July Movie Preivew

 Yep. This is one I look forward to seeing. Loved the first one. Totally shocked at how good it was. Interested to see where they take the story from there.

 PASS. None of these "live" Disney movies appeal to me at all.

 I never watched her cartoon growing up but this movie looks HILARIOUS! I won't watch it but bravo for making it a parody of the cartoon it's based off of.

Yep, another winner. Tarentino hasn't dissappointed lately. In fact, his movies tend to get better as he ages. Very interested to see this one as well.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below!

The Secret Garden Movie (review)

Back in the 90's we would rent this movie from the library from time to time. I remember loving the book and thinking the movie was ok. So when Megan told me the same thing about her childhood memories of the movie we decided to watch it again.

Not that good. The cinematography is nice, the acting is ok but the story is slow and drawn out. If you're like me and have fond memories of the film, don't take another look at this one, it'll ruin those memories for good. 

Cold Pursuit (Review)

This one has been on my bucket list to watch ever since it came out. Megan loves Liam Nieson but for some reason wasn't motivated enough to watch it in theaters so we had to wait until it came out to rent.

Very good movie, in line with the rest of his revenge films yet I felt this one had some nuanced humor through out the movie after each death scene where they'd give the name of the person who died and a symbol of their religion.

The ending was quirky yet I loved it as well. It has the story arc of a Tarentino film without the excellent dialogue. Can't believe Neison continues to make solid films like this at 60!

Good stuff and well worth your time if you're looking for something to check out at Redbox one evening.

Firefly: The Magnificent Nine

Last month I finished the 2nd Firefly novel and it was just as good as the last one. I don't know how they do it with 2 different authors but each one read just like an episode on TV! The characters were spot on, the story line was engaging and from start to finish it was just a joy to read!

This one (like the last one and I'm sure the one coming out at the end of the year) takes place after the last episode of the series but before the movie, since they want to write all the characters in it.

Really fun book, well worth my time!

Walking Dead: Return to Woodbury

Finished what I think is the final novel in the series. I say that because it's been 2 years since this came out and there's been no announcement for any further books.

Overall, the book wasn't bad. Probably the best in the series. Lilly isn't in it as much (which is a good thing because he character is so awful)

Once again her decisions are bad ones and never make any sense. It's start off with everyone safe and sound living in an Ikea, which made for an extremely interesting story set up. Unfortunately it only takes one chapter for Lilly to decide she wants to go back to the burned down and abandoned town of Woodbury. Why?

Because that's where all her friends died? Because that's where she went through hell living with the Governor? Nope! Because she has "good memories" about the place and considers it home.

I home where her boyfriend, her child and everyone close to her were killed.....yep, that makes sense.

Along the way she convinces a few others to leave the safety of Ikea and go with her.

The story almost justified itself at the end but ended as pointless as a fart in the woods with no one around.

They did finally reveal that these adventures take place in the comic world and not TV show. That was nice. For the Walking Dead fan, these aren't bad to read, but the comics are way better. If this was the last book in the series, I'm not too sad.  

A face you can't say "No" to

Best board games that begin with Z

Of course it ends in this. The game that started the entire hobby for me. Though not played as much these days it'll always have a special place in my heart. And at this point, no other zombies game has interested me, so for a genre that's pretty popular with board games, that's saying a lot!

Have a great weekend folks!

Best board games that begin with Y

A new addition to my collection and the game that spawned the idea to make these posts! After I bought it, I realized it was the only game in my collection that began with a Y. So I thought to myself if I could make a post for each letter in the alphabet and here we are today!

This game is great. Really want to play it with more players because it's dice drafting meets area control and it's super fun! Pretty cheap to get online as well.

Best board games that begin with X

Not many game in my collection that begin with X. In fact it was between this and my other X-men game in my collection and this one won out. Over the past few years I've come to appreciate it more and more however because it is a pretty fun game.

I originally got it because I guy in my gaming group told me about how he played it growing up. I bought it and surprised him one night by showing it off on the shelf.....we've never played it together.

Ha! Guess he wanted to keep those child hood memories to himself.

It's ok, because my Nephews and I have a blast when playing it so that's all that matters.

Best board games that begin with W

Not only do I love worker placement games but that the theme matches the title is hilarious! Sure the artwork isn't the best but I have enjoyed this game so much over the years, I only hope one day I can play it with the crazy amount of 8 players it allows! (with the expansion)

Really underrated game.

Best board games that begin with V

Again, this one was a no-brainer. LOVE this game. It never gets old. I just got an expansion for it as well this year and it's so much fun to play with. Every expansion makes the games that much better! Flawless worker placement game and I don't even drink wine!

1st Father's Day

Celebrating my 1st Father's Day and Megan showed me these pics of the girls compared to our baby pics. Megan looks like Meridian and Piper looks like me.

Pretty good match if you ask me.

Best board game that begin with U

Another new game recently added to my collection this year and it's so sweet! Someone in my gaming group called it "Ticket to Ride without the Trains" There a little bit of truth in that but I don't like Ticket to Ride because you can get locked out of route quick and totally ruin your game whereas in this game you have plenty of options to pursue if one doesn't pan out.

Another good game from Mayfair!

Best board game that begin with T

Was there a question I wouldn't pick this as my T?

The epic game sadly won't get as many plays this year as it has in the past and that's mainly because of the twins but I will continue to play it at least once a year and revel in the moment when I do. Such a lovely game. I love 4th edition but 3rd is the one my gaming group wants next time so I'm happy to bow to their demands since I love a lot of the expansions in 3rd edition.

Epic game.

Best board game that begin with S

I have a lot of games in my collection that begin with S but I didn't consider a single one of them over this. My nephews favorite game to play as well as one of mine. This game has it all!

Making deals with other players to accomplish schemes, bidding and then finally fighting/betting in the arena. Even though you might not have a gladiator in the battle you're still on the edge of your seat, waiting to see if you're bet paid off. You may even have some cards to play when thing do (or don't) go your way.

Exciting from start to finish. Uh-mazing game!

Best board game that begin with R

A newer game added to my collection this year, I love it more and more each time I play it. It's a train theme, something I've been looking for to put in my collection for a while and it's worker placement, which is one of my favorite board game mechanics!

The expansions to this game are great too and I really hope this gets a reprint for more folks to explore the greatness of this game!

Best board game that begin with Q

Fantastic game that uses your own personal rondel, I found this at a bargain online at Amazon and have definitely gotten my money's worth out of it since.

Queen Games is one of my favorite publishers and they never cease to amaze me with the vast quality of games they produce. Whenever I see the "Q" logo I'm automatically interested in the game!

Best board game that begin with P

I've loved this game since it first came out. And even though it dropped out of my Top 10 this year I expect it to rocket back in when the newest Kickstarter edition arrives at the end of the year. This is the one Coop game that my entire group LOVES playing. Fast paced, real time action as you move around the board fighting as many aliens as you can while trying to achieve a common goal.

I've lost on the first round and barely won on the 8th. There's no telling what's going to happen every time you play. Superb game!

Best board game that begin with O

This one was an easy pick. This bag building game is such a joy to play. My only complaint is that I haven't played it enough! Some of the expansions I'm afraid will never see the light of day because my team hates Coop games and I'll never play it solo. But some of the other expansions have been put into it from time to time, making for another enjoyable experience.

Best board game that begin with N

I've recently acquired another good board game beginning in a N but I think this one is still my favorite (for now) Moving up and down the river with clear disks that push your canoe down the river while trying to collect gems is great. The more players you have, the crazier it becomes.

Such a fun game that I never play without the expansion.

Best board game that begins with M

Uwe Rosenburg squeezes by on this list (barely) over a few other games. But I love this pick up and deliver game with a clever mechanic that when every move you make impacts (and most times) helps other players. Really cool game and my favorite one from this designer.

Proud Mom and Dad

More pic of my pretty girls

My Pretty Girls

Party!

 Went to a wedding tonight. I was the MC for the reception. My nephew and I took some photos at the photo booth.

Have to admit, it was one of the better parties I'd been at in a while. Fun times!