Sunday, September 30, 2018
Cars 3: Rich Mixon
I'm back with another Mattel Cars 3 1:55 diecast review and today I'm taking a look at Rich Mixon—the Tank Coat sponsored next-generation racer (No. 36)! Rich replaced the stock car racer Reb Meeker (who I haven't reviewed yet, but is in an 11-Pack I have) for the Florida 500 race at the end of Cars 3. In the original Cars, Eugene Carbureski was the racer for team Tank Coat.
You can see Rich Mixon in the screen shot above during the Florida 500 race. He's one you can't miss due to his bright hot pink color scheme! You might recall that he's actually the first racer to be imagined as a tractor by Cruz Ramirez as she remembers how to "sneak through the window."
Rich was first released back in January of this year, but he proved pretty hard to find in my area and I missed grabbing him in stores initially. Luckily he ended up being included in multiple cases since then and I found him at Target a few weeks back! This one even comes with a bonus collector's card featuring the Tank Coat logo.
Once again, this is a really cool next-gen racer and it's no wonder why he's on the harder side to find. Kids and collectors gravitate toward his vibrant colors and sleek look! He certainly stands out on store pegs as a neat looking and unique character. Mattel did a fantastic job as usual.
You can still find Rich Mixon on store shelves, so be sure to check your local Walmart or Target for availability. If you'd rather just order him online, check out my direct link to the current Amazon listing below.
Let me know YOUR thoughts down in the comments!
Friday, September 28, 2018
Cars 3: Sheldon Shifter
Hey Disney·Pixar Cars fans! Tonight I'm back with another quick Cars 3 Mattel 1:55 scale diecast review. Released back in February of this year, here we have Sheldon Shifter—the "next-gen" Sputter Stop racer (No. 92)! During the events of the original Cars and the beginning of Cars 3, Murray Clutchburn was the racer sponsored by Sputter Stop until he was replaced by Sheldon here (who has a very different look).
You can see a pretty clear shot of Sheldon in the pits in the Cars 3 screen cap above.
We all know the next-generation racers look the coolest and Sheldon's design is no exception! It's no wonder the next-gen characters are always the first to be snagged off the shelves. Kids especially love them. I really dig this one's unique color scheme—reminds me of a chocolate mint candy!
Mattel did another great job here as always. Amazing attention to detail! If you still need to add this one to your collection, Sheldon can still be found on the pegs pretty easily; so be sure to check your local Walmart or Target for availability. You can also grab him online using the direct Amazon link below.
Shout out YOUR thoughts down in the comments! Do you have a favorite Cars 3 racer?
Monday, September 24, 2018
Toy Story: Disney Store "Cuddleez" Light-Up Alien Plush
OooooOOOoooOOo... I have to say, this Disney Store exclusive Toy Story Glowing Alien Plush is one of the best things to come from there in a long time! This hit stores back in July and, as soon as I saw it there on the shelf, there was no question about whether I was going to pick it up or not. This is the perfect item to put away for my little Toy Story fans to snuggle with one day and is sure to be a huge hit. I love that it's a cuddle friend and a nightlight!
This adorable LGM's head lights up (a nice, soft glow) when you squeeze its hand. The plush is all around super duper soft with embroidered features, is about 13'' H (including antenna) x 12'' W x 4'' Diameter in size and retails for $24.95. BUT ACT QUICK and you can pick this up with a BONUS 40% off (which brings it down to a fantastic $14.97). Hurry though, that promotion is sure to end soon. Visit your local Disney Store to take advantage of it or find it on the ShopDisney site HERE.
On the back you'll find a small velcro compartment which holds the plush's battery pack. Take that out and turn it from the "TRY ME" mode (in which the light feature only works for a few seconds) to the "ON" mode (the light feature will stay on until you squeeze its hand again, turning it off). You can also disable the light-up feature completely by switching the power pack to the "OFF" position. Three LR44 button cell batteries are required and included.
This is part of the Disney Store's new "Cuddleez" collection. If you're a Beauty and the Beast fan, you can find a light-up Belle plush in this same style HERE.
Here's the glow feature in action! Totally out of this world cute. I love his uniquely stylized design and that completely simple "U" smile (a look you never see the Toy Story aliens have). There have been multiple Toy Story alien plushies released in the past, but none as cute or as soft as this one.
I am "eternally grateful" for this plush and you will be too! If you or your little one at home is a Toy Story fan, I cannot recommend picking this up enough. This is not to be missed, so be sure to grab it at your local Disney Store or online HERE (remember the current code for 40% off is BONUS40) before the claw snatches all of them up.
Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Cars 3: Blind Spot
Start your engines! Tonight I'm back for yet another brief Mattel Cars 3 1:55 scale diecast review. Check out this year's single release of Blind Spot, one of the many awesome demolition derby racers seen in the film! This character was also released last year in a 2-Pack with Pushover, but I was never able to find that set. Good thing both Blind Spot here AND Pushover were re-released in single packs! Now I have them both and my demolition derby cars collection is almost complete.
As shown in the screen shot above, Blind Spot makes a couple brief appearances during the Crazy 8 demo derby sequence AND later on in the film when the Thunder Hollow cars are seen at a bar watching McQueen's final race on TV. She (yes, this is a female car according the Cars Wiki page) sports the racing number 10.
Once again this is a vibrantly painted and perfectly detailed car. I love the unique hot pink and blue color scheme! You know I've loved collecting all the Thunder Hollow cars. They never disappoint.
Find Blind Spot in stores now (check your local Target and Walmart), or snag her online using the direct Amazon link below. What are your thoughts? Shout them out down in the comments!
Monday, September 17, 2018
Toy Story: Woody Journal
Hey howdy hey and welcome to today's post! This Toy Story Woody journal is exclusive to the Disney Store/ShopDisney.com and has been available for the past couple months. I hadn't planned on getting it (just because I have so many journals at this point), but once it went clearance (AND with an extra 40% off + my cast member discount), I couldn't resist. Its original retail prince was $16.95, but I ended up paying only $4.75 for it. Steal of a deal if you ask me!
Though this journal has since sold out on the ShopDisney website, there's still a chance you can find it at your local Disney Store. At mine, we still have a bunch in the clearance section—so if you're interested, be sure to call yours to see if they still have any in stock!
Let's take a closer look below and I'll fill you in on all the details...
This is a faux leather journal with stitched detailing around the edges and etched artwork on the front (Woody and the Toy Story logo), back (Woody's iconic sheriff badge star shape) and side (Andy's name spelled with his signature backwards "N"—as seen on the bottom of Woody's boot). Size is 6 1/2'' H x 5'' W x 1 1/4'' D. It's all done beautifully with an overall rustic/old west feel to it!
The endpapers are brown and feature minimal designs of different types of cacti. The Toy Story logo appears at the beginning of the book, just before the journal pages.
All the pages are lined and each spread includes a Woody's "Andy" boot sketch (left side) and Woody himself (right side).
Everything here feels quality made and I can't recommend it enough for all you Toy Story mega fans/collectors out there like me! If you're in the market for a new journal, this might be the perfect one to write down all your thoughts, stories and creative ideas. Now excuse me, I have the sudden urge to go watch Woody's Roundup while eating a bowl of "Cowboy Crunchies."
What are your thoughts? Did you pick this journal up as well? Let me know down in the comments. Yee-haw!
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Incredibles 2: "Junior Supers" Figure Collection (By Jakks Pacific) WAVE 2
Are you a collector of the Incredibles 2 "Junior Supers" line by Jakks Pacific? Well then, you'll be excited to hear that a new wave with several new characters has just started hitting Target stores across the US! To read my full review of the first wave of Junior Supers, check out my original blog post RIGHT HERE.
I had no idea these were coming and was totally taken by surprise when I found them at Target a week or so ago. The new packs include Mr. Incredible & Edna Mode (unfortunately the Mr. Incredible figure is a straight repack, so you'll need to get him again in order to get Edna) and Fire Jack-Jack & Raccoon (both brand new figures). Additionally as part of this second wave, Elastigirl & The Underminer now come in a set, as well as gray suite Elastigirl & Dash—but all of those figures are re-releases without anything new. Obviously I only picked up the two sets with the new figures, but I included a photo at the end of this post showing the other two sets there on the pegs for your reference.
Each of these figures is between 1.5" tall (the raccoon being the smallest) and 3" tall (Mr. Incredible being the largest). They all have about five points or more of articulation (ball joints at the shoulders and swivel neck and legs; Mr. Incredible also has rotating wrists).
Let's take a closer look at each 2-Pack below, in and out of the their packages!
MR. INCREDIBLE & EDNA MODE
FIRE JACK-JACK & RACCOON
I assumed Jack-Jack would be able to sit, but I honestly didn't think he'd be able to stand up on his own. I was proven wrong! All four of these figures stand up surprisingly great
without any serious balance issues. From their looks to their stances, these are quality sculpts all around.
As mentioned, below are the other two sets in the wave (the ones completely made up of repacks). Both of the Elastigirls and Dash have already been released in previous 2-packs, while the Underminer had only been available with the Tunneler Playset until now. Too bad any other new characters weren't included in this wave, but I do love the ones we got. Here's to hoping a Wave 3 will be happening soon.
Edna was on my short list of figures I had hoped to be released, so I'm really happy she was made! She is awesome. The fire Jack-Jack and raccoon set has to take the cake for me though...it's just such a fantastic 2-pack and the figures look so great! I especially love the translucent plastic used for Jack-Jack. Honestly though, this whole Junior Supers range is so well done. I adore the stylization.
Retail for each pack is $6.99. Find them at Target (in the Imaginext isle) or on Amazon using the direct link below! Again, these are quality, fun figures perfect for small hands and imaginative play. If you have a little Incredibles fan at your home, you won't wanna miss out on these ones!
Let me know your thoughts down in the comments. Are you collecting these? Who would you like to see be made if a Wave 3 happens? I'm still holding out hope for the "wannabe supers".... Voyd, Brick, Krushauer, Reflux, He-Lectrix, etc! Lastly, if you missed any of my previous Junior Super posts, check them all out below:
Friday, September 7, 2018
Coco: Skullectables Hacienda Playset
Hola amigos! Last November, I posted my video review of the Coco Skullectables Hacienda Playset by Mattel (which you can view HERE). I recently realized though that I never ended up writing an actual written review, which I had planned to go up the very next day! So here I am almost a year later with my full thoughts on this playset.
I love the Coco Skullectables line. I had so much fun and have so many memories collecting them last year and it bummed me out when the lineup didn't continue on! A "Series 2" and beyond would have had so much potential with all the fun, colorful and unique characters there are in the film. If you missed my original thoughts on the entire Mattel Skullectables blind bag and 3-Pack figure collection, check out my post from last fall HERE. All caught up? Moving on!
This playset is a fun and must have addition to your Skullectables collection. Not only is it perfect for play and/or display, but it also makes a nice storage container. Plus it comes with an exclusive translucent marigold colored Miguel figure, so you really can't go wrong here! This was originally available last year at Toys R Us for $19.99, but can now be found on Amazon on sale for only $13. If you never grabbed it, now's a great time.
First, check out the vibrant packaging before I bust it out! Nice graphics highlighting the different features are on the back.
Here it is! The design is super neat with some nice details. The outside seems to be loosely based on the mansion of Ernesto de la Cruz in the land of the dead (seen HERE), with some touches inside based on the Sunrise Spectacular amphitheater. There is also something about the inside that reminds me of Ernesto's performance of "Remember Me" from early in the film, so in my mind it's kind of a hybrid of all three locations.
Its size is 10" tall x 7" wide (about 13" wide when opened up).
Just lift up the gold toothed skull on the front of the playset to unlock! Then fold out the two sides, fold down the staircase and lift up the guitar for the full effect. Looks awesome, right? On the sides you'll notice "balconies" that act as storage compartments for 12 Skullectables, each with a peg to help the figures stand securely. The figures also look cool displayed on the steps.
Rotating dance floor! Manually turn the dial for spinning action. Here you can see Hector and Miguel preforming Un Poco Loco. ;)
Lift the white tab there on the front ledge to send a character flying out a secret trap door (or trap window?) in the back!
Here's the whole Skullectables collection displayed! Epic. There are many ways to arrange the figures—kids will have fun using their imaginations. Below I attached my original video from last year so that you can see all this in action, as well as a link to purchase on Amazon.
Let me know all your thoughts down in the comments! Did you pick this up? Which characters did you want to see in this line if the collection hadn't been cancelled?
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
The Incredibles: Little Golden Book Review
After almost 14 years, Disney·Pixar's The Incredibles—for the first time ever— has finally gotten the classic Little Golden Book treatment! As a collector of Pixar Little Golden Books (I have them all at this point), this was a long time coming. It never felt right that The Incredibles was virtually the only Pixar film not to be represented in the lineup (for whatever reason), so I'm thrilled the gap in my collection is finally filled.
Up until this point, the only Little Golden Book release inspired by the original Incredibles was one that came out back in 2005 based on the DVD short film Jack-Jack Attack. For all these years, that one filled the void by default. Now we have the real deal and it does not disappoint! This was released just yesterday.
The story of The Incredibles was adapted here by John Sazaklis (who does a fabulous job at condensing the film's complex story for little ones) and was illustrated by Don Clark. I have to say, these illustrations have to be some of my favorites from any Little Golden Book ever—the cover design alone is without a doubt the most striking! Just WOW. Where can I get myself that as a full size print? Clark's style fits perfectly with the timeless charm of Little Golden Books. The art is mostly the reason I love collecting these books, so I'm glad they nailed it here by hiring the right guy. Amazing work Don!
Let's take a look inside for your exclusive sneak peek...
The first Little Golden Books were published back in 1942, so needless to say, this collection has really stood the test of time. Hundreds of titles later and it's still going strong! I love how even the modern Little Golden Books (like this one here) tap into the nostalgia of their old time publications and are still created in a similar, [now considered] "retro", fashion.
This hardcover book is the standard Little Golden Book size of 8" tall x 6.5" wide, is 24 pages long and retails for $4.99. If you and/or your tiny super heroes at home are big fans of The Incredibles, you'll certainly want to pick this up for your collection. It's perfection! I picked mine up at Barnes & Noble (it's in stores and online), but you can also find it on Amazon using the link below. It's also available digitally, but I'm all about hard copies.
What are your thoughts? Anyone else out there as excited as I am about this release? Shout it all out down in the comments and hopefully we can get a conversation going.
Stay tuned for more right here soon!
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