Monday, March 5, 2018

COCO Blu-ray Review

PG; 105 minutes; Walmart
Now available on Blu-ray Combo Pack from Disney Home Entertainment is Pixar's latest animated blockbuster COCO, which recently won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Animated and an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Directed by Lee Unkrich, the film features the talented voice-cast of
Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renée Victor, Ana Ofelia Murguía, and Edward James Olmos.
The set in Mexico, the film centers around a young boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a great musician, just like the famous entertainer Ernesto de la Cruz. However, his family won't let him become a musician; well, to more specific, none of his family are allowed to have anything to do with music. His great-great-grandmother, Imelda Rivera, was married to a musician who later abandoned her and their three-year-old daughter, Coco (Miguel's great-grandmother). Imelda banned music from their lives and later became a shoemaker. After her death, Coco and her family continued the shoemaker business. And of course Miguel is supposed to join the family's business one day.

Miguel plans on entering the Day of the Dead talent show, but he's quickly caught by his grandmother Elena, who breaks his guitar. Despite his family's rejection, Miguel sneaks out his home with the intention of entering the talent contest. There's only one little problem - he needs to find a new guitar. After accidentally knocking over a family photo of Imelda and Coco, Miguel begins to believe that his great-great-grandfather is the late Ernesto de la Cruz. Then he gets the idea of breaking into Ernesto's crypt to borrow his great-great-grandfather's famous guitar that's displayed there. 

However, things don't as Miguel had planned. The moment he stole the guitar, a curse was put upon him, making him become invisible to the living, but he can be seen by the dead and interact with them. The only way to return to the living is for him to get a blessing from his dead great-great-grandmother. She is more than happy to give him a blessing, but she refuses to give him permission to become a musician. That's when Miguel gets another idea. He goes on a search for his great-great-grandfather Ernesto in the Land of the Dead with the intention of getting his blessing.

Blu-ray Special Features include:

  • Deleted Scenes with Introductions - Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.” 
    • Día de los Muertos - In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz. 
    • The Way of the Riveras - A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions. 
    • Celebrity Tour - Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz. 
    • The Family Fix - After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home. 
    • To the Bridge - As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
  • Filmmaker CommentaryPresented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
  • The Music of “Coco” - Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and some unique instrumentation, this documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
  • Paths to Pixar: “Coco” - Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
  • Welcome to the Fiesta - A musical exploration of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
  • How to Draw a Skeleton - Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
  • A Thousand Pictures a Day - Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday.
  • Mi Familia - Developing the Riveras was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
  • Land of Our Ancestors Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
  • Fashion Through the Ages The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
  • The Real Guitar The majestic guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique creation. Watch as it is initially designed by a Pixar artist and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic ode to craftsmanship.
  • Dante - How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante.
  • How to Make Papel Picado - Join Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González as we learn how papel picado is made traditionally, and then try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
  • Un Poco “Coco” - A montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco.”
  • “Coco Trailers” - Trailers include “Feeling,” “Dante’s Lunch,” “Destiny,” “Journey” and “Belong.”



Final Thoughts

Friday, March 2, 2018

Book Blogger Hop: March 2nd - 8th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Elizabeth  @ Silver's Reviews.


Off the book topic...do you use a mouse pad? If so, what is on it?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer:

The mouse pad I use for my desktop computer has a blue liquid background with red liquid, which is supposed to resemble blood.



Linky List:

Why Are Women With British Accents So Attractive?


I didn't realize today was the 2nd until I glanced at the calendar a few minutes ago and noticed that I needed to change the month to March. I've had a long week with very little sleep. All my blogging, reviewing, and freelance writing projects have been shoved into a late at night schedule (usually past  midnight), which is the #1 reason why I missed hours of sleep this week. When I do try to sleep, I tend to wake up after 90 minutes or so, fully awake! I guess I just have too many things on my mind right now.

If you have read any of my recent ramblings, you would know that I started collecting Funko Pop!s at the end of December. Now I've started collecting a few Hasbro Star Wars: The Black Series 6" action figures. Well, I wouldn't call it a collection yet, as there are only three in my collection so far - Guavian, Sergent Jyn Erso, and Kanan Jarrus. I wasn't planning on collecting these, but I found them on sale at my local Walmart for $5 each. So, I thought, "Why Not!" Probably my favorite from three would be "Jyn Erso," a character from Rogue One. I also have a Funko Pop! bobble head of the character.

Why do I like Jyn so much?

Well, it probably has something to do with the act that I have a slight crush on Felicity Jones, the actress who played Jyn. Yes, it's quite normal to have crushes on a celebrities, but it seems that all the actresses that I currently like are British. My favorite actresses are Hayley Atwell, Olivia Cooke, Daisy Ridley, Jenna Coleman, Keria Knightley, and Emilia Clarke. I don't why! I have no idea how to explain this phenomenon!

Well, maybe it has something to do with their British accents!

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

I'm Going To Be Starting a Ketogenic Diet!





After recovering from having the flu for nearly two weeks, followed by a bad sore throat, I'm now wanting to kick-start my body back into shape. Or just lose several much needed pounds that I've gained since last Halloween. I'm been reading up on ketogenic diet, which is basically a low-carb diet, and I believe that's the prefect route for me. However, before I start the actually diet, I'm going to test out my body's ketones levels by going on a ketogenic fast. 

While I'm on this fast (which will probably be only 3 days), I'm going to be taking the Keto Fast Supplement Powder (retails for $56.95). The powder is mostly Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) Salts, which is used for fat burning and weight loss.

There are 10 servings (scoop) per container and each serving has only 35 calories. There are no sugars or fats in it. The powder contains 819mg of Calcium (from BHB Salt), 175mg of Sodium (from Sodium BHB Salt), 250mg of Stevia Extract, and 11,700mg of Ketone Fuel Intricate (Calcium  Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, Sodium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate). There are no caffeine or stimulants in it.



Final Thoughts

Starting An Online Store For Beginners


Your typical blogger isn't rich by any means. Trust me, I should know! Besides from the occasional sponsored post, I get zero income from blogging. However, there are other ways to make some money online. Many bloggers have a wide variety side business, such as designing blogs & websites, selling used books, running an eBay store, and even selling Funko POP!s. Since I've increased my social media presences on Instagram this year, I've noticed many Funko collectors have started their own businesses by selling POP!s and other collectable toys online. I think this is a great idea.

After doing a bit of research on starting an online store, I thought I would share with you three simple tips that will hopefully help someone who is dreaming of starting their own store.


Stock Up on Merchandise

For starters, you need to figure out what you are going to sell in your store. Once you make that decision, then you need to stock up on merchandise. There are different ways of going about this, all depending on what you're wanting to sell. If you want to sell used books, then I would recommend buying books from thrift stores and garage sales at a cheap price. Or if you're wanting to sell Funko POP!s or other toys, I would recommend starting out by buying a few that are on clearance at department stores, such as Walmart and Target. You can also seek out manufacturers and wholesalers, but if you go this route, make sure to do your research, so you can get the best deals. 

And you can also take a chance at buying storage units, as sometimes you can find great items in them.

Create a Website

Once you have your merchandise, you need to set up a simple website for your online shop. Don't worry if you don't have a big budget for this, as there are many website builders that are cheap. I'm recommending either www.website.com or www.wix.com. Both of these sites offer "basic" free websites, but if you want more services with them, then you need to get a subscription. Plus, you need to get your very own domain, as it will make your store look more professional. I wouldn't recommend getting a web designer until your store has been up and running for awhile. If your business is successful, then you can seek out a designer. Until, then keep your website's layout simple and easy to use for your customers.

Know Your Customers

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Late Night Rambling: Books and Horror Flicks!



My original plans for tonight was to watch The Flash on the CW, followed by The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel, and then go to bed early. Well, I must have gotten a second wind, as I ended up doing a bit of cleaning in the bedroom, made a cup of coffee, and I'm now listening to an Ella Henderson album while I'm writing this post.

I'm finding it hard to believe that March is almost here. 2018 is already going by too fast, and I haven't even gotten the things I wanted to do done. While I have put a huge dent in my needs-to-be-read piles, there are a few books I still need to write reviews for. If everything goes as planned, I should start on those reviews sometime tomorrow. Also, I'll be posting my review for House of Secrets by V.C. Andrews sometime this week. It took me a bit longer to read this one, but I'm finished with it. Next, I'll be reading Goosebumps: Please Do Not Feed The Weirdo by R.L. Stine. Then I'll start reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which I received through the Blogging For Books program.

Hopefully, I'll have time to read two books that I had recently purchased on Amazon.com. These books are Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie and The Sinner by Petra Hammesfahr. I almost picked up Murder On The Orient Express at Walmart last year about the same time the feature film was in theaters, but when I decided to buy it, it was sold out. Then I almost bought it at Barnes & Nobles earlier this month, but it was a little pricey there, so I just got it off of Amazon, where it was cheaper. Yes, I've seen the movie. Fox Home Entertainment had sent me the Blu-ray to review a day before it was released. It's been a really long time since I had received anything from Twentieth Century Fox (which is now owned by Disney), so I was surprised (and thrilled) to receive it. As for The Sinner, I had watched several episodes of the USA adaptation on On Demand last year, but Mediacom (the cable company) never put up the rest of the episodes. I ended up buying the DVD when it was released a few weeks. Anyhow, I had looked for the book last year, but never could find it. I never thought it about the book again until I was on Amazon ordering the Agatha Christie novel, so I decided to order it, too.

Disney nicely sent me the Blu-ray of Coco (which was released today). It's a cute movie. I should have my review for it posted tomorrow. Over the past few months, Mill Creek Entertainment has sent me several great DVD and Blu-ray titles. I spent a couple of nights last week binge watching Secrets and Lies: Season One DVD, a series that aired a few years ago ABC that I never got around to watching. There are only ten episodes, but the show is really addicting. I'll probably be writing my review for it in the next few days. Also, I need to write a review for Shadow Stalkers: 10 Terrifying Features DVD. Then I need to finish watching the Horseland: The Complete Series and Street Shark: The Complete Series DVDs. These two are cartoons, and I would like to post a review for at least one of them on Saturday morning. Well, see what happens!

Blu-ray Review - Murder On The Orient Express

PG-13; 114 minutes; $34.99

Available today on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the suspenseful thriller Murder On The Orient Express. Produced by Kenneth Branagh along with Ridley Scott (Alien: Covenant), Simon Kinberg (Logan), Mark Gordon (Molly’s Game), Judy Hofflund (As You Like It) and Michael Schaefer (The Martian),   the film features the talented cast of Branagh (who also directs), Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise), Josh Gad (Frozen), Leslie Odom, JR., Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley (Star Wars franchise).

Based on the 1934 novel of the same name by late great mystery author Agatha Christie, the film centers on Hercule Poirot (played by Branagh), a Belgian detective who plans on taking a much needed vacation in Istanbul after solving a theft case in Jerusalem. However, Poirot's plans are interrupted when he receives a message to return immediately to London to work on another case. Luckily, he knows Bouc (played by Tom Bateman), the director of the Orient Express, who offers him a room aboard the train.

Shortly after the train departs, Poirot meets Edward Ratchett (played by Depp), a businessman who offers to hire Poirot as a bodyguard for the three-day train ride. Edward had received a threatening letter and now fears for his life. Poirot turns down the offer, as he wants to get a little bit of rest while aboard the train.

The next morning, Ratchett is found dead in his cabin. He had been stabbed multiple times. Coincidentally, an avalanche derails the train's engine, leaving Poirot no choice but to solve murder; which isn't an easy task to accomplish as there are no witnesses. After finding a burnt note, he learns that Ratchett was in fact John Cassetti, a child killer. 

Due to the avalanche, the murderer still has to be aboard, which means one of the passengers is the Ratchett's killer. One by one, Poirot interviews each suspect and uses his case-solving abilities to unravel the mystery.

4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD Special Features include:
  • Agatha Christie: An Intimate Portrait
  • Let’s Talk About Hercule Poirot
  • Unusual Suspects (Part One, Two and Three)
  • The Art of Murder
  • All Aboard: Filming Murder on the Orient Express Music of Murder
  • Deleted Scenes (with and without Commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green) 
    • Alternate Opening 
    • Newsreel (Extended) 
    • Breakfast 
    • Hotel Check-In 
    • Arasta Bazaar (Extended) 
    • Train Montage 
    • Departure 
    • Poirot Bedtime Rituals (with two alternates) 
    • Pierre Michel Interview 
    • Luggage 
    • Dreamscape 
  • Director commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green 
  • Theatrical Trailers 
  • Gallery




Final Thoughts