The figure comes on a standup/hanger package that is clear on three sides and with a large bat symbol in a spotlight predominant on the package.

This is a modern day Robin.  Gone are the impish small boy features.  Instead a confident young man with short-cropped black hair, a muscular body and the hard chiseled features denotes a warrior.

Dressed in a red leotard/upper armor outfit with a green short sleeve undershirt, a yellow utility belt, green leotards, black-heavy tread knee boots and black gloves that end just below his elbows, the black masked Robin also has a two-tone cape made of real cloth.

The interior is yellow and the exterior black.

His transport is a Battle Board upon which he stands and flies.

It is arrow shaped with a black and brown/copper body and black and silver tipped wings and tail. A large ‘R’ decorates both sides.

Included with the Battle Board is a brown/copper disc that ejects when the rear of the board is depressed.

The fully articulated figure is sharply sculpted, features crisp color application with no slopover edge or flashing and the articulation is well hidden.

The figure attaches to the Battle Board allowing it to stand. Or it can stand without it.

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you

Will Turner Pirates Of The Caribbean

Most moviegoers may disagree but in the original Pirates Of The Caribbean Trilogy of movies starring Johnny Depp as the pirate Jack Sparrow, Sparrow was not the main character.

Nor was it the damsel in distress.  Instead it was Will Turner the son of a pirate who became part of Davy Jones pirate crew. 

The Sideshow Collectibles/Hot Toys 12-inch figure is housed in a flip-lid box decorated with photos from the film.

Inside the figure is snug in its form-fitted clear plastic cocoon held in place with plastic covered wires.  Accessories, along with its circular base and support wire, are also held in place in the cocoon.

The box comes with a slip case, protective side card slats and both a fitted clear cover for the figure and accessories and a flat clear plastic that covers them all.

I was pleased when Sideshow Collectibles became the U.S. distributor of Hot Toys. 

Hot Toys figures upped the quality and details of the Sideshow collection of figures.  I have many in my collection.

While the company started out small it has become a juggernaut turning out figures on a monthly basis.

Figures produced include TV and movie figures and have branched out to include dioramas and vehicles.

Like the Will Turner figure all of Hot Toys figures look exactly like the characters they are fashioned after-right down to coloration, hair style, features and even to the sparkle in their eyes.

The Will Turner figure’s features are sharp, well-defined, expertly sculpted and look identical to the movie character.

The full- articulated figure is astounding in it ability to poses naturally like a human figure. Hands easily grasp weapons and accessories.

Clothing and footwear fit snuggly and are easily removed.

Cloths look natural with no unnatural folds or creases and when the figure is posed the move like natural clothing with no unsightly ceases or bunched up folds.

Cloths hang and drape naturally.

If you’ve watched any of the Pirates movie you know how elaborate the characters’ costumes are and how authentic.

The Will Tuner figure from Hot Toys matches Will’s clothing he wore in At World’s End.

The figure’s head is cradled in a plastic collar that keeps it stationary and protected.

The figure wears a deep purple shirt with ruffled sleeves.  Over that he wears a deep gray leather undercoat with silver button that is secured by a light brown leather belt with a black buckle and a colorful sash with frayed thread ending in deep yellow.  

The leather undercoat ends at his knees.

Over that he wears a deep brown rough fabric coat with large folded back cuffs and wit no collar.

Copper buttons run down the length of the front of the coat and on the cuffs.

His pants are deep gray and baggy and fit into his buccaneer boots that are folded down from the knees and have no latches or laces.

The shoes are heavy with thick soles.

Over his outer coat he wears black belt with pouches and a thick black buckle.

Included with the figure is a second right hand for holding weapons, a flintlock pistol with a wood handle, a solid metal knife (blade and handle), a knife sheath with stitching and a large saber with a bowl pommel and a finger guard and metal handle.  

Clothing details are in scale, leather and various fabric types and the weapons are period correct with accurate details.

Flesh coloring on the figure is subtle and multi-tone and the overall quality of the figure with accessories is first-rate.

A small pamphlet about the movie and character is also included with a base and a support wire.

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Ice Cannon Mr. Freeze

Personally I think the Ice Cannon Mr. Freeze figure by Mattel produced in 2003 is the best toy version of the villain that the company produced.

This version of Mr. Freeze means business and he looks ‘super cool’ doing it.

The figure comes sealed in a clear plastic cocoon attached to a hanger card with an illustration of Mr. Freeze decorating the lower right hand corner.  The package can be hung or set on shelf.

Mr. Freeze comes dressed in a semi-translucent suit with a large chest piece with flared metal shoulders, a clear plastic helmet and reinforced chest assembly.

His dark blue body suit has a large metal belt with a single blue control button in the middle.

He wears large, heavy boots with metal rings secured to his body suit.

Included with the figure is an Ice Cannon that comes attached by hoses to two reservoirs that strap to the figure’s back.

Fill the reservoirs with water and with the push of a button on the backpack the Ice Cannon fires.

Details on the Ice Cannon and backpack are amazing with lots of knobs, color accents, hoses, grips, indentations, protrusions and triggers.

The Freeze figure also wears heavy metal gauntlets and its head swerves, as does its torso.  Dr. Freeze’s head is blue with no hair and he wears red lens glasses.

The attention to detail in the sculpt is impressive as is the color application and points of articulation.

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

The Dark Crystal Jen

Jim Hendrick’s epic puppet movie The Dark Crystal was a groundbreaking film.

The Sideshow Collectibles' Jen figure comes packaged in a beautiful flip lid box with The Dark Crystal movie poster decorating the front and similarly themed borders and decorations on both the inside and outside of the box.

Inside the flip lid is a cast listing from the movie while on the main body of the box a clear plastic panel allows collectors to view the 12-inch, fully articulated Jen figure.

The figure, along with its accessories and held in place by a clear plastic form fitted cocoon and plastic straps.

Accessories include a large purple translucent crystal, a twin stalk wooden flute, and a circular base with a support wire.

The figure's face looks identical to the film version of the elf with pointed ears, long shaggy black hair cut with straight bangs, large brown eyes, a long nose/snout and large lips.  

Clothing includes a multi-layered tunic with fluted edges, swirling embroidered decor on its front, several sewn in straps, padded shoulder and three-sided bone and cloth emblem just below the Nehru type collar.

Long loose stands of beige fabric wrapped over the shoulder s and arms-much like a cape, heavy weaved knitted slightly gray fitted tights and leather and cloth shows with no toes cover Jen’s feet.

Long brown strings are attached to his wrists for securing his flute or other items.  He wears a dark brown leather belt with an ornate buckle, side silver rivets and a single brown pouch.

Coloration of the figure is nicely applied, its pre-positioned hands hold the accessories with no slippage and the clothing with its gossamer and soft look and feel is real fabric.

Stitching and decorations are perfection and very well done as are the shoes, belt and various accents on the costume.

The figure easily poses with no binding or unnatural creases or folds in the clothing.

Romans 11:6 - And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.