Erica over at TheBothanSpy.com reports that their bi-weekly web contest to win free SW loot, Watto’s Lotto, is back, and they’re giving away the ever popular Galactic Heroes toys. Want a chance to win? Hop on over to this thread for your chance to score some of those little figures.
The ‘Force trainer’ is not an Onion story
No, USA Today is reporting this one straight, complete with comments from Howard Roffman. The Force Trainer “uses brain waves to allow players to manipulate a sphere.” Naturally.
No, you’re not tapping into some “all-powerful force controlling everything,” as Han Solo said in the movies. But you are reaching out with mind power via one of the first mass-market brain-to-computer products. “It’s been a fantasy everyone has had, using The Force,” says Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing.
…In the Force Trainer, a wireless headset reads your brain activity, in a simplified version of EEG medical tests, and the circuitry translates it to physical action. If you focus well enough, the training sphere, which looks like a ping-pong ball, will rise in the tower.
Call me when they start making the toy lightsabers with real light, okay? (via)
This post is brought to you by the letter T
It’s Monday and I got nothing. Granted, I just got here, so don’t give up on us yet. But for now, take a look at The Secret Life of Toys. It has stormtroopers, Indiana Jones, and bloodthirsty Muppets. Score!
- How about teddy bears… IN SPAAAAACE! (Sorta.)
- Or if that fails, there’s always edible books. Genre standouts include Lard of the Rings and Sword and the Scone.
- Looking for something less stationary? How about Joss Whedon and Ron Moore playing themselves on the season premiere of Robot Chicken?
Fan art: HERD (rat-ATAT-touille) by Adriean Koleric
Designer Adriean Koleric is repainting and modifying vintage AT-ATs for his upcoming show HERD : rat-ATAT-touille. In his own words:
The idea behind the HERD series is to put focus on items of Western Pop culture that has and still influences me in the Design field as well as the new Artistic direction for ITEM. I wanted to show that these type of items, though mass produced and marketed, were infact what I considered art growing up as opposed to disposal product.
There’s plenty of other Star Wars-themed work at his blog, ITEM. Poke around! (via)
Counting down Falcon collectibles
The official site continues Millennium Falcon week with a selection of the best collectibles based on our favorite hunk of junk. Included is this 6-foot Toys R’ Us display.
Eye Candy: Action Figures Playing Poker
Nate Bergstrom lost a lot of blood to recreate this classic of cheese.
Video: Fett takes his passion and makes it happen
There’s a lot of action-figure stop motion out there, but this Flashdance mashup from Patrick Boivin is seriously top notch. (via)
A flurry of merchandise news: Hasbro, Nintendo
- Hasbro: Rebelscum has the new Millennium Falcon press release and a couple of high-res photos.
- The Clone Wars: Box art for The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels (via)
- More Nintendo: Light Up Lightsaber Stylus Sets for the DS. It’s not quite a Wiisaber, but you take what you can get.
- Expanded Universe: The Rebelscum boards are polling for interest in EU figures. You do have to have (or register) an account.
Toys “R” Us counts down for The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars is in the New York Times yet again, as they take a look at the the merchandising of the animated film. Digital clocks in all 585 Toys “R” Us stores will countdown to July 26, when 225 of them will host a midnight release. That old Happy Meal rumor is confirmed, and they also talk to Target and KB reps.
Because, as well know – it’s really all about the toys.
Han Solo wears girl boots
Your daily dose of the 70’s/80’s nostalgia vortex: Recycled and recycling Star Wars toys.