“The First Purge” – fourth time’s the flop sweat

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Denise
Sometimes I’m too lazy for a full-out piece. Sometimes everything I’ve got to say about a film can be summarized in a few sentences, or stream of consciousness. So herewith, a quick-n-dirty on…

Nutshell: The poster on the left tells you all you need to know about the heavy-handed messaging in First. But all the promise the prequel trailers had dies quickly under the weight of way too many cookie-cutter cliches and character stereotypes. Let’s hope the next one – and I’m sure there’ll be one – makes the series great again. Grade: D+

“What do you mean, participate?”

Continue reading →

Posted in Movie Reviews, Review In A Flash | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: “Skyscraper”!

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Denise

Wanna see Dwayne Johnson go all Die Hard?  Me too – and I’ve got passes for his newest joint, Skyscraper!  Synopsis!

Dwayne Johnson leads the cast of Legendary’s Skyscraper as former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and U.S. war veteran Will Sawyer, who now assesses security for skyscrapers.  On assignment in China he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it.  A wanted man on the run, Will must find those responsible, clear his name and somehow rescue his family who is trapped inside the building…above the fire line.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading →

Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: “Ant-Man and The Wasp”!

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Denise

It’s superhero time y’all!  And now we get to know what Scott Lang was up to around the time of Infinity War.  Synopsis!

In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading →

Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Documentary “Mountain” climbs high

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Denise

“Their lure is a kind of madness.”

What is it: Mountain is a documentary narrated by Willem Dafoe. It’s about…mountains. Obviously. And how we react to – and interact with – them.

Should you see it: If you’re into sweeping visuals, compelling narration, and a look into the human psyche?  Yes. Absolutely. A fan of mountains and doing All The Things on them?  You’ve probably already left this page and headed out to queue up. Continue reading →

Posted in Movie Reviews, What/Why/How | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Elsewhere Review: Righteous Felon Jerky Cartel, Victorious B.I.G. Beef Jerky

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Denise
Published at The Green Man Review. Read the original piece here!

Westchester PA based company, Righteous Felon crafts a whole lot of jerky.  But I sunk my teeth into their Victorious B.I.G. because I needed to know what beer infused jerky tasted like. This one’s a collaboration with PA’s Victory Brewing Company, using their Storm King Imperial Stout to infuse this jerky. So this collaboration is all PA, and it feels like a match made in beer and beef heaven.

That taste you get when you use a good dark beer in a marinade or stew? Right here.  That lovely smooth umami filled my mouth the moment I bit into a piece. Hell, as soon as I opened the bag that deep delicious smell hit me. And I loved it.
Continue reading →

Posted in Food n Drink | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pony News: BronyCon welcomes back M.A. LARSON Y’ALL!!!

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Denise

GAAAAAAAH!!!  M.A. Larson is coming to this year’s BronyCon!  I can’t wait, I can’t wait!

You too?  Well then, why should I blather about how this writer – and My Little Pony con legend – is so awesome, when y’all can read the deets after the jump?

Continue reading →

Posted in Convention-al, Pony News | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation”!

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Denise

YAAAAY!  Batsies!  Oh, and the whole crew of Hotel Transylvania is back for round 3!  Synopsis!

In Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, join our favorite monster family as they embark on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. It’s smooth sailing for Drac’s Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to exotic excursions, and catching up on their moon tans. But the dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could destroy all of monsterkind.

I’m more than ready to see this new entry into the Hotel Transylvania franchise. You too? Let’s go!

Continue reading →

Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” – fun but boilerplate dino spectacle

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Denise

Nutshell: Big-ass dinosaurs!  If that’s all it takes to float your boat, you’ll have a good time. Need more?  Tough. Kingdom ain’t bad, but it’s not particularly good either.  It is a whole lot of groovy dino-mayhem/CGI spectacle though. If that’s okay with you and your summer blockbuster schedule? Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show. Grade: C

“Relax. Anything in here’d be dead by now.”

Story: After the events of World, former park honcho Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) and animal behaviorist Owen (Chris Pratt) have gone their separate ways. Claire runs a save-the-dinos group, and Owen just wants to live in a cabin away from it all.  But they come together when Isla Nublar’s volcano becomes active, threatening the lives of every dino on the island. Let’s rescue some! I’m sure nothing bad will happen; everything’s been safe as houses so far.

Continue reading →

Posted in 7 Pieces Of, Movie Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Con News: BronyCon adds more space to Crystal Café events!

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Denise

GAAAAAAAH! BronyCon is adding a cafe! In fact, it’s adding the Crystal Café! And I can’t wait to see how cool it’s gonna be. Because it’s gonna be WAY COOL. So cool in fact, that they’re opening MOAR SPACES! So go register right now, everypony!

Let’s just skip to the details this time, shall we? Read on for the full 411!
Continue reading →

Posted in Convention-al | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The First Purge”!

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Denise

Just remember all the good the Purge does…

Yep; that last Purge film wrapped stuff up pretty tight, right?  But ever wonder how all that crazy first started?  Well, there’s a film for that; The First Purge.  And I’ve got passes y’all! Synopsis!

Behind every tradition lies a revolution.  Next Independence Day, witness the rise of our country’s 12 hours of annual lawlessness.  Welcome to the movement that began as a simple experiment: The First Purge. To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) test a sociological theory that vents aggression for one night in one isolated community.  But when the violence of oppressors meets the rage of the marginalized, the contagion will explode from the trial-city borders and spread across the nation.

Plus, who doesn’t love Marisa Tomei?  Ready?  Let’s go!

Continue reading →

Posted in Free Screenings | Tagged , | 11 Comments