Month: April 2017

Seven Of Wine – Episode 006: ‘Meld’ / “Janky Hippie Shit”

by Seven of Wine

It’s only logical that Jacqueline Lopez and Jennifer Zhang would try to mind meld before reviewing the episode of Star Trek: Voyager where Tuvok uses his Vulcan mind magic on a murderous psychopath. Do they succeed? The wine certainly makes them think so.

It’s Star Trek: Voyager meets “The X-Files” meets “Se7en” on this week’s episode, where space DNA is used to solve space crimes, Janeway is Clarice Starling, and what’s in the box is a really, really effed-up Betazoid.

But what’s in the inbox? Hopefully an email from you: engage@sevenofwine.com

Be Part Of Our Federation. We Have Wine.

Subscribe on iTunes to take us on the go and play us on your Personal Access Display Device. Or your phone or whatever.

Like our Facebook page for additional vids that we’ll make with your suggestions as inspiration!

Follow our Instagram for our fun Trek shenanigans in the form of photons distributed in patterns in two dimensions.

Follow our Twitter for our pithy Trek musings and humor. Meme me up, Scotty!

Horror Movie Night Episode 92: Stay Alive (2005)

by Saintmort

Whoever said that gamer nerds would never live through a horror movie? We’re not sure either, but they were pretty spot with their predictions. This week, we are joined by the incredibly knowledgeable Liz Finnegan of The Escapist to discuss Frankie Muniz’s agent’s terrible decision-making skills and the unbelievable game mechanics In the 2005 video game ghost killer flick Stay Alive. Liz and Adam chew the pixelated fat over horror games while Matt and Scott try to keep up and not sound dumb. It’s time for a good old fashioned LAN party, so bring the Doritos and Mountain Dew for this week’s episode of Horror Movie Night! Oh, and the virgin blood for the ghost of Madam Bathory, how could we forget?

Feel free to join in discussion at on our Facebook Group or in the comments below.

Do you have a movie suggestion for us or just want to tell us stories about your experiences with the movies we’ve watched? Send them to us at HMNPodcast@gmail.com

Also subscribe to our podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes

‘La La Land’ And The Impact Of “What If”

by Josh Jackson

*WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE FILM AHEAD*

Now that La La Land is available for DVD, Blu Ray and 4K platforms, it seemed like an opportune time to wrap up my review on the film. But between the praise its received since release, the almost unattainable amount of hype it built up before Oscar season, and the many other sites that will surely do a fantastic job explaining how great the film and all of the special features are, (the making of the show stopping Another Day of Sun freeway number being a personal favorite), I doubt there’s anything I can say regarding the quality of the film that you haven’t heard a thousand times by now. I still can’t decide which movie I liked better among the Best Picture nominees between this and Hidden Figures, but Damien Chazelle’s ode to the musicals of decades past has stuck with me since I walked out of the theater months ago. When I’m asked about why I enjoyed this love letter to the dreamers of the world as much as I did, it always comes down to that ending.

Seb’s passion for Jazz becomes shared.

Detractors of the film have stated that everything ends up a little bit too perfect for Sebastian (Ryan Gossling) and Mia (Emma Stone), aspiring entertainers who are lost among the stars of Los Angeles. Trying to find a path to success, their love sets them on their respective paths to achieve their dreams. While they don’t end up together, Seb opens the Jazz club that he always dreamed of while Mia becomes a famous actress, giving each other one last nod of approval after what might be the last of their many chance encounters throughout the film. And to be honest, I can’t argue with that assessment! From a pure conflict resolution standpoint, the majority of the film focused primarily on their need to achieve their respective goals, and while they had to sacrifice their romance to do so, they both got where they wanted to be with relatively minor resistance.

But what makes the ending great is that it’s not the only right answer.

The viewer’s perspective shapes how they interpret the final ten minutes of what was a relatively straightforward story up until that point. After a brief time skip, we’re re-introduced to the characters in quick fashion, with Mia being a successful actress with a husband and daughter. It’s not until they wander into a club that turns out to be Sebastian’s dream bar that the film sets us up for that big turning point. During that vibrant “what if” scenario that the pair envision, we see what things could have been like if a few of their choices were different. An argument can be made that even this scenario still isn’t perfect, since it’s implied that Seb never gets his club. And yet, he seems perfectly happy being at Mia’s side, helping her achieve her big dreams.

What could have been

Which brings me to City of Stars, the popular duet that I’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times by now. More specifically, one particular set of lyrics speak volumes. At this point in the film, Mia is hard at work writing a one woman show that Seb convinced her to put together as a way to avoid the humiliating auditioning process, since he fully believed that her enthusiasm would draw people to her rather than her having to essentially beg for work. On the other side, Seb has just joined a more pop oriented Jazz band that pays enough to help him support himself and Mia, but plays a style that he’s personally unhappy with. Far from ideal, especially on his side. Yet in the song, the pair sing,

I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you.

That now our dreams, they’ve finally come true.

Despite them being very far from where they want to be career wise, in this moment in time, they feel like their dreams have already been achieved by being with each other. Unfortunately for them, the pressure of being unhappy in the band and Mia’s show tanking leads to the pair splitting, but not before Seb gives Mia one last boost of encouragement by taking her to an audition that came about in response to her show. Once we see that Seb decided to name his club “Seb’s”, using the same name and design Mia suggested, instead of “Chicken on a Stick”, a name that he was 100% adamant about earlier in the film, it’s clear to see how Mia’s memory had become a driving force that ultimately pushed him to open his club.

A final goodbye

Now onto the ending itself. I personally feel that the movie is tragically cold with the abrupt way that it ends after showing us what could have been. Yes, they achieved their dreams, but there’s a cruel irony about being completely estranged from the person who enabled those dreams in the first place. Not only that, but over the course of the film, their dreams changed to simply wanting to be together. Having to sacrifice one dream that we watched grow and blossom as viewers for the sake of dreams that are achieved off screen really drives home how unfair it is. But the most lasting part of the ending is that it’s one that we can all relate to. Would our lives be better or worse if we handled those past circumstances differently? I have my dream career, but was it worth losing touch with the people who grew alongside me to achieve it? How can a person who was my biggest supporter become a stranger within the blink of an eye? And why can’t the people who enabled, encouraged and empowered us to be the best version of ourselves be by our side when the fruits of their labor finally comes to fruition? It’s not fair. Life rarely is. But like Seb and Mia, sometimes we have to nod, smile, and resume our lives with the circumstances we’re presently in.

So yes, I can’t argue that from one perspective, the film is pretty straightforward, with the characters getting everything they fought for from the beginning and more. I can’t even argue with someone who says the ending was happy since sometimes, we have to make sacrifices to win at this crazy game. Which is what makes the ending so beautiful. Depending on your own perspective, you can draw so many different conclusions from it. Yet for me, even with whatever success may come, I’m still wondering if it was worth it.

La La Land is now available on DVD, Blu Ray and 4K formats.

Kickstarter-Funded ‘Perception’ Gets A Release Date!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Yes!

I’ve had my eyes on The Deep End’s upcoming first title, Perception, since its Kickstarter campaign first went live back in 2015.

The team has been filling hungry gamers in on all of the titles’ development news since the Kickstarter was successfully funded, and even revealed a very welcomed console version of the game back in January.

Today, we welcome the best Perception news of all – the game’s extremely close release date.The title will hit Steam, Xbox One, and PS4 on May 30th.

Perception is a first-person narrative horror adventure that tells the story of Cassie, a blind heroine who uses her extraordinary hearing and razor-sharp wits to unravel the mysteries of an abandoned estate that haunts her dreams.

The game looks extremely original, and from a team that consists largely of ex Irrational Games developers, we’re bound to be in for quite the adventure.

Take a look at the release date trailer below, and be sure to let us know if you’re excited for this one!

‘Call Of Duty: WWII’ Looks Brutal And Epic, Watch The Reveal Trailer!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It’s been a number of years since I was truly excited for a Call of Duty game.

The games are always fun and flashy, but at this point of my life (with my super limited amount of game time), I’ll almost always choose a deeper, single player experience over nearly anything with multiplayer in it.

Last year, I dabbled with Modern Warfare Remastered and had a blast playing through Infinite Warfare’s campaign, but they were experiences that I just sort of fell into, rather than truly being excited for them.

I played (and loved) the unique campaigns of Battlefield 1, and at that point imagined just how much of a thrill ride it would be to play through Medal of Honor: Frontline‘s D-Day campaign, with the power of today’s consoles.

This November Call of Duty will take us back to its roots with the fittingly titled WWII. As much as I love a good Sci-Fi shooter (I’m downloading the Prey demo a little early right now using an Australian account), the next Call of Duty is the most excited I’ve been about the series (and large the genre) in years.

Here’s the synopsis:

Featuring a global cast of characters across Europe, players will follow the gripping story of Ronald “Red” Daniels, a young United States Army private, as he and his squad, the legendary US 1st Infantry Division, trek through the harrowing European theater of war. Joining Allied forces from the U.K. and the French Resistance, across the beaches of Normandy, to the liberation of Paris and ultimately into Germany, the squad must fight alongside a global and diverse cast of characters to achieve victory. The story campaign delivers the gritty authenticity and cinematic intensity of WWII combat, honoring the unforgettable heroism of the Fighting First.

We can’t wait to get our boots on the ground and give WWII a shot at this year’s E3. For now, take a look at the in-game reveal trailer (over and over and over again), and let us know what you think!

Geekscape Reviews: Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Charmander Plush Set

by Natalie Kipper

It should come as no surprise that many of us here at Geekscape are huge fans of the Pokémon series. I personally love the video games and, of course, the plushes based on the lovable monsters found within said games. Build-A-Bear Workshop released a Charmander version of their personalizable plushes in December of last year. The toy is currently being restocked both in stores and online and I was gifted with the chance to play with/cuddle/man-handle one of the exclusive online bundles. Read on to see my experience!

The plush’s face is lovely, with a perfectly-sculpted snout and detailed embroidery on the eyes. The mouth is lightly lined in a soft fabric. I was slightly disappointed to discover that the teeth were felt but it was at least a higher quality, thick variety. If I had my druthers, the teeth would have been stuffed as well.

This is good size plush, measuring about 15 inches tall with a tail extending about seven inches from base to tip. There is plenty of Charmander to cuddle, that is for sure!

And speaking of Charmander’s flame tail, here it is in all its fluffy glory. As I said in my post when the plush made its debut, I like their choice of using a “flame” puff of fabric rather than the more popular options – a plush silhouette of a flame or, if you are really unlucky, a felt cutout of the flame. I will say that when I first took my Charmander out the box, I noticed some shedding from the tail but it was minimal.

It was comforting to see how much thought Build-A-Bear put into the plush’s body. The detail was most impressive. I liked that the Pokémon’s two-tone color scheme extended to both its feet as well the entire length of the tail’s bottom. They could have cut corners there but the extra effort is much appreciated by fans like myself.

The thick felt previously seen on the teeth made another appearance as the claws on the feet.

Since this Charmander came from the online exclusive set, it is bundled with a soundbox (stuffed under the paw patch on its right hand) that plays the noises Charmander makes. Before gamers get too hyped, they are the sounds from the anime not the game series. I guess the former is easier on the ears. I would have loved that option, though. Nostalgia is a powerful thing.

Besides the soundbox, the other item exclusive to the online set was the Lucario Hoodie. This clothing item gives Charmander the chance to cosplay as the steel/fighting-type. I preferred the Great Ball Hoodie, which you will see next, to this outfit. For the one thing, the Lucario Hoodie covers Charmander’s eyes. I understand that that is part of its purpose but it was bizarre to see Lucario’s smaller eyes on Charmander’s body. Also, unlike the felt found on the plush’s body, the felt used for the costume’s “ears” were rough and not conducive to cuddling.

The Great Ball Hoodie is not exclusive to the online set and can also be purchased in stores. It was a made of a soft jersey fabric that had a bit of a stretch to it, which made it easy to put on the plush. The Great Ball image on the body portion of the piece is printed on while the red stripes on the shoulders are made with a soft vinyl-like material.

The last item will certainly draw the eye of any TCG player, the exclusive Charmander trading card. The card is included with any Charmander purchase, regardless of whether you bought online or in stores. I don’t play the game but I appreciate the artwork and the Build-A-Bear Workshop emblem found on it, denoting its special status.

Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Online Exclusive Charmander Set gets a 4.5 out of 5. The quality of the items included are great, with the exception of the felt used in the hood of the Lucario Hoodie. Plus, it was just a fun plush to play with. The $61 price tag may seem a bit high for some collectors but when you consider the the average price of every item included, it evens out.

And just in case you were wondering (you probably weren’t but I will tell you anyway), I named my Charmander Charlie. He says, “Thanks for reading!”

[This review is based on a sample provided by Build-A-Bear Workshop. All opinions are my own.

Geekscape Tech Review: ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse Wireless Earbuds

by GadgetMan

Like I said in my review of the Rugged Book Pro and the Slim Book Pro, this is going to be a review of not one, not two, but four ZAGG products, each one bearing the iFrogz name. All four of these products, the Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse, are all wireless earbuds that look very similar. I put them in order in the image.

So what is the difference between the ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse?

Let’s start with the Plugz. Considering that this is an abbreviation of Ear Plugs, I am going to say that this is the most basic of all of them. I’ll discuss the similarities to them later, but let’s get to more of the differences.

So, let’s talk about Charisma. It looks very similar, only this Charisma is “designed by women, for women”. Does this mean that mean that it is pink, but it has Black/Red, White/Rose Gold, and Gray.

As for the Summit, it is one of those that are made for exercise. Generally, when I see these type of earbuds, they have some wing shape on them so they fit in the ears. You know, so they won’t fall out of the ears.

So what does the Impulse have? Well, it has reflective acoustics which is “advanced audio technology engineered to create premium sound and rich, natural clarity”.

Okay, so those are the major differences with the drivers, and I’ll do it by listing the measurement of the drivers:

Plugz: 9 mm

Charisma: 6 mm

Summit: 8 mm

Impulse: 11 mm

What do the ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse have in common?

Yes, I know I phrased that like a joke, but they do have a lot in common. Of course, they habe some Bluetooth going on, making it easy to pair.

They also have a wireless Bluetooth hub that can clip to the shirt collar, a magnetic clip that gives control for the user for calls and music. By the way, each of them can store the earbuds when not in use.

Oh, they are also IPX-2 standardized, which means that they are resistant to sweat. The length of play time for each is about 10 hours.

So What about the price of the ZAGG iFrogz Plugz, Charisma, Summit, and Impulse?

It is not bad for what you get. The Plugz and Charisma are $29.99, and the Summit and Impulse are $39.99. Go ahead and hit the links on the product name if you want them.

UPDATE: Jon Favreau’s Live Action ‘The Lion King’ Roars Towards A 2019 Release Date + Timon & Pumba Cast!

by The_acz

UPDATE: Right after writing this original article, news came out that Seth Rogen and Bille Eichner will be voicing Timon and Pumba for the film. It seems as though they are still getting mostly new people for these roles. Fingers crossed for Irons still. 

Jon Favreau’s live action adaption of The Lion King finally has a release date!

While not necessarily highly anticipated, people seem interested in seeing how the Iron Man series director can handle one of Disney’s biggest animated juggernauts after succeeding pretty well in the live action fairy tail space with last years The Jungle Book.  The film is set to STAMPEDE (sorry too soon?) into theaters on July 19th 2019. Not much is known about the film still, but we do know that Donald Glover will be voicing Adult Simba, as well as the legendary James Earl Jones reprising his role as the king of the pride lands himself, Mufasa. No word on if Jeremy Irons will return as Scar, but we can dream at how great that’d be until Disney cruelly rips it away from us. Are you excited for this remake? Tell us in the comments and check out Favreau’s tease below!

‘Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite’ Gets A Release Date & An Insane Story Mode!

by The_acz

After a surprise reveal last year at PSX 2016, Capcom has remained pretty hush hush on Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite.

Today, we finally got a bit more info on what will be going on in the game. Turns out the story mode is completely ridiculous but amazing. All you need to know is that Ultron and Sigma team up and fuse together to create Ultron Sigma, and now both Capcom and Marvel heroes must join together to take him down. The trailer introduces a couple of new roster characters such as Strider, Hulk, Thor, Chun Li, Chris Redfield, and more! The trailer even ends with a release date of September 19th for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Of course you can’t just have a regular trailer. With Capcom being Capcom, old habits die hard as the final shot of the trailer advertises and incentives buying the Deluxe Edition of the game which includes 6 premium costumes and DLC characters including Sigma as a playable character. The fact that they probably already have those 6 characters made  and are purposely keeping them hostage as DLC overall ends up putting a slightly sour taste in my mouth as I’m sure that’s going to be how they compromise not having Wolverine in the initial roster. Nonetheless, are you excited for this game? What character do you want to see included? Tell us in the comments below!

 

‘Persona 3’ Koromaru Plush Is Up For Pre-order At Sanshee

by Natalie Kipper

Persona 5 may be en vogue (and rightly so) but Persona 3 will always have a special place in my heart. I must not be the only one bit by the nostalgia bug because the folks over at Sanshee recently added a very special item to their new Persona line of merchandise. Nestled amongst some other spiffy themed items is a pre-order listing for a plush of Koromaru, the puppy Persona-user.

And according to a message tweeted out by Sanshee earlier today, if you pre-order Koromaru, you get a special price of $34.99 (the regular price is $39.99).

A quick skimming of the product page yields some particularly interesting information as well. Koromaru is listed as the “First in Sanshee’s series of official Persona 3 Collector’s Plushes.” Intriguing!

The Koromaru plush stands approximately 10 inches tall and 10.75 inches long and comes with a special collector’s card. It is scheduled to ship June 28, 2017.

Geekscape Tech Review: ZAGG Rugged Book Pro and Slim Book Pro for the iPad 9.7-inch iPad Pro

by GadgetMan

Yes, this is a dual review, and I’ll be doing a double dual review later. I suppose that there is a theme for this week, and that is ZAGG. If you are not familiar with ZAGG, they make a lot of great products that include headphones (like their iFrogz) and screen protectors (like the Invisible Shield).

I’m going to be reviewing two keyboards for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro with the Rugged Book Pro and Slim Book Pro. Oh, just to let you know, the Rugged Book Pro is the one on the left in the image.

Can the ZAGG Rugged Book Pro and Slim Book Pro Bring Anything New?

It is always difficult to create a product that is different from others. Since there are so many Folio cases for the iPad, this one makes things really different. Most Folio cases are the standard folder that closes up to provide a keyboard as well as some protection.

With both the Rugged and Slim Book Pro, you can detach the keyboard from the iPad itself. Not that you couldn’t do that with a regular iPad Folio, but it leaves the rest of the folio case behind.

In other words, you can detach the keyboard from the iPad, and you will still have a good stand for yourself. It comes in handy for when you are typing, and you can put your favorite tablet somewhere else. How handy is that? The answer is pretty darn handy, for sure, especially when the keypad and case lock together magnetically.

By the way, the stand for the iPad is made for many viewing angles. The keypad itself also has a kickstand in case you want it that way. While I am on the subject of the keypad, I will say that it is very, very thin. There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to typing on it. I guess that I could say that about any keyboard, honestly.

It’s something that you have to try out for yourself, and a Power App from Mophie to let you know when it is time to recharge the particular case. Also, there are three pairing buttons for these devices. So if you have an iPad, iPhone, or some other device, it will work. Then there is also a holder for the Apple Pencil.

What is the Difference Between the Rugged Book Pro and the Slim Book Pro?

I suppose that the name implies, the Rugged Book Pro is made to be…rugged. Yes, that is pretty obvious, but it has a durable silicone rubber layered in the case itself, and that is with the Rugged’s stainless steel frame. I didn’t have a chance to really beat it up, but hey, it can take the stuff that life dishes out.

Also, the Rugged Book Pro has a cool “X” on it that reminds me of something that the X-Men would use.

If you want to try either the Slim Book Pro, head to here on the ZAGG site. As for the Rugged Book Pro, it is available here on the ZAGG site, and it is the exact same price of $149.99. I’ll have to say that the Rugged Book Pro is just a better buy, so you should just get that.

Interview: ‘The Black Witch’s’ Laurie Forest On Her Thrilling Debut Novel

by AllieHanley

There’s a new voice in Fantasy and her name is Laurie Forest. Her first book, “The Black Witch” is arriving on book shelves and online May 2 from HarlequinTEEN. Even though it’s being pitched as young adult, I found great pleasure in reading her work and could easily see older adults enjoying it as well.

It’s a thick 600 page fantasy that reads more like 300 pages. You may find yourself having a hard time putting it down and consequently some late nights. Filled with a mix of traditional characters such as Elves, Witches, Shapeshifters, and Dragons as well as some new ones that make “The Black Witch” a solid entry into the fantasy genre.

The story’s lead character is Elloren Gardner. She is believed to be the heir apparent to her grandmother Carnissa Gardner, the last prophesied Black Witch who drove back enemy forces to save her people during the Realm War. While Elloren looks exactly like her Grandmother she’s shown no evidence of power in a society that prizes magical ability above nearly all else. After being granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University. Her educational journey is more than the magic she studies, and the people she meets. It’s about discovering that life and what you were taught to believe is not always the whole story.

photo credit: Beltrami Studios

Allie Hanley: I read an early, uncorrected proof of THE BLACK WITCH and I think I might have seen one error. Your book is 601 pages! Tell me a little about your process in writing.

Laurie Forest: I wrote the first books in the series by writing pretty much every day for a year. Almost without fail. For at least an hour. It was an incredible experience to immerse myself in the story that intensively. One of my favorite writing quotes is “the muse can’t resist a working writer” and I think that’s so true.

AH: Your main character, Elloren Gardner, discovers that the history she was raised with isn’t necessarily the truth. How did that plot point come about and does it reflect anything in today’s world for you?

LF: That plot point came about because I feel it’s very relevant in today’s world. History books can be very subjective. And I think that history, when seen through the lens of a group that views outsiders as “evil” or “lesser,” can be a dangerous thing. We can find examples of this all throughout history and certainly in the world today. I think it’s a very good idea to study history from multiple points of view – and as Professor Kristian tells Elloren, the resulting confusion can be a positive thing. Because the confusion stemming from multiple points of view is better than a simplistic idea of history that demonizes others and can inadvertently promote injustice.

AH: When Elloren gets to school she’s housed with some very unlikely characters, tell me about them?

LF: Tricky question to answer without spoilers (so don’t read past here if you haven’t read the book!). Elloren is thrown in with Ariel and Wynter, two Icarals—winged people who are despised by pretty much everyone in the Western Realm for no sound reason really, save cultural/religious tradition. Both Ariel (a Gardnerian) and Wynter (an Alfsigr Elf) have been deeply impacted by their outcast status, but in very different ways. And Elloren (along with the reader, perhaps) initially sees them as demonic. As that’s what she’s been taught to see.

AH: They say one of the keys to writing a great book is to pretend you are writing it to your biggest fan. Who were you imagining reading this book as you wrote it, and what did you want them to take away from reading it?

LF: Honestly, I wrote the book mainly to entertain and challenge myself Toni Morrison famously said: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” That’s kind of what was going on here. Past that, I’m writing my book for my close friend who has terminal cancer—to entertain her and I have to hurry up and finish the series so she can read it (she has charged me with the task of finishing a rough draft of the entire series this year, and I’m going to do it—because we’re running on borrowed time). She is one of the best people I have ever known and it is my greatest author honor to have been able to give her some reading excitement and pleasure.

AH: You have a wide cast of characters. Is there one in particular that you really love and why?

LF: Right now I’m kind of in love with Ariel Haven—because I feel like she has the heart of a true hero deep inside of her. She’s been broken down by the society she’s been born into, but they haven’t been able to break her completely. Can’t say more without spoilers!

AH: When this is released I anticipate readers will devour it. Have you written part 2 and can you give a small preview of where Elloren is headed?

LF: Book Two is written, as is half of Book Three (and the outline for the entire series). Elloren is headed towards a collision course with her hidden powers. And it will be a pretty dramatic reveal! And she’s a flawed character—so she’s got a steep learning curve ahead of her if she’s going to become strong and heroic in this world (and shed the last vestiges of her people’s destructive ideas). There’s also conflict on the romantic front for poor Elloren 😉 (I read somewhere once that authors should torture their protagonist – Elloren isn’t going to have an easy road, I will say that).

AH: In support of your book, will you be doing a book tour and how can fans find out more?

LF: I’ll be doing a book launch tour from May 2nd – May 18th and bringing news of THE BLACK WITCH all over the country! Very excited. My epic tour schedule can be found on my Facebook page as well as my website.

Celebrate ‘La La Land’ Day With Festivities Across The City Of Stars!

by Josh Jackson

To commemorate the record breaking Golden Globe winning and almost Best Picture Oscar recipient La La Land‘s release on home media, April 25 will become La La Land Day across the city of stars.

Beginning with an official declaration by Mayor Eric Garcetti, screenwriter/director Damien Chazelle will be honored for his “extraordinary portrait of the city and its iconic locations”. Which makes sense when you consider that tourism has skyrocketed since the film’s release. Also on hand will be composer Justin Hurwitz, production designers David and Sandy Wasco, choreographer Mandy Moore and jewelry designer Kyle Chan. The festivities will be topped off with a live arial performance by the dance troop BANDALOOP.

Outside of the official declaration, special events will be held throughout the City of Stars. From dance lessons, set recreations, screenings and full recreations of Seb’s club from the film, both at the original location in Hermosa Beach to other Jazz clubs throughout the city, check out the full list of events below!

 

  • Grand Central Market will hold a La La Land dance lesson at 10am at 317 S. Broadway in downtown, and Sarita’s, the site of Mia and Sebastian’s first date will be featuring a La La Land photo op with the stools they sat on.
  • 3rd Street Dance will offer La La Land themed Dance Class at 7pm at their 8558 West 3rd St. location.
  • Kyle Chan Design will display the jewelry that Academy Award® Best Actress winner Emma Stone wears in the film at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Ste 114. The first three people to come in and buy La La Land jewelry will take home a Blu-ray of the film.
  • Brits in LA will host a “Brits in La La Land” Breakfast at Cecconis on “La La Land Day” and give away free breakfast to the first 20 people who share an image that best represents #LaLaLand to them and why.
  • The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising will have their final day of display of the La La Land costumes in their museum, along with the unveiling of the La La Land inspired costume design contest winner.
  • Inglewood Library will have a La La Land themed activities hour at 4pm for youth who want to express their creative side with La La Land activity sheets and coloring pages.

 

Jazz bars across the country will be transformed into “Seb’s” on April 25, for one night only, including Long Beach’s “The Blind Donkey” (149 Linden Ave), the original location for “Seb’s” in the film, featuring live music, themed drinks and a full size Seb’s neon sign.

 

Additional area taverns will also celebrate with La La Land themed nights featuring ‘enter to win’ boxes with Blu-rays offered as prizes.  Bars include:

  • Light House Café – 30 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA
  • No Vacancy – 1727 N. Hudson Ave. Los Angeles, CA
  • Bar One – 12518 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, CA

Far from a waste of a lovely night for sure. How will you be celebrating La La Land Day?

The film will be released for home media on April 25.

‘What Remains Of Edith Finch’ Gets A Beautiful Launch Trailer

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Somehow this one completely slipped my radar until the glowing reviews began to hit the web this morning.

The game officially launches for PS4 and PC tomorrow, and is already being hailed as the next Gone Home (meaning that Shane O’Hare is definitely going to love it).

The game is a self proclaimed “collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state.”

Yeah, that doesn’t sound all that interesting, but the synopsis continues to reveal what sounds like an incredibly unique experience:

As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she’s the last one in her family left alive. Each story you find lets you experience the life of a new family member on the day of their death, with stories ranging from the distant past to the present day.

 

The gameplay and tone of the stories are as varied as the Finches themselves. The only constants are that each is played from a first-person perspective and that each story ends with that family member’s death.

 

Ultimately, it’s a game about what it feels like to be humbled and astonished by the vast and unknowable world around us.

This is also a game by the team behind the wonderful and heart wrenching The Unfinished Swan, so you better believe I’ll be picking this one up when it releases tomorrow.

For now, you can watch the game’s beautiful launch trailer below, and be sure to let us know if you plan to pick this one up. Gah, Outlast 2 and this in one day, and Prey in barely a week? Talk about too many games, and too little time.

https://youtu.be/WtScfS0eVqM

This Final Trailer For ‘Outlast 2’ Is Creepy As Hell!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Oh man, it’s finally almost here!

I have such a love/hate relationship with horror games. Often the atmosphere of these titles is absolutely incomparable, and the last few years has seen a huge resurgence in quality horror titles. My only problem is, when they’re good, they tend to be terrifying, and I can only play in short chunks before I simply get too freaked out – meaning that it takes me forever to finish these games.

This was the case with Outlast. This is still the case with Resident Evil 7, and I’m sure that this will be the case with Outlast 2.

In the game, “as journalists, you and your wife have a reputation for taking risks and digging into the stories no one else dares to touch, but this time you may have gone too far. Your investigation of a seemingly impossible murder has lead you deep into the Arizona desert, and into a darkness so wicked that no light could ever shine upon it.

No conflict is ever black and white. But once the dust has settled, the victors get to decide who was right and who was wrong. Who is good and who is evil. Human nature pushes us to extremes of violence and depravity, which we then justify by divine inspiration and a promise of paradise to come. Horror rises from desperation and blind faith. Outlast 2 will test your faith, pushing players to a place where going mad is the only sane thing to do.”

The game launches for PS4, Xbox One, and PC tomorrow, and for PS4 and Xbox One gamers, there’s even a $40 limited physical release that includes Outlast, Outlast: Whistleblower, and Outlast 2.

For now, take a look at this super creepy final trailer, and let us know if you’re looking forward to the game!

Geekscape Review: Trouble Creek on YouTube

by Alexandra Gallarza

Trouble Creek, created by Stacey K. Black, is a mystery drama with crime and supernatural elements. Answers to questions aren’t necessarily answered, which is okay. The show begins in the middle of a missing person case, which revolves around a missing little girl. Sheriff Stone Geary, is reminded of his past as a Detroit Police Officer, when bones of a body float to the top of a creek. The ugly secrets that the town and it’s occupants have are introduced with the characters. The secrets unfold as the story does, adding layers to the already complicated and well written characters. Some story lines don’t answer every question that the viewer may have, in fact, more questions might arise. Never to fear, plenty is explained as the story unfolds over it’s seven acts.

Sheriff Geary, played by Jason Gedrick moved to the small town after his time on the Detroit Police force came to an abrupt end. His fiancee, Miss Amelia Valentine, played by Crystal Lott, finds herself exploring her own dark side and falls under the spell of temptation and all that it entails, when a new, young, student is enrolled. Then there is the house that can be easily described as creepy which it’s new occupants become aware of, along with the supernatural that reside in it’s history.

This show has it’s moments where plot points, or at least one in particular, is not a matter of if it happens, but when. The underlying question of ‘Will this girl be found?’ weighs heavy. The audience is treated to moments that are surprising, expected, and all around enjoyable to watch. There are moments where the audience could ask themselves, ‘Well, what’s going to happen next?’ and the act is over. So they move onto the next one quickly. Unlike most TV on the web nowadays, Trouble Creek will not take up your entire day, nor will it consume you for days at a time. Maybe an hour of your day will be devoted to this show. And it is an enjoyable hour.

This show can be easily described as a crime drama, but unlike most crime dramas, this story has no apparent villain, no one is being chased, there is no motive, and the formula that most crime dramas follow is not put into play here. All that these characters have are their personal stories, how this little girl affects their day to day, if it affects them at all, and how life simply moves on while others don’t.  A parent’s worry, anguish, and wonder is brought out in the grieving parents who don’t know if their daughter is alive or dead. A town sheriff who has the responsibility in finding this girl dead or alive, the latter more hopeful than the former. And the new comers who have no idea what they stumbled into.

The town plagued by dark secrets was brought to YouTube by Stacey K. Black, who has directed episodes of Major Crimes, NCIS: New Orleans, and The Closer. The series is executive produced by Ms. Black and Shea Butler, and the duo also took turns at directing the episodes.

Trouble Creek can be found on YouTube.com, streaming now. Check out the trailer down below.

 

90s TV Hour Episode 9 – The Innernet!

by Rifferella

We now have a Facebook group for you to get involved and help us build the show! Join the 90s TV Hour Addicts where you’ll find great new content every day!

In which Matt (Horror Movie Night) and Jenny remember Tamagotchis, Dial-Up, and romance chat lines. That’s right, we’re exploring the internet as it was known in the 90s with Are You Afraid of the Dark and Fresh Prince of Bel Air!

Episodes Reviewed:
Are You Afraid of the Dark (S06E04) The Tale of the Virtual Pets
Fresh Prince of Bel Air (S05E22) To Thine Ownself be Blue…and Gold

 

https://soundcloud.com/90s-tv-hour/90s-tv-hour-episode-9-the-innernet

 

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Contact Us: 90stvhour@gmail.com

Theme song: Pond5 “Heavy Electric Guitar Riff”

Don’t forget to have a great night!

Viz Will Be Publishing The Art Of ‘My Little Pony: The Movie’ This Fall!

by The_acz

Earlier today Viz announced that they’ll be partnering with Hasbro to release an art book for the upcoming MLP Movie scheduled to release October 6th. Not much has been said about the book, but it will be pretty lengthy and also include full color art. The art is due for release sometime in August, 2 whole months before the film comes out, so be wary of spoilers. Are you excited about this announcement? What animated movie do you want to see get an art book? Tell us in the comments below!

Horror Movie Night Episode 91: The Blob (1988)

by Saintmort

It’s Friday night, you’re a high school football star, and you have a hot date with the pretty-but-takes-no-shit head cheerleader – what do you do?? Probably get eaten within the first 15 minutes by a mutated bacteria that was shot into space and has now crash-landed and gruesomely begun dissolving your friends one by one, that’s what… If you haven’t guessed, this week’s film is none other than the fantastic 1988 remake of The Blob! For once, your hosts are in agreement that this movie rules, and spend most of the episode excitedly fawning over the gross ways the blob digests half the town. If you have the stomach for it, meet us at the local diner, but beware the clogged kitchen sink (that’s totally not up to code and we hope they have an inspector come write them up once the blob-crystal cleanup is done but what if the inspector got killed in all of the commotion and now health violations will run rampant?) this week on Horror Movie Night!

Feel free to join in discussion at on our Facebook Group or in the comments below.

Do you have a movie suggestion for us or just want to tell us stories about your experiences with the movies we’ve watched? Send them to us at HMNPodcast@gmail.com

Also subscribe to our podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes

‘Call Of Duty WWII’ Reveal Next Week. Is It Enough To Save The Franchise?

by The_acz

Today Activision has announced that the highly rumored Call of Duty WWII is real and will be having a worldwide reveal at 10AM PST on April 26th, 2017.

The COD series has been in a creative and financial slump for the past couple of years. Over exposure of the brand to an almost toxic level for some people and too much of a heavy emphasis on futuristic technology seems to have driven a good amount of people away from the series. It’s obvious this game is a knee jerk reaction to the success of last years Battlefield 1 by EA, but will fans done with the series even want to make the trouble of returning? I guess we’ll find out what happens next week. In the meantime, tell us what you think about the announcement in the comments below!

Xbox Games With Gold Get’s Twisted In May!

by The_acz

As we head into May, Games with gold shows no signs of slowing down. Coming up, Xbox One and 360 users will be able to enjoy a nice sampling of different games. These include Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, and Even Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Lego Star Wars.  Check out the video below to find out when you’ll be able to download these. Which game are you most interested in trying? Tell us in the comments below!

The ‘X-Files’ have been re-opened at Fox!

by Alexandra Gallarza

It was announced on Thursday night that Fox is bringing the critically acclaimed sci-fi show back for 10 episodes. In a press release issued by Fox, 10 all new episodes have been ordered. The show will  be executive produced by creator Chris Carter. Returning to their roles as FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, are stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. With production beginning in early August of 2017, the series will air during the 2017-2018 season.

“Iconic characters, rich storytelling, bold creators – these are hallmarks of great TV shows. And they are some of the reasons why THE X-FILES has such a profound impact on millions of fans worldwide,” said David Madden, President of Fox Broadcasting Company. In addition, Madden said, “Chris’ creativity, along with the brilliant work of Dvid and Gillian, continue to propel this pop culture phenomenon, and we can’t wait to see what fresh mysteries Mulder and Scully uncover in this next chapter of THE X-FILES.”

The show, which follows the FBI Agents through their unexplainable and usually paranormal cases, found itself revived on Fox last year, with ratings that averaged nearly 16 million people across various platforms. The show, in it’s original run, which started in 1993, earned 16 Emmy’s, five Golden Globes and a Peabody Award.

Also, take a look below at the key art, Fox released in tandem with their announcement.

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Gifted

by MCDave

Most directors would envy a debut as successful as Marc Webb’s 2009 Golden Globe-nominated film, (500) Days of Summer. Webb then took a bit of a leap by following-up his rom-com with superhero blockbusters, The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel. But success is fickle in this industry and, like many do, the filmmaker has gone from being handed a major franchise to taking on the new limited-release drama, Gifted.

Chris Evans trades in his Captain America uniform for a much simpler life as Frank Adler, a boat repairman raising his deceased sister’s child, Mary (Mckenna Grace), who’s firm understanding of advanced mathematics is a rarity. But as Frank pushes Mary towards a conventional childhood built on playing and making friends in the public school sector, rather than a taxing life of studying rigorous mathematics at a specialized institution, his mother (Lindsay Duncan) resurfaces and takes legal action with a custody battle over guardianship of the seven year-old girl.

As a professor of mathematics myself, Gifted‘s distinct premise certainly raised my interest. Marc Webb’s latest work attempts to master the delicate balance between a hearty drama and frequent humor. Chris Evans’ sarcastic delivery feels organic and newcomer McKenna Grace offers an impressive turn as well, however the entire cast ultimately becomes limited by a one-dimensional screenplay. At it’s core, Gifted merely scratches the surface of its fundamental moral quandary regarding whether or not a truly exceptional child prodigy should be pushed towards a lifetime commitment of study and research as a duty to humanity, or if they’re should also be entitled to a “normal” upbringing. But rather than tackling this issue head-on, Gifted tip-toes around the predicament with an overly sentimental examination of its story. Regrettably, co-stars Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate find their talents wasted as expendable characters who are written into the script as obvious fillers. Yet. while Gifted does manage to boast a few tender moments of cinematic expression, they are far to0 sporadic to withstand a fatally flawed screenplay from writer Tom Flynn.

GRADE: 2.5/5

For more reviews, trailers and movie lists, visit MCDave’s host site

Rumor: Nintendo Announces SNES Mini For Christmas 2017

by Courtney Dossett

Shortly after the discontinuation of the NES Classic, it’s now rumored that Nintendo will be releasing an SNES Mini before Christmas this year. The NES and SNES are apparently meant to be novelty items, not permanent (re)additions to the Nintendo console lineup.

If the NES was any indication of how popular this console could be, it’s a good idea to go out and get one right away to avoid missing out, or getting scalped on eBay.
We’re still waiting on an official announcement to hear what games will be available and what the price point will be. Regardless, the SNES Mini is on my Christmas wish list (I never got the chance to have one as a kid!).
What about you? Are you going to try to snag a SNES Mini to add to your collection?

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Star Wars Even More Crochet’ By Lucy Collin

by Natalie Kipper

With Star Wars being all the rage, now is the perfect time to review Lucy Collin’s crochet kit, Star Wars Even More Crochet. The kit is a sequel of sorts to the popular Star Wars Crochet, which was released in 2015. And while the original kit was dedicated strictly to the classic trilogy, this new release features a mix of characters from the original films as well as those found in The Force Awakens.

The box containing the goods is quite fun by itself, with color photos of the amigurumi (crochet dolls) from the pattern book. Characters can be found not only on the front and back of the box but also two of the sides, giving it a festive air.

Found in the enclosed book are patterns for a Jawa, BB-8, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, Obi-wan Kenobi, Lando Calrissian, Admiral Akbar, Nien Nunb, the four members of the Cantina band, and Greedo.

The kit includes the materials needed to make a Jawa and BB-8, even safety eyes and stuffing.

Sounds great, right? And it is, in theory. However, I encountered several issues with the yarn and the hook. For starters, two important things to keep in mind when crocheting amigurumi is that your gauge is tight enough to keep the stuffing from showing through and that the yarn weights are the same. I noticed right off that the weight for the black and brown yarns for the Jawa were different. I ended up using some yarn from my stash instead (both chosen were worsted weight).

Next off, the crochet hook provided was crooked when I took it out of the box (you can’t tell in the photo because it is facing up). And while the hook was still usable, I did find it very uncomfortable to hold after more than 20 minutes.


It is a shame about the pack-ins because the book for the most part is great. The patterns were well-written and I did not encounter any errors. The only problem was the Techniques and Terminology section, which gives a rundown on the different stitches found in the patterns. I have been crocheting a long time and thankfully knew how to do all of the required stitches already but even I was confused by some of the diagrams used in that section. If you know what you are looking at, you eventually have a moment of “I see what you did there” but I can’t see it being of any help to someone unfamiliar with the techniques. I guess that is where Youtub comes to the rescue.

Here is my finished project, Martini the Jawa. He didn’t take long to make. I did have the split the crochet sessions into bits because my hand really did not like working with that bent hook. But all told, I estimate it took me between two to two and a half hours to finish. Not bad at all.

I am going to give the kit as a whole a 2 out of 5. For $24.99, it should come with usable supplies. The pattern book on its own earns a 4 out of 5. The patterns are relatively simple with a great blend of characters from the series’ past and present. The only problem was the not-helpful Techniques section. Other than that, it was super fun.

[This review is based on a sample provided by Thunder Bay Press. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: The ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ Manga Box Set

by Natalie Kipper

If you are crazy about magical girl manga or just want to read something with a strong female lead, you can’t go wrong with VIZ Media’s newly released box set of Revolutionary Girl Utena. The classic series is widely known for its LGBT tones and unique take on the prince-princess trope.

This manga box set, which encompasses both the entire series of Revolutionary Girl Utena as well as The Adolescence of Utena, contains two large hardcover volumes plus a bonus poster. The books themselves are well-made and appear to be bound well enough to survive a lifetime of re-readings. Several full-color pages can be found at the beginning of each book, which I thought was delightful.

SHOJO KAKUMEI UTENA © 1997 Chiho SAITO, Be-PaPas /SHOGAKUKAN

The story starts off more like your standard magical girl manga, with a girl that doesn’t quite fit in and her mysterious romantic interest. Things take a unique turn when the heroine Utena takes a more active role in her future and that of her classmate Anthy, with her decision that rather than be the princess waiting to be rescued, she will become a noble prince. What follows is a world of magical fencing duels, mistaken identities, and even mystical deities.

SHOJO KAKUMEI UTENA © 1997 Chiho SAITO, Be-PaPas /SHOGAKUKAN

All of the main players in the story were fleshed out and had more to their personalities than met the eye. The Student Council President, Touga Kiryuu, is an excellent example of this. I actually ended up liking him much more than I thought I would as the story progressed. Even the female fencer Juri (who I felt was the flattest character) is expanded upon through a short story found at the back of volume two.

The other short story included, The Adolescence of Utena, is a retelling of the main manga’s storyline but with some serious alterations. It has a darker tone but I highly recommend giving it a read. It was fascinating to see what the story could have been if certain details were changed.

SHOJO KAKUMEI UTENA © 1997 Chiho SAITO, Be-PaPas /SHOGAKUKAN

The Revolutionary Girl Utena Manga Box Set wins a 5 out of 5. I thought the story itself was spectacular as well as an important piece of magical girl history. Combine that with a high-quality print with lovely detail abounds and you have yourself what I consider the definitive edition of the series.

[This review is based on a sample provided by VIZ Media. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Editorial: ‘Yooka Laylee’ & Setting Expectations

by The_acz

The highly anticipated Yooka-Laylee finally released a week ago, and reactions have been. . . . . . mixed. Many argue the game doesn’t live up the hype (little games do due to most of them being overly anticipated). This has people split arguing for or against the game. I went in with what was probably a mindset most people didn’t think of, and after a couple of days of playing, I’ve come to a conclusion. Before reaching that conclusion however, I thought I’d share my expectations that I set, so that when or if you play the game, you can get a good understanding of the expectations you should have before playing this. Let’s get to it then!

One of the first things to take into account when setting expectations for Yooka-Laylee is to take a look at the budget of the game. If you’re going into the game expecting it to be as big and sprawling as Banjo-Kazooie or Tooie, then you might want to re-adjust those expectations because the game is relatively small. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing since the game is still plenty of fun with some pretty big worlds and clever secrets.

Yooka’s budget is relatively small. Even with the Kickstarter funds and support from Publisher Team 17 to help out with stuff like a physical release and advertising, it still doesn’t compare to Banjo. Banjo’s budget is immeasurably higher having to take inflation, the number of times the game changed, and Nintendo’s funding of the game into account. There’s also the fact that Yooka was made in Unity, which is a fairly simple 3D engine, so it’s not going to have the exact look or feel as its predecessor. As a result, it’d be expected that the game wouldn’t have nearly as many worlds and even as many collectibles as Banjo would.

The next expectation to set might cause a bit of a stir at first, but just follow me on this, This is not Banjo Threeie.  Yes, Yooka-Laylee was pitched on the premise of being a Banjo Successor, but not the fabled Banjo Threeie that people love to fantasize about. I can guarantee you that nothing that is present in Yooka was planned at all for another Banjo game. Why am I so sure? Well, whether or not people want to accept it, Banjo Threeie already exists. It’s called Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, and the history of the title is pretty clear.  Rare even made a nice little video a year or 2 ago finally shedding some light on the title. Playtonic spent 2 years developing this title creating a brand new world, characters, and gameplay and I’m sure the last thing they want people to think is that all of that could easily be switched out for a more known I.P.

The last expectation I want to set is that this isn’t the exact same team as the original Banjo crew. Don’t take this as a negative, the people associated with Playtonic have done some fantastic work and have anywhere from 1 to 3 decades worth of making games for the company, but not all of them come from Banjo or Conker. One of the biggest missing pieces for Playtonic is Gregg Mayles, The creator and main level designer for the Banjo series. Yes you have your Chris Sutherlands and Steve Mayles who are very well known for being on the Banjo team, but then you also have very talented people like Justin Cook and Dean Wilson.

These guys are very talented artists who have worked on some of the most interesting Rare titles like Kameo: Elements of Power and Viva Pinata, but often get overlooked due to the internet’s over reaction of the Microsoft buyout and labeling it as “The bad era.” So while this isn’t 100% person by person the original team that crafted Banjo, that’s again not to be taken as a bad thing since the people still there are extremely talented, some even coming from other companies like Rocksteady (Batman Arkham Series) and Supermassive Games (Until Dawn and the LittleBig Planet Series). Below is a beautiful piece of Yooka artwork by Dean Wilson who designed one of the 5 worlds in the game, Glitterglaze Glacier. 

At the end of the day, I’m writing this not to discourage or encourage you to play or not play Yooka-Laylee, but what kind of expectations you should have set going into the game. You can read as many good or bad reviews of the game as you like, but knowing what mindset you have entering the game can make a huge difference. I hope this article has been helpful for you,and most of all, like the games you’re going to like. 

Rocket Raccoon And Groot Star In Build-A-Bear’s ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Set

by Natalie Kipper

With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 heading to theaters on May 5 and whispers of a third movie making the rounds, it was only a matter of time before stores started stocking themed merchandise. Of course, as a plush enthusiast, I was thrilled to see that Build-A-Bear Workshop joined in on the fun. The Marvel series has an entire section over on the store’s online site.

The two buildable plushes in the set are Rocket Raccoon and Groot (more on him in a bit). For Rocket, you can purchase him “naked” ($25.50) and then add on his traditional costume ($12.50) and Baby Groot accessory ($6), both shown above.

You can only purchase Groot through an online-exclusive set ($35). The bundle includes the plush himself and a soundbox that plays the character’s signature phrase, “I am Groot.” The set is a tad simpler than most of the other ones you see on the site but the lower price tag reflects the lack of clothing or other accessories.

The fun doesn’t stop with Rocket and Groot, though. There are outfits for other plushes, like the Star-Lord and Gamora costumes. If you have a hankering for some smaller collectibles, Build-a-Bear also has a set of Guardians of the Galaxy Mega Minis ($10 each), eight-inch plush bears dressed as Star-Lord, Rocket, Draxx, Groot, and Gamora.

Are you excited for these new plushes?

Celebrate Global Fan Event ‘Alien Day’ April 26!

by AllieHanley

Die hard “Alien” fans get their own special day to celebrate their favorite Xenomorph. April 26th has officially been deemed Alien Day. So, bust out your Alien shirt and attend a screening of the classic movie that started it all “Alien” (1979).

This one-night screening event features the original “Alien” film starring Sigourney Weaver at participating RPX Regal Cinema theaters. Fans will enjoy the thriller plus be treated to footage from “Alien: Covenant” and a one-of-a-kind exclusive commemorative ticket. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, April 18th for “Alien” and for advance tickets for “Alien: Covenant” at regmovies.com.

For more information on all ALIEN DAY activities, go to www.AlienUniverse.com where they have a contest for original fan art, trivia, and will also have a live stream featuring a Q & A April 26th. Check the site for specifics.

Fans can also join the #ALIENDAY conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.