The Train From Solo

Solo is less than a week away, and I'm happy to say I'm still pretty much spoiler free (don't do anything to change that). This is from the trailer, an ominous and exceptionally cool train that runs over and under the track. It looks like it's going to be an exciting scene, and has inspired M. Mipi to build this fantastic little diorama.

Rover

I don't know what I love more, this excellent little rover diorama from builder Tigmon74, or the fact that his title and description is "Intergalactic, Planetary... Planetary, Intergalactic. ~Beastie Boys". I don't remember a rover being in that video, but I appreciate it replacing that damn song from Godspell stuck in my head this morning. Another dimension, another dimension...

Ben's Garage

This is one of those MOCs that just keeps giving. The kind you have to view in high resolution to truly appreciate. The amount of detail and clever part use in this relatively small diorama by builder roΙΙi is pretty astounding, everywhere you look there's something unique or just fun happening. Do yourself a favor and click through to see the largest version of this, it's worth it.

Now THIS Is Podracing

While I'm no fan of the prequels, I will say that the podrace in The Phantom Menace was a stand out scene. And I still own Podracing for Nintendo 64, so it can't be all bad. What's not bad at all is this colossal diorama depicting the scene. Builder thire5 built this back in 2016, it took a year and over 100k bricks! Admit it, you heard John Williams faintly in your head when you saw these pics.

Afternoon Tea

I really wish tea was more popular in America. I know there's plenty of tea drinkers here, but nothing compared to the UK. And afternoon tea is just not a thing here (well, it is for me). I would love to see more scenes like this one from MinifigNick in real life, adults taking a break from a busy day to enjoy a delicious beverage and some conversation. Although these days I'm pretty certain it would just look like a Starbucks, with everyone on their phone or laptop. I'll just have to content myself with occasional afternoon tea at Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland (which, by the way, is delightful)

Terror From The Depths

For as long as humans have been traveling by sea we've been afraid if it. Something about those mysterious depths, unseen creatures and the inability to breath underwater has kept us just a little on edge. And while there's no documented proof of creatures like this one by W. Navarre, stories have been shared for centuries, making you wonder.

Dawnwood Castle

I really like this castle diorama by builder LegoLord. One of the things I find a bit tiresome in castle MOCs, especially large scale ones, is the tendency to get a little "one note". By that I mean textures that can be complex, but all the same, color palettes that become monochrome in large volume and structures that lose their identity in clusters. Here we have foliage that is interesting and diverse at any distance, each structure has it's own identity, and details that are rich up close, but don't become distracting when you step away. Click through for many more pictures.

Cabin In The Woods

This rustic cabin MOC by Giggs made me do a double take, then an ultra-rate triple take. At first you look at it and all you see is a charming, woodsy scene, with a classic cabin in the woods. Then you notice some figures in there and your first thought is "ah, there's campers or woodsman". Then you look a little bit closer and think "oh, there's zombies too". Suddenly it's no longer a tranquil rural scene, but now a fight for survival.

Armathain Manor

Builder Groovybones describes this as a "Castle-type thing" and I find it equally hard to categorize. What I don't find hard is it's appeal, with it's interesting angles, splashes of color and Persian flair. It looks right out of an adventure movie, with plenty of action and intrigue, a movie I'd totally watch.

The Grisly Fate Of Owen And Beru

When the Jawas stopped at the Lars homestead on that fateful day, Luke Skywalker could not have imagined how much his life was going to change. Literally the next day Luke loses EVERYTHING, his aunt and uncle, his home, everything. All he was left with was a landspeeder (which he had to sell immediately) two droids (one of which insisted he belonged to someone else) and the clothes on his back. This poingnat scene, expertly recreated in bricks by Ochre Jelly, is a pivotal moment in Lukes life.

Chinatown

As a testament to how much there is to see at a LEGO convention (or perhaps to how easily distracted and clueless I am) I don't recall seeing this at BricksLA 2018. How the heck did I miss it?!? As if a highly detailed street scene isn't difficult enough to built, Benjamin_Rose added a steep hill to his brilliant Chinatown street. And with the space created added a subway surprise on the back side.

Green Sea Rock Lighthouse

Dioramas don't have to be huge or elaborate to be impressive. They don't need to be loaded with figures to tell a story. And they don't need to be busy or intricate to be detailed. This MOC by W. Navarre is compelling without being over-the-top and I find that fascinating. I want to know it's history, I want to know the ships it protects, I want to see what's inside. That's a good diorama.

The Summerset Isles

I need a vacation. I know the holidays were only 8 weeks ago, and I did take some time off, but it's been nuts ever since. So my first instinct when seeing this stunning diorama by Brickwielder was a deep desire to be strolling that bridge with my wife, sipping some fruity and overly decorated beverage and sincerely appreciating that waterfall and the beautiful scenery.

Welcome To Salonica

Welcome to the wild, whimsical, wonderful world of Salonica from builder Gunman. There's loads of detail in this colorful and imaginative diorama, I highly recommend clicking through to explore the larger images. Measuring in at 144 x 144 studs it's definitely on the large size, but not so big it's difficult to take in. I especially like the Dragonslayer's Inn, and would like to make a reservation immediately.

City Of Bandari

This impressive and detail loaded diorama is by builder Henjin Quilones, and it's a treat to the eyes as well as the imagination. We've all seen plenty of fantasy and medieval villages and cities, but I've never heard of a dragon hatchery. What a wonderful notion, of a building dedicated to the hatching and nurturing of dragons.

Volsung Hall

I can't decide what's more mind blowing about this epic award winning MOC by long time collaborators Eli Brinsmead and Ben Cossy. The sheer awesomeness of the build, with it's multiple levels, chambers and storytelling, or the fact that it's a collaboration by two guys that live on opposite sides of Australia and it wasn't joined until they went to Brickvention. I've collaborated with other builders in the same room and it's challenging, I can't fathom the amount of planning and dedication that went into this.

Battle Of Crait

I still haven't made up my mind about The Last Jedi, and I know I'm not alone. There's a lot of stuff I love about it, and a lot of stuff I hate about it. But you can't deny there's some stunning visuals in it, including the climactic battle on Crait, brilliantly recreated here by builder First Order Lego. My favorite detail has got to be the little crystal fox.

Fill 'Er Up!

Since the first cars hit the road we've been on the eternal hunt for the fuel to make them go. I'm sure in those early days routes needed to be pretty carefully mapped out, because gas stations were a much more random and homegrown affair, much like this quaint MOC by Norton74. But back then I'm sure there was much more feeling of adventuring while out on the open road. "Getting there" truly was half the fun.

Sundale-Bren Pier

I don't know enough about cyberpunk to speak with much authority about this impressive diorama by vitreolum, but I can appreciate it on so many levels I don't care. In addition to a great deal of nods to Phillip K. Dick and William Gibson, there's also pop culture and Hollywood references galore in this. Click through to give this a proper look, it's totally worth it.

Daydelon

I know much of the US, and the world is enduring a cold snap at the moment, so the charm of a snowy medieval village might be lessened a bit. But just look at this excellent diorama by builder soccersnyderi. Despite it's apparent scale, the whole thing fits on a 48x48 baseplate. It also has a feature I've never seen before, pull out room interiors. Three little vignettes that slide out of the structures to reveal a little bit if medieval life.