In Queue Review – “Sorry for the Demon”!

“See? That? THAT’S how you cast out a demon! It’s totally different.”

Genre: Demonic Comedies With CAAAAAKE
Release Date: 2023 (release year; 2022 copyright)
Where I Watched: Shudder

Gist: Will just got dumped. So what else is there to do, but find new digs? Hey, there’s a house for rent, and the deal is amazing! Just one thing; the owners are trying to get rid of a demon that’s inhabiting the place. Y’know, by finding a renter for the demon to take, instead of their daughter…

Gotta say: A possessed house comedy? I was immediately intrigued. Shudder Originals can be hit or miss, even within each film, but I hit play based on nothing but the poster that for me harks back to BBC’s Ghosts and Evil Dead. But Demon is its own thing, which is a fun little comedy that leans into comedy more than scares. Still, it’s a nice one to stream if you can’t figure out what to watch. Why not a horror comedy love story about real estate?

Continue reading
Posted in In Horror, In Queue Review, Shudder | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “The Flash”!

Zoom! And let hint; you’ll want to go for these passes… Synopsis!

Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TrailerWatch – Shark Scientist Reacts to “The Meg 2” Trailer!

Dr. Sam Munroe is a super cool, super knowledgeable ecologist that specialized in sharks… So when she dives (heh) into shark media? It’s so much fun!

If, like me, you’re stoked to see Meg 2? (C’mon, you know it’s gonna be INSANE; just look at that poster! ) Check out her breakdown!

Bonus? Check out her deep dive (fine I’ll stop) of the first Meg, after the jump!

Continue reading
Posted in Trailers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “The Little Mermaid”!

Ready for a Disney live action remake – with fins? Synopsis!

The Little Mermaid,” visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar®-winning animated musical classic, opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 26, 2023. “The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Elsewhere Review – KIND Breakfast Protein – Dark Chocolate Cocoa

Originally published at A Green Man Review!

I’m a notorious breakfast-skipper. I tend to glide by the morning, latte in hand, waiting to feel hungry for lunch. I know. Not the best move. But I’m trying to get better, mostly by leaning hard on smoothies in the summer, oatmeal/grits packets in colder months, and various protein and/or fiber bars for fun. I say fun, because bars tend to be little more than candy dressed as health, as any peek at the nutrition labels will tell you. For the most part, I’ve settled on KIND’s Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew bar, which has a nice balance of protein, fiber, and low saturated fat. So when I heard about the KIND breakfast protein bar? I was excited. Sadly, I shouldn’t have been.

Continue reading
Posted in Elsewhere Reviews, Food n Drink, Green Man Review | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Fast X”!

Ready for the (maaaaaybe) final Fast and Furious films? Fast X is setting the stage, baybeeeee! Synopsis!

Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Elsewhere Reviews – Diamond Salted Dark Chocolate Walnuts

Originally published at Green Man Review!

Dark chocolate is a superfood. Walnuts are a superfood. So combining them would be super-duper, right? You bet’cha. These snacky bits are so super, in fact, I figured they’d come with a cape. Luckily though, no cape. Edna Mode would be proud.

I tend to stick with savory nuttiness (hello there, Smokehouse Almonds, and chili roasted pistachios!) But Diamond managed to blend sweet and savory into a delightful snack that had me reaching for more and more. Oh well, I guess lunch is this bag. Oopsie-doodle. I have no regrets. *grabs another bite and chops down with relish*

Continue reading
Posted in Elsewhere Reviews, Food n Drink, Green Man Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.” ends Our Gang’s story on a crazy, beautiful note

“It’s good to have friends.” (SHUT UP YOU’RE CRYING)

Story: When we left our Guardians, Gamora had been lost, but found, then lost again, as her alternate-self left for parts unknown. Needless to say, Peter/StarLord isn’t taking that well at all. But when a fight leaves a crewmember so severely wounded that even their advanced medical tech can’t help? It’s time for a road trip! Star trip? You know what I mean, y’all.

Genre I’d put it in: Trilogy Enders That Stick The Landing
Release Date: 2023
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the Guardians of the Galaxy comic book characters. Part of the MCU, and the third installment of the GotG films.

Gotta say: Remember when a Marvel movie was an event? Like when we’d all get stoked about the latest installment, hope for a screening, and then dissect every little plot point for weeks, excited for the next one? Yeah, no longer. Now it feels like it’s just another movie in just another Phase, where nothing makes sense and the story has no point, let alone a real connection to an overarching plan. So here we are, at the end of James Gunn’s Guardians trilogy. And what’s up? Why, only the best installment of this series, and one of the best MCU entries to date. Have I forgiven the MCU? Not yet. But with more stories like 3, I could get there.

Continue reading
Posted in Movie Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”!

Ready for the end of a trilogy? Yeah, I don’t want this to end either, but… Synopsis!

In Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading
Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Elsewhere Review: Lindt Lindor Dark Chocolate Truffles

Originally published at Green Man Review!

Dark chocolate is awesome. We all know this. It’s decadent. It’s bittersweet. It’s good for your heart. It may even prevent some forms of cancer! But when chocolate touts itself as dark but isn’t? It’s not just a sad trombone for me. It’s a sad trombone I want to smash onto someone’s head. What can I say? I Hulk out when I’m lied to. It’s a thing. So these truffles and I probably shouldn’t attend any concerts together. All I’m saying.

It was tough to figure out the exact cocoa percentage in these truffles; Lindt/Lindor has 60% and 70% Extra Dark Chocolate truffles, which typically are the vast majority of info that will pop up. Even Lindt won’t say.   But, finally, Carmelina spilled the tea. So, in pure terms, it’s dark chocolate In Name Only. True dark chocolate has percentages between 50-90%, so these truffles could be considered milk chocolate with aspirations. And that definitely comes through in the appearance, and mouthfeel, of these candies. 

The truffle filling is the exact same color as the shell, so it’s tough to figure out what starts when, unless you pop the pack into the fridge to let the shell harden up. And even then, the high level of cocoa butter keeps things soft and smooth, rather than that satisfying snap true dark chocolate has. Biting into one of these truffles has your teeth sinking into the chocolate as a knife would through butter; an easy slide that lets you know this is gonna be a smooth experience, but isn’t the satisfying bite I was hoping for.

Milk chocolate lovers will absolutely adore the way the butters and milk solids in this chocolate melt in their mouths. Me? I thought it was a lovely change of pace from my dark chocolate intrigues, but as a gal who has to watch her saturated fat intake? I’d much rather spend my limited SatFat calories on something good and good for me, rather than something that’ll “do for now”. Yep, it’s like that y’all. 

These truffles are lovely with a cup of coffee or tea, or whatever warm beverage you have on offer. Otherwise? They’re too rich for cooler temps, leaving a cocoa-buttery fat skim on your tongue (that that warm bevvie will melt right off.) As with any other fatty/rich food? Champagne or other sparkling wine can also pair nicely. Maybe even a lovely aged brandy; whisky might overpower things, and balance in your snacking experience is key.

So, my dark chocolate loving compatriots? If you’re craving some darkness in your life, I’d choose Lindt’s 60 or 70 percent truffles rather than these. While they’re smooth and rich, and melt delightfully on the tongue? They’re just not the same as the real thing. 

P.S.: The batch I received through Amazon had a bit of “fat bloom” on them. Nothing to worry about, they’re still A-OK in terms of being safe to consume. But in case anyone else was wondering what’s up with a strange gritty or oily white coating on their chocolate? It’s bloom. And as I’ve never has this happen with Lindt chocolates before, I’m betting the strange “summer before spring” weather fluctuations we had earlier this month was the cause of it. Can’t be fun for chocolates to sit in a delivery truck when weather ebbs and flows…

Posted in Elsewhere Reviews, Food n Drink, Green Man Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment