Naughties - The New Eighties?

The 1950s - The Fifties, 1960s - The Sixties, 1970s - The Seventies and so forth..... I believe this decade 2000 - 2010 is called the Naughties? Can someone assist with this?

But you get my point don't you? So where am I going with this? As I was saying, is this decade the new Eighties. First of all, we had "Transformers: The Movie" on the big screen. Then early this year, the new, revamped "Knight Rider" on a made for TV movie/pilot episode.

And then while browsing the Internet, I came across these: Masters of The Universe Classics!

He-Man






Beast Man

I used to have loads of He-Man action figures, and back in 2002, they re-made the "He-Man" cartoon, and He-Man got a newer, hipper/cooler haircut.

I used to have this He-Man and Battle Cat

The old haircut which Ryan says "looks gay!"

He-Man & Battle Cat 1983


He-Man & Battle Cat 2002

With that, there were the new version of the toys as well.

2002 versions

As these were really popular (they sold out and this was a time when I hadn't started "collecting" toys yet), they re-released the old He-Man figures as Limited Edition versions.

1983 version (re-released Collectors Edition)


2008 version


1983 version (re-released Collectors Edition)


2008 version

The new MOTU: Classics looks like they've designed it to look like the originals from 1983. Kind of a retro look, but with updated sculpts and what looks to be additional articulation.

My old toys couldn't bend their elbows, knees and feet.

And of course, there were talks of the new live action movie, with Brad Pitt rumoured to play the mighty He-Man. No news about that so far though.

I'm don't usually go for movie soundtracks but I've got "The Dark Knight" soundtrack playing over and over on Winamp. It's good. Really good. I even have it on my iPhone.

After much deliberation and consideration, I finally bit the bullet and placed my pre-orders for these:

The pre-orders started almost a month back and I've been having a hard time with it. On one hand, I had several things to consider: the lack of funds and the lack of space. This things look like they're going to be huge and a place to display them will be an issue.

And it's not that I don't have the funds, I do (haha!) but I had other plans.

It's like what the Joker said to Harvey in the hospital scene:

You had plans, look where that gotcha?

Damn you Hot Toys. DAMN YOU!

Ultimately, this means that the SONY Playstation 3 will have to wait because:

a) The SONY Playstation 3 will not sell out, unlike these "rare collectibles"
b) Hot Toys is bleeding my wallet/bank account dry
c) I will need a really nice Full HD LCD to fully enjoy the PS3 games and Blu-Ray movies

As much as I enjoyed the "Iron Man" movie, it's a good thing I'm not that into it:

I think that the Robert Downey Jr./Tony Stark sculpt is alright, but I think they did better with their Christian Bale/Bruce Wayne. Something doesn't look quite right with this one.

Those Hot Toys Cosbaby look pretty impressive as well, in a cute kind of way.

I'm not getting those, but if they were "The Dark Knight" Cosbabies, that'll be a different story. On the other hand, those Medicom Kubrick/Bearbrick sets and that Medicom RAH (Real Action Hero) 12-inch Batman with the new suit:

I've never really paid much attention to the 1/6th scale Medicom stuff other than a few like the X3: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman likeness), Comic Spider-Man and perhaps Bruce Lee.

There were complaints that the figures were smaller than 12-inches compared to other manufacturers. There were also reports of really fragile parts for the RAH (Real Action Hero) 1/6th scale stuff by Medicom.

But I gotta say, that RAH Dark Knight is very, very impressive. It almost made me change my mind, but I've already got the Hot Toys version on pre-order.

Check out the other Hot Toys Cosbabies that were released previously.

There was also a line called Chubby, which are like those traditional Russian Dolls, where you can open up each doll to find a smaller doll within.

It's a good thing I'm not into "Pirates Of The Caribbean" or "Star Wars" that much or else my resistance will be a lot less.

For example, these just arrived and are going for RM 750. The Millennium Falcon from Star Wars I believe, was one of the most sought after toys, other than the X-Wing. What's so great about this thing?

• Light-up headlights and loads of electronic vehicle and weapon sounds – engine boost, cruise mode, fly-by, firing cannons, and more
• Opening, light-up cockpit can fit up to 4 figures. Vehicle includes Han Solo and Chewbacca and can hold up to 18 figures
• Remove outer panels to access the ship’s interior, then head for the medical bay to treat wounded Rebels
• Secret smuggling compartments to hide from stormtroopers
• Boarding ramp with auto-opening action, deployment sounds and landing lights
• Pivoting gunner station to target Imperial fighters
• Light-up hyperdrive lights and authentic movie phrases and sounds from favorite characters: Han, Luke, Obi-Wan, C-3PO, Chewbacca and R2-D2
• Rotating laser turret fires 2 missiles and makes weapon sounds; ship also features a 3-missile launcher with blasting sounds, and a cannon that launches a “laser” missile
• Missile-firing mini-fighter fits inside an opening docking bay that makes electronic boarding and flight sounds
• Pivoting training probe makes lightsaber and movement sounds – learn the power of the Force
• Illuminated dejarik table with holographic creatures

Not that it matters to me, but to die-hard "Star Wars" fans and collectors. I'm sure they'll gladly pay that RM 750 for it.

But the "She Predator Machiko" does look bloody tempting.

And then the much anticipated release of the "Predator" series from the first movie starring Arnold! No pics of the Predator yet but it will be awesome no doubt.

Damn you Hot Toys. For doing such an amazing job. DAMN YOU!

So, just for a bit of fun:

This is me, pissed, upon hearing all the good stuff that Hot Toys is churning out

This is Hot Toys, laughing in my face - all the way to the bank


This is me, pissed off at Hot Toys, trying to fight/resist but futile because Hot Toys have got me trapped

As The Joker says:

It's all part of the plan.....

"Madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is just one little push!"

Or maybe not.

I watched "The Dark Knight" for the 2nd time on Wednesday. And this time, it was at GSC's Gold Class.

Gold Class Lounge Table


The Bar


The Lounge


The best I could do with the extremely dim lighting

What does one get for RM 40 tickets? Other than the super-comfy reclining leather couches - nothing else. But then again, this was "THE DARK KNIGHT"!

The last time I watched a movie, Gold Class was when we watched "Pearl Harbor" at Crown Casino, Melbourne.

The hall was empty except for the both of us watching the movie. Hell, even the lounge area was completely empty.

"The Dark Knight" has broken even more box office records.

Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight broke another record on Tuesday becoming the fastest ever to cross the $200 million mark in five days! The previous record of eight days was held by three films - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Spider-Man 2 and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins follow-up added $20.87 million on Tuesday to push its massive total to $203.8 million. That puts it at #84 already on the all-time domestic blockbuster list after just five days.

Right now, the only number we have for international markets is $41.3 million but that will start going up significantly as the movie is opening in many countries Thursday and Friday as well as into August.

So let's recap - widest release (4,366 theaters), biggest midnight opening ($18.5M), biggest opening weekend ($158.4M), biggest July opener ($158.4M), biggest PG-13 rated opening ($158.4M), biggest single day ($67.2M), biggest opening day ($67.2M), biggest Friday ($67.2M), biggest Sunday ($43.6M), biggest IMAX opening ($6.3M) and fastest to $200M in five days ($203.8M).

Source: "The Dark Knight Crushes" $200 Million Record

It looks like its well on its way to be the most successful Batman movie to-date. Not surprising when there are maniacs like me watching the movie more than once. There are some people who have already watched it 4 - 5 times.

There must be a reason why people are watching it more than once, isn't there?

I also managed to catch:

"Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" was enjoyable, but its no "The Dark Knight"!

"X-Files: I Want To Believe" actually opens today but it just doesn't have that pull to make me want to go watch it right away. I do have the urge to watch all 9 seasons of the TV series again though. Or was it 10 seasons?

Found the new logo for the next Transformers movie, "Transformers: The Rise Of The Fallen".

Well, its not much of a logo but..... I'll be waiting for that.

Also, something I've been kinda waiting for - "Heroes" Season 3!

Season 3 starts on 22nd September 2008. Can't wait!

The previous versions of the Hot Toys "The Dark Knight" suit Batman figure was inaccurate. The cowl was the wrong shape, and the shoulder pads/armour was a wee bit large.

Prototype Dark Knight suit


Modified suit - shoulder pads and cowl modified (mouth area more movie accurate)

Medicom The Dark Knight 12-inch figure

For now, the Medicom version looks like its the most movie-accurate version. However, Medicom's stuff are more expensive and they have some known quality issues.

I think Hot Toys did a smashing job there..... plus I've already got it pre-ordered.

Now, the Tumbler and the Batpod.....