Elsewhere Review – Scharffen Berger 62% Semisweet Dark Chocolate Bar

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Denise
Originally at The Green Man Review!

Scharffen Berger is an American chocolatier that’s been crafting all sorts of chocolatey goodness since 1996. They’re very popular in the restaurant community, but I’ve rarely seen them in stores. What can I say, I don’t frequent the gourmet establishments.  For I am cheap. But getting a hold of this bar has me wanting to check out more from this company.

Why? Well, it’s simple. They’ve got a way with their chocolate. This bar has got a nice creaminess to it, while still keeping the “snap” of a seriously good dark chocolate. (Okay, so true dark chocolate is typically touted as relatively healthy at 70%, but stay with me for a sec.) Then there’s the quick & dirty list of ingredients. Five ingredients, to be specific. Chocolate, sugar, sunflower lecithin, and whole vanilla beans.Which makes it not only comforting to snack on – hey, I understand every word in that list – but makes it unintentionally vegan. Note to hardcore vegans; as this company makes lots of stuff with dairy items, it might not be 100% vegan. But at least the recipe is. Win? Win-ish? It’s also gluten-free, for folks who look for that bit of info.

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “No Hard Feelings”!

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Denise

Time for some shenanigans? You bet! Synopsis!

Maddie (Lawrence) thinks she’s found the answer to her financial troubles when she discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, and bring him out of his shell before he leaves for college. But awkward Percy proves to be more of a challenge than she expected, and time is running out. She has one summer to make him a man or lose it all.

Ready? Let’s go!

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“The Blackening”

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Denise

“Happy Juneteenth!”

Story: A group of friends gather together for the first time in ten years…in a cabin (actually a pretty sweet house) in the woods. Sounds familiar? Well, this time Our Gang is gathering to celebrate Juneteenth. That’s right; they’re black. But instead of their sheer numbers giving the Big Bad apoplexy, and thus saving their lives? They’re told they need to sacrifice one of their friend group. How to choose: “Who’s the blackest?” Aaaaaaand GO.

Genre I’d put it in: Comical Cabin Horror
Release Date: 2023
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Parodies the slasher movie subgenre, and a short film by the comedy group 3Peat.

Gotta say: “The following is based on true events… That never happened.” That’s what you’ll see at the very start of this film. So get yourself prepped for a eye-winking, self-aware, horror satire that centers the fun on showing every bit of the nonsense horror tropes actually are. All the while crafting whipsmart comedy that will have you guffawing first, then thinking hard later.

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “Elemental”!

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Denise

Ready to get your Pixar on? Synopsis!

Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.

Ready? Let’s go!

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“The Flash” soars above previous DCEU films

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Denise

“For the record, I think this is insane.”

Story: It’s been a few years since the Justice League got together and saved Earth from Mother Boxes, Steppenwolf, and muddled storytelling. So now that Barry Allen/The Flash has time to think about things? He thinks it’d be a fantastic idea to use his Speed Force to go back in time to save his mom’s life. What could possibly go wrong? Um, has he watched any time-travel movies? Cue hijinks!

Genre I’d put it in: Series Farewells That Are The Best of the Bunch
Release Date: 2023
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the characters created by DC comics. Part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Gotta say: I wrestled with going to see Flash. With the allegations leveled at Miller, I was concerned I’d be a part of trying to whitewash those incidents. But with Miller seemingly getting help for his troubles? I figured if he was willing to try, I was willing to chance things. And Flash is hands-down the best film the DCEU has put out to date, and an excellent way to put a period onto what I think of as the Snyder-verse Phase. Yes, it’s got some hiccups, but overall Flash seems to know exactly what both fans and casual moviegoers want, and gives it to ’em.

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In Queue Review – “Sorry for the Demon”!

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Denise

“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?

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “The Flash”!

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Denise

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!

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

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Denise

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!

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

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Denise

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!

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Elsewhere Review – KIND Breakfast Protein – Dark Chocolate Cocoa

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Denise
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.

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