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.

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.

Prashant expressed a wish to enjoy some snow. Here’s a gallery of photos that show what a “Snow Event” really looks like. Just click here.

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!

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!

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.

I’ve been a fan of Phil and Kaja Foglio’s Agatha Heterodyne series for years. The Foglio’s have a graphic novel series and these print novels published by Night Shade Books. I like them both. Part Steampunk and part slap-stick comedy, these books present a genius woman, Agatha, as she tries to discover her powers. However, Agatha has plenty of enemies–some wacky and some deadly. In this latest volume, Agatha enters the Heterodyne Castle where its artificial intelligence has been damaged and fragmented into twelve “personalities.” Agatha needs to “fix” the Castle before an invading army destroys her. If you’re a fan of action and adventure, Agatha H and the Voice of the Castle is a lot of fun. If you’re interested in the graphic novels, you can read them for FREE at www.girlgeniusonline.com. GRADE: B+

As a result of the devastating 22-9 loss to Miami last Thursday night, the Bills have this Sunday off to reflect on “what could have been.” Wins over the Texans, Chiefs, or Dolphins (all teams the Bills had leads on at critical times in their games) could have saved their season. Now, at 5-5 the Bills are going nowhere. New owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, will make Big Changes based on the mediocrity of this team and its coaching staff. How is your favorite NFL team going to perform today?

Some would argue that Matt Smith was the best Doctor Who of all. There’s no doubt the Matt Smith years brought the Doctor Who series to a world audience. Ratings soared! And, Matt Smith had the Good Luck to be partnered with my favorite Companion of all time: Karen Gillian. If you’re a Doctor Who fan, this wonderful 16 Blu-ray disc box set is a must-buy. Any Doctor Who fan on your Gift List would love to find this under their tree! There’s nearly 40 hours of great viewing in this set! Highly recommended!