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Messages - Jesse James

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18196
Toy Reviews / Re: New JD Review: Han Solo
« on: January 30, 2006, 03:18 AM »
I wasn't home much this weekend so I apologize...  Plus I had comp problems anyway so I wouldn't have been on as it is.

But yeah, this is the Han Review, and there you have it...  :)

My take on the figure is one I'm having a lot with Saga 06 figures unfortunately.  It's happiness at the fact I'm getting this or that figure, followed by distinct disappointment in the execution from Hasbro.  Not that they're bad overall, but many MANY figures in 06 seem to have no leg articulation beyond the hips.  This is a big step backwards...  wouldn't you agree?

My point being that we pay a fair penny for these toys...  Let's face it, SW isn't the cheapest toy on the shelf by a long shot.  Yet at the same time, Hasbro hasn't set a higher standard for the line in terms of articulation.  They've definitely set standards for sculpts, paint aps, etc...  There are a few points (not just articulation even) though that Hasbro has NOT set standards for and this is disappointing.  The sad thing is though that we have a figure here who is no more poseable in his legs than his original counterpart from the POTF line in 1983.  I mean...  WTF!?  :-\

I'm not asking for Super ARticulation across the board either, not by a long shot, but I do believe Hasbro should have set a standard by now that the Cantina Wave set in 04/05...  That basic 12 points of articulation:

-2 standard shoulder joints
-2 angle-cut elbow joints
-2 standard wrist joints
-2 standard hip joints
-2 ball/socket knee joints
-1 ball/socket neck joint
-1 standard waist joint

This should honestly be the minimum we see on every figure in the line that either isn't an army builder, or a "Senator"-esque figure.  With those, you'll sometimes get better (Super Articulated, or close to it, for army builders), or slightly worse (due to sculpted robes, etc., "Senators" like Bib Fortuna or Meena Tills just can't have this level of articulation, nor can droids or certain aliens due to their construction or physiology).  The middle-ground though should be this bare minimum 12-points of articulation.  It's the best compromise I see... 

I'd agree about the blaster accessory Anton, if it weren't that this figure came with a pike and carbonite slab which both were new and one's fairly complex (2 pieces and painted, etc.)...  I pondered the blaster a little while and though it wouldn't be hard to throw it in there since they've got it molded and all.

My thought is that whoever Han took the blaster from is where we'll get it...  eventually...  perhaps.  I don't think it was Lando's, but rather the guard Lando was fighting with?  Not sure.  Anyway, if it's Lando's then ya already kinda have it, andi f it's the guards then I can only assume that's a figure we hopefully get some day with that gun and a holster for it?   :-\  I have an extra too, his hand's definitely sculpted to hold a gun, no doubt, so I wouldn't have turned my nose to the accessory if they'd included it but at the same time I didn't care as much due to what he did come with.

I'd much rather gotten a separate head with squinty eyes and slicked hair.  :)  Extra work for Hasbro but if they put this figure out with a new head down the road sometime I'm gonna be slightly miffed.  He isn't all goofy looking for long, so I dunno...  I'll still buy it because I'll want Han in that specific "look" too but I'll do so begrudgingly.

Anyway, where was I? 

Oh yeah, Hasbro can do better for your $6 to $7+...  Don't kid yourself and tell yourself "Well I should just be happy they made it".  If people acted that way about everything the Ford Pinto would've been a hot seller, AMC would still exist today, and we'd all have issues with missing buttons and malfunctioning zippers on our clothes...  The point?  You spend YOUR hard-earned money on something, and as such you are entitled to the right to speak your mind on it.  I read at these other sites how people think you should just spew happy thoughts about this line...  These are the same nimrods who weren't here in 1995 I'm thinking, and who don't recall when the line was a LOT worse, and how complaints garnered improvements...  And further complaints garnered further improvements...  This line is where it is because people said, "ya know, this is ******", and Hasbro listened.  They read a few forums, including ours, so speak your mind and get the winds of change blowing....  instead of Hasbro's stuff.

18197
Other Collectibles / Re: The "Official" Master Replicas Thread
« on: January 30, 2006, 12:56 AM »
Well since the gun turret piece was just that, and not the Y-Wing, and not in the original model, I think that's a pretty big surprise...  The way they incorporated the small turret into the piece as a stand is quite nice though, so kudos.

If I were a rich man I'd have these...  The AT-AT is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful items ever.  The Y-Wing is a definitely close runner-up though, that's sweet.  I long now even more for a Y-Wing to-scale for the SW figures.  :)  It's a ship that embodies the Alliance I think, even more than the X-Wing, and really it just sorta embodied STar Wars what with its lived in and used look to it.  It was that kind of set dressing that said that it had more story to it that you wouldn't hear about...  I like that.

I too would have preferred this with an R5 though.  Just for diversity's sake.  I hope Fine MOlds makes a nice 1/72 Y-Wing at some point.  I feel sure they'll get on it eventually.

18198
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Survival Guide for Taking a Dump at Work...
« on: January 27, 2006, 07:24 AM »
I'm truly hoping Rob doesn't have the time.

18199
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Survival Guide for Taking a Dump at Work...
« on: January 27, 2006, 07:12 AM »
If someone photoshopped actual slang scat with that image I posted, I'd die laughing after a bout of projectile vomiting.

18200
Watto's Junk Yard / Re: Survival Guide for Taking a Dump at Work...
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:52 AM »
This is classic.

BTW my favorite Scat...


18201
Saga Collection '06 / Re: TSC Recent Purchases
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:48 AM »
Got the AT-AT Driver, Derlin, and Veers last night at Target...

That plus a kick ass sock monkey valentine's card = near $25.

That's a rape at retail.

18202
Saga Collection '06 / Re: 2006 TRU Clone Wars Gunship
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:48 AM »
The Gunship...  I honestly could give a rat's ass about it.  I do like the paintjob, but I give more praise to the CW artists than Hasbro.  That was just incredible design...  Nice pulling that from the World War 2 Flying Tiger in WW2, or the 1st Cavalry Nam Huey's...  It's rockin' looking, no doubt.

That said, my highlight was the Clones.  If they do redo ARC Troopers (I'm really hoping they do both blue and red, since a Sergeant needs his Troopers), and they do that Clone MIni-Gunner...  Man I'll wet my pants I think.  It could only be better if they did the Clone with the quad-pom-pom guns and a rocket launcher accessory.  I've been hoping they do this....  now it's close to a reality.  We need new ARC's to replace those originals. 

We need more Clone Wars (realistic sculpts) in general.  Almost the whole 1st line of figures needs redone, and articulated well.

18203
Saga Collection '06 / Re: Starving for SAGA
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:43 AM »
My neck of the woods is starting to back up with stuff now.

Target(s) are starting to back up and I'm wagering this is due to price.  They have been getting cases in, in fairly good quantity too, and they're backing up.  Some figures are selling due to (I'm guessing) a panic.  The Gonk Droid's like 1 to a case I guess so it's hard to find right now but hopefully not for long.  I'd like a couple.

The Carkoon Wave and Hoth Wave are SLOWLY starting to sit though it seems, and then stuff like Fett and the Gonk are just selling steadily. 

Now, at the same time Wal-Mart isn't this way.  I see Bib routinely, and starting to see Han here and there, but that's it.  I think the prices have people wanting to stick to Wal-Mart to shop...  I broke down and got Hoth's at Target though, but WM is getting in less (like one or two cases at a time)< while Target gets a ton, and at a higher price, so they sit longer.

It's still dry though more or less.  Stuff's just not out in big quantity right now.  I think Hasbro missed a beat here between the shoddy distribution/quantity at stores during the holiday season, and now into the new year a month and there's still not a LOT to be had, and definitely very little for selection.

I think Hasbro lot a lot of potential fans over the holidays though when it was a real pain in the ass to get things for kids and whatnot.  I know I've had trouble since November finding much...  especially what the kids want.  They want Fett's, I can't find a BF for the life of me for them (gotta get two for two boys).  Clones were a pain to find over the holidays and I'm glad I got stuff early for the kids...  It's rough out there.

And now I can't find a friggin' Gonk for myself, this is just silly.

18204
Saga Collection '06 / Re: EE Exclusive Astromech 5-Packs
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:35 AM »
Holy Crapola man.

Jeff, should a spot open up on your end, someone I know is out a set and needs them.  I have two sets for me and someone else lined up, but I just got a note about this so if something should come up, just let me know.

My sets are from BBTS I think, I believe that's where the local guy handling it ordered from anyway, so there's been a longer wait on ours locally.  I sorta hope soon but I wouldn't mind if it went till March at this point, from my own financial standpoint, hah.

18205
Toy Reviews / Re: New TSC Review - AT-AT Driver
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:25 AM »
BTW you guys are all wrong.  :)

It's the AT-AT Driver, Hoth Leia, Pote Snitkin, and the Death Star DROID.  Not the Trooper.

The Trooper and Ree Yees were offered separately, but weren't exclusives...  They were just a bitch to find at retail till the FC said "OK we'll offer these at a premium".

BTW I seem to recall the famed "Fan Club 4" there being dumped at retail establishments too, weren't they?  My memory is a bit foggy but I'm 99% sure all 4 were dumped at Toys R Us during the great clearance gluts. 

18206
Star Wars Dioramas and Displays / Re: Death Star custom project
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:21 AM »
So what's the conclusions you've come to DD?  Any ideas you're planning to run with?

18207
Customs Community and Group Projects / Re: Customs Giveaways
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:17 AM »
This has been hugely popular too guys, and the customs are top-notch items too.  If it weren't for my position here I'd be entering for these things.  :)  I really liked this idea myself, and this is as unique and interesting as it gets in customizing and collecting combined, so hat's off and a round of applause to the guys who donated and participated.  Nice work folks.

18208
Star Wars Action Figures / Re: SWG Mandalorian Commando
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:15 AM »
Aeseven,

That's a really great custom you have there for a character I'm not too familiar with.  I think I know who Jaster Mareel is from Bounty Hunter though (bare-armed Mandalorian BH guy?  Hates Jango?).

The colors match up to what I recall of Mareel's outfit...  They're unique.  I like the Republic COmmando nod with the visor too, a nice little touch.  I'm more into how you mixed up his duds though.  Like the pack on his back, if it's the one I'm thinking, is a small reserve parachute for the Elite Force WW2 figures and has a knuckleknife on it perhaps?  I can't see the pack too good but that's cool to me, and good use for that.

The aurabesh lettering is freaking awesome by the way.  I've dl'd aurabesh for my computer so I have it incase I want to print it out and use it for something (anything) in the future.  More people should make good use of the SW language like that as it's seen routinely in the films.

The gun looks cool and like a similar, but definitely unique weapon to Fett's sawed off blaster.

The Kama of course sets him off that much more...

If I had much of a suggestion, it's a removable helmet, but that's about it from me.  That's really cool though man, good painting for certain too.  Very nice man.

18209
That sounds like a really interesting book Jesse, and might I add that it's about time some actual "intellectual" books crop up that discuss the films (and perhaps EU) in a literary debate format... 

There's lots of writings about Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien's work at large, while Star Wars I fear is often overlooked for it's underlying themes and ideas, and its commentary on the era in which it was created.  That'll be a must-have for me I think because there's some really interesting concepts, as we've discussed here.

A lot of the various aspects of SW I look at tend to be military focused...  For instance how we're discussing the assimilation of alien cultures into the Empire, which depends greatly on how any one of us views the Empire.  Are they Xenophobic outwardly?  Is the Xenophobia an inner-secret?  Are they actually accepting of alien cultures and bigotry and speciesist attitudes are relegated to the minority in the galaxy?  It's an interesting thought that goes beyond the films.

I love stuff like this...  Good discussion.  My Tolkien class my last semester at college was so much fun for this very reason.  Roundtables on the themes and ideas in LOTR and other works the Silmarillion and The Hobbit were the kinds of classes you actually didn't want to end.  I wish I could find a Star Wars one, hah.

18210
TV-9D9 / Re: How do YOU Watch the STAR WARS Saga At Home?
« on: January 27, 2006, 06:01 AM »
Moving?  Far, or near if I may ask Bob?

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