Quazimoto
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Post by Quazimoto on May 25, 2016 22:36:02 GMT -5
That's how it was in the first draft. Yes. But again, only for a few months. The draft split lasted for years. If there's only one title, it just means more times for more rematches and the blowoff is the 49th bout at a ppv. You can't have this incoming largest roster ever, a brand split, NXT talent that'll get called up as time passes and only have one heavyweight title. If they split up brands and have exclusive rosters, then they should have exclusive world titles. That's what there was only a small fraction of time in 2002 where the champion appeared on both shows. It just doesn't work for very long. WWE has the perfect opportunity here. They can keep Reigns and champion like they want, and they can have a SD WHC to breathe fresh air into the whole product. Fresh feuds. It puts twice as many people in the main event. It's a no brainier if you ask me. Thank You. I can't understand why anyone would want a brand split and one word champion appearing on both shows. It literally makes zero sense. Why bother splitting the brand at all if you're going to have champions appearing on both shows. IMO, the best course of action is to have RAW with the WWE, IC, & Women's Championship with SmackDown having the WHC, US, & Tag Team titles (but I'd go so far as to rename SmackDown something to differentiate it from RAW - why not bring back the WCW name?). My favorite time in WWE since the New Generation officially began was when there was two distinctly different brands. Lots of opportunity to guys to shine that otherwise wouldn't have any with one roster and one world championship. Christian, Edge, Mark Henry, Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Sheamus, RVD, Jack Swagger, Chris Jericho, Booker T, Rey Mysterio... All those guys had an opportunity to shine in a main-event environment because there was two separate world titles. Sure, at times one title was viewed as grander than the other, but it doesn't have to be that way. As long as they take measures to differentiate the brands and keep them separate, there's no reason why both titles can't be viewed as real world championships.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 25, 2016 13:01:52 GMT -5
I know it's "developmental", but I would like to see Smackdown replaced with NXT. To me, even if you split, it's still WWE. NXT could do battle with WWE and at some point you could have a Lex Luger situation arise or at some do an invasion WWE on NXT or vice versa. I doubt this will happen, but the basic idea is to differentiate the brands. IMO, it would make zero sense to have a brand split and have anyone, even champions, who appear on both shows. Why even have a brand split if some are going to be immune from it? If it were me, I'd make danged certain that SmackDown superstars don't appear on RAW and vise-versa. That way the inevitable yearly draft or surprise jump (like a Money In The Bank cash-in) becomes surprising, not expected. I think they'd also be smart to stack the rosters so that each show has a different feel to it. RAW with more established WWE type superstars like Cena, Reigns, Orton, Sheamus, etc... and SmackDown with newer, less prototypical WWE style guys such as Zayn, Rollins, Cesaro, Owens, & Styles. Give fans a different reason to tune into SmackDown than they have for tuning into RAW. Obviously, you have to have established and newer stars on both, but each show should lean one way or the other, not be perfectly balanced. You shouldn't tune into SmackDown and see RAW version 1.5. They should be different. I'd even go so far as to sign a bunch of those cruiserweight guys from the upcoming tournament and have Cruiserweights exclusive to SmackDown while the Women's division is exclusive to RAW. Then separate top tier, mid-level, and tag team championship for each (they would need to bolster the tag divisions a bit though). I do like what you're getting at with calling it something else though. SmackDown is such an established WWE brand that they do run the risk of a great number of fans not understanding the difference between it and RAW, especially with them being on back to back nights (which is the only thing I don't get - makes sense for travel and such I suppose, but I think they'd be better going live on Thursdays so you don't exhaust the audience with five hours of wrestling over two days). Frankly, if it were me, I'd resurrect the WCW name and put it in place of SmackDown. That would give the illusion of being completely different. Watch WWE RAW on Monday and WCW NITRO (or something else) on Tuesday. Then you have separate PPVs for each brand (though Royal Rumble SummerSlam, & WrestleMania are jointly hosted and Survivor Series becomes and annual WWE vs WCW show). Bottom line is that for the brand split to work this time around, they need to commit to it. It worked fine before until they started overlapping superstars on both shows all the time. They have a much better roster now (overall - weaker main event nowadays (that's their own fault though), but far superior undercard). No reason why it can't be even more successful now.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 25, 2016 9:59:17 GMT -5
Kinda excited for this IF they bring back the World Heavyweight Championship (or a new second world title). Obviously WWE is too stubborn to actually listen to fans and just end this whole 'shove one mega star down fans throat regardless of the reactions they get' mindset. Separate brands and separate rosters with separate world titles means they might actually let someone new shine as a world champion. I think they'd be smart to differentiate the rosters as well. Have RAW focus more on the Reigns, Cena, Ambrose, Sheamus, etc... types while SmackDown could focus on the more wrestling centric, newer (to wwe) names like Styles, Rollins, Ownes, Zayn, Cesaro, etc...
The key to the brand split being successful is going to be to actually keep things separate. No cross-over superstars or titles. The only time they should inter-mingle is on PPVs and the occasional RAW vs SmackDown match/event (ie Survivor Series). There's certainly plenty of talent already in house for two distinct rosters, all they have to do is actually use everyone. Call up a few more NXT guys and maybe sign some new guys and gals, particularly from the upcoming Cruiserweight and (rumored) Women's tournaments.
I'd do the titles like this...
RAW - WWE Championship - Intercontinental Championship - Women's Championship - WWE Tag Team Championship
SmackDown - World Heavyeight Championship - United States Championship - Cruiserweight Championship - World Tag Teams Championship
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 23, 2016 10:46:43 GMT -5
Just finished watching Extreme Rules. Pretty good show overall...
- Usos vs Gallows/Anderson was good. Not great, but it did it's job in allowing Gallows and Anderson to look like a threat and plant that seed of doubt (at least for the casual fan, which is pretty much the only people WWE has in mind when booking things) about the Usos showing up in the main event, knowing that Gallows and Anderson will. - Rusev is awesome! So glad he's US Champion again. Let's just hope it's not to be fed to Cena upon his return. Actually liked the match here a lot, though Kalisto could have done a bit better in selling the supposed injuries form last Monday. - New Day vs Vaudevillans had a real old school tag team match feel to it. Build well from start to finish. Loved it. - Cesaro vs Owens vs Zayn vs Miz for the IC Titles was excellent! Superb in near every way. I would have personally liked to see anyone other than The Miz walk out as champion, but must admit that I'm a bit of a sucker for the whole, heel steals a victory in multi-man matches shtick, so it worked really well. - Ambrose vs Jericho was okay. I thought the match dragged quite a bit and went too long. Had it not been for the thumb tacks spot at the end, I would have called the matched pretty dull honestly. Maybe it's a case of my having seen so many better, more extreme cages matches in my day. It just didn't feel special or spectacular. The ending salvaged it enough to leave me satisfied though. - Natalya vs Charlotte... Okay, I seriously have to question the booking decision to follow a near classic Women's Championship match at WrestleMania with a feud filled with constant shenanigans. You're supposed to be ushering in a new era in Women's wrestling, yet the your champion is someone who seemingly can't win without her Father interfering (or someone pretending to be her Father). I feel like the whole Women's Wrestling rebirth is sort of in a holding pattern for some reason. Extreme Rules would have been a great place to have Natalya win the title, even if she drops it back to Charlotte in some wonky way a few weeks later. Doing that would have helped build a little more legitimacy to the Championship I think. As it is, I've been extremely disappointed with the Charlotte/Natalya feud. - AJ vs Reigns was, once again, fantastic... Until the ending. Just like last time, SuperReigns must shine above all. I knew Reigns was walking out with the strap. I had hope that Styles would and honestly believe he should have. I feel like it's time to pull the plug on Reigns as the top guy. I simply don't understand the thought process behind continuing to force feed fans this guy when it's pretty clear the majority just don't want him. And it's not even him really. It's the idea that he's the be all, end all, high supreme Champion of champions (not named Cena or Lesnar) who simply can't be beat in any way, shape, or form when there's a plethora of guys who are so painfully obviously more talented and more deserving of being "The Man". Yet, for some reason, WWE continues to push the issue, going so far as mute crowd reactions and direct the announcers to make excuses for the chorus of boos reigning down on him. So, even though I wished for a different outcome, I KNEW Reigns was going to win. Despite that, AJ Styles and Roman Reigns put on a really excellent match for the most part. I seriously have to question the idea that one mid-air spear is more devastating than two styles clashes (one on a chair) and a barrage of steel chair shots to the back, but hey, that's SuperReigns for ya. Until the ridiculousness of the ending sequence, the match was really, really enjoyable. I'll hold out hope that Styles gets another chance given the level of outside interference in the two Championship matches he's had thus far. And I'll desperately hold out hope that he wins it if he does for the simply fact that Seth Rollins is back now and I'd be absolutely thrilled at the prospect of Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. But, something tells me SuperReigns shall stand atop the mountain until SummerSlam.
All in all, Extreme Rules was a pretty good event. Not a bad match on the card and a Fatal Four way that's sure to make a lot of Match Of The Year contender lists.
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Quazimoto
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Post by Quazimoto on May 19, 2016 21:47:10 GMT -5
No idea how long the contracts run or if FUNKO would ever be able to produce non-bobble-headed Marvel or Star Wars Pop!s. However, I can say that I was completely against the bobble-headedness as well and didn't buy any Star Wars or Marvel Pop!s because of it. Then I finally got around to watching the Captain America movies and felt like I had to have some Marvel and bought a couple. The bobble-head aspect isn't nearly as prevalent as it is in a lot of bobble-head figures. Actually pretty solid really and you pretty much have to bump them to move the heads. I've also found that you can nearly completely stop the bobble by stuffing the head full of cotton balls. I'd say, if you're a fan of Marvel or Star Wars, but one and check it out in person. Like I said, I was totally against them too, until I actually held one in my hands myself. Oh I have a bunch of Marvels, I just don't care for how unbalanced the bobbles make some of them, especially ones with smaller bodies like the AOU Black Widow. She can barely stand up in my display without falling over. I need to pick up a stand for her. Ah... That's a problem that's sadly not exclusive to bobble-heads though. Lots of top heavy figures have the same issue really. My Undertaker Pop! will always topple backwards unless he's leaning against something. Funko's gotten better about it though. Most of the newer ones that have that potential topple issue are coming with the little clear stands now.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 19, 2016 20:55:01 GMT -5
I know that Marvel and Star Wars Pops are Bobbleheads because of licensing issues with Funko not having the rights to make vinyl figures so they skirt around that with the bobbles. My questions is, does anyone know or is there any information out there as to how long those contracts (with Mighty Mug, though I may be mistaken) go? I ask from a purely selfish place, as I'm really not a fan of the bobbles and actively try and avoid them (though I usually cave to MCU stuff). With as popular as pops are now I would have thought maybe there would have been some legal wrangling but now. No idea how long the contracts run or if FUNKO would ever be able to produce non-bobble-headed Marvel or Star Wars Pop!s. However, I can say that I was completely against the bobble-headedness as well and didn't buy any Star Wars or Marvel Pop!s because of it. Then I finally got around to watching the Captain America movies and felt like I had to have some Marvel and bought a couple. The bobble-head aspect isn't nearly as prevalent as it is in a lot of bobble-head figures. Actually pretty solid really and you pretty much have to bump them to move the heads. I've also found that you can nearly completely stop the bobble by stuffing the head full of cotton balls. I'd say, if you're a fan of Marvel or Star Wars, but one and check it out in person. Like I said, I was totally against them too, until I actually held one in my hands myself.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 16, 2016 22:45:56 GMT -5
I can definitely recommend the following titles (and I think they should all fall under the $20 price point)...
3D WorldRunner Addams Family Adventure Island (series) Bionic Commando Bomberman (series) BreakThru Cabal Captain Skyhawk CastleVania (series) Chip N' Dale - Rescue Rangers Cobra Triangle Darkwing Duck Deja Vu Digger T Rock - The Legend Of The Lost City Duck Hunt DuckTales Excitebike Fester's Quest Flintstones - The Rescue Of Dino & Hoppy Galaga Golgo 13 - Top Secret Mission Journey To Silius Kabuki - Quantum Fighter Karnov Kirby's Adventure Kung-Fu Heroes Legend Of Zelda (series) Little Mermaid Little Nemo - The Dream Master Lode Runner Mappy-Land Marble Madness Mega Man (series - though some of them will cost big bucks) Metroid Mickey Mousecapades Micro Machines Paperboy Popeye Rad Racer Rampage RC Pro-Am Shadow Of The Ninja Snake Rattle N Roll Spelunker Spy Hunter Super Mario Bros. (series) TaleSpin Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tiny Toon Adventures Toki Trog Whomp 'Em Xevious The Avenger
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 14, 2016 12:19:24 GMT -5
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
Posts: 997
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Post by Quazimoto on May 14, 2016 11:17:15 GMT -5
Nice! Can't beat that price. Sooo... I checked on the beast and the only few I have spares of are ones you've already shown in your pics. Also checked where the weapons should be and they aren't there, so either I've already sold them or already packed them up in anticipation of moving, in which case they buried in a box within a box right now. Cool, well if you come across the weapons just yell at me. Found 'Em! Must have moved them from one drawer to another. Pic and info being sent via PM shortly.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 12, 2016 16:49:25 GMT -5
Nice! Can't beat that price. Sooo... I checked on the beast and the only few I have spares of are ones you've already shown in your pics. Also checked where the weapons should be and they aren't there, so either I've already sold them or already packed them up in anticipation of moving, in which case they buried in a box within a box right now. Cool, well if you come across the weapons just yell at me. Will do. I really should have marked which beasts had the weapons in the spreadsheet I keep on them. But, silly me decided not to for some strange reason. Got all the other info (ie Beast Name, How Many, Rub Condition, major flaws if any, etc...), but not whether or not I have the weapon for them.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 12, 2016 8:35:41 GMT -5
I have these on the way too. A friend saw my post on Facebook aND remembered he had some. Only paying for postage for these. Many are ones I have already, but his mostly have their rubs. Once I get everything, I may make some custom colored armored ones. Nice! Can't beat that price. Sooo... I checked on the beast and the only few I have spares of are ones you've already shown in your pics. Also checked where the weapons should be and they aren't there, so either I've already sold them or already packed them up in anticipation of moving, in which case they buried in a box within a box right now.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 11, 2016 23:03:28 GMT -5
Nice haul! The Colonel Bird and Leapin Lizard are actually somewhat rare, so getting them in a lot like that is a pretty nice score. Mind divulging how much you paid for this lot? BTW: As far as cleaning goes, most of the dirt and grim will come off with just water and a light touch on a soft bristle toothbrush. If you need a bit more oomf to get some dirt gone, use a dab of dish soap on the toothbrush. Works like a charm. I seriously love these little figures. Even though I have a complete set almost twice over already, I still find the urge to buy more from time to time. LOL. 7 of them were free from a friend. The ones from eBay were $5 a piece, buy 10 get one free with free shipping. Also. If there are any you have, that you would part with that I need. I'm buying. ....lol I'm going to update my needed list tomorrow. Not a bad price actually, particularly for any that have working rubs. Especially not bad for ones with the weapon (which can be crazy expensive on account that most people who had them as a kid lost the weapons). I'll check and see if I have any extras to part with. Pretty well sold off the extras when I was amassing the collection a few years back. I'd buy in lots, keep the ones I wanted, then sell the extras so I could buy more lots. It's s sick cycle. LOL. I know I do have some extra weapons I've been holding onto and thinking of selling (I don't really care too much about the weapons given that my Brother either lost or ate most of them when I had the figures as a kid, so I don't have any real attachment with them).
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 11, 2016 22:41:11 GMT -5
Big shipment came in. Have another friend that is sending me a chariot and about 20 figures. Nice haul! The Colonel Bird and Leapin Lizard are actually somewhat rare, so getting them in a lot like that is a pretty nice score. Mind divulging how much you paid for this lot? BTW: As far as cleaning goes, most of the dirt and grim will come off with just water and a light touch on a soft bristle toothbrush. If you need a bit more oomf to get some dirt gone, use a dab of dish soap on the toothbrush. Works like a charm. I seriously love these little figures. Even though I have a complete set almost twice over already, I still find the urge to buy more from time to time. LOL.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 9, 2016 21:13:10 GMT -5
what about product images or assortments? How prior does Funko drop those before retail/release? Funko doesn't generally announce assortments for Mystery Minis as that would sort of defeat the Mystery aspect of it. Assortments and case layouts do get known shortly after release though because someone somewhere will post them online. As far as official images go... What was shown in the catalog is concept art, which is generally a good indication of what will be released, but there could be some changes (ie different pain schemes or even dropped/added characters). Official glam shots should be released anywhere from a month to a few months before they hit stores. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter, but generally a month or so. Also of note is that Funko generally hasn't shown exclusives that haven't already been released in their catalog. Not saying that they couldn't or wouldn't, but it worth noting that with WWE Series One Mystery Minis, Jim Duggan, Macho Man, and Roddy Piper were not announced or shown before release. Wasn't until someone happened upon them at Walmart and posted pics online that they were know to exist. Edited To Add: For those awaiting an official announcement, keep checking the Pop Price Guide homepage. They usually have new line announcements as soon as they're official. What's more, once you see them shown there, pre-orders are almost always available on various online retailer sites.
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Quazimoto
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Post by Quazimoto on May 9, 2016 20:37:13 GMT -5
None as of yet. I wouldn't expect them before July at the earliest.
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Quazimoto
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Post by Quazimoto on May 9, 2016 20:35:16 GMT -5
Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness would be the most prominent one for me. Sure, it's not as good as previous or subsequent Tomb Raider games, but I thought it was pretty good all in all. Of course, I only paid $10 for it years after it was first released. Can definitely see how some folks would be upset forking over $60 for it.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 5, 2016 9:05:25 GMT -5
LOVE Battle Beasts. Were one of, if not my very favorite figure lines when I was a kid. Like a moron, I sold all of them in a massive sell-off of all my childhood toys (TMNT, Transformers, Power Rangers, Super Heroes, Wrestling, game systems, and loads more). The Battle Beasts were the ones I missed most. So, when Mattel WWE figures got too expensive and whatnot for me to want to keep collecting them, I sold most of that collection and re-acquired the Battle Beasts.
Now, I actually have a complete set of all 76 original figures once over and doubles or more of most (sadly they are all packed up in a box until we move later this year or early next - been debating setting them up again though). Also have the three chariots (Ram, Tiger, and Deer). Been looking for the Beetle, Shark, and Firebird playsets for a while and hope to get them someday, but finding them without missing parts and at a decent price has proved difficult.
For anyone looking for them or interested in them, I'd highly suggest finding yourself a starter lot on eBay. While filling the holes of some of the rarer figures to complete a collection can get pricey, you can usually find a handful or so of the more common figures for a good price. And I can assure you that as cool as they look in pics online, they are way more impressive in person. Some of the details on the sculpting for them are truly excellent artistry. Way better than a lot of the crap that gets passed off as collector's toys these days.
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Quazimoto
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Post by Quazimoto on May 3, 2016 9:01:35 GMT -5
Some of my favorites not many folk have heard of... - Mary & Max - Lars And The Real Girl - Benny & Joon - Cadillac Man - Butter - Qwerty - Happy Accidents - Hysteria - IQ - The Man Who Knew Too Little - Noises Off - Penelope - Suicide Kings - Timer - Without A Clue Thumbs up for the Bill Murray film. I'll let everyone figure out which one in your list that is. Because like you said, nobody talks about it It's actually my favorite role from Murray. He's so spot on throughout the whole film. I'm frankly amazed more people don't know about such a gem of a performance.
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on May 3, 2016 7:57:31 GMT -5
Some of my favorites not many folk have heard of...
- Mary & Max - Lars And The Real Girl - Benny & Joon - Cadillac Man - Butter - Qwerty - Happy Accidents - Hysteria - IQ - The Man Who Knew Too Little - Noises Off - Penelope - Suicide Kings - Timer - Without A Clue
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Quazimoto
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Joined on: Feb 4, 2014 12:37:37 GMT -5
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Post by Quazimoto on Apr 25, 2016 20:12:10 GMT -5
Rumor has it that there was a Bray Wyatt Pop! being listed on some Pre-Order sheets (along with the previously shown Eva Marie, Kevin Owens, & Bret Hart) as coming in July. I'd expect the new series of minis will be right around that same time or a few weeks later. Link or source? Don't honestly remember... read or saw it online somewhere. The minis being released around about the same time is just a guess on my part, based on the time frame that the series one WWE minis first started appearing in stores (which was around SummerSlam last year).
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