“Ah, no wonder you’re extinct. I’m gonna run you over when I come back down.”
Those were the wrong words for Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) to say in 1993’s Jurassic Park. If you’ve seen that film, you know that Nedry’s fateful line was directed at a curious Dilophosaurus. Thanks to the most recent Jurassic Park Amber Collection release, that moment in the film will be immortalized in plastic.
I had the opportunity to review the latest Amber Collection release, the Dilophosaurus. The packaging is the same as all of the other figures in this line. It features a photo on the back of the figure and raised images on the package. I received my package damaged, but the figure was in perfect condition.
“A beautiful, but deadly, addition to Jurassic Park.”
The figure comes with at least twenty points of articulation. The jaw opens and closes and the head, neck, arms, hands, knees, shoulders, hips, legs, and tail all move. I said that there were at least twenty points of articulation as I haven’t determined exactly how many points there are in the tail. Much like the knees of a Barbie doll, the hinges are hidden under the plastic. Just know that the tail has some decent articulation.
The head of the dilophosaurus can be removed. This allows you to swap out the neck fringe. The fringe comes in an opened and closed position. Both fringe pieces can be slid over the neck of the dinosaur after removing the head. Both positions, as well as the figure in its entirety, are pretty screen accurate. I do believe that this dilophosaurus is a tad larger than the ones featured in Jurassic Park, but I’m not entirely sure. I only have the Owen Grady figure from this line to compare the dilophosaurus to, but a Dennis Nedry figure (pictured above) was released at the same time as the dilophosaurus.
As with all of the other figures in this line, the dilophosaurus comes with an amber base that features the Jurassic Park logo. It also comes with venom that can be inserted and attached to the interior of the dilophosaurus’ mouth. What really sets this figure apart from others in the Amber Collection is the included sign for the East Dock. Just like the sign in the movie (after Dennis Nedry knocks it over), the arrow that points the way to the dock can spin. I find this to be hilarious and a perfect accessory for this dinosaur.
I have a feeling that this figure will be a big seller for Mattel. It’s a unique figure that featured in one of the most memorable moments from the original film. I’ve included a side-by-side comparison of the dino to Owen below to give you an idea of the figure’s size. If and when I pick up the Dennis Nedry figure, I’ll definitely include him and the dilophosaurus in a photo together.
Oh, one last thing. The dilophosaurus has a Jurassic Park logo imprinted on the bottom of its right foot. I thought that this was a nice touch. I don’t own any of the other dinos in this line, but I’m betting that they have this imprint as well.
Thanks for checking out my review of the Jurassic Park Amber Collection Dilophosaurus. If you’re a fan of the films or the books, the dilophosaurus will definitely be “a beautiful, but deadly, addition” to your collection!
“Right now being alive is more important than being found.”
Disney’s 1960 family film release, Swiss Family Robinson, is one of the company’s most beloved live action films. Loosely based on the book (published in 1812) of the same name by Johann David Wyss, the film tells the story of the shipwrecked Robinson family and how they adapt to life on an uninhabited island.
The main cast: In front, Kevin Corcoran, Second row L to R: Janet Munro, Dorothy McGuire, and Tommy Kirk. Third Row L to R: Sir John Mills, James MacArthur.
On their way to New Guinea, the ship that the Robinson family is aboard is attacked by pirates and forced into a deadly storm. The crew, believing that all hope is lost, abandons the ship and the family, leaving them to the mercy of the sea. The ship finally settles just off of the coast of an uninhabited island. Thankful to be alive, the family scraps the ship and brings all of the animals on the ship with them to the island where they set up a home and begin life as castaways.
Using a disease flag, the family scares away the pirates that had attacked the ship at the beginning of the film. Soon after, the family uses what is left of the ship to build a massive tree house. They establish a home on the island and take on any challenges that come their way.
Soon enough the mother, Elizabeth (Dorothy McGuire), begins to wonder what life will be like for her boys on the island. With no other women around, she speculates on how her sons will grow up without someone to love. After talking with their father, William (Sir John Mills), it is agreed that the two eldest boys Fritz (James MacArthur) and Ernst (Tommy Kirk) should build a boat and map out the rest of the island in the hopes of finding other settlements or possibly finding someone that can rescue them.
The boys end up discovering the pirates that attacked their ship. The duo rescue a captain and his son, but in the ensuing chase, the captain surrenders to the pirates and promises to return to save the boys and his son. Eventually the boys discover that the captain’s son is actually his daughter, Roberta (Janet Munro), in disguise, and after a long and dangerous trek across the island, they return to the Robinson settlement just in time for Christmas.
Enamored by Roberta’s beauty, Fritz and Ernst battle against one another for her affections. Desperate to calm his sons down and to drive out some of their aggression, William plans a day of fun. This includes a number of games that culminate with a race between the family on the backs of ostriches, zebras, and a young elephant.
The family’s loud fun attracts the attention of the pirates. Thankfully William and Elizabeth had their boys and Roberta prepare numerous traps and fortifications to fight off the pirates should they ever return. One of the traps includes a tiger that was captured by the youngest Robinson, Francis (Kevin Corcoran).
The pirates attack. The family does a solid job off holding them off but eventually start losing ground to the pirates. Do they survive the attack? Does the tiger trap come in handy? What happened to Roberta’s father (Cecil Parker)? You’ll have to watch Swiss Family Robinson to find out!
I really enjoyed this film. I remember watching it as a young child every time that it was shown on television. There are a number of familiar faces in the film, including Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran (who appeared in a total of six films together, five of which they played brothers) and Dorothy McGuire (who portrayed Kirk and Corcoran’s mother in Old Yeller in 1957). McGuire’s career spanned decades and included numerous popular roles in film, television and onstage. Fans of the original Hawaii Five-O will recognize James MacArthur, perhaps best known as Detective Danny “Danno” Williams. Sir John Mills, like McGuire, also had a long and successful career, especially in film. He was knighted in 1976. He’s also the father of Hayley Mills, another successful actress in her own right.
Many members of the supporting cast also had successful careers. Already a silent film star, Sessue Hayakawa (Kuala, the pirate captain), was an established “talkie” actor by the time he joined the cast of Swiss Family Robinson. He appeared in over eighty films including The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). Milton Reid (Big Pirate) was an established actor known for playing brutes, henchman, and other tough guys. He appeared in three James Bond films and a number of other popular films. He was also a professional wrestler.
Milton Reid (L) and Sessue Hayakawa (R) as Big Pirate and Captain Kuala.
The film was shot in Tobago and was constantly delayed due to heavy rains. According to IMDb, Tommy Kirk considered leaving the production due to homesickness. Sadly, all of the main cast have passed away with the exception of Kirk. Kirk, Sir John Mills, and Kevin Corcoran were all inducted as Disney Legends later in their careers. Mills’ daughter, Hayley, also holds this honor. The movie is currently available on Blu-ray, DVD, and the Disney+ streaming service.
I hope that you enjoyed this post. Thank you for reading it. If you’ve seen this film and want to leave a comment, please do so. Also feel free to share this post. I appreciate all of your support.
Professional wrestling tag teams don’t seem to get nearly as much emphasis these days as they did back in the 1970’s and 80’s. Even with electrifying performers such as the Hardy Boyz, the Young Bucks, and Edge and Christian making an impact in the 2000’s, most modern tag teams are packaged together for a brief stint and then busted up for individual runs at wrestling gold. There are very few teams that stand the test of time. For that reason, the majority of my favorite tag teams are from the 1980’s and 90’s, with just a few exceptions.
As with my previous list, the only criteria that I have for making this list is how much I personally enjoy the wrestlers and how much of an impact they had on my life. Here ya go…..
#10: Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss
Although it currently looks like this duo might be separating soon, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross have been a surprisingly enjoyable tag team to watch. I love the chemistry between them, with Cross becoming unhinged during matches and Bliss pushing all of the right buttons against their competitors. Bliss has had quite a bit of success on her own, and it looks like Cross might be about to get a singles push, hopefully for the Women’s title.
#9: The Fabulous Freebirds
Inventors of the “Freebird Rule,” which allowed any two members of the Freebird stable to defend the tag titles at any time, the trio of Michael “P.S.” Hayes, Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, and Buddy “Jack” Roberts were definitely trailblazers in the world of tag team wrestling. Hayes loved running his mouth and excelled at agitating audiences and other wrestlers. Their feuds with other stables such as the Von Erichs are the stuff of legend. Other members rotated in and out, but the trio that I fell in love with was that of Hayes, Gordy, and Roberts.
#8: The New Age Outlaws
The “Road Dogg” Jesse James and the “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn formed the New Age Outlaws in the late 90’s as a part of the D-Generation X stable. They were an integral part of my jumping ship from WCW to WWF. James had a mouth on him that few wrestlers can match and Gunn provided the muscle for the duo. After exiting from WWF, the duo would find themselves either at odds with one another or reuniting as the James Gang or the Voodoo Kin Mafia. The pair had a solid run as tag team champions in multiple promotions and also had excellent careers as singles competitors and with other tag team members. They definitely deserve their spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.
#7: The Lucha Bros
One of the few modern tag teams that connects with the crowd on a level similar to legends like the Rock N’ Roll Express, the Lucha Bros (Pentagon, Jr. and Fenix) are simply amazing to watch. Whether it’s Fenix flying through the air or walking the ropes to execute a move or Pentagon locking up opponents in submissions, this team is a one-two punch of excitement. Both wrestlers have lengthy and successful singles careers, but their tag team success has been limited to single runs except for their AAA two-time (and current) reign. Hopefully AEW will put the belts on these guys soon!
#6: The Brain Busters
Quite possibly the two toughest guys on this list, Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson were essentially a pair of powerhouses that pummeled their opponents into submission. Originating in the NWA and founding members of the legendary Four Horsemen stable, Blanchard and Anderson only held championships on three occasions (twice in the NWA and once in the WWF) but were extremely popular and had feuds with other legendary tag teams like the Midnight Express. Anderson would win numerous tag titles with other wrestlers as wold Blanchard, with Blanchard having more success as a singles competitor. Simply put, when you talk about legends, these two guys should come to mind.
#5 Edge and Christian
With seven WWE Tag Team title reigns and numerous singles championships across multiple promotions, Edge and Christian are two of the most decorated guys on this list. Along with the New Age Outlaws, the Hardy Boyz, and Harlem Heat, E&C were one of the final duos to find major success as an established tag team and not just as a couple of wrestlers thrown together to have a title run. With their “Five Second Poses” and the Con-Chair-To, the duo entertained crowds for many years. They also achieved legendary status with the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz in mulitple TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) matches.
#4: Harlem Heat
Although Booker T is probably best known for his singles success, he and Stevie Ray ruled WCW as Harlem Heat. With a record ten WCW Tag Title reigns under their belts, it’s hard to argue that they weren’t the promotion’s greatest tag team. Stevie Ray was the enforcer and Booker T would hit the high spots. They worked in perfect unison and the crowd loved them.
#3: The Hardy Boyz
One of the last pure tag teams in professional wrestling in my opinion, the Hardy Boyz (collectively known as Team Xtreme with Lita), have held no less than twelve tag team titles across multiple promotions. Jeff was the flyer and the innovator while Matt was the stronger wrestler on the ground. They’ve broken up and reunited multiple times over the years and both Matt and Jeff have had massive success as singles competitors, but I’ll always prefer them as a tag team. Lita has also had multiple successful runs as a singles competitor, with four women’s title reigns under her belt.
#2: The Midnight Express
The only reason that these guys are number two on my list is because the number one team were such awesome faces against them. The Midnight Express was the first heel team that I ever loved to hate. There have been numerous members on the team over the years, but the duo of “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton were my favorites. Their feud with the Rock N’ Roll Express is my favorite feud of all time. With their manager, the legendary Jim Cornette, singing their praises and often interfering in matches, these guys were simply amazing. I really hated these guys, but they were so much fun to watch!
#1: The Rock N’ Roll Express
No team in the history of professional wrestling had as much of an impact on my childhood as the Rock N’ Roll Express did. Sure, other teams might have won more titles, but none of them ever triggered waves of excitement in me like Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton did. I watched their matches religiously and cheered them on as they battled teams like the Midnight Express and the Fantastics. They were literally legends fighting legends in their heyday. The duo are still active on the wrestling circuit, most recently being a part of the new Billy Corgan version of the NWA (and winning the tag titles for a ninth time). They were innovators, high flyers, and the precursor to future flyers like The Rockers, the Hardy Boyz, Edge & Christian, and the Young Bucks. Modern tag team wrestling owes these guys everything!
Honorable mentions:
Like my previous list, there are plenty of other tag teams that I could have listed in this ranking. Honorable mentions go out to the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), the Road Warriors, the Fantastics, the Dudley Boyz, the Motor City Machine Guns, and the Rock n’ Sock Connection.
Let me know who you’re favorite tag teams are in the comments section. There’s no wrong answer, so don’t be afraid to list any teams that might not be that well known. Heck, I could have listed a few independent teams such as the Pump Patrol and Hawkx Aerie, so feel free to list all of your favorites.
As always, thanks for reading my post. I’ll have another one coming up real soon!
Growing up as a kid in the 1980’s meant that I was exposed to a number of awesome toys. From Star Wars to G.I. Joe and from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Thundercats, I tried to get my hands on all of them. In the early part of the decade, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe dominated my collection. My parents hooked me up with a ton of the figures and a few of the playsets and vehicles as well. One of the vehicles that I really loved was Roton. I was also a massive fan of Battle Cat. When I saw that Mega Construx was releasing a set featuring both of those iconic creations AND Merman and Battle Armor He-Man, I had to get it!
With 173 pieces to put together, this kit was fast and easy to assemble. Battle Cat came relatively complete, as I only had to slap his armor on him. He-Man and Merman were easy enough to assemble as well. The “challenge” was Roton. Consisting of the most pieces, Roton was still relatively easy to put together. The cool part was putting the teeth on the giant red wheel.
Better yet, Roton worked exactly like the classic toy when it came to the spinning wheel! One tire was slightly bigger than the other on the vehicle, and that larger tire propels the teeth on the red wheel. The two guns also fire. Tons of memories came flooding into my brain while assembling and playing (yes, playing) with this toy.
If you’re a fan of Masters of the Universe, and I know you are, grab this Mega Construx set before it sells out! MOTU is enjoying a growing revival at the moment, so it’s a great time to be a fan of the classic line. I had a great time assembling and playing with this kit. I know that you will, too!
Thanks for checking out my post. I’ll have another awesome toy review for my readers very soon!
This is one of the toughest lists that I’ve ever had to put together. I grew up with professional wrestling on the family television every Sunday morning and/or afternoon and watched it religiously. Mid-South Wrestling introduced me to some of the greatest heels and faces in professional wrestling. Ric Flair, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Junkyard Dog, One Man Gang, Kamala, Eddie Gilbert, and Koko B. Ware are just a few of the wrestlers that stepped into the ring for Mid-South.
In college, the Monday Night Wars were at their peak, and myself and a number of friends were firmly in the WCW Monday Nitro camp, only flipping over to WWF during commercial breaks or during dull moments on Nitro. Eventually, WWF Monday Night Raw won me over and I began watching that program regularly. My interest in WWE has waned over the years (although I still enjoy it from time to time) and I often find myself watching other wrestling programs such as NWA Powerrr, Impact, and Reality Of Wrestling.
Throughout my life I have attended live professional wrestling events. From independent shows in high school gyms to WCW house shows and even a few live Raw events, I’ve seen wrestling on every level in person. I’ve met a few wrestlers over the years as well including Lita, Brutus Beefcake, Thunder Rosa, the Bushwhackers, Public Enemy, and multiple independent wrestlers. I’ve also read numerous issues of wrestling publications such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated and the now defunct WOW (World Of Wrestling).
Basically, I love professional wrestling and everything good and bad about it. With that being said, I struggled to figure out exactly who I should put on this list. I decided that I wouldn’t establish any specific criteria for putting wrestlers on my list. Instead, I’d go with how much I personally love each wrestler and their impact on me. This means that my list will include wrestlers from the independent circuit all the way up to the major league stars of WWE, WCW, NWA, etc. and most people will not agree with my list. This isn’t a popularity list. It’s a personal list and a love letter to all of my favorite wrestlers over the years.
The List:
#10: Isaiah “Izzy” James
Along with his valet, the Insidious One (more on her later), Isaiah James has ripped his way through a number of independent wrestling promotions. I was first introduced to him and “Sid” at a Hurricane Pro Wrestling show in Beaumont, TX. At the time he was billed as The Unholy One, and I bought his gimmick completely. I’ve been a fan ever since and see nothing but good things ahead for him and Sid.
#9: Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page’s rise to fame is an inspirational story. He fought tooth and nail to make it to the top and never let any setbacks, including destroying his back, stop him. Today he is the face and founder of DDP Yoga, an exercise program that I am currently using to better myself. Say what you want about Randy Orton’s RKO, but the Diamond Cutter will always be one of the greatest finishers in the business!
#8: Rick Steiner
The Dog-Faced Gremlin, Rick Steiner, was and always will be my favorite Steiner brother. Much like DDP, Rick Steiner comes across as a workhorse. It always seemed that Rick was in his brother’s shadow despite, at least in my opinion, being a better worker and a more interesting personality. I wish that Rick Steiner could have achieved bigger and better things, but he’s tops in my heart.
#7: Lance Storm
Much like a number of other wrestlers on this list, Lance Storm never seemed to get the push that he deserved. Definitely one of the most technically proficient wrestlers in the business, Storm found success in ECW and eventually some solid recognition in WCW. He started off the WCW takeover of WWE whenever Vince bought out WCW, and he was put on the backburner for pretty much the rest of his in-ring career. Lance Storm definitely deserved better, no matter how serious he might be in the ring.
#6: Shawn Michaels
Say what you want about the Heartbreak Kid’s attitude and his behind-the-scenes politics, you cannot deny that he knew how to fire up a crowd. Controversial, cocky, and seemingly having too much fun in the ring, HBK’s Sweet Chin Music was nothing more than a superkick, but it got a pop every single time he applied it to his opponents. Along with Triple H, HBK ignited the Monday Night Wars with D-Generation X, a faction that continued to flourish even after his exit from the ring.
#5: Triple H
Whether it was the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Randy Orton, or whoever else was at the top of the WWE charts, Triple H managed to be a massive thorn in their side. Like DDP, Triple H has come back more than once from career-ending injuries. Whether you like him or not, you cannot deny how much work the guy put in night after night to get to the top of the WWE roster. Triple H was and still is a beast, and his wrestling pedigree is definitely not in question.
#4: Thunder Rosa
The NWA’s current women’s champion has a special place in my heart. I found her on the independent circuit as Thunder Rosa, but she also found success in the ring for Lucha Underground as Kobra Moon and as Serpentine. I’ve met Thunder Rosa on a couple of occasions and she is not only one of the friendliest professional wrestlers that you’ll ever meet, she’s also very interactive with her fans on social media. Her match with Mercedes Martinez at the second Hurricane Pro Ladies Night Out event is one of the greatest matches that I’ve ever witnessed live or on television. She’s going places, and I wish her the best of luck.
#3: Junkyard Dog
This is where things start to get tough. JYD could be number one on this list any day of the week, but there are a couple of other wrestlers that he has to compete with for that top spot in my heart. I used to imitate JYD as a child while wrestling with my father in the living room (much to my mother’s dismay). From what I’ve learned over the years, JYD had a massive heart to go along with all of those muscles, and he’ll always be one of my favorite faces.
#2: Sting
I grew up watching the multi-colored face of Sting every Sunday. He was the young upstart that grabbed the attention of the audience. Established stars battled him day in and day out but had a hard time winning over the fans against him. In his later years with WCW, Sting would take on the Crow paint and hang out in the rafters. This version of Sting was still great, but my favorite version will always be the one with the loud paint and brightly colored tights.
#1: Hacksaw Jim Duggan
I met this “Tough Guy” when I was eight years old. I shook Hacksaw’s massive hand and walked back to my chair starstruck. Hacksaw always came across as the regular guy who became a massive star. He looked like the fellows that my dad worked with every day. He’s an every man and I love that fact. Hacksaw is my champion and he always will be my champion. Even when he joined up with Team Canada, I loved the guy. Hacksaw could do no wrong, and I hope to meet him again soon in order to get a photo and an autograph.
Honorable mentions:
Like I said, this list was tough to create, and I left a few people out of my list that definitely deserve a spot in my Top Twenty. The Insidious One, Izzy James’ valet, has one of the coolest entrances in the business, crawling around like a spider into the ring. I’ve never witnessed her in a match live, but I’ve watched plenty of her matches on the web.
Other honorable mentions include Lita, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, Kane, Willie Mack, and Terry Taylor.
I could list more, but I would never be able to find a stopping point. Let me know some of your favorite wrestlers in the comments section!
I’m thinking about creating another list featuring my favorite tag teams. That one should be a lot easier to build as there have only been a few tag teams that really had any impact on me.
As always, thanks for reading. I’ve got a couple of toy reviews coming up soon and maybe a comic review as well.
It’s hard to believe that a show about the 1970’s is over twenty years old. That 70’s Show is the second longest running live action sitcom for the Fox Network (Married…With Children is the longest). It’s successful run ended fourteen years ago in 2006 after eight seasons, but the series is still extremely popular in both syndication and on streaming services such as Netflix.
The core cast:
Topher Grace as Eric Forman
Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti
Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde
Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso
Wilmer Valderrama as Fez
Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart
Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman, Eric’s Mom
Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman, Eric’s Dad
Don Stark as Bob Pinciotti, Donna’s Dad
Tanya Roberts as Midge Pinciotti, Donna’s Mom
The cast also included Lisa Robin Kelly as Laurie Forman, Eric’s sister, who appeared in a recurring role. In Season Six, Laurie was portrayed by Christina Moore due to Kelly’s battle with alcoholism. Tommy Chong portrayed Leo, manager of the local Foto Hut and the resident pothead.
Many of the show’s stars would go on to have massive careers. Both Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher (who eventually married in real life) have become established stars on both the big screen and on television. Laura Prepon starred in Netflix’ highly successful Orange Is The New Black. Wilmer Valderrama continues to have success as part of the cast of NCIS, but he has also appeared in a number of successful films and voiced Manny on Disney Channel’s Handy Manny. Danny Masterson co-starred with Kutcher on Netflix’ The Ranch until accusations of rape surfaced against him. His career is currently up in the air. Topher Grace has appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years, most notably Spider-Man 3 and BlacKkKlansmen. Tanya Roberts left the series after the third season to tend to her terminally ill husband, Barry. She returned as a guest star in seasons six and seven. Lisa Robin Kelly would eventually succumb to her battle with alcoholism and passed away and the young age of 43.
Many of the episodes centered on the relationship between Donna and Eric, with the rest of the characters having their own subplots over the course of the series. Kelso, Hyde, and Jackie ended up in a love triangle and Fez spent most of the series looking for love, sex, and candy. He failed almost every time with love and sex, but his candy addiction escalated as the series continued.
One of my favorite things about this series was the many parodies and musical numbers that were inserted into the show. The show parodied everything from Reefer Madness to The Super Friends and featured musical numbers inspired by Westside Story, Grease, and more. There were also a ton of guest stars including a number of 1970’s actors and musicians like Alice Cooper, KISS, Mary Tyler Moore, and many contemporary stars like Bruce Willis, Melissa Joan Hart, and the Rock (Dwayne Johnson). Other notable guest stars included Betty White, Don Knotts, Billy Dee Williams, and Gloria Gaynor.
A number of future stars and established young stars also had guest roles over the course of the series. Amy Adams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eliza Dushku, Justin Long, Shannon Elizabeth, Jenna Fischer, and Luke Wilson are just a few of the many guest stars who would go on to bigger and better things or were already popular when they made their appearance on the show.
A lot of the series took place in the Forman’s basement and one of the most popular elements of the show was “the Circle” where Eric, Hyde, and the rest of the cast would often “solve” problems and discuss issues while under the influence of marijuana.
I really enjoyed watching this show. Hearing Red call Eric a “dumbass” or watching Kelso get hit in the eye by Hyde never got old and still draws laughs out of me to this day. If you enjoyed That 70’s Show, tell me about your favorite moment in the series in the comments section.
As always, thanks for reading my post. Netflix currently has all eight seasons of That 70’s Show available for streaming and it’s also available on Blu-ray and DVD. Keep on rockin’, folks, and I’ll see you again real soon!
Imaginext just released three awesome new action figures in their new DC Super Friends XL line. Based on their smaller counterparts, these three figures tower over other Imaginext toys at around ten inches tall. The first three characters to be released are Superman, Batman, and The Flash.
Supes and Batman in their XL versions with John Stewart/Green Lantern in the traditional Imaginext size for comparison.
I was fortunate enough to acquire two of the figures, Batman and Superman, for review, and I have nothing but positive things to say about both figures.
These figures are essentially a supersized version of the traditional Imaginext figures. They feature the exact same articulation at the wrists, neck, arms, and legs as their smaller versions and have basically the same character design. The only things that I noticed different about the XL figures is that they are missing the foot holes that the smaller figures have and they appear to be made of a much harder plastic.
The packaging for the XL figures is very simple but extremely cool. The figures are fastened to a card back with a small “DC Super Friends” cardboard base. What makes the packaging so cool, though, is the bright artwork on the back. I’m tempted to keep the packaging for both figures!
I will probably end up getting the Flash figure as well. These brightly colored figures and their bulky size make for great display pieces, but if you are purchasing these toys for a youngster to play with, have no fear. These figures are sturdy and will definitely be able to take any and all punishment that is thrown at them!
I’m curious as to which characters will be in the next release for this line. Will it be Wonder Woman? The Joker? Harley Quinn? Possibly Cyborg or maybe Lex Luthor? All I know is that I’ll probably start purchasing more Imaginext figures as they become available.
Thanks for checking out this quick post about Imaginext’s new DC Super Friends XL action figures. Let me know in the comments if you like these figures or if you plan on keeping your collection at the traditional size level. I’ll be posting again real soon!
I’ve been going to Calcasieu Serialfest for a number of years now, and Chapter 7 will definitely go down as one of the most unique chapters in the festival’s history. COVID-19 has struck a massive blow to tons of events similar to Calcasieu Serialfest, but Serialfest’s smaller size and choice of venue allowed it to go off with only a few minor changes. Those changes were noticeable and sorely missed, but the festival was still just as fun as it has always been.
As stated in my previous post, this year’s festival focused on the career of Linda Stirling. There was no shortage of Stirling performances at the festival, as eight chapters were shown from four of her most popular serials: The Tiger Woman (1944), The Purple Monster Strikes (1945), The Crimson Ghost (1946), and Zorro’s Black Whip (1944). A brief history of Stirling’s life was also discussed.
Other serials featured included Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952), The Spider’s Web (1938), and Dick Tracy (1937). Fans of Star Trek were treated to one of Leonard Nimoy’s earliest performances in Zombies of the Stratosphere and also got to see Clayton Moore, television’s Lone Ranger, in one of his earliest performances as well in The Crimson Ghost.
Calcasieu Serialfest was held at the Brimstone Museum in Sulphur, LA as it has been for the last few years. The Brimstone always does an excellent job of providing the festival with a great venue and made sure that this year’s event fell well within the regulations and guidelines for COVID-19. While I missed the free lunch and popcorn that is usually provided for the event, safety is much more important. Besides, I got to check out a new Mexican restaurant in the area for lunch during the festival’s noon break.
I also missed seeing serial cosplayer Bill Necessary at the festival. He was unable to attend due to circumstances beyond his control.
Despite not having popcorn or free pizza this year, the festival did have an extremely unique gift for all of those that attended the event. The festival had special Green Hornet face masks made for the event and they were a huge hit! Not only did they have the masks, but they also had some wonderful stickers and Green Hornet buttons for anybody that wanted them.
Next year’s event is already in the works, and unlike previous events, the July 2021 version of Calcasieu Serialfest won’t focus on an individual. Instead, 2021’s version of the festival will be called Welcome To The Jungle and will highlight jungle and adventure serials! I can’t wait to see which serials will be highlighted.
As always, thanks for reading my post. The Calcasieu Serialfest took on COVID-19 and managed to pull off an excellent event. I hope to see all of you there next year!
Thanks to COVID-19, there haven’t been very many comic or pop culture conventions or festivals of any sort since March. Luckily for folks in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas, though, Calcasieu Serialfest is returning for another great year!
As in prior years, Calcasieu Serialfest will focus on one person’s career throughout the day. Linda Stirling is this year’s focus, and attendees will get the chance to see Stirling in selected chapters from serials such as Zorro’s Black Whip, The Tiger Woman, and The Purple Monster Strikes! Other serials that will be shown throughout the day include The Crimson Ghost, The Spider Returns, and Dick Tracy!
If you’re worried about the risk of COVID-19, please be aware that the festival has taken numerous measures to provide the safest possible environment to watch serials and enjoy the day. Chairs will be spaced at least six feet apart, masks will be required for entry into the event, and the free lunch and popcorn that was provided at previous festivals will not be available this year. There will be a break for lunch, but attendees can either bring their own food or visit one of the many local restaurants in Sulphur for lunch.
Unfortunately Bill Necessary will not be able to attend due to circumstances beyond his control. If you’ve attended the festival in prior years, you’ve seen Bill dressed up as characters such as The Phantom, The Green Hornet, and Captain Marvel. He’ll be sorely missed this year. With that being said, though, attendees are encouraged to wear their own costumes to the event if they so choose.
Calcasieu Serialfest will take place on Saturday, July 25th, from 10 AM to 5 PM with a break at noon for lunch. This is one of the few chances that many folks will get to geek out with friends and fans this year, so make sure to attend this wonderful FREE event and geek out for a bit!
Thanks for reading my post. I’ll be sure to post a follow-up about this year’s Calcasieu Serialfest in a couple of days.
I use Instagram a lot. I probably use it too much. I have two accounts on Instagram including @kens_alternate_universe and a personal account. One of the accounts that I follow is @thetravelingcrawfish, a blogger who posts travel photos, facts, and more about the great state of Louisiana. On Saturday she posted about Wolf Rock Cave on the edge of the Vernon Unit of Kisatchie National Forest. I never knew about this place until Saturday and it’s only about an hour away from my home, so I decided to hit the road with my kids to check out the only known cave in the state of Louisiana.
A shot of the front of the cave.
To see this rock formation in Louisiana is amazing. The cave isn’t very deep, but it’s one of the most unique features that you’ll ever see in the Pelican State. According to this article (please note, the article has been removed from the Leesville Daily Leader website), the cave has a larger room that has been sealed off because it was deemed too dangerous for would-be spelunkers to tackle. I’d love to see the big room, as it was apparently used as a shelter by natives long ago and was supposedly used to hide Union supplies and horses during the Civil War.
Bundicks Creek, which flows just down the hill from Wolf Rock Cave.
Getting to the cave isn’t tricky, but you will have to go off of the beaten path to get there. If you leave out of Rosepine headed east on Bailey Road, you’ll eventually take a left onto Parish Rd 455 (also called Providence Road) and drive until the pavement ends. Continue on the gravel road until you see the parking area for the cave. There’s an informational sign at the trailhead and it’s just a couple of minutes on a well kept trail to the cave. The cave sits high on a hill overlooking Bundicks Creek. There are no restroom facilities, benches, or trash bins on the trail or at the parking area, so be prepared to take all of your waste out of the area with you.
Thanks for reading this quick post. Wolf Cave Rock is a unique and wonderful site to visit. Learn more about it here and at the Vernon Parish tourism site.
Ken's Alternate Universe! 