The Simpsons LEGO Minifigures $2.99 – $3.99 Available at www.lego.com, LEGO Stores, Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, other major retailers. Blind packaging, limited release.

It caught LEGO fans by surprise. The rumors about a “Simpsons” line of LEGO sets popped up about a month before it suddenly appeared last winter, as a LEGO Store exclusive. The Simpsons House playset cost about $200, and raised the question: Would LEGO put that much expense into making new sculpts for the six minifigures in the set if they weren’t going to do something else with them? Until very recently LEGO has been reluctant to make non-standard minifigures. Including six new sculpts in one set may be unprecedented. But with no other playsets on the horizon, what was the future of the Simpsons line?

For now, the future is the line of sixteen minifigures, currently in stores. They come blind-packaged in plastic pouches, so you don’t know which character you’re buying until you open it up. Unless you’re really good at fondling packages (yeah, I went there), in which case you can usually suss out which character you’ve picked up, with few repeat purchases.  LEGO has been releasing minifigures as collectibles since 2010, but “The LEGO Movie” and “The Simpsons” are the first licensed properties they’ve done. It’s a perfect way to populate your LEGO Springfield. 

a perfect way to populate your LEGO springfield

The sixteen characters included in the lineup: 

• Homer Simpson
• Marge Simpson
• Bart Simpson
• Lisa Simpson
• Maggie Simpson
• Grampa Simpson
• Ned Flanders
• Krusty the Clown
• Milhouse Van Houten
• Ralph Wiggum
• Chief Wiggum
• Apu NassfhefIdontwantolookthisup
• Nelson Muntz
• Mr. Burns
• Itchy
• Scratchy

Those are some solid choices; those are characters that are central to the series, but that you’d also want to include in any Springfield scenes that you’d be building out of LEGO, or sliding into your Star Wars or Batman or Christmas Village scenarios. There are some variations on the six characters that came with the house–the five members of the Simpson family and Ned Flanders. The minifigures from the house have lowered eyelids, making them all look either sneaky or (in my opinion) a little bit high. Homer has the necktie that he wears to work; Marge and Flanders are both wearing aprons. In contrast, the individually packaged minifigures are the “classic” version of the characters. Eyes wide open, no necktie, no aprons. 

A problem some people have with the Simpsons as minifigures is the same that people had with the Simpsons action figures from Playmates a few years back–they don’t look “right” in three dimensions. “The Simpsons” is one of the most two-dimensional cartoons currently on the air, and seeing characters who are usually flat as fully-sculpted figurines…they don’t necessarily look like you’re used to seeing them. That said, these are some amazing minifigures. The colors are perfect, they’re surprisingly proportional as LEGO people; and personally I love having Mr. Burns with Blinky the Three-Eyed Fish, and Maggie with her beat-up teddy bear (once shared with Monty). 

My favorite characters in the lineup are also my favorite characters on the show–the kids. Milhouse, Ralph Wiggum, Lisa and Bart, even the bully Nelson. Before the series shifted to become more and more Homer-centric, a lot of the show happened at the elementary school, and the kids made me laugh more than the adults did. Ralph’s sad-but-cute-but-hopeful Valentine to Lisa? “I choo-choo-choose you!” Amazing. I love the details that they worked into the accessories as much as the characters themselves.

Will these sixteen characters be the beginning and end of the population of Springfield? Personally, I’d love to see a Simpsons Series 2, with an additional sixteen minifigures. I assume a few of them would be variants on characters we’ve already got, but there are still dozens of other characters who seem like they’d fit the bill. If I were in charge of the lineup, here’s who I’d pick:

• Radiation Suit Homer
• Daredevil Bart
• Waylon Smithers
• Sideshow Bob
• Principal Skinner
• Edna Krabapple
• Groundskeeper Willie
• Moe
• Barney
• Mayor Quimby
• Comic Book Guy

…that’s eleven. Who would fill the remaining five slots? Variants of Lisa and Marge? Rod and Tod Flanders? Rich kid Martin Prince? Sherri and Terri (really only one minifigure, just buy two of them)? Bus Driver Otto? Patty and Selma? Lenny and Carl? Reverend Lovejoy? Troy McClure? Bumblebee Man? Dr. Hibbert? Dr. Nick? Radioactive Man and Fallout Boy? …whoever has to make those decisions will run into some problems when they get to the C-listers. I also wonder if LEGO would run afoul of uptight Protect the Children groups with a bartender and drunk, but they got Itchy and Scratchy made, so maybe they can do it. 

Some problems with the C-listers

I’m not the biggest fan of “The Simpsons.” I like it fine, I have fond memories of it, I think it’s a great show. But I don’t watch it much. What I’d really hope to come from this–and what will never happen–is a line of “Futurama” LEGO. The characters, a Planet Express spaceship…I won’t go on. Because it’s too sad to contemplate a world that can’t come about.

If you’re looking at picking up the Simpsons minifigures, you’ll need to act soon. They’re still available at Target, Wal-Mart, the LEGO Stores, and online at LEGO.com. But not for long. They’ve been out for a while now, and each of these waves of minifigures is only on the shelves for three months. The twelfth series of the “regular” LEGO minifigures is starting to come in and push the Simpsons out. So get them while the getting’s good. 

Earlier today Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara announced a release schedule for the studio’s blockbuster titles, confirmed some internet speculation, and shared some interesting casting news. 

The studio has confirmed 12 titles and dates, with an additional three expected sometime around 2020. Joining “Batman vs. Superman” in 2016 will be a Suicide Squad film, as well as the first installation of David Yates’s adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” A Ninjago LEGO movie is planned for that year as well.

Tsujihara formally announced a Zack Snyder Justice League film for 2017, as well as its planned sequel for 2019. The DC theme continues with a Wonder Woman film, and LEGO Batman.

2018 brings us a Flash movie, an Aquaman movie, part two for Beasts, and a sequel to the wildly successful LEGO movie. 

What’s in store for 2019? The aforementioned Justice League sequel and a Shazam flick.

In summary, a quick reference:

2016:

• Batman vs. Superman
• Suicide Squad
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
• The LEGO Ninjago Movie

2017:

• Wonder Woman
• Justice League
• The LEGO Batman Movie

2018:

• The Flash
• Aquaman
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, pt 2
• The LEGO Movie 2

2019:

• Shazam
• Justice League 2

Informal announcements for post 2019 include a Cyborg feature, another attempt at a Green Lantern tale, and part three of the Beasts trilogy.

The kid in me is honestly kind of excited about this announcement, but the adult in me just turns into Comic Book Guy and wants to drown my trepidations in a wheelbarrow full of cheeseburgers. A lot of Harry Potter purists were not thrilled with Yates’s direction in the cinematic universe, but I, for the most part, enjoyed his take on Rowlings’s legacy. I have absolute faith that he can make Fantastic Beasts into a thrilling theatrical experience. I cringe at how wrong a Wonder Woman movie could go, but revel in how important it will be if it’s done well. 

If I believed in guilty pleasures, Suicide Squad would be high on my list. As it stands, I’m really curious about this one. DC has taken to this weird, dark and gritty cinematic world which would actually fit with the Suicide Squad more than any of the announced titles, so that one might just be on point (and also please continue Pam Grier as Amanda Waller please and thank you). 

As far as casting goes, Ezra Miller will play the Flash. Miller was the titular Kevin we need to talk about, and with a history of indie and off beat roles his action blockbuster debut makes me pretty eager. He’s also the first out actor to play a superhero. Which particular Flash he will portray seems as yet unclear. Jason Momoa is officially Aquaman, so that movie will be fine. Juuuuuuust fine. And does that make Duane Johnson the villain in Shazam as Black Adam? Or will he be in the Justice League movies?

As long as the studio keeps its wits around the LEGO movies, those are surefire blockbusters that will please fans, critics, and shareholders when those ticket sales start pouring in.

Ye tho’ I emphasized my worry over these titles, for the most part I feel like being cynical about things being screwed up is a waste of energy. Maybe things won’t be made to my liking, but I’m not the only moviegoer out there and these films could open up doors for new comic readers, which is something that always gives me puppy dog eyes. But one certainly has to wonder why these announcements were made at a Wednesday morning meeting, instead of a mega-con like NYCC, which was held days ago. That is a curious pondering indeed.  

Four folks apparently really hard-up for some LEGOs have been arrested in Phoenix, Arizona after they were found to be in possession of $200,000 worth of the beloved construction sets that were acquired through nefarious means.

Some highlights of the story from AZFamily.com:

Police have arrested four people accused of running a scheme to steal expensive Lego sets from Toys R Us stores around the Valley. Garry Fairbee, 35, Tarah Dailey, 33, Melissa Dailey, 34 and Troy Koehler, 40 have been arrested. Melissa and Tarah are cousins.

They’re each facing one or more of these charges: Organized retail theft, trafficking in stolen property, fraudulent schemes, and illegal control of an enterprise.

They are accused of removing the theft detection devices from the Lego sets, causing damage to the packaging. In most incidents, they put the Lego sets in either large gift bags and then in shopping carts, or inside shopping carts and then covered with the gift bags. The suspects would then flee the business without setting off the security alarm.

It is estimated that the recovered Legos have a retail value of around $200,000 of which at least $40,000 is believed to have been stolen. The rest of the Legos may have been purchased legitimately, or obtained fraudulently. Evidence from this investigation shows only $40,000 in stolen merchandise.

Here’s the kicker though: they were just turning these LEGO sets around in an attempt to make a profit!

Police said Koehler was selling Lego sets on the Internet. He would also return them to Toys R Us stores for a refund.

What the shit, Koehler? You go through the trouble to steal nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars worth of LEGOs, and you don’t even build them?! Clearly, these folks are not passionate fans of LEGOs, but just a bunch of common thieves trying to make a buck.

When I first came across this story, I hoped there would be photos of elaborate LEGO towns that they had built with the stolen merchandise and some story about how much they love the building bricks and just couldn’t afford them. Alas, no such turn of events happened. They stole the sets, and tried to either sell them or return them. I am shaking my damn head at such a missed opportunity.

In all seriousness though, crime is bad and all that jazz. Even if these riff raff had stolen the sets to build them and enjoy them, I would argue a good LEGO fan would happily pay for the sets they want to help support the company make more awesomeness in the form of little plastic construction bricks. Can this be an expensive hobby? Sure. But . . . I actually have nothing to follow that up with. It’s an expensive-ass hobby, but I enjoy the hell out of it.

This episode features: Tyson, Kiley, Jimmy, Lucas, and Tom, with special guest Cassidy!

Topic: Comics/Collectibles

Headlines:

• Changes to the Marvel Universe (Captain Falcon; Female Thor; Superior Iron Man; Original Sin)
• TMNT/Ghostbusters Crossover
• LEGOs (Guardians of the Galaxy; The LEGO Movie; Arse-bot’s addiction)
• TMNT Action Figures

Discussion: The new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” – Film, collectibles, etc.

As always, thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, please head over to iTunes and subscribe and rate us! Have feedback for the Big Shiny Podcasters? Want to suggest a topic to cover? Want to just give us a shout? Feel free to drop the host of the BSPC!, Tyson, an e-mail at tyson@bigshinyrobot.com or on Twitter, @Arse_bot!

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One of the best films of the year, “The Lego Movie”, is finally available to purchase, and to celebrate, we are giving away a copy on blu-ray!

To enter, all you have to do is share this contest on Facebook, and then send your name and address (in the US only, and no PO Boxes, please) to ADAM@BIGSHINYROBOT.COM. The contest will run until Saturday, June 21, and I will contact the winner shortly thereafter.

Also, you should check out the Lego Movie App below that will let you create a six second GIF that you can instantly share to Facebook and Twitter. It will also instantly be posted to YouTube, so if you want to see some of the cool stuff other people have created, you can check it out through this link!

Right now New York is holding the New York Toy Fair for 2014. LEGO had their latest CUUSOO winner, the Ghostbusters and their Ecto 1. I am somewhat surprised to see the stand for the four minifigs. Perhaps those Proton Packs make them want to fall backwards?

This set will be released in time for the 30th Anniversary of Ghostbusters in June of this year for $49.99.

THE LEGO MOVIE (10 out of 10) Animated feature based on the popular construction-toys line, co-written and co-directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller; starring the voices of Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett and Morgan Freeman; rated PG (mild action and rude humor); in general release, playing in either 2D or 3D; running time: 101 minutes.

By Jeff Michael Vice

It would not only be silly, it also would be unrealistic and irresponsible to say that “The LEGO Movie” is the film that will finally end Pixar’s virtual stranglehold on both the big-screen animation industry and the kids film market.

However, this digitally animated action-comedy does provide further evidence that the divide between Pixar and its competition is getting very narrow – that, in terms of creativity and sheer art, the playing field has been leveled to a large degree. While the most recent Pixar features have been competent and less inspired, other studios and other creators are stepping up their game, and are using the Pixar model to make films that rival some of its best efforts.

Make no mistake about it, in several respects, “The LEGO Movie” is every bit as good as a Pixar movie, either the newer ones or even the older classics. It’s got the right combination of laughs, action and human drama – at least as much as any of those movies had. Seriously, the “Toy Story” films, which many still consider the Pixar high-water mark, have nothing on this one.

And fittingly enough, it comes from a construction-toy line that encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking — managing to live up to those standards and qualities. As such, it could be a “Toy Story” for a new generation.

In addition to being a feast for the visual and other senses, it’s got a first-rate voice cast. That includes “Parks and Recreation” co-star Chris Pratt, who stars as the voice of Emmet Brickowski, a seemingly ordinary LEGO mini-figure. Part of a construction work force that builds nondescript but functional structures throughout his generic-looking and sounding hometown, Emmet is content to live his somewhat humdrum existence – while trying to make a few, likeminded friends with whom he can share his precious free time.

That is, until he meets Wyldstyle (the voice of Elizabeth Banks). She’s a rabble-rousing, would-be “MasterBuilder” who’s looking for an elusive missing piece – part of a prophesy that was uttered by legendary holy man Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman). But when Emmet finds the piece instead, she and the other “MasterBuilders” become convinced that he is the key to their efforts to stop the tyrannical Lord Business (Will Ferrell).

Emmet, though, remains unconvinced and reluctant to help. But he’ll need to make up his mind soon. Within days, Lord Business plans to use the “Kragle,” a secret weapon with which he can stifle unwanted creativity, by gluing this LEGO universe’s people, objects and vehicles together permanently.

Obviously, we’ve seen this deceptively simple-looking type of animation work for various LEGO short films, cartoons and video games. But this film is a much more ambitious effort, using digital construction techniques, live-action modeling and even some strictly live-action elements to create a world unlike almost anything we’ve ever seen on the big screen. (This is one of the very few films that might actually be improved with 3D viewings, if available.)

And the studio and the LEGO company officials who licensed their material made the right choice of filmmakers with co-screenwriters/co-directors Phil Lord and Lord Miller, who managed to improve on the source material with their animated adaptation of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (2009) and even made the 2012 “21 Jump Street” movie adaptation more fun than it had any right to be. (Fans of TV’s “How I Met Your Mother” might also remember the duo for their efforts as show runners for that long-running sitcom.)

Here, they fill their story with so many sight gags and clever verbal puns that you’ll probably need further viewings just to take it all in. For “Star Wars” fans, there’s a bit that gives and vocal parts for Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels, reprising their roles as Lando Calrissian and C-3PO.

Elsewhere, Shaquille O’Neal (who voices himself), William Shakespeare (Jorma Taccone) Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte) and various “Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and DC Comics characters — including Superman (Channing Tatum), Green Lantern (Jonah Hill) and Wonder Wonder (Cobie Smulders) – pop up briefly, for silly gags that amuse and progress the story. And a LEGO version of Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, even turns out to be a fairly integral character in the story.

Add to that a memorably wacky score by Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh and musical contributions from the Lonely Island crew (including a deliberately noxious but catchy song, “Everything is Awesome,” that will stick in your head for days after). The best of these, though, might be a Batman musical number co-written by Arnett, Lord, Miller and Mothersbaugh. Really, you have to hear it to believe it.

So, again, it might seem like overhype to be praising this movie to this degree. But it’s a film that adults, children and both toy and movie lovers can enjoy equally.  

Also, it may seem ridiculous to declare a movie that opens in February as an Academy Award frontrunner for next year, especially since the previous year’s Oscars haven’t even been announced yet. But this film does set the bar precariously high for any other big-screen cartoons that will follow it for the next 10 months.

Jeff Michael Vice, aka Jerk-bot, can be heard reviewing films, television programs, comics, books, music and other things as part of The Geek Show Podcast (www.thegeekshowpodcast.com), as well as be seen reviewing films as part of Xfinity’s Big Movie Mouth-Off (www.facebook.com/BigMovieMouthOff).

LEGO CUUSOO finished its Fall 2013 review of all the entries that surpassed 10,000 votes. Every review is better than the last, with lots of really cool kits submitted. This time around two Ghostbusters kits were up for review, and the 30th Anniversary kit was selected by LEGO to be released later this year.

The Ghostbusters 30th Anniversary LEGO set will include Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston. As well as the Ecto-1. How cool is that? Pricing and the exact release date are still to be determined. Check out the original submission for more photos, and below is a video showing off the other contestants.

Take Two has renewed a trademark in Europe for the Bully logo and name. If you’re unfamiliar with Bully… that’s just a shame. Rockstar may have cut their teeth on Grand Theft Auto and created one of the best games of the past generation with Red Dead Redemption, but Bully is not to be ignored. Fans of the original game have been wanting a sequel since they first terrorized Bullworth Academy with a slingshot. This trademark renewal doesn’t mean a sequel is necessarily coming, but we can hope. This could be a re-release of the original game on current systems, an HD remake, a mobile app, or that sequel we want. There have been other indications that Rockstar is working on a new installment of a well known franchise, which most have assumed is Red Dead Redemption. Maybe that assumption was hasty?

With XBox One‘s Friday launch, Microsoft is now in the cross-hairs for faulty systems. Sony had their own issues in week one, now it’s Microsoft’s turn. The most vocal complaint so far has been disc drive issues. Some customers have seen immediate issues when inserting a disc into the drive. The system will make some unusual grinding sounds and not register the disc. No fix is currently available, and I wouldn’t expect one considering it’s likely a hardware problem. However, Microsoft has confirmed their commitment to resolving issues for customers, and offered a nice bonus in the meantime. Use the normal support pages and @XboxSupport for help. You can also say “Xbox Help” which will summon Super-Kinect to rescue you. You won’t need to stop gaming while you’re waiting for your replacement console though. Microsoft is offering a free digital download of Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Zoo Tycoon (your choice) to anyone affected by the disc drive problem.

Mark your calendar for December 1^st (if I did my math right). That’s the date we’ll see nuclear winter start according a teaser site from Zenimax. Thesurvivor2299.com is widely believed to be setting up an announcement of a new entry in the Fallout series. The Morse Code playing seems to be confirming the countdown clock, indicating an announcement at the VGAs. Could this be the Fallout MMO that has long been rumored? Is it Fallout 4 on next-gen? Will Bethesda make a game that does more than barely function on a Sony console? This might actually give me a reason to watch the train wreck that is the VGAs.

This week’s addition to the PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection is Soul Sacrifice for Vita. It’s a very dark game, requiring you to sacrifice parts of your body (or your life) to gain power – the greater the sacrifice, the greater the power. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is now on the last chance list.

Ready for a jump start on Black Friday? XBox Live has some ridiculous deals this week for digital games. This is a great time to catch up on last-gen games while also saving some cash to get your next gen system (if you haven’t already). Of particular note is (possibly my game of the year) the Tomb Raider reboot for $15, Skyrim for $15, Fallout 3 for $7.49 (its five DLC chapters are $1.69/each), The Cave for $3.74 (another GotY contender), and Sleeping Dogs at $12.39. At those prices you’re basically obligated to pick up any you’ve missed. Here’s the full list:

• The Bureau: XCOM Declassified – $19.79
• Tomb Raider – $14.99
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – $14.99
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Dawnguard – $4.99
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Dragonborn – $9.99
• Fallout 3 – $7.49 (Mothership Zeta, Point Lookout, The Pitt, Operation Anchorage, Broken Steel – $1.69/ea)
• Mark of the Ninja – $5.09 (Special Edition – $1.69)
• BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien – $7.49
• Dust: An Elysian Tail – $5.09
• The Cave – $3.74
• Motocross Madness – $4.99
• Sleeping Dogs – $12.39
• Metro: Last Light – $24.99
• Sacred Citadel – $7.49
• Wolfenstein 3D – $1.24
• Deadpool – $29.99
• God Mode – $4.99
• Rockstar Table Tennis – $5.09
• Dead Block – $2.49
• AMY – $2.49
• Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords – $2.99
• Puzzle Quest Galactrix – $5.09

There are additional, one day sales coming as well, starting with Black Friday itself:

• Diablo III (US, CA & MX only) – 33% off
• WWE 2K14 – 33% off (Accelerator DLC – 50% off)
• Halo 4 Champions Bundle – 50% off
• Rayman Legends – 50% off
• Magic 2014 – 50% off
• Spider-Man: (Edge of Time, Friend or Foe, Shattered Dimensions, Web of Shadows) – 67% off/ea
• X-Men: Destiny – 50% off
• X-Men: (Origins Wolverine, The Official Game) – 67% off/ea
• Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen – 66% off
• Onechanbara – 80% off

And Cyber Monday:

• Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon – 75% off
• Red Dead Redemption – 75% off
• The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings – 75% off
• Dark Souls – 75% off
• BattleBlock Theater – 67% off
• Rayman Origins – 50% off
• L.A. Noire – 75% off
• Fast and Furious: Showdown – 75% off
• Men in Black: Alien Crisis – 75% off

Similar sales are expected for Sony’s PSN Store, but were not available at post time.

That does it for this week’s Video Game Quick Hits. We’ll be celebrating Thanksgaming with our families and our consoles, both new and old. I’m particularly hoping to get some co-op time with Beyond: Two Souls. What are you playing through the long weekend (or wish you were playing instead of dealing with the Wal-Martians going sale-crazy)?

The new LEGO Yoda special is coming out. Here’s the official blurb:

Join Yoda, Anakin and the Padawans in a brand new LEGO® Star Wars™ The Yoda Chronicles.  An exciting, funny and action-packed new LEGO Star Wars returns with its’ third and final special, “Attack of the Jedi” on Wednesday, November 27 at 8:00 p.m. (ET, PT) on Cartoon Network. 

 

In “Attack of the Jedi,” Obi-Wan discovers that several major Sith lords and their apprentices are gathered at the planet of Mustafar.   The Jedi must hurry to Mustafar to destroy the Sith but it’s a trap and the Republic fleet is destroyed.  Yoda, Anakin and the Padawans travel to Endor to find JEK. All hope now rests on JEK to come to the rescue.