Author Archives: george

THE PRINCESS BRIDE (SPECIAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) [Blu-ray]

the princess bride
The Princess Bride is one of my favorite all-time movies. This 25th Anniversary Edition in Blu-ray includes plenty of goodies in addition to the dazzling movie. And TARGET is selling this version of The Princess Bride for $5.00. This is certainly the Bargain of the Week!
EXTRAS
Audio Commentary by Rob Reiner
Audio Commentary by William Goldman
As You Wish: The Story of The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes Video Diary
Miraculous Makeup
The Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Pirate of the Seven Seas
Love is Like a Storybook
The Princess Bride The Untold Tales featurette
The Art of Fencing featurette
Fairytales and Folklore featurette
Original theatrical trailer
Easter Eggs

NY JETS VS. BUFFALO BILLS

buffalo-bills-vs_-ny-jets
After the Buffalo Bills lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins in a 5-day disastrous period a week ago, the Bills now face the Jets today in a meaningless game for both teams. The 2-8 Jets are going nowhere and the 5-5 Bills have a 4% chance of making the Playoffs. Playing this game on Monday night in Detroit–on a neutral field–in front of “fans” who got free tickets to attend the game makes the whole thing bogus to me. What do you think?

WHY THE JETS VS. BILLS GAME WAS MOVED

snow
The NFL wisely moved the NY Jets vs. Buffalo Bills game from Ralph Wilson Stadium at Sunday at 1 P.M. to Detroit on Monday night. Seven feet of snow proved too much even for the NFL. Hopefully the stadium will be cleared of the 220 tons of snow for the game against the Cleveland Browns next Sunday. How will your favorite NFL team do today?

MOCKINGJAY, PART ONE

the-hunger-games_-mockingjay-pt-1-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-608x608
I’ve read Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy and enjoyed the first two movies. Jennifer Lawrence is great as feisty Katniss Everdeen (who is pretty good with a bow and arrow). In a dystopian future, the 1% enjoy luxury as the rest of humanity struggles in poverty. Each year, gladiatorial games feature fights to the death with the survivor named a Champion and showered with treasure. The first book in the trilogy was my favorite. But I thought the second book, which brings back the Champions to compete again, would be the better movie (it was). But the greed of Hollywood resulted in dividing the third movie into two parts (more money!). Sadly, Philip Seymour Hoffman died before this movie was completed. His role has been reduced. Other subplots have been elongated. The result is a mess. Don’t hurry to see this disaster. GRADE: C-

For another review of Mockingjay, Part One click here.

FORGOTTEN BOOKS #295: TROS OF SAMOTHRACE By Talbot Mundy


Tros of Samothrace is a Greek adventurer whose path crosses Julius Caesar’s throughout this series. Plenty of trickery and combat result. Talbot Mundy wrote these stories back in the 1920s but the spirit of High Adventure still lives in these pages. Here’s the original publishing dates:
The original sequence of novellas appeared as follows:
1. “Tros of Samothrace”, 10 February 1925 (later became chapters 1-14 of the novel)
2. “The Enemy of Rome”, 10 April 1925 (chapters 15-26)
3. “Prisoners of War”, 10 June 1925 (chapters 27-37)
4. “Hostages to Luck”, 20 August 1925 (chapters 38-51)
5. “Admiral of Caesar’s Fleet”, 10 October 1925 (chapters 52-66)
6. “The Dancing Girl of Gades”, 10 December 1925 (chapters 67-81)
7. “Messenger of Destiny”, part 1, 10 February 1926 (chapters 82-87)
8. “Messenger of Destiny”, part 2, 20 February 1926 (chapters 88-92)
9. “Messenger of Destiny”, part 3, 28 February 1926 (chapters 93-96)

Avon Books reprinted the Tros of Samothrace series in the 1960s (6 volumes) and Zebra Books reprinted them in the 1970s (3 volumes). I prefer the Avon editions especially Volumes 5 and 6 with wonderful Jeff Jones covers. If you’re a fan of High Adventure and epic journeys, the Tros series will delight you! This is Old School excitement.

STARBUCKS ARIA & BRIGHT SKY

starbucks aria
starbucks bright sky
I’m a big fan of Starbucks Blonde coffee. Regular Starbucks coffee can be too strong with some bitterness. Not the Blonde variety. They’re always smooth and mellow. Starbacks brought out Willow and Veranda Blonde coffees a couple years ago. Now, Starbucks has introduced two new flavors: Aria and Bright Sky. Both are yummy. If you’re a coffee lover, you need to try these two new Starbucks Blonde coffees. Bright Sky has a light, nutty flavor that’s similar to that of toasted mixed nuts. Aria has a hint of citrus and cocoa. Both are refreshing!

THIS IS WHAT FIVE FEET OF SNOW LOOKS LIKE

buffalo-snow-cnn-640x360
Right now we’re in the middle of a three-day “Snow Event.” Lake Effect snow is falling at the rate of 3 to 5 inches per hour. All the schools are closed. Most of the roads are closed. There are travel bans in effect. Usually, Western New York doesn’t get hit with this kind of snow until December or January. But, here it is and we have to deal with it. I’ve got Big Orange primed to snow blow whatever snow comes our way later in the week. So far, the heavy snow is falling on Buffalo and the South Towns. Temperatures are in the teens. But, surprisingly, things will warm up on Sunday to 45 degrees in time for the Jets vs. Bills game!

THE COMPLETE BATMAN TV SERIES [Blu-ray]

COMPLETE BAT-MAN TV SERIES
After waiting for years, The Complete Batman TV Series is finally available. I loved this show as a kid. Sure, it was campy and silly. But it was different and entertaining. Here on 13 Blu-ray discs are all 120 episodes (3019 minutes!). There are three hours of extra content. And, for you collectors out there, highly Collectible Premiums like Hot Wheels® Replica Batmobile, The Adam West Scrapbook, and 44 Vintage Trading Cards are included! How can you pass this up? This is the perfect holiday gift for that person on your list who has Everything! Who was your favorite Batman villain? Mine was Julie Newmar as Catwoman.
catwoman