Mmmmmm, Burger

Most of the people that have visited BrickNerd Studios here in Lompoc have discovered something about me, I come from strong burger DNA. It's a tradition when someone visits to take them to Tom's, a local burger joint started by my dad Tom Sr about 35 years ago. I can assure you if builder Powerpig ever visits, I'll be taking him there, he clearly appreciates a good burger.

Grease Fires

Okay guys, let's be serious for a minute.  Grease fires are no joke.  Never ever throw water onto a grease fire because water and oil don't mix and it'll just splash burning hot oil everywhere and spread the fire.  The only time I've seen a real grease fire was at a fire department demonstration during elementary school and I'm still not sure if the firemen's multiple failed attempts to extinguish the flames and the projected sense of urgency was genuine or not.

When it comes to LEGO grease fires, they are fantastically fun.  As you can see from jarekwally's vignette, the kitchen is packed with action and detail.  Stone island counters, wooden walls, plenty of places to hang things and shelf space, a huge fridge, and a chef with personality!

The Truth Is Out There

While I wasn't a religious watcher, I've always been a fan of X-Files. Something about Mulder's continual optimism/paranoia and Scully's continual skepticism kept the show alive with a great dynamic (although, you'd think after so long, Scully would maybe be slightly less skeptical every week). This interior by markus19840420 captures the clutter and feel of Mulder's office perfectly, right down the the pencils lodged in the ceiling tiles.

Phasers Out

I always love it when someone builds a good life-size movie prop, and this original Star Trek phaser by buriedbybricks is a great example. Although I wasn't around when the original Star Trek TV show and movies were showing, I still quite like it at times. Sure, the effects are a little old and the cardboard sets are wobbly, but it was a huge step in science fiction entertainment and was sometimes quite impressive. Similarly, this model is old (the builder says he built it in 2010) but excellent. The shaping is splendid and there's lots of great detail.

Simply Maleficent!

The first things to really strike me about Johnnie Tee's representation of this scene from Maleficent, were the stained glass and floor tiling. They are so precise and authentic. Johnnie Tee explains that he was looking to create "gothic chic luxury befitting a young princess" and I think he's got this spot on! The details on the bed such as the feet and whips, along with the golden furnishings, create a sense of elegance. Aurora can be seen smiling and holding Maleficent's hand in this LEGO moc of the the 'True Love's Kiss' scene.

Bioshock Skyhook

This MOC by builder Imagine™ is pretty insane. I haven't played Bioshock, so I have no frame of reference here, but this is a really wild and wacky weapon. And as if just the styling and build wasn't impressive enough, this thing is motorized! Check out the video clip to see it in action, it's pretty mind-blowing (and just a little terrifying).

Spinning Vinyl

Well, plastic at least. I can remember studying one of these at around age 4 and working out how it functioned, prompting me to disassemble a couple music boxes of my mom's to see if they worked the same way (similar, but using a drum). I also remember getting into a bit of trouble for not putting them back together. What can I say, they were far more interesting with their inner workings exposed. Builder jtheels nails another retro build (and brings back all the childhood feels) perfectly.

This Icarus Can Fly...

...Unlike the mythological one, which crashed and burned. This sweet mecha by Devid VII definitely isn't susceptible to the problems Icarus Mk.1 had. It looks awesome, with the dark red color scheme and all those menacing angles. I particularly like the design of the missile pods on the shoulders, as well as the turbine above the head.

Don't Turn Me Into a Frog, Sir, Please

Out of all the places seen in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Bag End is one of my absolute favorites. I've built it multiple times, but never been quite happy with it. This version by Sergeant Chipmunk, though, is fantastic. He has a lot of really nice SNOT work, particularly around the windows, which provides some great detail. The foliage looks very realistic as well. With the nicely rounded base and tidy edges, this build is a very clean and natural chunk out of a much larger scene.

D.Va's Proverbial Pretty Pink Pistol

Builder Nick Brick is back with another game inspired weapon. This time it's from the game Overwatch, and the character D.Va. It's her goto weapon when she's outside her mech. Yes, it's pink. Yes, it has a bunny dangle. Yes, she's a girl. Yes, she'll stomp you into the ground you small-minded chauvinistic simpleton.

Park 0937

I love theme parks. I have a lifetime pass to LEGOLAND, am a member of DVC and have a passport to Disneyland. If I could visit this wonderfully imaginative park by Alexis Dos Santos I would. It's got everything, a flume ride, a circling train, a ferris wheel, a fantasy castle and more. All with a whimsical style that is so inviting. There's only one photo at this time, so you'll have to click through and scroll around to truly appreciate this.

New Creator Beetle Coming

I normally leave stuff like this to the sites that concentrate on news, but this makes me so giddy I had to share. The family car when I was young was a beetle, my first car was a beetle and my car  now is a beetle. I've always had a deep affection for these round little wonders, and now LEGO is hooking us up with a fantastic new model. I love the retro styling and studless design, it's beautiful. The 1,167 piece set will retail for $99.99 (US). VIP members can get their grubby little mits on it July 14 and the general public can on August 1.

Alfred E. Neuman Would Love This

My only memory of Mad Magazine as a kid is that my dad was not too thrilled that I was reading it in the supermarket magazine aisle.  There have been plenty of imitators and comic strips alike, but Spy vs Spy's completely nihilistic tone made it unique and my favorite.  Conversely, I also enjoyed me some Goofus and Gallant.  This MOC by grubaluk seems to have come straight outta one of the panels of the comic strip with its simple color scheme, harsh angles, and lettering.  And what I like most about it is that you can tell what's going to happen already just by looking at the brick separator and tank on opposite corners.

Derpy Hooves

I'm no brony, but I do appreciate a good derp. Meet Derpy hooves, who went from background animation error to meme faster than a round of GO FAST. It's always remarkable to me (and baffling usually) what resonates on the web, but when it results in fantastic MOCs like this pony by lingonkart, I'm totally ok with it.

Now You're Thinking With Portals

Leonid An has just blown my mind with this amazing micro Portal Handheld Device! The use of the minifigure cross pein hammer is just brilliant. GLaDOS would approve!

[Whenever I'm playing Portal I sometimes forget I have a portal gun and say to myself often "How I am going to get up on that ledge?!" - anyone else do this?]

Ciudad de Andalusia

I've never been to Spain, but this lovely build by Toltomeja makes me want to catch a flight there sometime. This build beautifully recreates the "pueblos blancos" (white houses), a particularly charming style of architecture that you just can't find here in the USA. Even though the roof technique has been done before, this one really stands out because of the dark orange used. Most of the time, this technique is used with red and dark red, but the dark orange is really nice here. I also quite like the use of olive green; it works really nicely with the rest of the color scheme.

Porco Rosso

1930's Italy was a time of ruthless sky pirates menacing wealthy seafarers on the Adriatic, and the only thing that stood between them and their hapless victims was Porco Rosso:  The Red Pig!  Looks like our old pal Pate-keetongu was inspired by the 1992 Japanese movie based on a three part watercolor manga featuring a WWI flying ace who was transformed into an anthropomorphic pig.  Disney did an English dub as well.   The LEGO version of this unique character really captures his heroic nature and the dapper style of the era.  And hey, if a raccoon can fly a spaceship, I don't see why a pig can't fly a seaplane...

Bobbajo

One of the things that got people so hyped for The Force Awakens was the promised return to a more practical approach to filmmaking, real sets, real costumes, real creatures. This guy was one of the first alien life forms we saw in a video shared by JJ during production, and we all went nuts. Now Takamichi Irie has built him in brick, and we can all go nuts again.

Pure Genie-us

LEGO 7 has granted a wish for the Genie and upgraded his "itty bitty living space"! This is the perfect moc for the LEGO Disney minifigures of Aladdin and the Genie in my opinion - and they're off with Jasmine to find a whole new world. The magic carpet is along for the ride too and is really brought to life with the interlocking pieces to create a sense of movement. Don't be fooled by it's commonplace appearance, for things aren't always as they seem.....