I started off on the first floor which had more of the toys and games made for younger kids. I have to say it’s crazy what kinds of toys are being made these days. There are a lot more innovative toys coming out that made me a bit jealous of not having such awesome toys myself as a kid (not that my Barbies and My Little Ponies weren’t awesome). One booth I stopped at was that of Mentor Interactive. They work on making video games for the Nintendo DS that help with education. Most of them were puzzle games that helped with cognitive skills as well as reading. They even talked about working with schools and teachers on integrating the games in the classroom, where teachers can reward the kids with some time playing a game that is helping them learn.

The other interesting trend that I noticed is may more companies that are making small collectible toys. You know the ones, they come in small opaque packages or in plastic containers and usually have pictures of what the possibilities are on the outside. I used to see these from time to time when I was growing up but they never seemed to be too popular. As I grew up and got more into little collectible toys I learned how popular these were overseas. Well seems that these are now coming to the US and they’re beginning to catch on. One company I visited had several kinds from these cute Princess Pony figures for girls to coins and small creatures for boys.

I did see some great table top games as well. The first I stopped to play was a version of Tetris. I was skeptical of how it would play at first, but I quickly found out that is could be pretty fun! The game has a vertical playing board that reminded me a bit of a connect four. There are four different colors which allow for up to four people to play. The goal of the game is to roll a die and connect three of your pieces once this is done you can then earn points. If you leave a blank space however you will loose points instead. This leads for some very intense game play near the end when players reach the top. It was a pretty fun game, and I think that most people familiar with Tetris will have a good time playing the table top version.

The second table top game I was able to get a look at was actually a Plants vs. Zombies tabletop game by the same creators of Scene It. I had no idea this was in development and was really surprised to see it. The game itself is still a work in progress but most of the basics were there. Each player gets their own yard and a certain amount of suns to spend in each round. There are plant and zombie cards that can be drawn, with the goal of trying to build up a plant defense to survive the rounds of play better than your friends. I’d definitely want to check out the final version of the game, and I hope that there are more ways when playing with friends to do things like send extra zombies their way.

The last part of the main floor that I liked was the Angry Birds presence. There was a whole booth that had all kids of Angry Birds merch including plushies (that made the respective bird and pig noises!), key-chains, lanyards, balls, magnets and even a throw blanket. I personally loved the noise-making plushies and may have to get a couple of the birds once they’re released. The other cool Angry Birds thing I saw was the table top game. It wasn’t playable, but at the Mattel booth they had the models out so that people could at least look at them. Again another game I’d love to get my hands on once it’s released.

But the fun for me really started when I went downstairs and the first booth I saw was Diamond Select. They had all kinds of amazing collectible figures from Star Wars figures modeled after the original toy line, to some amazing Marvel figures, to even Kubrics. I also saw a new line of figures I really want to start collecting: Femme Fatales. Highly detailed and looking awesome, these are some sexy females that you would not want to mess with.

Further along I got to look at the full Venture Brothers figure line, which was great to see in person. Very excited to complete the collection I have already started with The Monarch and Minions 21 and 24. I also got to ogle new Walking Dead collectible figures. The zombie was still in prototype phase but Rick Grimes looked completed and pretty damn awesome. I also got to play with some Left 4 Dead plushies, namely a hunter and a boomer, which looked great and made their appropriate sounds. I was also informed that they plan to make a Witch, which hopefully cries and screeches. The same company also had a prototype for a Potral robot that they plan on making motion activated so that when someone walks into a room the robot will come to life in a way.

In general there were a lot of booths with stuffed animals of some sort. A great company called Squishables had some more unique ones that were all ball shaped, and had everything from owls to unicorns to Cthulu. Yes, the evil one now comes in cute, fluffy, cuddly form. And I seriously must have one. They also make an adorable plus Android mascot plush that was extreemly adorable. If only they also made some Angry Birds ones, they’d be set!

One of the last booths I spent a good deal of time in was the Knucklebonz booth. I got drawn in due to the amazing David Bowie as Jareth from Labyrinth figure that I saw on display. This led to me Ooh-ing and Ahh-ing over the Dark Crystal figures as well. What was great was that the artist was there and he told me about creating the models as well as getting permission from Jim Henson Studios and David Bowie. He also asked me what other figures I’d like to see from Labyrinth and I immediately said Jareth and Sarah during the ballroom scene. He seemed to really like the idea, and since it’s also one of my favorite scenes I’m hoping that it’s created!

In general I enjoyed Toy Fair. I saw a lot of cool things and some kind of boring things. But the sentiment of “man, kids get some awesome stuff these days!” stayed the same from last year. Lots of innovation was on the show floor. And there were still some great collectibles for those of us who are still kids at heart.

Be sure to check out all of the pictures from NY Toy Fair 2011 on our Facebook page!

Pop Culture is such a large umbrella that covers pretty much anything you can think of. In terms of this guide, I’ll break down what I think are some of the best DVD/Blu-Ray based on television and films that you can get for your loved ones this holiday. Of course these aren’t the only recommendations and if you think of ones that I might of missed, add them to the comments below!

Movies for Kids

Title: The Wizard of Oz (Collector’s Edition)
Rating: PG
Price: $54.49
GA Amazon Store Link
Read about the new edition here!
The Wizard of OZ Collector’s Edition is one that the whole family can enjoy together. It is amazing what they were able to do with increased resolution. Even if you have seen Wizard of Oz many times, the 70th Anniversary Collection will show you a whole new side to Oz. You’ll see details that you have never seen before. The story of Oz holds up and should be passed on to a new generation of fans.  ~Trina

Title: Up
Rating: PG
Price: $19.99
GA Amazon Store Link
Pixar’s Up is hailed as one of the funniest and heartwarming animated movies this year. Carl Fredrickson, a 78 year old balloon salesman, fulfills a dream by tying balloons together and flying to South America. But in leaving, he discovers that an 8 year old boy ended up with him.  ~Trina

Title: The Dark Crystal
Rating: PG
Price: $16.99
GA Amazon Store Link
The Dark Crystal was re-released on Blu-Ray in September and has all the good from the Jim Henson movie you remember from the 80′s.  But now, it’s in Blu-Ray.  And it comes with a bunch of new features:  Commentary with Brian Froud, Storyboard Track, The Book of Thra: Dark Crystal Collector, SkekTek’s Crystal Challenge Trivia Game, Original Skeksis Language – Test Scenes with Introduction by Screenwriter David Odell, Deleted Scenes, The World of “The Dark Crystal”, Reflections of the Dark Crystal: “Light on the Path of Creation” andReflections of the Dark Crystal: “Shard of Illusion”.  ~Cherith

Title: Labyrinth
Rating: PG -13
Price: $16.99
GA Amazon Store Link
The other great 80s kid movie that was re-released onto Blu-Ray this year was Labyrinth, complete with David Bowie in all of his loveliness.  There’s a bunch of new special features on this disc as well: Making of Documentary: Inside The Labyrinth, Commentary with Brian Froud, Journey through the Labyrinth: “Kingdom of Characters”, Journey through the Labyrinth: “The Quest for Goblin City”, The Storytellers (PiP – Blu Ray Exclusive).  Both The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth on Blu-Ray make a great opportunity to spread some really unique movies with today’s kids.  ~ Cherith

The last movie choice is a tie. I recommend Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince which comes out on Blu-Ray December 8th, but for those that are younger and maybe looking for something a bit less scary, I recommend Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure, a brand new movie in the Tinkerbell series.

TV on DVD for Adults

Title: Dexter
Rating: Unrated
Price: $35.99
GA Amazon Store Link (Season 3) or Seasons 1-3 here
I just started watching this season of Dexter on Showtime and I fell in love. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to watch Dexter, but now I find myself going back to watch old episodes. There are three seasons of watching Michael C. Hall playing the blood splatter expert all while taking care of justice in his own way.  If you hated Lila from season 2 and are wondering if season 3 is worth it? Well, it is. Dexter definitely finds itself back to the quality of the first season. It’s a little frustrating getting only 12 episodes in the season but they pack a lot into that time. ~Trina & RachelZoe
Title: Mad Men Season 2
Rating: Unrated
Price: $27.99
GA Amazon Store Link or Season 1 here
Madmen is highly acclaimed as one of the best shows on television. The two seasons are available on DVD and Blu-Ray and cover the world of Advertising Agencies. One wouldn’t think advertising is that dramatic but these actors do it well. The scene is set in the 1960′s so there are plenty of discussions about the role of women at the time and true human nature.  ~Trina

Title: Fringe
Rating: Unrated
Price: $47.99
GA Amazon Store Link
The first season of Fringe (now in its second season) had everything from plane crashes to chimeras to walking through walls. Fans of Lost will also get a kick out of it, because it’s made by the same guys. A great gift for anyone who misses the X-Files or who loves to look for details.  ~RachelZoe

Title: Dollhouse
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Price: $39.99
GA Amazon Store Link
While the first season of Dollhouse got off to a rocky start, the beauty of buying something on DVD means you can just pick up the show wherever you want. Start with episode 5 and find yourself absorbed in the story. Perfect for any Whedonphile.  ~RachelZoe

Title: Battlestar Galactica (The Complete Series)
Rating: Unrated
Price: $203.49
GA Amazon Store Link
Battlestar Galactica Complete Series on Blu-Ray – The COMPLETE series on Blu-Ray! Nothing gets cooler than that. Oh wait, the discs come in a massive Cylon head — that makes it almost a crime to not buy it. With the price tag at $200+ (now), this is one gift that you can give and if you want the giftee to love you forever. ~RachelZoe

Title: True Blood Season 1
Rating: NR
Price: $31.99
GA Amazon Store Link
My last tv recommendation is True Blood. This has to be one of the best stories about vampires out today. Sookie Stackhouse is a strong female lead and you can’t help but fall in love with Bill and/or Eric. The television series is different than the book, but I guarantee it will suck you in.  ~Trina

Movies for Adults

Title: Star Trek
Rating: PG -13
Price: $20.99
GA Amazon Store Link
I’ll start off the Adult movie section with Star Trek coming out this Tuesday (November 17th). While this isn’t the best movie ever, it is an entertaining re-boot of the classic series. Dubbed by many as “Star Trek 90210″, the cast is made up of a very interesting cast of young stars. Definitely a fun sci-fi action film.  ~Trina
Title: Inglorious Basterds
Rating: R
Price: $19.49
GA Amazon Store Link
Inglorious Bastards I saw in the theater. I thought the movie was incredibly well done with Quentin Tarantino taking us to the first year of German occupied France. Brad Pitt plays Lieutenant Aldo Raine who organizes a group of Jewish American soldiers to perform acts of retribution. This is definitely not for the kids as it’s very violent and bloody, but the film, coming to DVD and Blu-Ray on December 15th, delivers on entertainment value.  ~Trina
Title: Watchmen
Rating: R
Price: $16.99
GA Amazon Store Link
The Directors Special of the Watchmen is a definite must own for fans of the film. Many say that the Directors cut is the only way the film should be watched. It’s based on the popular graphic novel and the Director’s cut has the following special features:  The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics – The Original Graphic Novel’s Groundbreaking Impact Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes Explores how the Saga’s Characters Are Mirrored in Historical and Contemporary Real-Life Behavior Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World Immerse Yourself in All 11 Watchmen Video Journals My Chemical Romance Desolation Row Music Video Exclusive Features Via BD-Live.  You might also want to check out the Ultimate Cut edition of the movie which weaves in the Black Freighter which was released separately, earlier this year.  ~Trina

Dark Crystal

Many of us watched Dark Crystal as kids, and today we find out that Jim Henson Company is making a sequel.

The movie will be called, The Power of the Dark Crystal.

Here is a little information on what the new film will be about:
Set hundreds of years after the first film, an evil mysterious girl named Thurma made of fire who lives in the blazing center of the planet steals a shard of the crystal in hopes of reigniting the dying sun! There is only one thing powerful enough to heal the star – a shard of the crystal.

It will be awhile until we see the sequel as it’s listed for a 2011 release.

[source mtv]

The multi-year partnership will draw from The Jim Henson Company’s extensive film and television library, including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Mirrormask, The Storyteller and other titles. The agreement also allows The Jim Henson Company and Archaia to partner with talent in the comic book, television and film industries to create brand-new stories under a co-branded banner, building on the legacy of quality and creativity of The Jim Henson Company brand and strengthening Archaia’s relationships within the entertainment sector.

“Some of the best storytellers in the world are flocking to comic books and graphic novels, making them the foremost platform for innovative and imaginative storytelling,” said Joe LeFavi, Director of Publishing and Development at The Jim Henson Company and who will serve as story editor on all the books. “Archaia has always epitomized artistic integrity, and their passion and support for our brands ensure that fans will receive the very best from the properties they know and love as well as from the new stories we will tell.”

“This is a truly groundbreaking agreement, as it is not just a licensing deal but a partnership in every sense of the word,” said Stephen Christy, Archaia’s Director of Development. “To work with the entire Jim Henson Company and with new talent to create the next generation of Jim Henson Company fan favorites is an unprecedented opportunity, and a dream come true for all of us at Archaia. Creating comics that become a part of the incredibly rich Jim Henson Company legacy is an exciting challenge, and I think fans will share our excitement when they see the talent we’re bringing in to help make these comics a reality.”

Representatives from Archaia and Henson will announce creative teams and a release schedule for the initial slate at San Diego Comic-Con International, with the first title tentatively scheduled for winter 2009.

As a life-long Henson fan myself, this development marks the beginning of more of the things I was enjoying already. It will be interesting to see which direction the stories based on these treasured Henson classics will go. Jim Henson was a revolutionary childhood staple, for many people in my generation. I trust that their work will be treated with good hands. And I must admit… they do have some colorful material to work with.