Geek Gift Guide 2012: It’s Splendor Galore at 20 Bucks and Under

It’s that most wonderful time of year again when we scheme, sleuth, rush and hustle our way through holiday gift shopping for all our favorite geeks. Boyfriends, girlfriends, moms, dads, sons, daughters, bosses… naughty and nice, everyone deserves a little sugar! To say that this is a daunting task is … [full story]

Back to the Future: Super7 Resurrects Kenner’s Lost Alien Action Figures

Well over thirty years ago a small company in Cincinnati hatched a plan to sell a line of 4″ action figures based on characters made popular by a horror film. Sadly, the plan was abandoned well before the product was brought to market. Sadly I say, because the parties involved … [full story]

Designer Con 2012: Pasadena’s Dirty Little Secret Busts Loose

Navigating from the west side of Los Angeles to Pasadena in 17 minutes flat was the first sign of a great day in the making. OK, so it was painfully early on a Saturday morning, but its still such a rare occurrence that it was hard not to feel as … [full story]

Holy Ship! George Lucas Sells The Ranch and Everything On It to Disney

Although you might not have called it unexpected, this one still had all the shock value of an off-the-charts California earthquake.

Seemingly out of nowhere, George Lucas sent the world into galactic tailspins on October 30 with the announcement that he was selling his LucasFilm Corporation and all of its … [full story]

The Incredible Toy Shops: Star Case of Tokyo

I’m not sure it can come off as anything other than bragging, but here it is: this week I’ll return home from my fifth trip to Japan in as many years.

And this trip offered a long-awaited opportunity while passing through Tokyo to drop in on a small toy shop … [full story]

Halloween Pretty Much Sucks and I Think I Know Why

Welcome to Halloween. It’s without a doubt my least favorite time of year.

Why? Because dressing up for Halloween is my least favorite thing to do. (I’m also not a fan of candy but that’s a conversation we’ll save for another time.) So why the hang up? Yeah, I’ve wondered … [full story]

Happy Birthday Lego!
Still Building Awesome at 80

To most people on the planet Legos are a fact of life. It’s been going on for generations now: kids begin sticking the insidious plastic blocks together before they’re potty trained and adults inadvertently step on their sharp edges at night only to discover the true meaning of pain. Few … [full story]

Space Shuttle Endeavour Flyovers for L.A. and S.F? Oh, Hell Yes

Next Monday morning the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the baby of NASA’s fleet, leaves Kennedy Space Center for the last time. Strapped to the back of the Millennium Falcon (oh, one can dream – actually it will be fastened snugly to a 747 jumbo jet), Endeavour will make it’s way over … [full story]

Polish Invasion 2012: Destination U.K.!

If you’re planning to be in, on or anywhere near the U.K. this fall, start preparing yourself for the Play Poland Film Festival.

Not interested you say?

Considering that the festival spans nearly three months and will be staged between 11 different cities throughout the region, you can assume that … [full story]

(The Green) Arrow Takes Dead Aim at Fall TV

That Hollywood studios prefer the safety and bankability of familiar properties is far from secret. And who can blame them? Films and TV shows are risky undertakings and last I checked no one actually wants to lose their shirt or their job.

So with each year a new wave of … [full story]

And You Shall Know Thy Toy Lightsabers!

It’s hard to imagine better relief from a sweaty Tuesday afternoon than a surprise visit from Brian Stillman. OK not exactly a visit per se, but this new teaser/featurette from the NYC-based director is a close second.

If you didn’t grow up in the 1970′s, then the subject matter of … [full story]

The Hottest of Hot: What to See at Star Wars Celebration VI

Just a couple of short days now until Jedi and Sith take over Orlando for keeps. You guessed it: Celebration VI is here at last.

This, the sixth American Star Wars Celebration (Europe and Japan have hosted their own as well) will draw nearly 40,000 fans of Star Wars culture … [full story]

TV’s Top 10 Geeks (That We Owe Big Time)

Spanning at least six decades now Television has broadcast some exquisite geeks into our living rooms. But who are the real standard bearers? Who has left their mark in a way that will inform future geeks for generations?

Well, I decided to come up with a list of some worthy … [full story]

Two Years and Counting: Gentle Giant Jumbo Star Wars Action Figures Keep On Rolling

At the 2010 San Diego Comic Con I came across something remarkably familiar.

It was a Stormtrooper action figure sure enough. Four primitive points of articulation… hmm, how retro… a lot like my old Star Wars guy! Hey wait, it was my old Star Wars Stormtrooper, only something had changed. … [full story]

The 1965 George Barris Batmobile at 2012 San Diego Comic Con

My very first memory of television dates back sometime to around 1973-74 and I’m sure belongs either to Flip Wilson or the original 1960′s Batman series. So it’s no small matter that nearly 40 years later I’d have the opportunity to meet face to face with the original 1965 George … [full story]