The Brothers Brick

Micro Aliens dropship and APC by Legohaulic

Andrew — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:17:42 +0000

We’ve seen plenty of LEGO models inspired by the Alien universe over the years, including some lovely Ripley and xenomorph minifigs by Tyler (Legohaulic) back in 2008. Tyler’s latest LEGO upload takes him back to LV-426, this time in microscale, and with a bit more firepower.

Tyler’s APC fits inside his UD-4L Cheyenne Utility Dropship:

But look at that adorable power-loader and alien Queen!

Honey, I’m home!

Tromas — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:42:03 +0000

Flickr user Hippotam created this hilarious little scene for a contest, the purpose of which was to depict the same scene occurring in both 1963 and 2063. The only thing I am confused about is whether that little green critter on the floor in 2063 is a pet, or the result of the affair?!

Schnellboot Docked at Night

Tromas — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:52:53 +0000

More and more it seems that we are seeing lighting integrated into a model’s presentation. When done right, it can create a wonderful ambiance for the photo. Nate Flood’s Schnellboot (Fast Boat) is a perfect example of this. The lighting and simple diorama sets the perfect mood for the image. Nate says that the photo is courtesy of Jim Liermann, so it appears this was a team effort.

For those that want to have a closer look, there are further photos of the Schnellboot in Nate’s flickr photostream.

Thanks a bunch to Mike for the heads up on this shot…I surely would have missed it.

Fashionably Late & Always Stylish

Tromas — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:03:25 +0000

Remember that R-Type Build challenge from way back when? Well Uspez Morbo not being one to follow the herd said to himself, “Pfft…who needs monthly deadlines?!”

And I said to myself, “Am I ever glad that Uspez is a rebellious bugger!”

So without further delay, here is Uspez’s contribution to the R-Type & Beyond build challenge…finally!!

Please peruse the crazy textures and complex detailing within the full photoset.

Also, way to rock the UFO panels…

Visit Oechsnerville & see the sights!

Andrew — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:31:59 +0000

Long-time readers are probably most-familiar with Thomas Oechsner because of his stellar Neo-Classic Space models, but Thomas recently posted a big batch of Micropolis modules.

Thomas used four base modules to assemble this cluster of gorgeous tan skyscrapers. (I’m including some pretty tall pictures in this post so you can get a sense of the sheer height of Thomas’s LEGO buildings.)

This neighborhood of townhouses includes some lush backyards and lovely mottled brickwork.

The antenna atop N. Nielson Center first drew my attention, but scroll down for a wonderful tribute to a great builder.

See dozens more photos on Flickr.

Warner Bros debuts The LEGO Movie trailer [News]

Chris — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:46:12 +0000

Warner Bros have released the first official trailer for the upcoming LEGO Movie. I guess they knew everyone would refer to it as “that LEGO movie” anyway, so they made life simpler for all of us by actually calling it that. Anyway, despite some initial trepidation about the quality of the film, the trailer heartens me. It’s usually a mess for old fans when a big company tries to break into a new market, but LEGO and Warner Bros seem to be hitting a lot of the right notes here. Aside from the terrific cast, the world looks well constructed, and there are lots of humorous nods to adult fans. I hope the final film will be as amusing. The film is tentatively slated for a February 2014 release.

Brickworld 2013 Wrap-Up

Caylin — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:46:56 +0000

This past weekend was Brickworld 2013 in Schaumberg, Illinois, and Chris and I attended. I attended for the first time; it was fun being a “newbie” for once, despite this being my 11th LEGO convention. This was my first event outside of the Pacific Northwest! Though really, Chicago, the tornados were a bit much. Really. No need for that.

All weather and terrible airline travel aside, the event was a blast. This was the first year in the new location and by all accounts, it was a fabulous decision to move and improved the convention-going experience greatly. Unlike last year, all the creations this year were housed in the same MASSIVE space.

Over the next few days, pictures of some of the amazing creations will pop online. I want to highlight a few of my favorites:

Smaug by Sharon Vance

The Marquis, by Peter Mowry

Area 51 by Brian Williams

This was really fantastic. We’ve blogged the warehouse previously; now he’s added the shooting location for the Moon Landing, a Stargate, and a number of other fantastic references!

Product announcements

There were two bits of news which we already reported: the reveal of 10234 Sydney Opera House and announcing the Curiosity Rover.

For me, the value of any convention comes from the memories; I attend just as much, if not more, for the people as I do the brick. I saw people I haven’t seen in years, met new friends, and made enough memories and paper planes to last a lifetime. Or at least until BrickCon.

Strandbeest inspired, post-apocalyptic LEGO by Jason Allemann

Tromas — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:25:38 +0000

We’ve posted a couple of LEGO Strandbeest’s here before, but never one wearing clothes. Jason Allemann (True Dimensions) left his version (inspired by Chris Magno) in a box for six years until giving it a post-apocalyptic makeover and posting it yesterday (dated May, apparently). And of course one must watch the video. And to make it even cooler still, Jason has posted instructions for the frame.

EDIT (TG + AB): TR and I posted at exactly the same time, so I include my short description above and leave TR to the rest of the post

I have typed and re-typed this post a few times now, but apparently I am not feeling very eloquent today. So I’ll just keep this simple…flickr user True Dimensions has had this in the works for six years. I am glad he decided to pull it out of the box and dust it off, because it is thoroughly good.

It is just too bloody much fun watching this thing clatter across the floor.

He was also nice enough to offer instruction on how to build your own walking frame on his website.

The Marquis

Caylin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:55:05 +0000

I should be writing a BrickWorld report, but frankly, this was so frickin’ awesome that I wanted to blog it first. I saw this beauty at BrickWorld, while everyone held their breath for display. Because this hangs precariously from a tripod of tubing. The effect is totally worth it.

Peter Mowry‘s Marquis stands 56 inches tall, and is simply a sight to behold. According to the backstory he’s given it, this vessel was designed to be part of a fleet geared toward colonization, and was supposed to carry people, machinery, and materials to wherever it needed to go.

Check out his flickr gallery for more ships to accompany the Marquis!

Starfighter Telephone Game

Tromas — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:38:02 +0000

The Starfighter Telephone Game was started over two years ago and now for the first time a round has been completed. The game works just like the grade-school game from which it got it’s name. Someone starts off by building a starfighter and ships it to the next player, they keep it and build a new fighter inspired by the previous. Game carries on until the first player receives the final fighter.

With three rounds underway and dozens of builders spread across the globe, I think it is safe to say that the game is a success (even with a few delays and hiccups along the way).

Mark Stafford just posted the pictures of the final version of the starfighter for his team (which I was lucky enough to be a part of). All I have to say is that Mike Yoder is a lucky boy to end up with this thing.

Mark also did up a quick video showing the progression of the design from start to finish.

Here are links to each version from our round:
#1 by Yoder
#2 by me
#3 by Cole Blaq
#4 by Red Spacecat
#5 by Shamisenfred
#6 by Proudlove
#7 by Bart De Dobbelaer
#8 by Jake
#9 by Mark

Update:

Mike just did up this edit of the linear progression of each version. It is very cool just how much it changes from step to step.

Nasty, nasty bugs

gambort — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:02:04 +0000

Starship Troopers seems to be a movie that divides people (I like it*), but hopefully negative opinions about the film won’t detract from Tim Goddard’s (Rogue Bantha) excellent LEGO rendition of the “bugs”. And if you really hate the movie, take heart from Ian Heath’s “Woah, did Blacktron just take it up a notch?!”.

* And yes, I do know it was a book first.

Happy Father’s Day

Keith Goldman — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:29:36 +0000

I can’t leave you with a bunch of half-naked dudes as TBB’s sole attempt at a Father’s day post. With that in mind, enjoy this heartwarming photo of Canada’s Adam Dodge (age 5) and the coolest kind of dad that can rock a red sweater with a turtleneck, while teaching his boy the finer points of sorting.

Thumbs up to all the dads out there, see you next weekend.

“It’s raining men!”

Keith Goldman — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:13:00 +0000

I searched the darkest corners of the internet for LEGO related material to cobble together a decent Father’s Day post, to no avail. Luke and Vader riding a rollercoaster together just doesn’t do it for me and my own little builder wouldn’t sit still long enough to photograph our first collaboration; a 12 inch tall model of Aku (the shogun of sorrow). So instead, enjoy a bunch of half-naked dudes, courtesy of Moko

Happy Father’s Day.

Ford Escort Mk1

Keith Goldman — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:48:38 +0000

Here is a vehicle that is sure to please both the hot-weather crowd and studs-out advocates like TBB’s own Wreck-it-Ralph. The builder is Joe Perez, better known as MortalSwordsman, and the car is part of his ongoing Alan Mann Racing Team project. The excellent roll-cage is just one of many details which include the kind of boilerplate car functionality you’ve come to expect and enjoy. If you’re interested in a more detailed inspection and you can put up with the frequent service outages, head over to MOCpages to get your fill.

King Riccardo

Keith Goldman — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:35:32 +0000

Sometimes the right photo can make all the difference. This photo was posted by Bio Master last week and I decided not to blog the creation because the builder referred to it as a “preview”. Although the finalized photos of this vision in gold were posted during the week, I don’t think any of them can match the power of the original teaser shot.

TBB seems to be at odds with the Bionicle building community of late, and from my limited perspective they seem very difficult to please. Bionicle builders get upset when you don’t blog Bionicle…they get upset when you blog the wrong Bionicle…they get upset if you use the wrong title…it’s all terribly exhausting. My personal message to the Bionicle community is this: “Lighten up, Francis“.