tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24377879809235592112024-03-15T21:10:31.027-04:00Caution: Idiot At PlayDo you like sports, fashion, religion or politics? Then boy, are you in the wrong place! Here at Caution: Idiot At Play, you'll find a lot of awesome art, toys, cosplay, and many things from the world of the geek. Enjoy!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-1742482586083181432016-09-26T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-26T07:00:14.768-04:00What's In The Box? episode 16: September Dino Drac FunpackDespite what the Big Christmas lobbyists would have you believe, it's Halloween that is truly the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year". With all of the pumpkin spice and caramel apple deliciousness that comes out of the woodwork, every October we also get an influx of horror- and monster-themed goodies.<br />
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Not unsurprising, one of the biggest proponents of Halloween is <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/">Dinosaur Dracula</a>. And even though it's still only September, the recent Funpack whets its subscriber's appetites for what to expect during the actual Halloween month. So, let's take a look at what we got!</div>
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How about some pictures?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2m6_oa2vyU/V-f6Qi1xx1I/AAAAAAAAgPw/uLemmrFhVZce0QtbePQFUQd3jdChtQ7_ACLcB/s1600/poster%2Bstickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2m6_oa2vyU/V-f6Qi1xx1I/AAAAAAAAgPw/uLemmrFhVZce0QtbePQFUQd3jdChtQ7_ACLcB/s320/poster%2Bstickers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three stickers. I feel so special.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6euTOZ3220/V-f6QdT7rsI/AAAAAAAAgPk/gPWb6dY5qjon-uYWkc2yPlQcYx4ZQEjMgCLcB/s1600/Halloween%2Bsnacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6euTOZ3220/V-f6QdT7rsI/AAAAAAAAgPk/gPWb6dY5qjon-uYWkc2yPlQcYx4ZQEjMgCLcB/s320/Halloween%2Bsnacks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is my cat acting as the backdrop. He refused to move.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9723FH_1KM/V-f6Qki5f0I/AAAAAAAAgPo/25rgiMKsRDM2WIfM9__jVqFsFJhrE_DGQCLcB/s1600/La%2BMuerte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9723FH_1KM/V-f6Qki5f0I/AAAAAAAAgPo/25rgiMKsRDM2WIfM9__jVqFsFJhrE_DGQCLcB/s320/La%2BMuerte.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy is seriously amazing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvzKlHI-6Qs/V-f6QeMFxII/AAAAAAAAgPg/xMv05McreVoWV_O888fRQMMs46XkaQkkQCLcB/s1600/Eerie%2BOrb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvzKlHI-6Qs/V-f6QeMFxII/AAAAAAAAgPg/xMv05McreVoWV_O888fRQMMs46XkaQkkQCLcB/s320/Eerie%2BOrb.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a weird addition to my collection of stuff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_LudJz5e7I/V-f6QqlUrDI/AAAAAAAAgPs/Q7ZjEr064ccABe59glht26c-SGw9tvmnQCLcB/s1600/film%2Bcell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_LudJz5e7I/V-f6QqlUrDI/AAAAAAAAgPs/Q7ZjEr064ccABe59glht26c-SGw9tvmnQCLcB/s320/film%2Bcell.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">35mm film. 4 sprocket holes per frame. Sound strip. I love this stuff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqJIsXpban4/V-f6QSNL2uI/AAAAAAAAgPc/S2gLbssoMPUDbrMZiiaxi7sFvtAi7KIYACLcB/s1600/Film%2Bcell%2Blighted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqJIsXpban4/V-f6QSNL2uI/AAAAAAAAgPc/S2gLbssoMPUDbrMZiiaxi7sFvtAi7KIYACLcB/s320/Film%2Bcell%2Blighted.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It always creeped me out that Annie Camden had a connection to Chucky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV2HGG0iqTE/V-f6RGdcd3I/AAAAAAAAgP4/RamE1-mbGKgWPoVQSLhi_O2oENI3gBO7QCLcB/s1600/trading%2Bcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV2HGG0iqTE/V-f6RGdcd3I/AAAAAAAAgP4/RamE1-mbGKgWPoVQSLhi_O2oENI3gBO7QCLcB/s320/trading%2Bcards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was way off on my "Monsters of the Gridiron" prediction.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ3_tl4Zsts/V-f6Q50RNvI/AAAAAAAAgP0/ydA8ygSnHKA4sf_CVHAwypuOGU_PO0opgCLcB/s1600/trading%2Bcard%2Btreats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ3_tl4Zsts/V-f6Q50RNvI/AAAAAAAAgP0/ydA8ygSnHKA4sf_CVHAwypuOGU_PO0opgCLcB/s320/trading%2Bcard%2Btreats.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do I give these to a few trick-or-treaters this year? Nah.</td></tr>
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So that's our pre-Halloween box from Dino Drac. If you liked what you saw, head over to <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/september-funpack-2016/">dinosaurdracula.com</a> and sign up to get it for yourself. It's on $25 shipped and you can also preview what's in the box before you buy, which isn't something a lot of subscription boxes do.<br />
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Hey, if you got a little time to kill, head over to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CautionIdiotAtPlay">YouTube channel</a> and check out the other <i>What's In The Box? </i>videos! Feel free to give a few of them a Thumbs Up and subscribe to the channel so you get all the latest videos right in your face as soon as they go live. And while you're at it, follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/">Instagram</a> and like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/">Facebook page</a>. Because we live in a social world and these are the best ways to stay on top of everything.<br />
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Thanks for checking out the video and we'll see you soon!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-50088146420696254492016-09-18T19:33:00.000-04:002016-09-18T19:33:01.259-04:00Movie Review: Blair Witch<div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I'm not a horror guy. That's actually been used as a point of criticism for me and my taste of movies. But it is true; I don't get into every horror movie out there. I do, however, consider myself a movie guy; I've seen thousands of films, studied most of them and try to look at each of them as critically and openly as I can. That said, it's time for me to take a look at the new <i>Blair Witch</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">(Also, <b>spoilers ahead</b>. While I don't give away any plot details, I may reference some specific events that some may like to discover for themselves. Just...consider yourself warned.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Filmed under the code title <i>The Woods</i>, <i>Blair Witch</i> is a true sequel to the smash 1999 indie film, <i>The Blair Witch Project</i>. It follows James, a college student/paramedic, as he travels into the the woods in search of his sister, Heather, the main character from <i>BWP</i>. His journey is also the subject of his friend Lisa's film project, which summarily adds <i>Blair Witch</i> to the pile of recent "lega-sequels", movies that connect to a popular film franchise but act more as a reboot than a sequel (see also: <i>Star Wars: The Force Awakens </i>and <i>Jurassic World</i>). <i>Blair Witch</i> is also filmed in the same found-footage style that <i>Blair Witch Project</i> popularized right before the turn of the century. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I do have to say that I liked how director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett tie the latest film to the original. The hook of a brother searching for his missing sister was at least believable. It also added something fresh to the script, instead of simply completely rehashing the plot of the first film. Instead, they only partially rehashed it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">That said, they took quite a few loyalties with the way the movie was filmed. <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> was unique in the sense that it was filmed with two cameras: a black-and-white film camera and a color DV. However, the cast of <i>Blair Witch</i> seem to have every sort of micro-digital camcorder under the sun at their disposal, as well as three extra people to help film (James' lifelong friend, Peter, and his girlfriend, Ashley, accompany them into the woods, as well as local backwater couple, Lane and Talia). So while the cast of <i>BWP</i> were limited in the footage that they could take, <i>BW</i> is able to get every angle possible, including aerials from a goddamn drone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So, in essence, </span><i style="font-size: 14px;">Blair Witch</i><span style="font-size: 14px;"> was shot as if it were a big budget film yet it still suffers from a lack of continuity. During a pivotal scene in which James attempts to calm Lisa, they stare into each other's eyes...by looking directly at the camera. Each of them are wearing ear-mounted micro-cameras, meaning if their faces were inches away from each other as they appear to be, their gazes should be right or left of center. Instead, they stare directly at the audience as they mug for the camera. For whose benefit is that? Was Wingard trying to show a sincere exchange between two characters or is he trying to get the audience to connect with the characters? If the latter, it failed miserably.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Another quibble I have happens at the end of the movie between the same characters wearing the same ear-mounted cameras. In the pouring rain, in which we get full, clear shots of both of them while Lisa's ears are completely shrouded in her hair. Am I being pedantic when I point this out? Perhaps, but these are details that shouldn't slip through the cracks in a Hollywood-backed film with a $5 million budget. Just call me picky.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">But let me get to an actual critique of the movie itself. </span></span><span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">While <i>BWP </i>played with the fears of nature and the unknown, allowing audience's minds to run wild with their own explanation of events, <i>Blair Witch</i> hits almost every possible phobia it can. Fear of eternal darkness? Check. Fear of bugs? Check. Claustrophobia and fear of being buried alive? Check and check. Even voodoo gets a nod (though I have to admit I did appreciate the way that was handled). On top of that, it relies heavily on horror movie tropes; characters act as you'd expect them to in any other slasher-horror film. Even the aforementioned camera drone became a plot device when the time came for it. It was clear that the filmmakers held strongly to the cinematic ideal of Chekov's Gun, using items they've introduced as a way to keep the plot moving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The only problem is they're making a horror movie that supposedly grounded in reality and that's not how reality works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Yes, I understand that it's a movie and that movies aren't real. However, the success of the <i>Blair Witch Project</i> was mostly due to the viral marketing that surrounded it. The supplemental websites that spouted "newspaper" articles about the disappearance of the college kids supported the belief that the film was a true documentary. All of that helped to launch <i>BWP</i> to the success it attained. And not once did the movie feel like it needed to utilize every object shown on screen. (Could you imagine what they'd have done with that bag of Utz potato chips?) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">And this was one of the major pratfalls of <i>Blair Witch</i>; it relied on formula, whether it was the horror movie tropes or common filmmaking beliefs. In general, I'm OK with formulaic. There's a reason a formula becomes a formula; because they tend to work. But when you hitch a wagon to a movie like <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> and create a sequel that boils down to "if <i>BWP</i> were a slasher flick", then of course you're going to alienate some fans.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: 14px;">But</i><span style="font-size: 14px;"> that doesn't mean I'd consider </span><i style="font-size: 14px;">Blair Witch </i><span style="font-size: 14px;">to be a bad movie. While it does falter in many places, it was genuinely creepy. Early on, the movie relies on jump-scares, probably as a way to acclimate the audience to what's to come. (Not at all a defense; </span></span><span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Wingard get points deducted for taking the</span><span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> lazy-man's way of getting a reaction.) But after we get past those, there was a definite aura of freakishness throughout the film that had my anxiety on high-alert. Even the moments that were telegraphed in large, neon letters managed to keep my pulse racing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Despite the few slips and falls <i>Blair Witch</i> takes as a whole, it is a scary film, in and of itself. I would think higher of the film if it remained <i>The Woods</i> and didn't continue the sage of <i>The Blair Witch Project</i>. But even <i>BWP</i> was slightly polarizing back in 1999; you either loved the movie for what it was or you hated it for what it wasn't. There were very few in-between opinions of that film. And I feel that that's what makes <i>Blair Witch</i> important. Finally, after 17 years, the people who hated <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> because it wasn't more visceral have a movie that appeals to them better. And I'm OK with that. I may be in the camp that loved <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> but I also enjoyed <i>Blair Witch</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">But then again, I'm not a horror guy.</span></span></div>
Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-48810997027400577862016-09-12T08:00:00.000-04:002016-09-12T08:00:14.681-04:00What's In The Box? episode 15: Women of DC from Legion of CollectorsGetting the <i><a href="https://legionofcollectors.com/" target="_blank">Legion of Collectors</a></i> was a fluke. I've always been more of a Marvel guy, hence why ordering the <i><a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/search/label/Marvel%20Collector%20Corps" target="_blank">Marvel Collector Corps</a></i> box was a no-brainer. But it wasn't until <i>Legion </i>unveiled their DC TV box a few months ago that I decided to jump on board, mostly in the hopes of getting something Melissa Benoist/<i>Supergirl</i> related (which luckily came through). I had only intended to get the one but then they started to announce the following boxes, like the <i><a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/08/movie-review-suicide-squad.html" target="_blank">Suicide Squad</a></i> in July. I intended to cancel after that but based on the title of this post, clearly that didn't happen.<br />
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That's because the theme for September is <i>Women of DC</i>. Imagine what it could have contained with all of the amazing DC heroines available: Wonder Woman. Batgirl. Supergirl. So many possibilities that I couldn't let pass by.<br />
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So what was in the box, you ask? Just hit Play below and find out!<br />
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How 'bout some close-ups?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QE7RaWejHg/V9X4dl1e7nI/AAAAAAAAf58/s2e1dnmOJsYswVVR2jjsZX8GTkyFXzvCQCLcB/s1600/Patch%2B%2526%2BPin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QE7RaWejHg/V9X4dl1e7nI/AAAAAAAAf58/s2e1dnmOJsYswVVR2jjsZX8GTkyFXzvCQCLcB/s320/Patch%2B%2526%2BPin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that patch. So simple yet so iconic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtsW4pzfEKU/V9X4d26-uAI/AAAAAAAAf6I/EOS6bp3OBrQidepn0IvWfE9vi8q_-KKggCLcB/s1600/t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtsW4pzfEKU/V9X4d26-uAI/AAAAAAAAf6I/EOS6bp3OBrQidepn0IvWfE9vi8q_-KKggCLcB/s320/t-shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a shame there was so little Supergirl representation in this box.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyKh5IXl8rc/V9X4d2gz7aI/AAAAAAAAf6E/_pEUnPi4xmQqEocWjtR1uKheiD9Es1uCgCLcB/s1600/comic%2Bbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyKh5IXl8rc/V9X4d2gz7aI/AAAAAAAAf6E/_pEUnPi4xmQqEocWjtR1uKheiD9Es1uCgCLcB/s320/comic%2Bbook.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classic issue. A not so classic cover. (Still cool.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8nMoDnxFMg/V9X4dhHronI/AAAAAAAAf6A/BXpOs9_SLDoWeYYFj0A4eq8ouoEts3ngQCLcB/s1600/Pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8nMoDnxFMg/V9X4dhHronI/AAAAAAAAf6A/BXpOs9_SLDoWeYYFj0A4eq8ouoEts3ngQCLcB/s320/Pop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could have been better but I like the character so I'm not gonna bitch. Too much.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_od6S_Vtfns/V9X4dtPUJKI/AAAAAAAAf54/4EWJW8Gc0OkgmusppO2azI7ZZwSli0SBwCLcB/s1600/Invisible%2BJet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_od6S_Vtfns/V9X4dtPUJKI/AAAAAAAAf54/4EWJW8Gc0OkgmusppO2azI7ZZwSli0SBwCLcB/s320/Invisible%2BJet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now <i>this</i> is one of the coolest things I've seen in Legion of Collectors.</td></tr>
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The Legion of Collectors box ships every two months and runs $25 plus shipping. If you want it for yourself (keep in mind, next month's theme is "Batman Villains" so it's perfect for all you Batmanophiles) <a href="https://legionofcollectors.com/" target="_blank">head over to their site</a> and sign up.<br />
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And as always, thanks for checking out <i>What's In The Box?</i> If you dug the video, make sure you give it a Thumbs Up. Most of my videos could use a few likes and I'm not above asking for them. Also, make sure to subscribe to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CautionIdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a> for more videos just like this one. Plus, you can follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and you may as well like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for good measure.<br />
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Thanks again and see you next time!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-27629429439770756502016-09-11T08:24:00.001-04:002016-09-11T08:24:51.070-04:00Goin' 'Wayback' with the GhostbustersWas that title a little on the nose? I feel like it was. But whatever, I just want to get into writing this. Ever since <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/ghostbusters-wayback-burger/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Dracula</a> foretold of his adventures to try the new "Ghostbustin' Burger" at Wayback Burgers, I'd been dying to get one for myself. So I cleared my Saturday, tossed The Nerdy Pumpkin into the car and took the 40 minute drive to the closest (only?) Wayback Burgers near me in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WaybackBurgersLittleFerry/" target="_blank">Little Ferry, NJ</a>.<br />
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Just an aside: I hadn't heard of <a href="http://waybackburgers.com/" target="_blank">Wayback Burgers</a> before the Dino Drac post. Was it a nationwide chain like Johnny Rockets that made sub-par but reasonably price burgers or was it more localized, like Shake Shake or In-N-Out? Who cares? I just wanted to try it because of the <i><a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/07/movie-review-ghostbusters.html" target="_blank">Ghostbusters</a> </i>tie in. I'm easy.<br />
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So anyway, traffic was clear on the New Jersey Turnpike and we made fairly good time. Which was good because it was nearly 1 PM and I was hungry. Little did I know that'd be the last time I thought about food all day (a rare thing, mind you).<br />
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As I parked the car and rounded the building, I was met with an exciting sight...<br />
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Simplistic in its execution, the Ghostbusters logo holding the cheeseburger symbolized the great promise awaiting me. My salivation glands kicked in hardcore after that and I rushed inside to join The Nerdy Pumpkin on line.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTFedZtcZn8/V9TA1ynJz4I/AAAAAAAAf4I/BkaEly0B6csOP9z0mWSWWCtVO9CnRpUfgCLcB/s1600/03%2B-%2BTriple%2BTriple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qTFedZtcZn8/V9TA1ynJz4I/AAAAAAAAf4I/BkaEly0B6csOP9z0mWSWWCtVO9CnRpUfgCLcB/s320/03%2B-%2BTriple%2BTriple.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
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But the same logo followed me inside! This time it was joined by the largest, most delicious cheeseburger I'd ever seen. That stack of beef and cheese was to promote the "<a href="http://waybackburgers.com/promo/triple-triple-challenge/" target="_blank">Triple Triple Challenge</a>", in which the person who eats a 9-patty burger the fastest wins $3,300. (Of course, entrants have to complete <a href="http://waybackburgers.com/wp-content/themes/wayback/pdf/triple-triple-contest-waiver.pdf" target="_blank">a waiver</a> so the idea of me entering that contest can get right fucked.)</div>
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So much promo everywhere! Wayback wasn't pulling any punches when it came to advertising. Unfortunately, Wayback isn't a household name so something like this can easily go under the radar.<br />
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But I have to give them credit. As you can see, they offered 3 items as part of the <i>Ghostbusters</i> Blu-Ray promo; the Ghostbustin' Burger, Mac & Cheese Bites with Ghost Pepper sauce, and a "Stay Puft Slime" milkshake. More details on each in a moment.<br />
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But what?! There was one of those face-cutout standee things! (Do they have an official name? I've never known if they do.) Customers have the chance to put their face into the logo and post the pic to social media using #WaybackBurgers. A very modern way to spread the word.<br />
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More promo! Each of the napkin dispensers had the same image as the cash register, just without the Blu-Ray packaging. So customers who <i>didn't</i> order any of the Ghostbusters items can regret their decisions as they wait for their food to arrive. Clever!<br />
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Finally, our food came out. My burger was topped with a little, plastic spear thingie with the Ghostbusters logo holding the burger (Burger-ception?). Sadly, that little topper was the only take-home that the promotion offered. Besides the memories. And the pics I took. And quite possibly the fire-shits that <i>may</i> have been in store.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uipsGnwWhmk/V9TA2nvgfiI/AAAAAAAAf4c/oZImo7peRsQx3w6uhxKS1kC-eHGsagajACLcB/s1600/08%2B-%2BBurger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uipsGnwWhmk/V9TA2nvgfiI/AAAAAAAAf4c/oZImo7peRsQx3w6uhxKS1kC-eHGsagajACLcB/s320/08%2B-%2BBurger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In order to get this picture, I cut the burger in half and immediately licked the drippings off the knife. Within seconds, my mouth was on fire. The Ghost Pepper sauce that topped this thing was no joke. Just that one small taste made my nose run like a frigid winter day. And as you can see from that picture, that burger was slathered in that sauce. Not to mention the side of Ghost Pepper sauce to dip the Mac & Cheese bites into. What the hell did I get myself into?<br />
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Luckily, the second promo item was this beauty. The Stay Puft Slime milkshake. Vanilla ice cream flavored with toasted marshmallow and a drizzling of kiwi-lime sauce, topped with mini marshmallows. Given the amount of capsaicin settling into my tongue, the cool ice cream helped to relieve the pain in my mouth. Sadly...<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAOsQnYljXY/V9TA2mB9YLI/AAAAAAAAf4k/5N5XtkSZBP4-kTFnrJOABGnFHd7WWQirACLcB/s1600/10%2B-%2BNerdy%2BPumpkin%2BDrinks%2Bthe%2BShake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAOsQnYljXY/V9TA2mB9YLI/AAAAAAAAf4k/5N5XtkSZBP4-kTFnrJOABGnFHd7WWQirACLcB/s320/10%2B-%2BNerdy%2BPumpkin%2BDrinks%2Bthe%2BShake.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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...I had to wait for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> to finish trying the shake first. She, of course, loved it, even though my mouth had half-melted by the time I got to get a taste. After that first sip and the cooling splash of marshmallow and kiwi-lime it hosed my mouth with, I have to admit I really liked it, too. The kiwi-lime flavor was less than ideal, though, mostly because it didn't gel well with the marshmallow. But overall, the marshmallow took center-stage, as it should have.<br />
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Ah, the Mac & Cheese bites. Not an overly ambitious side as many eateries tend to have these on the menu. I was even saddened to later learn that Mac & Cheese bites are already a staple on the Wayback menu itself. So what made these so special to be 33% of the Ghostbusters promo?<br />
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The Ghost Pepper sauce. Which, as I've already learned, will set my mouth on fire. Soooo... would these be worth the time?<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebLDc9Xv9Bk/V9TA3F8Q7oI/AAAAAAAAf4w/O5fOxPQuMA4ceU7jNjNdQ9UKzFxUcafkwCLcB/s1600/13%2B-%2BMac%2Bbites%2Bup%2Bclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebLDc9Xv9Bk/V9TA3F8Q7oI/AAAAAAAAf4w/O5fOxPQuMA4ceU7jNjNdQ9UKzFxUcafkwCLcB/s320/13%2B-%2BMac%2Bbites%2Bup%2Bclose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They sure <i>look</i> good, with that golden brown deep-fried coating and gooey, orangey-yellow cheesiness on the inside, but in fairness, they were bland and unappealing. In fact, the Ghost Pepper sauce is the only thing that made these little M&C poppers worthwhile. It could have been that I'd lost all feeling in my taste buds so anything I ate would have been bland and unappealing but I don't think that was the case here. If I ever go back to Wayback Burgers (which, admittedly, is likely), I'll probably order the Irish Nachos as my side.<br />
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Time for the wrap up. As far as movie tie-in promos go, this one was a little lacking. No takehomes, besides that burger pin thingie I showed you earlier, really makes it difficult to justify long rides. Luckily Wayback was only 40 minutes from me but I've heard stories of people questioning whether they should drive 2 hours to take part in the festivities. Which I think is crazy. The food was good. But not "drive 2 hours" good. I've had food that's worth a drive equal to the average cinematic film, but Wayback is not it.<br />
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That said, if you have a Wayback nearby, I'd recommend checking it out. The burger itself was succulent and the Ghost Pepper sauce, despite melting my face, added a great flavor to the meal. The milkshake was amazing and made me wish more places had a marshmallow ice cream readily available. The Mac & Cheese bites are the only things that can go fuck themselves. It's apparent that they were the lazy addition to the promo docket and really were an embarrassment to the Ghostbusters brand.<br />
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But all in all, I have no regrets.Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-64369359848078268282016-09-02T10:29:00.002-04:002016-09-02T10:29:59.491-04:00What's In The Box? episode 14: The Bam Box - CrazyIn the immortal words of the poet <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fc67yQsPqQ" target="_blank">Seal</a>, "We're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy". The good folks over at <a href="http://www.thebambox.com/?aff=129" target="_blank">The Bam Box</a> certainly took that sentiment to heart and made it the theme of their August box. "Crazy" is chock full of items featuring some of the most mentally unstable characters in pop culture. So what did I get? Why don't you hit Play on the video below and find out?<br />
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Not into videos? I got photos for ya. (Though I could use some views on my videos. Just sayin'.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VibI07psixs/V8mGrbXN8kI/AAAAAAAAfao/ZD-vDANKoEE1VhXe5yuMA0VyxeyApi_GACLcB/s1600/pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VibI07psixs/V8mGrbXN8kI/AAAAAAAAfao/ZD-vDANKoEE1VhXe5yuMA0VyxeyApi_GACLcB/s320/pin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed by Kelly Ferguson. I tried to find a website for her but no luck,</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvNWS7bG_mc/V8mGrDtSJ9I/AAAAAAAAfac/QCxK-F5ZLTsh8-IrwbdDJZ5YGZyGTjOewCLcB/s1600/Harley%2Bprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvNWS7bG_mc/V8mGrDtSJ9I/AAAAAAAAfac/QCxK-F5ZLTsh8-IrwbdDJZ5YGZyGTjOewCLcB/s320/Harley%2Bprint.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed and signed by Jason Oakes. Now <i>his</i> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/j2artist" target="_blank">website </a>I did find. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jasonoakesart/" target="_blank">Both of them</a>.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wBUKVhYC3k/V8mGrBx6XxI/AAAAAAAAfaY/98Mr-64q_dQt63kgg2jLu9f4m5PK3kkigCLcB/s1600/Lecter%2Bmask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wBUKVhYC3k/V8mGrBx6XxI/AAAAAAAAfaY/98Mr-64q_dQt63kgg2jLu9f4m5PK3kkigCLcB/s320/Lecter%2Bmask.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All I need is some fava beans and a nice Chianti and I'll be set. (Oh, and a human liver.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7iveWKJ4qo/V8mGrd7KWDI/AAAAAAAAfak/dpHh2OmvJRkyp-Z10Cb-HLvqY2reMO5cQCLcB/s1600/comic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7iveWKJ4qo/V8mGrd7KWDI/AAAAAAAAfak/dpHh2OmvJRkyp-Z10Cb-HLvqY2reMO5cQCLcB/s320/comic.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone read this? Is it any good?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5Bf0n4OoX8/V8mGrKsUYQI/AAAAAAAAfag/G5GrMUWTR2UWu2cuLFJxu2ApYFSKZbALgCLcB/s1600/Head%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5Bf0n4OoX8/V8mGrKsUYQI/AAAAAAAAfag/G5GrMUWTR2UWu2cuLFJxu2ApYFSKZbALgCLcB/s320/Head%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally have a mascot. I've never had a mascot before.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kTBiC2qG-EQ/V8mGs5yN8TI/AAAAAAAAfas/7tH-B3Eddf01c-xuhqNHTRIy0DQM1kduACLcB/s1600/record.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kTBiC2qG-EQ/V8mGs5yN8TI/AAAAAAAAfas/7tH-B3Eddf01c-xuhqNHTRIy0DQM1kduACLcB/s320/record.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shame I can't listen to this. Ah, well. At least it can sit on a shelf collecting dust.</td></tr>
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If you liked what you saw and want to start getting <a href="http://www.thebambox.com/?aff=129" target="_blank">The Bam Box</a> for yourself, head over to their site and sign up. It's only $38 shipped and features some of the coolest, most unique items I've ever seen in a subscription box. In addition to the swag, all subscribers have access to the <a href="http://thebambox.ning.com/" target="_blank">Community</a>, which allows you to trade items with other users. For instance, I can try to trade my Mask pin for an Ace Ventura one (I'm not going to, but I could). That's another aspect of The Bam Box that makes it special; not having to haggle with eBay or Craigslist to get stuff that you really want.<br />
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(Oh, and just a heads up: September's theme is "Strange" and features an item from the hit Netflix series <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80057281" target="_blank"><i>Stranger Things</i></a>. If you're a fan of that show, you probably don't want to miss out on this one.) <br />
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Thanks for checking out the latest <i>What's In The Box?</i>! Make sure to follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to get all the latest from the Idiot At Play. And I have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, too, though some days I'm not really sure why.<br />
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See ya next time!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-46807943177475417932016-08-30T08:28:00.000-04:002016-08-30T08:28:09.685-04:00What's In The Box? episode 13: August Dino Drac FunpackAccording to the Dinosaur Dracula calendar, we may already in full <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/halloween-countdown-2016/" target="_blank">Halloween Countdown mode</a> but I'm still stuck in summer here, covered in a skin-stinging sunburn. But luckily Dino Drac is helping me get over my summertime blues in the form of the latest Funpack. Unlike most subscription boxes, and even past Funpacks, this one isn't entirely themed <i>per se</i>, but it does try to fuse summer with Halloween (<i>Summoween</i>?)to help get those spooky spirits up.<br />
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So does the August Funpack hold up to this promise? See for yourself.<br />
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Need a closer view of each of the items? Well, hold onto your horses, killer. I'm getting there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_eOXM49Lf0/V8VkRUTi2GI/AAAAAAAAfTI/aVghdRaTlKIccQI_8Ma0ZxnZXw32X9IWgCLcB/s1600/Pop%2Brocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_eOXM49Lf0/V8VkRUTi2GI/AAAAAAAAfTI/aVghdRaTlKIccQI_8Ma0ZxnZXw32X9IWgCLcB/s1600/Pop%2Brocks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pop Rocks and Kool-Aid" is my new 90s-alt-rock cover band name.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9wUmQJzowQ/V8VkRbf6RrI/AAAAAAAAfTQ/FHT6Xh0h2uUl4EGFBmT86jqT-1xoignmQCLcB/s1600/Am%2BGlad%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9wUmQJzowQ/V8VkRbf6RrI/AAAAAAAAfTQ/FHT6Xh0h2uUl4EGFBmT86jqT-1xoignmQCLcB/s320/Am%2BGlad%2Bposter.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here we have Blaze...And Lazer...and Blazer...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xIBZUspMWuM/V8VkR_F2zmI/AAAAAAAAfTg/sbajRsj0aIMZaFrNpylrlg1IE0F8Rp8EQCLcB/s1600/trading%2Bcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xIBZUspMWuM/V8VkR_F2zmI/AAAAAAAAfTg/sbajRsj0aIMZaFrNpylrlg1IE0F8Rp8EQCLcB/s320/trading%2Bcards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every picture I took of the cards came out like garbage. <br />
This is the least garbage one. <br />
I had no energy to take more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ea-_dhj29u8/V8VkRkHPe9I/AAAAAAAAfTY/jR0R-bcp0UEErqz6BFdfuruR_onf7NpyQCLcB/s1600/Stick-r-Treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ea-_dhj29u8/V8VkRkHPe9I/AAAAAAAAfTY/jR0R-bcp0UEErqz6BFdfuruR_onf7NpyQCLcB/s320/Stick-r-Treats.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm serious about the stickers thing. Leave a comment and tell me what I should do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCSnS0Pa9vw/V8VkRvfg6ZI/AAAAAAAAfTU/UrUO4AsgH-Y8kRrryI4Rjk63VFujcmsmACLcB/s1600/Rogun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCSnS0Pa9vw/V8VkRvfg6ZI/AAAAAAAAfTU/UrUO4AsgH-Y8kRrryI4Rjk63VFujcmsmACLcB/s320/Rogun.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to set up a play scene with all the tiny toys I get from Dino Drac.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmA91vog1Mw/V8VkRdthx9I/AAAAAAAAfTM/HrefXnq21cshCrDOQtOV5qv1YTk__6wlgCLcB/s1600/Beetlejuice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmA91vog1Mw/V8VkRdthx9I/AAAAAAAAfTM/HrefXnq21cshCrDOQtOV5qv1YTk__6wlgCLcB/s320/Beetlejuice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panini sticker books were my absolute FAVORITE as a kid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e83BiKIndIU/V8VkRhyJB1I/AAAAAAAAfTc/lbODLSApmsoHi9yPj_UFQkGL893-fnGlwCLcB/s1600/Ugly%2BPoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e83BiKIndIU/V8VkRhyJB1I/AAAAAAAAfTc/lbODLSApmsoHi9yPj_UFQkGL893-fnGlwCLcB/s320/Ugly%2BPoster.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I look forward to the ugly poster each month.</td></tr>
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Like the Funpack? <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/august-2016-funpack/" target="_blank">Sign up</a> to start getting it! It's only $25 shipped for a boxful for nostalgia and memories. Plus you'll be helping to keep the Dino Drac website in business so it's a win/win for everyone.<br />
<br />
Also, if you dug the video, you can check out some of the past <i>What's In the Box? </i>offerings over on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CautionIdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>. And make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on what I have in store for the future!<br />
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I'm on the other social media as well! Head over to <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and hit that little "Follow" button to be inundated with nonsensical ramblings and odd pictures of <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2015/05/mac-tonights-big-british-adventure.html" target="_blank">Mac Tonight</a>. And if you like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> thing, you can "like" the page there, too!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-19798116535018732402016-08-25T06:41:00.000-04:002016-08-25T06:41:03.740-04:00What's In The Box? episode 12: Marvel Collector Corps "Spider-Man"OK, so it does look like I've been slacking on the <i>What's In The Box?</i> videos lately and while that <i>may </i>be true, I have a really good reason for it. Now, it is a fact that I've had a stack of boxes (is 3 a stack?) since Thursday of last week, however, I haven't had time to record any unboxings because this past weekend was devoted to <a href="http://www.thesexyarmpit.com/" target="_blank">The Sexy Armpit</a> and the filming of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkV5rl3Ed1eu9rpXac0sq7a_NNJXeYBKC" target="_blank">Halloween Special 2016</a> (look for it in early October!). So with that consuming the entirety of the weekend, I had to eke out a little time to even record <i>anything</i>.Which, surprisingly, I was able to do.<br />
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In my kitchen.<br />
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So take a gander at the latest <a href="https://www.collectorcorps.com/" target="_blank">Marvel Collector Corps</a> box, which focused 100% on Spider-Man, who just happens to be my all-time favorite super hero! (This is my second "MCC" box featured on <i>What's In The Box</i>. Head <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/whats-in-box-episode-4-marvel-collector.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you want to see "Women of Power".)<br />
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Don't worry. I haven't forgotten you non-video watching lurkers. I have pics <i>just for you</i>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwVrr98BvXk/V73l3VWosVI/AAAAAAAAe6o/1WnC7UmLz0AstnJTL8FqmXISbAA4Z00RACLcB/s1600/Pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwVrr98BvXk/V73l3VWosVI/AAAAAAAAe6o/1WnC7UmLz0AstnJTL8FqmXISbAA4Z00RACLcB/s320/Pop.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this action Spidey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFbb7cI2KRY/V73l3FekiGI/AAAAAAAAe6Y/VlWYyRcQI04ASLddzR9yvJH1tFpMn2Z0QCLcB/s1600/Fabrication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFbb7cI2KRY/V73l3FekiGI/AAAAAAAAe6Y/VlWYyRcQI04ASLddzR9yvJH1tFpMn2Z0QCLcB/s320/Fabrication.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the style of Fabrications but just can't find it in myself to start collecting them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGBBpD948iw/V73l3NfcBOI/AAAAAAAAe6g/e4CbxMT7_HonZL-O4_fKkFNY3uOkP-GdgCLcB/s1600/Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGBBpD948iw/V73l3NfcBOI/AAAAAAAAe6g/e4CbxMT7_HonZL-O4_fKkFNY3uOkP-GdgCLcB/s320/Hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a shirt. That's all that matters.</td></tr>
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And there you have it. Quick video, quick post. If you like the Marvel Collector Corps box and want to get it for yourself, head over to <a href="https://www.collectorcorps.com/#subscribe" target="_blank">their site and sign up</a>. Also, if you liked the video, make sure you subscribe to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CautionIdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a> so you don't miss out on future unboxings. You can also follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for all the latest from <i>Caution: Idiot At Play</i>! (Oh, there's a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, too, if that's your thing.)Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-89765986551824781522016-08-09T11:57:00.003-04:002016-08-09T11:57:53.903-04:00What's In The Box? episode 11: Big Damn HeroesAs I'm sure you recall, I'm all about the Loot Crate Firefly Cargo Crate, one of which I unboxed in my first ever <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/whats-in-box-episode-1-lets-be-bad-guys.html" target="_blank"><i>What's In The Box?</i></a> video. And I'm extraordinarily happy with the second box, themed "Big Damn Heroes" and focusing on the ever-lovely-and-exceptional-badass Zoe. (What I'm not happy with, however, is how long this video took to edit and post, so sorry about that.)<br />
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Take a gander at all the cool stuff it included.<br />
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And I'm sure you know by now that I'm not gonna leave you without a quick recap of each of the items so here's me sticking to my theme.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MeM_7Vy_MOo/V6nwcJmumFI/AAAAAAAAedE/2i_D_bME1YokmQDzImKUjsaQg7rraUf1gCLcB/s1600/Zoe%2BMini%2BMasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MeM_7Vy_MOo/V6nwcJmumFI/AAAAAAAAedE/2i_D_bME1YokmQDzImKUjsaQg7rraUf1gCLcB/s320/Zoe%2BMini%2BMasters.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The box is worth it for the Mini-Masters alone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msbPLZThtFc/V6nwcfOsh-I/AAAAAAAAedM/VQwb3-_axTcuvy_y_mjc8adaRIQdEbhbgCLcB/s1600/pin%2B%2526%2Bsticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msbPLZThtFc/V6nwcfOsh-I/AAAAAAAAedM/VQwb3-_axTcuvy_y_mjc8adaRIQdEbhbgCLcB/s320/pin%2B%2526%2Bsticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pin and the sticker. Both awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6h5EQgmgaA/V6nwb0mH4WI/AAAAAAAAec4/ENmxoIEdxRQCP7Nis6Za7RLm1Ji-NC-lwCLcB/s1600/Mal%2BQBit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6h5EQgmgaA/V6nwb0mH4WI/AAAAAAAAec4/ENmxoIEdxRQCP7Nis6Za7RLm1Ji-NC-lwCLcB/s320/Mal%2BQBit.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love small vinyl toys. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THQHzh--bI0/V6nwcR1orZI/AAAAAAAAedQ/5cypOJ55qME1AaBstz6lhnl8Yw_u_56igCLcB/s1600/t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THQHzh--bI0/V6nwcR1orZI/AAAAAAAAedQ/5cypOJ55qME1AaBstz6lhnl8Yw_u_56igCLcB/s320/t-shirt.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-shirt. Nothing to add, really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6wqMLwdz8k/V6nwcB8xyhI/AAAAAAAAedI/XnIQM_Ql4uArjsQ0Iy6_Uf9683srJ7UWQCLcB/s1600/certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6wqMLwdz8k/V6nwcB8xyhI/AAAAAAAAedI/XnIQM_Ql4uArjsQ0Iy6_Uf9683srJ7UWQCLcB/s320/certificate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An easily produced item but cool nonetheless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQFmtw1Af4Q/V6nwb9A2laI/AAAAAAAAec8/-sEJzVsHuaYX9r3pAEwmezuOx562pg-iwCLcB/s1600/Challenge%2BCoin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQFmtw1Af4Q/V6nwb9A2laI/AAAAAAAAec8/-sEJzVsHuaYX9r3pAEwmezuOx562pg-iwCLcB/s320/Challenge%2BCoin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure why they needed to call it a "Challenge Coin". Like I couldn't tell it wasn't legal currency.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mybo_dxR9uo/V6nwcBqdU9I/AAAAAAAAedA/XbCvGyr7__EQYoUzKrvTM5kHfgUGeUe4wCLcB/s1600/The%2BSignal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mybo_dxR9uo/V6nwcBqdU9I/AAAAAAAAedA/XbCvGyr7__EQYoUzKrvTM5kHfgUGeUe4wCLcB/s320/The%2BSignal.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to try the recipe for "Wife Soup".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnC6fpYfMIE/V6nwb7rorvI/AAAAAAAAec0/GYh6KwVAQUsbyPla8DMs0gQbf20EYr2wACLcB/s1600/Journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnC6fpYfMIE/V6nwb7rorvI/AAAAAAAAec0/GYh6KwVAQUsbyPla8DMs0gQbf20EYr2wACLcB/s320/Journal.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saved the best for last. +1 to my notebook collection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fan of <i>Firefly</i>? Like what you saw here? Then get the Cargo Crate for yourself! Head over to <a href="http://looted.by/dUby7" target="_blank">Loot Crate</a> and sign up. It's only $40 every two months and if you sign up with that link, you get $5 off your first crate. Not too shabby, huh?<br />
<br />
Thanks again for watching <i>What's In The Box?</i>. Make sure you subscribe to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CautionIdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a> to get all the latest <i>WitB</i>? videos and follow me on all of the major (and not so major) social media outlets like <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.<br />
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Catch ya next time!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-74553385260795858722016-08-07T10:40:00.001-04:002016-08-07T10:40:56.173-04:00Movie Review: Suicide SquadDespite the popularity of the MCU, being a fan of comic book and super hero movies can be rough at times; for every <i><a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-america-winter-soldier-and.html" target="_blank">Captain America: The Winter Soldier</a></i>, there's a <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1502712/?ref_=nv_sr_3" target="_blank">Fantastic Four</a> </i>or <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458481/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2" target="_blank">Sin City: A Dame To Kill For</a>. </i>And even the first few films in the DC Cinematic Universe were shaky, with the less that broad accepting of <i>Man of Steel</i> and damn near universal panning of <i>Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. </i>Which is why I was looking forward to <i><a href="http://www.suicidesquad.com/" target="_blank">Suicide Squad</a></i>, the latest offering in the DCCU.<br />
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Barely "super" and not necessarily "heroes", the Suicide Squad focuses on a team of bad guys slapped together by a covert government organization in order to provide protection against over-powered threats while offering the most deniability should events turn south. The movie boasts major star power and fan-favorite characters like Harley Quinn (hell, even Batman makes an appearance). But does that mean the movie is any good? (<b>Warning: slight spoilers ahead.</b>)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRnVPLdGr-8/V6c_l6n6uII/AAAAAAAAeac/PQ-KhRL-yiQfRs9-q6QwzXt-ptNyjdz_QCLcB/s1600/Suicide%2BSquad%2Bcereal%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRnVPLdGr-8/V6c_l6n6uII/AAAAAAAAeac/PQ-KhRL-yiQfRs9-q6QwzXt-ptNyjdz_QCLcB/s320/Suicide%2BSquad%2Bcereal%2Bposter.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whether it's good or not, this poster is goddamn perfect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shockingly, one of my favorite parts of <i>Suicide Squad</i> was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000226/?ref_=tt_cl_t1" target="_blank">Will Smith</a>'s Deadshot. Since I don't know much about the character (besides what I've seen on <i>Arrow</i>), I really wasn't all that interested in him, but being that they cast Smith in the role I figured he'd be an important part of the film. As the movie progressed Deadshot became the emotional center of the team; grounding Harley and making her see reason, pushing Diablo (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0379596/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t21" target="_blank">Jay Hernandez</a>) to his limits and getting him into the fray. But I loved the way he and Rick Flagg (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1172478/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t24" target="_blank">Joel Kinnaman</a>) played off of each other. They each oozed a distrust of the other but there was a mutual respect just beneath the surface. Two sides of the same coin, almost. I liked how their relationship unfolded throughout the film and really hope to have a Deadshot/Rick Flagg buddy movie at some point in the future.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lODI2ave8Ks/V6c_k-jxcUI/AAAAAAAAeaE/aAYpmiQa8eEjjJ0JXLyNnXuEHFyrXSy9QCLcB/s1600/Deadshot%2BRick%2BFlagg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lODI2ave8Ks/V6c_k-jxcUI/AAAAAAAAeaE/aAYpmiQa8eEjjJ0JXLyNnXuEHFyrXSy9QCLcB/s320/Deadshot%2BRick%2BFlagg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can practically hear "I'm too old for this shit".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626/?ref_=tt_cl_t7" target="_blank">Viola Davis</a> was wonderful as Amanda Waller. Cold, calculating and unflinching, Davis had a great screen presence and held her own. I really can't say enough good things about her and the gravitas she brought to the role.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYtWk8K9-Dc/V6dAgn-kVDI/AAAAAAAAeas/_iTr-BzvDyoX_xtP7xgkUGRRFiy7FW4mQCLcB/s1600/Amanda-Waller-Suicide-Squad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYtWk8K9-Dc/V6dAgn-kVDI/AAAAAAAAeas/_iTr-BzvDyoX_xtP7xgkUGRRFiy7FW4mQCLcB/s320/Amanda-Waller-Suicide-Squad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She gives no fucks, especially about my opinion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001467/?ref_=tt_cl_t14" target="_blank">Jared Leto</a> was a great Joker. Instead of trying to ape the performances of Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger, he clearly went in his own direction, taking the vision that David Ayers had for the character and putting his own spin on it. However, I can understand it fans of other versions of the character may not like this one. Instead of the over-the-top criminal mastermind that the Joker is portrayed as in the comics, Leto's Joker is more like a twisted mob boss. A godfather of sorts. But there were times that he didn't feel like the Joker but more like a silver-teethed Scarface. They did manage to work in a few Joker-esque flourishes, though, like dressing his henchmen up in weird costumes (and kudos for the cheap Batman mask on that one dude) and the baby clothes laid out on the floor with the collection of knives was creepy as hell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I8cH9e186i8/V6c_lieDn4I/AAAAAAAAeaU/PqNUUC4v1SoXOkK6liKV3jnJBXFkKFDDACLcB/s1600/Joker%2BHarley%2BAlex%2BRoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I8cH9e186i8/V6c_lieDn4I/AAAAAAAAeaU/PqNUUC4v1SoXOkK6liKV3jnJBXFkKFDDACLcB/s320/Joker%2BHarley%2BAlex%2BRoss.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double kudos to the homage to this Alex Ross painting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The worst part about Joker was that he seemed to be shoehorned in. His story wasn't tied to the Squad's; he was the subplot happening congruently to the main story. His plot made a ton of sense, though, given his connection to Harley Quinn. However, most of his scenes slowed the movie down. It became jarring, especially when you wanted to see what happens to the Squad next. That said, I cannot wait to see Leto's Joker in his next outing. Fingers crossed for a Joker/Harley film.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGnXp-zgV64/V6c_l2vYqZI/AAAAAAAAeaY/hvfuGmXVmjUYWqnxaWKnL0YtH05bKUYOQCLcB/s1600/Jared-Leto-Joker-Suicide-Squad-Trailer-MTV.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGnXp-zgV64/V6c_l2vYqZI/AAAAAAAAeaY/hvfuGmXVmjUYWqnxaWKnL0YtH05bKUYOQCLcB/s320/Jared-Leto-Joker-Suicide-Squad-Trailer-MTV.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would have loved a "Mad Love" movie but that's not likely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It wasn't just the Joker that slowed the movie down. Most of the character's stories are told in flashbacks, especially in the beginning when Amanda Waller introduced the team. After the action kicked in, however, they held to this trope and the pacing suffered because of it. When Katana (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7250922/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t48" target="_blank">Karen Fukuhara</a>) was introduced, we saw a quick scene of her past, giving us a glimpse at her fighting skill. Even later, Flagg took a moment to expound on Katana and what she can do, which seemed like a more logical place to put her flashback. Also, Harley stopped in the middle of the movie to think back on a pivotal moment for her and the Joker, however, this scene didn't add any emotional weight to their relationship or further reveal her character; it was just there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0z4_mJqjNVE/V6c_mEG8XWI/AAAAAAAAeao/bJqOKbovot0Mo5J357z8bX3KXBCd0ERpQCLcB/s1600/Suicide-Squad-Trailer-Katana-Sword-Souls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0z4_mJqjNVE/V6c_mEG8XWI/AAAAAAAAeao/bJqOKbovot0Mo5J357z8bX3KXBCd0ERpQCLcB/s320/Suicide-Squad-Trailer-Katana-Sword-Souls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good actress. Good character. Majorly underutilized.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And yes, we are going to talk about <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3053338/?ref_=tt_cl_t4" target="_blank">Margot Robbie</a>'s Harley Quinn. It was fantastic. She managed to balance the crazy with the heart, giving Harley the depth that the character needs. The film expands on her origin a bit; she's still Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who falls in love with the Joker, but they push it slightly. Again, it was a logical choice that helps to cement the change for the audience so it shouldn't be too hard to swallow by hardcore fans. But going back to Robbie's portrayal, she seems to channel Arleen Sorkin in the way she handles the character. Robbie gives Harley a harsh accent, something akin to the stereotypical New Jersey accent, which makes sense considering <i>Suicide Squad</i> confirms that Gotham is in NJ (represent, son!).She gets the crazy down pat, oozing psychosis from her eyes, but she can also be compassionate. Harley Quinn was one of the biggest, fan-favorite characters in the movie and it's good to see that at least Margot Robbie legitimized that favoritism.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpEQ3NNtRt4/V6c_mJKKw9I/AAAAAAAAeak/_fGk4zQ9YXYS6Q1rLhq4xXmeS1S7RWO8wCLcB/s1600/harley-quinn-look-robbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpEQ3NNtRt4/V6c_mJKKw9I/AAAAAAAAeak/_fGk4zQ9YXYS6Q1rLhq4xXmeS1S7RWO8wCLcB/s320/harley-quinn-look-robbie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Audiences were concerned about <i>Suicide Squad</i> with the news it had gone back to reshoots a few months before its release. Word was the studios wanted to enhance the levity after critics panned <i>Batman vs Superman</i> for its bleakness. That was probably a wise decision and one that paid off. The movie had quite a few funny bits, quick one-liners that drew some chuckles. But these reshoots are probably the reason the film stumbled in pats. There was a sense on incongruity between scenes and even though it was fairly easy to get back on track, the film suffered slightly for it.<br />
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Given the cast of this size, though, not everyone is going to be given much screen time, notably Killer Croc and Captain Boomerang. Croc made a good fit for the team; a part of Batman's Rogue's Gallery, he is one of the highest profile characters in the film. Even the casting of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015382/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t22" target="_blank">Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje</a> (of <i>Oz </i>and <i>Lost</i> fame) only further legitimized it. But while he did play an important part to the plot, his role on-screen was limited to heavily-synthesized one-liners in a bad Louisiana accent. That said, I would love to see him return in a future Batman movie where he can really stretch his muscles, both literally and figuratively.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQuySKF0pZE/V6dC0_GDVmI/AAAAAAAAea8/WQdA6_7RYlAhS1eUUl8v2EYyk3URd1yJgCLcB/s1600/suicide-squad-killer-croc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQuySKF0pZE/V6dC0_GDVmI/AAAAAAAAea8/WQdA6_7RYlAhS1eUUl8v2EYyk3URd1yJgCLcB/s320/suicide-squad-killer-croc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looked cool, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And Captain Boomerang... I'm a fan of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2541974/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t19" target="_blank">Jai Courtney</a> despite most people's opinions of him. And he did a great job with the part. But unfortunately Courtney wasn't given much to work with. Boomerang seemed to be the loose cannon on a team of loose cannons so he didn't really stick out all that well. He played well within the confines of the team and helped to move the plot along, but the character could have been removed without much detriment to the main story. Most likely <i>Suicide Squad</i> was only used as a vehicle to introduce the character to modern audiences so he can pop up in a future film (a theory supported by the character's flashback).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdO6a1yABdc/V6c_legqvrI/AAAAAAAAeaQ/FpG8DwbgS3gy549Qb0BcX8eqgfEm0J_BwCLcB/s1600/Jai-Courtney-Captain-Boomerang-Suicide-Squad-Trailer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdO6a1yABdc/V6c_legqvrI/AAAAAAAAeaQ/FpG8DwbgS3gy549Qb0BcX8eqgfEm0J_BwCLcB/s320/Jai-Courtney-Captain-Boomerang-Suicide-Squad-Trailer.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, the main villain. Unsurprisingly, the "villain" of the story turns out to be a character that's linked to the Squad. (PS, here's where the spoilers come up.) The Enchantress, an millennia-old mystical being played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5353321/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t23" target="_blank">Cara Delevingne</a>, turns on humanity for no longer worshiping her and summons her brother to help destroy them. It's a logical twist given the history of the character and it offers a true threat for a team that's composed of a guy who can't miss whatever he's shooting at, a human crocodile and a dude that can make and control fire. The only problem with the antagonist is that there's very little depth. They manage to create an emotional attachment through Rick Flagg and his love for June Moone and that's all well and good. But at the end of it, the climax was just another ho-hum action sequence filled with slow motion and CGI. It was a little bit of a let down even though it managed to stay true to the plot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUn0zVPIBsw/V6c_ky--HHI/AAAAAAAAeaA/Sd28egTHgc8C90sAh3ese3isgP15BuoogCLcB/s1600/Enchantress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUn0zVPIBsw/V6c_ky--HHI/AAAAAAAAeaA/Sd28egTHgc8C90sAh3ese3isgP15BuoogCLcB/s320/Enchantress.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Cara Delevingne did great with the part.</td></tr>
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In fact, the most disappointing part of the movie wasn't even the movie itself. It was the lack of free giveaway posters at the AMC Theater I went to. As you probably know. AMC was giving away posters to people who bought a ticket to the IMAX 3D showings. I went to a 10:30 AM show on Saturday morning, basically right in the middle of the opening weekend, and they had no posters left. Usually they keep those freebie giveaways under lock and key; they had stacks of the tattoos for <i>T<a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/movie-review-teenage-mutant-ninja.html" target="_blank">eenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</a></i> well into the following week and I <i>still</i> had to ask to get them. But by Saturday, they were all out of the <i>Suicide Squad </i>posters. Which leads me to believe that either the movie did <i>that</i> good in the one location (which is not very likely) or that the employees just left the posters on the counter and patrons took stacks of them to flip on eBay (<a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xharley+quinn+amc+poster.TRS0&_nkw=harley+quinn+amc+poster&_sacat=0" target="_blank">more likely</a>). Either way, I'm both disappointed and annoyed that I could get a Harley Quinn poster.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ja0cMory7Pc/V6dDMBxC_EI/AAAAAAAAebA/929MTYK9IS4Gmy2_sQdbdkA2pAzyLWapwCLcB/s1600/suicide-squad-poster-harley-quinn-AMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ja0cMory7Pc/V6dDMBxC_EI/AAAAAAAAebA/929MTYK9IS4Gmy2_sQdbdkA2pAzyLWapwCLcB/s320/suicide-squad-poster-harley-quinn-AMC.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm still annoyed the next day.</td></tr>
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Was <i>Suicide Squad</i> a perfect movie? Nope. But was it a great movie? Hell, I'm gonna say "nope" here, too. But it was a fun movie full of vibrant characters, tight action sequence and spot-on humor. The characterization alone makes the film worthwhile and not to mention to doors it will open up to future installments. I don't think it deserved the overly harsh criticism it's been getting, nor do I think that a <a href="http://variety.com/2016/film/news/suicide-squad-fans-petition-rotten-tomatoes-bad-reviews-shut-down-1201829631/" target="_blank">petition to shut down Rotten Tomatoes</a> was necessary. The movie stands by its own merits and is probably the best movie in the DC Cinematic Universe so far.Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-66844788470451590352016-08-03T13:55:00.000-04:002016-08-03T13:55:04.028-04:00What's In The Box? Episode The Big "One Oh": The Bam Box - GalacticHoly crapbot, have I really done ten episodes of <i>What's In The Box?</i> That blows my mind since I never seem to stick with anything long enough to become accomplished (as evidenced by the huge gaps of time that this blog goes without updates). So having done ten episodes in two months is just astounding.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, today's entry is our second <a href="http://www.thebambox.com/?aff=129" target="_blank">Bam Box</a> being featured on <i>WItB</i> (all courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a>'s subscription). The theme for July was "Galactic" and featured a bunch of keen outer space-themed goodies like... Well, how about you watch the video and take a look for yourself? <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KUUWJdTFHYU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KUUWJdTFHYU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Oh, are you one of those "I don't watch videos, just give me the pictures" type? Ugh, fine. Here they are...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5gNyBXl1Ak/V6FX3jow5-I/AAAAAAAAeHc/Jk8Oqapgu64DZMKyPUnOUd3s1YlGy2xVQCLcB/s1600/Rocket%2BPin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5gNyBXl1Ak/V6FX3jow5-I/AAAAAAAAeHc/Jk8Oqapgu64DZMKyPUnOUd3s1YlGy2xVQCLcB/s320/Rocket%2BPin.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of me is content with Rocket while part of me wishes I got Groot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGS07KnxZ74/V6FX4MkCYiI/AAAAAAAAeHk/D-7JYEsYBQE5M3s3UZeKBvw78m9RvR14QCLcB/s1600/Star%2BTrek%2BPins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGS07KnxZ74/V6FX4MkCYiI/AAAAAAAAeHk/D-7JYEsYBQE5M3s3UZeKBvw78m9RvR14QCLcB/s320/Star%2BTrek%2BPins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not entirely sure what I'll do with these... (They're nicely made, though.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDaZRLbSAyA/V6FX3yIXDJI/AAAAAAAAeHg/-wZjOrbOavgf5RW3CHBjnXfmJ5EyCxzvwCLcB/s1600/Space%2BSand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDaZRLbSAyA/V6FX3yIXDJI/AAAAAAAAeHg/-wZjOrbOavgf5RW3CHBjnXfmJ5EyCxzvwCLcB/s320/Space%2BSand.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An odd addition, I will say. But at least it's not another fucking t-shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntmG9nGBj2Y/V6FX3hxnasI/AAAAAAAAeHU/nvj3srR1c0cDqFNQPrlbpY0_RF8RV819wCLcB/s1600/Alien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntmG9nGBj2Y/V6FX3hxnasI/AAAAAAAAeHU/nvj3srR1c0cDqFNQPrlbpY0_RF8RV819wCLcB/s320/Alien.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alien: Resurrection</i> is still not as bad as <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758730/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">AvP: Requiem</a>.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1w484MFbUbs/V6FX3gBXIUI/AAAAAAAAeHY/vh-2Hd64qukzqQLyBBs6vqEhcqQqZLsaACLcB/s1600/Boba%2BFeets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1w484MFbUbs/V6FX3gBXIUI/AAAAAAAAeHY/vh-2Hd64qukzqQLyBBs6vqEhcqQqZLsaACLcB/s320/Boba%2BFeets.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I honestly thought this <i>was</i> a bookend and they forgot the second one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jir42TwmHKs/V6FX4DgnslI/AAAAAAAAeHo/wYCFifSPxw4805kmYbIfEWHjFNto6V97ACLcB/s1600/Thanos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jir42TwmHKs/V6FX4DgnslI/AAAAAAAAeHo/wYCFifSPxw4805kmYbIfEWHjFNto6V97ACLcB/s320/Thanos.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out more of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ARTofLOGANPACK" target="_blank">Logan Pack</a>'s art on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/artofloganpack/" target="_blank">his Instagram</a>. (He's damn good.)</td></tr>
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Don't forget that signing up for <a href="http://www.thebambox.com/?aff=129" target="_blank">The Bam Box</a> gives you access to their <a href="http://thebambox.ning.com/tradecenter" target="_blank">trading community</a>, which allows you to trade any item that's not to your liking with other subscribers, saving you the hassle of trying to eBay anything or the waste of throwing it out.<br />
<br />
And now I need your help. Being on episode 10 makes me realize that this channel could go stale real quick if I don't switch it up so I'm looking for suggestions for new subscription boxes to try. If you know of any that you think I might like, let me know. You can comment below or hit me up on various social media outlets like <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, or even god awful <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. If you have an affiliate link, feel free to drop that, too. I won't guarantee that I'll sign up for every box recommended to me or that yours will be the affiliate link that I use, but if I can help one of my readers make a little bit of money, I'll be happy to do so.<br />
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Thanks again for watching and keep it close for more <i>What's In The Box?</i>!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-410850902326865732016-07-29T23:15:00.005-04:002016-07-29T23:15:54.868-04:00What's In The Box? episode 9: OwlCrate's "Good vs Evil"Well, I had a hell of a busy week. After coming home from work the other day to find two boxes stacked outside my door, I knew that there would be much to do. I'm just shocked I got it done so quickly.<br />
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If you missed it, the other day I posted the unboxing video for the <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/07/whats-in-box-episode-8-july-dino-drac.html" target="_blank">July Dinosaur Dracula Funpack</a>.<br />
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Which brings us to today...<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> and I have been getting <a href="http://https//owlcrate.com/refer/Laure-ZTMZJIRQ" target="_blank">OwlCrate</a> for a few months and last month I showed you the <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/whats-in-box-episode-3-owlcrates.html" target="_blank">June "Royalty" box</a>. But this month's OwlCrate, themed "Good vs Evil", was unique in the sense that subscribers would get one of two boxes; one of them was all about Good while the other about Evil.<br />
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So which did I get?<br />
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The <i>Evil</i> box, which is right up my alley. I was pretty happy with it, too. Here's a few closeups of the items. (Again, apologies for the crappy photos.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XYH6F1ygeSk/V5tjvh885cI/AAAAAAAAd28/PVNtlweEC3c4LmKneqcHD1mvlVl05sFYQCLcB/s1600/Dementor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XYH6F1ygeSk/V5tjvh885cI/AAAAAAAAd28/PVNtlweEC3c4LmKneqcHD1mvlVl05sFYQCLcB/s320/Dementor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you want your own Dementor, swing by <a href="http://amzn.to/2aPwUhQ" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xMY_ilYm_c/V5tjvt3PiUI/AAAAAAAAd3E/YsHbnJ0czCARw0b18pEq3_bpDYwH6CV-ACLcB/s1600/pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xMY_ilYm_c/V5tjvt3PiUI/AAAAAAAAd3E/YsHbnJ0czCARw0b18pEq3_bpDYwH6CV-ACLcB/s320/pendant.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have a ton of cool stuff in their <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/vectorengraving" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also worth checking out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JanesTinyThings" target="_blank">Jane's Tiny Things</a> on Etsy, too.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHImaAJULrg/V5tjvxNuqKI/AAAAAAAAd3I/JovJ7_u-kYscyRstgzg9tJYMdrMMHTEDQCLcB/s1600/sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHImaAJULrg/V5tjvxNuqKI/AAAAAAAAd3I/JovJ7_u-kYscyRstgzg9tJYMdrMMHTEDQCLcB/s320/sticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also, I need to pause here to point how my misrepresentation of the quote on the sticker. While I thought that it was from the movie <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/" target="_blank">Gladiator</a> </i>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzhiDCJyMks" target="_blank">which it is</a> so I'm technically not wrong), given the context of OwlCrate, it's actually from a book called "<a href="http://amzn.to/2ajZNku" target="_blank">Illuminae</a>" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. So there's that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ON-F2FJGE0c/V5tjvUUXPdI/AAAAAAAAd20/PfGch-Q6SpY3mO1yw0REGkxQlVTx2iFcACLcB/s320/Book.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2aDG3uv" target="_blank">Sounds like a book</a> I can get into.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMgIAre723A/V5tjvqW-ISI/AAAAAAAAd3A/Zn48OWuxdy0uM8YrdbG4P0JAKRq0fyRcACLcB/s1600/coloring%2Bbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMgIAre723A/V5tjvqW-ISI/AAAAAAAAd3A/Zn48OWuxdy0uM8YrdbG4P0JAKRq0fyRcACLcB/s320/coloring%2Bbook.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never got a coloring book from a subscription box. I'm pleased.</td></tr>
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I dug the evil box. It had some really cool stuff and "This Savage Song" seems interesting. But now I'm curious as to what was in the "Good" box. If you're an OwlCrate subscriber and you got Good, show me your swag! You can hit me up on <a href="https://twitter.com/idiotatplay" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idiotatplay/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, or even drop a pic on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CautionIdiotAtPlay/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. <br />
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Also, if you like what you see and want the OwlCrate for yourself, head over to <a href="http://https//owlcrate.com/refer/Laure-ZTMZJIRQ" target="_blank">their site</a>.<br />
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(Oh, and that shirt I'm wearing in the video? I got that from a "The Legend of Zelda: Symphony Of The Goddesses" orchestral concert I went to a few years ago. Funny story about it. I was second from the front on line at the merch booth and the people in front of me were so occupied with their conversation that the lady at the booth waved me up and sold me the last shirt. When the people (who were) in front of me walked up to the other lady at the booth, she had to break the news to them that the shirts were all gone. Sucks, huh? Anyway, I posted a few pics and a short video from the event <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-legend-of-zelda-symphony-of.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you want to check it out.)<br />
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Thanks again for watching!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-79699307832861574622016-07-28T08:21:00.001-04:002016-07-28T08:21:12.325-04:00What's In The Box? episode 8: July Dino Drac FunpackWell, we've made it back around since starting "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1dmjN78JU&list=PLfXeFZ5xX-yQkCXXwMK9nzkbSO5VS7Ibl" target="_blank">What's In The Box?</a>'. You probably remember the unboxing of the June Funpack from <a href="http://www.dinosaurdracula.com/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Dracula</a> (if you don't you should probably go <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBA0seD7sVw" target="_blank">check it out</a>), and here we are taking a look at July's. How about that?<br />
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As you probably know, unlike most subscription boxes, the Funpack doesn't really have a theme, but often it doesn't need one. So since I can't give you much background, let's just jump right into it.<br />
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And I know some people just want to look at the items so I am happy to oblige. (Also, the pictures are really terrible since I used an old camera. I'll be sure to go back to my regular camera next time.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIETrAXk2Ao/V5lefG4xN1I/AAAAAAAAd18/uQzGSfI4FfsYmpibVZUUZPx6vI_AWoJ_ACLcB/s1600/Cheetos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIETrAXk2Ao/V5lefG4xN1I/AAAAAAAAd18/uQzGSfI4FfsYmpibVZUUZPx6vI_AWoJ_ACLcB/s320/Cheetos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Funpack is complete without snacks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne9uPeGSN6U/V5legFLNljI/AAAAAAAAd2M/RGBmG1xuKy85ECpSAcM1AYR30GxDaQbKgCLcB/s1600/Mystery%2BBag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne9uPeGSN6U/V5legFLNljI/AAAAAAAAd2M/RGBmG1xuKy85ECpSAcM1AYR30GxDaQbKgCLcB/s320/Mystery%2BBag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mystery bag. It's like a Funpack <i>in </i>the Funpack!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEC0zZxLgHo/V5leg8J1NgI/AAAAAAAAd2U/xd9A6E0dIq8klBIhVY-AmVBMNDE8nTW9ACLcB/s1600/Where%2BAre%2BThey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEC0zZxLgHo/V5leg8J1NgI/AAAAAAAAd2U/xd9A6E0dIq8klBIhVY-AmVBMNDE8nTW9ACLcB/s320/Where%2BAre%2BThey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> loves these games so she's a fan of "Where Are They?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpn7NEW9LjI/V5lefdgxZsI/AAAAAAAAd2E/ON9nMFDHO8IWwmiIKkUxSjVEbislb2xcgCLcB/s1600/Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpn7NEW9LjI/V5lefdgxZsI/AAAAAAAAd2E/ON9nMFDHO8IWwmiIKkUxSjVEbislb2xcgCLcB/s320/Baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, <i>Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend</i> is not on Netflix, but you can rent or buy it on <a href="http://amzn.to/2arEDnf" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSsj34UyCMs/V5lefJQSYhI/AAAAAAAAd2A/f4JY8Am_KWMOxN8vvwtf14pK0PcvMH5uQCLcB/s1600/Comic%2BBall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSsj34UyCMs/V5lefJQSYhI/AAAAAAAAd2A/f4JY8Am_KWMOxN8vvwtf14pK0PcvMH5uQCLcB/s320/Comic%2BBall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comic Ball... I would have preferred more sports than just baseball but whatevs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8B1MLB1Ujc0/V5lef9Agf1I/AAAAAAAAd2I/LJJJSd_1iFkVLHXozGscAaDhlmn7u9YPwCLcB/s1600/Lobo%2BHombre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8B1MLB1Ujc0/V5lef9Agf1I/AAAAAAAAd2I/LJJJSd_1iFkVLHXozGscAaDhlmn7u9YPwCLcB/s320/Lobo%2BHombre.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hombre Lobo. The "star" of the box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS9SBXbXroY/V5lehNN7PjI/AAAAAAAAd2c/Fk6Gu_8RyKM9luoV-o2E9H81M-Hd0l7dQCLcB/s1600/tmnt%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS9SBXbXroY/V5lehNN7PjI/AAAAAAAAd2c/Fk6Gu_8RyKM9luoV-o2E9H81M-Hd0l7dQCLcB/s320/tmnt%2Bposter.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trading card poster <i>and </i>the trading cards they promote? Card-ception!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eam8UOWChhE/V5leg1scb_I/AAAAAAAAd2Y/XBAJD_8eUnEuxOuzQb-eG3U-m9wYap5AwCLcB/s1600/Zelda%2Bfig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eam8UOWChhE/V5leg1scb_I/AAAAAAAAd2Y/XBAJD_8eUnEuxOuzQb-eG3U-m9wYap5AwCLcB/s320/Zelda%2Bfig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love <i>The Legend of Zelda</i> so this was damn exciting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ykOaY6HGA/V5legPR4n9I/AAAAAAAAd2Q/Px23knu6Ux4Jn6ccy_UpaGKo69geUY7OQCLcB/s1600/Ugly%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ykOaY6HGA/V5legPR4n9I/AAAAAAAAd2Q/Px23knu6Ux4Jn6ccy_UpaGKo69geUY7OQCLcB/s320/Ugly%2Bposter.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need a decent binder for all these ugly posters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Funpack was extra special since it was its two-year anniversary. Twenty four magnificent months of nostalgic goodness, even though I've only been with it for 16 months. Regardless, that's a heck of a milestone.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in getting the Funpack for yourself, head over to <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/july-2016-funpack/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Dracula</a> and sign up. It's only $25 shipped for all this cool junk!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-10934834331440906432016-07-22T14:32:00.000-04:002016-07-22T14:32:42.093-04:00Movie Review: GhostbustersIt's been about a week since I viewed the new <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1289401/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Ghostbusters</a> </i>movie and I've been on the fence about writing up my thoughts on the film. On the one hand, I feel I have a strong understanding of movies, have written numerous movie reviews <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/search/label/movie%20review" target="_blank">here on the blog</a> as well as for other sites, and have an opinion, which is at least worth something. On the other hand, given the way I <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2014/06/toy-box-confidential-1-real.html" target="_blank">extol the Ghostbusters franchise</a> and that I've been a champion for the all-woman lineup since it was announced, any plaudits I give it will be seen as biased. But, well, here we are.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Warning: Spoilers ahead so if you haven't seen it yet and plan to, proceed with caution.<br />
<br />
The newest <i>Ghostbusters</i> centers on Erin Gilbert (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1325419/?ref_=tt_cl_t2" target="_blank">Kristen Wiig</a>), a quantum physicist at Columbia University. She's on the precipice of securing her career when it comes to light that she's a co-author of a wildly unfounded book on parapsychology, "<a href="http://amzn.to/29W5Zi9" target="_blank">Ghost From Our Past: Both Literally and Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal</a>". She goes to her old friend and colleague, Abby Yates (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565250/?ref_=tt_cl_t7" target="_blank">Melissa McCarthy</a>), to demand that she take down the book when she gets sucked into an actual ghost sighting. Her reaction to the phenomenon gets her fired from the university, leaving her to join Yates and Holtzmann (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0571952/?ref_=tt_cl_t9" target="_blank">Kate McKinnon</a>) in creating a paranormal investigation business.<br />
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One of my biggest fears going in was that the humor wouldn't
resonate with me. I hadn't seen much of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0082450/?ref_=tt_ov_dr" target="_blank">Paul Feig</a>'s filmography and
while I thought <i>Bridesmaids</i> was OK, I couldn't stand <i>The Heat</i>. On top of that, the only actor in <i>Ghostbusters</i>
that I had any passing knowledge of was Melissa McCarthy (well, and
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1165110/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t16" target="_blank">Chris Hemsworth</a> but I wasn't too focused on him). And even the trailers
left much to be desired; though they didn't deserve the vitriol they
received, the jokes they showed were luke warm at best.<br />
<br />
But as everything unfolded on screen you see how it all works. There were a few
rocky starts at the beginning with a couple of punchlines landing
awkwardly, but as the movie progressed it started to gel. Even the
"ho-hum" jokes from the trailer were funny in context. It has been
a long time since I laughed so hard in a movie theater and I'm grateful
for <i>Ghostbusters </i>for helping me do so. <br />
<br />
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What <i>Ghostbusters</i> gets right is the tone. While I hate to compare it to the 1984 classic, it is of course going to become inevitable so let's just go ahead and do that. Feig's <i>Ghostbusters</i> does not have the same tone as Reitman's, but that's not at all a criticism. The new <i>Ghostbusters</i> manages to find its own tone and stick with it. It doesn't try to emulate the magic of Aykroyd and Ramis's script, or the flawless dry humor of Bill Murray. Instead, Feig plays to the strengths of his four leading ladies (and one blonde beefcake) and amplifies their comedic talents. He finds a good balance between comedy and action and maintains that balance throughout most of the film. Granted, the humor took a back seat during the CG-filled finale but overall it still managed to fit some funny bits in there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eF58w0GVS3I/V5JkmYUHYNI/AAAAAAAAdi0/5fKvtH1rGSoEAPtFZCFyDkpUZWOrtI4WACLcB/s1600/ghostbusters-holtzmann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eF58w0GVS3I/V5JkmYUHYNI/AAAAAAAAdi0/5fKvtH1rGSoEAPtFZCFyDkpUZWOrtI4WACLcB/s320/ghostbusters-holtzmann.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presented without comment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Ghostbusters</i> sees a ton of celebrity cameos. Nearly the full cast from 1984 graces the screen, with the only holdout being Rick Moranis. While most of the cameos were a fun treat, like Bill Murray as the spectral skeptic or Ernie Hudson as Patty Tolan's (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428656/?ref_=tt_cl_t12" target="_blank">Leslie Jones</a>) mortician uncle, the real disappointment was Dan Aykroyd's crabby cabbie. He spits his lines like he's had a stroke and delivers one of the most half-hearted nods to his original film possible. Don't get me wrong; <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2009/05/crystal-head-vodka.html" target="_blank">I respect the hell out of Aykroyd</a> and all the work he did to make this movie a reality, but his cameo made me cringe. I am willing to overlook it, though, based on the classy way they worked a Harold Ramis cameo into the film.<br />
<br />
<br />
It's not all sunshine and ectoplasm, though. One of the movie's biggest flaws was the editing. Time seems to flow rather abruptly, both from scene to scene as well as overall.
While it's evident that they cut a lot of unnecessary scenes to keep the
pace of the film moving, in some instances it became jarring. There
are things that progressed so quickly that it just felt like it defied
logic. Two examples are the numerous ghost-busting inventions Holtzmann
creates and how quickly they outfit the hearse as a functioning Ecto-1. I
mean, I understand the need to skip over that stuff but it
interrupted the flow.<br />
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I also had some problems with the plot, mostly with the main antagonist, Rowan. While I felt that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2654481/?ref_=tt_cl_t13" target="_blank">Neil Casey</a> did well with the character, I don't think he was given much to work with. Rowan starts out as an awkward human who makes everyone around him uncomfortable and wants to bring about the end of humanity. It's a decent enough plot but doesn't ring with the same paranormal vibe that I'd come to expect from a <i>Ghostbusters</i> movie. Everything works, it all fits together fine enough, but just feels flat, not to mention a bit cliche given the whole "revenge for bullying" angle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0C3CWlghBIc/V5Jkl4TPAXI/AAAAAAAAdis/H6IkKJcdK2oZ8DC80axA84GKk5tDP4wmQCLcB/s1600/Rowan%2Bhuman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0C3CWlghBIc/V5Jkl4TPAXI/AAAAAAAAdis/H6IkKJcdK2oZ8DC80axA84GKk5tDP4wmQCLcB/s320/Rowan%2Bhuman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though he is really creepy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Want to talk about the other performances? Sure, let's do that.<br />
<br />
Without mincing words, Leslie Jones was hilarious. She seemed to have
the most fun with the script and delivered many of the film's best
lines. I'd actually be curious to know how much of what she said was
scripted and what was improvised because her character just felt so real
and vivid. She also played an important part in keeping the rest of the
team grounded. As the only non-scientist of the group, her inclusion
kept them from going off on techno-babble tangents and made sure their
explanations were to the point and in layman's terms so that the
audience could follow along.<br />
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<br />
Melissa McCarthy's Abby is the heart of the team. As one of the largest named stars, McCarthy has a fair share of screen time. Her humor is strong and the script really plays to one of her strengths: physical comedy. Many of her scenes rely on her getting tossed around, like in the proton pack testing scene, which McCarthy plays with aplomb. Unfortunately, I found her to be the weakest of the group but even that isn't much of a criticism of <i>her</i>, just a validation of the strength of the rest of the team.<br />
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<br />
I was actually fairly surprised by Kristin Wiig. As I haven't seen many of her movies, I wasn't familiar with her brand of comedy but she turned out to be one of my favorites. She mostly plays the straight (wo)man to everyone else but the times that she does stand out, such as her awkward flirting with receptionist Kevin, she manages to steal the scene.<br />
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<br />
Everyone seems to have fallen in love with Kate McKinnon's Holtzmann,
and rightfully so. Holtzmann oozed personality, all thanks to a
masterfully nuanced performance. Her odd mannerisms and
awkward affectation made her memorable. She does have a few stilted
one-liners but most of her humor is solid.<br />
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<br />
But the biggest surprise was Chris Hemsworth. As a big time <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1735898/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">action star</a>/<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">demi-god</a>, audiences don't necessarily think of him as a comedic actor. His timing was impeccable, his delivery superb and he displayed a knack for dry humor that seemed almost supernatural. He remained deadpan throughout the entirety of the film and offered some of the movie's biggest laughs. With how excited I was to see a team of women Ghostbusters, I was disappointed that the man outshone them, but delighted that the movie was as fun as it was.<br />
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<br />
Since I've rambled on much more than I intended, here's a quick Lightning Round.<br />
<ul>
<li>There were two <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov%27s_gun" target="_blank">Chekov's Gun</a> type solutions in the film, which I didn't quite care for but they worked and that's all that matters.</li>
<li>I liked the nods to two hit horror movies (<i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">The Exorcist</a> </i>and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084516/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank"><i>Poltergeist</i></a>), both of which fit the theme of the movie.</li>
<li>There was a lot of dancing in it, even <i>with </i>the big Hemsworth dance number cut from the end. I'm not sure why. There just was.</li>
<li>I <i>loved</i> the PKE meter. It reminded me of the one from <i>The Real Ghostbusters</i>. </li>
<li>While I found the CG to be outstanding, my favorite effect was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1581597/?ref_=tt_cl_t10" target="_blank">Gertrude Aldridge</a>, which was done using practical effects. The way the blue glow reflected off her face was creepy as hell. Even the slime-spewing moment startled me despite the fact that I knew it was coming. </li>
<li>I was floored by the final action sequence. Though so much more dynamic than anything in the original films, it had a great flow, coherent action and awesome CGI. </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cb8mY1nrck/V5JklY_p0wI/AAAAAAAAdic/ES3yO8pqkUk1dmO-8-7JDe5H4YY8uk8tACLcB/s1600/Gertrude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cb8mY1nrck/V5JklY_p0wI/AAAAAAAAdic/ES3yO8pqkUk1dmO-8-7JDe5H4YY8uk8tACLcB/s320/Gertrude.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And that's pretty much all I have. So was <i>Ghostbusters</i> a perfect film? No, not at all but it did have many genuinely funny moments and a great cast portraying lively characters. Wrap that up in a blanket of well directed action and you have the makings of a good summer movie. If pressed for a numerical rating, I'd give it a 7 out of 10 (on the PKE meter). Not quite burying the needle but it's a fun, energetic movie with a ton of laughs and a lot of heart.<br />
<br />Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-77617948157751131142016-07-19T12:48:00.002-04:002016-07-19T12:48:56.382-04:0010 Days With Ghostbusters: Slime City<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5ijtQJRaAw/V4f3-C6lu5I/AAAAAAAAc1M/KChzBUNHLckJlC10tpL9tMRkAWGFn4WHACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-19-06-00.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5ijtQJRaAw/V4f3-C6lu5I/AAAAAAAAc1M/KChzBUNHLckJlC10tpL9tMRkAWGFn4WHACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-19-06-00.png" width="180" /></a>So a brand new <i>Ghostbusters </i>video game hit shelves recently, cleverly titled "Ghostbusters: The Video Game", and so far it seems to be a big hit. Mind you, I can neither confirm nor deny this assertion since I don't have a <a href="http://amzn.to/29RZ4e0" target="_blank">Playstation 4</a> or <a href="http://amzn.to/29FCi4O" target="_blank">XBox One</a> to play it on, and the <a href="http://amzn.to/29FC7GX" target="_blank">Playstation 3</a> version seems to be ostentatiously overpriced.So while everyone else gets their bustin' on on a next gen system, I found a free-to-play Android based game to give me a Ghostbusters fix. <br />
<br />
(What follows are my own impressions from playing the game; I haven't read a single article, review or walkthrough about it. So if I am misrepresenting a feature or aspect of <i>Slime City</i> that is completely unfounded, well, take a look at that URL at the top of the page and you can understand how something like that would happen.)<br />
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Developed by <a href="http://www.eightpixelssquare.com/" target="_blank">Eight Pixels Square</a> and published by <a href="https://www.activision.com/" target="_blank">Activision</a>, "Ghostbusters: Slime City" is based on the new <i>Ghostbusters </i>film, that hit theaters this past weekend. Players begin the game as a brand new recruit to the Ghostbusters team and can determine the look of the character by choosing one of four stock body types. The default is Amelie Jones, "France's Leading Paranormal Expert".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1S8aw5lCCs/V4f39Y3ovyI/AAAAAAAAc04/GCw_sA4ge8ItDf4H10HJ0HKaAGXIBwkKwCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1S8aw5lCCs/V4f39Y3ovyI/AAAAAAAAc04/GCw_sA4ge8ItDf4H10HJ0HKaAGXIBwkKwCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-15.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi.</td></tr>
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The avatar doesn't seem to have any bearing on the performance of your character. In fact, you can switch on the fly as often as you want without any benefit or punishment.<br />
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The other avatars available are Clarissa Sharpe, "London's Queen of the Underground"...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WonXtjiXXxQ/V4f39RG9kHI/AAAAAAAAc08/9TeX_z1bEicxtuIzn0abTBMG4UAPh74OACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WonXtjiXXxQ/V4f39RG9kHI/AAAAAAAAc08/9TeX_z1bEicxtuIzn0abTBMG4UAPh74OACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-19.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...which sounds more like a woman who enjoys going to raves...</td></tr>
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<br />
...Sam Nova, "Madrid's Manifestation Matador"...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVgFrPv3XIQ/V4f39rAEbAI/AAAAAAAAc1A/bmEsrNPciAkqKXhvY8OmJoOzUUnygXS2QCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVgFrPv3XIQ/V4f39rAEbAI/AAAAAAAAc1A/bmEsrNPciAkqKXhvY8OmJoOzUUnygXS2QCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-26.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...whatever the hell that's supposed to mean...</td></tr>
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...and Bud Franklin, "The Trapmeister".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eQ2N06HL0o/V4f39o7VkYI/AAAAAAAAc1E/yWnTTG5w6xAPjypmlylAQfruiZJljAZzQCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eQ2N06HL0o/V4f39o7VkYI/AAAAAAAAc1E/yWnTTG5w6xAPjypmlylAQfruiZJljAZzQCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-38-31.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course the American gets the dumbest nickname of all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you progress, you earn Skill Points, which you can assign to different attributes to strengthen your character, such as HP, Defense, Power, and Health Recharge. I've gotten to level 8 and managed to upgrade a little bit, but it doesn't seem to have any effect but maybe it's because I haven't leveled high enough to see a difference. Also, defense seems to max out at 4, which is garbage but whatever.<br />
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The game mechanics are similar to the arcade game "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Crisis" target="_blank">Time Crisis</a>" where you duck behind cover before popping out to take a shot at enemies. Or ghosts, in this case. Firing is simply tapping the screen where you want to aim the proton pack. The pack is fairly responsive, meaning where you tap will most often result in a direct hit, however, there are a few challenges when it comes to weaponry, which I'll get to in a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFrpt7Y16EI/V4f379U8ZRI/AAAAAAAAc0Q/D2AQhd4QOPQLEXAq8P94JJhA4GG0a4hTgCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-34-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFrpt7Y16EI/V4f379U8ZRI/AAAAAAAAc0Q/D2AQhd4QOPQLEXAq8P94JJhA4GG0a4hTgCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-34-06.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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The game features different types of ghosts. Most of what you encounter are of the HP variety, meaning you shoot them enough to deplete their energy level, in which case they disappear. A few of the ghosts, however, need to be trapped, and they are indicated by a glowing aura around them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEVeqGqYyDc/V4hBlKm1v_I/AAAAAAAAc2U/LEXo3LCh4JoMhbQpNVzq4vgoAmQtQuOIQCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-14-20-45-35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEVeqGqYyDc/V4hBlKm1v_I/AAAAAAAAc2U/LEXo3LCh4JoMhbQpNVzq4vgoAmQtQuOIQCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-14-20-45-35.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The green one. Behind the wall. It's a terrible screenshot.</td></tr>
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Catching them is fairly easy. It's mostly a matter of tapping on them, holding them, <b>and</b> dragging them to the trap that gets tossed into the center of the room before the battle starts. Again, it's all really, really simple.<br />
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There are also massive, oversized ghosts. So far I've run into both the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Rowan and each one has annihilated me without mercy. They're basically HP ghosts but their weak spots vary, they toss shit at you and they have an absurd amount of HP to start with that my level 6 ass could barely keep up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTsyMFeAOjo/V4f3_4x1GPI/AAAAAAAAc2A/vB6OERtkg580l6hWEtTMjrc3JT71DIaHwCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-50-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTsyMFeAOjo/V4f3_4x1GPI/AAAAAAAAc2A/vB6OERtkg580l6hWEtTMjrc3JT71DIaHwCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-50-06.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They sure are cute roaming around Central Park with impunity, though.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58Qlzsxh2j4/V4f3_wQR_3I/AAAAAAAAc18/UWijz3oZ7CcpTXm_W3c_NfqB9jy1551VQCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-10-09-21-29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58Qlzsxh2j4/V4f3_wQR_3I/AAAAAAAAc18/UWijz3oZ7CcpTXm_W3c_NfqB9jy1551VQCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-10-09-21-29.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But no, seriously, fuck these guys.</td></tr>
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Fighting ghosts isn't the only type of mission you face. Well, it's about 96% of your tasks but you do other things as well. Like shoot shit. This isn't a joke, by the way. One mission requires you to shoot up a ghost generating machine, which I failed to get a screenshot of and don't feel like going back to get one since I just want to get this posted. Just take my word for it that it's all pretty standard.<br />
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Circling back to the different weapons, you start with the Proton Pack, which is the same as the packs from the new movie. These are reliable, single proton-stream emitting packs that have a good attack strength, quick recharge and decent rate of fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhBTbGHkf-I/V42I_a5vkiI/AAAAAAAAdbU/FCREw3evy3oxuu_ztwiHsT9_SjGQ-oi4ACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-18-21-48-43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhBTbGHkf-I/V42I_a5vkiI/AAAAAAAAdbU/FCREw3evy3oxuu_ztwiHsT9_SjGQ-oi4ACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-18-21-48-43.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trustworthy weapon.</td></tr>
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I've also unlocked what's called the "Electron Pack", which is the pack from the original films. This pack is a lot stronger than the Proton Pack but has a slower recharge time and tends to be slightly difficult to control. So depending on which weapon you choose, you take the good with the bad.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBuPMN6t_g0/V42I_eBX1dI/AAAAAAAAdbY/lGZAzX2m4ZMOIvyaHxC9CmjDipmk1d9QwCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-18-21-48-50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBuPMN6t_g0/V42I_eBX1dI/AAAAAAAAdbY/lGZAzX2m4ZMOIvyaHxC9CmjDipmk1d9QwCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-18-21-48-50.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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In addition to the packs, though, you can boost your character with the help of a few cards. You get cards as rewards for completing missions, with rarer cards providing better boosts. I've never actually used a boost during a battle (seriously, the missions last 30 seconds, ain't nobody got time for boosts) so I can't say how much they affect the outcome. But there are different attributes to the boosts, like 15% damage to green ghosts (which would all but guarantee that I don't see a single green ghost in the battle).<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5omhmez7NKc/V4f38kvc5PI/AAAAAAAAc0k/ztCqF6Z71j8e3Q_CFBIgnPCStdjLW1XEACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-36-27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5omhmez7NKc/V4f38kvc5PI/AAAAAAAAc0k/ztCqF6Z71j8e3Q_CFBIgnPCStdjLW1XEACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-36-27.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ebM1H95d9M/V4f3_IlL38I/AAAAAAAAc2I/2BADugd05uoF4OnVDpVGyRRV99KOYcXwQCKgB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-19-42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ebM1H95d9M/V4f3_IlL38I/AAAAAAAAc2I/2BADugd05uoF4OnVDpVGyRRV99KOYcXwQCKgB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-19-42.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not everything is a "weapon", though.</td></tr>
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Like most freemium games, gold is the in-game currency and can be purchased with real currency. I haven't done so as I've amassed over 100 gold coins these past 10 days. Not like that's a lot considering that rushing a building upgrade can take 50+ gold but whatevs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u9vdw6My38k/V4f38RvLmoI/AAAAAAAAc0g/SHR_m4RAriYmwYlI0HLjf-0rp82sg5paQCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-36-14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u9vdw6My38k/V4f38RvLmoI/AAAAAAAAc0g/SHR_m4RAriYmwYlI0HLjf-0rp82sg5paQCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-36-14.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legen...wait for it...pay me. </td></tr>
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Oh, and remember when I said that "Slime City" was based on the new movie? Well, there are a couple of familiar faces showing up in the game.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEXScsGSBF8/V4f38_xXzHI/AAAAAAAAc0w/o813AThP25UqD-tmQ4I7WpWlaDlHfOj8QCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-36-55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEXScsGSBF8/V4f38_xXzHI/AAAAAAAAc0w/o813AThP25UqD-tmQ4I7WpWlaDlHfOj8QCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-36-55.png" width="180" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbfN6fgZbsc/V4f38-M0P-I/AAAAAAAAc0o/bfAZXv_YMfUvt-CN6KB-BpENt4bKIQ8LACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-37-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbfN6fgZbsc/V4f38-M0P-I/AAAAAAAAc0o/bfAZXv_YMfUvt-CN6KB-BpENt4bKIQ8LACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-37-06.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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That's Kyle and Jess. OK, so maybe I overplayed the "familiar" part considering they aren't Kevin and Jillian, but god damn, they look close, right? I'm not sure why they didn't use Kevin and Holtzmann for the game, probably some kind of legal jargon concerning rights and likenesses and shit but it doesn't really matter. Even though these two pop up often, their banter adds a few chuckles to an otherwise monotonous game.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--jcWrcmxAPI/V4f3-s3DZkI/AAAAAAAAc1g/jAi0gcTBpeoenCp3qv_hNd2ZF0kSa7JJwCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-13-47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--jcWrcmxAPI/V4f3-s3DZkI/AAAAAAAAc1g/jAi0gcTBpeoenCp3qv_hNd2ZF0kSa7JJwCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-13-47.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUw6a_csV8E/V4f3-5XjhrI/AAAAAAAAc1o/Sjn2KUPikmYPhJCwohJUX3G89SBsfJt6ACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-13-52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUw6a_csV8E/V4f3-5XjhrI/AAAAAAAAc1o/Sjn2KUPikmYPhJCwohJUX3G89SBsfJt6ACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-13-52.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2_NWkH4GIk/V4f3_KJD17I/AAAAAAAAc1s/mkZnDpBiCXc5DqV9VPDRM6N9QLzyiaQdACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-14-08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2_NWkH4GIk/V4f3_KJD17I/AAAAAAAAc1s/mkZnDpBiCXc5DqV9VPDRM6N9QLzyiaQdACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-22-14-08.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatever. It made me laugh.</td></tr>
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I do enjoy the Daily Log In bonus game, which lets players force Slimer to shovel as much food as possible down his gullet in an allotted time, generally between 15 and 30 seconds. It's gross, it's frenetic, but it's fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_aP8G2ui4Q/V4f3-SJy5iI/AAAAAAAAc1U/CPmq-50lwzEcZOnEGYFB_fS6q2YdM9wlwCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-19-07-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_aP8G2ui4Q/V4f3-SJy5iI/AAAAAAAAc1U/CPmq-50lwzEcZOnEGYFB_fS6q2YdM9wlwCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-19-07-13.png" width="180" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWVN1ZkJGlg/V4f3-VuKUvI/AAAAAAAAc1Y/f6N7vVdwxKYqM-fvcuZq-dI9n7hkMGVAQCLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-08-19-07-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWVN1ZkJGlg/V4f3-VuKUvI/AAAAAAAAc1Y/f6N7vVdwxKYqM-fvcuZq-dI9n7hkMGVAQCLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-08-19-07-20.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that bar at the top? They pay you for that.</td></tr>
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Also, there seems to be a lot of product placement . Like, a whole lot. I've run across the <a href="http://www.daveandbusters.com/" target="_blank">Dave & Buster's</a> and <a href="https://www.papajohns.com/" target="_blank">Papa John's</a> logos so many times that I've lost count. Granted, both of those companies featured fairly prominently in the film and they both <a href="https://abancommercials.com/vid/5405/det/dave-and-buster-summer-of-games-ghostbusters-commercial" target="_blank">have in-store</a> <a href="http://www.papajohns.com/ghostbusters/" target="_blank">tie ins to the movie</a>. But hey, however Activision can generate a revenue stream from the game is fine by me. They don't shove ads down your throat like other freemium games and buying currency (so far) isn't mandatory so a few logos here and there is probably the least intrusive thing an Android game can do to make money.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RppRe9xPwDo/V4f39yryHUI/AAAAAAAAc1I/L2hZS8kq8FAjx8LShuNA5c7cPA4XyzDSACLcB/s1600/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-39-58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RppRe9xPwDo/V4f39yryHUI/AAAAAAAAc1I/L2hZS8kq8FAjx8LShuNA5c7cPA4XyzDSACLcB/s320/Screenshot_2016-07-07-22-39-58.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though that looks like the sketchiest Dave & Buster's ever.</td></tr>
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Even with all of that, one of my favorite aspects of the game are the splash screens. The graphics many be simple but they've rendered a few dynamic scenes which make the slow loading times semi-enjoyable.</div>
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While the game is fun at times, it tends to get repetitive. Not just because the simple game mechanics are used in every level but because it forces you to retrace your steps often. Because XP is such a rare commodity, in order to level up and unlock other aspects of the game, you have to go back to missions you've already cleared in the hopes that you'll get XP. And even though the missions are easy in themselves, you need to devote large swaths of time in order to progress.<br />
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I've fallen victim to many games that rely on the Pavlovian reward system to keep players active and this one just doesn't quite have the right balance. That doesn't mean I'm going to give up on it completely any time soon, but I can easily see it phasing out of my life.</div>
Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-26593290101258272292016-07-18T10:11:00.001-04:002016-07-18T10:11:12.395-04:00What's In The Box? episode 7: Legion of Collector's 'Suicide Squad'We're just about half a month away from the big screen release of Warner Brothers and <a href="http://www.dccomics.com/" target="_blank">DC Comics</a>' <i>Suicide Squad</i> movie and I, for one, am excited. So excited that after I heard it was the theme of the latest Legion of Collectors box, I decided to not cancel my subscription and give it another go. I'm glad I did because this box was chock full of super cool swag. Check out the full unboxing!<br />
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(Also, apologies for posting this video so late into the month. Halfway through editing, the <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/07/whats-in-box-episode-6-ghostbusters.html" target="_blank">Ghostbusters Lootcrate</a> showed up and that one took precedence. So sorry, not sorry.)<br />
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Oh, just here for the items? Cool, cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQrZLWmhSo0/V4ww1oGvJ1I/AAAAAAAAdaQ/dS4LTbaLgLA0jT6VGVuVYZVwesfeHxnYACLcB/s1600/Patch%2Band%2BPin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQrZLWmhSo0/V4ww1oGvJ1I/AAAAAAAAdaQ/dS4LTbaLgLA0jT6VGVuVYZVwesfeHxnYACLcB/s320/Patch%2Band%2BPin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's start with the patch & pin...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7fzsBY44CA/V4ww0v4fzRI/AAAAAAAAdaE/QZ8o36PmW7QRg0WS-QYgnxgwvVGugo6xgCLcB/s1600/Comic%2Bbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7fzsBY44CA/V4ww0v4fzRI/AAAAAAAAdaE/QZ8o36PmW7QRg0WS-QYgnxgwvVGugo6xgCLcB/s320/Comic%2Bbook.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love this variant cover. So simple yet so striking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0CEVZAZ4fc/V4ww2zQQdAI/AAAAAAAAdaU/PvWncfKEIyc4aUDcPW2pdvVEP3XRCFbpwCLcB/s1600/t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0CEVZAZ4fc/V4ww2zQQdAI/AAAAAAAAdaU/PvWncfKEIyc4aUDcPW2pdvVEP3XRCFbpwCLcB/s320/t-shirt.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-shirt... yawn... (Not <i>too</i> bad, at least.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V7qJ2hcrPXA/V4ww00p4z3I/AAAAAAAAdaI/G2WEpPo1jk0nKZUmqQbD2Z5ozIfTMgPUgCLcB/s1600/Enchantress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V7qJ2hcrPXA/V4ww00p4z3I/AAAAAAAAdaI/G2WEpPo1jk0nKZUmqQbD2Z5ozIfTMgPUgCLcB/s320/Enchantress.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super cool <i>and</i> exclusive Funko Pop. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDUXZaQq9bM/V4ww0ySvSeI/AAAAAAAAdaM/749mzAQb0v8agv1l9s4K5CyHqxA1_MfzgCLcB/s1600/Joker%2Band%2BHarley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDUXZaQq9bM/V4ww0ySvSeI/AAAAAAAAdaM/749mzAQb0v8agv1l9s4K5CyHqxA1_MfzgCLcB/s320/Joker%2Band%2BHarley.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, these right here made the cost of the box worthwhile.</td></tr>
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Just like the <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/whats-in-box-episode-4-marvel-collector.html" target="_blank">Marvel Collector Corps</a>, the Legion of Collectors is a 2-month box and goes for between $30 and $35 shipped. Head on over to <a href="https://legionofcollectors.com/#join" target="_blank">the website</a> to sign up for yourself and once again, thanks for watching What's In The Box?!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-89929576546251903292016-07-14T09:32:00.004-04:002016-07-14T09:32:27.969-04:00What's In The Box? episode 6: Ghostbusters Limited Edition Crate from LootcrateIt's <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-plethora-of-snack-tell-em-about.html" target="_blank">no</a> <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/05/rummaging-for-toys-on-sunny-may-saturday.html" target="_blank">secret</a> <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2014/06/toy-box-confidential-1-real.html" target="_blank">that</a> <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2013/10/real-ghostbusters-halloween-door.html" target="_blank">I am a</a> <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2009/10/some-halloween-entertainment-for-you.html" target="_blank">huge fan</a> <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2009/05/crystal-head-vodka.html" target="_blank">of </a><i><a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2009/05/crystal-head-vodka.html" target="_blank">Ghostbuster</a>s</i>. Ever since I was a kid, I've loved everything about the franchise. People are even surprised that, to this day, how quickly I name <i>Ghostbusters </i>as my all time favorite movie. So when my wife, the wonderful <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">Nerdy Pumpkin</a>, learned that <a href="http://looted.by/dUby7" target="_blank">Lootcrate</a> was offering a Special Edition Ghostbusters-themed crate, she didn't want to miss the chance to snatch it. And I'm so glad she did because after unboxing that puppy the other day, I have to say it was pretty great.<br />
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Check it out! (Also, this is my first video with a post-credits scene so make sure you stick around for that.)<br />
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Pretty rad, right? So much cool stuff jammed into an even cooler box. If you want to see the items close up, well, I have pics <i>just for you</i>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd4wBFKt2eM/V4ajNjABeaI/AAAAAAAAczw/MzZksoqayyotKd5qLhCzTUC2JZr7LJVTQCLcB/s1600/t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd4wBFKt2eM/V4ajNjABeaI/AAAAAAAAczw/MzZksoqayyotKd5qLhCzTUC2JZr7LJVTQCLcB/s320/t-shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can finally be a true, Real Ghostbuster!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pLkDDU8Feo/V4ajNhTR7oI/AAAAAAAAczo/AsoChkjRw8EobW7pYWPpBNxuWtgpjRr8gCLcB/s1600/proton%2Bpack%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pLkDDU8Feo/V4ajNhTR7oI/AAAAAAAAczo/AsoChkjRw8EobW7pYWPpBNxuWtgpjRr8gCLcB/s320/proton%2Bpack%2Bbox.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And with this I can be a truer, Realer Ghostbuster!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrtTpYunuAs/V4ajNQk19oI/AAAAAAAAczg/BxStuyBZ0QkgWva5nxHoI_cwM9XHTHyGwCLcB/s1600/pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrtTpYunuAs/V4ajNQk19oI/AAAAAAAAczg/BxStuyBZ0QkgWva5nxHoI_cwM9XHTHyGwCLcB/s1600/pin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm starting to grow a fondness for pins, like I needed something new to collect.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2g81sVp6kU/V4ajK_9GClI/AAAAAAAAczQ/XIJzGBFza4cZuOLhvzODhH4lQWlZIIWdwCLcB/s1600/Prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2g81sVp6kU/V4ajK_9GClI/AAAAAAAAczQ/XIJzGBFza4cZuOLhvzODhH4lQWlZIIWdwCLcB/s320/Prints.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sweet, sweet prints. (To be to confused with sweet, sweet Prince [RIP, homie]).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAp5LhhpPxM/V4ajNvYT6OI/AAAAAAAAczs/V_LvqmttgqQvOM_QJ0uDI0uYxMQgD0JMQCLcB/s1600/rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAp5LhhpPxM/V4ajNvYT6OI/AAAAAAAAczs/V_LvqmttgqQvOM_QJ0uDI0uYxMQgD0JMQCLcB/s320/rug.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome addition to my home. Get it?! "Welcome"!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwr_IBQRQrc/V4ajK6XyMdI/AAAAAAAAczY/7Ftb9zT2g7gTFs11lD_-0SeYVc_a1c4-ACLcB/s1600/Slimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwr_IBQRQrc/V4ajK6XyMdI/AAAAAAAAczY/7Ftb9zT2g7gTFs11lD_-0SeYVc_a1c4-ACLcB/s320/Slimer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND HE GLOWS IN THE DARK!</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, the Ghostbusters crate isn't a monthly or twice-monthly theme like the <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/whats-in-box-episode-1-lets-be-bad-guys.html" target="_blank">Firefly Cargo Crate</a> I unveiled not long ago so the opportunity to grab this one has past. However, Lootcrate does offer subscriptions for a wide range of interests, like Gaming, Anime, and even Pets, so if you're itching to get regular shipments to your home, you'd be well off to <a href="http://looted.by/dUby7" target="_blank">check 'em out</a>.Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-7349143852361809272016-07-08T09:12:00.001-04:002016-07-08T09:21:56.944-04:00What's In The Box? episode 5: The Bam Box's "The 80s" BoxAs a product of the 1980s, I have a true fondness for that decade. Growing up on classic cartoons like "ThunderCats" and "Masters of the Universe" to some of the greatest movies of all time like <i>Ghostbusters, The Breakfast Club</i> and <i>Weird Science</i> is the reason I was very excited to hear from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> that the theme for one of her subscription boxes was going to be "The 80s".<br />
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"Which box?" I asked enthusiastically. <br />
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I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you the answer she gave me since you probably already read it from the title above, but to be clear it in <a href="http://www.thebambox.com/?aff=129" target="_blank">The Bam Box</a>.<br />
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Check out the cool swag from the box!<br />
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If you want more radical 80s junk in your face, then this is all you!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinda hoping to find a Sloth pin next.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0eEyQE1t7s/V3-jzk7ubrI/AAAAAAAAcjU/vtooYenK6ZMjXhR7e405KOU6c0jRjR8YQCLcB/s1600/sunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0eEyQE1t7s/V3-jzk7ubrI/AAAAAAAAcjU/vtooYenK6ZMjXhR7e405KOU6c0jRjR8YQCLcB/s320/sunglasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be sure to check out my cheesy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHLgQDXjYzm/" target="_blank">"Sunglasses at Night"</a> pic, too!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1CnNfeHenQ/V3-jzXxRN9I/AAAAAAAAcjA/ieILJvvvoJ4HjZ6I9bNMU8-LyT4W-jfzgCLcB/s1600/Animation%2BDrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1CnNfeHenQ/V3-jzXxRN9I/AAAAAAAAcjA/ieILJvvvoJ4HjZ6I9bNMU8-LyT4W-jfzgCLcB/s320/Animation%2BDrawing.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N clue who this guy is. Can anyone help?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1OKFGdQJbI/V3-jzZdRRCI/AAAAAAAAcjE/kSKWPP-pcCkV6BY3aS1Y0qDLIv-C0fZyQCLcB/s1600/BttF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1OKFGdQJbI/V3-jzZdRRCI/AAAAAAAAcjE/kSKWPP-pcCkV6BY3aS1Y0qDLIv-C0fZyQCLcB/s320/BttF.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gonna go back in time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cjg4eyXo98A/V3-jzkci8TI/AAAAAAAAcjM/qiq2-qpsmcEXsRHP05YASsAEvOyxod-uwCLcB/s1600/Karate%2BKid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cjg4eyXo98A/V3-jzkci8TI/AAAAAAAAcjM/qiq2-qpsmcEXsRHP05YASsAEvOyxod-uwCLcB/s320/Karate%2BKid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the best...around.</td></tr>
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One really cool aspect of the Bam Box is <a href="http://thebambox.ning.com/" target="_blank">the Community</a> part of their site. It sounds like a commune but in actuality it's more like a <a href="http://thebambox.ning.com/tradecenter" target="_blank">trading outpost</a>. Since the items in each box vary, they allow subscribers to trade with one another to get things more to their liking (I'm probably gonna try this out with that animation sketch because I'd much prefer a <i>Real Ghostbusters</i> one). However, you have to be a Bam Box subscriber to participate in the Community so make sure <a href="http://www.thebambox.com/?aff=129" target="_blank">you sign up</a>!<br />
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Thanks again for watching! Check back soon for more <i>What's In The Box?</i>!
Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-65838934309527768452016-07-04T10:45:00.002-04:002016-07-04T19:21:17.549-04:00A Plethora of Snacks: Tell 'Em About the Twinkie Edition Part IIOn the last episode of "Caution: Idiot At Play", I showcased an <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-plethora-of-snacks-tell-em-about.html" target="_blank">ass-ton of Snack Cakes</a> I picked up over the past few weeks. However, to say that was all I had at my disposal would be untrue. In actuality, there are two other flavors of Twinkies that just seemed to warrant their own blog post.<br />
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You may have seen them already...<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMM4ang51WQ/V3XSdkB8OuI/AAAAAAAAcOw/hQk2iqAGYtEmNb71-WaffMvRNoJTt3qlwCKgB/s1600/Ghostbusters%2BBoxes%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMM4ang51WQ/V3XSdkB8OuI/AAAAAAAAcOw/hQk2iqAGYtEmNb71-WaffMvRNoJTt3qlwCKgB/s320/Ghostbusters%2BBoxes%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As a tie-in to the new <i>Ghostbusters</i> movie (in theaters July 15th!) <a href="http://hostessbrands.com/" target="_blank">Hostess</a> did the only logical thing and released not one but <b>two</b> special flavors of Twinkies. I was only able to obtain these bad boys through the help of <a href="http://sexyarmpit.com/" target="_blank">The Sexy Armpit</a>'s Jay and his relentless search to find them.<br />
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So without further ado, let's tear into some Limited Edition Twinkies!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mls5FKZcXJQ/V3XSdoeuXrI/AAAAAAAAcOw/GFNcakTmy78ZBnzcwHrFZChP3qj4SKvKgCKgB/s1600/Lime%2BTwinkies%2Bbox%2BSlimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mls5FKZcXJQ/V3XSdoeuXrI/AAAAAAAAcOw/GFNcakTmy78ZBnzcwHrFZChP3qj4SKvKgCKgB/s320/Lime%2BTwinkies%2Bbox%2BSlimer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also with toys!</td></tr>
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<b>Key Lime Slime</b><br />
As the first of the new cakes to be announced, this was the one I've been salivating for the longest. Off the bat, it was certainly a novel choice by Hostess to add some flavor to the Twinkies, to help make these more special than your standard run of the mill Twinkies. But to choose a flavor like Key Lime is definitely bold.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ0fMkUXj7s/V3XSd2wMJrI/AAAAAAAAcOw/-su3XHFsekcFSHaIwKAF11ptTZEtT-k5ACKgB/s1600/Lime%2BTwinkies%2Bcake%2BSlimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ0fMkUXj7s/V3XSd2wMJrI/AAAAAAAAcOw/-su3XHFsekcFSHaIwKAF11ptTZEtT-k5ACKgB/s320/Lime%2BTwinkies%2Bcake%2BSlimer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The best part is, though, the cream is actually green. Which makes sense being that it's supposed to represent slime. It's possible that I'm making a big deal over a small detail but I don't really care. The cream is green!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgBWICE3M8s/V3XSeOdpqmI/AAAAAAAAcOw/Z0u6ohq19aQogio2IzfzX9w73BQMaaLQACKgB/s1600/Lime%2BTwinkies%2Bcake%2Bbottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgBWICE3M8s/V3XSeOdpqmI/AAAAAAAAcOw/Z0u6ohq19aQogio2IzfzX9w73BQMaaLQACKgB/s320/Lime%2BTwinkies%2Bcake%2Bbottom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see from the tiny holes in the bottom.</td></tr>
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Tearing open the package, the first thing that hit me was the smell. These things are ridiculously aromatic, with the smell of the lime practically grabbing me by the nostrils and pulling me closer.<br />
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So how do they taste? Before trying them I heard a few less than positive things about these Twinkies, mostly that the citrus flavor doesn't mesh well with the cake. However, I have to say the opposite; the subtle lime cream is a welcome change to the standard Twinkie fare. It's the slight tartness that tickles the palette and complements the yellow cake.<br />
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And while I do have to question the choice of naming them "Key Lime Slime" (why not just Key Slime? It's so much simpler), it is a shame that the key lime flavor is limited. I wouldn't mind having these available more often.<br />
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But <i>Ghostbusters</i> fans got more than just the slime Twinkies this year. Long after these were announced, Hostess dropped a bombshell on us in the form of an entirely new flavor.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS1FEDzLRVs/V3XSe3f_idI/AAAAAAAAcOw/uJagG7XeCwkSst-GPEVccJJ1MgALhsfBwCKgB/s1600/Marshmallow%2Bbox%2BStay%2BPuft%2Bno%2Bcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS1FEDzLRVs/V3XSe3f_idI/AAAAAAAAcOw/uJagG7XeCwkSst-GPEVccJJ1MgALhsfBwCKgB/s320/Marshmallow%2Bbox%2BStay%2BPuft%2Bno%2Bcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>White Fudge Marshmallow Twinkies</b><br />
Stay Puft is one of the most iconic characters from the original <i>Ghostbusters </i>so<i> </i>using him in any promotional material just instantly makes the product more memorable. And one of the best parts of Stay Puft is that he has his own built in flavor profile. Additionally, marshmallow makes an excellent cream flavor and what's a Twinkie without cream? It's garbage is what it is.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qYT2MrizWs/V3XSe-ECSbI/AAAAAAAAcOw/9Ashh-ve2FIk1FkPta17nEWzETTs_gRoACKgB/s1600/Marshmallow%2Bbox%2BStay%2BPuft%2Bw%2Bcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qYT2MrizWs/V3XSe-ECSbI/AAAAAAAAcOw/9Ashh-ve2FIk1FkPta17nEWzETTs_gRoACKgB/s320/Marshmallow%2Bbox%2BStay%2BPuft%2Bw%2Bcake.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now these guys are <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Walmart</a> exclusives so if you're out hunting for them, don't waste your time checking anywhere else. That will probably make them even harder to find, though, since everyone knows exactly where to go and the shelves will probably be cleared out (I still haven't seen them in the stores).<br />
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In addition to the marshmallow-flavored cream-filling, these guys are covered in a thin coating of white fudge, making them look just like Mr. Stay Puft. It's a genius marketing move if I've ever seen one.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xz0JH6uBH6E/V3XSemaQBII/AAAAAAAAcOw/vsEzQ0NTY5sbERjhUNFehXkN2HpoStNvQCKgB/s1600/Marshmallow%2BStay%2BPuft%2Bcake%2Binsides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xz0JH6uBH6E/V3XSemaQBII/AAAAAAAAcOw/vsEzQ0NTY5sbERjhUNFehXkN2HpoStNvQCKgB/s320/Marshmallow%2BStay%2BPuft%2Bcake%2Binsides.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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So how are they? Pretty awesome. The marshmallow filling is like super whipped Fluff, light in texture but powerful in flavor. However, they are extraordinarily sweet. The white fudge is, like, really, <i>really </i>strong, but it does blend well with the marshmallow. However, all of those flavors wash out the taste of the yellow cake, making it feel like eating a tubular piece of white chocolate cake.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ideaUwTV26A/V3XSfVzU4iI/AAAAAAAAcOw/39VZdRVpX5QZg7W1hIr5Phv08a1j3i6swCKgB/s1600/Mashmallow%2Bcake%2Binsides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ideaUwTV26A/V3XSfVzU4iI/AAAAAAAAcOw/39VZdRVpX5QZg7W1hIr5Phv08a1j3i6swCKgB/s320/Mashmallow%2Bcake%2Binsides.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Summary: they are fantastic, without a doubt, but it's a good thing these aren't sold as two-packs because it's hard to eat more than one in a single sitting.<br />
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And luckily that's all that I have for snack cakes. I'm probably going to gain twelve pounds from these five boxes of cupcakes but in the end, it was all worth it.<br />
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You know, posts like these are always bittersweet (no pun intended). I always seem to find foods that I enjoy, so it's really easy to write about them. I'm really looking forward to the day I finally pick up a fattening, artery-clogging junk food that makes me regret everything in my life. I'm sure that will make a great post.Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-1114731804239702642016-07-02T16:14:00.001-04:002016-07-02T16:14:45.900-04:00A Plethora of Snacks: Tell 'Em About the Twinkie EditionMan, it sure has been a while since I gorged myself on junk food. Well, <i>that's</i> not really true, but what <i>is</i> true is that it's been a while since I gorged myself on <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-plethora-of-halloween-snacks.html" target="_blank">junk food</a> and <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-plethora-of-snacks-part-ii-this-time.html" target="_blank">written about it</a>.<br />
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That's about to change!<br />
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It all started when I went in search of the Key Lime Slime Twinkies, a cross-promotion for the new <i>Ghostbusters </i>movie (in theaters July 15!). That search turned into a bust but I did manage to find a different kind of snack cake.<br />
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Two, actually. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-ZQgHyLwr4/V3XSfpqSEhI/AAAAAAAAcNc/v7sA8cO1mQQ7hG2q2kJQwfk9Mf3J1zZiQCLcB/s1600/Patriotic%2BTwinkies%2Bbox%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-ZQgHyLwr4/V3XSfpqSEhI/AAAAAAAAcNc/v7sA8cO1mQQ7hG2q2kJQwfk9Mf3J1zZiQCLcB/s320/Patriotic%2BTwinkies%2Bbox%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21guif82Ny4/V3XSha43BBI/AAAAAAAAcOY/JcJh1I31xt8XxK4k9dUSDS5C6kt6UmBiQCLcB/s1600/Sea%2BSalt%2BCaramel%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21guif82Ny4/V3XSha43BBI/AAAAAAAAcOY/JcJh1I31xt8XxK4k9dUSDS5C6kt6UmBiQCLcB/s320/Sea%2BSalt%2BCaramel%2Bbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While the Red, White, & Blue Twinkies were the first to catch my eye, it was the Sea Salt Caramel cupcakes that I really wanted to try.<br />
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But by coincidence, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> and I stopped into a <a href="http://www.safeway.com/" target="_blank">Safeway</a> during a trip to Delaware and we happened upon this...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SRDVprbQJQ4/V3XSgrFsBzI/AAAAAAAAcOE/81TigNe0g1Ir-Hpc2DXuPc80Xy1j4lcvwCLcB/s1600/Patriotic%2Bcupcakes%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SRDVprbQJQ4/V3XSgrFsBzI/AAAAAAAAcOE/81TigNe0g1Ir-Hpc2DXuPc80Xy1j4lcvwCLcB/s320/Patriotic%2Bcupcakes%2Bbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serendipity!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Seeing an opportunity to do exactly what I'm doing, I snatched them up. So, let's jump in and stuff our faces with cream-filled-yellow-cakes of happiness!<br />
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Because the Fourth of July is right around the corner, let's start with these bad boys, presented in full by a Captain America <a href="http://funko.com/" target="_blank">Funko</a> Pop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28wTANYEkE/V3XSgM5UrrI/AAAAAAAAcNs/I5orJ5wOKdIKd3UUsDxWAt1bhS6EEFM0wCLcB/s1600/Patriotic%2Bboxes%2BCap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28wTANYEkE/V3XSgM5UrrI/AAAAAAAAcNs/I5orJ5wOKdIKd3UUsDxWAt1bhS6EEFM0wCLcB/s320/Patriotic%2Bboxes%2BCap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Mom said not to play with our food...</td></tr>
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<b>Red, White, & Blue Twinkies</b><br />
Let me just put it out there that I love Twinkies. Twinkies and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sno_Balls" target="_blank">Sno Balls</a> are my two favorite snack cakes on the market. So any kind of special edition Twinkie is A-OK in my book.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLjXAnKxDss/V3XSfcgUVhI/AAAAAAAAcNY/hLBPbM7DcSMd-9ab3yJxJqK9K_gTCHOXQCLcB/s1600/Patriotic%2BTwinkies%2BCap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLjXAnKxDss/V3XSfcgUVhI/AAAAAAAAcNY/hLBPbM7DcSMd-9ab3yJxJqK9K_gTCHOXQCLcB/s320/Patriotic%2BTwinkies%2BCap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These seem like a solid choice. Clearly, Hostess is trying to bump their numbers during Independence Day. Not that I blame them; capitalism is the American Way, isn't it? And at least they're going about it the right way (in my opinion). As opposed to slapping the American flag on the box or going the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2016/05/10/budweiser-renames-cans-beer-america-anheuser-busch/84176886/" target="_blank">completely classless route and just changing the fucking name of the product to "America"</a>, they designed a new product. A Twinkie flecked with red and blue dots to symbolize fireworks.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uco4PRVrpyE/V3XSfmLIbUI/AAAAAAAAcNg/IPL9sDYJWmQbNtBK0B6s7jMM999vuSITQCLcB/s1600/Patriotic%2BTwinkies%2Bcake%2BCap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uco4PRVrpyE/V3XSfmLIbUI/AAAAAAAAcNg/IPL9sDYJWmQbNtBK0B6s7jMM999vuSITQCLcB/s320/Patriotic%2BTwinkies%2Bcake%2BCap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And it works! It's like a <a href="http://www.pillsburybaking.com/products/funfetti/seasonal" target="_blank">Funfetti</a> Twinkie to celebrate America's freedom. Ain't no shame there. They also kept the cream-filling the same, adding the "white" to the "Red, White, & Blue".<br />
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So how do they taste? Exactly the same. They're a little crunchier because of the sprinkles (or "jimmies" if you're from the Northeast [even though these would be closer to nonpareils, but why split hairs?]) but other than that, the flavor is no different. Same yellow cake. Same sweet cream center. It's a Twinkie through and through. Not that that's a problem or anything. I'll eat a Twinkie any day of the week.<br />
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So if you're heading to a Fourth of July party, you'd be well off picking up a box of these bad boys.<br />
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<b>Star Spangled Cupcakes</b><br />
So what about our other Patriotic fare?<br />
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The bastard step-child to Hostess' classic chocolate squiggle cupcake, this powder-blue confection could be another big one for this weekend. A vanilla cake with blue icing, topped with star-shaped sprinkles will be a hit with the kids at any picnic.<br />
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But are they good?<br />
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If you're a fan of vanilla, yes, they're quite tasty. However, they seem bland compared to the regular chocolate-on-chocolate cupcakes. The vanilla cake/vanilla icing combo just gets muddled and all becomes one.<br />
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Plus the coloring of the sprinkles mixes with the icing, turning the cake into a purple mess. Oh, I still ate the shit out of it, but it <i>looks</i> less appetizing. Either way, these will probably be popular for a couple of weeks before going into hibernation until next June.<br />
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<b>Sea Salt Caramel Cupcakes</b><br />
And now for the ones I've been waiting for!<br />
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So it's a yellow cake dealy like the Star-Spangled cupcakes from earlier. Not really a problem since I <i>do</i> like yellow cake cupcakes. Let's just hope that the caramel sea salt makes up it.<br />
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Now usually, I'm not a caramel kind of guy. If I'm going with a flavor other than chocolate or vanilla, I'd much prefer a peanut butter over caramel. However, I was really hoping that the sea salt itself would boost the flavor profile of these cupcakes and make them special.<br />
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Let me just say they're good. The caramel flavor was much subtler than I expected it to be, and it seemed even then the caramel was centered in the cream-filling. (You can even see that it's tinged brown to denote something different about it.) My issue with these is that you can barely taste the sea salt. Those little white flecks on top may as well be sprinkles because they seem to add nothing of value to the cupcake. If you like caramel flavors, then these are definitely your jam but if you're looking for something more out of the ordinary, keep it moving.<br />
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And that's in for the pre-Fourth of July snack-cake breakdown. But be sure to come back in a couple days since this is only Part One of the feature. Here's a little hint of what you can expect to find in the next installment...<br />
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Thanks for stopping in!</div>
Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-28814701647734899172016-06-29T22:21:00.000-04:002016-06-29T22:21:28.924-04:00What's In The Box? episode 4: Marvel Collector Corps' 'Women of Power'Wow, I can't believe I have another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfXeFZ5xX-yQkCXXwMK9nzkbSO5VS7Ibl" target="_blank">"What's In The Box?"</a> ready to go. The fourth one in a month. Man, I'm really glad that my bills are getting paid.<br />
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Anyway, this latest box comes from <a href="http://funko.com/" target="_blank">Funko</a>, the guys that take a good chunk of my paycheck every two weeks. It's the <a href="https://www.collectorcorps.com/" target="_blank">Marvel Collector Corps</a> (despite the fact that I keep calling it "Collector's Corps" in the video, probably because I'm an idiot like that). The theme of this box is "Women of Power" which basically covers a good chunk of the <a href="http://marvel.com/" target="_blank">Marvel Universe</a>.<br />
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Curious to see what's in the box? Well, anticipate no longer!<br />
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Oh, you're here just to see the items up close? No worries. I gotchu covered...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PQtWdevu08/V3Qt5MJLTvI/AAAAAAAAcB0/UxNPKjNEf3cd_f2saJwC1QjeqorJ5rUgQCLcB/s1600/Patch%2Band%2BPin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PQtWdevu08/V3Qt5MJLTvI/AAAAAAAAcB0/UxNPKjNEf3cd_f2saJwC1QjeqorJ5rUgQCLcB/s320/Patch%2Band%2BPin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need a sash like the Girl Scouts have for all of these patches.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j91JkS3CddM/V3Qt5uw169I/AAAAAAAAcCI/RuYTKG8cIFA26gRfDei8685po_pg15erACLcB/s1600/t-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j91JkS3CddM/V3Qt5uw169I/AAAAAAAAcCI/RuYTKG8cIFA26gRfDei8685po_pg15erACLcB/s320/t-shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gonna wear the hell out of this shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-do2h9vW22wg/V3Qt5LYwsVI/AAAAAAAAcB4/1hvP_9vPhSYel-CzbUCltlAVI9homMX3QCLcB/s1600/Comic%2BBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-do2h9vW22wg/V3Qt5LYwsVI/AAAAAAAAcB4/1hvP_9vPhSYel-CzbUCltlAVI9homMX3QCLcB/s320/Comic%2BBook.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is <i>Civil War II</i> worth the time? I'm thinking no. Cool cover, though.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6mH8Qvw2q4/V3Qt5RmRf2I/AAAAAAAAcCA/ijTcg7ISfx8Rj3wXaMFEnbVsf7mynhg-gCLcB/s1600/She-Hulk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6mH8Qvw2q4/V3Qt5RmRf2I/AAAAAAAAcCA/ijTcg7ISfx8Rj3wXaMFEnbVsf7mynhg-gCLcB/s1600/She-Hulk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good sculpt on She Hulk, but just a very plain pose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dx6uj7O__Y/V3Qt5OpH5jI/AAAAAAAAcB8/moBhSinI_mUmD_e9ru_X3TQRu9X7Z2tpACLcB/s1600/Captain%2BMarvel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dx6uj7O__Y/V3Qt5OpH5jI/AAAAAAAAcB8/moBhSinI_mUmD_e9ru_X3TQRu9X7Z2tpACLcB/s320/Captain%2BMarvel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol Danvers Captain Marvel is always welcome...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnPeGGkc-0c/V3Qt5uRmowI/AAAAAAAAcCE/_GqG7V2vvvsxj0j4dya0ZhHylbXZhEuGwCLcB/s1600/Squirrel%2BGirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnPeGGkc-0c/V3Qt5uRmowI/AAAAAAAAcCE/_GqG7V2vvvsxj0j4dya0ZhHylbXZhEuGwCLcB/s320/Squirrel%2BGirl.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as is Squirrel Girl. Fucking Squirrel Girl, yo!</td></tr>
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And there you go! "Women of Power" turned out to be a pretty decent box. Not my favorite of the bunch; that honor goes to the <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_P4kcVS_fJ/" target="_blank">Guardians of the Galaxy</a></i> box from December) but probably a close second.<br />
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Want the Marvel Collector Corps for yourself? Head over to their site and <a href="https://www.collectorcorps.com/#subscribe" target="_blank">sign up</a>! Tell 'em <a href="https://twitter.com/IdiotAtPlay" target="_blank">Idiot At Play</a> sent ya! You...you won't get anything special for saying that but don't let that stop you. The next box is Spider-Man so if you're a fan of the wall-crawler, you probably don't want to miss that.<br />
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Thanks again for checking out "What's In The Box?" and I'll be back sooner with yet another video I'm not even kidding. I already have two other boxes I need to record. Sweet Christ, I'm <i>so glad</i> I have a roof over my head.)Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-11841047763509859772016-06-26T23:01:00.002-04:002016-06-26T23:01:39.440-04:00What's In The Box? episode 3: Owlcrate's "Royalty" BoxWell, last week was a good week for subscription boxes. Not only did I get my <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2016/06/whats-in-box-episode-2-june-dino-drac.html" target="_blank">June Funpack</a> on Saturday but I came home to TWO other boxes on my front stoop on Wednesday. This edition of "What's In The Box?" digs through the <a href="https://owlcrate.com/refer/Laure-ZTMZJIRQ" target="_blank">OwlCrate</a>, which we get because, though I consider myself a book lover, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenerdypumpkin/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> is big into YA literature, which OwlCrate specializes in.<br />
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The theme of the box is "Royalty" and OwlCrate delivered on that big time. Check out the full unboxing.<br />
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Looking back on the video I realize I said "box" a shitload of times. Oh, well. That's what happens when you get a stack of bo...packages to rifle through.<br />
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If you ain't got time for no video and just want to see what we got, here ya go!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DeP_98SiPpg/V3B9EX6HvFI/AAAAAAAAb2U/hdyleqApK1E-FyiEkXwGl5tDcxjxBabZACLcB/s1600/postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DeP_98SiPpg/V3B9EX6HvFI/AAAAAAAAb2U/hdyleqApK1E-FyiEkXwGl5tDcxjxBabZACLcB/s320/postcard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleverly illustrates the box's theme.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMpF9jlBu0o/V3B9BkTvFgI/AAAAAAAAb14/wepVOqwTGl0QSL3mJ-409c3VZIj_ZnvpACLcB/s1600/ariel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMpF9jlBu0o/V3B9BkTvFgI/AAAAAAAAb14/wepVOqwTGl0QSL3mJ-409c3VZIj_ZnvpACLcB/s320/ariel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this is the 4th Ariel in our collection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFDQprMeIx8/V3B9BAHzUEI/AAAAAAAAb1w/vVMfImBKzhUrTYwjgxXfeFDWbffDHTbgwCLcB/s1600/Bookmarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFDQprMeIx8/V3B9BAHzUEI/AAAAAAAAb1w/vVMfImBKzhUrTYwjgxXfeFDWbffDHTbgwCLcB/s320/Bookmarks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnetic bookmarks, how do they work?! (Check out <a href="http://craftedvan.com/" target="_blank">Crafted Van</a> for more!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVsmXDX_NJQ/V3B9DZSd8CI/AAAAAAAAb2E/tYCla9-zYMY7YJbQ5_Urd5XP5Tjh8z3dwCLcB/s1600/bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVsmXDX_NJQ/V3B9DZSd8CI/AAAAAAAAb2E/tYCla9-zYMY7YJbQ5_Urd5XP5Tjh8z3dwCLcB/s320/bracelet.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RichLoveShoppe" target="_blank">Rich Love Shoppe</a> has a TON of cool stuff on their Etsy store.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CNTWWtxzm4/V3B9DVmA2VI/AAAAAAAAb2A/sAQqyLLw-lMegIwAPtdvlVrfKcR1MNVfgCLcB/s1600/book%2Bcrown%2Bnote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CNTWWtxzm4/V3B9DVmA2VI/AAAAAAAAb2A/sAQqyLLw-lMegIwAPtdvlVrfKcR1MNVfgCLcB/s320/book%2Bcrown%2Bnote.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmEQdJPZS_Q/V3B9BNdx6ZI/AAAAAAAAb10/87XsP2n3RC8wfyzwUF82jSxyQqN1pOmhgCLcB/s1600/Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmEQdJPZS_Q/V3B9BNdx6ZI/AAAAAAAAb10/87XsP2n3RC8wfyzwUF82jSxyQqN1pOmhgCLcB/s320/Book.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you want to check out "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062391747/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=caidatpl-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0062391747&linkId=77e9bbaebf211c6bfc1889baf6e386b8" target="_blank">My Lady Jane</a>", you can get it from Amazon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TOgj46I2w/V3B9DSqrSOI/AAAAAAAAb2I/TT6KEk6t-IQrHEHAgTyBNz8LJYMmc3_FwCLcB/s1600/crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TOgj46I2w/V3B9DSqrSOI/AAAAAAAAb2I/TT6KEk6t-IQrHEHAgTyBNz8LJYMmc3_FwCLcB/s320/crown.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you take a selfie with the crown, you may win a free box. I'm considering it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the note. You can't really read it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5eptRpLhMI/V3B9EfOJZQI/AAAAAAAAb2Y/EKMUrFypiDI_mf_s2Rv5v7e6fkrOKAPGQCLcB/s1600/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5eptRpLhMI/V3B9EfOJZQI/AAAAAAAAb2Y/EKMUrFypiDI_mf_s2Rv5v7e6fkrOKAPGQCLcB/s320/quote.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heard good things about "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006231064X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006231064X&linkCode=as2&tag=caidatpl-20&linkId=157c53f9190241d58afb5f8e3e2a81d1" target="_blank">The Red Queen</a>". I may need to check it out.</td></tr>
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And that is it! I have to say, I'm really excited for next month's box. Having a dual theme like "Good vs. Evil" is an interesting concept and I can't wait to see which one we get. (I'm hoping for "Evil" which just guarantees that we'll get "Good".) If you want in on the action, head over to <a href="https://owlcrate.com/refer/Laure-ZTMZJIRQ" target="_blank">OwlCrate</a> and sign up. It's only $35 shipped, which isn't bad considering what you get. You can even purchase past boxes if you want this one for yourself.<br />
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Thanks for watching! Come back soon for another "What's In The Box?"!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-73501986023290946082016-06-22T19:59:00.002-04:002016-06-22T19:59:50.269-04:00What's In The Box? episode 2: June Dino Drac Funpack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey, y'all! Welcome to another installment of <i>What's In The Box?</i> Today we're taking a look at the <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Dracula</a> Funpack for the month of June. I've been getting the Funpack for a little over a year now and this one is the most..."obscure" is maybe the right word? Matt at Dino Drac described the box as <b>Eclectic</b> and after looking through it, I have to say that's the best way to put it.</div>
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Check out the full unboxing here:</div>
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Dig that box? Head over to <a href="http://dinosaurdracula.com/blog/june-2016-funpack/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Dracula</a> to sign up for yourself. It's only $25 a month, which includes shipping. Early in the month, Matt compiles a post of all the items in the upcoming box so you can use that to make your purchasing decision.(He managed to rope me in with a <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2015/05/mac-tonights-big-british-adventure.html" target="_blank">Mac</a> <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2015/05/mac-tonights-big-british-adventure-part.html" target="_blank">Tonight</a> figure and I have zero regrets.)</div>
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For your convenience, here are pics of what the June box contained.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening boxes is hungry work. (That's what she said [???])</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly blurry. Still ugly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bvrzqvH43sk/V2rnvBoHztI/AAAAAAAAbp8/H7PRVja1WooQ2qAmqjbd9rNoNof6KgSGwCLcB/s1600/trolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bvrzqvH43sk/V2rnvBoHztI/AAAAAAAAbp8/H7PRVja1WooQ2qAmqjbd9rNoNof6KgSGwCLcB/s320/trolls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's hope these little bastards bring me some good luck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4bw2FTNZ6Y/V2rnug4gqgI/AAAAAAAAbqA/sPUisMwPSYwzWLf6UwB8QXu1JT_Ljq3mwCLcB/s1600/pogs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4bw2FTNZ6Y/V2rnug4gqgI/AAAAAAAAbqA/sPUisMwPSYwzWLf6UwB8QXu1JT_Ljq3mwCLcB/s320/pogs2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dino Drac has single-handedly dragged me back into the Pog fandom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gGr2IYgw9g/V2rxJMxjfZI/AAAAAAAAbqo/lewAUAMvd3QCYzm-9cRLBokaT2d3xct1gCLcB/s1600/ET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gGr2IYgw9g/V2rxJMxjfZI/AAAAAAAAbqo/lewAUAMvd3QCYzm-9cRLBokaT2d3xct1gCLcB/s320/ET.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't go wrong with ET in drag</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDl_luc3B7M/V2rnugf91zI/AAAAAAAAbps/B73XUhk0PbwSHtsB1n4S4zAC3mN5sn5GQCLcB/s1600/Where%2Bare%2Bthey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDl_luc3B7M/V2rnugf91zI/AAAAAAAAbps/B73XUhk0PbwSHtsB1n4S4zAC3mN5sn5GQCLcB/s320/Where%2Bare%2Bthey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also now see that I cannot read. "Where Are They?" Not "where are they now".</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zf48Zo_2Ua4/V2rnuZC-owI/AAAAAAAAbpo/x1GYOvxiOLkeQhqnYEldbBvqwjAnRjrYgCLcB/s1600/Robin%2BHood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zf48Zo_2Ua4/V2rnuZC-owI/AAAAAAAAbpo/x1GYOvxiOLkeQhqnYEldbBvqwjAnRjrYgCLcB/s320/Robin%2BHood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orko, Alf and Stripe. This is the 80s in one picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWwtzRLfKm0/V2rxJEuWXUI/AAAAAAAAbqs/_qul1pVrT8w9MqsV3QmPlwyIO2fUoWY2QCLcB/s1600/batman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWwtzRLfKm0/V2rxJEuWXUI/AAAAAAAAbqs/_qul1pVrT8w9MqsV3QmPlwyIO2fUoWY2QCLcB/s320/batman.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What other subscription box will send you cereal? Besides "Loot Cereal" I mean.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-diZ5vaYbSck/V2rnu8kguOI/AAAAAAAAbp0/lmH3H3SYX-0-A6-AF5roVcYvYiUXMi53ACLcB/s1600/poster-sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-diZ5vaYbSck/V2rnu8kguOI/AAAAAAAAbp0/lmH3H3SYX-0-A6-AF5roVcYvYiUXMi53ACLcB/s320/poster-sticker.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't tell you how much I look forward to the poster and sticker in each box.</td></tr>
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Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1MLhArIRf1Wxh-fj_gyumQ" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a> for more <i>What's In The Box?</i> videos!Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-13002819557609558412016-06-18T11:08:00.000-04:002016-06-18T11:08:01.126-04:00The Clifton Comic Book ExpoComic cons are fun. Well, except for the <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-marvel-and-stan-lee-almost.html" target="_blank">really <em>big</em> comic cons</a> where there are so many people that it causes pinch points at every intersecting aisle and you're walking through chicken-tender-and-Mountain-Dew fueled fart clouds hourly. In cases like that, comic cons are less fun. <br />
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But what <em>is</em> fun are the small comic book shows, held in some unassuming hotel lobby or Elks lodge. And that's kind of what I'm getting at with the Clifton Comic Book Expo.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIL6_xFCGGM/V2VeQyKUEyI/AAAAAAAAbfQ/Q46Q3nArST4bRNdSJ9-wT7W-1pvd0o9mACLcB/s1600/Comic%2BBook%2BShow%2BToday.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIL6_xFCGGM/V2VeQyKUEyI/AAAAAAAAbfQ/Q46Q3nArST4bRNdSJ9-wT7W-1pvd0o9mACLcB/s320/Comic%2BBook%2BShow%2BToday.tif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Held in the Clifton Community Recreation Center in Clifton, NJ (man, I typed "Clifton" a whole lot in these three paragraphs, didn't I?), the <a href="http://www.njcomicbookshows.com/clifton.htm" target="_blank">CCBE</a> (managed to avoid it that time) allowed a small array of comic vendors to peddle their wares on a sunny, windy Sunday afternoon. <br />
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After an early show of <em><a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">TMNT 2</a></em>, <a href="http://lwlink3.linkwithin.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14661022387909&key=8a69ede45b8445f6b533712ba9899ffb&libId=ipinf0h50100r7tw000DAyrcn2khqra6p&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com%2F&v=1&out=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FTheNerdyPumpkin&title=Caution%3A%20Idiot%20At%20Play&txt=The%20Nerdy%20Pumpkin" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanNightma" target="_blank">Jonathan Nightmare</a> and I headed north to check it out. The show had free admission, which was perfect because we got there two hours before it was scheduled to end, and even then people were already packing up and calling it a day. I rummaged through a few boxes, considered briefly a couple action figure and Funko Pop purchases, dropped $30 bucks between the three of us and we were on our way. Like I said: fun.<br />
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Anyway, here's a short video showing off some of the con.<br />
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<a href="http://www.njcomicbookshows.com/" target="_blank">Pug Productions</a> puts on a number of small cons like these across the Northern Jersey area so if you're interested in checking out the next one, check out there site to stay abreast of their updates.<br />
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Wondering what I picked up? Well, check out this stack...<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YANaK706Mb0/V2VeLzeulTI/AAAAAAAAbe8/be3s_psSHYsZ8JDMvz5R8BwsRJwKE_ntACLcB/s1600/Stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YANaK706Mb0/V2VeLzeulTI/AAAAAAAAbe8/be3s_psSHYsZ8JDMvz5R8BwsRJwKE_ntACLcB/s320/Stack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's the result of browsing nearly every 50 cent bin in the joint. Taking a deeper look...</div>
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Three random issues of <i>Dazzler</i> to go with the #1 that I've had for years. Will I ever finish the run? Probably not, but this brings me a smidgen closer to that senseless goal.</div>
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A few issues of <i>Sleepwalker</i>. I have an affinity for obscure 90s super heroes so completing this run is more of a priority. I may already have that first issue in my collection but at 50 cents, I don't really care.</div>
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Now I <i>know</i> I have that first issue of <i>Cloak and Dagger</i> and yes, I bought a second one intentionally. But whatevs. Also, the issue Moon Knight joins the <i>West Coast Avengers</i> and a chromium cover issue of <i>Silver Surfer</i>, a comic that defines the 1990s.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN8Cv27yaS0/V2VeLpsyHmI/AAAAAAAAbe4/FL12Z9nZrjsUxQxueTPX2xDSAzAnLglKQCLcB/s1600/Speedball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN8Cv27yaS0/V2VeLpsyHmI/AAAAAAAAbe4/FL12Z9nZrjsUxQxueTPX2xDSAzAnLglKQCLcB/s320/Speedball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey, remember what I said about 90s super heroes? I present <i>Speedball</i> #1 and #2 as proof.</div>
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<i>What If</i> is one of my favorite Marvel series. I have nothing to add to that statement. </div>
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How about some popular 80s cartoons turned into comic books? One cannot go wrong with <i>Thundercats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles </i>and <i>Roger Rabbit.</i> And for a total of a buck fifty?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EZ_-uYW_B0/V2VeMGnrb6I/AAAAAAAAbfA/fgKCow3qDSYhXt714GG-UU3R3WeqAqsNACLcB/s1600/Supergirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EZ_-uYW_B0/V2VeMGnrb6I/AAAAAAAAbfA/fgKCow3qDSYhXt714GG-UU3R3WeqAqsNACLcB/s320/Supergirl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally, a shitload of <i>Supergirl </i>comics spanning the 80s through the early 2000s. Supergirl is one of my favorite super heroines so this just felt natural. It was like a given when I saw all of them in the back of that box that I needed to just take them home with me. My only regret is that I didn't get so many more that the guy had.<br />
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Hopefully the dude will be at the next Pug Productions show and I can load up on a few more.Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-14372920750075494312016-06-12T21:40:00.003-04:002016-06-12T21:40:29.071-04:00Movie Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the ShadowsBack in 2014, I walked out of the theater after watching <i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</i> disappointed and disgusted. After that abomination of a film, I swore off future installments of the series, refusing to give them any more of my money.<br />
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Fast forward a year and the announcement that <a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Stephen-Amell-Joining-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Classic-Character-70616.html" target="_blank">Stephen Amell had been cast as Casey Jones</a>, I decided to lift that self-imposed ban. I would be willing to sit through a movie just to see how Amell would handle the role. But that's not to say I had any expectations of the movie as a whole.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/TheNerdyPumpkin" target="_blank">The Nerdy Pumpkin</a> and I finally got around to seeing <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3949660/" target="_blank">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows</a></i> and I really must say, it was a ridiculously fun movie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQo2gwy_FRY/V14I2D25SVI/AAAAAAAAbRI/91tWaoUnuK06hB6CWKbHVBcIypa8ciK9ACLcB/s1600/Turtles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQo2gwy_FRY/V14I2D25SVI/AAAAAAAAbRI/91tWaoUnuK06hB6CWKbHVBcIypa8ciK9ACLcB/s320/Turtles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like, "buy a bunch of action figures", fun.</td></tr>
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As I stated earlier, I didn't have much hope for <i>TMNT 2</i>, what with the shoddy track record they placed early on in the series. However, it seems like, from the beginning, the filmmakers worked hard to appeal to fans. From the aforementioned Casey Jones to the inclusion of Bebop and Rocksteady, and even going so far as to work Krang and his giant, robotic body into the mix, they pulled out all of the stops to try and bring people back into the seats. And shockingly, it works.<br />
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<i>Out of the Shadows</i> takes place one year after the events of the first movie. The turtles continue to live in hiding, afraid of what would happen if people discovered their existence. That kind of life takes a toll on them, and Michelangelo most especially, who longs for a life outside of the sewers.<br />
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The movie spent the first twenty minutes (or so it felt) checking in with the cast, reacquainting us with everyone. We see the turtles right out of the gate. Vernon Fenwick is the hero of New York after taking the credit for bringing the Shredder to justice. April O'Neil is doing deep-cover reporting, following Baxter Stockman, a scientist she believes works for the Shredder.<br />
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It's not until we meet Casey Jones does the movie really kick in as the Foot Clan moves to bust Shredder out of jail.<br />
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Oh, be wary, there are <b>SPOILERS</b> ahead so consider yourself warned.<br />
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Without exaggeration, the movie is 100% fan service. Is that a drawback? Maybe, because the fans they are catering to are fans of the early-90s animated series. Sure, they manage to sprinkle a few references to other media in there, like a Stan Lee-style cameo by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and a jukebox playing a Vanilla Ice song, but really they're just capitalizing on the nostalgia of the original cartoon. Having Shredder, Krang, Bebop, and Rocksteady all provide the antagonism for the turtles is classic, and luckily for everyone director Dave Green made it work. <br />
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Unfortunately, much of the characterization is over-the-top, especially in the case of Bebop and Rocksteady. These two are played as complete nitwits, the kind of criminals that would get themselves killed in the first heist they ever took part in because they don't know their right from left. In a cartoon, it makes sense. Here, it often became just barely tolerable to borderline annoying. Did it fit with the characters, though? Yeah, pretty much.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#notallrhinos</td></tr>
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Unlike the first movie, April O'Neil plays a much smaller part, being relegated to true supporting star, but she at least still has a role to play. Almost every scene <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1083271/?ref_=tt_cl_t1" target="_blank">Megan Fox</a> is in is a scene in which April becomes necessary, and what I liked most about her was that she never played the damsel. She wasn't just some chick who got herself into trouble and needed the turtles to bail her out. If there's one positive thing the new movies do it's show April in a strong role, able to take care of herself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5pV799B_Ms/V14I1__8x1I/AAAAAAAAbRE/impu35qxJ0cfGTbcl8lr7Do_LFzSLG50wCLcB/s1600/April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5pV799B_Ms/V14I1__8x1I/AAAAAAAAbRE/impu35qxJ0cfGTbcl8lr7Do_LFzSLG50wCLcB/s320/April.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this, but with more slapping Karai in the face with a laptop.</td></tr>
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So what about the new characters? <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1854386/?ref_=tt_cl_t4" target="_blank">Stephen Amell</a> was perfect as Casey Jones. Having the experience of playing a vigilante on <i>Arrow</i>, Amell has perfected the broody-yet-charismatic hero archetype. I also loved how they worked Casey into the story, giving him an updated origin. Instead of the face-less nighttime vigilante he played in the cartoon, Casey was a wannabe cop in charge of the Shredder's prison transport who gets disgraced after his breakout. His desire to clear his name sets him on the path to find a pre-rhino and -warthog Bebop and Rocksteady, and his turn as a hero is really just a moment of necessity. And again, it works out well.<br />
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Also, they gave a nice nod to the original film (the 1990 one, the one we all give a shit about) by keeping the animosity between Casey and Raphael when the pair first meet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfRNHySHf6A/V14I1wk4QkI/AAAAAAAAbQ8/6g0T38B7Yb8ha6IgWBiDeddXy3qNXrbpwCLcB/s1600/Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfRNHySHf6A/V14I1wk4QkI/AAAAAAAAbQ8/6g0T38B7Yb8ha6IgWBiDeddXy3qNXrbpwCLcB/s320/Casey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately the cricket joke doesn't return.</td></tr>
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The biggest surprise, however, was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1347153/?ref_=tt_cl_t9" target="_blank">Tyler Perry</a> as Baxter Stockman. Fans of the cartoon know Stockman as the Fly but here he plays a brilliant scientist who wants to make a name for himself in the annals of history. Perry portrays Stockman as a quiet, power hungry nerd and the quiet social awkwardness and self esteem issues Perry imbues Stockman with really drive the character's motivations so that it's not untoward that this genius of a man would align himself with a wicked cult leader like the Shredder. I'm not too much of a fan of Tyler Perry's movies but as an actor he really knows what the hell he's doing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GB969JKTe0s/V14I2dTjIYI/AAAAAAAAbRQ/zAU6JNd_RFgC0ZyXrUrcKOS3mBaM3bfGgCLcB/s1600/baxter-stockman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GB969JKTe0s/V14I2dTjIYI/AAAAAAAAbRQ/zAU6JNd_RFgC0ZyXrUrcKOS3mBaM3bfGgCLcB/s320/baxter-stockman.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And looking very much like Neil Degrasse Tyson while he does it.</td></tr>
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Rounding out the main supporting cast is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001473/?ref_=tt_cl_t3" target="_blank">Laura Linney</a>, who plays a police chief who's name I wouldn't know if not for the help of IMDB (it's Vincent, which I assume is her last name). As a talented actress, Linney brings the necessary authority to the role. She carries herself well on screen, most notably in the interrogation room scene. Though the character doesn't really add much to the movie itself, at least Linney was able to garner more screen time that Whoopi Goldberg did in the first film (what a waste of money that casting choice was, huh) and it's really a joy to see her play off Stephen Amell the way she does (I'm a <a href="http://cautionidiotatplay.blogspot.com/2014/12/that-time-i-dreamed-stephen-amell-was.html" target="_blank">big fan of Stephen Amell</a>, in case you couldn't tell).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVSZvusukQo/V14I2ECWx_I/AAAAAAAAbRA/6JY_nZg5Ot8-_zljs6DJggpmaXpP3XNKgCLcB/s1600/Whoopi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVSZvusukQo/V14I2ECWx_I/AAAAAAAAbRA/6JY_nZg5Ot8-_zljs6DJggpmaXpP3XNKgCLcB/s320/Whoopi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured: Pointless. (Also, not in this movie)</td></tr>
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I know, I know. You're wondering about Krang. Well, he was mostly ridiculous. His first appearance on-screen did little more than set the events into motion but it felt more like an NPC in a video game giving a player their quest than it did the motivations for a major motion picture. We don't really see him again until the final scene when he faces off against the turtles for the first time but by then we really understand he's the big bad guy that everyone in Dimension X (never named in the film so don't get your hopes up) lives in fear of. Also, he's voiced by Brad Garrett of "Everybody Loves Raymond" fame and admittedly I wasn't sure if it would work out for me but in the end, Garrett did a pretty good job with it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKfxjUYOQb4/V14I2bPx9HI/AAAAAAAAbRM/pajD2nTVa0Y_NWDzPLUzPIcMhbmSq_dgACLcB/s1600/krang-tmnt-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKfxjUYOQb4/V14I2bPx9HI/AAAAAAAAbRM/pajD2nTVa0Y_NWDzPLUzPIcMhbmSq_dgACLcB/s320/krang-tmnt-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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All in all, the strength of the movie lay on the cast. The cinematography, on the other hand, was shaky at best. Though there are a few truly outrageous shots, most of the movie is comprised of quick cuts, especially during the many action sequences, and gets dizzying to no end. With most of these big action movies, I go to a 3D or IMAX showing but opted instead to see <i>TMNT 2</i> in 2D. I'm glad I did because if I had to deal with this frenetic mess in 3D I probably would have thrown up in my popcorn bucket.<br />
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But the real saving grace is the humor. You probably think I'm insane but hear me out. Whereas the first movie was filled with juvenile, puerile humor, the jokes in <i>Out of the Shadows</i> land almost every time. Maybe it's nostalgia-glasses making me more susceptible to the comedy, but I can't even remember when I laughed more often in a movie theater. So I'm definitely grateful for that.<br />
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Granted, <i>Out of the Shadows</i> is not a perfect film. In most people's eyes, it's not even a <i>good</i> film, and I won't fault them for thinking that. It is a loud, bright, obnoxious action flick that is aimed toward children and man-children alike. Much of the plot is moved forward by characters making inferred guesses at what needs to happen, not to mention how quickly they're able to fly to the Amazon rain forest and back (according to Google, a flight to Brazil from NYC is between 9 and 11 hours, yet they get there and back what seems like an afternoon). I could, of course, nitpick very many things in the movie but considering they at least tried to appeal to fans like me instead of blazing their own trail and ignore what made TMNT fun, I'd rather just sit back and enjoy the movie.<br />
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Oh, and did I mention the Technodrome? Because they put the fucking Technodrome into this thing. If that's not fan service, I don't know what is.Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437787980923559211.post-74729424767193583022016-06-09T13:13:00.001-04:002016-06-09T13:13:53.633-04:00What's In The Box? episode 1: Let's Be Bad Guys<br />
Welcome to the first of a new series I'm calling <i>What's In The Box?</i> As you may have already ascertained, <i>What's In The Box</i> is where I will be unboxing the subscription boxes that I receive, which include <a href="http://looted.by/dXo4o" target="_blank">Loot Crate</a>, <a href="https://www.collectorcorps.com/" target="_blank">Marvel's Collector's Corps</a> and a few other random ones that I get here and there.<br />
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For the inaugural episode, I'm taking a look at the latest <a href="https://www.lootcrate.com/subscription-crates/firefly" target="_blank">Cargo Crate</a>, a collection of goodies focused on the show <i>Firefly</i>, from Loot Crate and <a href="http://qmxonline.com/" target="_blank">Quantum Mechanix</a>. The second box, called "Let's Be Bad Guns", centered around tough guy Jayne Cobb. Since I cover everything in the video, why don't I quit babbling and let's see...What's In The Box! (Yes, I'm going to do that every opportunity I get.)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/il1dmjN78JU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/il1dmjN78JU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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If you dig the Cargo Crate and want to start getting it yourself, head over to <a href="http://looted.by/dXo4o" target="_blank">Loot Crate</a> and sign up. It's only $40 shipped every 2 months, which isn't that bad for all this stuff. You <i>may</i> also get $5 off your first crate with that link; to be fair, I don't know if it applies to the Cargo Crate or not but hey, worth a shot, right? The next box is all about Zoe, in case that sways you at all.<br />
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Oh, and here are some pics of the items in case you wanted a closer look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How creepy is it to have Adam Baldwin staring at you from inside a box?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2NDSpRtYSQ/V1mgC-7X7VI/AAAAAAAAbCI/sZ_cNhFS4ro3O5hwDp1ZgPvoxeAjHNXGACLcB/s1600/Mini-Masters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2NDSpRtYSQ/V1mgC-7X7VI/AAAAAAAAbCI/sZ_cNhFS4ro3O5hwDp1ZgPvoxeAjHNXGACLcB/s320/Mini-Masters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to complete the collection of these Mini Master statuettes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flask. They gave us a flask, guys. How cool is that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mHQwglQpM8/V1mgCkKb-rI/AAAAAAAAbB8/meEAWw8B2HsnvL6a2m-ypFlO8sWBoyihACLcB/s1600/Coin%252C%2BPin%252C%2BSticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mHQwglQpM8/V1mgCkKb-rI/AAAAAAAAbB8/meEAWw8B2HsnvL6a2m-ypFlO8sWBoyihACLcB/s320/Coin%252C%2BPin%252C%2BSticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coin, a sticker and the pin, which I stupidly covered with the watermark.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iGcVk1DJSlM/V1mgDKufL9I/AAAAAAAAbCM/Nlbf-3ZTtk8tArVA7HKPAh3WQnWiGx8MQCLcB/s1600/Q-Bit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iGcVk1DJSlM/V1mgDKufL9I/AAAAAAAAbCM/Nlbf-3ZTtk8tArVA7HKPAh3WQnWiGx8MQCLcB/s320/Q-Bit.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't explain why I like these so much, but I am shameless in doing so.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6YJ896Xc34/V1mgDG3D_lI/AAAAAAAAbCQ/kgmSLWP1xvkvi3rajF-Hzjk7K4NI6FuagCLcB/s320/T-Shirt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="216" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shirt. I dig the design and color. Just a shame it's another shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_0mLE7xpmg/V1mgDVChBPI/AAAAAAAAbCc/SUNvA6q2t1gnoUo0iDNnCyJ_mu6oOAC-QCLcB/s1600/Wanted%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_0mLE7xpmg/V1mgDVChBPI/AAAAAAAAbCc/SUNvA6q2t1gnoUo0iDNnCyJ_mu6oOAC-QCLcB/s320/Wanted%2Bposter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wanted poster. It's...whatever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkLQ1TzPYX0/V1mgDP1dkAI/AAAAAAAAbCU/4vckjok76XsNzSBOpsJyNvuKX18ndH3uACLcB/s1600/The%2BSignal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkLQ1TzPYX0/V1mgDP1dkAI/AAAAAAAAbCU/4vckjok76XsNzSBOpsJyNvuKX18ndH3uACLcB/s320/The%2BSignal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worthwhile because of the Mudder's Milk recipe.</td></tr>
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Thanks for watching and be on the lookout for more <i>What's In The Box</i>!<br />
<br />
(Also, have you ever undertaken a project that turned into an ordeal so
momentous that completing it became your white whale? That's what this
unboxing video was to me. What I figured would take an afternoon or two
turned into a week-long thing to finish. So if you watched the video in its entirety, know that I truly appreciate your time.) Michael Gary Wirthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06272864720248317914noreply@blogger.com0