Colonial Gunstar

Here's a heaping dose of interstellar awesome from BrickNerd's own El Barto. Built during the first Cylon war to provide tactical support to the Battlestar groups, the Colonial Gunstars were faster and more maneuverable than their Battlestar big brothers. 

Jack-In-The-Box

I never had a jack-in-the-box as a kid, but I remember my cousin having one and it scared the crap out of me. You would crank the handle to a somewhat creepy rendition of Pop Goes The Weasel, at least for the first three measures. Then it was almost time for the "Pop", and the timing was always just a little off. Sometimes it was a full crank, sometimes 3/4, sometimes 1 1/2. I don't know if it was intentional, but it sure caused a lot of child anguish and stress. Then the damn clown would pop out and it was time to change your shorts. This version by ~Likus~ doesn't "pop" up, but the crank does make the clown go up and down, which is *almost* as creepy.

Fuel Up

I have mixed feelings on this. First, it's fossil fuel, which we really need to get beyond. But, how many times have you been rescued by the side of the road with one of these? This is also exactly like the gas can I used as a kid to fuel up the lawnmower I hated using. But then again it's also the one we would "borrow" when we needed to set something on fire for a super-8 movie (kids, don't set stuff on fire, it's dumb like I was). And lastly this one's built with LEGO by Pepa Quin, so overall it has to be a positive.

Gizmo

Man the early 80's were a great time for movies. Think about how many fantastic films came out at that time, there were so many. It was also a time when I was finding myself as an artist and filmmaker, and was warped and inspired for life. One such inspirational films was Gremlins. It had cute moments, crazy moments, laughs and scares, and some of the best creature work ever caught on film. And of course, everyone fell in love with Gizmo, as depicted here by builder paddybricksplitter. 

Where The Wild Things Are

I read it as a kid, and I read it to my kids as an adult. It's Maurice Sendak's classic book Where The Wild Things Are. It's got a unique look that's instantly recognizable, and has been captured perfectly in this MOC by Max Pointner. There's also some clever part use here, like the croc tails on the tree, genius.

You Enter A Large Chamber...

The torch light reveals little in the way of decorations or furniture as you cautiously enter. You cast your eyes about the room and see two skeletons, one hanging from the wall, this room has seen death. The pungent scent of decay and neglect burns your nose as you hear the faint drips of an unseen leak. A quick check for trap doors reveals nothing, so you continue your search. In a dark corner there's a chest... 

Snoopy And Woodstock

For me, Snoopy was always the best part of Peanuts. His adventures with his little pal Woodstock were always entertaining. In this charming MOC by Miro78 he is getting a little writing done on the strangest laptop I've ever seen. I think Woodstock is confused as well, where's the screen?

Camo SHIP

This is 63 inches of camouflaged awesome. The size is impressive, the style and design is unique, the display on the shipyard is novel and the detailing is superb. But the intricate camo on this scale is mind-blowing. Click through for more pictures and try to wrap your head around this magnificent vessel by xtofcorthay.

Lawn Pwner

It's been many years since I've used, let alone owned one of these machines. I loathe yard work, I really do, so I pay someone else to do it for me. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the wonder that is the modern lawnmower. There's something very satisfying in a machine who's sole purpose is to spin a whirring blade of death and decapitate blades of grass. This version by Pepa Quin is more my speed though, small, quiet and made of bricks.

Oh The Retro Feels

As a card carrying charter member of the 8-bit club (no, that's not a real thing) I have the deepest affection for this MOC by Burglarhobbit. When we popped in the cartridge for The Empire Strikes Back way back in 1980 we marveled at the graphics, they were so "lifelike". Oh those were simpler times. Fun fact, I still have the poster for this game rolled up in my garage, it's rad.

Ford GT

If you look up "sleek" on webster.com you get the definition (as it applies here) of "having trim graceful lines <a sleek car>". That really doesn't seem to evoke the same emotional response as the lines and contours of this gorgeous Ford GT by Firas Abu-Jaber. The elegant intersecting forms of this MOC are effortless and beautiful.

Burger, Fries And A Lemon Coke Please

I'm a sucker for a retro diner. Just last weekend I was in LA and had to have lunch at Cafe 50's as soon as I saw it. I'm also a sucker for a retro build, and this immaculate diner interior by One More Brick  has all the right details. Now, can you tell me what fresh pie you have?

But It's Not Over

I've often wondered where the "fat lady sings" euphemism comes from. I suppose I could google it, but that would be too easy. But the notion that nothing is "over" until a heavyset woman wearing viking armor, not unlike this MOC by Pepa Quin, comes out belting operatic tones seems really odd. What if your opera is set in ancient Mongolia? She would be completely out of place. What if it's set in modern Los Angeles? Actually, that's not much of a stretch, never mind.

All right, you primitive screw-heads, listen up!

See this? This... is my boomstick! It's a twelve-gauge, double-barreled Remington. S-Mart's top of the line. You can find this in the sporting goods department. That's right, this sweet baby was made in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Retails for about $109.95. It's got a walnut stock, cobalt-blue steel, and a hair trigger. That's right... shop smart: shop S-Mart... You got that?

Nice job, Mr. Maddison. Nice job. Cute as hell and instantly recognizable. 

Famous Fleet

Builder baronsat has released instruction for an entire fleet of famous vehicles. I love the chibi style and proportions of these vehicles, they're recognizable and cartoony at the same time. My personal favorite is the Spinner from Bladerunner, but I like them all. How many can you name?

Rad Robots

I'm a kid of the 80's. You guys read about what it was like when the arcade was king, I was there. You hear Adam Ant on the Spotify, I bought the record. You mock break dancing, I did it (did I just say that out loud?) And when we thought 'robot', we thought of the likes of these MOCs by breaksbricks72 (and of course Star Wars). They're inspired by the Tomy Omnibots series, and they're totally bitchin' dude.

The First Jaw Dropping Moment Of The Episode VII Trailer

I don't think I'll ever forget the first time I saw this moment of the trailer, recreated brilliantly by KevFett2011 here in bricks. I was at Star Wars Celebration, sitting on the floor in front of the LEGO booth (we couldn't get into any of the places the panel was being simulcast, but luckily LEGO streamed it to their jumbotron) and there was a sudden hush as the trailer started. The first shot fades up and there's a soft "oooh" from the crowd. But as the camera panned over and it became apparent that wasn't a mountain in the background. There was a palatable rush of energy in the room, a collective intake of breath and a million goosebumps erupted simultaneously around me. One shot and we were hooked.

Ramen

I've only been to Japan once, but some of my more vivid memories were of the food. One afternoon we went to a noodle house, and I had some of the best noodles I've ever had. This MOC by Legorookie took me instantly back to that moment. And of course, now I'm craving noodles.

Iron Builder Is On

The part has been chosen, the gauntlet has been laid, the competitors are already engaged, it's time for another epic Iron Builder! This round it's Pepa Quin vs One More Brick, and it's going to be a good one if the early MOCs are any indication. I won't pick a favorite, but who are you rooting for?

The Trench Run

OliveSeon doesn't do anything on a small scale, and this epic MOC of the last moments of the battle of Yavin is evidence of that. This thing is nearly six feet wide! I love the captured action and sense of motion in this, I can practically hear the trumpets of John Williams' score and the sound of the ships. I do think the surface detail is a bit too dense in the trench though, I think if it had been a little more accurate it could have transitioned better to the forced perspective background of the MOC (which is brilliant by the way).