August Movie Review

Remember the good ole days when we used to get excited about new movies coming out? With that in mind, let's look at what new garbage Hollywood is feeding us this month!

 The Nut Job 2

I lied the first movie...when it came out 15 years ago. Why are they making this now?!? PASS

 The Dark Tower

I really wanted to see this when I first heard about it. But with every new trailer I see I become less interested. I don't even think at this point I have any interest renting it when it comes to Redbox. Pass.

 Annabelle: Creation

Because NO ONE asked for it and the Chucky franchise is dead. P-A-S-S

Hitman's Bodyguard

Just hurry up with that Deadpool sequel Ryan, this feels like a cheap ripoff of greater things to come. Pass!

The lasik maneuver

The surgery itself doesn't take that long. I believe I was only in there for 10 minutes. They have you lay down in a reclined chair, hit you with a few eye drops that numb your pupils, give you two stress balls to squeeze during the procedure and get right to it!

The first thing they did was tape my eyes open. Not bad. Next came the clamp they set down on your eye. Yikes! That was a tough one! It felt as though someone was putting pressure on your eye ball until you felt a slight "pop" to let you know it was in but to me it felt like my pupil was about to pop out of my head. I started but the doc told me everything was good.

The next part is a little scary too. They bring down this hook shaped instrument near your eye to peel back the top layer of your pupil for the laser. Though you don't feel it (thanks to the drops) your vision goes wild as they "saw" into your eye. The scariest thing about it all was at the end when he peeled it back and the whole world got blurry. I panicked a little when I told him but he said that was normal and proceeded with the laser.

The laser took 10 seconds per eye and was painless. After the first eye was worked on I wasn't worried about the second. It went by and I was out of the chair, wearing shades while being escorted out the door.

The drops wore off after 5 minutes on the way home and my eyes started to feel that burn you get when you close your eyes after watching the computer screen for too long except this burn didn't go away and stays with you until you take a nap. They even tell you to take a nap after surgery to forgo the burn. Once you wake up, your eyes feel normal and POOF! You're seeing 20/20 again.

Amazing.

For the past few weeks I've been having to put drops in my eyes because I couldn't form tears and you can't touch of rub your eyes for the first week, which was the toughest part for me since I always do that anyway. You also have to wear these special goggles when going to bed for the first too night. They're uncomfortable and make sleeping nearly impossible. But after the 2nd night you're done with those too.

Now my eyes are back to normal and I'm very happy to have it done. It's a little pricey but when you weigh in the fact that contacts now cost $200 for the 3 month supply, those savings quickly add up.

Have a good weekend folks!

Forest, Ms; You can't go home again.

Never read Thomas Wolfe, but I sure feel the title of his novel fits when I speak about this next topic. A few weeks ago when traveling across the great state of Mississippi I had the chance to stop by my hometown of Forest, Ms. Located 45 minutes east of Jackson, right there off I-20.

I'd been a few years since my last trip and I wanted to see the place again. I try to see it every chance I get. I know how things change over time and every time I'm a little sad to see what's gone away.

But on this last visit it hit a little deeper than the others. I went by my old school, which isn't a school anymore and hasn't been since we left. The school shut down the next year. It hasn't been bull dozed and it's not a Quikie Mart or anythings like that. It's just abandoned.

Through the years I've visited it, I've seen plants slowly take over the main hall where the lunch room was. Our playground looked older and worn out but this last time I visited it was just gone.

Not the buildings, they're still there. And though I couldn't get a good look in the buildings, there may be some stuff from my old school still locked up in there. But it was the playground that was gone.

The fence (that was erected after I left from the last tenant) was still there. Overgrown with vines and young thin trees it looked like something out of a movie. Seriously, like a secret lay long buried within the gate. Sawed off stumps where the massive beams were that held the giant playground were the only thing that remained. The was also an iron fixture sticking up from the ground where the marry-go-round used to be, all rusted and twisted to the left.

The only familiar things were the gravel found in various areas that was poured back when the new playground was originally built. It's hard to believe more than 25 years have passed since I was playing on that very same ground.

Inside the dining hall are chairs and tables that look like they came straight from grandma's kitchen, all set with nothing on them, which told me someone was still using it (or had in the past few months) but it was hard to figure out for what. Vines and Ivy creep along the sides, trying to pass unnoticed through time as they slowly encroach around the building.

The play yard looked the same, meaning ant hills and dirt daubers still inhabit it. The chain link fence from a neighboring yard it gone, it's garden and pear-shaped hand made bird houses along with it. The only familiar thing in the play yard now is a lone pole for tether ball, which I used to constantly play at recess. Due to my height, I was pretty good at it too.

I walked around the play ground, watching my step for fear of hitting a dauber nest or anthill. I remember the first day of school doing the same thing as well before our teachers went out there and sprayed. It never got rid of either of them but it helped. I remember a friend of mine named Charlie in school who was stung so bad by daubers his mom had to pick him up on the first day.

I remember played Farmer in the Dell, Red Rover, Colored Eggs, Freeze Tag, Sharks in the Water and a million school yard games on that field alone. It was also where my Dad held the first few Santa Bowl's back in the 80's. Lot of memories on that field.

I wish my brothers could have been there with me to see it. I wish even more I'd taken pictures of it. So wild to think of what used to be than what is currently at this spot.

I can't say I won't go back again. If I get the chance and I'm with other family members, I would be inclined to go. But by myself to reminisce alone? I'm not sure.    

Get Out Review

Megan had been wanting to see this movie for a while, so we got it a few weeks ago and watched it.

In short, the acting is great, the story is.....confusing. I'm not sure what this movie wants to be. A thriller? A comedy? Because it was both at times and it didn't blend very well. Seriously, it felt like I was watching two movies that had been pasted together over the same theme. Weird.

I'm all for leaving some "mystery" when it comes to thrillers but this one doesn't make sense in the least. I was a little surprised because Megan said everyone she worked with loved the film so I thought it'd be a surprise hit....as it is, I'm not sure I can recommend it to anyone because I'm not sure if they'd get it either.

To some it up, get out of renting this and see what else is available for rent.

Movie reivew

I remember when this came out in theaters and Megan and I went to see John Wick 2 instead. We were going to watch it the week after but didn't know it was a "special event" and disappeared from theaters the next week.

Now it's n Netflix, so I finally got to see it and was very impressed! VERY heavy in science, this documentary examines key evidence passed over or ignored by many. I found it insightful and delightful at the end to see a familiar face!!

Dr George Grant was the last person he interviewed in the film and all I could think about was our most memorable moment together.

Flashback to my old college days, I was at a summer camp, Dr Grant was one of the speakers and I had an idea for our talent skit on the final night. But I needed him in blue face paint. Paint I promised would come off immediately after the show with no issues.

The only problem was that after the show....it wasn't coming off. While everyone in my skit thought I'd pulled off the greatest prank of the week, I panicked, trying to find a way to get the paint off the good Dr.

And we did it....by reading the instructions. "Rinse off with warm water"

We were using cold water. Dr Grant was extremely grateful for the solution and told that story for years to his colleges  about how a young man almost took away his dignity on the flight home from a speaker gig. LOL

I haven't seen Dr Grant in a few years now but next time I'm up in his neck of the woods in Tennessee I should pop in and say hello....with a peace offering of blue paint. : ) 

Too many things to wear

Geez to frag have a got a lot of clothes. Too many in fact. I rarely go to the store to buy any and if I do it's mainly to replace blue jeans and that's it. I get tons of shirts and clothes for my birthday and Xmas but over the years...my "collection" has out grown my drawers.

I can hardly fit anything into BOTH drawers I have now and I can't throw them away because they're not ragged (no matter how many times I wear and wash them) and I can't donate or throw them away because that seems like quitting.

Does that even make sense?!

Anyway, I told Megan that if I end up losing 25 t-shirts in various ways (tears, rips, stains, etc) I'm only going to replace it by getting 1. I've tried to cull down my clothes but every time I go to put them up it's like I have less and less room to do it in.

Am I the only one with this problem? It's a Monday and I'm typing about clothes of all things so it could very well just be me here. Let me know in the comments.

Regrettable Superheroes Review

My brother got this book for my birthday and I finally got around to reading it a few weeks ago so I thought I'd talk a little bit about it.

This book takes you through the ages of comics and picks out some of the most ridiculous superheroes ever created. I have to be honest though, they weren't all that bad! While some were bat-crap crazy others seemed to have a good premise. For anyone into comic books and comic book history I'd recommend you picking a copy of this up if you see it for a good deal. I thoroughly enjoyed it and even learned a little something along the way!

Have a good weekend folks!

Cable and Deadpool review

The next comic book series I finished last month was Cable and Deadpool. I don't know why they thought these two would make the perfect pairing but for whatever the reason, this match was made by the Marvel elite and it was ok. Deadpool's humor improves somewhat in this series, more than it did on his own comic. But Cable is still the same old bore. The series has it's ups and downs and still doesn't come close to beating anything I've read at DC.

One long box down....9 more to go.

Pepsi Fire?

Found this last month when I took Megan to Canton, TX for the day. Didn't know what it was so I tried it out. It's cinnamon flavored pepsi....weird. Not bad but not "refreshing" I don't really know what Pepsi was thinking here?

Bring back Crystal Pepsi!

Batman: Hush Review

After suffering through Cable, I decided to read this one, given to me on my birthday from Megan.

Ahhh....the story is still my favorite Batman one out there. This has it all! Twist galore and slew of Batman characters both good and bad, awesome art and a fantastic story arc in the end.

Easy 10. If you love Batman, I highly suggest checking this one out. It's worth your time!

Cable Review

Reading from my newly acquired comic book collection from last year I was able to finish Cable.

What a mess. The writers had to keep taking away his powers to create story lines that would put him in danger. Throughout the 114 comics I read it was a constant back and forth of Cable gaining and losing powers. A lot of times it was a jumbled mess of confusing plot points or "daydream" episodes that didn't amount to much.

Reading this series only confirmed why I chose DC as a kid. Because Marvel books felt like they were vomited out with no quality and only to cash in on the "X-men" universe.

Pathetic.

Best board games at BGG Con 2017

Now it's finally time to reveal the Top 5 games I played at the Con. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy coming up with this list but here they are!

5) Coal Baron

Holy Crow. I never knew mining coal would be this much fun! Loved the elevator on our work board, loved the bidding for spaces side to the game which made going first and last equally as important.

Play first and your bet will always be the lowest. Play last and fool someone into spending too much on a space only to pull the old switch-a-roo on them and take another space in the end.

Smart game. Fun game.

4) Porta Nigra

I waffled on playing this one several times leading up to the Con but in the end decided to check it out.

Glad I did. The game offers a lot of strategy, plays quick, is easy to learn and has an incredible point system at the end that brought someone from dead last the entire game to being first by a mile without anyone the wiser.

3) Fresco

Painting the ceiling of a chapel. Seriously Queen Games, where do you come up with these ideas?

Board is beautiful, game is colorful, theme is there based on the production alone. And just as the cheesy infomercial ...."But Wait! There's more!"

This game has expansions that only make it greater. It's uncanny how the game get better the deeper you go into to it. I had a hard time wondering if this was my #2 or #3 game. But right now I'm keeping it here because...

2) Lancaster






This is a great game! Be a knight, roam the kingdom fending off other knights for notoriety in the King's Court and getting as many nobles on your side. (they help later, not only in end game scoring but in the King's Court of Law!)

Go on crusades, build up you castle (which ironically what your player shield looks like) Get upgrades and vote on laws that benefit you! Incredible game! Queen Games won the weekend at BGG for me!

1) Orleans


One of the last games I played. Picked it up on a whim too because I'd heard so much about it. Personally, while setting it up, I was praying for it not to suck and even thought about boxing it back up and returning it because reading the rules was a little bit of a drag. But I soon overcame it enough to build a desire to play it and see what all the hub-bub was about.

A "bag building" game if that term exist in the board gaming world (I'm still a little new to this so maybe it does)

BLEW. ME. AWAY.

Wow, what a game! Playing with the deluxe set really spoiled me too. Seeing all the expansions, promos and mini-expansions really bummed me out too because I'm a completest and have to have it all....which now I do.

Have a good weekend folks!

Other games played at BGG Con 2017

Before I get to my Top 5 favorite games I played that weekend, I'd like to address all the others I played as well.

 Stone Age

Great game! So much fun! Heard it was a good "gateway" to get folks into board games but for me, this caveman themed games going to see a lot of table space in my future for sure!

 Deep Sea Adventure

I'd heard so much about this game but not enough to perk my interest. While waiting in line for our badges, someone brought this out to play and we gave it a shot. Simply an awesome game. I loved it! Though the $22 price tag that comes with this pocket sized game is a little steep, I'll add it to my X-mas list this year and see if someone will get it for me that way.

 Ave Cesar 

A simple racing game involving chariots and it's loads of fun. I hope they reprint it one day because I'd love to get  copy, but not at the enormous rates they have right now.

 Sanatorini

My nephews wanted to play this one so bad and we finally got a chance to play it the last day there. This 3D chess like game where you're trying to reach the top of a building is fun but not something I'd purchase. My nephews on the other hand were smitten.

 Tobago

Picked this up on a whim after seeing others play it. The pieces looked great and I was hooked. Then I read the rules and quickly dismissed it.  Then I played it.....whoa. Surprisingly good treasure hunting game. Super fun one! I'll have to add it to my collection!

The Cave

 Tile laying, cave exploring fun. Brought to you from the same folks who created K2, this was a hit with my nephews but not for me. The game got repetitive quick and I didn't see much strategy in pulling the same 4 tiles out almost every time.

Nice game, but a repetitive game that doesn't give you many choices thru multiple plays.

 Grad Moto Prix

I've read the reviews. I know they were all bad. But the game looks SO NICE and I'm a fan of Formula D so why not try it?!

I open it up, its more beautiful than I thought it'd be. I read the instructions...."Okay" I think to myself "This doesn't seem so bad." Then we get to the game play.....that's when I start to feel like Charlie Brown after being fooled by Lucy once more with the football.

The game is bad. Go as fast as you can. All the time. Corners may hinder you from time to time but not enough for it to matter much. Turn over the die and keep going fast. Forget this is a simple roll and move game in disguise and keep believing Lucy's going to hold that ball still this final time.

ARGH!!

 Queen's Architect

Queen Games is slowly becoming one of my favorite publishers. This is a slick smooth game of hiring workers and completing projects to be the Queen's Architect. Lovely little game, I enjoyed it immensely!

 Smugglers

 Cute fun game for my nephews to play. The only game that uses play dough (or something equivalent) too I might add! This is Sheriff of Nottingham for kids I think.

Although fun, I don't see this worthy enough to take space up on my shelf.

 Dream Factory

A game of making movies. Very fast and fun and for a moment I considered getting a copy for myself. But when the sale didn't go through (due to the seller) I had second thoughts and walked away. Maybe some time in the future I'll look at it again, but I think, one play was enough.

 Hamburgum

 Saw this game and thought "What the heck, let's give it a try." The pieces are great looking and for a game about building churches (of all things) it's more enjoyable than you can imagine.

The bricks looked liked miniature bricks and felt like them too (Or it was getting way too late in the evening for me) They also came with bells that rang!! How cool is that?

But something about the game just through me off about tracking a copy down for my collection. I can't say for sure, maybe there were just better games we played that weekend and this one slowly fell into the bottom half when everything was said and done.

But as time goes by I continually find myself flip flopping on getting this or not. I guess only time will tell...

 Shakespeare

 A game about putting on a play. Since I do a little theater acting from time to time (as does most of my gaming group) this was a no brainer to try out first.

The game has you building sets, costumes and working on your 3 acts, while keeping your entire production crew happy at the same time.

Perfectly balanced. Perfectly executed. I wanted to give it a standing ovation after it was over. Bravo.

 Vikings Gone Wild

I hate deck builders.

That being said, this was totally checked out for my nephews, who's favorite types of games to play are deck builders. They loved it and I have to admit the game warmed me over with it's charm and game play that flowed smoothly along.

Well done game, you've shown me not all deck builders are bland. Still not interested in buying you, but I won't turn down a game of you in the future.

 Whacky Wit

Oh my stars and stripes! What a delightful little game, starring Pacman and his four ghostly friends under a different name to avoid copyrights. We LOVED this simple yet fun game.

Sadly it's price tag ranges from $300-$500 for a copy and it's simply not worth the cost. But still an enjoyable game.

 Adrenaline

 First game we sat down in played. My nephews loved it. I thought it was fun too and had that "shoot'em up" video game feel. However, after our 2nd play through I saw how redundant the game is and knew it would get old quick if purchased.

Las Vegas

Didn't really care to play a simple dice chucking game but we needed something short before we headed in for the night so I picked this up and we gave it a shot.

Surprisingly fun. One of the biggest surprises for me the entire weekend. I had no idea I'd love it that much. Now I'm hooked on throwing dem bones!!

BGG Con 2017 Top 5 Worst Games played

Today I thought I'd give you my list of the worst board games I played at the BGG Con back in May.

I meant to do this a whole lot earlier but forgot, so here goes!

5) Pastiche

Game about collecting colors and painting portraits. Wooden easels make the game stunning and the artwork is not only beautiful but educational as well with the info of the picture on the heavy cardboard pieces.

Then you discover there's not much else to enjoy with the game after that.

4) TMNT: Shadows of the Past

The next game we played was one I'd been looking forward to for a while. I love Descent so if you were to add Ninja Turtles fighting Shredder, Mouse Droids, Foot Clan, Bebop and Rocksteady to it, I'm ALL IN!

Unfortunately the rules for this game were a mess. Looking online I noticed reviewers always skipped the questions we had in the game, probably because they weren't clear on the rules either. We muddled through the first few missions before returning it.

A wise Muppet once said "It's not easy being green" and I'll add to that by saying "It's not easy getting purchased" especially if you're this disappointing a game.

3) My Village

A game I was really looking forward to playing and was so happy to get to the table on Day 2. Problems with the game quickly came to light when I realized how incredibly hard it is to get the chance to do anything in the game before it ends.

Maybe it was luck of the dice, or just the way the drafting went against me every time but it was enough to convince me the game was not for my shelf.

2) Rococo

 Hey! I'm looking at you Eagle Gryphon games! A game about making dresses. Not my thing. But I admit, you had me with the art and look I see online, so I gave it a try.

This is a cleverly concealed deck builder with some area control thrown in to make it look like the girl you knew in high school who looked okay at first, until you realized it was just the makeup and your own desperation for getting a date to the prom.

Rococo offers nothing else other than that. Deck builders may like it but I sit with a different group for lunch in the cafeteria and it not the cheerleaders...it's the chess team. (Go Pawns!)

And just like I was rejected in high school, I have to give this game the same treatment.

1) King's Abbey

One of the top games on my list to try. The art looks wonderful, the production quality? Top notch. The game play?.....um... did I mention the incredible production quality they put into the game?

This game gives you a sandbox of choices but only let's you play in it 5% of the time while the other 95% is spent fending off Vikings, surviving Plagues and defending against the Darkness.

So all those customizable buildings you can create are never given time to grow.

I wanted to love this game so bad but when it continually punches you in both cheeks of the human body, it's impossible to continue such an abusive relationship.

I'm sorry King's Abbey, it's me, not you. I have to end it.

More of my review on BGG Con coming tomorrow!

Dragon's Teeth

So last month Megan and I were shopping at Walmart when I saw a poster advertising a "new" book by Michael Crichton.It surprised me because, A) The author has been dead for years and B) I never heard he was working on a novel when he died.

Turns out this happened to be an unpublished novel he made back in the 70's but shelved it. I'm guessing the family found it and sold it for extra cash. Though I can't fault them for doing so (look at what the Tolkien kids have been doing for decades) I kinda feel it's unfair to Mr Crichton.

He didn't want the novel published. If he had it'd have been out years ago. But he decided it wasn't good enough and shelved it. Now reviewers are talking about how it doesn't "feel" like a book written by him or that it's "not his best work" which I think both comments are unfair.

I've read a few of Crichton's books and I think he's pretty good. I won't be reading this one though because Michael never wanted anyone to read it in the first place.

Now fans of his I'm sure were pleased to see him back in stores but as for me? I think I'll be happy with reading Jurassic Park and Lost World again instead.

Meet the first Harry Potter

In 1986 the movie Troll came out starring Noah Hathoway. It's funny because there's a lot of folks wondering on the internet if this movie is the real motivation behind Rowling's books.

In the movie a young Harry Potter moves to San Fransisco with his Mom and Sister who is possessed by an evil wizard who was transformed into a troll.

The movie bears a few other similarities and since Rowling admits to coming up with the idea of the first book back in 1990 (probably when the movie was released over seas in the UK) it's not hard to make the connection between the two.

Is it true? I'm think the answer is "yes" but that's for you to decide!

A gentlemen's handkerchief

Years ago for my high school graduation, an old lady in our church got me this gift. A handkerchief. I thanked her for it and promptly put it back in the box, then later in my closet to never see again.

4 years later for my college graduation she gave me the same thing. A handkerchief. And both times she'd told me the same reasons why. "Because every gentlemen, needs a handkerchief."

I didn't think much of it back in highschool but after college, I thought "Why not?" and starting carrying one in my back pocket just for fun.

I must have used it a thousands times. Not just for myself but it was the perfect thing to give to a crying girl. They at first were shocked when I handed it to them. Not believing a guy would carry one in the first place. But afterwards they were extremely grateful and saw me in a new light.

I can't explain it but I lost several hankies to the ladies back in the day. Got a few back but mostly had to keep buying more over time.

I still pick up a pack of them every once in a while since I'm not giving them away anymore unless it's to Megan in those times she realizes she has to stay with me for the rest of her life. (HA!)

But seriously, I think back to that lady every once in a while and the important lesson she taught me back then.

Every gentlemen, need a handkerchief. If you don't have one. maybe you should look into it.

Have a good weekend folks!

Soldier X

Reading through my comic lot I bought last year, I finished Soldier X, which is basically "Cable" under a different name to see if people will still buy his comic. The story is so-so but still...it's Cable....which equals boring in my book.

Don't miss my next comic review....Cable!!

Board games I've never played

I love me some board games, but here are the most popular games I've never played!

 Thought about playing it at BGG Con this year but changed my mind because it looks SO BORING!

 Yeah, I can't believe it either.

 Board looks too busy when this is out. Don't get the appeal.

 I hear this is "Agricola Lite" but it looks just as bad a ame to me.

I love Sci-fi themed games.....I have no desire to play this one what-so-ever.

Happy Fireworks Day!

I need to buy a grill....