Category: Stuff to Buy or Do

Christmas/Holiday Gift Ideas!

Ho Ho Ho! Its time for our next product roundup to help you decide on last-minute gifts for Christmas or other winter holidays!

Note: Affiliate links below, meaning we might earn a small commission if you purchase a product directly after clicking a link.

AtGames Blast! HDMI Video Games – between $19.99 and $39.99

Want to get something cool for your little bro or sis, or even yourself, without a big cash outlay? Check out these “plug & play” video game HDMI dongle/wireless controller kits from AtGames. Each bundle comes with between eight to 20 classic videogame titles per model and are available at most retailers, including Amazon.

These are NOT arcade versions of the games, these are simulations but do the trick for quick classic-style gameplay when you don’t want to fire up Red Dead Redemption or Call of Duty.

The USB-powered HDMI dongle plugs directly into a TV with HDMI inputs and comes with an ergonomic six-button wireless gamepad. The Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 3 swaps the wireless gamepad for a pair of wireless game paddles, which are specially optimized for its selection of classic paddle and ball games.

Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 1 features 20 Atari 2600 classics like Centipede, Millipede and Yars’ Revenge.
Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 2 features 20 Atari 2600 classics like Adventure, Asteroids and Missile Command.
Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 3. features 20 Atari 2600 paddle-based classics like Breakout, Pong and Warlords.
The Activision Flashback Blast! features 20 of the most iconic Activision home classics, including Pitfall!, H.E.R.O. and River Raid.
The Legends Flashback Blast! features Space Invaders and an additional 11 favorites like Burnin’ Rubber and Jungle Hunt.
The Bandai Namco Flashback Blast! features eight gaming mainstays, including Pac-Man, Galaga and Dig Dug.

Every Blast! includes high-definition video output, an intuitive menu system, save and resume game functionality and the ability to rewind a game in progress to recover from a play misstep. An optional second wireless gamepad can be purchased for games that support two players.

LaurDIY Craft Kits – $14.99 and up

Influencer and YouTube star, Lauren Riihimaki (LaurDIY) recently launched her Craft Kit product line partnered with Mattel and available at Target, Amazon and Walmart Canada. Options include a Balloon Unicorn Kit, Illuminating Lamp Kit, Marble Desk Décor Kit and Mini Plushie Kit, in addition to a Letter Board Kit and Tie Dye Wall Hanging Kit. These pieces can serve as finishing touches to any room and reflect LaurDIY’s love of all things fun and fabulous and the content that she regularly features on her channels.

UnPlugged 10K Wired/Wireless Portable Charger – around $50

Have a Qi-enabled phone (wireless charging)? The UnPlugged 10K Portable Charger will charge your phone without a cable! If your phone doesn’t use Qi, you can use a USB cable like any other charger. The UnPlugged 10K Rechargeable 10,000mAh Wireless portable charger from myCharge allows you to wirelessly recharge your device on-the-go and provides up to 5x extra battery life.

Qi WIRELESS CHARGER & USB PORTABLE CHARGER IN ONE: Extend the battery life of your Qi enabled phone with 10W of fast charge wireless power and/or via Dual USB Ports to any USB compatible devices with 10000mAh/2.4A for up to 5x extra battery
Qi CERTIFIED COMPATIBLE: Works with all Qi enabled devices (iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, Note 8, S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, Nokia 9, Nexus 4, 5, Lumia 920 and other Qi enabled devices)
NO CORDS NEEDED: Simply place your Qi enabled smartphone directly on the wireless power bank to charge your phone wirelessly with ease at home or on the go – pass through charging allows power bank and phone to charge simultaneously
THIN PROFILE, SOFT-TOUCH FINISH & DUAL USB PORTS: Features a thin profile as to easily fit inside a small bag or purse and a soft-touch finish with Dual USB ports to charge up to 3 devices at once via wireless charging and USB-A ports
PRODUCT SPECS: Qi Wireless Output = 10W / Input = 2.4A / USB Ports Output = 2.4A Shared (Recharge cable is also included)

Saved by the Bell: The Complete Collection – $28.95 on Amazon

Join Zack and his Bayside High Pals in the ultimate 16-disc collector’s set of this iconic ’90s sitcom, featuring every series episode and BRAND NEW Bonus Features.

Set in the fictional town of Palisades, California and in the hallways of Bayside High, the breezy adventures of Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and his friends — Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen), A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), Jessie Myrtle Spano (Elizabeth Berkley), Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies), and Samuel “Screech” Powers (Dustin Diamond) unspooled in hilarious fashion across 86 unforgettable episodes and home audiences can relive the laughter, lessons, and love all over again with this loaded set containing more than 46 incredible hours of Bayside bliss, including every episode from 1988’s “Good Morning, Miss Bliss” which became “Saved By the Bell: The Junior High Years” and the fan-favorite “Saved by the Bell” to “Saved By the Bell: The College Years” and the two feature-length TV movies that followed.From 1989 to 1993, for a generation of TV viewers, “Saved by the Bell” was the show that perfectly echoed their lives in middle school and high school and it became a cultural touchstone, changing teen programming forever.

Bonus programming includes two BRAND NEW documentary featurettes: “Past Times at Bayside High: Making Saved by the Bell,” a retrospective documentary featuring interviews with writer/producer Peter Engel, producer Franco Bario, writer/producer Tom Tenowich, writer/producer Bennett Tramer, actress Lark Voorhies, and more; and, “Bayside’s Greatest Hits: The Music Of Saved By The Bell,” a documentary short featuring songwriter/composer Scott Gale and composer Rich Eames! Additional bonuses include more in-depth featurettes, audio commentaries, a 16-page episode guide and more!

Complete List of Bonus Features:

NEW Documentary features: “Past Times at Bayside High: Making Saved by the Bell” and “Bayside’s Greatest Hits: The Music Of Saved By The Bell”
Featurette: “Saturday Morning: From Toons To Teens”
Featurette: “It’s Alright: Back To The Bell”
Featurette: “The First Of Its Class: From Sit-Com To Icon”
Audio Commentaries
Photo Galleries
16 Page Episode Guide
About Shout! Factory

Olbas Herbal Remedies: Aromatherapy Inhaler, Pastilles, and Lozenge – Pricing varies

The winter season means holiday fun — but it can also mean colds and the flu are in full effect. To get some relief, try the all-natural Olbas Oil line of soothing products from Penn Herb. https://www.pennherb.com/Olbas-Remedies

These products are made from essential oils from the traditional medicinal plants of Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cajuput, Wintergreen, Juniper Berry and Clove. Olbas Oil originated in Basel, Switzerland over 100 years ago, and continues to be a European and worldwide favorite. It diffuses into the air, providing extraordinary benefits to nasal and bronchial areas. Olbas is also readily absorbed into the skin, producing a deep feeling of comfortable warmth. When used as massage oil, it stimulates circulation at the surface of the skin and brings a soothing warm feeling to tired muscles and joints. These unique properties of Olbas Oil are incorporated into each of the remedies in the Olbas line.

Apart from bottles of oil, they also sell products like the pocket-sized, portable Olbas Aromatherapy Inhaler to help you breathe easier, clear your ears, and soothe your sinuses and allergies.The all-natural Olbas Pastilles and Olbas Lozenges also help remedy coughs and colds on the go!

Icy Bev Kooler – $29.99 for set of two

The Icy Bev Cooler keeps a 12 ounce soda bottle cold (or beer bottle for your parents) thanks to a neoprene lining. It features a silicone stopper to keep in carbonation once bottle is opened, plus a bottle built into the cap (warning, not very durable per Amazon reviews).

STAINLESS STEEL INSULATION KEEPS BOTTLES COLD LONGER. The stainless steel outer shell and BPA free neoprene inner lining provide a double thick layer of insulation helping keep your drink cold in the hottest weather.
DURABLE PROTECTION FROM DROPS AND SPILLS. The unique design protects from drops and spills. No sweat or condensation! Great for the beach, pool, lake, golfing, boating, camping, tailgating, and more…
FITS A VARIETY OF BOTTLE SIZES. Remove the bottom and the cap and insert bottle. Re-thread the bottom until tight. The bottom extends for taller bottles. There’s a silicone stopper that nests inside the cap to be used to re-seal your bottle and an opener built into the cap.
EASY TO USE. Easy to clean and fits most cup holders.

KOCOWA K-Pop and K-Drama Streaming Service – $6.99 for no ads

Love everything Korea? Then KOKOWA streaming service is for you! KOCOWA meets the strong and rapidly growing demand of an audience comprised mainly of teen girls and millennials for its trending K-Pop (Korean pop music and idol groups) and K-drama (Korean films and TV series) – all delivered in the US with subtitles 5-hours after airing in Korea.

The top genre for KOCOWA viewers is drama and the most popular program viewed across all age groups was Tempted, a drama about temptation and finding true love. Most viewers use mobile platforms to view KOCOWA content. Many of the actors are K-Pop idols.

What sets this content apart from US is the wholesomeness–Korean shows are not degrading with excess sex and violence like modern US shows tend to be. The pop/singing shows are fun to watch especially!

https://www.kocowa.com/ Now available on Roku

The Field by Ian Dawson – about $15

When fourteen-year-old Daniel Robinson is abducted during a game of hide-and-seek, his focus switches from enjoying his summer vacation to simply staying alive. He must find the courage and strength to escape his captors and get home, no matter what it takes. Will he survive? Or is this a nightmare that’s too real to escape?

The Field makes for a suspenseful read–especially considering it is based on the author’s real-life abduction and assault by two older teens 25 years ago. While not exactly “Christmasy,” it should please anyone who likes action-packed YA novels .

BAO Cultured Sauces – $39.99 for 6 bottle sampler

BAO Cultured Sauces include Bao-B-Que, Sour K’Chup, Original Hot Sauce, Chipotle Hot Sauce, Mango Hot Sauce, and Jalapeno Hot Sauce. These fermented sauces are a blend of briny, tart, spicy, and umami packed full of organic ingredients and vibrant probiotic bacteria. All BAO products are gluten-free, certified organic, vegan and fermented.

We received the sampler pack shown above in an insulated foam chest as these sauces must be kept refrigerated. We were amazed by the flavors, and the fact that these sauces are good for you because of the probiotic bacteria make them even more awesome!

https://baofoodanddrink.com/products/mixed-sauces

DAVIDsTEA Tea Gift Sets – around $20

Celebrate the festival of lights with this Kosher tea gift set. It contains eight tins of caffeine-free loose leaf tea, so you can open up a tasty new treat each day. Plus each tin makes 1-2 cups of tea. Now that’s something to look forward to. Includes: Blackberry Blizzard, Caribbean Crush, Carrot Cupcake, Cinnamon Rooibos Chai, Just Peachy, Serenity Now, Super Ginger and Turmeric Glow.

Net Weight: 80 g / 2.8 oz

https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/gifts-and-sets/shop-all-gifts/8-nights-of-tea/960532US01.html?cgid=shop-all-gifts#sz=12&start=46

HandsOn Gloves for Shedding, Bathing, Grooming, De-Shedding Horses/Dogs/Cats/Livestock/Small Pets – $24.99

Your dog or cat might freak out seeing you wear these for the first time, but will likely learn to love when you do because it means a nice grooming/massage session!

HandsOn Gloves work wet or dry with the 5-fingered glove allowing for the perfect combination of scrubbing nodules on fingers and palms. Users will find their animals wanting to come closer at groom time and HandsOn Gloves can help you bond with your animal. HandsOn Gloves are carefully designed with hypo-allergenic, bio-friendly components which are clinically proven to be safe for use with humans and animals. *Check out all 5 sizes Kids: size Junior and Adult: sizes Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large.

Marvel Legends Series Black Panther Electronic Helmet – $99

Gear up like the warrior king Black Panther with this 1:1 full-scale premium role play electronic helmet! Adjustable to fit most heads, this helmet features Vibranium-inspired design with flip-up eye lenses and intricate detailing. Includes movie-inspired Vibranium light effects.

Buy here

Tiwal 3 – starts at $5400 for you big ballas out there

The Tiwal 3 is billed as “The Only Sailboat That Fits Down The Chimney.” And will set you back several thousand bucks! Since some of y’all are fortunate enough to afford it, and we thought it was pretty cool, we are including it here. Maybe you can get it cheaper on eBay, who knows? : )

Stored in two bags, the inflatable sailing dinghy can be taken anywhere, in the trunk of a car, a camper van or a bigger boat. It is easy to transport, store and assemble. The Tiwal 3 makes sailing accessible to everyone on the banks of lakes and on the shores of the sea. Simply inflate the hull, assemble the structure and set the sail. In under 20 minutes it is ready to be launched. It is just as simple to store and does not require any maintenance.

Lenght: 10.5 ft
Sail area: 56 sq.ft / 75 sq.ft
Total weight: 111 lbs, max. load: 418 lbs
2 bags: 57x 16×14 in / 62 lbs (each)
Capacity: 2 adults or 1 adult & 2 children

https://tiwal.com/tiwal3/

Eggnots Ceramic Eggs – $10.95 for a six pack

Here’s a great little gift for crafty people, especially those who love to make Christmas ornaments! They are paintable eggs made out of ceramic material. They ome in their own super-cute carton but need NO refrigeration, are usable by people with egg allergies, and are more durable than the real thing.

Start a new tradition making eggnots as keepsakes finding unique ways to display eggnots not just for Easter, but other Holidays too – like Christmas.

Vegan friendly!

http://www.eggnots.com

How to make money making video games

Many people would love to earn a full-time living doing what they have a passion for. If you are a gamer you might have wondered how to make money making video games. Well, earlier this month CrazyGames launched a new Developer Portal that promises to share revenue with all contributors to its browser games platform.

Not only that, but they are running a contest which awards $2,000 to the best game submitted in the months of October and November! (ends November 30th). The winner will be chosen by a panel of game experts, rather than a voting popularity contest which can be manipulated (how many social media posts haven’t you seen where people beg for votes?)

Here’s how CrazyGames works for anyone wondering “Can I make money by making games?”

First, you need to know that CrazyGames has about 10 million users every month. That’s a lot of people who could play your game if its good enough. The developer portal tells you how many people play and the revenue you earned because of it. The company will pay you a portion of what they make on ads.

How to make a game they will accept?

CrazyGames takes any HTML5-based game, including Unity, Unreal and Phase games. You keep 100% of the rights to your game and can delete at any time.

All you need to upload is your game files and a screenshot!

How do I make money with my games?

As long as your game does not contain ads, or branding from another game portal, and it hasn’t been published elsewhere first, you are eligible for revenue. You can share it elsewhere after publishing on CrazyGames, like the App Store, Play Store, Steam, etc.

How much money can I make?

You can earn between $1.50 and 3 bucks per 1000 plays for each HTML5 browser game. You have to earn a certain amount of money (about $100 USD) before they pay out via Paypal.

What’s cool is that most games get featured on the first page for 48 hours to give you a fair shot at earning plays — and popular ones can stay even longer.

Hopefully this answers how to make money making video games for you aspiring developers out there!

Check out a sample game!

Meet Sophie Thatcher – Interview plus Gunpowder & Sky’s DUST “Prospect” film review

Sophie Thatcher is the star of Gunpowder & Sky’s DUST new film, Prospect, slated to open November 2nd. The film follows the path of a father-daughter team as they search for riches on a dangerous, toxic planet — and whose mission turns deadly very quickly. We got the chance to ask Sophie a few questions about her role in the movie — check her answers below — but first a quick Prospect film review.

The film opens with young Cee, played by Sophie Thatcher, and her father Damon, played by Jay Duplass (“Transparent”), preparing to descend to the planet they are orbiting in their rickety space pod. The father’s plan is to collect extremely valuable amber-like gems known as Aurelacs. These gems are found in large root- or termite mound-like structures, and have to be carefully extracted lest they self-destruct in a bath of acid. The pair set course for the mother lode — a large deposit of Aurelacs known as the “Queens Lair.”

After they recover one stone at an old dig on the way to the main site, two ne’er do wells (one played by Pedro Pascal of “Game of Thrones” and “Narcos” fame) happen upon the father and shake him down for his treasure. A couple of bad decisions later, and this encounter changes from a scavenging expedition to a quest for survival and escape — one where teenage Cee has to use all of her wits and determination to try to make it back to her shuttle and rejoin the mothership.

This movie is, atmosphere-wise, like no other film I have seen before, truly otherworldly but grounded in reality — if that makes any sense. Production design is fabulous, from the realistically-lived in capsule whose rickety instruments are covered in gritty, grimy breath, oils from fingertips and palms, and who knows what else. Wardrobe, hair and makeup convey a feeling that everything and everybody in this film needs a good hot shower. There’s plenty of little details to appreciate, especially in the space capsule. Particles of dust float around and there’s a barely perceptible layer of ice on the window which they could have skipped, but didn’t. The 8-track aesthetic of just about every switch and mechanism further lends credibility to the world created here by the filmmakers.

The film is described as a sci-fi western, but it also has a strong steampunk vibe. None of the weapons fire lasers, but projectiles from rather primitive-looking weapons. This coupled, with the flimsiness of the suits everyone wears in order to breathe on the alien world, raises the stakes of every shot discharged and every step taken for that matter. Little protects the characters from a tear or rip which would lead to a quick death — and when you compound with bullets and high speed foot chases through an environment full of brambles poised to ensnare breathing tubes –you end up on the edge of your seat.

My biggest complaint is the off-putting poetic dialogue used by a few characters. Its hard to follow and a bit melodramatic and goofy, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Other than that–this is a movie I definitely recommend and I hope it finds its audience as a cult hit.

As evidenced by her acting in Prospect, plus her unique personal style, Sophie Thatcher has the potential to be absolutely huge. Excited to see where her career takes her!

Now let’s get to the interview! p.s. Is it just me or does she bear a resemblance to Emma Watson?

Hi Sophie, nice to e-meet you! Before we get into your role on Prospect, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m an actor, musician, artist and a Chicago native!

Thanks! You have an extensive theater background, having studied since age 4 and with performances in The Diary of Anne Frank and several others in Chicago. How was this, your first film, a different beast?

It took me a while to transition from stage to screen because I was used to the repetition of doing a full show every night. In contrast to theater, film is shot scene by scene and I never realized there was so much time waiting around on set! Ahh! But this process helped me to grow with the character. I was drawn to the natural aspects of the film world.

What helped you manage the pressure of being a newcomer, yet carrying the film as the lead character?

The whole cast and crew were very kind and made me feel safe and that if I made a minor mistake, it wasn’t the end of the world. Everyone was so warm and made me feel comfortable. Zeek and Chris trusted me with the character and that helped me gain confidence.

How did you book the role—traditional audition process or something different?

I was sent the sides from my agents and manager and put it on tape, then recorded the callback myself. After that, they flew me out to Seattle to see the workspace, meet the directors and work through a couple different scenes. I remember feeling like I had bombed the audition somehow, but an hour later they invited me back to the workspace to tell me I was cast. I remember feeling relieved and tremendously excited.

Why do you think teens are going to want to watch this movie?

I think it’s rare to have such a powerful young female lead in a film. I hope that young women, or any outliers in society can be inspired by Cee’s character trajectory.

What was the most memorable part about filming it?

Definitely the night shoots. It really messed up everyone’s sleeping schedule so we were all suffering together. I was exposed to a bunch of the cast and crew’s looney side and we all formed a tight bond.

What was it like to wear that space suit and helmet – any claustrophobia? Was it crooked on purpose or did it just slip to the side like that?

The first week of filming was stressful because they were still working on the helmets, and I felt like I could barely breathe. Of course they fixed that and once the helmet was on, it helped me dive into the Prospect universe. I fully became Cee.

The clothes you and your dad wear on the ship look very lived in, almost like you guys were directed to sleep in the clothes for a couple days and show up to set without doing your hair. Am I close to the mark—or were the hair and wardrobe people that good?

The hair and wardrobe people were exceptionally talented! They often kept to a very minimal makeup look on me- or sometimes they would add under eye circles as the story progressed and Cee’s circumstances became more difficult.

Why do you think fellow teenage girls are going to like your character, Cee?

I think a lot of teenagers can relate to a bunch of different aspects of Cee. First, I’m sure kids can relate to the feeling of being an outsider in one way or another. Also Cee uses music and books as an escape. I, and I’m sure many other people my age can heavily relate to this.

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

I have a twin sister who’s an artist! I also make music too and someday would like to focus on that more.

Biggest pet peeve?

People pleasers and wishy washy people.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?

I adore New York City and all the possibilities and artists that live there. I would love to move there one day to work on music and art.

Favorite food?

Sushi or any kind of Japanese food.

Favorite book?

Just Kids written by Patti Smith (my biggest inspiration) and Heart of Darkness written by Joseph Conrad.

Most attractive thing in another person?

Creativity and individuality.

Most embarrassing moment IRL you wish you could do over?

The first time I was kissed I couldn’t stop laughing because I was so nervous, so he ended up kissing my teeth.

What else are you working on or have coming up?

I have a few projects up in the air! Would love to focus more on music and art too and put some stuff out there into the world!

Could we get a selfie of whatever you are doing at the moment? It’s something we ask to keep it real for the fans!

Me, drinking my morning coffee

Sophie Thatcher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapy.t/

Watch the original short film on which the new full-length movie is based:

Air Track Mats for Gymnastics and Tumbling Buying Tips

If you are into gymnastics and tumbling, then you know probably know all about the innovation known as an air track mat, but might not know what airtrack to buy

This is not a full guide of how to find the best brand of airtrack, but it should give you an idea of some of the main points to look for.

Airtrack Mat Construction

A high-quality airtrack mat is made with very durable vinyl suitable for boat construction. These products will take a beating even from the lightest tumbler, and therefore have to be able to withstand severe pressure. Double Wall Fabric (DWF) is something to look for.

Check user reviews on Amazon, YouTube, and gymnastics forums to gauge the reputation of various manufacturers listing air tracks for sale before investing in an air track mat.

Air Track Prices

If you want an air track mat cheap, your best bet is to buy either a smaller mat, or a used one. Air track prices range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand, so you need to do your research. If you see a used air track for sale which seems to be a good deal, check the reviews for that manufacturer anyway just to be safe.

Size and weight

If you plan on using your air track mat in your yard and it is too heavy, you will tend to leave it outside where it will be exposed to the elements and get damaged. But if it is too small, it will limit what you can do. You want to strike a balance. You might be able to use a 20 cm thick track instead of a very bouncy 30 cm thick track, and use a shorter one, to save weight. Or perhaps the thinnest version, the 10 cm, will work best if you want the closest experience to the gym floor.

Laws of the Universe Part 1 Review

Laws of the Universe Part 1 is an animated feature film which opens today, October 12th. Despite its name, it is actually the second in the anime series written by Happy Science founder Ryuho Okawa. We’ll get to Happy Science in a minute, but first let’s talk about the film.

The plot of Laws of the Universe Part 1 revolves around a group of young heroes who protect the earth against invading aliens. An evil overlord named Dahar enchants one of them, Tyler, forcing his best friend Ray to travel back 330 million years to try and save him. Tyler goes a little bonkers and completely destroys the home planet of a group of Reptilians led by Queen Zamza — leading them to flock to Earth for sanctuary. Shenanigans ensue as Zamza first tries to conquer Earth for herself, then joins Ray in trying to save his friend and planet Earth from evil.

Now…who are the makers of Laws of the Universe Part 1 and why should you care? Well, it is backed by religious organization founded in 1986 by Ryuho Okawa, called Happy Science. On its website it claims to be “Japan’s biggest and the most influential religion,” (actually, that is Shinto) and Okawa furthermore claims to channel Jesus. Now, I feel people can believe what they want to believe as long as they don’t hurt others, so more power to him. But the reason I bring it up is that this explains a lot about the plots in this series.

There is a lot of new-Age spirituality injected into both films. In this one, Alpha, the God of Earth and his wife, appear as golden angelic figures who live in a flying Egyptian-style pyramid to moralize and save the day. In both the earlier film, Laws of the Universe Part 0, and this one, there’s a lot of talk about reptilians and apocalyptic alien invasions, the true spiritual nature of man, brotherly love and understanding, and other things which seem kinda odd for an anime.

When I saw the first movie three years ago, this puzzled me — until I put two and two together and found that these ideas are based on some of the teachings of Happy Science. So, I think it is kind of a dissemination or enlightenment vehicle rather than a pure creative work by storytellers. There is a definite religious angle here, although I wouldn’t go so far as to call it propaganda.

This latest film, Laws of the Universe Part 1 (why oh why isn’t it called “Part Two,” since its the 2nd?) thankfully is more action-packed and less “preachy” than the first film. The animation is pretty great except for one giant CGI-spider thing which doesn’t do the rest of the animation justice.

There are some unintentionally funny moments, such as when a group of primitive early humans start chanting what I believed was “ENEMA! ENEMA! ENEMA!” and the reptilians show delight at the idea of eating this tasty “HUMAN ENEMA.” Gross!

Until I realized they were saying ANIMA…which I imagine means soul or life force. Awkward.

And there is this gem of a line: “Don’t forget to remember your place!” Actually, you could have just said “Remember your place!” but I’ll let that slide because this was translated from Japanese and little grammar things are forgivable.

The filmmakers did use some great voice talent for the English dub, including Kari Wahlgren and Tom Kenny, so that is a plus.

The film is long, at exactly two hours, but there is enough action and decent visuals to keep you entertained throughout. If you end up watching it, I would love to hear your feedback. Was it too spiritual? Too melodramatic? Just right? Leave a comment below!

For showtimes and tickets, go to: https://www.elevenarts.net/animedistrbution/laws-of-the-universe-part-1

Watch our interviews from the first movie’s red carpet in 2015.

Halloween Gifts from DAVIDsTEA are Spooky and Delightful

Halloween is right around the corner, and its time to place your orders for Halloween gifts (yes, if you love Halloween as much as we do, Halloween gifts are now a thing). DAVIDsTEA has some great new products to get you in the mood for a blustery night of trick-or-treating or watching some spooky movies on Netflix or Hulu. Check out some of their offerings this year, and scroll down to the bottom to find out how to order!

You can take your fave Halloween tea on the go with this terrifying monster pouch (okay not actually terrifying). Made from 100% cotton, it includes DAVIDsTEA’s sweet caffeine-free Monster Mash blend, in five ready-to-steep sachets. And when you are out of tea, use it for your spare change or makeup essentials.

This collectible tin is only 18 bucks and is full of sweet and spicy black tea packed with rich and comforting notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, creamy coconut and a warming hint of chili.

DAVIDsTEA Magic Potion Brewing Kit: The box opens like a spell book and includes a potion recipe. Clear printed glass infusers-less nordic mug with juicer lid. 50g of Magic Potion loose tea in printed tin. 10 pack of filters in cello.

Pumpkin spice lovers will enjoys this rich black tea to kick off Halloween season and continue through Thanksgiving and even Christmas. It’s got the warmth and flavors of cinnamon and cloves, plus the sweetness of caramel and pumpkin candy.

2 oz of this tea ($8.98) makes around 10-12 16 oz cups of hot tea and 5-7 16 oz cups of iced tea.

Another tradtion when its cold outside but you’ve got a bonfire going is s’mores, of course. DAVIDsTEA offers a s’mores chai pu’erh tea with mini-toasted marshmallows, graham crackers, dark chocolate and cinnanon. Rich, warming, and perfect for the fall.

DAVIDsTEA Stainless Steel Bottle – Special Edition: This is our favorite item in DAVIDsTEA’s Halloween gifts collection — just look at that cap! It’s leakproof with an insulated lining that keeps tea hot or cold for hours. The double-walled stainless steel construction also prevents skin burns as well as water damage on your furniture from condensation. And if you want to make an iced tea, the bottom unscrews so you can add ice.

DAVIDsTEA Twist Tumbler: This ceramic and stainless steel tumbler will keep your beverages hot or cold for a supernaturally long time! Splashproof lid opens and closes with one smooth twist and features a double-walled core.

DAVIDsTEA Color Changing Nordic Mug: Yes, he spooky design changes color when you pour hot liquid into it! Comes with a fine stainless steel infuser and a lid that doubles as a saucer.

Last is DAVIDsTEA Perfect Spoon: It helps you measure your loose-leaf tea correctly, and ensure a perfect brew every time. Made of stainless steel!

TO ORDER: Click to visit DAVIDsTEAS

Teala Dunn launches fashion sunglasses with NEM (Natalie’s ‘Eva Marie’ brand)

Youtuber and actress Teala Dunn @TTLYTEALA has just launched a new limited-edition fashion sunglasses line in partnership with NEM (YouTuber Natalie’s “Eva Marie” fashion brand) exclusively at NEM Fashion Store.

“I chose to work with NEM for my sunglass collection, as I have worked with Natalie before on a movie, and we hit it off right away. This is NEM’s very first collaboration, and I’m very excited to work with them. NEM is a very high-end line, and the quality is superb. I wanted these sunglasses to be authentic to my brand. I love Rose Gold, but I was also mindful that many of my fans prefer Silver as well. Pink spoke to me with regard to the color scheme, and I immediately thought #StayShady would be the perfect line! Nothing spoke to me the way these sunnies did. Be on the lookout for a special coupon for savings!”

The $90 pairs come in two styles, Rose Gold and Blue Gray. If that sounds kind of steep for fashion sunglasses don’t worry, Teala is offering a $25 coupon to her fans who use the coupon code TEALA at checkout!

Want to see the FIRST time Teala ever appeared on Teens Wanna Know? It was in 2012!!! OMG everybody was so young!!!

Teala Dunn is an actress, YouTuber and health advocate, best known for her lifestyle channel on YouTube and her role as ‘Lindsey’ on TBS’ “Are We There Yet?”. She’s most recently starred in Fullscreen’s “Guilty Party”, Hulu’s “All Night”, YouTube’s “Escape the Night” and Amazon’s “School Spirits” and recently launched an Anti-Fur campaign with Peta2.

Captain Marvel 2019 Trailer – Most Powerful Superhero in the MCU?

The new trailer for Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson just dropped, and it looks amazing. Is Captain Marvel the most powerful superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe? Well, we will have to see her in action when the movie opens next year, but for now, she looks like quite the beast!

The film is slated to open March 8th, 2019. Here is the official synopsis:

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

Some of Captain Marvel’s reputed powers include:

superhuman strength
flies at six times the speed of sound, and even at light speed under certain conditions
discharges explosive energy blasts from her fingers…up to the strength of a nuclear weapon
sixth sense
controls stellar energies

Cannot wait to see her powers in action!

How to Get Cheap Trendy Clothes and Change My Wardrobe

Fashion matters. It helps you gain a different kind of confidence. It also enables you to establish your sense of style. Your teenage years are exciting because your parents are finally giving you some more say in what you wear. However, like most teenage girls, you probably don’t have a ton of money to spend. Thankfully, there are ways to get cheap trendy clothes to reinvent your wardrobe and look amazingly stylish on a dime. Consider these four tips to get started.

1. Distress or bleach old jeans

According to E & O Apparel, one of the easiest ways to keep your money safe is by using some outfits and items you already have in your closet. Styles change with each season, forcing you to clean out your closet in order to stay trendy and fashionable. If you’re a regular person, you just don’t have the time or money to do that every time a new trend comes into play. What you can do to have cheap trendy clothes is take some of your favorite items, modify them, and pair them together with different items to make a stylish outfit.

For example, there are tons of high-end designer stores that sell distressed jeans and bleached jeans for hundreds of dollars. Instead of spending all of that money, revive an old pair of jeans. Take the jeans and distress them yourself. You can also bleach them and make your own patterns. There are tons of tutorials on sites like YouTube to walk you through the steps. Afterwards, pair ‘em with some boots and a chunky old sweater, and you then have an outfit. Cheap trendy clothes which look fabulous can be yours with a little creativity–and inspiration from some Youtubers or Instagrammers.

2. Look at second hand shops online which sell cheap trendy clothes

There are many tricks for finding cheap trendy clothes to change your wardrobe on the internet. One of them involves searching used-but-trendy second hand sites like Depop or Poshmark. You can also look at carefully curated second hand sites like ThredUp or The Real Real for high-end clothes at significant discounts.

Additionally, you can also sign up for the email lists of many discount fashion retailers like AliExpress or Wish. Many of these inexpensive retailers are based in China so proceed with caution because the measurements might be a lot smaller than the standard American sizes. Read the reviews for specific items to see the experiences of others. Once you do your research, you can easily purchase tons of clothes from Chinese retailers and spend less than $30 with free shipping. You can also check out a bunch of other affordbale clothes in our list of best places to find the cheapest clothes online for teens.

3. Go to the local thrift stores on discount days

Plenty of local thrift stores have specific days during the week for markdowns, like certian tag colors being 50 percent off. After school is out, head over to the thrift store on these days when items are cheaper.

The thrift store is the perfect place to stock up on cheap trendy clothes, like pairs of sturdy jeans. You might even be able to find some classic blouses and fashionable shoes. Just be sure to wash the items and iron them well. No one will know they’re second hand–and in most big cities the slightly distressed look is hippper than fresh off the rack stuff!

4. Purchase trendy jewelry pieces on sale

Jewelry is excellent because it allows you to accessorize an outfit and makes it look a little different. Purchase a few statement pieces to enjoy throughout the school year with different outfits. Purchase the items while they’re on sale so that you can enjoy trendy pieces without investing tons of money. Alternatively, you can also look for inexpensive jewelry at sites like Miss A where just about everything is one dollar.

As you implement these tips, you’ll be able to get buying cheap trendy clothes down to a science. You’ll find new ways to remain stylish and fashion-forward on a dime. Before long, your BFFS will all want to know your secrets!

Do you have any other tips for finding cheap trendy clothes? Please comment and share below!

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Review and Red Carpet Premiere Interviews

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes is a great movie! Scroll down to watch red carpet interviews from the Hollywood premiere with Dj Slushii, King Vader, Bryan Forrest, Tim Neff, Steven D’Onofrio, Cassandra Morris.

Synopsis & Quick Review of My Hero Academia: Two Heroes

“Deku and All Might receive an invitation to I-Expo, The World’s Leading Exhibition of Quirk Abilities and Hero Item Innovations. Amid the excitement, Deku meets a girl who is Quirkless, just like he once was. Suddenly, I-Expo’s Top-Of-The-Line Security System gets hacked by villains and a sinister plan is set in motion. It’s a serious threat to Hero Society and one man holds the key to it all.”

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes is action packed and full of your favorite My Hero Academia characters including All Might, Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugō, Shōto Todoroki, Ochako Uraraka and more. The film opens with the student heros coming together for the I-Expo, where Deku meets All Might’s “niece,” Melissa Shield, son of All Might’s best friend David Shield. Turns out she is also quirkless, like Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, but carries on in her dad’s footsteps as an inventor.

She gifts Deku with a glove which allows him to exercise more of his quirk (superpower) without hurting his body. In other words, he doesn’t have to hold back any more. When the entire island is held hostgae by an eveil gang, and All Might is helpless to defend them, the young heros must take matters into their own hands to fight an evil beyond any hero has faced before.

Without spoiling any more (told you this was a quick review), let’s just say that everybody gets a piece of the action and the new glove comes in quite handy.

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Release date: September 25, 2018 (USA)
Director: Kenji Nagasaki
Distributed by: Toho Co., Ltd.
Screenplay: Yōsuke Kuroda
Music composed by: Yûki Hayashi
Story by: Kohei Horikoshi
Production company: Bones

***UPDATE 9/27/18***

Its seems like the movie is doing brisk business judging from this press release!

First Feature Film of the Global Hit Anime Franchise Brings in Nearly $2 Million at the Box Office, Out-Earning the Competition by $1400/Per Screen

FLOWER MOUND, TX – September 27, 2018. The theatrical release of Funimation Films’ highly anticipated “My Hero Academia: Two Heroes,” is producing heroic box office returns, outpacing any other top 10 film in per screen revenue totals by almost $1200 for the first day and by over $1,400 on the second day in its five-day run in over 500 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The first ever feature film based on the hit global franchise “My Hero Academia” from Toho Co. Ltd., is on track to earn well over $2 million dollars by this afternoon. In addition, it garnered two of the top engagements in North American last night, and ranked as the #3 film over all despite its limited release. On its first night the film had three of the top engagements and ranked 5^thoverall.

“We were convinced that moviegoers would come out for ‘My Hero Academia: Two Heroes’ based on the incredible responses we received to the franchise at our San Diego Comic Con panel and our sold-out world premiere during Anime Expo,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of Funimation. “The box office success to date is extremely gratifying and we are already working with exhibitors to add additional theater locations and showtimes to keep up with the tremendous demand from audiences.”

“My Hero Academia: Two Heroes” is available in English dub tonight and on September 29 and in the original Japanese (English subtitles) on September 26 and October 2. Based on the film’s box office success, exhibitors are adding showtimes on Friday, September 28 and Sunday, September 30 in select locations. Check local listings for more information.

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Trailer