Metallica and their Death Magnetic

I am a huge fan of Metallica, have been since I was 15. For a time my taste in music was top 40's pop but when the Black Album came out circa 1991, my taste went from light to heavy and i devoured it. Metallica is the only band that I will buy their album without listening to it first, that's how great of a band they are. I have loved every one of their albums from Kill 'em All to Death Magnetic, their latest release. It is back to basics for the Metaliboys with their speed metal frenzy of a record. Death Magnetic is a great album, with songs like The Day That Never Comes and my personal favorite, That Was Just Your Life. It reminds me of another one of their opus's, Master of Puppets. I will have to say that St. Anger was not their greatest but they made up for it with Death Magnetic. Metallica's music may not be for everyone but that's why I like it!

Rod Serling's Night Gallery

I am a big fan of the Twilight Zone. So I jumped at the chance to take a look at Rod Serling's second series which is called Night Gallery, which, i think, is like the Twilight Zone but a little scarier. These scary elements were suspenseful not the blood and guts type gore that our world is used to. These tactics were used during a simpler time when just the sound of a voice or the face in the window scared you enough to wet your pants. I, unfortunately, was not around to see this when it was on television but with the first season on DVD I am able to experience this series not only with superb sound but with great picture as well. There were only three seasons to this great series and unfortunately Mr. Serling passed in 1975 so he was unable to put together another great series like his previous two. Season two comes out onto DVD in November so of course I can't wait to purchase it! If you are looking for a scare that doesn't remind you of the 6 O'clock news, then this is it!

Politics and I Just Don't Mix

I can't stand politics, I would rather stick my fingers in a door and then slam it shut, but any who the Presidential Debate was tonight, the first of three for Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. They talked about stuff that made me want to tear my eyes out of their sockets. I am not too excited about either candidate but I already have in my head who I am going to vote for and it is Senator........ I really didn't get a lot of the political jargon mostly I was laughing at the faces that McCain made when Obama spoke. In the experience department, McCain wins bar none. I thought it was a classic father figure statement when after Obama said that he would invade Pakistan, McCain said "You don't say that out loud." I was rolling as was everyone else in the room. That is my 2 cents for now. Can't wait for the next two debates! Boo Yah!

Why Would Anyone Want to Read About Pez Dispensers?

If you are reading this, I know that is the question on your mind, and also why would I blog about it? Simple, its all about me, just kidding. I find collecting Pez Dispensers a soothing hobby, right up there with sitting on my duff watching t.v. I happen to have about 400 of them, probably half of those are in their respective packaging. My favorite is probably the Elvis Pez dispensers which I have a picture of, second are my Star Wars dispensers and then my super hero ones. Most dispensers range from .99 cents to a 1.99, either way it is a cheap hobby because it doesn't brake your bank. I am a nerd in the fact that mine are displayed in my living room for all the world to see along with other sorts of goods that I have collected through the years, my wife and my daughter even enjoy them. As a matter of fact my wife started my collection for me by finding a bag full of them at a garage sale for about .25 cents a piece, there was i think about 7 dollars worth. That has been a few years ago. If by some twist of fate you decide to collect something, Pez dispensers are the way to go! I have to go now, i just heard that some old woman just passed away and all of her dispensers were being thrown in the garbage, man what a life!

Ah, Remember Those Classic Halloween Costumes

I am a nostalgia nerd, self proclaimed. Sometimes I think about those old times just to escape from the hum drum that is everyday life. It is especially fitting during this fall time of year to be nostalgic of all things Halloween because it is just around the corner. Well I happen to be a collector of vintage Halloween costumes, you remember the type, the vinyl costume with the plastic mask that came in a box. Nowadays they just come on hangers (whats the point.) Ben Cooper and Collegeville were the fine makers of said items and I happen to have 8 costumes, all complete in there respective boxes, except for an Ewok mask from Return of the Jedi, in which i do not have the vinyl costume. All are Ben Cooper except for one which is Collegeville. I remember being five years old and having a Ben Cooper Chewbacca costume from Star Wars. I remember my Aunt Cathy, who is only about a year and a half older than me, having a C-3PO mask and costume and also Strawberry Shortcake. I also remember taking the costume to school and putting it on, along with my classmates, and walking to each classroom to show them off. Why rant and rave about things that are unimportant? Well, why not?

A Certain Little Gothic Soap Called Dark Shadows

By the time I was born, Dark Shadows had been off the air for five years. The show ran from 1966 to 1971 and was beloved by every school age child in America, I remember my mom telling me that she would get off the bus after school around four o'clock and turn on the television to watch it. My Mom and Dad got me hooked on Dark Shadows by the time i turned fifteen and have been a big fan ever since. Even in 2008 there is a major cult following of the show even though it has not been on t.v. for a while. I would like to eventually go to a Dark Shadows convention but its a little pricey. The original series dealt with ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches and they even managed to squeeze a Frankenstein monster into the show. Its gothic tendencies and the introduction of Jonathan Frid as vampire Barnabas Collins sent the series into the ratings stratosphere. In 1991 they revamped the series for prime time and tried to recapture that nostalgic feel. It appealed to one in four households during the time which made the revival a hit but it was not to carry on for more than one season. A little scrimmage in the gulf coast would put the proverbial nail in the coffin for the series, I was very displeased by the way, but finally it made its way to dvd as did the classic series as well. In 2004 they made a brand new pilot for the show with a hip new young cast but alas it would never see the light of day. But there may be something coming over the horizon soon with talks of a Johnny Depp/Tim Burton take on the series(I can't wait!) Only time will tell...........

A Certain Little Movie Called V for Vendetta

I haven't decided if I want to review many Comic Book related movies for the simple fact that there are too many out there. There is one in particular that I think is worth noting and being a comic book reader and collector, I think that V for Vendetta is probably my all time favorite comic to film adaptation. It didn't make the numbers at the box office as did Spiderman, X-men, or even Ironman but it is its own unique movie in the fact that it takes on a perspective that troubles the minds of some in certain circles, taking a stand in what you believe in. Not only that but it is great entertainment. Many have probably read the Graphic Novel of the same name, but there may or may not be many who own the actual ten comic book series that came out for DC long before Vertigo started publishing mature content for DC. Not a kiddie friendly movie, it leans toward a more adult view. Unlike many comic movies, V doesn't let you know who the hero is behind the mask. There is only the Idea behind the mask which makes for a very well written, well acted movie. This movie deserves 5 out of 5 stars. A must rent or own.

A Certain Little Show Called Good Eats

Okay, I know what you're going to say, you're going to say "Hey, Mr. Jones, where can i find a great t.v. show that mixes fun and food and science all in one?" The answer is a little show i like to call Good Eats on the food network. Hosted by Alton Brown, Good Eats is a Food show that displays funny antidotes along side the scientific. Alton Brown produces every thirty minute gem and not only hosts but writes and stars in each one. I would have to say if i wanted to meet anybody it would probably be him. I have been a fan of the show for a long time, i also have a majority of his shows on state of the art dvd. A great show to watch if you are looking to learn and be entertained as well. Great fun for the kiddies too, you don't have to worry about their brains rotting away!!!!!! Ha! Ha!

A Certain Little Show Called Smallville

Call it what you will but in my own personal opinion, Smallville is great T.V. It gets 10 out of 10 in the star department. There is not really anything good on television nowadays unless you want reality t.v. personally i don't. Give me a good old fashioned tv series that catches my attention and i am hooked. Smallville is just that tv show! It centers around a young Superman, aka Clark Kent, during his teenage years. It's all about his awkwardness in finding his newfound powers and of course the many loves of his life(I know I am corny but deal with it, this is about as close to me watching a soap opera as i am going to get!) For those of you who are comic book nerds as am I you will find that the show has some really good characters, for instance, Lex Luthor, who is Superman's arch nemesis, Lana Lang, one of Clark's love interests, A brand new character who recently just made it into the comics, Chloe Sullivan and Lois Lane. Add a little Kara Kent, aka Supergirl and Jimmy Olsen and you have a strong story that has a little cult following. It takes the Superman Mythos and changes it up a little bit, but as far as this fan is concerned its a good change. Already into it's eighth season, Smallville is starting to center around the Superman/Clark Kent dual identity and hopefully the dark rimmed glasses will make an appearance as well. Like i said, 10 out of 10 in the stars department! Check it out, it is worth a gander.