Queen Amidala from Star Wars Episode I

Accompanying Qui-Gon from the Qui-Gon Jinn & Queen Amidala "Defense of Naboo" 2000 Portrait Edition by Hasbro is Queen Amidala of Naboo. The Queen or Padme Naberrie dons battle dress upon her return to Naboo to retake Theed Palace from the Trade Federation and capture the Neimoidian leaders.

Queen Amidala or Padme Naberrie is played by the lovely Natalie Portman, who came to prominence as Mathilda in Luc Besson's 1994 "Leon the Professional". Queen Amidala's handmaidens shadow their queen and also act as bodyguards and decoys. One of her handmaidens who donned the queen's disguise was Sabe, played by Kiera Knightley who went on to become a Pirate Lord in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's End (2007)". The two actresses' mothers had difficulty telling their daughters apart when the girls were in full makeup.

Padme's battle dress includes the Royal pistol, carried in a holster on her belt bearing Naboo's royal emblem

Among the many elaborate costumes worn by Queen Amidala was the Throne-room gown. This was Kubrick's version, released in 2008.

Qui-Gon Jinn from Star Wars Episode 1

From Middle Earth to a galaxy far far away, Qui-Gon Jinn was introduced to us in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)". This was 22 years after "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)" came out and 16 years since "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)" so fans were expecting a lot. Fans were disappointed :( What's with Jar Jar Binks? And the Force is actually made up of midi-chlorians which are microscopic organisms that allow communication with the Force? What gives? Even so, The Phantom Menace was 1999's most successful movie, earning more than $431 million in North America and $493 million elsewhere.

The introduction of Darth Maul was a good move and the lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul was a high point and one of the best lightsaber duels in the entire Star Wars saga.

This Qui-Gon is from the Qui-Gon Jinn & Queen Amidala "Defense of Naboo" 2000 Portrait Edition and is light years ahead of the regular Qui-Gon, also released by Hasbro. This Qui-Gon is taller than most of the figures which is correct since the actor who portrayed him, Liam Neeson is a giant of a man. We also know him as Captain Mikhail Polenin in "K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)" alongside Harrison Ford and Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins (2005)".

Qui-Gon comes with rooted hair and has a very good likeness of Liam Neeson

Qui-Gon showing off his jedi attire

Qui-Gon with lightsaber

Check out his side profile - every bit like Liam

Even his hands have veins, not the usual smooth skinned Hasbro hands

Qui-Gon is not only Obi-Wan Kenobi's master but it is also he who discovers Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine and believing him to be the "Choosen One" (much like the way Morpheus thought of Neo in "The Matrix" trilogy), makes Obi-Wan promise to train Anakin just before he dies, after being impaled by Darth Maul in the Theed Generator Room of Naboo.

And now, Kubrick Qui-Gon Jinn

Action Man Cart Extreme

Unless you've been living under a rock in Singapore, the Singapore leg of F1 and the FIRST ever NIGHT race starts today and will end on Sunday with road closures here, there and everywhere in the Marina and Suntec area so unless you've got tickets, stay FAR FAR away.

On a related issue, here's the Action Man Cart Extreme released in 2001. Though not a Formula 1 car, the go-kart is something any Tom, Dick and Harry or Sue, Ann and Marie can drive easily and was used to promote the F1 when the decision was first announced to stage the race here.


There's a missile hidden in the front bodywork and can be fired by pressing the button on the steering wheel

This was the year when Hasbro started molding the clothing as a part of the Action Man body and doing away with the clothes altogether. 

The Dark Knight Preview

Just some pictures floating around on the internet, courtesy of ShiGuangYu of OSW.

These are NOT movie stills but the actual 1/6 figure and Batpod!!

The Dark Knight (Left - after improvements and Right - Before picture i.e. prototype; usually the other way around but we're just happy to get them) - the whole head is more defined, neck region more detailed as are his suit and most importantly, where once was a rubberised pyjamas pants is now much more detailed and refined - Phew!! sigh of relief. Arriving very soon :)

Remember to click on the image for an ACTUAL picture size

Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings by Sideshow

Samwise Gamgee was Frodo's faithful gardener and volunteered himself as Frodo's companion for the journey to Rivendell, after being caught eavesdropping on Gandalf's conversation with Frodo regarding the dangers of the One Ring. He was Frodo's loyal companion on his quest to destroy the ring.


Sam in his tray - no twisties and totally collector friendly. He comes with an extra fist hand and open gesturing hand, just like Frodo. The hands swap pretty easily (think Hot Toys True Type bodies).

Sam comes with a ton of stuff and this time, you can literally say he comes with the kitchen too!! There's his sword and scabbard, water sack, sling bag, pipe and backpack.

Sam has a large backpack which opens and you can put even more stuff inside. There's a small bedroll tied to the top, pans and a ladle hanging off one strap, with a cooking pot hanging off another. They are all attached with actual hooks and can be removed or rearranged. There are also several pouches and bags sewn to the backpack and a string of sausages. If Sideshow can make opening pockets and backpack for Sam, why couldn't they do the same for Frodo?

Samwise Gamgee also has multiple layers of clothing, starting with his grey vest over his shirt and pants

Next he's got his brown woolen sweater and his hooded cloak

Samwise Gamgee was played by Sean Astin in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. He was Sergeant Richard "Rascal" Moore in "Memphis Belle (1990)" and very funny as Doug Whitmore, Drew Barrymore's "brother" in "50 First Dates (2004)"

Sam with his Lothlorien cloak and Elven leaf brooch

The Elven leaf brooch was worn by Frodo, Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, and the other members of the Fellowship in Peter Jackson's film version of The Lord of the Rings. It symbolizes the spirit and bond of those entrusted to save Middle-Earth.

Sam with pipe

The pipe is for smoking pipe-weed, legal in Middle-Earth.

Sam drawing his sword. Sam's sword, scabbard with belt was a gift that he and the other three hobbits received from Strider at Weathertop, after they had fled Bree and were on their way to Rivendell. Actually daggers for men, they became swords in the hands of the hobbits.

Sword drawn. Bring on the Ringwraiths, Orcs and Uruk-hai

His nicely sculpted water sack slung by his side

His pots and pans - the whole kitchen

Sausages anyone? Some Bangers & Mash perhaps?

Sam also has a sling bag, as if Frodo hasn't loaded Sam down with enough stuff


Frodo and Sam, enjoying a smoke. They who puff together "huff" to go together to Mordor and Mount Doom.

And Sam makes up five of the Fellowship (Boromir, Aragorn, Frodo and Legolas, not counting Faramir) - four more to go.