For those of you that didn't know, I'd like to share this video about what was the Hercules and Xena attraction at Universal Studios Florida.
When I discovered it BLEW my mind because it's sort of a hidden episode-crossover of Hercules and Xena (I always loved those and felt more were happening offscreen, in between what we spectators saw in the episodes).
The attraction opened in 1997 and was closed down in 2000 - it seems because it wasn't as popular as the park intended it to be. Take a look at this link of the Universal Wiki for more info:
Fellow blogger Kenderciko posted this video about the life of Lucy Lawless on his site Siempre nos quedará Potedaia, and I couldn't resist sharing.
The video (an interview made by Celebrity Profile) is AMAZING and shows the life of Lucy since she was born to when she left Xena. It might seem a bit long but trust me, it's worth it and you'll watch it in no time!
Sadly and happily at the same time, my travels have finished, at least for a while. So it's back to business for me, folks :) From now on that my life is more organized I'll keep the blog more updated - besides I have tons of overdue articles and content to share. Wait and see!
But for now, let's resume our lovely Monday Roundup (yay!). It's been a while, so there are quite many new things to take a look at. Let's see.
- CREATION ENT YIN YANG CHAKRAM #401 + TONS OF THINGS MORE
> Price: $117.56 ($123.50 already) plus shipping (only USA)
> Opinion: This chakram comes as part of a huge HUGE lot of Xena merchandising and memorabilia. And if you want my opinion, incredibly cheap (though the reserve price hasn't been reached yet). The lot includes a Marto Xena sword reproduction, a jacket, pendants, photos, bags... many many things. The chakram itself is a late creation replica, so it'll include the "NZ made" stamp, but includes the shadowbox and the COA. A great opportunity!
> Opinion: Believe it or not, another lot of Xena stuff with a Y&Y chakram. This one is considerably more expensive, but: there's no reserve, the number is lower (hence there's no NZ engraving) and it also includes the intact shadowbox and the COA. $550 is not at all a crazy price for a Creation Ent chakram, so this is certainly a fair chance as well.
> Opinion: Sigh. This is what happens when one goes away for a little while - too many chakrams! lol This time, a S4-ish original chakram also by Creation Ent, also with the COA. Do notice that it presents one of the rare shadowbox models that only later numbers included. Not so later to have a NZ made engraving, that is good. For me this is the more perfect original chakram model ever made by Creation (what I call the Third Generation chakram in my Comparisons) - but this particular piece is VERY pricey unless you have your salary in UK pounds.
> Opinion: This might not be a prop or replica itself, but it's very related to them, and I know many collectors will be interested on it. A Creation Ent chakram COA, valid for all models. It's usual to find chakrams without COA (often misplaced by previous owners and never found) so this might be a very good opportunity to "complete" your piece and add it a bit more of value.
> Opinion: Also for sale this fancy and heavy Gold chakram produced by Todd's Costumes for Davis-Panzer during the 10th anniversary of the series. I mistakenly believed these chakram had been made by Marto of Toledo, but Todd Coyle clarified he's the real author of these pieces.
> Opinion: I don't usually review Roman's listings because they are kind of always on eBay - but this is special. He's listed a deal including one of his original chakrams (I talked about it here) and a pair of his Gabrielle's sais replicas. Cool deal!
> Opinion: A cool and cheap brass vase anyone? It's a prop from the Turners Auction - and as usual it could have belonged either to Hercules (HTLJ), Xena (XWP) of Young Hercules (YH). Make sure to let me know if you spot it in any episode!
> Opinion: Production pieces are always way cool. This one comes from Australia, and for what the listing says it's a 15 pages document that includes diagrams and pictures of the village and the Ixion cavern from the episode "Orphan of War". There are also pictures drawn on the back of some pages. If you like this kind of prop this might be a good opportunity.
A couple of days ago my brother was fondly reprimanding me for the lack of updates in the blog. He's right, but what can I say? I keep traveling like crazy and there's no much to talk about Xena as of late. I did tell him, though, that I'm finishing a couple of entries that will see the light very soon.
I thought that was it, but today he has surprised me with this: a fancy supercool Halloween-themed header, made by him. Isn't he the artist in the family? lol
Here you have it for the season, I hope you enjoy it.
As James/Beatles-Rock points out in his listing, this is a first-line prop, VERY recognizable, and absolutely placed in the podium of honor of any Xenite along the chakram, the sais, or Xena's sword. Most of the copies in the market are replicas made by Todd's Costumes, but this is the real deal - I've only seen two of these resin prop eagle swords around. Comes with Turner's paperwork.
It is pricey (there's no denying that) but it's a good opportunity.
I know the other day I said I wouldn't be posting anything anytime soon, but Elizabeth (remember her from a couple of posts ago?) just wrote me to show me these two cool videos she's uploaded on YouTube.
They are related to Xena props, so I asked her if she'd mind I share them here. She agreed, so here they are!
As I told her, I'm pretty sure the breastplate shown in the videos is NOT authentic. More on that after the second part.
So yes, I'm sure both the seller and the appraiser believe the breastplate is a screen-used prop, but let me explain why I don't agree on that. Three reasons:
1.- The breastplate in the video is quite particular. Its design doesn't fit the one seen onscreen -which was tweaked/modified a bit among seasons, but always retained a certain look and characteristics. This one is metal, yes, but it's also off in a good bunch of recognizable details and shapes.
2.- I've known of the existence of this particular piece for quite some time now, and ever since I've tried to spot it ANYWHERE in any episode, with no success. In all the times I've carefully re-watched the series I've found no trace of it. Not a single shot.
3.- My suspicions were confirmed when I met one of the people involved in making the original breastplate props for the series. She confirmed that's NOT one of theirs. Different design.
My bet then? This is a metal copy, probably commissioned by a fan of the series to some foundry or some metal crafter. It may look like the real deal on first sight, but if you are all about details or have one you can compare this one with you'll see they're not the same.
The chakram I believe is legit, though :)
Hope you liked this tiny bit of research. Feel free to share your opinions in the comments guys!
As you may have noticed it's been a while with no entries. Fear not, I'm still here. It's just so very difficult to find time for the blog with a life a crazy as mine :p And truth be told, there haven't been many Xena news to report as of late.
Anyway, I keep working in many thing I look forward to sharing with all of you soon enough!
