Military Figure in 1/6 Scale

Like most of us I am on every doll related mailing list in existence. This morning I got an email from Hobby Search. The figure that caught my eye is called "Crazy Dummy - 1/6 U.S. Army Saw Gunner in Afghanistan." It is classified as a fashion doll! This guy is going for about $203. and is the most detailed, realistic military figure I've seen in a long time - not that I see many - but it's incredible.  It's a pre-order. Hobby Search is based in Japan so added postage raises the price.
Take a look at these pictures. It looks like a real man.

When I see what can be achieved in 1/6 scale at this price, I realize how much I've overpaid for so many dolls. Perhaps I should start my own little army.

Anyway, the description of this character is as follows:

- From [crazy dummy], Sogan'na lineup in the United States Army in Afghanistan!
Accessories - of fulfilling,
MICH 2000 HELMET WITH OCP COVER MICH2000
UNIVERSAL GOGGLE RETENTION STRAPS
ARMY T-SHIRT
OCP ACS SUIT
OCP ACU PANTS
BDU BELT
OCP IOTV GEN2 VEST
MOLLE2 100R POUCH
MOLLE2 200R POUCH
DOUBLE M4 MAG POUCH
RADIO POUCH
MOLLE2 CANTEEN POUCH
1QT CANTEEN
MOLLE2 FIRST-AID POUCH
TRIPLE PISTOL MAG POUCH
SMOKE GRENADE POUCH
HYDRATION POUCH
HYDRATION TUBE
MOLLE2 WAIST PACK BUTT PACK
USGI KNEE PADS One pair
43513X BOOTS One pair
WORK GLOVES (BLACK) One pair
COMBAT APPLICATION TOURNIQUET
IR FLAG
RANK TAB
NAME TAB
ARMY TAB
ISAF PACH
ARMY DIVISION PACH
M249 PARA WITH AR STOCK AND GRIP
100R M249 AMMO BOX
5.56MM METAL CHAIN \u200b\u200bAMMO X10
M4 30R MAG X4
ACOG TA31 SCOPE WITH KILLFLASH
AN/PEQ15 LASER
MCTAR SLING ADAPTOR
MACHINE GUN SLING
M9 PISTOL WITH PISTOL LANYARD
M9 MAGX3
M9 CQC CHEST HOLSTER
USGI NVG MOUNT
AN/PVS-14 NVG
AN/PRC152 RADIO
HANDMIC
SF HELMET LIGHT
G-SHOCK WATCH
2.0 M FRAME BALLISTIC EYEWEAR
FORE TREX 201 GPS
MS2000 STROBE
M18 SMOKE GRENADE

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If you're not familiar with Hobby Search, they carry Obitsu, Azone, Takara, doll magazines, doll hair and more. The website is fun to look at and, of course, is in Japanese first but other languages are available via built-in translator.

HobbySearch - Fashion Doll Store

Marwencol

Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu, director of social media at Tonner Doll, suggested a documentary movie called Marwencol to me yesterday.  It features a man who survived a severe beating who has created an alternate world using 1/6 scale dolls. It is not about dolls, but it moved both myself and my husband who watched it along with me last night.

Click on the image below to get more information.

On this page, LINK, there are several short clips. But..I recommend watching the entire film.

I'm adding some of the comments I sent to Kevin after seeing the film.

My husband, Bob, and I watched Marwencol last night. OMG!
...
I experienced many feelings while watching. First of all I was near tears a few times. Next I was in awe of Mark's innate artistic vision. I also realized that he's not in reality all the time. He goes back and forth between being himself to being a figure in his town. It's tragic that he was cut off from therapy but amazing that he continues to create.
It's an amazing story and I loved it on so many levels.
This was definitely not about dolls nor do I see him as a doll photographer. He is capturing moments of his own life and making them 'concrete.' It keeps him anchored in whatever world he is inhabiting at the moment.
I felt pain during the segments of the art show in NY when he was talking to people who weren't at all connecting with him. When he talks about 'arming' himself before going out of his house I felt terrible. He has so much fear.
This movie is a treasure and should be marketed to therapists and rehabs. It's a perfect movie for recovering alcoholics to view...not that it's about alcoholism, but it's one of the tragic results of drinking...inappropriate talk under the influence. He knew exactly why those guys beat him up.
The funniest part of the movie was his perception of Greenwich Village and what he thought he'd see there.
I was a little shocked with the revelation of his cross-dressing penchant but it tied in when he talked about what he said in the bar that caused the beating.
I feel like I want to give him things and I may put together a package of art materials and doll stuff and bring it over to that hobby shop so they can give it to him. I have tons of stuff he might be able to use.
I was happy to see that half way through the movie he got a digital camera. I actually have that same film Pentax he was using in the beginning! It's a great camera. 

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I agree that although it's not about dolls specifically, the part in which he talks about forgetting everything else and just being involved with the dolls is very relevant and I identified with that.
I've heard many collectors say that their cares and worries disappear when they're playing with their dolls.
I sometimes feel like that myself but on the dark side of that concept is that so many treat their dolls better than they treat themselves and their families and they also spend money that should be used otherwise.

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If you have seen this film, please add your comments below.

Sideshow Toys - Hot Toys True-Type 12 Inch Obama Figure

This image is wrong on so many levels. It's not that it's nude but the fact that it is a likeness of the President and he's posed in front of an American flag. It's downright disrespectful in my opinion. I don't know much about Sideshow and Hot Toys but I'm guessing it is not a country based in the US. Feel free to correct my assumption if I'm wrong.
I actually think it's a great looking doll. The thighs are removable which makes me laugh. Seems they've already removed several other parts. And what's up with the ankles? This doll would look great in a good suit or sports clothes.

Here are the specs as put forth by the manufacturer:
The True-Type Figure Body 12 inch Figure features:

* Newly sculpted head
* Newly developed body
* Two (2) neck styles
* Muscular arms and thighs with detachable thigh muscles
* Two (2) sets of bendable and interchangeable palms, including one (1) pair for holding gun and one (1) pair of relaxed palms
* Over 38 points of articulation
* Suitability for 1/6th scale fabric costume and accessories
* Figure display stand
Price at Angelic Dreamz is $49.99. Item is available for Pre-Order.

Are you going to order one?

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After I published the above I did a search for Obama doll. What a variety! There are actually a few that are more offensive than the Nekkid POTUS. (POTUS=President of the United States.)

Live Long, Prosper and Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Mattel's New Star Trek Barbie Dolls
I have been a Star Trek fan since the beginning and to this day, even when I watch the chubbed-up and well-dressed William Shatner in Boston Legal, I still see and think Captain Kirk. There's no getting away from the fact that once a Trekker always a Trekker. I loved the new Star Trek XI movie! My resistance to new actors playing well-known roles was blown away by the excellent acting, directing, action and plot of the movie. It's worth a second look.

As to Mattel's new Star Trek trio of dolls, a second look still does not entice me. The dolls below are modeled after the actors playing Captain Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldana).

Here's some promo text about the dolls:
—From his magnetic gaze to his pointed ears to his blue, sciences-division uniform shirt, Ken as Mr. Spock perfectly captures the half-Vulcan executive officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. "Live long and prosper!"
—With his piercing eyes, sandy-brown hair and command-gold uniform shirt, Ken as Captain Kirk embodies the commanding officer of the Enterprise to a tee. "Beam me up, Scotty!"
—Barbie as Lt. Uhura makes a bold statement in her red uniform, black boots and confident stance.

The average retail price is $43 for each doll. Right now they are available at Barbie Collector, Walmart and at select Mattel dealers.

Live Long and Prosper

Spock giving the Vulcan Salute

The Vulcan Salute is a hand gesture consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger and the thumb extended. The salute was devised and popoularised by Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the half-Vulcan character, Mr. Spock, on the original Star Trek television series in the late 1960's. (Excerpt from Wikipedia.)

In his autobiography I Am Not Spock, Nimoy wrote that he based it on the Priestly Blessing performed by Jewish Kohanim with both hands, thumb to thumb in this same position, representing the Hebrew letter Shin (ש), which has three upward strokes similar to the position of the thumb and fingers in the salute. The letter Shin here stands for Shaddai, meaning "Almighty (God)", and has a superb significance in Judaism. Nimoy wrote that when he was a child, his grandfather took him to an Orthodox synagogue. There he saw the blessing performed, and was very impressed by it.

Other Star Trek Dolls
Forgive me if I don't call them 'action figures.' They're dolls. Get over it.
Merchandise from the Star Trek Series and movies spans the decades and comes from a multitude of companies. Here are links to several websites either reviewing the dolls or selling merchandise:
http://startrek.playmatestoys.com/products/index/figures_12
http://store.startrek.com/category/multiple/38+59?subid=185&source=pjn
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/officially-cool-star-trek-barbie-dolls.php
http://www.toyrocket.com/Star-Trek-C1850.aspx?gclid=CJXVwJi0spoCFSbxDAodyBv-bQ
http://www.megomuseum.com/megolibrary/department/jcp75trek.html
http://boxwish.com/blog/view/749-star-trek-gets-a-barbie-makeover

My opinion: There are better looking, more articulated and less expensive Star Trek dolls or action figures out there. Art Asylum made this Kirk and Spock "The Wrath of Khan" Action Figure Set.

They are only 8" tall but at least they look good and can be posed. Get both dolls for $32. That's less than the price of one Mattel doll.

If you're into weird-looking dolls, here's one for you:

It is an ultra-stylized, poseable vinyl Captain Kirk QUOG action figure for $12.99.

What about a Captain Kirk Talking Wacky Wobbler Bobble Head, also selling for $12.99?

Don't see anything you like? Come sit next to me. Here, have a Tribble.

Watch the funniest episode: The Trouble With Tribbles