JURASSIC PARK CHESS SET

Thank you to The Noble Collection for providing ageekdaddy.com with a complimentary Jurassic Park Chess Set

Chess is such a great game for children and teenagers as players need to engage in critical thinking, creativity and decisiveness to be competitive in. Traits not just important for winning the game, but also for being successful in life. Yet many kids view Chess as being stodgy and boring.

The traditional layout of a chess board and game pieces which goes back more than 1,400 years can be a turnoff for a generation that has grown up with high-definition movies and video games that incorporate amazing CGI special effects. So, why not make Chess more appealing to potential players? The Noble Collection has done just that with game sets inspired by Batman, Harry Potter, Minions, Star Trek and Jurassic Park.

My son stunned me the other day when he asked me out of the blue if I'd play a game of chess with him. He pulled out the Jurassic Park Chess Set from The Noble Collection off our game shelf in our house's playroom (aka the basement). Originally supposed to be my mancave for watching sports, which my wife disdains having shown on our living room television, the space has become a hangout space for my teenagers and their friends. The game table I setup in the basement became a battleground as our teams of dinosaurs fought each other on the chess board.

My T-Rex dominated and remained King of Jurassic Park as I ultimately obtained a checkmated for a victory. Expecting my son to be disappointed in the loss, instead he surprised me exclaiming "Wow! I didn't realize Chess could be so fun!" He has started googling Chess tutorials on YouTube now to learn how to beat his dad. It appears my days on top of the Chess world may be numbered.

Of course, Chess is fun when you are playing with dinosaurs! We had a roaring good time playing our father son Chess match with this Jurassic Park set from The Noble Collection. All it took to capture my son's attention was to add some dinosaurs to the game. I caught him playing against his twin sister the other day, do you think someone may be hooked on the game now?

Recommended for ages 7+, the Jurassic Park Chess Set comes with 32 game pieces sculpted to look like fan favorite dinosaurs from the Universal Pictures movies and a Jurassic Park themed board. You can purchase this Jurassic Park Chess Set on amazon.com for $49 dollars. In today's inflation getting a nice chess for that price is like going back in time to buy it.

Based upon the Jurassic Park Chess Set capturing my son's interest in the game and the fun time we had playing together in our father son Chess match, it absolutely earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval. Plus, I'm a movie geek who loves the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies and it was awesome to play a game of chess with dinosaurs. If you are looking to get kids in your life interested in playing Chess, check out the sets available from The Noble Collection.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, ageekdaddy.com may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you

NOBLE COLLECTION ADDS MINECRAFT LICENSE TO ITS PORTFOLIO

From BendyFigs action figures to replica props from the Harry Potter movies, there is a fantastic portfolio of products available from The Noble Collection to be geeked about. I've enjoyed an out of this world game night playing Star Trek Tridimensional Chess, had a Bowtruckle sneak into work with me, and surprised my daughter with a magical present courtesy of The Noble Collection. Now they've added a new brand to the collection that is sure to delight my video game fanatic son ... MINECRAFT!

The Noble Collection will explore the world of Minecraft with a unique and intricate line of collectibles including a signature Chess Set and real-world prop replicas that will bring Minecraft to life as never seen before. The new collection will be available for pre-order Holiday 2022, with new products rolling out through 2023 and beyond.

The Noble Collection, known for its high quality collectibles featuring intricate details and superior sculpts, will bring this expertise into the Minecraft collection. Products in the line will showcase a real world interpretation through realistic styling cues, for a new and immersive Minecraft experience. The elevated collector-grade products will allow the Minecraft community to celebrate the world of Minecraft on a new level.

See what is new with The Noble Collection on their Instagram feed. While you are doing that make sure to be following @Geekdad248 on Instagram too. Enjoying the geeky side of life from the 248 here in Metro Detroit!

BendyFigs The Batman

I have to admit going into the movie theater to see THE BATMAN with low expectations and walking out at its conclusion being thrilled by the film. For anyone who wants to reimagine their favorite scenes from the flick playing with an action figure or may be just looking for a cool collectible to display in their man cave or a child's bedroom there is the BendyFigs toyllectible. Fun for kids to play it also has impressive details that will also make this BendyFig a standout displayable collectible an interesting pick up for toy loving adults too.

 

BendyFigs The Batman is approximately 7" tall and has a bendable structure making the action figure great for posing. This Bendfig is officially licensed by DC Comics. It comes with screen accurate imagery, a faux leather cape accessory, and detachable display stand with DC engraved on it.

Bendable and poseable in different positions make the BendyFigs The Batman action figure great for display or play. Being sold for under $20 it also is a nice price point for budget conscious consumers. With its nice detailing of the character's features and durable construction this action figure stands out as an affordable, good purchase. BendyFigs The Batman earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval. 

This post has affiliate links, which means this blog could earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn't cost you anything extra, ageekdaddy.com just has to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis. THE BATMAN is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language and some suggestive material.

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE FANTASTIC BEASTS WAND

As magic wielding evolved through the generations, wizards and witches began to harness the conducting properties of certain woods to craft wands which allowed for greater accuracy and enhanced power in spellcasting. There becomes a mystical bond between a wand and its magic user that tie to the two together. While most wands tend to be a conduit for a magician's natural connection with the supernatural, others actual bestow extraordinary ability upon its wielder. 

The Elder Wand for example, possessed by Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter novels and movies, was considered to be one of the most powerful wands to ever exist. It would allow its user to perform feats of magic that would normally be impossible for even the most skilled wizards and witches. It was one of three magical items called the Deathly Hallows that were allegedly created by Death himself.

According to legend, three brothers defeated Death in a contest of wits. Each of these brothers from the Peverell family were granted a prize for their victory. Antioch Peverell received the Elder Wand, an immensely powerful that was considered unbeatable; Cadmus Peverell was gifted the Resurrection Stone, which could summon the spirits of the dead; and Ignotus Peverell was given the Cloak of Invisibility which granted its wearer to be unperceivable. Anyone who was to possess all three of these Deathly Hallows would become the Master of Death.

There are gaps, of course, and long ones, where it vanishes from view, temporarily lost or hidden; but it always resurfaces. It has certain identifying characteristics that those who are learned in wandlore recognise... Whether it needs to pass by murder, I do not know. Its history is bloody, but that may be simply due to the fact that it is such a desirable object and arouses such passions in wizards. Immensely powerful, dangerous in the wrong hands, and an object of incredible fascination to all of us who study the power of wands. - Garrick Ollivander discussing the Elder Wand.

While most inhabitants of the wizarding world thought of the Deathly Hallows as simply a spooky story made up by Beedle the Bard to amuse and scare children, it turns out that these magical items were actually very real. In fact, at the time Harry Potter enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the headmaster of the school Albus Dumbledore was unbeknownst to other wielding the Elder Wand. During his battle with Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Potter eventually comes into possession of the Deathly Hallows. He is thus able to master death overcoming Voldemort's curse against him to defeat the evil wizard.

In the J.K. Rowling Fantastic Beast prequel movies to her Harry Potter stories, we are introduced to a middle-aged Dumbledore in the early years of his career at Hogwarts. The casual observer may not notice this, but Albus' wand is distinctly different in Fantastic Beasts from the one in the Harry Potter stories. He hasn't acquired the Elder Wand yet! 

But I have! I've gotten my hands on a movie prop replica of the Fantastic Beasts Albus Dumbledore Wand from The Noble Collection. This officially licensed, screen accurate reproduction is 15.5" long and features the same details as the prop utilized by Jude Law in The Crimes of Grindelwald and Secrets of Dumbledore. The Fantastic Beasts Albus Dumbledore Wand includes silver metallic bands with rune carvings that symbolize light winning out over dark and a carved twisted handle that are exact prop reproductions as used in the films.

I have my wand stashed away at the office. Sometimes when I'm thinking things out or practicing for oral arguments, it is used as a fidget stick that is spun and waved to help me focus on working through a problem or to cut through some stress or tension. While my Fantastic Beasts Albus Dumbledore Wand at the moment is tucked in a desk drawer, it would also make a great decoration to display in a man cave, game room, home library or children's bedroom. Fans of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world are sure to be delighted by this or any of the other movie replica wands available from The Noble Collection. 

I personally like this wand because it has the sophisticated look of a more mature wizard more fitting to my current stature. What style of wand would you wield? Is there a specific look or features that appeal to you? The Noble Collection has a wide selection of officially licensed wands to choose from based upon the movie props utilized by actors in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films produced by Warner Bros Pictures.

Do you think we'll learn more about the Elder Wand in the new Fantastic Beasts 3 film arriving at movie theaters this year? In Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards and witches. They soon encounter an array of old and new beasts as they clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers.

Here is a bit of a spoiler. The Noble Collection has released a movie prop replica of Fantastic Beasts Gellert Grindelwald Wand. It is the Elder Wand as seen in the Harry Potter movies! We are absolutely going to have a wand showdown at some point in the Fantastic Beasts movies. Who else is geeked to see what happens in Fantastic Beasts 3?!

This post has affiliate links, which means this blog could earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn't cost you anything extra, ageekdaddy.com just has to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

To view the whole collection of wands and other movie replica props from Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter, head over to noblecollection.com

MAGICAL MOTHERS DAY GIFT IDEAS

Mothers Day will be upon us within a few weeks. Do you have a special lady in your life who is a fan of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world? If so, The Noble Collection has a great selection of jewelry that are authentic prop replicas of items worn in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies that would make magical Mothers Day gifts.

Gellert Grindelwald Pendant

What are the mystical properties of this pendant seen worn by the villainous rogue wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts films? This lovely item of jewelry is silver plated and full of intricate details. The pendant is approximately 3" inches tall and includes a 26" inch long chain.

Hermiones Yule Ball Earrings

Wear the same earrings that Emma Watson wore during the Yule Ball scenes of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. These flower shaped pieces are crafted in sterling silver and set with pink crystals. 

Hermione Red Crystal Necklace

As seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, this necklace worn by Hermione is crafted in sterling silver and set with crystals, faceted glass, and freshwater pearls. The chain is approximately 18" inches long.

Deathly Hallows Necklace

As seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, worn by Xenphilius Lovegood as he recounts Beedle the Bard's "The Tale of the Three Brothers." This necklace features the symbol of the Deathly Hallows with a rotating center. It includes a 22" inch adjustable chain and collector box.

Narcissa Malfoy Spider Earrings

The earring worn by the Slytherin Death Eater in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. These sterling silver shaped spiders are complimented with freshwater pearls. 

Time-Turner Necklace

This necklace allows Hermione Granger to move back and forth through time in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The necklace's pendant features a working hourglass surrounded by rotating rings. The necklace is plated in 24 karat gold and has a chain that measures 18" inches long.

These officially licensed, screen accurate jewelry replicas from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie are fantastic. Check out the whole collection of Wizarding World movie prop replicas that are available at noblecollection.com.

This post has affiliate links, which means this blog could earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn't cost you anything extra, ageekdaddy.com just has to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY

Happy Birthday Harry! In J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World of Harry Potter it is Harry Potter's birthday today! According the the Harry Potter novels, The Boy Who Lived was born on July 31, 1980 and the first book was set twelve years later as he embarked to study the art of magic at Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That day just happens to be the author's birthday too. J.K. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965.

To celebrate Harry Potter Day thanks to our friends at The Noble Collection a Geek Daddy is hosting a magical giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a movie prop replica of the wand Daniel Radcliffe wields in the Harry Potter films. If you've ever imagined casting a spell with a magic wand in your hand now is your chance! 

To toss your name in the hat for a chance to win, just retweet our Twitter contest tweet before the witching hour on Saturday, August 7, 2020. Simple as that! One lucky winner will be randomly selected and The Noble Collection will mail the wand directly to that individual within an authentic reproduction of an Ollivanders' box. Good luck to all our entrants!

In honor of Harry Potter's birthday follow @GeekDad248 + RT for chance to win a replica prop wand from the movies courtesy of my friends at https://t.co/wj8OVUgUtr. According to J.K. Rowling's novels #HarryPotter would be 41 years old today! #wizardingworld #magicwand #giveaway pic.twitter.com/A1b3pYWlFI

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) August 1, 2021

HERMIONE GRANGER TIME TURNER PENDANT

My daughter has become quite a Potterhead this summer reading through J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels during the break from school. So she was delighted when The Noble Collection sent her a Time Turner pendant from their collection of Harry Potter jewelry. Wearing this Hermione Granger Time Turner Pendant while reading these stories makes her feel a connection with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter feeling as if she could be a part of the fantasy.

This Hermione Granger necklace is an authentic recreation of the movie prop featured in Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Hermione Granger's Time Turner Pendant is plated in 24 karat gold with a chain the measures 18 inches. The center of the pendant features a working hour glass and rotating rings so that its wearers can imagine they can go back in time like Hermione does in the Prisoner of Azkaban book and movie.

It also comes with a nice display case to show off this impressive piece of Harry Potter jewelry when not being worn. The Noble Collection has a variety of jewelry replicating those worn by Emma Watson who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies including her red crystal necklace from Deathly Hallows Part 1, the Horcrux Locket from Deathly Hallows Part 2, and the earings she wore at the Yule Ball in The Goblet of Fire. Replica props like these are such a great way to have fun immersing yourself in the fantasy of a favorite movie.

My daughter loves her movie replica pendant from The Noble Collection Harry Potter jewelry collection! It is sturdy enough to stand up to her spinning around its rotating pieces playing around with it while also looking like an attractive piece of jewelry. We really appreciate The Noble Collection sending us ageekdaddy.com a complimentary one for a review. It has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for how much she adores it.

I was stunned to find out that they are only charging $49 for a Hermione Granger Time Turner Pendant. That seems a bargain for such a quality piece of jewelry that is also an officially licensed product from such a popular and prominent brand. Plus it comes with a decent display case for showing it off. My daughter keeps it right on her reading desk. I'm sure she'll be trying to use it to alter time to avoid doing her homework when the school year begins. Sorry honey it really is just a movie prop!

For more information about magical items that Potterheads are sure to find FAN-tastic, head over to noblecollection.com.

This post may contain affiliate links that provide this dad blogger with a small commission for purchases made utilizing them. Your support of ageekdaddy.com is appreciated! Commissions are reinvested into the blog to assist us with providing non-sponsored content and reviews to share with you. 

DRACULA OF TRANSYLVANIA

This year marks the 90th anniversary of Universal Pictures releasing DRACULA which began an era of classic monster movies from the studio featuring iconic characters ranging from The Creature from the Black Lagoon to Frankenstein. In commemoration of the occasion, noted author and artist Ricardo Delgado is publishing through Kickstarter a novel which expands upon the Bram Stoker story that inspired the 1931 movie about Dracula starring Bela Lugosi as the infamous Count from Transylvania. The Kickstarter campaign for Delgado's 428 page hardcover DRACULA OF TRANSYLVANIA book runs through March 25 with a delivery date for pledgers in the summer of 2021.

In DRACULA OF TRANSYLVANIA, the year is 1899. Young Solicitor Jonathan Harker braves ghosts, demons, living skeletons, and armies of rats—all of which pale in comparison to his encounters with Dracula of Transylvania, the Son of Satan. The demonic, shapeshifting vampire imposes his wrath, malice and vengeance upon an England about to enter the Modern Era. The romantic side of Dracula is tossed aside and the pure horror of his vileness incarnate is portrayed in this book written by Ricardo Delgado.  He’s spent the past thousand years putting sword to flesh and tearing at the tapestry of history as the son of Satan himself. Kings, Popes and armies fear Dracula. And this story shows why you should too!

In addition to writing DRACULA OF TRANSYLVANIA, Ricardo Delgado also drew 28 lavish illustrations that are incorporated into the book. This aspect of the book really stands out based upon Delgado's reputation as a story board artist for Hollywood movies including Apollo 13, Men in Black, Jurassic Park 3, and Star Trek: First Contact. He has also created a dinosaur comic book series, Age of Reptiles, for Dark Horse Comics, and written two novels, the children’s novella Sam Specter and the Book of Spells and the hard-boiled science fiction noir Warhead. Click here to check out his DRACULA OF TRANSLYVANIA Kickstarter campaign.

To further bring Dracula to life, enact your own vampire encounters with BendyFigs from Noble Toys. Their Universal Monsters Collection let you pose and play with Dracula, The Monster from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein and Frankenstein's Bride to imagine your own horror movie scenes. The Dracula BendyFig is approximately 7 inches high and comes equipped with a fabric cape and Hollywood film themed display base. Avoid his mesmerizing gaze because this officially licensed vampire toy wants to drink your blood!

BendyFigs feature an enclosed wire frame hidden within a rubbery body allowing these action figures to be posed without the need of visible joints that can distract from a toy's appearance. This makes them stand out from other action figures and great for displaying. For more information about BendyFigs or to purchase some head over to noblecollection.com

STAR TRECK TRIDIMENSIONAL CHESS SET

Play chess like Captain Kirk, Spock and the crew of the starship Enterprise did with this screen accurate as seen on the original Star Trek television series game set available now from The Noble Collection. Enjoy a sci-fi angle to this classic game of strategy as players utilize a three dimensional chess board. While the rules are fairly similar to standard chess play there are some 23rd Century adaptions for science fiction fans to geek out over with the tridimensional layout of the game as well as the addition of mobile board sections that are in motion throughout a match. There are new rules to expand the fun of your matches to where no chess game you've played has gone before!

My son and I have been having some good times battling one another in Star Trek Tridimensional Chess. It takes a few games to get down moving up and down in addition to across the chess board. Plus your opponent being able to move board segments offensively and defensively adds an extra dimension of strategy that takes some getting use to. But once you have a few matches under your belt the game becomes comfortable to play and really isn't that intricate to get a grasp on. 

The Noble Collection's Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set looks just like the one played by Captain Kirk and Spock on the tv show but it isn't just a prop replica. It is a fully playable game adapting chess rules that has provided my family with numerous exciting bouts in our basement game room. Whether you are a chess player or Star Trek fan this game is a great addition to incorporate into your family game nights. Plus it makes an incredible addition for anyone who has Star Trek themed decor in a home or office.

The Star Trek Chess Set is approximately 13 inches tall and features translucent acrylic elevated game boards. 32 diecast game pieces representing traditional chess pawns, bishops, rooks, knights, kings and queens are included with the set. It takes about five minutes to set up the chess set out of the box and begin playing though as I said it may take a few matches before you completely get the new game rules mastered. Once you get the game down this is an energetic, exciting version of chess to play.

For more information or to purchase a Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set for yourself, go to noblecollection.com 

WHO IS SAURON

When you think of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels or the movies based upon them by Peter Jackson the first things that probably come to mind are hobbits, dwarves and wizards. Did you know though that the Lord of the Rings that these books and movies are titled after is actually the villain of the story. A devilish character known as Sauron.

In the lore Tolkien established for his fantasy world the land of Middle-Earth and all the life within it were created by an omniscient and omnipotent creator called Eru Ilúvatar. Acting as emissaries for the mysterious Ilúvatar with the inhabitants of Middle-Earth were demi-god creatures with magical powers known as Valars. One of these Valars was named Sauron.

Sauron had the ability to take any shape he desired and was charming and friendly to the elves, men and dwarves living within Middle-Earth. But like the Norse god Loki, Sauron was a trickster. He desired to trick all of the Free Peoples into being enslaved to him.

Sauron imbued his essence into a number of magical rings that were gifted to the rulers of the kingdoms of mankind, dwarves and elves. These Rings of Power were tied to the One Ring that Sauron crafted for himself giving him mind control power over the wearers of the other rings. Sauron instilled so much of his magical essence into the One Ring that it became a conduit enhancing his supernatural powers. Similar to the Horcrux used in Harry Potter stories by the villain Voldemort, the One Ring essentially made Sauron immortal unless it would be destroyed which then would deplete the demi-god's powers.

As the populations Sauron attempted to enslave rose up against him, a great war took place pitting the orcs, goblins, and other monsters the demi-god commanded against the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. This culminated in a battle where in the midst of fighting, the Sauron's finger wearing the One Ring was cut from his hand. Sauron fled the battlefield and went into hiding greatly weakened by the loss of his ring. The ring was lost after that battle but not destroyed!

Sauron began rebuilding his armies and sending minions out looking for the ring so he could restore his power. As Sauron's dark presence began impacting Middle-Earth again, Eru Ilúvatar sent five Valars, in the form of human wizards, to stand up against him and side with the Free Peoples. These included two blue wizards who vanished without a trace, the white wizard Saruman, who became corrupted by Sauron, the brown wizard Rhosgobel and Gandolf the Grey. The Valars Gandolf and Rhosgobel eventually assisted in destroying the One Ring with the help of some Hobbits thus vanquishing Sauron. 

Sauron's army utilizes the image of a fiery eye as it emblem in symbolism of the demi-god's intent to rule anything he sees before him in Middle-Earth. The character is also depicted as a fiery eye floating in the air above his Mordor fortress. This floating eye is the magical ability of Sauron to look out from his fortress to see what is going on throughout Middle-Earth because having lost the One Ring his physical form is too weak to risk venturing out. Reunited with the One Ring though, Sauron would regain his ability to have powerful corporeal form as he did before his finger was cut off in battle.

You can bring the devilish Sauron to life without having to find the lost One Ring. Imagine your own Lord of the Rings adventures with BendyFigs from The Noble Collection. The BendyFigs action figure of Sauron stands approximately 7 inches tall and comes with a display stand. Sauron is posable due to a wire frame hidden with its rubbery body. This officially licensed Lord of the Rings toy also comes with a weapon as an accessory.

Other Lord of the Rings figures that you can bend and pose in different positions from Noble Toys include Frodo the Hobbit, Gandalf the Wizard, and Gollum. Go to noblecollection.com to get yourself some BendyFigs.