Your Guide to the Best Guitar Reviews

Aspiring musicians and collectors alike both are concerned with the quality and craftsmanship of the guitars that they purchase. One of the best Christmas gifts that I ever got from my dad was a guitar. I remember it quite clearly: the dark blue paint job with slight shimmer…it was beautiful. He chose well, and it seems like he did his research, since despite that being decades ago it is still in good shape.

Nowadays, it can be hard to find reputable vendors. Sadly, a lot of the old school vendors and shops have closed their doors, a problem that was only exacerbated by the pandemic and how hard it hit small businesses. What options do we have, then?

Doing Your Research

For some of us, it may seem pretty silly to do hardcore research on an instrument. However, as most of us musicians know, a lot about a piece comes down to the brand that it comes from as well as the model. So, this step is not one to ignore.

Now, looking at something like this page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar, probably is not going to be sufficient. Try searching up specific brands and the features that they have to offer. Just knowing the components of a guitar could help you to do this, though, since you can know what to be on the lookout for.

If you know anyone who also plays, you could ask them their opinion as well as you start your search for a new one. I find that consulting other musicians can be quite helpful, since they have firsthand experience with certain warranties or programs like that, as just one example.

What to Watch For

First thing’s first: you will need to decide if you want to go with an acoustic or an electric style. They play relatively the same, but the sounds that the guitars produce are going to be considerably different. There is also the matter of accessories, since they will be different. The electric ones usually need an amp to truly achieve the intended sound.



After that, though, a lot of us get stuck. What else is there to consider? Checking out some of the Best Guitar Reviews can offer some perspective into this, though, since they can offer some testimonials from real players.

Often, it is in the small details that we can discern a sloppy assembly job from a quality one. Checking if the neck is straight is one tell-tale sign, of course. There is also the question of whether the instrument stays in tune – that may be something to check the reviews for, since it is pretty much impossible to figure that out based on pictures online.

The two other details that I want to highlight have to do with the fretboard. You should ensure that you will be able to reach it comfortably, which means you should look at how far the strings are on the fretboard. It might seem like something unimportant, but it can impact comfort and playability, both of which are good to think about.

Other Considerations?

With the main part of this article finished, there are a few other things that I want to discuss in regard to this topic. While the previous section is what I think is most important, there are still a few other aspects that do not hurt to ponder as well.

Personally, I find the rich history surrounding these instruments to be quite fascinating. You could check out a blog such as this one to learn about it, if you are unfamiliar. At first glance, it is easy to brush this aside and assume this will not help us become better players. However, you may be surprised!

As far as the used versus new guitar debate goes, there are pros and cons to each side. While I have never opted to go for a used one, I know plenty of people who have and have not had any complaints. There is always a bit more of a risk with them, but that smaller price tag could be worth it for you. At the end of the day, picking an instrument that suits our needs is always the priority.

6 Things to Do in Minecraft if You're Not Sure What to Do Next

When a game is almost limitless in its potential, you might find that the only limit is your imagination. That’s the reality that many Minecraft users face. When you can do anything, you can end up staring at the screen for hours without gaining the inspiration to do “something.” With this in mind, here are a few suggestions that could help to give you new direction. Done them already? Keep hunting!

1. Update Your Server Info With a New Banner

Is your server attracting visitors and fans? Maybe it’s time to show you mean business with new minecraft banner designs that let your creativity have free rein. While you’re at it, consider getting it listed on Minecraft server listing sites. You may even find a few servers you’d like to visit yourself while you’re there. Attract and be attracted. Interest and be interesting. It’s all part of the fun.

2. Acing Survivor Mode? Go Hardcore

Looking for a high-stakes challenge? This one is not for the faint-hearted. Hardcore mode is seriously challenging and it comes with a warning. If you enter a world in hardcore mode and die, which is seriously easy to do, you won’t be able to return to it in anything but spectator mode. Looking for something absolutely brutal? There’s always ultra-hardcore mode. In this mode, you won’t even be able to regenerate your health. Don’t even try it unless you’re a very experienced player and know how to watch your back.

3. Get Aggressive

You’re on a server with a great many players, and you’d like to see whether you can defeat them all. But don’t expect them to take it lying down. If you build up an army with advanced arms and armour and start attacking, you can definitely expect reprisals. Will you survive the consequences of your warlike behaviour? It’s definitely fun finding out!

4. Build a Monument

Looking for something grandiose? Build a monument! Design your own or try making a replica of something from real life. Want it to be more of a challenge? Go multiplayer and outside of peaceful mode where your creation can only be destroyed by the ender dragon or natural disasters. Look out for griefers and don’t make your monument out of anything flammable.

5. Make Your Own Rollercoaster Ride

Got rails? Minecarts ready for action? Add some blocks to create your own rollercoaster ride. Choose the overworld, the netherworld, or use a portal to take travellers through both. Yes, it’s been done before, but maybe you can add a new twist to a winning concept. Will your riders survive the journey? This could get interesting!

6. Be Mean to Mobs

Have some fun being mean to mobs in creative mode. There are tons of mob traps you can make, but here’s an example of a popular option. Fence an area, equip yourself with a fishing rod, and summon mobs that can’t fly or resist fall damage. Zoom up to no more than 34 blocks above ground level, and start fishing. When you catch a mob, release it above ground. Oops! It can’t fly. You bully! Looking for more ideas? Search “mob traps in minecraft” for even more inspiration.

Not Inspired Yet? Keep Hunting!

As retro gaming options go, Minecraft remains a winner. It takes patience to master, but the limitless nature of your options turns you into a combination of creator and gamer at once. Whether you like your gameplay to be relaxing or brutally challenging, Minecraft has options you’ll enjoy. Create! Fight! Survive! It’s your game and you get to decide how to play it.

The Best Ways To Entertain Your Kids On A Rainy Day

If you had plans to keep your little ones entertained, chances are you'll be disappointed if it rains. You may wonder how you're going to keep your children occupied all day. Perhaps you have a few ideas, but they may not be enough.

Don't worry, this article can help you to keep all your children entertained no matter what Mother Nature is doing.

Put A Movie On
Most children love to watch movies, especially the latest ones such as the Shazam sequel. Putting a movie on can kill a lot of time and keep your little ones entertained. Choosing a movie, however, is not always that easy. So, you could:

• Ask your kids what they want to watch
• Suggest that they take turns watching their choice of movie 
• Put the names of some movies in a container and let them pick 2 out 

Let your children watch one movie each or one movie together, depending on what movies they like.

Movies can be something of a lifesaver at times, especially if your kids are bored. Choosing a movie can help to keep them happy.

Play Board Games
Why not introduce your children to some classic board games? They can be a lot of fun to play.

Board games can be the ideal distraction if you don't want your children to sit in front of a screen for hours.

Do Some Baking
Baking can be a lot of fun. When it rains and your kids can't go outside, baking can keep them happy.

Consider baking some simple but tasty goodies that everyone will enjoy. Just be sure to follow the recipe and take your time.

Baking is not only a lot of fun, but it can bring out the cook in your kids. Encourage your little ones to help you as much as they can. Encourage them to stir the ingredients, weigh out flour, and do as much as they can. This can help to make baking a lot more fun for them.

Tidy The House
Tidying the house isn't exactly fun. However, when your kids are bored they could help. Alternatively, they could tidy their rooms before doing something a lot more fun.

Play On A Games Console
Playing on a games console is something that a lot of children like to do. It can:

• Keep your little ones entertained for hours
• Ensure your kids are less likely to fight with each other
• Ecourage your children to learn new skills (depending on the games they play)
• Encourage your little ones to build social skills when they play with others

There are some very graphically-pleasing and educational games out there. Your little ones are likely to be kept happy for at least a few hours.

It's not always easy keeping your children entertained on a rainy day. However, the above tips can help. Use them to help you ensure your kids are less likely to become bored the next time that it rains.

Why Retro Games Are Rising In Popularity Once Again

Retro games have been with us for forty years or more. The rise of video games was fuelled by these high-quality classics, and their mascots became household names.

Now Mario and Sonic are making a return to homes across the world in their original form, with classic titles and retro gaming consoles in high demand on auction sites and on online gaming platforms.

Why are retro games popular again? Well, let's find out. There are a few reasons for the increased interest in the classics of the golden age of gaming, but one thing is certain; these games are great to play and that will never change.

There Is No School Like The Old School
The biggest driver for the popularity of retro games is modern games. Today's triple-A titles have plenty of jaw-dropping graphics and complex and well-acted storylines, but they lack the charm and challenge of the classics.

Retro games are also aesthetically iconic. Go into any games room today and you will be greeted by an enticing wall of custom arcade machines, like the ones from Bitcade, that put retro hits at your fingertips. Nothing says gaming like an old-school arcade cabinet, complete with joysticks and lights, and all the classic sounds pumping into the room.

Retro Gaming Is A Cheaper Option
Though the quality of the gameplay in modern games may be pushing people to go retro, so is the price. Retro gaming not only offers a challenge to gamers, but it also offers value too. Setting yourself up for classic gaming is remarkably cheap, especially if you choose emulation over a classic console collection.

For the price of one of the big-name games on sale today you can get a retro gaming setup that gives you access to tens of thousands of classic titles. If you have a modern games console, you have access to plenty of retro classics as downloadable games. These can be a fifth of the price of their modern counterparts and give you hours and hours more play. As people find ways to cut back on expenses, retro gaming is reaping the rewards.

It's A Family Thing
Gaming's golden age was in the mid-80s to the mid-90s, as console gaming conquered the living rooms and bedrooms of the world and brought Mario and Sonic into the family. The children and teenagers that grew up bashing the buttons of the NES, SNES, and Sega MegaDrive now have kids of their own.

Retro gaming is bringing generations together in the home, as parents share their gaming memories with their children and bond over classic titles. The charm of retro gaming is not lost on the young children of today, with the bright colours and chip-tune sounds that fascinate little kids. The older boys and girls appreciate the challenge of the classics and the history of games. Retro gaming is educational, honestly.

Retro Is Cool
The is no denying that retro games are fashionable these days, and not just amongst gamers. Retro gaming apparel and accessories are everywhere. You can find t-shirts in high street fashion outlets with images of joypads and colourful mushrooms, and gaming-themed gift ideas in the big department stores.

Gaming, retro or contemporary, has become a huge part of modern culture and is growing in influence every day. Retro gaming has helped drive this interest, with old-school games becoming popular to watch on streaming services like Twitch and YouTubes. As gaming social media influencers have looked to retro games to help keep their subscriber counts rising, it has helped introduce younger gamers to the classic titles the industry was built upon.

Single Board Computers (SBCs)
Looking back through the recent history of retro games, it is hard to separate their spike in popularity from the birth of single-board computing with the epic Raspberry Pi. This tiny computer packed a lot of power into a circuit board that is only a little bigger than your debit card.

The Raspberry Pi, and all its endless imitators, have lots of different applications. Gamers being gamers, one of the most popular uses for these powerful pocket PCs is as a retro gaming platform. The boards got even smaller and more portable over the years, and now gamers can easily and cheaply build a custom GameBoy that plays all their retro favourites wherever they go.

When the SBCs hit the market, interest in retro gaming, and hours played on classic games, skyrocketed as they became easy to access thanks it this pocket-sized wizardry. Now they are the number one choice for gamers building an emulation station, and arguably inspired all the ‘classic mini' consoles that were released by the big boys like Sega and Nintendo a few years ago. Even the titans of retro games had to get in on the SBC action and capitalise on the trend.

There are plenty of reasons to play the classics, but these are the biggest factors that are driving older generations back to the old school and making young players pick up pads that are older than they are.

For The Love Of Live Music: Top Tips To Help You Cover The Cost Of Concert Tickets

Live music is something many should experience at least once. The electricity in the crowd before your favourite band or artist walks onto the stage is thrilling. The excitement ripples through the crowd as the countdown to showtime commences. The anticipation is felt the moment you enter the venue. Once the lights go down and the performer walks out, the sudden burst of energy and excitement released is indescribable. There is a magic to live music that draws many in.

As many artists and bands prepare to release their upcoming tour dates, those hoping to attend are looking at how to cover the cost of tickets. Depending on the artist and the venue, the price of tickets can vary greatly. Smaller venues that host lesser-known artists are more likely to offer affordable tickets. More of the mainstream, well-known artists playing in larger venues, such as arenas, will more than likely come at a higher price.

If there are a few concerts you hope to see, here are some tips to help you cover the cost of tickets.

Sell Unwanted Items
Think back to the last time you had a proper clearing out of your home. If it has been a while, you might have accumulated a lot of belongings, many of which you no longer use. Many items in your home that you no longer use or need can take up space. Finding and creating additional space or storage can be valuable if your home is limited in space.

Spend time going through your home and creating a pile of unused items. Depending on the size of your home and the number of belongings, it might take an afternoon or a day. Put to the side things you are happy to part ways with. It could be household items that are no longer used, electronics or clothes.

Look to see what you can sell with your pile of unwanted items. Use online marketplaces and other platforms that enable you to sell unwanted items. It is a simple way to make a little extra money that can be contributed to paying for concert tickets. Another benefit of selling unwanted items is that you will be rewarded with space in your new home. You will also better understand what items you have in your home and what you might need.

Have Fun With Online Casinos
Online casinos have become a favourite pastime for many in recent years. The accessibility and greater options have helped increase the popularity of people using online casinos to pass the time and earn a little extra. Many of the online casinos available offer a vast selection of games. Some of these games are unique to that site. They are innovative and fun and have enticed many players to return to the place to play.

Those that enjoy the classic casino games will not feel left out. Aside from offering numerous new and exciting games, online casinos still provide players with the option to enjoy classic casino games. Many online casinos have great offers on their online slots. A popular promotional deal is offering new players the chance of free spins. To find out the best sites, you could spend some time at Online Casino Reviews to find out about the best places where you can play online slots and potentially earn a little extra cash.

If you spend some time on online casinos, ensure you limit what you pay. Remember that you have chosen to play to have fun and earn money to help cover the cost of concert tickets. When playing online casino games, like online slots, only bet what you are willing to lose. Also, keep in mind that you can walk away. The online casino will still be there. Take a break to help prevent you from losing focus whilst playing.

Look At Spending Habits
Some of us have developed a few spending habits without even realising it. It could be purchasing a coffee while commuting to work and buying unnecessary items when shopping for a specific item or food. At the time, these purchases might not seem like much. However, over time, these small purchases can add up.

Look at how much you spent last month and what you spent your money on. You may notice you made a few unnecessary purchases or have monthly payments being made to streaming platforms you rarely use. If so, consider stopping these monthly payments and cutting back on small purchases. Changing your spending habits could see you save a little extra each month. The extra money saved can be put towards paying for your concert tickets. Knowing what your spending habits are and having a better understanding of where your money goes is helpful.

Try And Find Cheaper Tickets
For larger venues, there will be a greater selection of seat choices. Depending on the artist and the stage's layout, there might be a wider choice of places to sit. The seat location of the venue is something worth considering. Aside from determining how close to the venue you are or where you are sitting, the ticket cost will also vary.

In venues such as arenas or stadiums, seats that are further back and at the top will cost more than those closer to the front of the stage. Additionally, seated tickets and standing tickets will also vary in price. Decide on where you want to sit beforehand. This way, you can research to get an idea of how much ticket prices will cost. From there, you can decide where you want to sit and how much you will need to pay for tickets.

There are ways to find cheaper tickets and make it more affordable to attend concerts. Look to see if there are any guides about saving money on concert tickets. These guides could be useful in providing helpful tips you can use to save yourself a little extra and still attend concerts.

In Summary
Consider these tips when trying to save money for any upcoming concerts you want to attend. It could help you attend as many concerts as possible, without putting yourself in an unfavourable financial situation.

What Do Musicians Get Up To On Tour?

There are many great legends in the history of world tours. Led Zeppelin and The Who seemed to be competing for the unofficial title of the most raucous and rowdy touring bands in rock n' roll in their heyday.

Touring is not all about extravagant parties and drunken debauchery though, a lot of work goes into getting everyone where they need to be at the right time. Staying focused and performing at your best is important too. What do musicians get up to on tour? Let's find out.

Killing Time
For all the glitz and glamour that comes with being a top-performing musician on tour, there is a lot of sitting around and waiting. They find themselves at airport terminals, hotels, and stadiums waiting for a bus or plane, or a car to take them to their next stop.

Then when they get on whichever mode of transport they need, they must sit and wait there. Time spent traveling eats up hours of a tour and keeping sane and entertained is a high priority.

Musicians and performing artists are the same as anyone else, just with more style and expense. Social media will take up a lot of the downtime, whether promoting the tour on official accounts or scrolling on an anonymous, low-key Instagram or Twitter profile. They play games too, often casino games.

These are a fun way to kill some time, and there are some great places to play online with tempting offers for new players. There's more information here about the free spin introductory offer at Jackpot Casino. With so many free spins on offer, even the top bands might open an account to spin some slots there while they are waiting for the tour bus.

Putting In The Work
Being on tour sounds fun, and it is, but touring is a lot of arduous work too. The gigs do not happen by accident, it takes planning, preparation, and promotion to make a tour successful.

When a tour arrives in town and checks in to its accommodation, the artists are already on their way to a local radio or TV station to promote the gig and the band. Meeting fans and signing autographs will take up some time too, but it is all good business and helps sell tickets.

Before the fans arrive, there is some practice and preparation to do. Every venue is different and has unique acoustics that the musicians and the technicians need to get used to. Soundchecks can take hours, though they are a chance to rehearse playing and singing.

The biggest tours will have choreography and pyrotechnics as a part of the stage show. These all need to be rehearsed and set up. Costume changes need to be practiced so that they can be done in a tight time frame. Big names like Beyonce or Lady Gaga might spend hours rehearsing dance steps and costume changes at each new venue to make sure they go right on the night.

The After Party
Things start looking up for the artists and musicians on tour when the show ends and the party starts. Performing for thousands of fans is an exhilarating experience, but requires an enormous amount of effort, concentration, and energy. Events can get a bit wild when people are blowing off steam after an exceptional performance.

Tour management will usually organize something special for the performers, like hiring out an entire bar for them and their entourage to enjoy. The tour will pick up the tab. The sound technicians and roadies will get their party too, but this is usually somewhere else and often later after some packing away or prep for the next night.

Parties can be wild and can become mobile'. After the after-party, comes the after-after party. If you are staying at the same hotel as a band on tour, expect some shenanigans to go on late into the night. Some of the most raucous and legendary touring stories come from hotel stays. There are bands and musicians that have been banned from entire international hotel chains. This was quite common during the height of the 60s and 70s rock n' roll era, but even today some of the big stars can be carried away and start a ruckus.

Quick Breaks Away From The Road
The big stars have a management team that looks after their best interests during the negotiation and planning stages of a tour. All work and no play can make any entertainer overstressed. Managers always make time on the tour for some rest and relaxation.

Taking a quick vacation is common among the major artists and big bands. This can be just a few days between dates in different states, or for a week or two off as the tour switches countries.

When a band gets a break for a few days, they will often separate for a while and relax with friends or family at a resort for a couple of nights. Management will plan the breaks and destinations as part of the tour itinerary. Tours might get a break in Florida, so the musicians take the family to all the theme parks for a few days or make a quick flight to a luxury resort in the Caribbean islands.

Longer breaks can mean getting further away from the relentless pressure of touring, and musicians can go anywhere they like. De-stressing and detoxing in a health and yoga retreat in India? Sure. Seek inspiration from exploring the culture of Tokyo and the rest of Japan? Why not. For the biggest stars, the entire world is available to them, and they can have any vacation experience they want.

Great tour management will put a big act in Europe during the summer months. There are a substantial number of festivals to perform at in between tour dates, making some extra money while they are passing through. Walking around Monaco, Saint-Tropez, and the Mediterranean islands in the summer can be like scrolling through a Spotify playlist, as the big names rest before their European tours begin.

Performing For The Fans
The reason for all the traveling, all the hotel stays, the parties, as well as the relaxation afterwards, is the performances. Tours can have to run like a machine, and the stage show is what powers that machine.

Even simple shows, without any dance numbers or the flash and bang of pyrotechnics, take a lot of work and practice. If the wow factor is not being provided by costume changes and a light show, it is going to have to come from the performance on stage by the musicians. Staying at the top of your game will take up some time on tour, and if you fail to be at your best, you can let the fans and everyone else on the tour down.

Guitarists and singers are lucky. They can bring their instruments onto the tour bus with them and carry them easily anywhere else they go. Take a moment to feel the pain of the drummers who have their instruments stuck on stages and need a rehearsal space organized to play a practice kit.

The relentless stress and upheaval of a world tour can drain the energy of the biggest bands in the world. Parties and vacations help make up for all the hard work though, and of course the huge amount of money a tour can make.

This Is Not A Drill. The Duran Duran Tour is Happening

 They were one of your great pretend romances of the 1980s. So now you need to be prepared to dust off your credit card for a worthwhile event to experience in person and en masse instead of sending everything directly to  Jeff Bezos's bank account. Duran Duran was busy during the pandemic. They wrote songs, recorded an album and now they want to see your shining face staring up at them from a large crowd. 

As we go into the summer concert season, the idea of how and where to spend your money after such a long hiatus has raised a lot of questions for music lovers. It's been a while for most of us, but looking at the robust schedules and the previously postponed events becoming a sure thing this time around, I'm saying it's time to get this party started. Live shows took a massive hit during the last two years, and I, for one, am glad to see them come roaring back. 

Duran Duran will be coming to a city near you this summer. For tickets , visit their website and for those in the know, I'll see you in August at Madison Square Garden. 

Year In Review (Apocalypse Now Version)

 Man, it's been a crazy year.... two years.... whatever. Time is a construct and means nothing anymore.  

January 2021. Humanity peeks its head out from underneath a crusty blanket and wonders if the time has come to try and sort out all those refunds from the fifty concerts and sporting events that have repeatedly gotten canceled, or is there hope of a rescheduled date in the future...

February 2021. This isn't too bad! *Goes and screams in the woods* One or two performers are doing small venues! Our favorite restaurants are allowing us to eat outside in the frigid arctic air with a space heater and we don't even mind the cold because we are seeing other humans and practicing our Wim Hof extreme endurance skills. Framing Britney Spears is released and within days the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl.  We all decide to re-read Cormac McCarthy's The Road and immediately regret it. 

March 2021. A guy who forgot the most basic principles of a k-turn gets stuck in the Suez Canal and we all collectively wonder if he's going to get fired for basically snarling the supply chain and causing a huge big boat back up. This is our life now.  Godzilla vs. Kong is released on the final day of March and we put on our hazmat gear and go to the movies. IT IS EPIC.

April 2021. Someone promises us that Rage Against The Machine is touring. They've been saying that since last year and we don't believe them anymore.  We are no longer incensed when movies clearly meant for the big screen start popping up on HBO Max but somewhere deep inside we know this can't last forever.....right? Christopher Nolan will not allow this. 

May 2021. Things are looking up! People are getting out of the house! It's getting warmer and everyone is getting on flights to destinations previously unavailable to them. The Friends Reunion show is released on HBO Max ( we are all becoming vaguely suspicious of HBO Max ). A Quiet Place II knocks it out of the box office park while we root for that Top Gun Maverick premiere that Tom Cruise has been promising us for months. Mare of Easttown reminds us why Kate Winslet is an international treasure. 

June 2021.  Disney + proves to be a must-see-tv hitmaker after WandaVision, The Mandalorian, and now this month's binge-worthy series featuring the God of Mischief, Loki. We're enjoying shrimp cocktails and mojitos on the beach when we overhear some killjoy talking about "delta". Whatever sir, stop using the Greek alphabet to appear smarter than you are. This is the (almost) pandemic-free, summer of YES.

July 2021. AAAAHHHHHHHH. We all brace for impact and find out that the zombie movies we've been watching since the early 80s have equipped us with the skills to pivot and find the bright spot in any disaster. Life goes on. Enjoying giant pyrotechnic displays in the sky has never felt so liberating and someone in public relations coins the term "summer of freedom".  We're eating INDOORS. 

August 2021. Damn it's hot. Hurricane Ida cuts a swath through the gulf. That promised Bikini Kill tour is rescheduled for 2022 and we all invest in some K 95 masks because Gen X knows that unless you completely destroy any villain by setting them on fire and throwing them off a hundred story building, they're going to pop back up to wreak havoc in the final scene. *Keeps wary eye on pandemic*

September 2021. The Foo Fighters play the 9:30 Club in Washington DC as a "surprise artist" and the world begins to right itself after over a year of being completely off-kilter.  We say goodbye to funnyman Norm Macdonald and watch as our kids head out the door and back to school. Billionaires Elon and Jeff duke it out in front of federal regulators over space-based internet and we listen as projects like Starlink and Kuiper get discussed and remind us that Star Wars showcased why capitalism in space leads to the building of the Death Star.

October 2021. Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch and Denis Villeneuve's Dune help kick off the fall box office excitement. Tori Amos reappears and drops her sixteenth album, Ocean to Ocean- and we all love it. Colin Powell shuffles off the mortal coil and for Halloween we all prepare to dress up in our tracksuits emulating player 456 (Seong Gi-hun) from the terrifyingly addictictive Squid Game. Red light, green light will never be the same. 

November 2021. On November 12, 2021, Britney Jean Spears wins her long legal battle to end her thirteen year conservatorship. VIVA BRITNEY.  Meghan Markle sits down with Oprah Winfrey and spills the royal tea. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez get back together, leaving the public scratching their heads. They Might Be Giants release BOOK. Which at first is confusing, because it has photographs and lyrics but no music and then you realize there's a CD, or you can download it digitally, and you're suddenly in need of your kids to enjoy a collectors item from one of your favorite 80s bands, so now you're just sad. A conspiracy theorist claims a rise in turkey prices is part of a plot to ruin Thanksgiving and we all buy extra stuffing and mashed potatoes just in case. 

December 2021. Keanu helps us through the last month of the year with The Matrix Resurrections. The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes looks like it's going to happen....and then.... no. A malicious variant that sounds like a particularly vengeful Transformer villain starts shutting everything down. *breathes into bag*. Our neighbors build a greenhouse and begin homesteading and I now have a book on trading and the barter system because apparently society is going to collapse. But hey, Netflix has seasons 1-4 of the original Knight Rider and a new Tiger King spinoff installment- The Doc Antle Story. And as a final kick in the gut, 2021waited until New Years Eve to take everyones favorite iconic Golden Girl, Betty White, from us. Thank you for being a friend!

So, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times but , *looks around* living on the brink of the apocalypse has sharpened our senses and given us a keen appreciation for all good things. Here's to an eventful (the good kind) 2022.

The Movies We Loved: A Gift Givers Guide

 

Man, do we miss the movies. Back in the day, they were the escape we needed from our tiny bland lives and we spent weekends holed up in dark theaters mesmerized by the stories unfolding on the giant screen while scarfing tubs of popcorn soaked in fake butter. If you haven't been able to get back out to the cinema, here are a few holiday gifts for the cinephile in your life that pay homage to the movies that made us.

Really, there are few people alive of a certain age that haven't had the pleasure of going along for the ride of a lifetime with Jake and Elwood after their release from prison. This redemption tale had it all, music, love, run-ins with the law, and everyone's favorite penguin, Sister Mary Stigmata. If you're anything like us, you love a good movie poster, but you know what's even better? Comical interpretations! This Mixtiles minimalist take is ideal for displaying your appreciation of one of the best lines in the movie. 

Years ago, someone gave me a pair of socks emblazoned with the design from the infamous carpet at the Overlook Hotel. I was taken aback by the kindness and generosity of the gift and appreciative of the gift-givers thoughtful understanding of my love for movies, but I was always sad that the little slice of cinematic awesomeness would be hidden between my pant leg and my shoe. Now your obsession with watching Jack Torrance spiral into insanity can be on full display in your living room! Behold, The Overlook Hotel rug!

You are now entering the debarkation area. No talking, no smoking. Follow the orange line. After the president of the United States crash-landed in the maximum-security prison that was once Manhattan (in a fictional 1997 no less!), who else but Snake Plissken could save him?! This bleak grimy portrayal of the potential future for the city that never sleeps kept us up at night as kids but it did nothing to diminish our love for the effortless cool of Escape From New York's anti-hero. The best part of every morning can now be the famous line on your coffee cup.

What did you think was going to happen if we introduced lifelike robots into our society and then treated them poorly enough to fuel a bloody revolt? Welcome to Blade Runner and the beautiful but terrifying peek into what we hoped would not be our future! In a film filled with quotable lines and memorable moments, nearly everyone agrees that Roy Batty's speech to Deckard at the end of the movie is a universal favorite. 

Some people would argue that Cher's finest decade was the '70s, but I'm of the opinion that she was the queen of the '80s. Her filmography from that time period kicked off with the seminal Silkwood and from there she kept churning out quality performances in films like Mask, Suspect, and The Witches of Eastwick before rounding out a ten-year run with fan favorite, Moonstruck. As widowed bookkeeper Loretta Castorini, she was the perfect romantic interest for the wildman with one hand, Ronny Cammareri. His over-the-top theatrics make us remember why we loved Nic Cage so much during his Raising Arizona years and this tee shirt featuring his most ridiculous line of dialog will delight fellow movie lovers wherever you wear it.

Page Turner Gift Guide

Sick and tired of donning the hazmat suit and goggles needed for trips to the mall? We've all grown weary of the post-apocalyptic dreamscape that is our current reality and that is why we're helping transport you to a time when your biggest worries were the height of your hair and if your legwarmers matched your sweater.   This holiday season we've picked a crop of 80s themed books that are guaranteed to bring you back to a simpler time when we could only imagine the world we live in as the plot of a bad sci-fi movie.

Brat: An 80's Story, by Andrew McCarthy

A fascinating memoir with a peek behind the scenes for those of us curious about what it was like to come of age in the midst of the infamous "brat back". If you caught yourself pining for the soulful-looking McCarthy as a zit-covered teenager, this is the guilty pleasure read for you.

Life & Death on the NY Dance Floor 1980-1983, by Tim Lawrence

If you want a no holds barred look at the New York dance scene, the clubs that made the news, and the DJ's that made them the place to be, then this blast from the past will send you right back to that extremely unique time in New York City history. This fertile artistic and creative timeframe spawned some of the best stories of New York nightlife culture and the people behind it. 

In between Days: The Cure In Photographs 1982-2005, by Tom Sheehan

The audience for this one might be a little slimmer (ie; Cure fans) but if you want a comprehensive visual history of the band shot by a photographer who worked with them over three decades, then this is for you. An extra bonus for longtime followers is some never-before-seen pics and a forward by Robert Smith himself.

Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the '80s Changed Hollywood Forever, by Nick de Semlyen

If you were a child of the 80s, you grew up on the comedy and films of Belushi, Chase, Murray, Aykroyd, Murphy, Martin, etc, and they eventually helped create the movies and tv that became the cultural touchstones of our generation. This is an honest, warts and all love letter to our favorite funny men and their work. Any book that starts off with a fistfight between two comedy legends is on my must-have list. 

Life Moves Pretty Fast: The Lessons We Learned from 80s Movies, by Hadley Freeman

Looking for inspiration and a guide for rewatching all the magical movies that shaped you into the human being you are today? Stop searching because Hadley Freeman has a comprehensive, well-researched book that includes lists, interviews, social commentary, and personal anecdotes to help drive home exactly why the movies that hit so hard three decades ago are still must-watch cinema for so many of us. Stop pretending you didn't lister to Ferris. take a day off, steal your best friend's dad's car and spend the day in the city as a teenager and order this immediately. 

Nöthin But A Good Time: The Uncensored History of the 80s Hard Rock Explosion, by Tom Beaujour 

And finally, for our hard-rocking hair metal fans, here is the over-the-top history of the 80s heavy metal explosion that came to define a decade of excess and the overuse of hairspray.  A frothy walk back through the era that helped everyone forget the blandness of their everyday existence and step into the glory years of leather, big hair, and screeching guitars.