MetaFilter posts tagged with actionfigure

Zoltar Segue

christopherious — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:15:01 -0800

Zoltar breakdancing! Everybody rumba, rumba rumba. Zoltar, that fortune-telling guy you thought was stuck in his booth, went mobile and won the Motorized Float prize in the 2009 Coney Island Mermaid Parade last summer. Some of us probably remember one of his alter egos from the 1970s animated Battle of the Planets, who also went by the names Berg Katse and Mala Latroz, and whose quasi hermaphroditic nature was obfuscated in the American adaptation by explanatory 7-Zark-7 monologues (1:40 - 2:40). Perhaps one or two of us even have an action figure lying around. But that Zoltar wannabe had serious identity problems, and his life of ambigusexual villainy ended in tragic suicide. Even more of us probably remember him from that scene in Big where a twelve year old kid made a wish and got what he asked for. (I doubt more than a small majority have seen him in Big - The Musical). But Zoltar may be most fondly remembered as the six-foot-five, acquisitive and witty animatronic soothsayer -in-a-box who likes to hang out at ~~piers~~ boardwalks. Here, he is silent on the question of whether or not some dude should hire a prostitute. This cute girl lingers, intrigued, over her fortune while trying to ignore the douche cameraman. Here, Zoltar disseminates advice at the beach. This videographer prefers a horizontal Zoltar. This Zoltar is sort of interactive. He may not be the only enterprising fortune-telling-machine around, but he is probably the first to become mobile and win a Motorized Float contest using a modified Segway. Lots of work went into this project. Here you can see how the float was assembled (part 1, part 2 - breakdancing bit is at 9:22), and here is a test demonstration. Want a Zoltar of your own but don't want to spend $6,600 at Characters Unlimited Inc, or $5,500-$8,500 at ZoltarMachine.com (See how he's made: artists at work, woodwork, faces, hands & eyes), or $8,999.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer, or $7,495.00 for this eBay seller's auction? Well, it seems Zoltar has fallen on hard times and is offering himself to denizens of the Washington state area, as noted on his Facebook fan page. Still can't afford him? Then get yourself a $139 Chumby Guts (some assembly required) or a $120 Chumby One and add the Zoltar widget to one of your channels. Still too cheap for Zoltar? Then virtualize him (free registration required) and enjoy the advice and truisms via that widget for $0.

Allen Ginsberg Vinyl Figure

Olive Oil — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:24:50 -0800

Allen Ginsberg Vinyl Figure designed by artist Archer Prewitt for Presspop. Archer Prewitt designed an Allen Ginsberg vinyl figure to be release by Presspop as part of their "American Culture Personalities" line.

Monumental men of action

klangklangston — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:16:47 -0800

Robert Burden's artwork (drawings, paintings) mainly concerns toys. His flags are neat too. I didn't figure out how to deep link.

I'm President Barack Obama, and today is the longest day of my life.

armage — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:12:58 -0800

Barack Obama: President, CTU Member, Jedi Knight, Samurai. This particular presidential action figure is by a Chinese company, Dragon in Dream, but there are others. McCain figure not included.

Fratricide in the Great War on Christmas

rzklkng — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:27:39 -0800

We'll Fight for Freedom, Wherever there's Trouble... CNN pundit Glenn Beck (as well as Canada's National Post] criticizes G.I. Joe, or more appropriately, the in-production live-action movie [IMDB] of the same name, and the manufacturer of the multi-generational toy-line, Hasbro. Beck cited the IMDB page, which stated that GIJOE was a "European-based military unit known as Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity (G.I.J.O.E.), a hi-tech, international force of special operatives, takes on an evil organization led by a notorious arms dealer." He further added that the change amounted to JOE being ineffectual pansies, like the UN, and that "[He believes] some are trying to indoctrinate our kids into hating their own country, turning us into some one-world-government nightmare; hating America, turning it into a dirty word." Keep in mind that the cartoon was distributed in several languages [YouTube], the toys sold in several countries, the 3 3/4" line is 25 years old, the comics have been around for just as long, and that any modern movie needs international audiences to maximize profit, which might be difficult with an American-centric film. Some say that GIJOE the movie was the best film ever-made [YouTube], as well as being the inspiration for the TV's 24. At least the opening sequence was cool. See also the fan site, the character index, these comics and videos.

Unintended Surrealism with Action Figures

theora55 — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 08:56:22 -0800

When boys play with dolls, the results can be a bit startling. Some terrorists/insurgents are GI Joe fans. and here is an extensive collection of Little Nazi Dolls. my little nazi dolls via Mofi

Cheesy Jesus!

ChrisTN — Mon, 07 Jun 2004 20:16:58 -0800

CheesyJesus.com --Beyond the Jesus Action Figure, this is also your home for lovely Last Supper Wall Tapestries, Mosque Alarm Clocks, "Wash Away Your Sins" Bubble Bath...and of course, Jack Chick tracts! Your equal-opportunity religious kitsch supplier.

Total Rekall of the Scharzenegger doll

KirkJobSluder — Sat, 01 May 2004 10:22:00 -0800

CNN reports that Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to sue Bosley Bobbers seeking to stop production of a charity bobblehead doll. The doll shows the former action-actor turned Governor of California posing in a business suit, ammo belt and assault rifle. Arnold is arguing that he owns the marketing rights to his likeness. The creators argue that he lost those rights when he became a political figure. However, this seems to be a repeat of Hustler v. Falwell. And courts lately have been skeptical of trademark rights trumping satire. On the other hand, there seems to be a fine line between editorial use and commercial exploitation.

The Right Hand of Doom, with Kung Fu Grip

Hildago — Tue, 20 Jan 2004 21:34:18 -0800

"Anung un Rama, loose the Dragon, for this is the ending of days. You were born into this world for this purpose only. Deliver the world into Chaos. Wake your devil heart. Set upon your brow that crown of fire, for your coming of age is the death knell of man."

it's the ann coulter doll!

bliss322 — Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:20:03 -0800

ann coulter action figure i only wish i had seen this prior to christmas. it talks, too! sound samples included

aw, look. it even has a little pointless bandaid.

grabbingsand — Mon, 03 Feb 2003 10:57:42 -0800

it's getting hot in here... in miniature.

o2b — Wed, 07 Feb 2001 14:51:26 -0800

religious action figures! yes! no more stealing my friends' action figures! seriously, this could be good for families with a new testament preference; they have "african heritage" and "caucasian heritage" lines. one odd thing -- the "african" eve is much lighter than the "african" adam... what's up with that? link from k10k.

mathowie — Wed, 24 May 2000 16:55:45 -0800

So I stumbled upon this Britney Spears Auction at Yahoo (yeah, right, just like I stumble upon episodes of Dawson's Creek or 90210 - I swear I was just flipping channels!) and there's two notable things up for sale. This action figure/doll scares the bejesus out of me, there's something just plain wrong about a doll sporting a bare midriff, pigtails, and a short skirt (and did ya notice that she dots her "i" with heart? ugh.). Then this outfit from the Saturday Night Live episode is kinda creepy too, what on earth would someone do with her outfit? Put it up on the wall or let people rent it out for halloween?