Finding Dory

I have a terrible confession to make, I haven't seen Finding Dory yet. Yes, I'm a huge Disney and Pixar fan, and that would be reason enough to be shameful, but Angus MacLane, one of the directors of the film is actually a friend, so I hang my head in disgrace. it is a problem I intend to correct very soon, but in the mean time I have some fabulous MOCs by radiohearhoy to admire,

nEO_IMG_DOGOD_Finding_DORY_09
nEO_IMG_DOGOD_Hank_01
nEO_IMG_DOGOD_Destiny_01

Cerulean Chapel

Joseph Z.'s newest build jumps out at me as a very unique castle MOC. It does a masterful job of combining what it's easy to accept as the most common modern castle style (with the patchwork plate-filled brick walls, etc.) with its exact inverse, a totally clean and symmetrical style, like the striking stained-glass evenly spaced along the frame. I had the pleasure of seeing this build in person at Brickfair in Virginia last weekend, and I can vouch for the fact that it certainly looks great even without this crisp white background.

Cerulean Chapel

I'd Live There

On land we have rough, zig-zag, jagged rooftops of buildings all huddled together on a tight patch of rock.  Beyond that, calm, blue seas.  The colors are striking, the photography is clean, and I'm beginning to wonder why Oliver Lego doesn't work as an Apple photographer!  And for a "first try at miniscale format", I'd say that Oliver has hit a homerun!

Lego Greek Port City

Samurai Sanctuary

Just looking at this MOC is relaxing. This very tranquil MOC samurai sanctuary by builder NeverEnoughLego premiered at Brickfair VA, much to the appreciation of those there (I wish I could have been there). In my brief time in Japan I spent my time in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, and I really wish I could have found a place like this to spend a little time, it's beautiful.

Firebird

As soon as I saw this beautiful build by VSefrem, I knew I couldn't not blog it. The bird itself is absolutely gorgeous; the repeating circles really give it a lovely texture. But I personally think the tree is just as awesome, since it's extremely organic and non-rectangular. The technique used is very cool and innovative. In fact, I'm not entirely sure how all of those pieces are attached! Consider me wowed.

Firebird

Yamamoto

Can a military ship make you squee? I'd say this one can. It's an adorable mashup of cruiser, destroyer and battleship by Dwalin Forkbeard. Combine those, add some adorable proportions and plenty of moveable weaponry, and you've got a seriously cute floating vessel of death. Imagine standing on the deck of your warship, admiring this thing and making "awww" sounds, then you see the torpedo screaming at you.

Yamamoto
Yamamoto back

Welcome To Nordheim

I hope you brought your jacket (and maybe some armor, just in case). This is the chilly realm of Nordheim, a collaborative build by jsnyder002 and soccersnyderi. This premiered at BrickFair VA last week, and I'm certain it must have been quite the sight in person. It's 130×98 studs and weighs a whopping 87 pounds, that's a serious diorama. I highly recommend clicking through and checking out both of their photo streams for more pics, this thing is packed with detail and fun surprises.

Life in Nordheim
Life in Nordheim
Life in Nordheim
Life in Nordheim
Nordheim Fjall

Just Bobbling Around

This six-pack of Star Wars characters by LegoJalex is the perfect mashup of two highly collectible things: LEGO and bobbleheads. All of the characters are wonderfully chibi, and they very nicely recreate the originals despite their simplicity. And of course, all the figures really bobble, using a brilliantly simple mechanism. Check out the video to see them in action.

All six Star Wars Bobblehead figures

To Da Moon!

It seems to me that the "One small step for man" would be a bit smaller here, considering this is LEGO. Dorian Glacet built this awesome Apollo lunar lander and moon rover. The lander uses some clever techniques and looks very accurate (to my untrained eye, at least). But my favorite part of the build is the set of tracks left behind the rover. It looks very cool and really evokes some of those pictures the astronauts took on the moon.

EDIT: This model by Dorian is actually a reworking and representation of a lunar lander built by Saabfan. So, since credit needs to go where it is due, I wanted to mention both builders here. This is a good example of how work from two equally skilled builders can be combined to great effect.

Apollo Lunar Module

Rogue One: Secret Room Scene

Ha!  I beat Tommy to a Star Wars post!!!  Gotta appreciate Markus19840420's attention to detail and cinematography in this shot.  At first I figured it was just another one of those post-some-minifigs-over-the-still-shot deals, but oh no, that's all LEGO.  The scene was built for a contest called IDSMO IV, which is a German Star Wars Moc Olympics.  But it's more than a nifty build, it's the mastery of the two art forms of LEGO and photography.  Well done, Markus! 

Quite Possibly The Single Greatest Use Of Bananas Ever

Sometimes it's not the obscurity of a part that makes it a NPU (nice part use). Everyone has a banana or two, at one point last year we had over 100 in the studio for a particular animation gig, but the thought of using them as thatching on a roof, like this brilliant treehouse MOC by theogiulia never occurred to me. What a fantastic use of a totally mundane part.

Maison d'Assurancetourix

Checking In On The Goblet Of Fire

These MOCs are part of an absolutely epic undertaking by the latest member of a small team of dedicated Harry Potter and LEGO fans. Each is a small vignette representing a notable scene from the legendary book series. These are from The Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the series, and are built by Xenomurphy, who took up the mantle from builders MarcelV'rolli and Kevin Wollert. Each is a small piece of a larger story, and a story unto itself.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 09
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 06
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 02

Quidditch

This sort of build warms my heart. This phenomenal quidditch pitch by builder britsnap1 is a father/son project and obviously a labor of love. It measures over seven and a half feet and is populated with a full audience of sports loving minifigures. A fevered match is in progress, and while I can't really tell, I'm betting Gryffindor is winning. Harry Potter himself would be proud.

Harry Potter Quidditch arena. Based mainly on the 2nd H.P movie we have accurately recreated one of the most iconic pop culture sporting arenas of all time. This was such a fun father/son project to complete and measures almost 7.5 feet long.
Any Harry Potter fans out there? :)

Steamy Pew Pew

The distinguished gentleman know that when it comes to personal defense, there's absolutely no reason that the apparatus need be without style or panache. The Winchester Action Thermal Steam Operated Neutralizer, or WATSON Pistol is just the thing for standing down a rogue and doing it with flair. Now available at Higby and Bloque, and wherever fine firearms are sold.

Steampunk Gun

Watchtower Of Orodruin

Everywhere you look at this scrappy watchtower by Tim Schwalfenberg you'll see two things: A very interesting technique, and something unconventional. From the craggy brickwork at the base of the tower, to the cobbled railing at the top, and from the uneven stairs on the left to the boulder rock work on the right, it's amazing. I have to admit I think this would probably give me fits though, it looks so fragile I wouldn't want to stand anywhere near it while simultaneously needing to get a good close look at it.

The Watchtower of Orodruin

Check Mate

Ok so I've got to admit, I'm not a massive fan of the LEGO Friends sets (mainly I just don't like the figures) but SuzEaton has won me over with this chess set. Each piece is themed, including a skier, halloween witch, DJ and bakers. The queen piece is represented by a prom queen and the king features one of the Friends as a mechanic. I strongly suggest checking out the individual pieces via the album. This half of the board fits together with a LEGO Elves themed board built by Suz's husband.

LEGO Friends Chess Set (better pic coming soon)