Monday, April 30, 2018

May Movie update

This is an easy one today, let's do it....

 Deadpool 2

This is a given. I may even watch it opening weekend, I'm that excited for it to come out. Everything about this right now is screaming "awesome" It's going to grab my top spot for movie of the year I just know it.
Tremors 6

My most anticipated movie of the year! I'm buying it the MOMENT it comes out on DVD and watching it that night. I LOVE this series and am so glad it's still going after all this time. I'm a little bummed it dropped the numeric title but I guess those things aren't appreciated anymore.

I know it's not much, but this is shaping up to be the best month for movies yet!

Friday, April 27, 2018

I, Tanya (Review)

So Megan wanted to watch this last week and I got it for her. It turned out being a "fake" documentary/movie about her life. It was actually pretty entertaining to tell you the truth. It was a little bit of a surprise to me and ended up being well worth my time!

So if you were thinking about watching it, I give you the "thumbs up" to do so!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Treasure Trolls Boardgame Rules

Per viewer request:





Murder on the Orient Express (Review)

Last week Megan and I watched this movie. It looks beautiful, the acting is great but the story...meh, it's a little slow.

Though I was entertained enough to forgive the boring story plot, Megan fell asleep 30 minutes in. It's not that it's a bad movie it just lacks in story telling.

With this all-star list of actors however I think some people can enjoy it none-the-less!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Um, ok

Saw this at the super market last week and had to get it based on principle alone. Imagine my shock when I discovered that it's fantastic!! I never expected that. I'm not the one to fall for the "flash in the pan" flavors that corporations throw out there to see if there are any takers.

Well I'm a sucker who fell for it and this time, it actually paid off! Not bad at all really! You don't even have to like Twinkies to like this. Taste a lot like butterscotch (for some odd reason)

Anyway, just thought I'd mention it today.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Muntant X Review

The next comic series I finished was Mutant X. I story of Havoc entering another dimension in the Marvel Universe where he's the big shot running the team and Cyclops (his brother) is the screw up. It went a total of 32 issues (all of which I read) and was a pretty good story though rushed at the end. (guess they decided the cancel the book before the writer could flesh out a good story)

Overall, the characters were actually interesting and this was one series I enjoyed more than the others.

Good stuff!

Monday, April 23, 2018

BGG Spring Con Playlist

It's a month away till I go to BGG Spring Con, and I thought I'd just talk about the games I'm looking forward to playing when I get there!

War of the Ring

I LOVE Lord of the Rings. I plan on reading it again this year. I LOVE board games and this is said to not only be the best one from the world of Tolkien but one of THE BEST board games out there! So why don't I own it yet? Because the gameplay looks TERRIBLE!!! I'm going to try and hold my nose long enough to at least try it out and hope for the best. I really want a game on Middle Earth, but so far NONE that are out have impressed me.

Montana

I almost backed this on Kickstarter but at the last moment decided not to. It seems like a decent game but I'm still on the fence on whether it's worth it for me. I'll wait and see this May!


Walnut Grove

Another game that's been on and off my "buy" list for the past year. I really need to try it out while I'm at the con this year. There's a lot I like about this game but the "tile" placement aspect makes me balk on picking it up. If it's not as bad as it looks I'll definitely look into getting it.

 Kingsburg

After missing my chance at the Arizona Game Fair, I hope to check this game out in Dallas. Not sure what to expect but I'm happy to add it to the list.


Manila

Another game that was a "bust" in Arizona because they reported having it in their library only to not have it after all. Looks like a unique game. Happy to check it out!

Pillars of the Earth

This game is a bit of worker placement with some draft strategy involved which intrigues me. I almost bought it but held off because I think this is one I may have to try before I buy.

Corporate America

A game about wheeling and dealing to get ahead. It's about making promises, keeping or breaking them and trying to win the game. I'm intrigued by the game play and willing to give it a shot!

Mexica

Building canals? Building bridges? Constructing temples?! This game sounds and looks (by the cover) completely boring! But looking at the pieces and strategy I have to check it out!

Fool's Gold

I played this in Arizona earlier this year and was so-so on it. The theme and production of the board game entices me but the gameplay felt a little flat. I want to give it a second shot to make sure. 


Saturday, April 21, 2018

This is what "BFF's" look like

Yesterday Megan and my Niece Penelope hung out. This is them "scaring" me when I came in from work. If you look closely through the eye of the bear costume you can see her making a "scary" face during the photo.

I can't tell you how hard it was not to laugh when being chased around my own home with a 3 foot girl wearing a bear mascot head growling at me from behind.


Friday, April 20, 2018

X-Files...the end?

After watching the season finale and knowing that Dana Scully WILL NOT be doing another season, I wonder now if this is the last season of X-Files. I would hate that because this has been one of the best seasons I think they've ever had. Great one-off episodes and over arcing story that just goes to show you that Chris Carter isn't out of good ideas yet!

If you haven't been watching the newer episodes and you enjoyed the older series, then you are missing out! I guess this does give fans a potential ending to deal with but I do hope they find some way to go on without Scully.

There's always Agent Doggit.....?

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Baseball (Review)

I finally finished re-watching Ken Burn's Documentary on Baseball and I can safely say (once again) that it's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen! So much detail about the game through the decades it immediately made me want to take a glove and start throwing the ball around at that very moment!

One small complaint is that they rush through the 80's and 90's which was a time I enjoyed watching the most. No idea why except that those seasons were "recent" at the time this was made so I guess they didn't think people would be as interested in them. But overall the series is a MUST for any baseball fan.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Star Trek TNG Review

I've now finished The Next Generation and after a 2nd time watching it I think I like it better than the last! he characters are done really well and the only jarring thing about the series was the writers attempt to get rid of Beverly Crusher, replacing her with a horribly uninteresting one, only to over turn that decision one year later and place Crusher back in (with no explanation of why the last one left) I really liked a lot of the episodes too.

I still think this has one of THE BEST endings to a TV series I've ever seen! Good stuff! I've already started watching Deep Space Nine and will be starting Voyager soon too. Switching in-between the two since I think I want to do this in "date aired" order this time around.

Should you see it? Absolutely! It's a fantastic show!

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

New favorite Energy Drink

I don't usually drink these type of drinks but when I do, these are my favorite. The taste great, have 0 calories and are SUPER effective! I'm also glad you can't get them here in Monroe easily. The only place I know that sells them is at my gym and they only carry a few at a time. UH-Mazing drink!

Though I'm glad I can't have too much of them here....because I'm pretty sure that's a bad thing. : )

Monday, April 16, 2018

Moon (Review)


No spoilers here but it's about a guy who works on the moon, harvesting "Lunar Energy" for the people back on earth. He's just finishing up his 3 year contract when something happens....awesome movie.

Watch it. I'm not spoiling anything else. Unbelievable.  

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Baseball update

 Another amazing day for baseball! The Mets win with a walk off homerun by Flores, who is easily one of our weakest hitters in the lineup! I don't know how but by sheer will power the Mets continue to power through and win. (in other news the Nationals coughed up a win against the Rockies, yee-haw!)
But I have to tip my hat for Colon who almost nailed himself a no-hitter today....while in his mid-40's. I swear, this guys my hero now and I'm getting tempted to buy his jersey. I'm serious, this amazing man is my favorite player in baseball right now. Unbelievable what he did tonight and he looked GREAT while doing it!

To think he only made the team due to an injury on the last day of spring training. (he'd been cut the day before)

Pretty incredible. My hats off to you sir!

LET'S GO METS!!!

Church of the Redeemer

Had our first worship service at our new church today. It's very beautiful and I love it already! Though I'm not too crazy about the name (we sound like a cult) I will say that it's only the beginning of a very successful tenure at our new building!

Friday, April 13, 2018

Casino (Review)

It's been decades since I've seen this movie so I thought I'd give it another watch since I completely forgot what happened in it. With Deniro, Pesci and Stone it couldn't be bad right? Right!

Great movie! Couldn't look away the whole time. The story was very engaging. I even paused it whenever I had to step away for a second because I didn't want to miss a moment!

Scorsese made a masterpiece and this one is well worth your time!

Have a great weekend folks!

Thursday, April 12, 2018

The irrelevence of the Mall

Back in my high school days, it was the coolest thing to go to the mall. Your friends were there, the movie theater was there and that's where you could buy the newest clothes, video games, toys, books, etc. It was the hip hop happening place to be!

Now all I think is "What's the point?" Need something? It cost 30% less online AND comes with free shipping. None of my friends "hang out" there (thank goodness) and there's seriously no reason for me to go...ever.

I take Megan once a year around X-mas because she loves going to the Mall around the holidays. I hate it. It's crowded with idiots who are looking at their phones instead of where they're going. Plus you have the occasional "I didn't bathe" customer walking past you so you can get a whiff of their horrible hygiene.

I can't wait for the day when these will be obsolete in our society. It's already happening happening today! The number of empty stores is increasing every where I go but not fast enough. Shut'em down, I say. Let them die.

I'll keep my good memories and live quite nicely the rest of my days without having to visit another mall ever again.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Pathetic

The White Sox had 973 fans show up to their game against the Rays this week. Unbelievable.

I wish we had a team down here in Lousiana. I'm pretty sure we could do better in attendance than that!

And I thought Marlin fans sucked....

LET'S GO METS!

At the moment the Mets are the best team in baseball.....I'm enjoying it while it last!

Movie Reviews

I thought today I'd do 2 reviews rather than one. Here we go!

12 Monkeys

I remember this movie being good when I watched in in High school, I should've kept those kind memories and never seen it again. A horrible looking movie that is completely bland and devoid of any sense in story telling. I chore to watch but I did because I remember there being a big pay off in the end....which ended up making me more depressed when I found out it sucked too. Oh well....live and learn!


Mr Baseball

On the other hand, Tom Selleck raised my spirits the following night when I saw this for the first time since High school! It was much better than I thought it would be and even though his character is playing for the Yankees at the beginning of the film, at the end he's with the Detroit Tigers, which make me wonder if this is just a movie about Magnum PI going under cover.....oh dang...if someone can make that connection I'll buy this movie! Good stuff!

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

1-900

Remember the days of the 900 number? Where you could call and get gossip on celebrities, talk dirty to someone, listen to recorded messages from your favorite stars and go on adventures with your favorite comic book characters?!

Though I never used them back in the day it's incredible to imagine how many people were roped in to calling for inflated prices of $2 a minute just to hear a recorded message on the other end of the line. They even marketed 900 numbers to kids until a judge outlawed it by the mid-90's if you can imagine that!

I don't think they're around today or if they are, I can't imagine them being used anymore. Just another relic from our past that we now look back and say "Seriously?!"

Monday, April 09, 2018

Hooked!

I missed out on the first time the game was on Kickstarter. I'm not missing out on it's expansion. The sequel to Dinosaur Island is on Kickstarter and I decided to take the plunge and fund it a few weeks ago. Mainly because it adds a 5th player, which for me is always a good thing, but with the addition of a few sea dinos I'm sure to enjoy it.

I'll be doing a review of the base game on my channel when Jurassic World 2 comes out in theaters later this year.

This expansion probably won't be out until next year. But that's ok, I've got plenty of other games to play in the meantime. 

Sunday, April 08, 2018

End of an Era

Today was the last day we held service at our old location. Next week we start somewhere new, bigger and even have a new name to go with it!

We've been at this church ever since I came to Monroe. It's been wild seeing it grow. I remember the first time I entered thinking Man, this place is huge!" but all it is now is cramped.

We had a joint service today and it was terrible. Packed in like sardines is not fun. I'm happy we're moving but will also cherish all the memories from my past.




Friday, April 06, 2018

X-Factor Comic Review (Part 2)

In continuing my review of the X-Factor comic I pick up at issue #70 where they changed the entire team! At first I was completely against it, but when I saw Peter David was writing the comic, I gave it a chance....and boy did he deliver!

This is the highlight of the comic!The characters are so well written, it was easy to pick up the next issue and continuing reading! I sat down one Saturday and read 30 straight issues!

David's humor and insight into the characters and situations are fantastic. Strong Guy, dumb name for hero right? And so thinks the rest of the team too! (except Strong Guy of course) Multiple Man has several personalities that reminded me of Keaton's "Multiplicity" movie back in the 90's. These issues are GOLD!!

The humor is dated but I laughed the hardest when it turns out (after several issues of bragging to his team) we come to find out Strong Guy is dating Sean Young! And LOOK!!! In this issue she dressed up as Catwoman! Only someone from the early 90's would get this joke but it was hilarious when I read it!

There are so many other comedic moments in the comic that proves you're nothing if you don't have good writing!
It also introduced another mutant who I loved as a kid but had completely forgotten about him until seeing his first appearance in the comic! Random was a shape shifting mutant who could turn his hand into a gun and shoot from it. How awesome is that?!?!

So far, this has been the most enjoyable read out the Marvel comic collection I've seen so far!

And sadly it was all downhill after that. David left as Writer and while  a few picked up where he left off you could see the comic book's decline. The art even started suffering that awful late-90's style that EVERY comic book had. Big feet and hands. Ugh! It's like every artist at the same time decided to draw exactly alike!!

The comic book falls into shambles shortly after issue #100 (which wasn't that good either) and it was a tough read to finish out.

To me, X-Factor will be Peter David and his excellent stories of when X-Factor got their first Danger Room but couldn't enter it because the door knob busted off (due to allowing the lowest bidder construct it) Hilarious stuff. Read issues 70-100 and then find something else to read.

Ho-hum, off to the next series!
 


Forgot to mention Peter David's Annual which featured Cal and Moe the school bully! Look familiar?! Cal hire Strong Guy to be his bodyguard. BEST Annual story I've ever read! Anther reason to LOVE PETER DAVID'S X-FORCE!!!!

Thursday, April 05, 2018

X-Factor Comic Review (Part 1)


So I've been reading through the comic and wanted to give my final thoughts on both "eras" of the comic.

First off, I didn't know anything about how it started, as a group of mutants (the original X-men team) that formed together under the guise of humans who are out to capture mutants. In reality, they would capture them and bring them into the team secretly. It sounds ridiculous but tha's the story they stuck with for the first 2 years of the comic before realizing how lame it sounded and dropped it almost over night.

The next thing that surprised me was that this is where a LOT of big stories happened. The first appearance of Armageddon, Arch Angel, Beast turns back into a man (then 2 years later is reverted back to the Blue Beast version) Jean Grey even reveals her resurrection to the team for the first time since the Phoenix saga! Pretty amazing stuff.

And then we get the odd....

Cyclops is married to a girl who isn't Jean Grey, but looks like her. They have a kid together but when he finds out Jean's still alive he leaves her and flies to Jean. Uh....ok.

Oh don't worry Cyclops feels bad about leaving his family but (after all) it's JEAN! She's back! He has to see her! Oh and hide the fact that he's married from her for an entire year in the comic. After which his family disappears, then his wife is found dead, then she's alive, then she turns out to be a clone created by Mr Sinister who also possesses the power of the Phoenix and merges with Jean Grey at the end. (and is re-incarnated through Jean for one issue)

Did you follow all that?

How about Beast. It's obvious the writers wanted the "old" beast look back so they made a story (In issue #3) of a scientist who experiments on the Beast and  WALLAH! He's back to being human again.

3 years later the writers got tired of "man" beast and wanted ole Blue back so here's how the story went; Beast was touched by Pestilence in a battle which made him slowly stronger but dumber over time. SO dumb to the point where he's crying like a child because he doesn't know what to do when there's a bad guy around. (seriously) But THEN another evil mutant kisses him, it mutates his body back to his original form. I'm not joking. That's the story of how it went down in a nut shell.

(2 separate issues of X-Factor, there were at least 5 more I could have taken pictures of )
Before Angel is "turned" all he does in the comic is walk around the mansion in his undies and a bathrobe. In the picture above, Cyclops should be a little worried in this scene about Warran's mental health rather than the problem at hand.

And Havoc....3 times in the comic his suit is torn EXACTLY this way where he looks like a super hero cross dresser. It's look the artist thought he was drawing a woman and at the last minute switched it to Havoc. How is this even art?! Stockings and panty wearing Havoc IS scarier to think about however so they may have been on to something here I might have just missed the point.

There's also a character called "Boom Boom"....let that sink in. She makes bombs but not in her britches.

This is also the series where Cyclops loses his son, who at first he calls "Chris" but then for some unexplained reason starts calling "Nate" I name his  (then evil) Ex-Wife picked out for the child. I can only guess the newest writer liked the name "Nate" better or just forgot the kids name since he isn't in the comic that much.

Either way he's infected with a virus and taken away to the future where they can help him. But according to the time traveler their son can never come back. They don't explain why. They'd already met Cable at this point so I guess at the time the writers had no clue about making him Cyclops son, that came later. But still....kinda hard to fit in the continuity if it weren't a comic!

My favorite part is when Professor X returns AND CAN WALK! No more handicapping it for that guy! But again, after an adventure and "unknown circumstances" that none of the X-men can explain, Xavier if left paralyzed....only because the writers couldn't think of a better reason to stick him back in the chair. (sigh)

And while the art looks great, the story arcs, REALLY suffer. But that's just the first 70 issues, what'll you hear about the rest....

Wednesday, April 04, 2018

Welcome to the most Dangerous City in the world!

Monroe just got voted the Danger Capitol of the US and boy are we "Proud"

We have a Mayor who purposely instructed our Police Chief to release "voters" from jail so that they could vote in elections. Our Police Chief stepped down, (we still don't have a new one) and the Mayor just gave the Key to the City to a hate monger.

Winning.

Maybe he can declare a "Purge" that happens once a year, where no rules apply and it's everyone out for themselves.....that would be fun. We could put it on our brochure!

Tuesday, April 03, 2018

D.A.R.Y.L.

It's been years since I've watched this movie from the 80's so when I saw it playing on Starz I decided to give it a go.

The movie is about the kid, who's really a robot and how he tries to fit in to everyday life. A scientist steals him away from the lab and drops him off in the woods right before he's killed.

Daryl, eventually gets adopted by a family, where he stays a few....days? Weeks? (the movie's not clear how much time has passed) And learns what it means to be a kid.

While the first half of the movie pulls your interest it's the last part that reminded me why this never became an 80's classic.

The scientist get Daryl, take him back to the lab to run test. Daryl doesn't seem to mind this though earlier he claimed to have no idea where he was from. It then goes in to a silly arc, where Daryl pilots a jet to get away (that's right, a jet) crashes near his old neighborhood and makes it back to the family....the end.

What happened to the scientists who were perusing him?! The family knows they can't keep him, what do they think's going to happen when he's found at their house once again? Sadly, the movie doesn't bother with making sense and hopes you'll forget it in lieu of a happy ending.

I'm glad I saw this again to remind others not to bother watching it. Or at least to turn it off at the halfway point.