Whilst Alfred waits for a few new parts the unfinished Batmobile rests in the cave.
Tuesday, 9 November 2021
THE SOUND OF PLASTIC JAWS GNASHING
The Sound of Thunder reminded me of a short film.
In 2016 my nephew aged 8 and I made a short video using some of his cool toys like the big T. Rex.
I had a look round You Tube for a fun animation using a dinosaur toy. Here's one I found. A bit long. I do feel sorry for the Pizza delivery boy!
What do you think?
Have you any films, super 8 box art, model box art or photos that show Man V Dinosaur readers?
A SOUND OF THUNDER
Yesterday I started to read Ray Bradbury's short story A Sound of Thunder. I ran out of time in my break so I'll have to pick up later.
Essentially its a story about time tourism and dinosaur shooting parties, specifically a T.Rex.
I found the above shot of the original magazine entry from the Fifties. I thought the artwork was superb. Ray B has signed this online example too!
The bit I read made me think of Jurassic Park and the second instalment where the big game hunter just wants to bag a T.Rex. I wonder if the author Michael Crichton ever read The Sound of Thunder? Have you read it readers?
Who can forget the impact tremors in the first film, the very stuff of my own childhood nightmares decades earlier when I imagined a Thunder Lizard stomping down my street and peering through my bedroom window, a nightmare scenario which Crichton included in the second film.
My favourite impact tremors are the simple vibrations in the glass of water seen in JP.
Are there any more dinosaur tourism books or films?
The Imai Kit Company
Hi
From maxsmodels here is a history of the Japanese kit company Imai. They made James Bond, Thunderbirds, and other Gerry Anderson kits, and various Japanese movie monsters in addition to the more usual subjects. As always, Max does a great job, with lots of really nice vintage box tops.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Monday, 8 November 2021
Mans Best Friend
As you might guess, Hanks is the eponymous central figure and pretty much runs the film as a one hander. Aside from a few brief anonymous appearances by humans, Finch shares the screen with only his dog and a robot. having played opposite a beachball in 'Castaway', Hanks has no trouble relating to either. The dog is especially well trained and the empathy between Finch and his dog is natural and relateable. Finch has another small service droid, called 'Huey' - a probably nod to 'Silent Running' and the trio of service bots on the 'Valley Forge', rather than Donald Duck's nephew. Huey is little more than a kit robot, fitted out with various waldo arms and a shopping basket to help Finch in his forays for food.
The robot, which eventually acquires a name, is built of random parts and an industrial endoskeletal armature, making it very strong and capable. But as with any A.I, it needs to learn how to be something near to human and how to adapt to the hostile situations ahead of it.
As the film progresses, we see 'Jeff' adapt and change, with his 'speak and spell' vocals softening as he talks to Finch during the course of the film, to enunciate in a mid-western teenage drawl. What is more charming is Jeffs' character development, as he eagerly attempts to be more 'Finch' and help his friends, with varying degrees of success.
Initially stiff and clumsy, Jeff develops mannerisms and postures all his own and by the end of the film has transformed into a fully fledged 'person', with faults and foibles and even something akin to emotion as he mimics Finch in his everyday activity. Some of Jeffs mannerisms bring to mind 'Wallace and Grommit' from the animated series, to obvious comedic effect.
If you compare Finch to the recent robot releases such as 'Chappie', 'Ex Machina 'or even 'Her' which all approach the artificial intelligence concept from different angles, sacrificing realism for full-bore action, or dramatic suspense - Finch wins out as a heartwarming and interesting tale, with great visuals and as ever, a stunning performance by one of the most versatile actors of our day and a very notable performance by the talented voice-actor behind Jeff himself. Well worth seeking out.
STEVE CANYON: USAF JET PILOT
Hi all
I have been looking up Steve Canyon toys. Not a lot as far as I can see, but what is out there is really nice. I am sure it is also very expensive, and mostly to be found in the US. Not sure if any of this is directly related to the 1958-59 TV series, or to the original comic strip character.
The Aurora kit. To 1/8th scale, which would make the figure about 9 inches tall ? The photo is from Todocoleccion. There was also a regular USAF pilot version, which did not mention Steve Canyon.
The board game you mentioned. The playing pieces depict the Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber.
There was also a metal lunch box.
A comic by Dell.
A Steve Canyon uniform and equipment set for the Captain Action doll.
A toy aircraft cockpit.
A plastic flight helmet, complete with visor and oxygen mask.
A plastic and tinplate truck with glider bomb, by Ideal.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
UGLY STICKERS AND NUTTY INITIALS: THE ARTIST?
I came across the work of the illustrator Basil Wolverton today. Grotesque faces and horrible heads. Really startling cartoon people.
As soon as I saw them I thought of two sets of stickers I had as a kid as I'm sure some of you had as well. Ugly Stickers in particular and Nutty Initials.
Does anyone know if these designs were created by Basil Wolverton?
NOVA FLIGHT
Have a gander at this artwork of the SpaceX Nova rocket. Its pretty cool!
https://pixels.com/featured/nova-flight-3-timothy-smith.html
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Paul Vreede's New Spacex Toys Website
A beautiful and comprehensive site dedicated to the world of Tri-ang SpaceX and Golden Astronaut Toys
Ed Berg's Toy Blog: Toys and Stuff
