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Sunday Bloody Funday: In Memorium


'TIL DEATH DO US PART: 2015 and the start of 2016 has been a rough one on actors and musicians, We've lost some very talented people and I thought it only fitting to remember them in their toy format. I won't be doing the whole list of people, but the handful that meant something to me. Not everyone has a toy figure, one such person was Natalie Cole, but I wanted to mention her up front and say thank you for your timeless music.

In 2015 we lost many get talents like Christopher Lee, the man was a work horse when it came to making movies. I remember him best from the Hammer horror film, but most people will forever remember him as Saruman from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises. Toybiz put out a very nice Sauman figure awhile back for the Two Towers movie. The figure had 12 points of articulation and was rendered beautifully. The clothing was made out of a flexible material which helped in pose-ability. I like this one personally because it had a great likeness of Christopher Lee's face.

Leonard Nimoy will always be remember for playing that Vulcan that everyone enjoyed on Star Trek, it would be illogical to think otherwise. Spock was the main focus of his career for many decades, but people don't realize Nimoy was an avid photographer. Live long and prosper in our hearts forever! Mezco Toys released an ideal Spock figure awhile back. This one is a awesome. It comes with many different hands, a phaser, transponder, real material clothing and a perfectly painted/sculpted Spock head. The articulation on this figure is nuts, you can literally pose him any way you want. This is the perfect way to remember Nimoy. This was our original rememberance/review of our beloved Spock.

Agnus Scrimm. This horror icon is best remembered for his role in the horror film Phantasm film franchise. He wore a black suit and his famous line was "Boy". He was known as the "tall man" in these movies. I actually got a chance to meet him once and he was a very kind and generous person, nothing like his character from the horror movies. NECA did an amazing job of capturing the spirit of the tall man with their Cult Classics series 2 release, which also feature a minion (not "those" Minions), a sphere and a portal base.

Lemmy Kliminister (vocalist for Motorhead and Hawkwind). Why do we love Lemmy? It's because he was never changing and lived his life on his terms. He was the epitome of what it is to be a rockstar. He had been ill for a couple years, but continued to play through it, right up until a few weeks before he died. Lemmy influenced so many genres of music and his stamp on music will always be remembered. A Lemmy figure I wanted to mention was Locoape's Icon Figure Series. Motorhead Lemmy Kilmister 6-Inch Action Figure. This Lemmy comes with mutton-chops, leather boots and attitude. Each 6-inch articulated figure includes strap accessories, a microphone and stand, a figural base, a Motorhead logo plate, and 1 of 4 different Rickenbacker replica bass guitar variations featuring real strings. What a way to keep his memory alive!

Knucklebonz released a Motorhead Lemmy Kilmister Rock Iconz statue. This hand-painted statue stands approximately 9-inches tall, with the iconic Warpig logo sculpted on the base. As an officially licensed limited edition of 1,000 pieces, the collectible resin statue weighs about 3 pounds and comes with a certificate of authenticity. This is Lemmy, This is how he should be remembered.

Sticking with music...David Bowie died earlier this month after a long battle with cancer. This one is still hitting me hard as I've followed Bowie through his many chameleon-like reinventions in the music business and style. Bowie gave his fans his final bow in way of his album released last week entitled Blackstar. I think it was his way of saying thank you and goodbye. One of my favorite movies throughout my life has been 1986's Labyrinth directed by Jim Henson. Bowie played Jareth the Goblin King a bad guy with 80's metal band hair and a knack for style and flair. This movie was basically a tale about being careful about what you wish for. The figures that I'm going to choose to remember Davie Bowie by are all The Goblin King released by NECA in 12" and 6" via their Cult Classics series. Jareth captures this character in his robed Goblin stage. The Goblin King has his puffy 80's hairdo sculpted perfectly I might add and large black tattered robe. Paint and articulation are great, but then why would you ever release this King from his Clamshell packaging?

The next figure is a two pack with Jareth the Goblin King and Hoggle action figure also from Labyrinth. This version is dressed totally different than the former one. He wears a brown leather coat/cape (tattered again), tight grey leggings, brown leather gloves and leather boots. The face sculpt has minor differences too, Bowie's hair isn't as poofed in this version of the character. The added bonus is that you get Hoggle who defies his master to help "Sarah" in the movie.

Alan Rickman was a great character actor. Seen as the bad guy in many movies (something he played very well). I will always remember the first time I watched Die Hard and heard Hans Gruber throw lashes back and forth over walkie talkies with John McClane played by a young Bruce Willis. I know he was in countless roles but his latest one as Severus Snape in Harry Potter was probably the biggest one of his career. He played him with a cold complexity with deep emotion and anguish. I think only Rickman could pull this off and he did it well. Medicom's Real Action Hero Severus Snape included real cloth costume with texture, and came with a variety of accessories, including Snape's wand and replaceable hands. Very nice figure indeed.

Star Ace had done what I feel is a top notch Severus Snape figure (forthcoming) that comes with fabric clothing, amazing articulation and many, many accessories such as a cauldron, viles of potions, a spell book, a wand and interchangeable hands. Rickman's face is captured beautifully in this sculpt too. Funko also did it's lovable version of Snape in Pop form. It's nice and well what you's expect from Funko. Lego also produced a small Severus Snape That is my personal favorite.

Finally we get one Hans Gruber from Die Hard in the series PALz by PalisadesToys.com. It was in a blind box that was produced in 2005.

This brings to a close my people we lost 2015 an early 2016. Remember to always enjoy a shining star because the don't burn bright forever.

May all those we will continue to enjoy over time Rest in Peace, famous or not. Please join us on Facebook here.

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