Coming in 2013...

So as we bring 2012 to a close, I like to look ahead and see what's coming for 2013. Here are the top 5 movies I'm very excited to see!

#5 PACIFIC RIM. Giant Monsters fighting Giant Robots. I don't care how stupid it is, this has to rule.

#4 THE HOBBIT - THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG. It's exciting to get to wait for a new LOTR movie for the next two years again!

#3 EVIL DEAD. Remakes are typically pieces of garbage, but man does this one look NASTY. And I mean that in a good way. I can't wait to see it.

#2 MAN OF STEEL. Not that I disliked Superman Returns, but this brand new take looks SO GOOD. Superman has always been my favorite, I hope this movie does the character justice. Kneal before Zod!

#1 STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. Does this need any explanation? I'm there.

2012 Year in Review...Scale Models...

So 2012 wasn't quite as productive as I had wished in the modeling arena..BUT I did get two of my favorite jets in 1/48 scale complete. Russia Strong! I had hoped to get one more in but time constraints limited my output. I hope to have a stronger 2013 and look forward to trying out some new things.

For now...

1/48 Academy Su-27 Flanker...aka "The Beast"

1/48 Academy Mig-29 Fulcrum...Slovakian Digital death machine

The duo together...

and a NEW PROJECT coming...1/48 scale A6M3/3a Zero fighter...whooo!!!

End of the Year Addendum...An Unexpected Journey...

Had a chance to finally catch "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" yesterday. Great film. So much so, that I'm sure it would have found a place in my end of the year Top 5 list had I seen it before that list was made. Oh well. Better late than never...

One of my favorite new characters - Thorin Oakenshield!

Also, the soundtrack was excellent and I'm sure it would have also had a spot in my top music list for 2012. Looking forward to adding this one to my collection very soon.

Makeup for Models...a new technique...

Going to start off 2013 with some new weathering techniques on my next model. I've been searching for some alternate methods of filling in the panel lines. I came across several finished models and how-to guides that mentioned these two products below.

First off is Pro Modeller, now Flory Models - dark weathering wash. Basically the same thing I've been doing with homemade oil mixes but this is a professional made prodcut. Supposed to be really reliable - we shall see...

Next up is some of the Tamiya weathering master packs...the one I got has the colors Snow, Soot, and Rust...also included is a small applicator brush for those hard to reach details. I imagine this would provide a bit more application control - see sample model photo below. Again, we shall see.

Finally a 0.3mm mechanical pen for panel lines. I've used this method in the past and wanted to have a few thin pencil leads on hand just in case.

Christmas loot...(what little brothers are good for)

A bit late with this post but what the hey right? So every year my brother and I get each other little gag/toy gifts that end up being pretty cool. This year he came through big time. First up...

Bandai King Ghidora!!!

My favorite shot of the head detail...they even got the eyes right!

My second favorite shot - showing the wingspan and the double tails!

Second, he found an old "Evil Ash" from Army of Darkness made by McFarlane. I remember seeing this a few years back but never got one. Well now, I do. Awesome.

Really like the sculpt on this one - had to get an up close shot of his face!

Full Package shots...now, do I open it or keep it sealed? Hmmm....

BEST OF 2012...MUSIC

A down year in music overall for me. Nothing super extravagant really stuck out - a lot of good to nearly great albums/releases...here's to hoping 2013 can regain some strength.

#11 Advent Sorrow - Before the Dimming Light EP
Standout Tracks: The Wraith in Silence / Insidious Memories

Debut EP from this Australian band. Good black metal release...looking forward to more from them!

#10 Skyfall Original Soundtrack - ADELE and Thomas Newman
Standout Tracks: Title Song / The Chimera

This will go up the list most likely the more I listen to it. A nice and varied soundtrack.

#9 Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth
Standout Tracks: Tattoo / She's the Woman / Stay Frosty

There was no way after all this time that this could be good. Well it was...and then some. Only wish Michael Anthony had been on bass but all things considered, this was an achievement.

#8 Big Wreck - Albatross
Standout Tracks: A Million Days / Albatross

Ian Thornley got the band back together! One of the most underrated groups on the last 10-15 years.

#7 Prometheus Original Score by Marc Streitenfeld
Standout Tracks: Engineers / Life / Hammerpede / Collision / A Friend From the Past

Worried at this relative unknown scoring such a big film. An excellent result - very atmospheric and mysterious - perfect for the images we see on screen.

#6 Testament - Dark Roots of the Earth
Standout Tracks: Dark Roots of the Earth / True American Hate / Animal Magnetism

Not the revelation that The Formation of Damnation was, but this still rips. Incredible thrash album.

#5 Down IV - Part I - The Purple EP
Standout Tracks: Witchtripper / Open Coffins

Phil and Co. unleash the first part of their scheduled 4 EP juggernaut. I just wish there was more here.

#4 The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer
Standout Tracks: A Storm is Coming / Underground Army / The Fire Rises / Despair

Zimmer continues his masterwork with the Dark Knight's final film in Nolan's trilogy. Can't wait to hear a complete version of this with more tracks.

#3 The Raid Redemption - Soundtrack by Mike Shinoda and Joseph Trapanese
Standout Tracks: The Arrival / We Have Company

My favorite soundtrack of 2012. So much badass action fight music on here.

#2 Gojira - L'Enfant Sauvage
Standout Tracks: Explosia / The Wild Healer / Mouth of Kala

Best new metal album of 2012 hands down. Slams and destroys.

#1 Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power 20th Anniversary Remaster
Standout Tracks: THE WHOLE DAMN ALBUM

20 years later and it is still perfect from beginning to end. Throw in an extra vault track and this is my favorite album of 2012. It's really not even close.

BEST OF 2012...Television Programs

I try not to get attached to too many shows so I am keeping this to a Top 5 overall for 2012.

#5 TRON UPRISING. A cartoon makes the list! I know I know cartoons are stupid, etc...but this is actually very good and fits perfectly in between the first two films. Elijah Wood, Lance Henriksen, Bruce Boxleitner all lend their voices. TRON LIVES!

#4 AMERICAN HORROR STORY - ASYLUM. Excellent horror series. Gross and very nasty. Well written and acted with all of the original actors playing all new roles.

#3 GAME OF THRONES. War is Coming - except not really. Not as good as season one but seemingly a great big setup for what will hopefully be an action packed season three! I am anxious to see where these White Walkers fit in...

#2 Breaking Bad. Walter White - best character on TV. The Final Season debuts in 2013. That's going to be a sad day.

#1 THE WALKING DEAD. Is there any doubt. Completely blows away any previous season of the show and anything on TV right now. Gruesome and great. NO ONE IS SAFE!

Bonus - the new one I'm most looking forward to in 2013...The AmeriCans...80s Cold War drama...should be good!