Break-Out Escape The Dungeon

I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to playing Dungeons and Dragons or Magic I am at a total loss. How gamers can play such complicated fantasy games and keep all the rules, powers, etc. straight is beyond me.

Give me a game that is simple, fun to play and doesn’t take days to complete. I still want the fantasy element and sense of excitement and danger. Does such a game exist?

Yes it does! Smart Games’ Break-Out EscapeThe Dungeon 3D Game fits the bill.

Game pieces come in a sealed plastic, resealable bag and the heavy plastic game board, along with the challenges book are securely protected in a heavy-gauge paper, flip-lid box with colorful cover.

The one-player, aged 10 years old and up, game includes:

• One game board with gate and door.
• One Hero.
• One Monster.
• One Key.
• One Weapon.
• Two Crystals.
• Two Pillars.
• Two Crates.
• A Challenge Booklet containing 80 challenges and solutions.

Get ready to play:

• 80 Progressive Challenges.
• 80 unique puzzles from five beginner to expert levels.
• Encourages Critical Thinking, Logic, and Strategic Planning.
• Durable & High-Quality Materials.
• Navigate crates, pillars and crystals
• Pick up a weapon and defeat the monster.
• Choose a challenge, roll your way through obstacles then use your key to escape the dungeon.

Now that’s my kind of fantasy game!

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Tove Jansson

Tove Jansson the Finnish illustrator, cartoonist, author and cultural icon began her professional career in 1940. 

 

Her writings, and illustrations and cartoons (especially her Moomin strip) have captivated and delighted her fans for decades.

In The Illustrators Tove Jansson by Paul Gravett and publisher Thames & Hudson, the beloved lesbian bohemian’s life, career and work are lovingly explored, shown and examined.

Tove Janssen displayed a gift for art at an early age. As she grew older so too did her range of artistic expertise.

Text, aided by examples of her art, demonstrate her versatility.

Cartoon, book and magazine illustrations, paintings in various media all demonstrate how talented she was. Each piece is lovingly crafted, expertly executed and imaginative.

I'd love to have an example of her work for my art collection.

It’s obvious by her art that she possessed a sense of humor, a deep and profound mind and incredible talent.

Art enthusiasts are sure to appreciate and love this book. As a former art teacher I wish I had a copy of it when I taught. It would have proved to be a real inspiration for many of my young, budding artists.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Quarter Century Bonanza

According to the dictionary the word Bonanza is defined as, ‘A large amount of something desirable.”

And that’s just what you get with Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Quarter Century Bonanza!

What a great way to celebrate 25 years of YGO!

Are you ready to at it to your YGO collection? Just look at what you get:

• Five Cards per Pack
• One Super Rare in every Pack
• A Guaranteed luxury Secret Rare (Platinum or Quarter Century).
• A 78-Card Set
• Two Sets in one (200-card nostalgia)
• Includes Cards in this pack that have Quarter Century Secret Rare versions:
• Super Polymerization
• Promethean Princess
• Bestower of Flames
• Diabellstar the Black Witch
• Platinum Secret Rares, “Prismatic” 
• Ultimate Rares
• Secret/Ultra/Super Rares!
• 24 Packs per Box

So what are you waiting for? Order/buy yours today. After all, a Bonanza only happens rarely and you don’t want to miss out!

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him

Bender’s Guide To Life

It’s seems a little odd and ironic that a robot would be giving advice about life. And that’s just what’s happening in Futurama Presents Bender’s Guide To Life, by Bender and published by Rizzoli Universe.

This small hardbound book, with a huge illustration of Bender on the front who has some (sage?) advice on how to live your life. 

If you don’t mind taking advice from a foul-mouth, wise-cracking, beer-guzzling mechanical man.

Of course the advice is given from a robot point of view.  Fortunately the other members of the Futurama cast get to give their two-cents worth.  And that's about all it's worth!

Inside colorful drawings of many of the Futurama characters, supporting cast, aliens and robots illustrate the twisty-turny thing we humans call life.

Look for advice about useful skills, popularity, quizzes, attitudes, proper attire, makeup, manners, birth, family, parenthood, the arts, work, home, human and alien anatomy, aging and much more.

What a fun and funny book, especially when clever text is accompanied by hilarious art. So sit your caboose down, grab a beer and read what a man-about-town robot has to say about the ups and downs of life.

I'm adding this book to my Futurama collection.

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Science Fiction Voyage To The Edge Of Imagination

Science fiction-I’ve loved it ever since I was little kid.

My first encounter with science fiction was in the pages of the Tom Swift books.

Soon I graduated to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells with such tales as Journey To The Center Of The Earth and The Time Machine.

Before long I frequented movie theaters to watch a plethora of ‘B’ science fiction films, gravitated toward TV with shows like Star Trek and Lost In Space and read novels and stories by Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison and Harry Harrison.

But my sci-fi addition didn’t stop there. As I matured so did my taste in films, TV shows, movies, magazines, comic books and more.

I still love a good sci-fi film, show, book or periodical.

In Thames & Hudson’s’ Science Museum’ Science Fiction Voyage To The Edge Of Imagination oversize, hardbound book, edited by Glyn Morgan, many facets of the genre are examined.

Sci-fi coincides with real life in examinations of cyborgs, alien encounters, nuclear apocalypses, climate change and other sci-fi themes and speculations.

I love this book! It is so jam-packed with facts, photos and art that I can barely pack it all into my brain. So much science fiction has become science fact.

Travel the cosmos, discover how to communicate with aliens and experience the hopes and anxieties mankind experiences when confronting the future.

It’s so much more than a gallery of fantasy. It is a fact-filled book on not only the history of science fiction but of science, world history and so much more.

I guarantee once you read this book your brain will practically explode with all the information gleaned from it.

Several well-known authors offer their perspectives. Who would have ever thought that fantasy would become fact and we have the privilege of seeing so much of past speculations becoming true?

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

First Men In the Moon

Victorians land on the moon during the 19th Century.  An eccentric scientist invents an anti-gravity formula called corbonite that he uses to coat his bathysphere spaceship to travel to the moon.

With the help of a neighbor who is a writer and his girlfriend the trio find themselves rocketing toward the moon in the makeshift spacecraft.

Landing (more like a controlled crash) the trio of humans setout to explore the Moon.  With only two spacesuits available the men venture outside while the woman stays inside the homemade space capsule.

The men discover a huge geometric dome and signs of life.  They decide to explore.

I don’t know about you but I love science fiction films from the 1960s and H.G. Wells’ First Men In The Moon is one of the best.

With its stellar cast, clever Victorian sets and costumes, exciting soundtrack and clever script combined with its visual and practical effects it is a classic film.

The twist ending is a real showstopper and the drama, action and comedy all combine to make a great film.

The movie can be found on DVD from Columbia Pictures and includes lots of cool extras such as trailers, featurettes, a photo gallery and more.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Curtis Aerocar 1928-1940

A car trailer designed by an aviation pioneer? It’s a fact.

Glenn H. Curtiss designed the Aerocar originally for his own personal use. The recreational trailer was designed for efficiency, comfort, safety and held up on long-distance trips.

So popular was Curtiss’s design that the Aerocar soon became a very successful commercial product much revered and loved by those who purchased it from 1928 to 1940.

The Aerocar gained even more popularity after Curtiss’s death.

Author Andrew Woodmansey and Schiffer Books present the history of the Aerocar in their deluxe hardbound book: Curtis Aerocar 1928-1940, filled with archival photos, some never seen before.

The history of the Aerocar is laid out with fascinating and historical text.

As with all commercial products the Aerocar changed, modified and came in a variety of styles. Improvements, upgrades and added accessories also came about.

However, this book is not just about Aerocars, it also contains some other very interesting and captivating information.

Beginning with Curtiss’s other inventions, both aeronautic and transportation the book delves into trailers, automobiles, commercial vehicles, collaborations between Curtiss and Henry Ford, business ventures and the various locations and countries Curtiss frequented, visited or had businesses in.

Then, and only then, does the book expound on the Aerocar and its many manifestations.

Full exterior and interior photographs are included along with lists and closeups of the facilities, comfort designs, accessories and more.

So many photos! There is even a section on Aerocars that have been restored and used today as seen in color photos.

The book is an engrossing, comprehensive and exhaustive examination and historical study of one of the most innovative and imaginative inventors in the 20^th Century.

James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Curb Your Enthusiasm The Complete Series

There are TV show and then there are TV SHOWS! Curb Your Enthusiasm in one such TV SHOW.

Imagine a television series based on the life of its creator and his misadventures throughout his life. Sounds implausible and odd. It is, but it’s so much more.

All of us can relate to the absurdity, quirks, oddball encounters, ridiculous situations, frustrating events and the bizarre individuals we often encounter in life.

Who hasn’t been frustrated with store purchases gone wrong, misunderstandings, absurd confrontations and the events that day-to-day life can throw at you that result in a catastrophic events?

If you’re human, if your life takes unexpected turns and if existence is a conglomeration of moments of bliss and catastrophe then be sure to pick up the Curb Your Enthusiasm The Complete Series DVD Collection from Warner Bros./Discovery/HBO starring Larry David and his cast of friends, fellow actors and special guest stars.

The Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning show’s complete 12 seasons consisting of 120 episodes also includes interviews, a favorite episode commentary, the final scene, a gag reel and much more.

James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 

Marvel Studios' The Infinity Saga - Captain America: The Winter Soldier: The Art of the Movie

Marvel Studios has put out some spectacular superhero movies. Most have been very good-there were a couple of stinkers. But all-in-all Marvel Studios has been hitting home runs-so say the fans.

Of all the Marvel Studios movies I have to say that the Captain America trilogy starring Steve Rogers as Captain America have been my favorites.

The first movie faithfully portrayed the origin of Captain America and his rebirth.

In the second film: The Winter Soldier, movie goers got to see more of Steve Rogers the man as he must learn to fit into a world 70 years in his future, deal with an American government and society that has drastically changed, the rebirth of Hydra that was created by the Red Skull during WWII and the return of his friend Bucky Barnes, whom he thought he lost during the war.

When Bucky supposedly plunged to his death, neither Captain America or the U.S. government knew that the Russians retrieved his broken body (including the loss of one of his arms) and brainwashed him and augmented his strength making him the perfect assassin: The Winter Soldier.

In the film Hydra has reveled itself as having taken over S.H.I.E.L.D. and its plan of ‘eliminating’ anyone who would interfere with its world domination.

Their plan is discovered and Captain America sets out to stop them-coming face-to-face with The Winter Soldier.

It’s a great film, a killer script, contains great action scenes and stars an excellent cast.

In Titan Books’ Marvel Studios' The Infinity Saga - Captain America: The Winter Soldier: The Art of the Movie, written by Marie Javins, with a foreword by Anthony & Joe Russo (the directors), an afterword by Ryan Meinerding and book design by Jeff Powell, the movie is examined from concept to final production.

The oversize, hardbound book with its spot-varnish full-color dust cover featuring Captain America battling The Winter Soldier is just a warm-up of what’s inside.

Chapters are broken down into sections spotlighting characters, the story-line, physical and digital effects and much more.

Learn all about Captain America in the modern age, discover The Winter’s Soldier’s creation and powers, follow Cap as he and his team take out a Hydra stronghold, and check out Cap’s new high-tech costume.

Beautiful full-color paintings, sketches and photos fill the pages printed on dull-coat paper stock.

Spotlights are on the Black Widow, her weapons as well as other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, storyboards of key battles are provided, reminisce with Cap as he looks back on his war years and long gone comrades and you’ll marvel at the incredible sets and locations developed for the film.

Aircraft, vehicles and equipment are also given their due as well as Nick Fury and his car, Steve’s apartment, Cap’s escape and recruitment of Black Widow and the Falcon and the return of an old foe. Witness the final battle between Cap and The Winter Soldier, the Falcon’s amazing flying apparatus and the downfall of Hydra.

It’s well-designed, assembled and well-researched book that brings the film to life on every page.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Diamond Previews, November 2024

 

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Folk Tales From Norway

Imagine deep gorges filled with deep clear lakes, majestic snow covered mountains, a jagged and ragged landscape that reflects the rugged people who populate Norway.

Stoic, strong yet gentle and kind the people of Norway have a knack for thriving in the most extreme conditions.

In Vol. 1 Folk Tale World Series Folk Tales From Norway by author F.T. Weaver and published by West Agora Int., six Scandinavian legends of adventure, bravery and mythical creatures are presented.

Norway, the land of the Norse gods. Growing up Marvel Comics’ Thor, The Thunder God, was one of my favorite comic books.

It was only when I was in my early teens that I discovered that Thor, Odin, Loki and the other Norse gods were not fictional comic book heroes but were actually based on the legends of the Norse gods and their home, Asgard.

Delve into the many mystical legends of the people of the north with stories of valor, bravery and cunning.

Travel snow-covered, fjords and valleys and mountains and discover their ancient secrets. Meet the many magical beings of Norwegian legend and thrill to their tales of good versus evil, magic and travel the line between reality and dreams.

Norway has one of the most fascinating mythologies of any nation or people.

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Flying Scotsman

Most children love trains-big, loud and fast trains. There’s something fascinating about seeing such huge machines racing down the railroad tracks

Young Iris's father is the engineer/driver of the Flying Scotsman-the powerful, green-engine, passenger train that transports the people of the British Isles.

She longs to be an engineer herself and for the day she and her dad can ride the rails together. 

When he leaves to challenge a land speed record she can’t help but to feel a little sad but also excited as he fires up the legendary steam-powered engine and begins his long journey.

Follow Iris as she decides on her birthday to sneak aboard the Flying Scotsman only to be discovered. 

Later to her surprise her parents treat her to a trip on the train making it her best birthday ever.

Her parents accompany her as she travels the rails seeing the sites around her from the countryside to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and even a musical parade!

What a glorious book filled with colorful illustrations and delightful heart-warming text.

Flying Scotsman And The Best Birthday Ever, by writer Michel Morpurgo and artist Michael Foreman, and published by Thames & Hudson, also tells how the Flying Scotsman visited the United States, Canada and Australia.

Kids of all ages are sure to enjoy the adventures of Iris aboard the classic, steam-engine Flying Scotsman.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

The Gilded Age: The Complete Second Season

The Gilded Age-prim, proper, organized, traditional and moral-yeah-right!

In Warner Bros./Discovery/HBO’s The Gilded Age: The Complete Second Season DVD the apple cart is upset. Heck, it’s toppled over and spilling its contents!

The old ways are challenged by the new age, societal challenges are met, unions are forming upsetting the establishment, women’s roles in society are changing, new love affairs begin and long-held traditions and family secrets are challenged and revealed.

1888 is the year when the established wealthy and social hierarchy receive a series of jolts as the world changes around them and the old ways start to crumble and disappear.

All eight episodes of the second season of the series are included on the DVD along with special features: featurettes and more.

Hold onto your hats and fancy cloths, it’s going to be a rough ride ahead.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Christmas At Designers' Homes Across America

Have you ever celebrated a Christmas that is so memorable you look back on it fondly and wish that every Christmas could have and will be as good?

I recall when I was a young lad of 10 years old in 1963 I enjoyed just such a stellar Christmas.

It was at my middle brother’s in-laws: the Pearson’s house overlooking Moore’s Lake in Milford, Michigan.

The Pearsons lived in a huge lake house that had a humongous living room looking over the lake. All sides of the room had windows and at night you cold see the lake and the stars from almost every angle.

Each Christmas the Pearsons would decorate a huge, blue spruce tree with hundreds of lights, decorations, silver icicles and angel hair,

The lights flickered and shown through the angel hair and the liquid filled lights bubbled and filled the room with their rainbow colors.

Next to the tree was a huge fireplace with an equally huge mantle with large Christmas stockings hanging from it.

The tree was surrounded by presents of all shapes and sizes. In the adjoining hallway a long dining table was set up with candles and table decorations.

The Christmas meal had so much food even my 10 year old tummy would get filled. All of it was beautiful.

After looking at Schiffer Books’ deluxe, hardbound book with its beautiful dust cover: Christmas At Designers' Homes Across America 2^nd Edition, by Patricia Hart McMillan and edited and foreword by Rose Bennett Gilbert, I immediately thought about the Pearson’s memorable Christmas.

Dozens of color photos of Christmas décor, furnishings and accents are provided taken from homes all across America.

Inside the gorgeous book sections are broken down by designers. Contemporary to classical Christmas decorations, furnishings, trees, dining areas, whole house interior and exterior décor photos fill the pages along with text pieces about each designer, their Christmas décor and history.

What a delight to look through. The photos bring back so many good memories of friends and family gathered around the Christmas tree soaking in the feel of the season accented by the holiday décor and ambiance.

Merry Christmas! It’s a wonderful time of the year as the book so eloquently demonstrates. Even more special the book is dedicated to Jesus Christ-the reason for the season.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ice Cannon Mr. Freeze

Personally I think the Ice Cannon Mr. Freeze figure by Mattel produced in 2003 is the best toy version of the villain that the company produced.

This version of Mr. Freeze means business and he looks ‘super cool’ doing it.

The figure comes sealed in a clear plastic cocoon attached to a hanger card with an illustration of Mr. Freeze decorating the lower right hand corner.  The package can be hung or set on shelf.

Mr. Freeze comes dressed in a semi-translucent suit with a large chest piece with flared metal shoulders, a clear plastic helmet and reinforced chest assembly.

His dark blue body suit has a large metal belt with a single blue control button in the middle.

He wears large, heavy boots with metal rings secured to his body suit.

Included with the figure is an Ice Cannon that comes attached by hoses to two reservoirs that strap to the figure’s back.

Fill the reservoirs with water and with the push of a button on the backpack the Ice Cannon fires.

Details on the Ice Cannon and backpack are amazing with lots of knobs, color accents, hoses, grips, indentations, protrusions and triggers.

The Freeze figure also wears heavy metal gauntlets and its head swerves, as does its torso.  Dr. Freeze’s head is blue with no hair and he wears red lens glasses.

The attention to detail in the sculpt is impressive as is the color application and points of articulation.

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.