Another quality MOC by Blake's Baericks. The scene reproduced is where Bilbo meets the hermit Beorn, a lonely guy who has the power to change into a bear. Note that the Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt will play Beorn in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of the book Bilbo The Hobbit.

For this MOC it is Hagrid, his double, who takes over the role ....

We will appreciate the exceptional level of detail of this realization with in particular the tree trunk, the honeycomb and the luxuriant vegetation.

You can find more views, including many close-ups, of this MOC at the Brickshelf gallery or the MOCpages page by Blake's Baericks.

It was while browsing flickr that I came across this photo of MED and that I asked myself the question. Are LEGO minifigs too detailed?

It is a question that deserves to be asked and that divides the community. It's a fact, LEGO minifigs are getting more and more detailed, screen-printed and dressy. Some see it as a normal evolution of the toy according to the evolution of fashions and technologies, while others see LEGO gradually losing its soul and its image of a toy appealing to the imagination of the youngest.

Today we are a long way from the basic yellow-headed minifigs of the 1990s. I naturally pass on the bits of plastic acting as a character dating from the 1970s before the creation of minifigs with movable arms and legs in 1978 .... The arrival of Flesh in 2003 changed the appearance of minifigs, but without necessarily distorting the product.

In recent years, LEGO has entered another phase: Minifigs are more and more detailed and close to the universe from which they are inspired. Just see Jack Sparrow, Harry Potter ou Indiana Jones to understand that there is no longer any need for imagination: The minifigure is immediately recognizable and assimilable to the character it embodies.

The remakes of the Star Wars universe are also ultra-detailed: Sebulba from the set 7962 Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba's Podracers released in 2011 is much more detailed than the Sebulba of the set 7171 Mos Espa Podrace released in 1999.

Not to mention Boba Fett's minifigure which has evolved well since the set's minifigure 7144 Slav I released in 2000 until 8097 Slav I released in 2010 .... 

The Star Wars universe reflects this evolution of minifigs over the years. The range spans over 10 years and incorporates almost every variant of minifig that LEGO has been able to produce.

Personally, I am divided. On the one hand, I tell myself that as long as the minifig keeps the shape that we know it, all is well. And I expect seriously worked minifigs in the Superheroes range, with beautiful screen prints and colors faithful to that of the models. After all, it's the shape of these characters more than their dress that makes them part of the LEGO world.

But on the other hand, I contradict myself and I regret that some minifigs are sometimes too dressy, decorated, to be made even more realistic or close to their model. Undoubtedly an effect of nostalgia particular to the Star Wars universe, which must be less present among the youngest ....

And you, what is your opinion?

A surreal debate rages on Eurobricks over the presence or not of a cape for Batman in the set  6858 Catwoman Catcycle City Chase, set in which Batman will be equipped with a Jetpack. The edge of the box indeed shows Batman's minifigure without a cape and many suspect that it will therefore not be provided. I think for my part that it will be provided but ultimately that is not the subject ....

Like me, you've already lost capes or wanted to replace damaged or discolored capes on your minifigs. Here is a rather well-designed solution that allows you to replace any cape inexpensively: The Pick'n'Mix eBay store de eastonhome...

5 capes of which you choose the model and the color for 1.80 £. With the added bonus of a very well designed model selector. The choice is vast, and the opinions all positive.

eastonhome also offers many different models: Capes for superheroes with silkscreen, capes for Grievous (SW), capes for Dracula, for snowtroopers, Harry Potter universe minifigsEtc ...

You will have no more excuses if you do not find a suitable cape for your minifigs ....

Well, it's not in France, but we're getting close ... LEGO will soon be opening a new official Shop in Saarbrücken in Germany a few kilometers from the French border (69 km from Metz).

Recruitment is currently underway and no specific opening date has been communicated.

If you feel like it and you have mastered the language of Goethe, you can apply for the positions of Store Manager, D 'Store Manager Assistant or Mitarbeiter im Verkauf (Sales employee).

Many of you are undoubtedly delighted with the opening of an official shop a stone's throw from our borders. But when will a LEGO shop in Paris, Lyon, Marseille or elsewhere?

You have probably already visited the site legosantayoda.com, but you might have missed the main point of this mini-site.

In addition to the contest which will allow Americans (and only them, don't think about why) to win many prizes, you can make your contribution to the charitable effort  Toys for tots by sending e-cards to family, friends, or people you don't know but would like to spam by doing a good deed.

So, since it's Sunday and you are surfing aimlessly on the global web, take a few minutes to send several virtual cards and help bring some happiness to underprivileged kids. For each card sent, LEGO agrees to give a toy back. The gauge doesn't go up very quickly, it's up to you to make it go even higher.