Resistance is Futile

Even when they were first released, I was quite interested in the figures for the Disney's Infinity game. I had no real interest in the game itself. My kids are all grown and it looks like it is geared to that 9 to 14 age group. But the figures...well, I just enjoyed the look of them. It's a good style, similar to others that I tend to gravitate towards, from a cartooning perspective. It also does a fantastic job bringing all these different "Disney worlds" into one unifying design, while keeping the feel of the character.

Up till now, I have resisted purchasing any of these figures. I rationalize it by thinking that at that price point I could by an action figure and the Infinity figures aren't articulated and are basically little statues. Even though the reality of the situation is when I do buy a "action figure" it gets put up on a shelf in my room and never moves anyway. It's a lie I tell myself that has worked up until now. The
closest I came to breaking down and getting one was the Lone Ranger set. Not because the movie was all that great (although not the best, I did enjoy it for what it was), but because of my fondness for the character and the style. But I resisted, saving my pennies for other pop culture stuff to spend my money on. Until now...

In a move that was inevitable now that Disney owns Marvel Comics, the new Infinity 2.0 game and figures have hit the market. I had seen them coming, but hoped I could resist. To no avail. So It would seem I may have something new to collect. The new line of Marvel Super-heroes for Disney's Infinity are really neat, and nice to look at. I knew they were going to be a problem when I saw the first photos start popping up months ago on various web sites, but getting a good look at them in the stores sealed the deal. Of course, to get Thor, Iron Man & The Black Widow figures you need to buy the games "starter set", so maybe I will give it a try after all. Or at the very least  I will have something cool to bring out when my niece and nephew come to visit.

Below are some shots of the Groot figure based on the character from this summers "Guardians of the Galaxy" that I picked up as my inaugural figure. Enjoy!

"I am Groot"- Groot

Groot figure from Disney Infinity 2.0 

Front of packaging

Back of packaging

Disney's "The Sounds of Outer Space"

I used to have this album when I was a kid. Judging buy the "Black Hole" robot on the slipcover it came out in the late 70's, around 1979 or so.

No music on it, just sound effects. I had totally forgot about this. Wonder if it is still at my parents house? My mom throws nothing away so odds are good.

front cover

back cover

Paperman

Poster Illustrated by Jeff Turley

My family and I saw this charming little Disney short when we went to see "Wreck-It Ralph". As as much as our family enjoyed the movie, this little short was what we talked about the most on the way home.

The full version has popped up on YouTube in the last few days and I have had the opportunity to watch it again, and it is just as good the second and third time around.

Not only is the story itself good, in my mind it was the style of animation they used. It is clearly CGI but has the look and feel of old school hand drawn animation. Apparently this is some new "in house" technology developed at Disney they call "Meander". It is truly wonderful style that keeps the warmth and beauty of the more traditional style of animation while keeping a lot of the perks of CGI. I really hope we see more of this coming from Disney.

"Paperman" has been nominated for a "Best Animated Short Film" at the 85th Annual Academy Awards and has won the Annie Award for "Best Animated Short Subject".