Toy Review: Playmobil “Dragons”

“Dragons”

Hiccup and Toothless w/ Baby Dragon & Light Fury w/ Baby Dragon and Children

Playmobil

Our Score 3.5 out of 5 stars

Just in time for the holiday season Playmobil has added several new figures to their “Dragons” line which is based on characters from the film “How To Train Your Dragon 3”. Children and Adults of all ages can now act out all of their favorite scenes from the movie and beyond with the help of newly added characters like “Light Fury”, “Hiccup” and “Deathgripper”. These highly detailed and fully articulate figures are sure to provide fun and enjoyment time and time again and feature solid construction which will hold up for years to come.

Having recently seen some of the “Dragons” toys at this year’s New York Comic Con our in house toy tester Ian was very anxious to get his hands on some of these really great looking figures. From a parents stand point I was pleasantly surprised by the easy to open packaging and minimal assembly that both of these sets required. The last thing any parent wants is an overzealous youngster repeatedly asking if they are done putting a toy together while also trying to manage multiple bags of pieces and highly detailed instructions. Aside from having to use a little extra muscle to get both Light Fury and Hiccup’s wings in place that’s really all there was to it with these sets. Hiccup does require a screwdriver for battery installation for the light up back fin. Aside from that no other tools are needed and you can get your youngster playing fairly quick. Ian really enjoyed the details of each of the dragons which include textured skin on both main figures (Hiccup/Light Fury) and some really cool and intricate paint work. This was a feature I also thought was very well done especially on the Light Fury and Toothless figures which are painted with an iridescent paint that gives off a shiny yellow glow when the light hits it.

Each set along with the main larger dragon comes with a handful of smaller toys as well. The Light Fury set includes a Baby Dragon and two children figures while the Hiccup set includes Toothless as well as its own Baby Dragon figure. Both larger dragon figures feature projectile shooting action which Ian also enjoyed (what kid doesn’t love shooting things at their sibling or parent). Thankfully Playmobil opted for less powerful springs as the smaller sized projectiles can quickly become lost if they went shooting too far. On that note parents of smaller children may want to take caution as most of the accessories are quite small and Playmobil does a solid job making buyers aware of this and with their recommendation of these being for ages 4 and up.

From price point to play Playmobil continues to do a solid job and their latest additions to the “Dragons” line are no different. Even after a couple of weeks of hard play each of the figures still look new and are working as they should. Yes some of the tiny pieces caused a bit of frustration when they inevitably went missing but, it only caused a momentary pause in the play and thankfully did not hurt any of the functions so If you have a youngster on your list this holiday season we definitely recommend checking out Playmobil’s “Dragons” line as they are sure to put a smile on that loved ones face Christmas morning.         

Toy Review: ReAction Figures “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”

Leonardo, Raphael, Bebop, Rocksteady

ReAction Figures

Super 7

Our Score 3.5 out of 5 stars

Within the past few years the toy makers at Super 7 have brought to market some really cool products which have helped establish the brand as one of today’s top retro toy companies. Their 3.75” ReAction Figures especially has been a continued growing line for the San Diego, CA based company and now includes over a dozen licenses including “Aliens”, “Universal Monsters” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. Our in house toy tester Ian had the chance to check out the first four figures from the “TMNT” line (Raphael, Leonardo, Bebop and Rocksteady) and put them through the paces to see just how well they could handle the rigorous play of an active 7 year old.

Prior to turning them over to Ian I had the chance to check out the really nice artwork that adorns each package. The artwork is all new however it stays true to the original Kenner blister packaging of the early/mid 1980’s. On the back you get a witty bio of each figure along with a picture of the full line in that series. I should point out that these figures do have a 14 and up label on them as they are intended more as an adult collectible. That’s not to say someone younger can’t play with them but the figures do include small pieces some of which are quite pointy and sharp.

Each of the figures looked just as good out of the packaging as they do in it as Super 7 did a great really nailing the details despite the figures smaller size. The four figures all feature 5 points of articulation and come with between 2 and three accessories which can be placed in the hands of each figure. Though Ian is a huge turtle’s fan he seemed to have more interest in Bebop and Rocksteady partially because of their off the wall look and “cool weapons” as he put it. Raphael and Leonardo still got plenty of play but in our house it is hard to compete with a punk rock warthog and rhino.

With the Holidays quickly approaching we highly recommend checking out the Super 7 “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” Reaction figures. All four figures we checked out are available now and in the coming months more figures including Donatello, Michelangelo and Shredder are set to become available so help that collector on your list expand his or her collection this season with the latest offerings from Super 7.     

How to Buy Good Games for a Good Price

Today, the gaming industry faces the crisis of supply. It means that the consumers are oversaturated with lots of good and solid titles. As a result, publishers and distributors have to find new ways to attract buyers. At the same time, the gaming industry is filled with scammers and honestly bad products. This article will tell about the ways to buy good games at a reasonable price.

Firstly, the general rule behind finding good offers on gaming products is to be open-minded. For example, Steam is not the only place where players can find good offers. Cheap steam keys can be found on the platform https://gamerall.com/steam-games. This principle is a general rule: it is always possible to find where to buy games for a more affordable price comparing to the major digital distribution prices.

Also, like virtually any other industry, the gaming industry tries to attract new customers with sales. There are several types of sales. They may vary depending on the platform but in general, every platform tries to feature the following sales:

  • Seasonal sales

This type of sales is widely spread in other industries, too. The idea is simple: these sales occur during a certain period of the year. Steam Summer Sale (usually takes place in August) and Steam Christmas Sale can serve as examples. In this case, gamers expect a specific time to buy even AAA titles for a lowered price. Usually, platforms offer some additional features during the seasonal sales, such as exclusive bonus system, achievements, or unique statuses for players.

  • Developer-specific sales

This type of sales is also shared with other industries. On the contrary to the previous type, such sales are not tied to a specific date. Instead, the platforms offer the players discounts on the products of certain developers. The goal is to encourage the fans to buy other games of a developer/. For example, some players like Stellaris, but are not really into the other games developed and published by Paradox Interactive. In this case, a sale on Paradox Interactive games will drive players to buy Crusader Kings 2, Europa Universalis IV, or Cities: Skylines. Developer-specific sales are a great way to build a loyal community of gamers around a certain studio.

  •  Genre-specific sales

This is a rather rare type of sales, which features discounts on games of a certain genre. There are only a few such sales, as gamers tend to engage in different genres.

To summarize, the main rule for finding good games for a good price is to know that every offer, however it may seem juicy, can always have a better alternative. Sales and smaller platforms are the main ways to find even AAA titles for affordable prices.

KC’s Halloween ComicFest Is A Spooky Success

Comic enthusiasts found a welcome relief for the end-of-summer blues when they attended Elite Comics 2019 Halloween ComicFest this past Sunday at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

The event, which was FREE to the public, filled three rooms with dealers and comic artists and featured free comic giveaways to all who attended. Media Mikes was well represented as well. We had a table where we gave out some sweet movie swag from such films as “Countdown,” “Rambo” and the upcoming “Midway.”

And, of course, it’s not an official event unless Cosplay is involved and the 2019 ComicFest was no exception. Fans young and old represented their favorite characters and genre’s proudly.

All in all, a great time was had by all who attended, many of them already making plans to attend next year’s event. Rest assured we’ll be there as well!

Check Out Episode #209 of our “Behind the Mikes” Podcast

This week “Eddie and the Cruisers” star Michael Pare’ introduces the show featuring interviews of “Joker” and “Judy.” We also ask “which movie villain would make a great character study film?” as well as pay tribute to those we recently lost. Enjoy by clicking HERE.

Elite Comics Bringing 2019 Halloween ComicFest to Kansas City This Weekend

Elite Comics’ Halloween ComicFest just got BIGGER! 

For an event this epic, Elite Comics has moved the event to the Overland Park Convention Center, where they will take over Courtyard Ballrooms 1-3!  This means there will be over 10,000 square feet of toys, statues, trades, hardcovers, and comics, comics, comics! They will have over 50,000 $1 comics, over 20,000 Silver Age Comics, and collectibles of every sort!  It is also Halloween FREE Comic Book Day with 1000’s of free comics! 

Media Mikes will have a table at the show, giving away Swag from such upcoming films as “Download” and “Midway.” They will also be recording their “Behind the Mikes” Podcast from the event. Stop by and say “hello!”

Make plans to be at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66211 Sunday, October 27 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.  Admission and parking to the event are FREE!

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT THIS YEAR’S HALLOWEEN ComicFEST

  • A HUGE artists alley with over 30 talented comic creators! Come get original art, exclusive books, rare collectibles, and autographs from the artists themselves!
  • October is also when Elite Comics kicks their Children’s Mercy Toy Drive into high gear! There will be awesome drawings and raffles all day long to raise money for kids stuck in the hospital over the holidays!
  • Stop by the gaming alley to play some awesome spooky board games and the cyber cafe for refreshments!
  • Last, but definitely not least, participate in the huge COSTUME CONTEST! You know you want one more chance to show off your cosplay and/or Halloween outfit. Especially when there are prizes involved.

Bring the family and make a day of it!

THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE IN ATTENDANCE:

  • RYAN KINCAID
    • He has done covers for all the major publishers!  Come get some very rare variant covers signed by one of the hottest artists in comics!
  • ANDE PARKS
    • Ande has worked on every major title in is 20+ year comic career. His writing career is as impressive!   Writing credits like Capote in Kansas, and Union Station which led to his Ciudad original graphic novel which will be a Russo Brothers Netflix movie.  Come meet the man, get an autograph, buy a book and get some valuable hat advice!
  • BRYAN TIMMINS
    • Bryan will be showing his awesome art including his specialty of sharks and dinosaurs!  Make sure to stop by his table and get one of his prints or get a book signed!
  • JULIE TIMMINS
    • Julie will be in artists alley reading tarot cards and  foretelling your future of getting a bunch of great comics and having a blast at the Halloween ComicFest!
  • ED LAVALLEE
    • Come check out his  books Pop Star Assassin, Revere and Archeon! He might also let you stroke his beard if your lucky!
  • RUDY GARCIA
    • Known as the Pumpkin King, Rudy has professionally sculpted for every major toy and statue company in the business! And his pumpkin carving has literally taken him around the world! 
  • MEGAN LEVENS
    • She has worked on Buffy ,Star Trek, Back To The Future and many more! Come get one of her awesome sketches and hear some great stories about her Bostons!!
  • ED BICKFORD
    • Check out his Metal Robot, Pulp Robot and American Chop Suey comics!!
  • ARIE MONROE appearing
    • She is an incredible caricature artist and check out her comic!  She attended the Kubert school and has worked on a bunch of great comic projects
  • JEANNE BARNHILL
    • Designer, artist, lover of animals and mind behind almost everything you see on the windows, walls, cases and ceiling at Elite comics, Jeanne will be setting up and selling the awesome PopArtifacts items!  Toys and collectibles from the past displayed with the care and quality they deserve.
  • LORI BUNTIN
    • Lori is known as the city’s best custom framer.  She does all the framing for PopArtifacts!
  • BRYAN FYFFE
    • Bryan, the King of Halloween, is one of the most popular convention guests in America and will have a huge selection of awesome art to make your place a little cooler!
  • KARA LOVE
    • Kara will be here with her new anthology Local Haunts, spooky stories all set in hometowns around the world !  Come get a book signed and exchange scary stories just right for Halloween!!
  • ERICA BATTON
    • Creator, writer and artists of Panty Vigilante!  Come out and get some art, and get copies of your comics signed!
  • IRYNA STROGANOVA
    • She will be setting up in our huge artists alley!
  • ROD ZIRKLE
    • Face painter Rod Zirkle will be on-hand to make the day even more exciting.  Get the final touches added to your costume right before the costume contest!
  • BALDEMAR RIVAS
    • We are super happy to have art star and artist of Image Comics Unearth (issues 1 and 2 are out right now)  BALDEMAR RIVAS!  Come get some comics signed, get a sketch maybe even get your picture with comics newest sensation!
  • STEVE DANIELS
    • We are proud to have Mr. Kansas City, cartoonists STEVE DANIELS at our Halloween event!  Come get some art, get some books and ask him about his upcoming projects!
  • KYLE STRAHM
    • Kyle will be set up in our Halloween Comicfest artist alley!  Bring in your copies of Spread and Unearth and get his signature and his advice on organic gardening in the Midwest!!
  • STEPHEN SMITH
    • He will present his creations in our huge artist alley! You can score some cool art and argue about wrestling!
  • KELLY AARON
    • Will be showing her awesome at our Halloween ComicFest!  You can see her art all over town but if you want to see her art and see her be at the Elite ComicFest on October 27th!
  • JASON ARNETT
    • We are lucky to have local writing superstar and Kindness Community member JASON ARNETT!  Come buy one of his books and ask him about some of the awesome projects he has started at JCCC!
  • SKOTTIE YOUNG
    • We will have the awesome and talented SKOTTIE YOUNG doing an exclusive signing to benefit The Elite Comics Children’s Mercy Toy Drive! Get copy of the Marvel Art of Skottie Young Hardcover signed with 100% of the proceeds going to help make a better Christmas for kids in the hospital!

SEE YOU THERE!

NYCC 2019: Hulu’s Castle Rock

Just in time for Halloween, Hulu is ready to invite viewers back to the not-so-sleepy town of Castle Rock. The fictional Maine location may sound familiar to even casual horror fans, as it features across the many works of Stephen King. To celebrate the launch of season 2, the cast of the anthology series joined fans at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden for a screening of the premiere episode at this year’s New York Comic Con.

The highlight of the premiere was the debut of Lizzy Caplan as “Stephen King’s nurse from hell” Annie Wilkes. Wilkes was the star of King’s Misery where she was willing to go to lethal lengths to get her way from James Caan’s stranded author character. Bates famously won an Academy Award for her performance and if you had asked me if I needed to see more background on her character I may have doubted you until this episode. Caplan channels her own unblinking manic energy and manages to make Wilkes’s “cockadoody” vernacular her very own. As a bonus, she has the wonderful Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade) as a daughter to play off of in this series.

While I won’t go into spoilers for the show, suffice to say there was at least one jaw dropping scene that made checking the show out in the massive NYCC audience incredibly satisfying.

Head over to our NYCC Facebook album to see even more photos from the panel which also featured Shawshank Redemption alum Tim Robbins

Castle Rock season 2 is available on Hulu starting October 23rd.

Collectible Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear unveiled at Build-A-Bear Workshop

Inspired by the animated classic Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Build-A-Bear Workshop unveils the iconic Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear on October 18th. This one-of-a-kind, collectible furry friend has the famous villain’s signature horned headpiece built into her soft, black fur.

This evil fairy of a friend is sure to cast a spell in her signature look. Summon a sense of style that’s fit for a sorcerer by adding the black and purple robe to your bear’s wardrobe. In order to be her most powerful, the mistress of all evil can also wield her scepter. This golden plush scepter is a wickedly cute wrist accessory that attaches to your Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear’s paw!

Enter a fantasy world of fun with this wickedly cute collector’s item. Collectors and fans alike are sure to fall under the spell of this Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear!

PRODUCT INFO:

Online Exclusive Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear Gift Set: $57 / £43

Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear is ready to rule over your collection in this deluxe soft toy gift set. This one-of-a-kind villain looks wickedly regal wearing her own black and purple robe with a gold scepter. Collectors and young fans alike are sure to fall under the spell of this Disney Maleficent Inspired Bear!

LINK TO PRODUCT:

US: https://www.buildabear.com/collections/disney-characters/maleficent

UK: https://www.buildabear.co.uk/collections/disney-characters/maleficent

About Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear® is a global brand kids love and parents trust that seeks to add a little more heart to life. Build-A-Bear Workshop® has over 450 stores worldwide where Guests can create customizable furry friends, including corporately-managed stores in the United States, Canada, China, Denmark, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom, and franchise stores in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico and the Middle East. Buildabear.com is the online destination for unique furry-friend gifts, featuring The-Bear-Builder™, a shopping configurator that helps create customized gift options. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) posted a total revenue of $336.6 million in fiscal 2018.

Book Review: “A Professor’s Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better Writing” by Dr. Jacob Neumann

Many students feel too overwhelmed with their curriculum to do any additional reading. It’s understandable as they have millions of tasks that need urgent focus, so fiction and non-fiction genres are left in their past, freer life — as long as they aren’t assigned them in college or uni. This trend is depressing since reading is essential in many ways, from cognitive to social. Researchers from Psychology Today Schwanenflugel and Knapp confirm that reading improves brain function and helps in studies. Interestingly, it might happen both directly and indirectly.

 “A Professor’s Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better Writing”written by DoctorNeumann is a non-fiction book with the power to bring benefits in two ways at once. First, it’s deeply engaging and stimulating. Second, it’s essential for studies because regardless of whether you are still in high school or if you’re tackling complex uni challenges, writing essays is a task that will follow you everywhere. Knowing how to do it will save you tons of time.

The Content of Neumann’s Book and What Makes It Stand Out

DoctorNeumann has worked as a professor in many areas and on different educational levels. He’s seen the struggles his students face with crafting their essays personally, and it encouraged him to write a book that would help them improve their writing. So, Neumann’s book explores the concept of academic essays and provides useful tips on how to structure ad compose them. He raises such topics as the creation of helpful outline, effective introduction, strong thesis, and logical paragraphs. Neumann also explains how to avoid plagiarism, which is essential since unless your paper is 100% unique, you risk facing a disciplinary hearing and even suspension. This way, his book presents a complex of suggestions aimed at facilitating your writing.   

But what makes this book special? Neumann discards the idea of each essay type differing from one another. Instead, he promotes the idea that writing principles stay the same in all cases, claiming that if you get a grasp on them once, you’ll be able to apply them over and over again.  He uses practical demonstrations and builds excellent and relevant associations that stay in the memory of his readers for a long time. For example, when explaining transitions and their role in the structuring of the paragraphs, Neumann draws the comparison with road signs. Such vivid examples help demonstrate the rules much better than long theoretical explanations.

The Audience Neumann’s Book Targets

Published in 2016, Neumann’s book has quickly gained popularity because of how relevant and useful its central topic is to different groups of people. Since it revolves around academic writing, all people involved in this sphere can benefit from reading it. There are four specific groups that can be seen as its target audience.

·         The youth. Young people of all ages study in schools, colleges, or universities, and all of them have to inevitably write essays. Nearly all of them face problems on their way to a good grade, so Neumann’s book is perfect for them. They’re the primary audience since it’s students who inspired the author to write his guide.    

·         Professors. Teachers are also an important audience since they might grow frustrated with having to explain the rules of writing to their classes repeatedly. With Neumann’s book, they have a chance to save their time and make explanations rich and on-point. 

·         Academic writing professionals. The area of academic writing is fast, and many specialists are joining it daily to help students with their tasks. Some essay structure nuances might be a novelty to them, which is why Neumann’s book is a recommended reading in such places. To understand the rules intimately, people working for admission essay writing service from EduBirdie all read this book thoroughly before they start working. This helps them avoid mistakes and achieve the best results for their clients.   

·         Adults entering the education sphere. Many adults who didn’t have a chance to graduate go back to school or get jobs where knowing how to write academically is essential. Neumann’s book targets them as well. It’s written in a way that will be engaging to people regardless of their age, so they will all find it worth their time. 

The Best Kind of Books: Easy and Beneficial Reading

Best books don’t underwhelm you — they stimulate and relax you at the same time, capturing your interest and teaching you something useful. “A Professor’s Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better Writing”by Neumann is a great example of such books. Dunn from Psychology Today mentioned how academic writing doesn’t have to be boring or stuffy, and Neumann has met this particular goal brilliantly. If you wonder how to cope with your essay tasks, just give it a try. It’s short but extremely illustrative.

Biography

Robert is a writer from Edubirdie who unwaveringly stays in touch with the modern content market. He understands the reasons underlying the popularity of books or research and the uniqueness of their creation. The world of literature is diverse, and Robert strives to make it brighter by adding his own contributions to it.  

“Cupcake Wars” winner to move Jillycakes into ICON Park

Famous cupcakes to be baked in The Wheelhouse Market

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 15, 2019) — Favorite local bakery, Jillycakes, is moving mouthwatering, eye-popping cupcake baking operations to ICON Park.

The bakery, owned by Jillian Hopke, season six winner of the Food Network Show, “Cupcake Wars,” is already delivering freshly baked cupcakes daily to Shack Sweets in ICON Park’s Wheelhouse Market. Jillycakes is set to make its full debut there on November 9.

“We are thrilled Hopke chose ICON Park as a base for her entire operation,” said ICON Park CEO Chris Jaskiewicz. “Jillycakes already has a local following. International Drive gives Central Florida businesses, like Jillycakes, the chance for global exposure.”

Hopke will be teaching baking classes at The Wheelhouse Market during the holiday season. Those classes will be open to the public by reservation only.

The Wheelhouse Market is a food hall located at the base of The Wheel at ICON Park, featuring a variety of gourmet options, including Latin 21 Street Food, Sausage Shack, 1905 Pizza & Pasta and Shack Sweets. All are part of Restaurant Tour Hospitality Group. Jillycakes’ freshly baked cupcakes are the perfect complement to current offerings, including authentically prepared, globally inspired foods, like andouille sausage, giant Bavarian pretzels and healthy acai bowls.

ICON Park is getting ready for an exciting 2020 with the opening of Blake Shelton’s Ole Red restaurant. Record breaking thrills are on the way with the world’s tallest slingshot ride and drop tower.

For more information, visit iconparkorlando.comiconparkorlando.com.

ABOUT ICON PARK
ICON Park™ is a 20-acre, walkable entertainment destination in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive. A perfect place to ride, dine, drink and explore, ICON Park has more than 40 amazing restaurants, funky bars, boutique shops and can’t-miss attractions, all anchored by The Wheel, a jaw-dropping observation wheel that stands 400 feet – 40 stories – in the air. Guests at ICON Park can visit SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology and StarFlyer Orlando, the world’s tallest swing ride. Free parking is available in a multi-level, on-site garage, just steps from all the action. Learn more at ICONParkOrlando.com. Follow ICON Park on social media @ICONParkOrlando.

2019 NY Comic Con Review: Day 2

2019 New York Comic Con
Friday, October 4th 2019
Jacob K. Javits Center, New York, NY

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

With the leaves beginning to change in the North East for most that signals that the fall season is underway. For fans of pop-culture it’s the tell tale sign that the annual New York Comic Con is on the horizon. With Connecticut based organizers Reed Pop at the helm the convention would once again descend on the Jacob K. Javits Center which is tightly nestled in the heart of New York City. Over the course of 4 days (10/3 thru 10/6) Fans of all ages packed the massive convention center in hopes of obtaining their favorite collectible and/or meeting some of the comic industries top creators. We took in day two of the event this year which boasted an impressive schedule of panels and releases that had us running back and forth, left and right and up and down the entire day.

Upon entry we quickly made our way to the collectible toy area which over the last few years has seem to double in size. Here we were able to check out booths by makers such as Super 7, Entertainment Earth and of course Funko. All three of these companies offered plenty of exclusive items a majority of which were only available to those who were selected via a pre-show lottery. Amidst the snaking lines and impromptu cos-play photo shoots we were able to test out the latest offerings from Arcade 1Up which included the newly released ¾ versions of “Golden Tee” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. The company was also showcasing a nearly 10 foot tall fully functioning arcade cabinet that had attendees waiting in line all day just for a chance to work the oversized retro controls. From there we made our way past the Toy Tokyo booth which this year included several exclusive sculpts by artist Ron English and Joe Ledbetter. We also made a stop at the Playmobil booth where they were showcasing their upcoming “Scooby-Doo” and “Back To The Future” figures and play sets complete with the iconic Mystery Machine and time traveling DeLorean. From there we descended into the ground floor of the center which hosted a who’s who of comic creators including Greg Capullo, Jim Lee and John Romita Jr. to name just a few. Easily one of the busier corridors of the event comic collectors were elbow to elbow much of the day attempting to get books signed or purchase hand drawn art from their favorite artist. Neighboring the artist alley on both sides were the celebrity meet and greet area which on this day included appearances by Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston and Billy Dee Williams. Across the way in the opposite corridor was the massive panel room which played host to panels ranging from HBO’s “Watchman” series to TBS’s “Impractical Jokers” and probably the most exciting of the day TNT’s “All Elite Wrestling” which included an on-stage brawl between stars Chris Jericho and Cody Rhoades that had those in attendance going absolutely nuts!

As our day came to a close it was dizzying to think about all the things we had experienced in just a few hours. Despite finding several empty booths in a couple different locations (something we had not seen in years past) there certainly was no shortage of things to see or do at New York Comic Con 2019. Reed Pop and the other companies associated with this con continue to put on a solid show that’s offers something for everyone. I do feel the event promoters need to continue looking at how they layout the show in a continued effort to ensure attendees are able to move freely throughout the multiple floors and levels. This year’s map did feel less cluttered than in previous years however, there were still a number of high traffic areas which brought people to a standstill making it hard to move or take in the vendors/displays. Moving panels to various other locations around the city has surely helped ease some of the events growing pains as did the addition of the Cos-Play lounge but with attendance near to or exceeding the 200,000 accommodations need to continue to help ensure a safe and fun atmosphere for all those who attend.

Best Sports Games on IOS

Video games have long attempted to reimagine the reality of sport, but as games and technology have advanced, the similarities between the two have grown. What’s more, gamers no longer need to just play on games consoles – mobile gaming is now diverse and a rich user experience with console quality sports simulators & in depth betting apps like you’d find at Timeform. Here are some of the best sports games on IOS sports fans can play on the go.

New Star Soccer Manager

In New Star Soccer Manager, players are responsible for the running of the whole football club, rather than just playing as a single player on the team, which provides a more in-depth and engrossing simulation of the game.

Touchgrind BMX 2

This game takes a mobile-centric approach to extreme sports and has been voted as one of Apple’s top picks in previous years. With this iteration, there are more stunts and improved visuals, as well as giving players the option to build their own bikes from scratch. Touchgrind BMX 2 also features tournaments and the chance to play against other players.

Archery King

Archery might not be your first thought when it comes to sports games, but Archery King is a surprisingly enjoyable game where players can go head-to-head with other players around the globe. As you win against your opponents, you’ll unlock better equipment that will help you climb the ranks.

NBA 2K19

Anyone with an interest in sports and gaming will have no doubt had experience of NBA 2K19, but the mobile version provides a surprisingly rich console-like experience. Basketball fans won’t want to miss out on trying this game for themselves which has brilliant graphics and fantastic gameplay.

FIFA Mobile

FIFA Mobile provides a faithful recreation of the football game experience, replicating the stadiums and players that fans love. What’s more, this game is updated each season with new and exciting content, so players won’t get bored of playing it.

RBI Baseball

Baseball fans should check out RBI Baseball which remains one of the best franchises for simulating a classic baseball game. The game is complete with authentic players and ballparks as well as a Franchise Mode which lets players take their team through different seasons while making moves behind the scenes.

Madden NFL Football

It’s no surprise that one of the most popular sports game franchises in the world has a mobile version, but fans might be surprised to learn that the mobile offering is actually very good. It has console-like graphics and is constantly being updated, even in the off season, so fans have new features to enjoy all the time. As a General Manager, players can collect player cards to build their own roster and there are a variety of football drills that are ideal for quick play.

WGT Golf Game

WTG Golf Game is the app to download for players who want a more realistic gaming experience compared to the arcade-style games. This has a similar feel to the classic Tiger Wood’s golf series from previous years and includes iconic courses which are designed with accuracy in mind.

Best movies about student life in college

Campus is usually a great time for most students pursuing their education as they grow up. In its environment, students learn several things, both within the classroom environment as well as outside. Outside the classroom, there are various movies that students have loved to watch during their times in campus, which usually talk about college life in one way or the other. For those already out of campus, such movies help generate memories of those days.

Genre of movies about college

College movies have over time been embraced in a similar way to high school ones. It is among the favorites for a custom essay writing service with a lot of essays for sale. The genre encompasses a variety of issues that affect young adults as they make the step up in their lives. Most of these issues include love, family and friendship. It also highlights the fun and grief involved in the process of self-realization .

Produced in 1993, this is a movie about Rudy, an individual who dreams of being an important football player for his school. He starts off from a disadvantaged situation. He doesn’t even have enough tuition fee, as his father, who works in a steel mill, struggles to pay it up. Additionally, his academic performance was a bit low, and his body frame was way smaller than most football players, while he displayed very little skill at it too. Despite all these, his sheer determination sees achieve his dream of playing the game he so much loved. It still is one of the best movies for students to watch even today.

While it is more of a comedy, the movie addresses the realities faced by students who get rejected from various academic institutions. It is clearly one of those college life movies.  It revolves around a student, Bartleby Gaines, who decides to open his own academic institution, South Harmon Institute of Technology, after being rejected by other schools He wanted to ensure that he doesn’t fail his parents, whom he wanted to convince that he had joined college. Upon opening the ‘school,’ he soon realizes that there are several other student rejects, who join up too. It soon becomes a big scandal when all these activities are suddenly brought to light.

The Social Network.

This is more of a biographical drama movie that traces the steps of one Mark Zuckerberg, an undergraduate computer genius at Harvard. It traces the formative years of how Mark set off on his path to becoming one of the youngest, if not the youngest ever self-made billionaire in history. His founding of Facebook while back in school however, didn’t come that easy, as some of his friends came out guns blazing that he had stolen some of the ideas from him. He had to deal with a few lawsuits and a fallout with his friends to his end. These personal and legal complications however, don’t hinder him from his goal. For become successful as Mark, you need to buy executive resume online from the best writing service.

Revenge of the Nerds.

This is one of the most hilarious movies based on college life. Life for young guys in their freshmen year has never been that easy.  Two college geeks find themselves evicted from their halls of residence by another team known as Alpha Betas, who lay claim to the building. The geeks and their other friends are now forced to move out to an old shark, especially after the institution tells them that they can only have the gym as their new place of residence.  They however realize the need to form their own team of self-defense, and decide to plan for a revenge on the Alpha Betas, for their humiliation.

Legally Blonde.

The movie revolved around Elle Woods and her struggles in love. From a campus setup, she seems to have it all. For one, she is the leader of her girls group. She also dates the hottest guy around and also is very pretty. All that she only wanted to cap it off, was to have a permanent position in the life of her love, Warner. Warner however, holds back from making that final proposition due to the fact that he feels Elle is too blond. When he leaves to join law school, Elle also makes the same move and while there, fights through wit and beauty to win him back.

Old School.

When it comes to movies about college life, this one is up there among the best. The movie looks at the lives of three friends who are on a mission to try and reclaim the gone glory days while staying just next to their former school. It all starts after one of them, Mitch, comes to the realization that his girl had been engaging in sex orgies. Mitch’s heart is broken, and he decides to go out and start all over again from elsewhere.  While at it however, his friends also tag along and make his new place their meeting place. Eventually, this so called meeting place is turned into the hub for wild parties. All this happens amidst some serious backlash from the new Dean.

Animal House.

It is about the spectacular plans by a group of college students to avoid being expelled by the college dean. The Delta Tau Chi group of students was known all over campus to be so rowdy and troublesome, something that really irked the dean. He wants them out, through the revocation of their charter. To roll out his ultimate plan, the dean decides to enlist the services of the leader of the omega group and a series of rules to push delta out. He even places the delta group on a double secret probation. It is so interesting to see how the rules in collaboration with omega, somehow just fail.

Dear White People.

This movie captures just about all the contemporary issues affecting students of color, ranging from racial bias, bad politics and cultural issues. It is one of the best college movies, when it comes to addressing current issues. It highlights how a certain clique of black students find themselves admitted in a predominantly white, high class institution. The students therefore have to survive in one way or the other, and they do so spectacularly using a thick skin and tough character. There is some brutal reality illustrated all through the movie, about the actual issues in the current society.

Write Up

College movies are quite a reflection of how life in campus is or used to be. They might have a little more dramatization but the underlying themes remains more or less the same. The themes of these movies basically or majorly revolve around love, friendship, family and education.  All in all, these movies are all about the process of personal self-discovery that youngsters often have to go through as they grow up, especially in campus.

Dress Stylishly: Tips to Pick the Right Tie for Every Occasion

Beautiful ties are essential fashion accessories to enhance your outfit. For this reason, the wardrobe of a man is incomplete without good ties. You can buy ties for men in different colors, patterns, and textures. It becomes easy to choose a suitable tie for a formal meeting, a fancy date, or a business event.

Remember, a wrong tie on a business meeting can affect your impression negatively. To avoid an awkward situation, you have to be careful in the selection of ties. For instance, you can wear a bowtie or silk necktie on a formal event. For casual occasions, feel free to consider linen or seersucker tie. Here are some tips that will help you to select a perfect tie for every occasion.

Identify a Quality Tie

If you want to buy a quality tie, make sure to check some important things. For instance, the lining of a tie is essential to check. These are essential for tying a tie without wrinkles. If you are wearing a tie for the first time, check this article on tying a tie. The lining must be made of 100% wool. Make sure to buy a tie with the heavy lining and gold bars.

Evaluate the look and feel of the fabric before purchasing a tie. If you need a silk tie, evaluate its smooth feel. Remember, it is a soft fabric; therefore, its replica may offer a brittle feel. You can identify a quality tie with three fabric pieces because cheap ties are manufactured from two materials.

Buy a Hand-stitched Tie

Pay attention to hand-rolling because a machine-stitched tie may not work well. A hand-stitched and hand-rolled hem helps you to maintain your tie in its best shape. Check slip stitch in a tie that can help you to pull a tie together and keep its shape.

Finally, notice the bar tack because this piece is necessary to supplement the slip stitches. With this piece, you can avoid separation in the two ends of a tie. Carefully size up a tie because it must hit the top of belt buckle and measure between 5.5cm and 10cm (2 ¼ inches to 4 inches).

If you want a classic look, consider the width of a tie. Remember, the width must correspond to the width of the lapel of your jacket. Moreover, your tie must not be too tight or too loose because these options are uncomfortable. You will look classy and smart in a well-fitted tie around your neck.

Texture and Colors

With heavyweight jackets, feel free to wear a wool tie. Moreover, business suits look elegant with silk ties. If you need a sharp color quality on silk, consider a woven tie over a screened option.

No doubt, selection of color can’t be easy because thousands of shades are available. Feel free to choose between paisley ties and striped ties. It is easy to find a tie to complement your dress. Try to choose a tie with the colors of your dress. For instance, you will need a tie with solid color over a dark shirt.

 

 

Episode #208 of “Behind the Mikes” Is Here!

 

On Episode #208 of “Behind the Mikes” Moviemike and Jeremy talk about AD ASTRA, documentaries on DAVID CROSBY and LINDA RONDSTADT and ask the question: “Which director’s first film showed promise, only to have is following films disappoint?”  Give a listen HERE

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