Let's talk movies...

Seen a lot of movies this summer, here's how some of them stack up.

DVDs


17 Again
Surprisingly good. I had heard a lot of good things about this movie, so I picked it up on Blu-ray. It's very similar to Freaky Friday. Very well written, and surprisingly well acted. Blu-ray quality was wasted, felt like watching a DVD. I give it a B+.



Race to Witch Mountain
I love the originals that this movie was based on, so I was reluctant to check this one out. But I am a fan of Dwayne Johnson, so I rented this one. Totally surprised me. Great story, awesome pacing, good acting, fantastic special effects. Perfect for fans of the originals (1975's "Escape To Witch Mountain", 1978's "Return From Witch Mountain, & the 1995 remake "Escape To Witch Mountain"), or for fans of action packed fantasies like "Jumanji". I give it an A-.



Mad Men Season 2
I know it's not a movie, but if u are a fan of 60's culture and awesome TV dramas, then you have to check this out. Even more drama then Season 1. A-.


Now Playing


Julie & Julia
Beautiful movie. Here's what I liked, EVERYTHING Meryl Streep did as Julia Child. I def found the Julia Child storyline and acting a lot more interesting then the Julie Powell storyline and acting. This was not Amy Adam's strongest performance. She is a great actress, but weak in this film. I also didn't care for the ending. I understand that it is based on the true story, but EVERYONE in that theater wanted Julie and Julia to meet at the end. That possibility is not even adressed by the film, which is dissapointing. All I got out of the movie was a desire to see a Julia Child movie starring Meryll Streep. All in all, a solid B.



G.I. Joe
I saw a preview screening of this film in July. I don't know if the theatrical release has been changed substantially, but here is how I felt. This movie ROCKED. The perfect summertime escape film. It is a FUN film. It never let's up. Not once did I feel bored, the pace is perfect. The acting is awesome, save for an akward cameo by Brendan Frasier that just kinda sneaks up on you. If you take the movie too seriously you won't enjoy it. This movie is ideal for families, fans of the old toys and cartoons, and those who just want a window into another fun and exciting world. I mean, at the end of the day, the film is from Hasbro, a toy company. The ultimate goal is to appeal to toy buyers, not necessarily film aficionados. Perfect for those who liked "Iron Man" or the first "Transformers". I gave it an A.



District 9
If you haven't seen District 9 yet, stop reading this blog, and go to your local theater immediately! Neill Blomkamp is a freakin genius. This film is absolutely brilliant. This movie isn't your typical action alien fight fest. If you are expecting "Independence Day", you'll be surely dissapointed. This is a beautifully crafted story about humanity and racial tension, that just happens to involve aliens. It was by far, my favorite film of the year. Can NOT wait for District 10. I give this film an A++.
Go see it... NOW!

Vinylmation Urban Series 2

Here's another weak set of these Vinylmation figures, but it does have a few gorgeous highlights. Shall we do a countdown? Sure...

12 & 11. UGLY tie
Cogs Urban Blue Bear and Urban Green Bear
I just don't understand why they made these. Disney related? No. Cute? No. Creative? No
On top of how useless these are to the collection, they plan on releasing more of them in future urban series. I hope they seriously reconsider this. So useless. Someone please try and justify these to me...


10. Paint By Numbers
This doesn't make sense. You can barely see the paint by number: numbers, so one is obviously not gonna paint this. It looks ugly close up, it looks ugly far away. Pointless, pointless.

9. Glass Half Full
This is a cute Urban vinyl idea. A glass that is half full with a cute straw in it. At least on paper it was a cute idea, because in person, the straw is not painted on the back. I don't get it. I doesn't make ANY sense!! Its sloppy, not exciting to look at. Yawn!

8. Patch Work
Kind of cute, but in person the colors are GROSS. His button eyes are too high up. If you are into steampunk-y type stuff, you'll think this one is cute. It fits the Urban bill. But I just don't like it.

7. Girlie
Um, I am not 6. What if you are a dude? This is dumbzilla. Period. Bleggh.

6. Chinese Writings
I don't know what this Mickey says. What if it says something innapropriate? Who knows? I wish that it translated to a chinese menu. It's BORING to look at. The only fun thing about it is that they used glossy paint. So far 6 weak figures...

5. Green Tea (Chaser)
By far, the UGLIEST, most uninteresting Chaser figure yet. I thought Pongo was a weak chaser... Compared to this hot green mess, Pongo looks like a masterpeice. I like that it looks like an actual Mickey while retaining the Urban art style, but still, it's just lame. The only reason to buy this is to sell it on eBay because it is the Chaser. AND the buttons on the stomach are so high, it looks like a pig face on his belly. Im serious. LOOK!

4. Chocolate Mickey Bar
FINALLY! A figure worth throwing in your collection! This one is painted up to look like the familiar Mickey Ice Cream Bars sold in Disney Theme Parks. Cute.
3. Cosmos
Not much here. Nice to look at. Fun stars and galaxies. Better than the rest.

2. Confetti
This is REALLY fun. It is a clear Yellow figure, decorated with Mickey confetti. Nice change of pace for the series.
1. Cartoon Mickey
This is one of the coolest figures of ANY series. Bright Yellow with classic Mickey cartoon credits on it. Awesome looking for fans of the vinyls as well as fans of classic Mickey cartoons. I absolutely love it. It is the only one I can say that about. Currently on display in my room... suckas.

Leven Thumps and The Ruins of Alder Cover Art

Found this tiny version of the cover art on Borders.com...

Can't wait for this book! Sadly it's the last in the series. Still pumped. Sept. 29th!

No, I'm not dead.

I know it has been basically a month since I blogged. I'm sorry. I haven't been overly busy, I just haven't seen anything worth blogging about. But, now I've got your back. Let's talk about nonsense. Let's engage. Let's have a good time with this...

Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

New Teaser

Leven Thumps and The Ruins of Alder

The last Leven Thumps book drops Sept. 29, 2009. Get stoked.

Wacky Tacky Wacko Jacko

The best of the worst in commemorative and collectible goodies.

Michael Jackson Cologne and Perfume



Thriller Air Freshner


Michael Jackson Dress Up Set


Michael's Pets

Jabar the Giraffe

Uncle Tookie the Frog

Cool Bear

Thriller Doll (this one comes in several different outfits)


MJ Doll


Michael Jackson Earrings


Moonwalker The Video Game



MJ Sunglasses


Vintage Pepsi Glass

and of course... there are tons of sequined gloves out there...

Michael Jackson Thriller Supras

Supra is releasing these sweet Thriller kicks, snag em here "Sole Brother shop" for $500.

Michael Jackson, baby

I did a blog about Cosbabys awhile ago and somehow I missed these little gems...

Michael Jackson Cosbaby figures from Hot Toys. So amazing. These bad boys came out in Dec 08/ Jan 09 and are insanely adorable. I just ordered the "History" MJ, but I am sure that I will order the "Thriller" and "Moonwalker" by the end of the week... I have ZERO self control.

This is the secret chase figure, Zombie MJ. And there is also an HPV website exclusive of Student MJ from the beginning of Thriller. Cool.

on a side note; Hot Toys also released a line of "Planet of The Apes" Cosbabys, that again, for some reason, I was oblivious to. They are pretty flippin cute...

Do I want Cornelius? or Dr. Zaius? Oh decisions, decisions...

RIP MJ. I ♥ You.

Kidrobot Futurama Vinyl Figures

Seems that this photo was leaked on the web this week that shows off concepts for a Kidrobot Futurama line of vinyl figures. Could this be the follow-up to the beloved Kidrobot Simpsons series? Probably. Peep this.Haven't got your hands on the Simpson series yet? Here is what you are missing out on...


The figures stand 3-inches tall, are blindboxed, come with removable accessories, and retail for $7.95 at Kidrobot stores. Released in August of 08; there are 24 in total, 3 of which are chase figures. A second series has yet to be announced.

Trailer Park

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakuel


Old Dogs


Shutter Island


The Last Airbender


The Time Traveler's Wife


I Hate Valentine's Day


Zombieland


Ponyo


Surrogates


Daybreakers


The Box

Mimobots Star Wars Series 4 Part 3

The final Mimobot designer USB flash drive in the Star Wars Series 4 collection was revealed today. It's a limited edition of 500 piece that will be available only at the San Diego Comic-Con this summer. To go along with the 2 Unmaskable Darth Vaders released in the regular series, this Vader looks just like the others but when you remove the helmet it reveals Luke from the scene on Dagobah in "The Empire Strikes Back" where he imagines himself within the Darth Vader suit. I'm not gonna lie, I think the Darth Vaders are a bit of a let down, but I think this is the coolest looking one of the 3 available. 100 will be available each day of Comic-Con, with a 2 piece limit per person. They can be scored at booth #4938 in the Toy area or booth #2913 in the Star Wars Pavilion.

Twizzlers: an ode to a heartbreaker

If you know me, you may have seen me looking off into space... drooling... dreaming. What am I thinking about? One thing. Twizzler Twist N Fill. If I was stranded on an island I would only need these to satisfy my every desire. A softer version of a Twizzler with a flavored filling that is kind of like the middle of a nerds rope. Sadly, these have been discontinued for MANY years. I swear to you, to this day I can still remember what they taste like and I salivate. Earlier this year I had to write to Hershey because I couldn't handle the emptiness in my life they had left me with. They responded 2 weeks later to tell me I would never get Twist N Fill ever again but I may like a hershey bar with almonds. WTF. Pain is all I could feel in my sensitive little heart. That is UNTIL this week... while shopping for M&M's I stumbled upon these little treasures... Twizzlers Sweet & Sour.
These are a delicious tangy Twizzler treat. There are 2 flavors Cherry Kick and Citrus Punch. These are like mushy Twizzlers with gooey filling. Only thing that sucks is that they smell like Play-doh, I swear. Oh yeah, and that they taste NOTHING like Twist N Fill. Yes, these are the tasty cousins by marriage of my dear Twist N Fills. It's like Twizzler wants nothing more than to see my tears, and probably steal my ideas, because I sent them that dramatic email a while ago. So basically for now I have found a poor substitute for the void in my life. Hopefully this will encourage less akward moments where you catch me drooling for no reason.

Transformers 2 Limited Edition M&M's

These little treasures have been out for a few weeks now, but i'm just now getting around to mentioning them. Last April we saw the delightful Mint Crisp M&M's limited edition run for Indiana Jones, this year M&M's try to hit a slam dunk again with Transformers 2 limited edition Strawberried Peanut Butter. I'll cut to the chase, these are NOT for everyone. I think they are more for those of us who realize the amazingness of the straight up Peanut Butter M&M's or for HXC candy aficionados. Here's what I found really clever, it IS a "Transforming" M&M. First you get the strawberry flavored chocolate, but moments later it is all peanut butter. I didn't really taste a combination, but some have remarked it reminded them of Peanut Butter and Jelly. Colors inside are yellow, red, and brown, and all have pink 'strawberry' speckling. All of my friends used the word "disgusting" in their descriptions, so I suggest if you wanna try these out you grab a small bag. I liked 'em, wouldn't eat a whole bag in one sitting, but like them enough to enjoy a few. Collectors will enjoy the playful packaging that features 2 new M&M characters dressed as Transformers. You can also get Peanut and Plain Chocolate in dressed up Transformers 2 packaging. If you wanna grab these they're around for the summer and then they are gone.

I also wanna talk about the non-movie related limited edition M&M's released this summer. Last year we got Wild Cherry, this year it's Coconut. I am a die-hard Coconut lover and these little treasures do not dissapoint. Basically it's like a regular chocolate M&M, but the chocolate is infused with Coconut flavor. The first thing that came to mind was the smell and flavor of a Mounds bar (or an Almond Joy sans the Almond), it was also reminiscent of a Macaroon. What makes these interesting is the lack of Coconut texture. It's got the aroma and flavor, but in a smooth little capsule. Colors are green, white, and brown, and have fun little vacation images like palm trees, flowers, or umbrellas where the traditional M imprint would be. I like these A LOT more than the Strawberried Peanut Butter. I finished a whole bag in like 3 minutes. The packaging is really cute, it features Green with a pink flower in her hair and in the distance you can see Yellow caught in a coconut tree. Candy collectors should def snag some of these. They are a bit harder to track down than the Strawberried Peanut Butter, I found mine at a mall candy shop instead of the supermarket. If you are into Coconut or M&M's get these while you can.