Mike Gencarelli, Author at MediaMikes

Zoobe Launches Partnership and New App with Peanuts Worldwide

Berlin, Germany, (January 5, 2017) – Zoobe Message Entertainment has confirmed both a partnership with Peanuts Worldwide and a launch of the new Peanuts StoryGIF app for iOS and Android. The app, released in late December, hit Apple’s Top 10 list almost immediately. Zoobe’s trendy app platform allows digital natives and early adopters across the globe to share in their love of this timeless property with socially shareable text-ready animations featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Lucy, Linus and more loveable characters from the iconic 66 year old property.

Fans can choose from over 100 snarky-sweet Chuck & Friends images to create customizable, short movie messages for friends and family. The Zoobe Peanuts StoryGIF works both from the home screen and inside the new iOS10 Messages app.

“The Peanuts brand is a classic, with adorable characters and storylines,” said Naz Amarchi-Cuevas, CEO Zoobe. “We know that fans are choosing to communicate via snack-sized text messaging, and pairing this experience with a top brand such as Peanuts allows us to entertain and delight.”

On October 2, 1950, three kids appeared on the funny pages of seven newspapers. Over the next 50 years, Charlie Brown, Patty and Shermy would be joined by a whole cast of characters that forever changed the landscape of the newspaper comics, becoming one of the most popular and influential in the history of the business, with nearly 18,000 strips published in all. Today, the Peanuts gang are stars of some of the most beloved holiday children’s television specials of all time, featured in books, music, theme parks, and a wide variety of consumer products, and the hit 2015 feature film The Peanuts Movie, from Blue Sky Studios and Twentieth Century Fox.

“Peanuts is timeless, and we’ve been able to maintain the brand’s popularity by knowing our audience, and meeting them where they are,” said Roz Nowicki, Executive Vice President of Peanuts Worldwide and Iconix Brands’ Entertainment Group. “Zoobe has a strong track record of digitizing classic properties, while still holding onto the authenticity that makes them great.”

Peanuts, Peanuts Winter and Peanuts New Years StoryGIF-packs just launched, Zoobe plans to add additional celebration-themed content for key times. The Zoobe Peanuts StoryGIF app is available for both iOS and Android for $.99. http://storygif.net/peanuts

Additional Information:

Homepage: http://www.zoobe.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zoobe

About Zoobe:

Zoobe is the leading character voice-messaging app that works for both iOS and Android. It enables 3D animated characters to perform their user’s voice messages and then creates easy-to-share video clips. Zoobe’s StoryGIF Apps are snack-size, socially shareable, text-ready animations featuring today’s most iconic characters. These trendy apps, geared toward early adaptors, allow fans to express themselves in an exciting new way; taking text communication to a whole new level. Easy and inexpensive. Quick and convenient. Through its expressive power Zoobe redefines how we connect with each other in our daily smartphone communication; with an international reach that has led to major partnerships with companies such as Sanrio, Peanuts Worldwide, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Capcom, ZeptoLab, WWF, AIS, StudioCanal and more.

PEANUTS Worldwide

The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family.

A New Way to Play: Why Canadians Love Casino Games

Canadians love to gamble. In fact, they love it so much that’s it’s one of the hottest forms of entertainment across the country right now. According to Statista, Canadian casinos raked in more than $6 billion over a 12-month period in 2016, which is up more than $500 million compared to 2006, according to statcan.gc.ca. Much of the recent rise in gaming activity has been down to growth of online casinos.

With virtual platforms offering easy access to traditional games such as roulette and blackjack, more Canadians have had the opportunity to dip their toes in the gaming waters. In fact, to increase participation further, many of the major operators actually offer free-play games. Identical to the real thing but without the cost, these games have served as a great introductory tool which has then given more people the impetus to play some casino classics.

As more Canadians take to the Internet or their local casinos to play the odds, we thought we’d take a look at some of their favoured games and features.

A Little Extra Something

“6/365 I’m All in !!!!” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RTD Photography

Everyone loves something for nothing and that becomes clear when you look through the roster of Canadian casinos out there. For example, at https://top-canadiancasinos.com/, a casino review site, you’ll notice that the top ranked sites have more than $4,000 in free (or bonus as it’s called) cash available.

In contrast to live casinos, online sites actively reward new players with a bonus and this review site’s top six is a prime example of that. Indeed, if you look at the top of the shop, 888casino, the site’s reviewers have found that you can claim as much as $2,388 in bonus cash. Deals like this not only show how Canadians want something more when they ante up, but they want variety and depth so they can find a deal that suits their needs.

Slots Are a Money Spinner

“Winning Slot” (CC BY 2.0) by cletch

When it comes to games, Canadians appear to have an affinity for slots. Look through the lobby of any leading operators, from All Slots and Spin Palace to 888 and beyond, slots are the most numerous games. Although each site will have a different line-up, it’s not uncommon to see in excess of 100 games inside a single lobby. One of the reasons these games are appealing is their themes. Much like pinball machines like Stern’s Spiderman offering, slots take stories and icons from popular culture, from movies to video games, as we’ve discussed on mediamikes.com before, and turn them into a high-octane game.

In terms of specifics, progressive jackpot slots are the most popular variant. From Mega Moolah to Leprechaun’s Luck, these games take a small percentage from each player’s bet, put it into a communal pot and then pay out a prize when someone hits the magic combination. The result of this system is jackpots that often top $1 million. Unsurprisingly, being able to stake a few dollars and win a life-changing sum is hugely appealing and that’s why these games are now popular with Canadian players.

Cross-Channel Entertainment

“Sport bets” (CC BY 2.0) by tjschloss

As much as casino games are great, too much of anything can become tedious. To counter this, many of the top Canadian online casinos offer something on top of their table games. For example, online-casinogames.ca notes that its top ranked sites offer a wide variety of betting options. From classic casino games like blackjack and roulette to live dealer tables (games with real people on the screen), dice games and “number based games” are all available in the online arena.

Having some sort of diversity is crucial because every player is different. Indeed, to ensure the casino industry remains a mainstream endeavour, operators have to cover as many bases as possible. Much like social gaming developer Zynga.com has everything from Words with Friends to poker to cover a broad spectrum, the top Canadian online casinos will offer the widest variety of betting options as possible.

Casino gaming isn’t a niche activity anymore. Thanks to the online world’s bonuses, variety and accessibility, everyone of legal age is now finding some fun in the casino arena.

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: canadians, casino, games, love, play

Blu-ray Review “Deepwater Horizon”

Actors: Kurt Russell, Mark Wahlberg, James DuMont, Douglas M. Griffin, Joe Chrest
Directors: Peter Berg
Rated: PG-13
Studio: Lionsgate
DVD Release Date: January 10, 2017
Run Time: 107 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Deepwater Horizon” is the latest team-up between director Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg, last being “Lone Survivor”. It is based on a true story and features a top notch supporting cast including Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Dylan O’Brien, Kate Hudson and Gina Rodriguez. Honestly though, just not a film for me. I remember the events back in 2010 but I never thought to myself, “Damn, this will make a great movie”. Great acting and at points action packed for sure as Berg knows how to deliver but just not interesting enough topic to lock me down.

Official Premise: On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explodes in the Gulf of Mexico, igniting a massive fireball that kills several crew members. Chief electronics technician Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) and his colleagues find themselves fighting for survival as the heat and the flames become stifling and overwhelming. Banding together, the co-workers must use their wits to make it out alive amid all the chaos.

Even though “Deepwater Horizon” is not my favorite film of the year, it does pack a solid Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer works perfectly with the film’s epic scale. In fact, I would have loved to watched the 4K presentation of this film. I can imagine that the action sequences would love outstanding for sure. The audio track included is an outstanding Dolby Atmos (mixed down to Dolby TrueHD 7.1), which really showcases the action perfectly. Literally wall-shaking!

In terms of special features, there is no shortage here at all. In fact, there is around two hours of content included. First up there is an hour-long five-part series “Beyond the Horizon,” which features cast discussing the film behind-the-scenes. There are three all-new featurettes, the first being “Captain of the Rig: Peter Berg”, which puts the director front and center. The other two included are “The Fury of the Rig” and “Deepwater Surveillance”, which dives behind-the-scenes on this difficult production. Lastly there is a real-life tribute in “Work Like An American”.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, deepwater, horizon, review

Orlando Monster Jam Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets start at $15 for Monster Jam at Camping World Stadium

ORLANDO, FL (November 28, 2016) – Feld Entertainment announced today that tickets for Monster Jam^®, the most adrenaline-charged motorsports experience for families on the planet, are now on sale. Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at $15.

Monster Jam will be performing at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, January 21, 2017. Gates open at 5 PM, opening ceremonies are at 6:30 PM, and racing starts at 7 PM.

The event will feature more than 12 trucks and drivers vying to be the Orlando champion, including: Grave Digger driven by Dennis Anderson; Son-uva Digger driven by Ryan Anderson; Team Hot Wheels driven by Scott Buetow; Monster Energy driven by Coty Saucier; Jester driven by Matt Pagliarulo; Xtermigator driven by JR McNeal; Rage driven by Cory Rummel; Barbarian driven by Devin Jones; plus OVER Bored, Bounty Hunter, Knucklehead, Madusa and Wrecking Crew. (Trucks/drivers subject to change without notice.)

Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, Monster Jam trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster Jam trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

The Party in the Pits on Saturday, January 21, from 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM gives fans the opportunity to get up close and personal to the Monster Jam trucks and drivers. Pit Passes are available for $10.00 at the Amway Center Box office in advance, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Same day event ticket and pit pass required for entry to pit party.

Tickets to Monster Jam are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com. All seats reserved. Subject to facility fee, plus convenience and handling charges. Camping World Stadium is located at 1610 W. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32805.

For more information on a Monster Jam, please log onto www.MonsterJam.com (click on “Tickets” and search for Orlando) or follow us via our social channels below:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MonsterJam
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MonsterJam
Instagram: www.instagram.com/MonsterJamLive
YouTube: www.youtube.com/MonsterJamLive

About Feld Entertainment

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.

Win Free Passes to Florida Screenings of “Monster Trucks”

Calling Florida moviegoers, below please find the codes for the screenings of “Monster Trucks”. If you want to see this film before ANYONE else! Hurry fast and grab tickets below and spread the word to your friends as well! They will go VERY fast! Enjoy and be sure to leave comments below after the film!

Miami- 1/7/17 AMC AVENTURA 10AM
WPB- 1/7/17 CINEMARK BOYNTON BEACH 10AM
Miami- http://www.gofobo.com/MTMMMia
WPB-http://www.gofobo.com/MTMMWPB

Looking for any way to get away from the life and town he was born into, Tripp (Lucas Till), a high school senior, builds a Monster Truck from bits and pieces of scrapped cars. After an accident at a nearby oil-drilling site displaces a strange and subterranean creature with a taste and a talent for speed, Tripp may have just found the key to getting out of town and a most unlikely friend.

Win Free Passes to Florida Screenings of “Silence”

Calling Florida moviegoers, below please find the codes for the screenings of “Office Christmas Party”. If you want to see this film before ANYONE else! Hurry fast and grab tickets below and spread the word to your friends as well! They will go VERY fast! Enjoy and be sure to leave comments below after the film!

Miami- 1/3 AMC SUNSET PLACE 7:00pm
West Palm Beach- 1/3 CINEMARK BOYNTON BEACH 7:00PM

Orlando- 1/10 AMC ALTAMONTE 7PM
Tampa- Tampa- 1/10 AMC WESTSHORE 7:30PM

Orlando- http://www.gofobo.com/SMMOrl
Tampa- http://www.gofobo.com/SMMtam
WPB- http://www.gofobo.com/SMMWPB
Miami- http://www.gofobo.com/SMMMia

In the seventeenth century, two Jesuit priests face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and propagate Catholicism.

Director: Martin Scorsese
Stars: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson

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Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: florida, free, passes, screenings, silence, win, ...

Blu-ray Review “Train to Busan”

Starring: Yoo Gong, Ma Dong-Suk, Yu-mi Jeong, Woo-sik Choi, Sohee, Soo-an Kim
Director: Sang-ho Yeon
Distributed by: Well Go USA
Running Time: 118 min
Release Date: Jan 17, 2017

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

I came across the film, “Train to Busan”, purely by accident and I am really glad I did. This is literally one of the best zombie films I have seen in a long time! It is action packed and really well done. It does run a little long and could have been cut down a bit for pacing but otherwise, I thought this film was a wild ride. If you are looking for something to fill your “Walking Dead” void while it is on hiatus, definitely check this film out!

Official Premise: A mysterious viral outbreak pushes Korea into a state of emergency. The government declares martial law just as divorced Seok-woo and his daughter catch the KTX bullet train from Seoul to Busan to see her mother. But someone on the journey has been recently infected sending the hurtling carriages into complete chaos. As the living dead transform the voyage into a nightmare excursion, father and daughter and a small group of uninfected passengers must fight for survival. Get on board to stay alive!

Well Go USA is behind this release, so this Blu-ray does not come as a combo pack or include a digital HD copy. I would love to see this company get behind digital format and include it with their Blu-rays. It will be available on Ultraviolet, I am sure when it is released so why not throw in a code as an incentive. The 1080p transfer works for the scope of the film, which at times get very epic. The DTS-HD Master Audio track also works well with the action. the track is Korean with English subtitles. There are only two special features included, which are two generic “Behind the Scenes” looks into the production as well as “That’s A Wrap”.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, busan, review, train

Blu-ray Review “31”

Actors: Malcolm McDowell, Elizabeth Daily, Meg Foster, Sheri Moon Zombie, Daniel Roebuck, Judy Geeson
Director: Rob Zombie
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: December 20, 2016
Run Time: 103 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of stars

I have been following this project from very closely from before it was even filmed and even got daily updates from Rob Zombie himself during production. I had REALLY high expectations for this film but was honestly let down quite a bit. I am a huge fan of Rob Zombie’s previous films “House of 1000 Corpses”, “The Devil’s Rejects” and even “The Lords of Salem”. This film just felt kinda bland and didn’t really draw me in. I got the whole plot idea and it is cool but it felt like it needed something more, like a hook to snag you. If you enjoy Zombie’s previous work you may did this but other than that audience, I do not see this crossing over or pulling in a cult following anytime soon.

Official Premise: From the visionary mind of the man who brought us House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects and Halloween comes the horrific story of five carnival workers who are kidnapped the night before Halloween and held hostage in a large compound. At the mercy of their captors, they are forced to play a twisted game or life or death called 31. For the next 12 hours they must fight for their lives against an endless parade of homicidal maniacs.

Lionsgate Films delivered this film to Blu-ray as a combo pack with a Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer presented with an aspect ratio of 2.40:1. I love the way that Rob Zombie shoots his films, he has a very unique perspective in his films and I really enjoy it. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track worked well but honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of the score and music used in this film as I have been in the past especially speaking of “The Devil’s Rejects”. In terms of special features, there are only two extras but they are spot on and worth checking out. Rob Zombie gives a great audio commentary track. “In Hell Everyone Loves Popcorn: The Making of 31” is an insane two plus hour in depth set of featurettes that follows the entire production, so if you enjoyed the film this is a must watch.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 31, bluray, review

Blu-ray Review “Blair Witch”

Actors: James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott, Valorie Curry, Corbin Reid
Directors: Adam Wingard
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Run Time: 89 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

“Blair Witch” was previously known as “The Woods”. This movie was a big surprised when it was revealed as the long awaited third “Blair Witch” film. Right away the haters came out for this film without even seeing it and trashed it, which is not fair because this film is an awesome and honestly quite terrifying follow up to the original film. I loved everything about it. I would have liked some more questions answered but I am sure it was saved for another film. Unfortunately, due to the power of trolls and the internet, I doubt that will be happening now. Either way, if you feel like being open minded this is a rad flick and had me biting my nails and sitting on the edge of my chair.

Official Premise: A group of college students venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of their friend’s sister, who many believe is connected to the legend of the Blair Witch. At first the group is hopeful, especially when a pair of locals offer to act as guides through the dark and winding woods, but as the endless night wears on, the group is visited by a menacing presence. Slowly, they begin to realize the legend is all too real and more sinister than they could have imagined.

Lionsgate Film is delivering this film in a combo pack including a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The films 1080p transfer is solid enough but remember it is hand shot by the actors not winning any cinematography awards. The sound though is a huge winner delivering an epic Dolby Atmos (which at base is Dolby TrueHD 7.1), which creeped the hell of out me. Especially since this film relies on subtle sounds to scare you. Very effective track!

The special features are jam-packed! There is a fantastic audio commentary track with horror duo Director Adam Wingard and Writer Simon Barrett. Love this one. “Never Ending Night: The Making of Blair Witch” is an epic 6-part documentary that is a must watch for anyone who enjoyed the film! There is focus on the story origin, the cast, shooting style, editing as well as music and sound design. Lastly there is a featurette “House of Horrors: Exploring the Set”, which gives some cool insight into how they came up the house.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: blair, bluray, review, witch

Blu-ray Review “American Honey”

Starring: Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, Arielle Holmes, Riley Keough, Will Patton
Director: Andrea Arnold
Rated: R
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: December 27, 2016
Run Time: 162 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1/2 out of 5 stars

I heard a little bit of hype around this film and then poof! Nothing. This film disappeared from everywhere, showing up on Blu-ray this month out of the blue. Honestly, Shia LaBeouf was such a promising actor and seemingly threw it all away. I was willing to check out this flick and give him another chance. I have to admit performance wise, this is not a bad one for him and I hope he gets back into the spotlight. Sasha Lane, though, is one to keep an eye out. I have a feeling that we will be hearing a lot more from her in the future. Unfortunately, the film itself is just barely watchable due to lack of cohesive story and ridiculously long running time.

Official Premise: An astonishing portrait of youth on the American fringe, American Honey is told through the eyes of a vivacious teenage rebel who joins a group of fellow misfits hustling and partying their way across the country. Bursting with electric, primal energy, American Honey is an immersive, exhilarating odyssey of heartbreaking beauty — a generation-defining film that celebrates the defiant resilience of youth in pursuit of the American Dream.

Liongate Films delivered this film on Blu-ray as a combo pack with a Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. This film was definitely shot with a big ole ode to the videophiles out there. It is extremely arty and specifically shot. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is interesting and doesn’t disappoint but didn’t really grab me either. If the film wasn’t worse enough, the special features on this Blu-ray are even more disappointing. “Sasha Lane and Riley Keough on American Honey” is the only extra which includes interviews with the actresses.

Product Feature: V2 Pro Series 7 Vaporizer Kit

When it comes to vaporizers, I have been on the search for the perfect tool. V2 is a company that I found and and offers one hell of a product. That product is the V2 Pro Series 7 Kit includes everything . This is the one-stop tool for all your vaping needs. Some of the new features include like variable voltage and temperature settings. These are items that I specifically look for in a vaporizer. Another outstanding feature on the Series 7 is that it has a bigger storage capacity and solid battery life.

If you are familiar with the Series 3 vape pen then this is not new for I zoned in on the Series 7 since it offers cartridges for for add-on like loose leaf, e-liquid and wax. If you purchase this kit above that we are feature luckily it comes with both the e-liquid and loose leaf cartridges. Otherwise, they the cartridges are available to purchase individually. But let me tell you have these three cartridges today makes this the one of the best choices for all-in-one vaporizers.

One of my main urks about this product originally was the button pressing to get to where you need to get. I am used to it now and definitely have no issue but it did take a little bit to become a habit. To turn it on you have to click fast five times. Then you have to press two more times within a half a second…(Confused a little?)…then still flashing each of the three lines and you will be able to press it again when the level you want is lit. Lastly, once your temperature is chosen you hold the button for about 5-7 seconds which will turn on the heater. It turns off about a short period on its own and you press the button three times to turn it fully off and you will see a red light flash.

Overall, I have been very satisfied so far with this product. Once you get used to the routine above it just feels natural and I was worried at first it would be annoying but honestly not at all. I also love that the Series 7 has this smart technology so that it recognizes which cartridge type you have inserted and automatically heat to optimum vaporizing temperature. This allows you to just relax and enjoy!

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Filed Under: Appliances, Technology Tagged With: 7, feature, kit, pro, product, series, ...

Blu-ray Review “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”

Actors: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Ella Purnell, Judi Dench, Allison Janney
Director: Tim Burton
Rated: PG-13
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: December 13, 2016
Run Time: 127 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

I am a huge life long fan of director Tim Burton…but I have to admit his last one or two films have not done it for me. “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” feels like a cheap family friendly version of “X-Men: First Class” and plays way to long. I found myself not caring about the characters at all. I hated the villains Samuel L. Jackson was a joke and was completely wrong for the role. I found myself consistently bored watching this and couldn’t wait for it to be over. So not Burton’s finest for sure but I am still sticking around for what he has planned next.

Official Premise: When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing this film as sa combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The 1080p transfer presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 looks sharp here. I first saw this film in 3D and it had no reason to be in 3D at all and was a complete waste, so the standard Blu-ray is much better way to view. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is really nice but I still wasn’t in love with the score as a I have been with previous Burton films.

The special features are not loaded solid but they are decent and worth checking out. “The Peculiar Story” is a solid featurette with interviews with Ransom Riggs, who discusses the film. “The Peculiars” runs over an hour long and is packed with interviews and information on the film. “Hollows and Ex-Hollows” showcases the baddies inthe film. “Map of Days” focuses on the time loop aspect of the film. Lastly there is a music video for “Wish That You Were Here” from Florence + The Machine and a photo gallery included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, children, home, peculiar, peregrines, review, ...

Blu-ray Review “Morgan”

Starring: Rose Leslie, Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Paul Giamatti, Boyd Holbrook, Toby Jones
Director: Luke Scott
Rated: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: December 13, 2016
Run Time: 92 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Morgan” is a film that probably seemed better on paper. It has a talented cast for sure but is just poorly executed. This film marks, Ridley Scott’s son Luke’s, first time directing. Kate Mara, and Paul Giamatti feel lost here honestly. The story is rather bland and not as interesting as it would be. Plus it seems to steal too much from films like “Ex Machina” and “Species”.

Official Premise: Inside a remote, top-secret lab, a group of scientists are working on an experiment that is leading the way for the next steps in human evolution. But when the experiment’s subject – a genetically designed “human” (Anya Taylor-Joy) – triggers a terrifying event, those involved must decide if the promise of infinite potential outweighs the incalculable danger.

Fox is delivering this as a combo pack with Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD included. Slipcover as well, housing the set. The 1080p transfer in 2.39:1 looks solid and works with the sci-fi aspect. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 does the job for sure and sounds great doing it. The special features are light but the short film “Loom” is honestly awesome and wish it would have transferred better to feature.

The first extra included is “Modified Organism: The Science Behind Morgan”, which runs about 20 minutes and dives into the scientific side of the films concepts. There are a few deleted scenes included with optional commentary by Luke Scott, who also gives in a gives us an audio commentary track. The short film “Loom”, like I mentioned about is a kick-ass intro to this. Lastly there is a gallery and trailers included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, morgan, review

Product Review “Parrot Mambo”

Having Owned several drones and RC toys in my past I would best describe as a very suitable pick-up and fly mini drone. Parrot Did a great job on this drone of making it user friendly to the point of pairing it to your phone and in 3 seconds your flying around with ease. Now while the Parrot Mambo is close to your typical quadcopter drone, Parrot made sure to tuck in a few extra goodies to make it an even better buy at the under $150 range.

Below are some of the key features of the Parrot Mambo:

High Performance Sensors For Stability
Easily Do Flips and Stunts With the Push of a Button
Remotely Fired Cannon With 6 Shot Capacity (1 Shot every 1.5 seconds)
Remotely Triggered Grabber That Can Carry Up To 4 gram objects
Ability to Toss To Takeoff
Pilot with Free iOS or Android App
Fly With Optional Parrot Flypad
65 Foot range with Smartphone, 200 Foot range with Flypad
1 Year Support and Assistance Warranty

As parrot continues to push it affordable line of drones with the Mambo (seeing as how other drones can run 300 and up). Coming in at only 15cm the parrot Mambo pack a lot of power in a little frame. The body is made to withstand some punishment (the average user would see a long life form the drone) while Parrot included the options for guards or no guards (hull) to keep the weary mind at bay. I even noticed during prolonged use that I hit a wall and bent one propeller but thanks to the materials used by Parrot the blades damage almost fixed itself as if it never happened (may just be a one instance thing but the strength of the blades on the propellers seem stronger than the normal).

When it comes to flight you’ll notice right away that the Mambo is easy to control for even the newest drone users. The Mobile app used to fly the drone come pre-programmed with a handful of flight maneuvers for your Mambo to do with just a push and even just sitting around and trying to do trick over stuff can be extremely entertaining. Now while I’d like to see more out of the battery life it excusable seeing how much power this little guy put’s out. Also Parrot includes a pair of batteries to switch out for longer flights. But extra batteries can always be purchased. The 9 minutes of flying time per charge may not seem like much at first but when you compare that to other mini-drone’s it stacks up pretty good and even gives you enough time to really enjoy what its capable of before it comes time to charge up again.

The extra fun comes with the Mambas add-ons that Parrot included and even featured in their video demo station on their site. With the Cannon it was very surprising to see the amount of force that it can produce fun for an obstacle course. Followed by using the Arm attachment to garb little things and carry them to you drones next destination (like say your spare battery.. just joking). So for those who are looking to have a little bit of fun with their new purchase they’ll find that the Mambo has some interesting features which you will not find on your typical drone for a very affordable price.

Product Review “Razer Ornata Mecha-Membrane Keyboard”

Razer has consistently been one of the biggest names in the world when it comes to gaming, they’ve developed all types of award-winning products throughout the years, such as their mechanical keyboards, gaming headsets, mice and more. Having always been a company that pushes innovation in their designs. Normally, you choose a rubber dome membrane keyboard for comfort, while mechanical switches are usually favored for precise and fast response with distinct tactile feedback. The Razer Mecha-Membrane of the Ornata chroma uses a unique mid-height keycap hybrid that delivers a level of efficiency and comfortability unlike any key type on the market.

Tech specs for this new keyboard:

Razer Mecha-Membrane technology,
Mid-height keycaps,
Razer Chroma backlighting,
Ergonomic wrist rest,
Razer Synapse enabled,
Full programmable keys with on the fly macro recording,
10-key roll over,
Dedicated Gaming Mode,
Anti-ghosting capability for up to 10 simultaneous key presses.

Additional features include macro recording, adjust brightness, and a Gaming mode toggle that allows users to press up to 10 keys simultaneously during gameplay.

The Razer Ornata brings a great balance between a gaming and work device. Its complete design is subtle and sleek, without an abundance of bright logos or visual cues that emphasize it’s a gaming keyboard. Razer has delivered and deserves credit for bringing a new style of keyboard to the forefront, we can expect there to be many imitations to come. IN the end though the Ornata’s comfort and performance are simply unbeatable.

Author: Mike Gencarelli

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