The Smoking Tire host Matt Farah reviews his own imported 1990 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R. Nothing more to say, than then just watch the video.
Frankie’s Garage: JDM 1990 Nissan Skyline R-32 GT-R Review
April 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Frankie’s Garage: Tomica Premium 4 New Die-cast Rides
April 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment
I’ve been a fan Tomica’s recent product line: Tomica Premium 1/64 scale die-cast cars. Aimed at the adult collector, the Tomica Premium series features more paint applications and newly designed rims. Tomica is adding 4 new vehicles: No. 13 – Nissan IDS Concept, No. 14 – Toyota S-FR, No. 15 – Subaru 22B STI and No. 16 – Toyota 86GRMN.
Music: Niykee Heaton on Sway’s Universe
April 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment
What’s on my iPod? Playing Niykee Heaton’s latest album “The Bedroom Tour Playlist.” Niykee appears on Sway’s Universe to talk about rise from a Instagram/YouTube artist from her bedroom and why she covered rap songs. She also discusses her South African roots, family background, the pitfalls & traps of the music industry and growing up in “white” suburban Chicago.
Silicon Valley Comic-Con 2016 Round-Up
April 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Check out our latest Ramen & a Half episode from Silicon Valley Comic-Con (SVCC)! The first SVCC by tech icon Steve Wozniak and comic book icon Stan Lee taking place at the San Jose Convention Center. Our Ramen team roams the showfloor as we talk to the San Francisco Giants baseball team about all the cool special events they will have this 2016 season. Go Gigantes! Next we hit up BuzzingBots with cute robot plush dolls. Ramon visits artist Jesse JFR on his avocado TMNT art and Boba Fett candles. Eddie interviews Kaz over at Plastic and Heroes on their vinyl toy art collectible shop in San Jose. And the Ramen guys close SVCC with special cosplay guest Abbey and Keiko.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – The Art of the Film
April 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Have you been hiding under a rock or hibernating underground? Go and watch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Critics and haters be damned! It’s a solid movie by director Zach Synder, though I did have some issues as a comic book fanboy, but I digress. What I’m here to talk about is Titan Books latest behind-the-scenes movie book, this is the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – The Art of the Film book series by author Peter E. Aperlo.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Tech Manual
April 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Whenever there is a new Batman flick, like James Bond, Batman always has cool new toys to use on the bad guys. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman has a new Batsuit, Batmobile and Batplane to get all the fanboys excited. Well, almost everything you need to know about all the Bat-vehicles and Bat-gadgets, and even Superman’s suit and Wonder Woman’s uniform and weapons are in this book by Titan Books, it’s the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Tech Manual.
If you’ve seen the movie, Batman is a mix of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight and as director Zach Snyder explains: “My Batman is the late 40s, and war weary” (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Tech Manual, page 19). Zach and the design team not only focused on Batman’s overall Batsuit, but went into detail about the body armor, the tech inside the cowl/mask, the cape and the utility belt.
Frankie’s Garage: The Affordable $35,000 Tesla
April 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The head of Tesla Elon Musk yesterday night revealed the “affordable premium Tesla” Model 3 at $35,000USD. This smaller electric sedan will have a range of approximately 215 miles and will seat 5 adults comfortably.
Food: Cutie Eatable Food
March 31, 2016 by Leave a Comment
How do you make lunch fun for kids of all ages? Author, mom and founder of Bento Monsters – Li Ming Lee turns food into cute pop culture characters. Check out her book Yummy Kawaii Bento: Preparing Adorable Meals for Adorable Kids.
LEGO Batcave MOC by Dan Glasure
March 30, 2016 by 1 Comment
Over the years, one of the most popular custom LEGO builds is Batman’s secret lair, the Batcave. Now this LEGO custom Batcave is super amazing by Dan Glasure. This LEGO Batcave MOC features Wayne Manor house and the underground Batcave.
The Blacklist: Elizabeth Keen’s Dossier
March 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
If you’re done binge watching Daredevil Sesaon 2 on Netflix, then it’s time to pick another cool action-thriller, that is NBC’s critically acclaimed The Blacklist starring James Spader (Raymond “Red” Reddington) and Megan Boone (Elizabeth Keen), which is currently on it’s 3rd TV season. The first two seasons of The Blacklist are on Netflix and I have to say I’m hooked on the characters and the story. Hardcore fans of The Blacklist may want to take a look at this new Titan Books release, Elizabeth Keen’s Dossier by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry.
Jada Toys Build A Batmobile
March 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
From the Jada Toys Metals Die Cast line-up comes the Batman v Superman Batmobile Model Kits. Yes, a model, you will need to build something, but model kit is already pre-painted and pretty much assembled, but you will have to screw the tires and a few pieces together. What’s cool it’s a nice finished Batmoblie die-cast build and features an opening cockpit that you can put two small figures in it.
Jada Toys, Inc.: Metals Die Cast Marvel Series
March 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
If you enjoy buying and collecting Jada Toys line-up of DC’s Batman v Superman big head cutie metal die-cast figures, then you got to grab the Marvel line-up.
Kicks: Addiction to Nike Air Max
March 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Nike Air Max is more than just a shoe or sneaker you wear. It’s pop culture. To these sneaker heads, it’s a lifestyle and addiction. The Air Max!
Music: The PSB are back with Pop Kids!
March 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
One of my favorite 1980s’ bands was the Pet Shop Boys and you might find it hard to believe they are still around making music. The Pet Shop Boys caught my attention again in 2013 with their single “Vocal” from the Electric album. A return to that 1980s and early 1990s sound that got me hooked, and now here in 2016 – the Pet Shop Boys are back with their latest single “Pop Kids.”
Frankie’s Garage: The NSX GT3
March 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Acura introduces the 2017 NSX GT3 track racing version at the New York International Auto Show. This NSX GT3 race car will not have any hybrid electric components, but will use the same twin-turbo 3.5 V6 engine as the production model.
Arrow: Vengeance
March 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
I admit, I’m a huge Arrow fan, since it’s CW TV network debut 4 seasons ago. I’ve watched every episode so far with pure enjoyment and also gone back to buy classic Green Arrow comics and toys, so yeah, I’m a Green Arrow fanboy. Fans of the show will know when watching Arrow on TV, there are lots of characters and world building and sometimes certain characters don’t get enough back story, so Titan Books recently released a brand-new paperback novel “Arrow: Vengeance” which focuses on the villains point of view.
Frankie’s Garage: Just Call It – “The Toyota 86!”
March 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
What it should always have been branded in North America! Not the defunct Scion brand, but Toyota. The Scion FR-S in 2017 goes back to the Toyota car line-up and will simply be known as the Toyota 86. Finally!
Frankie’s Garage: Godzilla 2017 Mini-ReDesign
March 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Every die-hard GT-R fan maybe waiting for the next R36 GT-R, will you have to wait for a couple of years. But for 2017, Nissan has done a mini-redesign for the 2017 Nissan GT-R.
Frankie’s Garage: The Mustang GT350 Killer
March 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The American muscle wars are heating up with the new 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 from the 2016 New York Auto Show. This 2017 Camaro ZL1 is ready to take on Ford’s Mustang GT350. For the first time in it’s history there will be an option for a 10-speed automatic transmission as it comes with a super-charged 6.2L LT4 V8 that pumps out 640 horses.
Frankie’s Garage: The 2017 MX-5 Fastback
March 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
From the 2016 New York Auto Show, Mazda introduces the 2017 Miata MX-5 RF. The RF stands for “Retractable Fastback.” The hardtop convertible looks still looks aggressive and sexy.
The Little Prince: The Art of the Movie
March 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Little Prince animated film is based on a 1943 story by author Antoine de Saint-Exupery about a pilot meeting a boy from another planet. Author Ramin Zahed takes us on a journey with writer/director Mark Osborne known for his Kung-fu Panda animated hit on the challenge of making a classic story with new twist and animating it. This is Titan Books’ The Little Prince – The Art of the Movie.
Viral Video Friday: Fallout 4 Civil War Trailer No. 2
March 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment
This guy recreated Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War Trailer #2 with Fallout 4. It’s not bad and pretty funny.
The 2016 Silicon Valley Comic-Con!
March 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment
This 3-day weekend in the SF Bay Area will kick-off the first-ever Silicon Valley Comic-Con at the San Jose Convention Center. The merging of technology, gadgets, comics and pop culture are brought to you by geek master Steve Wozniak and comic book icon Stan Lee. Our Retrenders staff and Ramen and a Half film crew will be there all weekend covering the event. So please check our Retrenders’ YouTube channel for more updates and videos!
Frankie’s Garage: The Nissan SUV Mini-Tank
March 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Nissan shows off how easy you can turn your stock Nissan Rogue SUV into a off-road snow machine. Named the Nissan Rogue Warrior, the vehicle is fitted with snow tracks using Nissan’s AWD system.
The Barbie Collection: Batman v Superman Black Label
March 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Mattel’s Barbie toy line is known for producing Barbie dolls, but hold up now. My face does a double-take. Say what? Barbie will also be doing Batman v Superman figures and these figures actually look decent. Mattel’s primo Barbie line, The Barbie Collection Black Label will be producing 3 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Collection – Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman.
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