Mike Gencarelli, Author at MediaMikes

Tickets Online Now for “Wicked” for the 2016-2017 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season!

2016-2017 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season

WICKED

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

“If every musical had the brains, heart and courage of Wicked, Broadway really would be a magical place.” (Time Magazine)

Orlando, FL – Broadway’s biggest blockbuster returns to Orlando this winter.Wicked will fly into Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts’s Walt Disney Theater from January 11 – 29, 2017. Tickets are on sale to the general public NOW!.Tickets start at $42.75 and may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org, by calling 844.513.2014 or by visiting the Dr. Phillips Center Box Office at 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. Online and phone ticket purchases are subject to handling fees.

The surprising tale of an unlikely friendship between two women in the Land of Oz, Wicked tells the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, long before Dorothy dropped in. Elphaba, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. Glinda is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. The remarkable odyssey of how these unexpected friends changed each other’s lives for good has made Wicked one of world’s most popular musicals.

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is the winner of over 100 international major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Godspell, Academy Award®-winner for “Pocahontas” and “The Prince of Egypt”) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once and Again” and “thirtysomething”), Wicked is directed by two-time Tony® Award-winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony® Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How to Succeed…).

Wicked has been declared “a cultural phenomenon” by Variety and “the best musical of the decade” by Entertainment Weekly. Wicked has been performed in over 100 cities in 14 countries around the world (U.S. Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico and Brazil) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portugese.

For more information, visit www.WickedTheMusical.com.

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FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando is presented in partnership with Broadway Across America and Florida Theatrical Association. FTA is a non-profit civic organization with a volunteer board of trustees established to ensure the continued presentation of quality touring Broadway productions and the promotion of arts education throughout the state of Florida. For more information, visit FloridaTheatrical.org .

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and The Broadway Channel. Led by 9 time Tony-winning producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 41 markets with over 270,000 subscribers. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, On Your Feet!, School of Rock and The Producers. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com andBroadway.com.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization operating the state-of-the-art performing arts center in downtown Orlando, Florida. With its opening in November 2014, the performing arts center launched its vision of Arts for Every Life by being a gathering place for creativity and discovery; a vibrant urban destination where artists, audiences and students come to experience, explore and learn. The two-block community destination features the 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater, 300-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, Seneff Arts Plaza, Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, the DeVos Family Room, and other event rental spaces. Future expansion includes Steinmetz Hall, a 1,700-seat acoustical theater, along with rehearsal, classroom, office space and commercial development spaces. Dr. Phillips Center is a private non-profit collaborating with the City of Orlando, Orange County, the State of Florida and generous donors.

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Filed Under: Art/Theatre Tagged With: 20162017, broadway, fairwinds, online, orlando, season, ...

Great online games to avoid the holiday blues!

During this holiday season, many people get what’s called the holiday blues. If you don’t get to share your holidays with a family or love ones, they can get a little down. I usually like to loose myself online and just browse around and play games. There are tons are great online games to pass the time and even in cases make you some of that holiday money back.

Whether you are a MMORPG video game players or someone that likes to hit the slots virtually. Here is one of the must visit sites, 888 casino bonus, which features everything from online casinos to roulette to automatic games. There are more than 200 games to choose from with HUGE jackpots and instant bonuses, in addition.

If you prefer MMORPG games, then you can check out another must play, Legend of Heroes, which is an online MMORPG and MMO game. This game has been out for a few years now and still drawing in a huge audience. So whether it be online gaming or guilding these are a few good ones to battle to holiday blues!

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: avoid, blues, games, great, holiday, online, ...

Book Review “The Art of Moana”

Series: Art of
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
November 15, 2016

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Let me start with the fact that “Moana” is my favorite film of 2016. It is a beautiful movie with beautiful songs. The colors are just jaw-dropping and the design is a work of art. “The Art of Moana” is the latest title from Chronicle Books that dives into the stunning artwork going behind-the-scenes in “Moana” with some outstanding character designs, storyboards, colorscripts, and much more. If you loved this film then this book will only make you love it more

Official Film Premise: Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world ventured across the Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped—and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios, Moana is a CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui and together they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.

When I see that Chronicle is releasing a new Art of Book, I go wild because they really know how to put together an amazing book. I really enjoyed the exploration of what was or could have been in this book and how certain characters and aspects of the film have developed over the years. Other than just the photos, the text in the book delivers a nice story to complement them and educate you on the process as well. This movie is simply beautiful and the book is a perfect companion to the film.

AdoramaPix Delivers High Quality Product for All Your Photo Needs

In our house we have the walls covered with photos all throughout. We love sharing and reliving our memories with friends and family. We have numerous photo books and wall decor as well that we cherish throughout our home. There are tons of great options when it comes to creating something special with your photos online. Everyone using just runs to Shutterfly but I am here to let you know that there are a tons of other great options. One of them that I recently found was AdoramaPix.

This company stocks some amazing options for you to bring your memories to life and to tell your own stories with your photos. They have everything from photo books to prints to wall decor to cards and calendars to name a few options. During this time of the season you easily find the some great to share the perfect sentiment with your love ones.

They are also very reasonable priced. I recently placed an order for under $70 dollars and purchased a ton of amazing products. If you want photo prints, we were able to get a wonderful assortment of 5×7, 4×6 and 8×0 glossy prints for under $20 dollars. We got a pack of Royal Felt greeting cards for under $3 dollars. Also there is nothing better than the creation of canvas prints. We got two different photos sized 10×8 on Canvas Print for $24 bucks each. if you give one of these beauties to one of your loved ones the will cherish it forever!

AdoramaPix is not only reasonable priced, they also have great perks as well. There is no sales tax outside NY state and all orders over $49 dollars get free shipping. Especially during the holiday season quick shipping is important and they have some fast turnaround. Of course, I am not forgetting the most important part…quality. The quality on these printing are superb. I am very satisfied with this service and I would be using it again very soon!

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Filed Under: Style Tagged With: adoramapix, delivers

Product Review “Netgear Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router”

The time we are living in that we needs thinks faster than fast! I have always had issues with my WiFi in my various houses…that is until I came across the Netgear X10! This router is easily the best that I have EVER come across. Something that is very important to me is media streaming, and this device does that and also works with Plex! Dream come true! The X10 has been called the “Industry’s fastest router for media streaming with Plex media server”. It is not lying! The X10 packs 802.11ac and 802.11ad WiFi technology and delivers beautifully reliable 4K streaming. It is also geared toward VR gaming (personally, haven’t taken that VR plunge yet). If you are looking for the perfect solution to give you perfect WiFi in your home, look no further!

Time for the specs, the Netgear Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router includes a powerful 1.7GHz Quad-Core Processor and Quad-Stream architecture, which allows the ability of wireless speeds of up to 7.2Gbps and MU-MIMO which supports simultaneous streaming, while 160 MHz doubles WiFi speeds to mobile devices. It also includes 11ad which is stated to be 3X faster than 11ac. The reason we are able to experience these unimaginable wireless speeds is due to the four external active antennas that amplify WiFi signals in order to maximize range and throughput.

The X10 also support some important features that had me drooling. First up is that the device can be used as a Plex Media Server. Seriously? I don’t need to use my computer anymore?! Where do I sign up! Also another tool that I actually use is the Amazon Drive Cloud Backup and the X10 also supports and works well if it. Both of these features are just icing on the cake. This device is also extremely easy to setup and use. Totally easy setup and user friendly. Even though this device might be a little bit pricey, you will realize that this is actually worth every penny. I honestly, have no idea how Netgear is going to top the X10 in the future.

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Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: netgear, nighthawk, product, review, router, smart, ...

CD Review: Jimmy Buffett “‘Tis The SeaSon”

Jimmy Buffett “‘Tis The SeaSon”
Released: October 28, 2016
Genre: Christmas
Length: 39:31
Label: Mailboat Records
Producer: Mac McAnally, Robert Utley

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

In our house if Jimmy Buffett’s music is not playing then something must be wrong. With the holidays coming, that is still no excuse to get in the mood. For the last 20 years, we have spent each season listening to Jimmy Buffet’s first Christmas album, “Christmas Island”. It is a must listen every Christmas season. So now finally after 20 years of waiting, Jimmy has released his follow-up to that album with “‘Tis The SeaSon”. I have to admit, I was hoping that it wasn’t going to disappoint especially how high “Christmas Island” was held in our household but it delivers nothing but non-stop holiday cheer and smiles all around. Definitely a perfect way to get into the Christmas mood.

Some highlights for the album definitely have to be the very funny “The Twelve Days Of Christmas” with its Parrothead version of the classic track. It is a must listen. I think I almnost have it down pat to repeat after numerous listens. “What I Didn’t Get For Christmas” is a great track written by fellow Coral Reefer, Mac McAnally, who also produced the album. Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” is easily one of my favorite Christmas songs and Jimmy has taken it and made it better!

Jimmy Buffett, the usual suspects also appear on the album including Robert Greenidge, Jake Shimabukuro and the lovely Nadriah Shakoor dueting with Jimmy on the classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. This entire album is done in true Margaritaville fashion and I literally loved every single second of it! These are classics taken my Jimmy and giving such a perfect island “Jimmy Buffett” feel to them. If you are looking for something new this holiday season, then look no further, this album has it all! Merry Christmas!

Track listing:
1. Wonderful Christmastime
2. Jingle Bell Rock
3. All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
4. Drivin’ The Pig (Manejando El Cerdo)
5. The Twelve Days Of Christmas (Parrothead Version)
6. What I Didn’t Get For Christmas
7. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
8. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
9. Santa Stole Thanksgiving
10. Mele Kalikimaka (Feat. Jake Shimabukuro)
11. Winter Wonderland (Feat. Robert Greenidge)
12. Baby It s Cold Outside (Feat. Nadirah Shakoor)
13. White Christmas

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: buffett, cd, jimmy, review, season, tis, ...

Peppy Pup Fever On National Mutt Day – December 2nd

Peppy Pup Fever On National Mutt Day – December 2nd

A new puppy may be topping the kids wish list, but is the family not quite ready for the real thing? Young children and parents alike will love the irresistible personality of Peppy Pups from TPF Toys, the official plush dog of National Mutt Day, coming up this Friday, December 2^nd.

Peppy Pups™ brings to life the authenticity of puppy friendship, complete with a pup that follows its owner everywhere. The cuddly plush puppy has a spring in its step and when walked by its owner, can run, jump and wag its tail like a real dog.

Brimming with personality and no batteries needed, Peppy Pups have ultra-soft fur, distinct paw pads and springs in their feet that help these eager Peppy Pups move and prance, just like a real dog. Peppy Pups bounce, jump and waddle as they go for “walks” with their kid owners, and turn heads as they go. Peppy Pups adore cuddling, snuggles and squeezes, showing characteristics of a real dog that all pet lovers embrace.

Peppy Pups from TPF Toys is available at retailers nationwide. Ideal for children ages 4+, Peppy Pups are available in available in – soft brown, and black and white – and are available at Toys “R” Us nationwide and Amazon – priced at $19.99.

Socials for TPF Toys

Instagram – @Peppypups_official

https://www.facebook.com/Peppy-Pups-700547173444475/

#peppypups

National Mutt Day

National Mutt Day, founded by Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, is observed Dec. 2nd and July 31st to celebrate the many wonderful attributes of Mutts to promote adoption WORLDWIDE.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/NationalMuttDay/about/?ref=page_internal

@National Mutt Day

TPF Toys’ Peppy Pups Hit Stores in Time For Holiday Shopping!

Have you ever wanted a stuffed plush dog that actually walked around with you. Well, no lie, no gimmick. That is what the “Peppy Pups” does. It is kid powered dog toy that includes a collar and leash. You walk and the dog walks with you. It is simple and no batteries are needed. This is an awesome idea for a kids toy because it gets them up and on their feet and away from all electronic devices.

Here is some details about what is sure to be one of this holiday season’s hottest toys: “The only cuddly plush that can run, jump, wag its tail and interact with children like a real dog, TPF Toys’ Peppy Pups are brimming with personality and inviting cuddles with its fluffy tail and soft tuft of hair. Peppy Pups feature charming collar and bone tag, and branded paw pads. Eager to move and shake just like a real dog, Peppy Pups spring, bounce, jump, waddle and grove; turning heads as they go — no batteries needed!

Peppy Pups is the soft and cuddly friend your child has been looking for, without the responsibility or commitment of a regular puppy! This walking dog toy has pep and bounce in his step wherever your child decides to walk him, making him a lively, enthusiastic companion. Let your little one use the leash so he can walk-along in the park, on the sidewalk, or even in the house. With a fluffy white tail and a snuggly coat, Peppy Pup will be easy to love and cuddle, just like a real puppy. This little stuffed toy features a silly facial expression, and he can even perform tricks, like flips. Peppy Pup will be your child’s best friend.”

So if you are tired of your kids opening their presents this holiday season and then spending hours putting the toys together or not having the required thousand of batteries they need to operate them, then the Peppy Pups is a great solution for your shopping needs!

Playmonster Delivers Creativity and Inspiration in their New Products for 2016!

Playmonster has a line of toys called Roominate and I just love the tagline for these, which is “Switch on Your Imagination!” I simply love that! Having a 4 year old daughter, there is nothing I love more than watching her light up when she thinks or when watching her stick out her tongue like daddy when she is problem solving. Nothing makes me happier! So when I heard of these new toys from Playmonster, I knew that they were going to not only entertain my child but also help her grow and learn.

<Here is a little information about the line before we get started “Roominate® is an award-winning and customizable line of wired building systems that inspire open-ended, hands-on play, all while showing girls that creativity and engineering are fun! Using circuits, motors and modular building pieces, girls can build and create their own unique and original structures or vehicles that can be joined together or taken apart and remade into something completely new and different! Then, they can decorate and play!”

There are two of the products that I wanted to showcase from this new Roominate line. The first is the Roominate® Cotton Candy Carnival, which looks guaranteed to spark huge major creativity. Girls used to play with dollhouse, which is fun I’m sure but could get old personally. This makes you build your toy and enjoy and learn through the whole process and then get to spend time enjoying it after. Honestly, these are the type of toys that kids should be playing with these days. Something that is going to get them stimulated and assist in developing their mind and brain!

Here are the official details for the Cotton Candy Carnival: “Snap the pieces together to start your creations…if you can imagine it, you can make it! Design your carnival, and try other things, too. Arrange the food and game play pieces, along with the stickers, or add your own accessories and artwork! Then, bring your creations to life with the circuits and motors! Requires 4 AAA batteries, not included.”

Another great item from Playmonster is Roominate® Emma’s Townhouse. Like the Cotton Candy Carnival set, this is another one creative gift for kids to keep them busy for hours learning and using their brains. I can’t wait to see my daughters eyes light up while she is sticking out her tongue thinking and putting together this unbelievably amazing toy.

Here are the official details for Emma’s Townhouse: “Snap the pieces together to start your creations…if you can imagine it, you can make it! Design your townhouse vertically or horizontally, and try other things, too. Arrange the food, tools and toiletries, along with the stickers, or add your own accessories and artwork! Then, bring your creations to life with the circuits and a motor! Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included.”

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: 2016, creativity, delivers, inspiration, playmonster, products, ...

Wicked Cool Toys Wins Christmas With Amazing New Products!

Wicked Cool Toys has quickly become the winner of the holiday season in 2016. They have put out some of the best products for kids of all ages. One of the hottest items of 2016 is the brand new, Cabbage Patch Kids Baby So Real! This is one of the most coolest gifts that you can give to your kids. Check out all the amazing features below, they never had toys like this when I was a kid!

“New for Fall 2016 and for the first time ever, CPK Baby So Real allows you to enjoy one of the most magical and interactive experiences in the history of the baby doll category. These life-like babies combine traditional play patterns with groundbreaking technology. Baby So Real’s interactive sweet baby sounds and random reactions are designed to surprise and delight. With your touch, Baby So Real comes to life with beautifully animated LCD eyes that open, close and look around. Loaded with realistic features that encourage interactive nurturing play, Baby So Real has sensors for peek-a-boo and tickle play, feeding from a special bottle, burping, diaper changing, and rocking to sleep. If your baby should develop a fever, you can calm those red cheeks by administering TLC from a magical spoon. Just like the original Cabbage Patch Kids, Baby So Real is soft and cuddly with removable clothes.

And for advanced play, Baby So Real has its own free app that allows your phone or tablet to simulate a baby monitor. The online mode allows you to see the virtual nursery where you can play with your baby, feed, diaper burp and administer TLC. You can also play games, watch video clips and earn baby points for additional virtual accessories and new features. Baby So Real comes with a fully removable outfit and diaper, a special interactive bottle and medicine spoon, birth certificate and adoption papers and a free baby monitor style app for additional virtual play. Ages 3+”

If the CPK Baby was for the girls, then the next gift is sure to please the boys in the world. Remember how I just said above that I never had toys like this when I was a kid? Well, with the new Xtreme Cycle Moto-Cam, I will say those words again! This is not just your average remote control motorcycle. This is suped up for the 21st century and comes stocked with a “wicked cool” camera, so the kids can have run with their toy and then also record what it sees, which is just the awesomeist idea! Check out the features below:

“Now kids can kick it up a notch with Xtreme Cycle Moto-Cam which features an awesome built-in helmet camera! With Extreme Cycle Moto-Cam, young cyclists can capture flips, tricks and sharp turns just like they do in extreme cycling! The patented gyroscopic stabilization system is made up of a flywheel mounted in the rear, as well as an all four bar linkage steering system. This system allows for ramp jumping, driving on various terrains, and even recovering from crashes. The cycle is specially designed to always right itself after it falls so it has non-stop action and has front and rear shock system to absorb bumps and rocky terrain. The remote control not only steers the cycle but it also allows cycle enthusiasts to start and stop the video at any time – even in mid-jump!

Moto-Cam has 640×480 VGA resolutions and allows kids to record video at 30 frames per second and store 60 minutes of video. The set includes the cycle with Moto-Cam, a remote control, 12” USB cable to download and share video online or watch on TV, stunt ramp and a removable 4GB SD card. 9V rechargeable and 2 AA batteries included! Ages 8+”

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Filed Under: Toys Tagged With: amazing, christmas, cool, products, toys, wicked, ...

Blu-ray Review “Don’t Breathe”

Actors: Dylan Minnette, Jane Levy, Stephen Lang, Daniel Zovatto
Directors: Fede Alvarez
Rated: R
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 29, 2016

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

I had really solid expectations for the film “Don’t Breathe”. The director Fede Alvarez blew me away with his remake of “Evil Dead” and because a director to watch out for. This film is definitely creative and shows off his style but overall, I got bored really quick with this one. The pay off/twist for me didn’t wow me either. I thought it was very stretched out and after a while I found mind wandering waiting for something new to happen. Stephen Lang was definitely a force to be reckoned with and shows off his amazing acting chops again but he wasn’t enough to save this movie for me.

Official Premise: “Don’t Breathe” follows a group of thieves who break into a blind man’s home thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime. When the blind man reveals a dark side, the trio quickly discovers they were dead wrong. Stars Jane Levy (Evil Dead), Dylan Minnette (Goosebumps), Daniel Zovatto (It Follows) and Stephen Lang (Avatar).

The Blu-ray of Don’t Breathe comes with a solid 1080p which works well since most of the film is quite dark. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track works with the suspense scenes. The special features are decent, especially the audio commentary with Director Fede Alvarez, Co-Writer Rodo Sayagues and Actor Stephen Lang. I enjoy this actually cause it has great insight. They had some deleted scenes includes along with the director’s commentary, which I feel like some of these could have worked well in the film. Lastly there are five short featurettes looking at the behind-the-scenes with cast/crew.

Blu-ray 3D/4K Ultra HD Review “The Secret Life of Pets”

Actors: Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper
Directors: Chris Renaud
Rated: PG
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Run Time: 91 minutes

Film: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 5 out of 5 stars
3D: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

From the moment I saw the first teaser for “The Secret Life of Pets“, I knew that Illumination Entertainment had another hit on there hands. The characters are amazing and the film is filled with laughs from beginning to end. It has jokes for kids and parents as well. In fact, my family (no lie) quote this film AT LEAST once a day since the first time that we have seen it. It packs a really solid voice cast including Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart and many others. I hope that they have some sort of plans to follow up with this series because they really have a winner here! Can’t wait to see what Illumination, home of the Minions, does next!

Official Premise: Comedy superstars Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, and Kevin Hart make their animated feature-film debut that finally answers the question: what do your pets do when you’re not home? When their owners leave for the day, pets from the building gossip with their friends, satisfy their sweet tooths, and throw outrageous parties. But when a pampered terrier (C.K.) and his unruly new “roommate” from the pound (Stonestreet) get lost in the urban jungle of New York City, they must put aside their differences to survive the epic journey back home.

Universal released this film in in various formats i.e. Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and 4K Ultra HD. The animation and colors are so vivid and vibrant and this film looks extraordinary with it’s 4K transfer. I was blown away with this presentation. The 3D presentation on this film was also top notch. As we are whizzing through the streets of New York as well as close up encounters with fellow characters like Viper, the effects are spot on! If you can watch this film in either of those formats, I highly recommend it for sure! The audio tracks also are epic with a revolutionary Dolby Atmos track as well as wall shaking Dolby TrueHD 7.1. Universal delivered for sure with A/V presentation here for sure!

The special features are all short and sweet and worth checking out if you enjoyed this flick. Kids can enjoy as well. There are three mini-movies included. One we saw before the film in theaters “Minion Mowers”, which is hysterical. There are also two new ones set within the world of “The Secret Life of Pets”. First is NormanTV, which features the gerbil from the film crawling through the buildings vents. The last one is an animated musical tale of the hot dog brand that Max and Duke end up at. These are a great addition to the film itself and are also available if the film is redeem digitally as well, so that’s a nice bonus.

Next up, we have “The Humans That Brought You Pets” which feature interviews with Producers Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, Directors Yarrow Cheney and Chris Renaud, and Writer Brian Lynch. “Animals Can Talk: Meet the Actors” are speed chats with the cast talking about their roles. “All About the Pets” features cast joking on set with animal trainer Molly O’Neill. “Hairstylist to the Dogs” features Duke’s voice actor Eric Stonestreet talking grooming with Stylist Jess Rona. “How to Make an Animated film” and “Anatomy of a Scene” go behind-the-scenes. Lastly there is a nice collection of “The Best of Snowball” and some sing-alongs and trailers.

Blu-ray Review “The BFG”

Actors: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall
Directors: Steven Spielberg
Rated: PG
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Release Date: November 29, 2016
Run Time: 118 minutes

Film: 1 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2 out of 5 stars

Urgh, “The BFG”. I have been dreading watching this film since I saw the especially awful trailers. Before any of that I was quite excited I figured that Spielberg could have some fun with adapting Roald Dahl’s The BFG but it was just a failure from then on out. The visual effects are good but I really just was bored with it at the same time. I feel like so much more could have been done with this except it was just bland and full of missed opportunities. Filled with not funny fart jokes throughout (and trust me I usually fall hard for a good fart joke) but this was a complete failure in my book.

Official Premise: “The BFG” unites the talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – to bring to life the classic tale of a courageous little girl named Sophie (newcomer Ruby Barnhill) and a gentle and charming Big Friendly Giant (Oscar-winner Mark Rylance) who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

“The BFG” is a big flop of visual effects. They are transferred well though on Blu-ray. The 1080p transfer does give the visual effects some justice, even though boring. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 works well with the films score and action sequences. The special features are rather bland like the film. There is only one that stands out amongst the rest. “Bringing The BFG to Life” runs just under 30 minutes and feature cast/crew discussing all aspects of the feature behind-the-scenes.

“The Big Friendly Giant and Me” is a super short animated version of the film in a nut shell. “Gobblefunk: The Wonderful Words of the BFG” goes into the giant’s very strange language and use of words created by Dahl. “Giants 101” is a casting feature for the nine giants in the film. Lastly “Melissa Mathieson: A Tribute” is a feature in memory of the late screenwriter. There is a DVD included along with the Blu-ray as well as a Disney digital copy to round out this release.

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

Blu-ray Review “The Hollars”

Actors: Anna Kendrick, John Krasinski, Richard Jenkins, Margo Martindale, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Directors: John Krasinski
Number of discs: 1
Rated: PG-13
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Run Time: 88 minutes

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

I literally had no idea what “The Hollars” was before watching it. It was a movie that got rather swept under the carpet, but it deserves some praise for sure. I would go as far as even saying that I loved this flick. The acting from Anna Kendrick, John Krasinski, Richard Jenkins and especially Margo Martindale was literally award worthy. I found myself sniffing out of control. The drama was very real and it just really won me over. This is usually not a film that I would ever watch but with the talent attached to it, I was intrigued to give it a try…and I was not let down. PLEASE watch this movie just make sure to have some tissues handy.

Official Premise: A struggling NYC artist, John Hollar (John Krasinski), is forced to return to the small, middle-American town he left behind after learning about his mother’s illness. Back in the house he grew up in, John is immediately swept up in the problems of his dysfunctional family, high school rival and an over-eager ex-girlfriend as he faces impending fatherhood with his NYC girlfriend (Academy Award Nominee Anna Kendrick, 2009, Best Supporting Actress, Up in the Air). John Krasinski’s second feature as a director is a poignant look at the bonds of family and friendship.

There are some decent special features included. I particularly loved the audio commentary track that features both John Krasinski and Margo Martindale. Simply love both of them! There are two features included. The first is “The Family Trust: Inside The Hollars” and second is “Persistent Vision: Margo Martindale”, both features cast/crew talking behind-the-scenes about the project. Lastly there is the LA Film Festival Q&A featuring Anna Kendrick, John Krasinski and Margo Martindale.

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

The Firefly 2 – If Q Made a Vaporizer, This Would Be It

Quitting your highly paid Silicon Valley job as a software developer for Apple might seem like insanity. But that’s just what Matt Williams did. Along with his partner, Sasha Robinson, who also packed in a highly-paid Silicon Valley tech job, Williams set out to change the vaping industry.

A High-End Sleek Design

They resolved to build a better vaporizer. Some would even call it the “Q” of vaporizers, after the James Bond tech geek who supplied the British super spy with all his gadgets. They wanted to do for smoking what MP3 players did for music.

They wanted to create a sleek, aesthetically sensual device that would fit in the palm of someone’s hand. There were all sorts of problems to solve: most importantly how to create an oven that would heat to 400 degrees without exploding in the user’s face.

By tinkering in Robinson’s basement with different materials for coils and power sources, the concept of the Firefly was born. And it was wildly successful. Released in 2014, it was soon on back order for 5,000 units.

Williams and Robinson, like many entrepreneurial inventors, didn’t rest on the laurels of the Firefly 1. They aimed to create a lighter, sleeker, and faster model than its predecessor. They also wanted this upgrade to handle cartridges of concentrates.

Their efforts gave birth to the Firefly 2.

Is Firefly 2 Worth the Price?

Many would balk at the $329.95 price tag, but that would be a mistake. The Firefly 2 is wholly worth the price. Once you delve into the features that the Firefly 2 packs, the price is oh-so-worth-it.

The Firefly 2 just might be the future of portable dry herb and concentrate vaporizers. The features that come with this handy little gadget are nothing to be sniffed at, even if you are a novice to vaporizing your herb.

Less than half the weight and 1/3 smaller than its predecessor this vape fits easily into a back pocket. Better yet, it heats in seconds, all while delivering consistent vapor quality. More importantly, it works via convection heating, which some argue is better than conductive heating. Proponents of convection heating say it results in a purer, better tasting inhale.

Explore The Firefly 2 Smart Features

The model charges in as little as 45 minutes. It also comes with 2 batteries, so you never have to worry about running out of power as long as you keep at least one charged. If you do need a recharge, a handy 3.0 USB cable that comes with the charging cradle can connect to any cell phone or tablet charger. Battery life is phenomenal as well.

Available for both iOS and Android phones, the optional (and free) Firefly app puts you in charge of the temperature. It allows you to choose from 6 preset heating profiles, depending on your preference and what you’re vaping. Several temperature settings are available. All are easily configured via your phone and the app and by pressing the side buttons. The app also provides a convenient way to get tech support when needed.

Need that hit and need it now for pain relief, frazzled nerves, or just to relax? No need to worry with the Firefly 2. It can heat up to 400 degrees in 5 seconds. Your preferred herb or concentrate only heats when you inhale, so there is no waste.

Even considering the $330 price tag, the Firefly 2 is well worth the price. Sleek, efficient, and providing quality vapor, it is sure to be on many a vaper’s wish list.

Author

Michael is a marketing and creative content specialist at GotVape.com with primary focus on customer satisfaction. Technology and fitness combined healthy lifestyle obsession are his main talking points

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 2, firefly, vaporizer

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Author: Mike Gencarelli

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