3 Member's Mark Products better than anything else!

 OK, time to do the same thing but with Sam's Club Products!

Megan and I both consider this the high bar for baby formula. Our kids have thrived on it and had ZERO issues over it. The only thing to come close is another top shelf brand that cost 4 times as much!

I've bought these every two weeks for the past month.....and I'm buying another one later this week. REALLY good and better than the brand name I tried a month earlier. 

I doubt get these as much as I'd like to due to cost, but they are above and beyond anything else on the market and yes, I can tell the difference. 

3 Great Value Products better than any other

 We get the store brands a lot of time because it's cheaper and there's not much difference than the name brand. 

But there are 3 things I LOVE from Great Value. Here they are:

Better than Chef Boy-R-Dee by a long shot. I'll still grab a can every now and then to this day. 

Crispy cookie sides and smooth ice cream middle. I tried Fat Boy's before this and was shocked to discover Great Value tastes the best!

Sadly I'm not the only one who knows how good these are. BETTER than Funyuns these RARELY are found in stores and are often sold out online. SO GOOD! I always buy them out whenever I see them in stock...which I haven't seen this year. 

My80sTv.com

 My brother showed this to me a few weeks ago. It's a website where you literally watch TV exclusively in the year of that decade you select. 

Aaaand, they have it for the 60's 70's 90's and 2000's 

You can even select what you'd like to see, sports, commercials, movies, Tv shows, music videos etc.

Prettying interesting stuff if you make the time to visit the site. I recommend it. 

Prey (Review)

 How this gem escaped my notice until its release date I'll never know. But a prequel to Predator was long overdue. 

This movie doesn't hold a candle to the original but is better than both "AvP" movies and the latest installment to the series "The Predator"

I dug the way the technology for the Predator was different and I'd be interested in seeing more period pieces such as this for the series, since I don't think they can come up with anything new for sequel installments. 

Definitely worth the watch! 

Minions: The Rise of Gru (Review)

 Yes, I'm a "Despicable Me" fan so I'll watch anything that comes out of the series. 

And though the story plot is simple, it's an enjoying movie with a few laughs. My girls LOVED it so it's surely a family film. 

I know this started the "Gentlemen" movie trend where youngsters are dressing up, suit and tie to go see the movie and I don't mind that at all. 

The movie's a solid win with families and all ages. It's never going to win "Movie of the Year" but it beats a lot of films I've seen already. 

The Americans (review)

 While looking for another FX show to binge I kept seeing this one pop up with all the critics. It's the story of 2 Russian spies who live in America during the 80's.

Intrigued by the idea and never seeing an FX show I didn't like, I decided to give it a try. 

It's so-so. 

The series has a lot of interesting ideas but struggles to balance their characters out. Some story arcs of totally forgotten about and dropped completely like the writers just got tired of where the story was going and instead of figuring out a way to wrap things up, just abandoned it completely. 

Sad to see so much potential squandered away on a show I would never recommend but bemoan the dismal disregard to a story which could have been epic. 

Firefly: What Makes Us Mighty

 So far so good for this series.

MK England is a new writer for the franchise but appears to be a pretty big fan. She writes the characters well and the whole adventure feels like it could've been an episode of the show. 

2 minor things I didn't like, a forced romance between two supporting characters that made no sense but was only used to check that "diversity" checkbox and a character who refers to themselves as "they" and "them" which led to a lot of confusion and silliness. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I still believe James Hargrove is the best author to ever grace the series but I look forward to reading the newest one due out next April. 

Ghost Energy Drinks Ranked

 My sister in law got me to try a new energy drink this summer and being a "completist" I had to try all the different flavors they had. 

So today I wanted to rank them from worst to best!

8) I love sour but I HATE watermelon and this had too much watermelon flavor and not enough sour so it's last place. 

7) The only thing I hated less than Sour Watermelon was Orange Cream. Some will like this because it taste like the frozen treat. The only problem with this is....I hated the frozen treat. 

6) Ok, this one didn't suck...but it just tasted like Mountain Dew. No kidding. The made a drink that taste like the cola....why? It's not bad but not special either. 

5) Man, this is another that failed to impress. More strawberry than bubble gum and I think that's why it ranks in the bottom half. But flip those flavors around and I think this makes it much higher on my list. 

4) Wow. I can't believe this one tasted so good. I'm not a fan of the candy but as a drink it was pretty good!

3) Needs more sour. It's basically just raspberry, which isn't bad. But it's missing the sour. If it had that, it'd be a clear #1

2) The last flavor I was able to try and WOW was a impressed! What can I say? I'm a mango loving guy!

1) The very first flavor I tried and THE BEST one by far. Taste like your eating Sour Patch Kids. DELICIOUS! 

While I'm still a BANG fan, this is the only flavor I would get over a Bang. 

That being said, since you can't get these in bulk cheap (unlike Bang's) I'm going to stick with my regular energy drinks. But still....these weren't bad. You could do far worse in the energy drink market I'll tell you that!

Goodbye Geek Market

 I've bought many 2nd hand games from here in the past and now that it's closing next month I'm going to miss it. 

Sure there will be some form of buying and selling but it won't be as reliable and I'm unsure if I'll use it or not. Ebay is OVERPRICED to the max these days so I never use them anymore. 

This was the best way to get out of print games for a good deal too. Don't know what I'm going to do now. 

I thought about buying one last game before the deadline but there really isn't anything I want right now and I don't want to make an impulse buy, so I guess this is goodbye until a suitable replacement comes around. 

Some days you just wanna be like Joe Cool

Facing Nolan

 Saw this documentary last month and have to say it's fantastic. If you love baseball, it's for you. And even if you don't, the story is so captivating I STILL think it's for you. 

All the highlight footage and topics you'd want to hear about when it comes to Nolan Ryan. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Done with Grey Fox Games

 I'm done with this company. 

They've done nothing but lie and mistreat their backers since day 1. It's too late to cancel my pledges but these 2 games (IF they ever come in) will be the LAST games I purchase from the company. 

Awful, deceitful people. who's company I hope goes under. 

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight

 I love the movies but everything outside of them has fallen a little flat. 

This is no exception. 

They got Jack Black back which was good. He brings energy and humor to the role.... but it isn't enough to save this drab story, that doesn't end. The twist? They're preparing to leave China on the hunt to pursue the villain....oh boy. 

I think it's time for this franchise to end. At this moment they're creatively bankrupt and have no new ideas for the characters it appears. 

Not worth your time....and not worth mine either. 

One of the worst cereals (for everyeone)

 I called it. 

At the start of our beach vacation I saw all the boxes of cereal and told everyone that the Fruit Loops would be the last to go. Everyone disagreed. 

Fast forward to today....the Fruit Loops are left and nothing else remains. 

Now we seek alternatives for breakfast instead of cereal. in fact, I'm doubtful the fruit loops will be eaten before we leave. 

Still the worst cereal out there. Don't know how it still is around in retail stores. 

Return to Mayberry (review)

 In 1986 the cast reunited for a TV movie that gives a proper "ending" to the series. 

I remember watching this as a kid with Mom but only remembered a few scenes. Now that I've watched the entire series I can give my complete thoughts on it as a whole. 

It's.....weird. There's no laugh track but the jokes are still there....just no one's laughing. 

And it's weird to see that only after 15 years how fast these actors aged. Andy was last seen on season 2 of RFD which would've been 16 years ago and he looks more like Matlock than the Sheriff of Mayberry. 

Oddly enough, that's exactly where Andy Griffith went after this movie which is why they didn't do any more even though this was a record breaking TV event at the time. 

It was also Ron Howard's last acting bit since he was already well into his directing career at this point. 

Basically the plot is Barney is running for Sheriff and Andy was too but when he discovers Barney is, he decides not to. 

Meanwhile Earnest T Bass (with the help of the Darlings) is in cohoots with a young business owner in town to make up a myth about a "Mayberry Monster" in the local lake in an attempt to drive up tourism. 

While Barney falls for it, Andy isn't fooled and quickly uncovers the plot, yet giving Barney all the credit to ensure he gets elected Sheriff. 

Aunt Bee is said to have died but the actress was still alive at the time, she just declined the opportunity to come back. 

3 people left out of the reunion were Millie and Sam from RFD, though it's understandable I wish they would've given them at least a scene in the movie. Perhaps future plans movies would've done this. The same with Gomer's Sergeant, though I know that was a different spin off. Still would've been nice to have seen them.

Emmett and Floyd had sadly passed away well before this aired so that's why they are absent. I'm sure both would've been included if they were alive. 

Overall, fun to see everyone. Barney marries Thelma Lou (giving fans what they always wanted) and the show is given the best ending they could think of.

Ready to move on to my next series...which is a lot shorter and I'll finish in time for tomorrow for a review!   

Mayberry RFD (Revew)

 Finished the 3 season spin off of the Andy Griffith show that the average fan knows nothing about!

Howard gets to shine in the series, Emmitt (who only was in the last season of the Andy Griffith Show) also has his character further developed in the series. 

The stars Sam and Millie are very bland and are constantly being outshined by their co-stars like the veteran actor Goober. 

Aunt Bee hangs around for the first 2 seasons but finally decided to retire by the 3rd season, so she was written out of the show for Alice Cooper (not the singer) who comes in as Sam's cousin. 

The show isn't bad. It keeps the Mayberry laid back way of living in stride while acknowledging the changing of the times as they moved into the 70's. Hair and dress styles changed as did guests on the show. (more hippies) But I applaud the series for not being stuck in the past and willing to open up to the changing world around them. 

Sadly, this never got a proper ending OR recognition in the Return to Mayberry movie....which I will discuss next time. 

For a Mayberry fan, it's worth a watch though. 

Screamers (Re-Watch)

 Want to see Peter Welling in a movie BETTER than Robocop? (you heard me)

Well look no further than this forgotten 90's movie which is SO good it's criminal how people don't even know about it. (I blame the fall of Blockbuster and video rental chains)

This movie has suspense, mystery and several twists. The only drawback is that darn 90's special effects. 

10 year later in the late 2000's they'd make a "sequel" which was really a soft re-boot which mentions the original film but carries the EXACT same story line. I wouldn't bother with that one because nothing beats the original. 

If you haven't seen it, do. It's worth your time. 

Have a good weekend folks!

Gen Con joke

 It appears now there was a slight COVID outbreak at the convention even with there vaccine mandates and mask requirements, proving once again that these methods are ineffective.

Its funny because even the fools who approve the strict methods and STILL got covid are defending those restrictions and refuse to acknowledge the ineffectiveness of it all. 

Willful blindness to the facts when they are stacked against them. 

Hilarious. 

Cube (Re-Watch)

 Another forgotten film of the 90's a decided to see last month and it delivered as well. Strong story of a group of individuals from different backgrounds, which find themselves in a maze of rooms, all identical to each other. They then work together to determine a way out. 

The CGI is 90's bad and the acting could use a little work at times but for how the story keeps you engaged, it's easy to forgive those slight grievances of the film. 

It's just too bad the sequel and prequel to both of these sucked. I'd really like to hear more about this world but the original one is the only one worth seeing. 

Way of the Gun (Re-Watch)

 Got a chance to finally re-watch this movie and....it's great, if not perfect.

Truly an underrated masterpiece of story telling and acting. A shame this hasn't received "cult classic" status!

It centers around 2 men who get the idea to kidnap a pregnant woman as they're sitting at a sperm donation center.....yep. 

The movie is smart and has a twist so good that when you watch it a 2nd time, you'll kick yourself for not seeing it earlier since the movie gives big hints throughout. 

Worth seeing if you never have before and surely worth seeing again if you haven't in a while! 

Kit Kat Blueberry

 Yes it's a thing and Megan actually got me one a month ago to try out. 

I love me some blueberry but this is just...weird. It's not bad and its exactly what you'd expect. But is it needed? I'm not so sure about that. 

In this case, I'd rather have the real thing!

But if it's still around, it's worth trying if you're curious. 

Gen Don't

 What a disappointing year for the con. Not a single big announcement to keep the industry buzzing for the next few weeks. A complete dud. 

And for a company that claim to care about "autonomy over our bodies" they didn't mind it when they enforced people to be vaccinated in order to attend. 

Hypocrites. 

Getting COVID there's a 0.03% chance someone will die. 

Getting an abortion, there's 100% chance someone will die.  

Gomer Pyle USMC (review)

 I'd seen a few episodes of the show here and there over the years but never watched it in its entirety before now. 

It holds more continuity than the Andy Griffith show did but it runs the problem of ripping off the SAME story from previous episodes of the show and Andy Griffith Show. (beat for beat at times)

The finale is the classic "best of" memories show you'd expect back then before re-runs were a big deal. 

Overall the series is a step down from Andy Griffith but still had it's fun moments. I'm going to miss it as I head into Mayberry RFD.  

Andy Griffith Show (review)

 Finally sat through all 8 seasons for the first time ever. And though it's nor as funny as the Dick Van Dyke show or I Love Lucy, it does have a home town feeling that made it worth seeing. I've rarely seen the colored seasons (the last 3) which I was shocked was used for so many seasons. 

Overall, worth my time. Though the finale was only a pilot for the spin off series Mayberry RFD, whic was disappointing. 

Beavis and Butthead Do the Universe (Review)

 Literally found out about this a week before it came out, finally got to see it last month. 

Awesome. 

They don't change the characters, the humor doesn't feel dated and I found myself laughing just as much as I did the first time I ever saw them as a college kid. 

SO WORTH watching if you were a fan of theirs back in the day. 

STILL not for kids though. 

Beyond Impossible (Review)

 Saw this about how Vegan's lie about their diet and why it's not "the best" diet to be on. 

The movie isn't condemning those who wish to eat just veggies but calling them out when they lie about it being the most responsible way for the world to eat. 

Starring a lot of dieticians the documentary is very informative and worth giving a watch if you're interested.  

Pepsi Nitro (review)

 Finally tried it a month ago....it's like drinking the bottom of a melted Icee. 

Really. That's it. $2 for that. 

Thought I'd try it because it appeared to be a good idea, but instead it was a dud. 

PASS. 

Wish I could've gotten my hands on that Cracker Jack Pepsi instead!

Weexer (summer album)

 Although this came out 7 weeks ago, I just realized I never gave my thoughts on it, so here we go. 

As you know, Weezer's coming out with 4 albums this year, one for each season and in late June "Summer" dropped. 

Like "Spring" it feels more or less a "b side" track album that has a few nice tunes but over all, nothing that catches your attention. 

That being said, I still enjoyed it and have listened to it a few times now. Not a Top Ten album but with Weezer's discography that's not a bad thing really. 

Worth a listen to if you're interested. 

Looking forward to fall, coming out next month!