John Wick

John Wick (2014)

Why did we wait so long to see this movie? (We've had the DVD since 8/25/15).

Quick review: Great music. Great camera work. And Keanu is at his monotone best. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

We give John Wick 4.5/5 paws: 


** SPOILER **

This film depicts the senseless death of a puppy. But if you've read any synopsis of this flick, then you already know that John Wick comes out of retirement to get the dirtbags who killed his puppy, the last gift from his late wife. I'm just letting you know that the puppy's death is in the film so you're braced for it. And, believe me, it is worth getting through that scene in order to embrace the rest of the movie.

** END SPOILER **

Friday 80s Flashback for July 1, 2016

80s Boombox via Zazzle

[Red, White, and Bruised ... er, Blue! Redux] -- The Fourth of July lands on a Monday this year, so many wage earners in the U.S. are given a three-day weekend to celebrate a unique event: when 13 scrappy, English colonies engaged in an act of civil disobedience. Well, it was actually an act of treason. And it was committed by writing a sternly worded letter to King George III, who wouldn't receive his copy until August 30, 1776. Now, I don't know what the Founding Fathers would make of this week's playlist. But there will be plenty of serious fare discussing the events of 1776 on the web, radio, and television. So on the Flashback, we're gong to cut loose and have some fun. If you're ready to celebrate with me in 80s rock style, then read and hear more after the break. We'll enjoy a few tracks that somehow have a little red, white, or blue associated with them.

Please note, I'm re-using a post/playlist is a slightly modified version of the one that originally appeared on Prophet or Madman on July 4, 2014. But, hey, these songs are over 20 years old anyway, so there shouldn't be any problem with me recycling a year-old blog post, right? If you agree, you can read and hear more after the break.  

Friday 80s Flashback for June 24, 2016

[Summer Special] -- As I mentioned over at Prophet or Madman, new Flashback posts will be found here at Bookended by Cats. I actually had the inkling to move my musical musings here for probably last two weeks, but now I'm acting on that impulse. And I'm bringing you a rock block from one of my favorite 80s rock bands: .38 Special. I bet you're surprised that a southern rock band makes my list of faves. Then again, if you know of my Pennsyltucky roots, maybe my fondness for the Special isn't such a surprise for you.

Now, .38 Special always struck me as a Summer band even though several of their records were released during winter months. But I guess I remember them more in a Summer vein because I have such great memories of singing along whenever their singles came on the radio. And, of course, the best times to do that were during the summer months with the windows rolled down. For my rock block, I'm picking one song each from a trio of albums which were released during the years I think .38 special were at the peak of their hit-making powers. If you want to know what songs made the cut this week, you can read and hear more after the break.

Friday 80s Flashback Archives 4/29/2016 through 9/3/2010

[80s Archives | 2010 - 2016] -- I previously blogged about 80s music over at Prophet or Madman. From my first playlist on 9/3/2010 through to 4/29/2016, I tried to post a selection of songs every weekend. There are a few repeats, of course, but there are still many fine selections over that five and a half year period. Some are themed, others are hodge podge collections. And some of those early posts lack header images and sample lyrics, so they look pretty meh. But it's all 80s music, so that means it's all good.

So, if you're not finding enough 80s music here at Bookended by Cats, then by all means visit my previous 80s Flashback posts at Prophet or Madman.

Credits:

• 80s record image from icons8.com
• Pile of records image from theodysseyonline.com's 25 '80s Songs That Are Guaranteed To Cure Your Stress

Wizard World Philadelphia by Dangrdafne

June 3rd to 5th Brainwise and I travelled to Philadelphia for Wizard World Comic Con.

Here are some of the items I picked up while at the convention.

The official shirt for Wizard World 2016.

Thought it was cool that it looked like a concert shirt.

My favorite!

And I got a deal on him too :) 

It's ME!

I was kind of desperate to find the GameStop Exclusive and as luck would have it one of the stands had it...and he gave me a deal!! 

Artwork from one of my favorite artists: Bianca Roman-Stumpff 

Artwork from a new favorite artist - see card in next photo 

I pushed hubby to buy this comic book, along with the coloring book.

Very interesting. The art is amazing. 

It's Milo! 

We had a great time and I will do a trip post soon-ish.

- Dangrdafne

Free Comic Book Day 2016

So yes it is true, Dangrdafne went to a comic book store WITHOUT Brainwise for Free Comic Book Day!

And here is her small haul:

(store only allowed 5 books per person - and I really did want more than that)

I picked books that I would read and took my chances if we had doubles.

I also added two of my favorite female characters as Funkos since they were Buy 1 get 1 50% off.

I also happen to cosplay as both of these characters.

And this was my special extra, although not from a comic book store but Hot Topic.

It was fun watching all the kids trying to decide which 5 books to get.

It was also wonderful to see all the families coming in and each person reacting to different things in the store. Everyone seemed very happy.

I hope you had a great Free Comic Book Day. 

Feel free to post in the comments what you got on the day.

5 Fandom Friday 4-29-16

Fandoms You Hold Dear But No One's Ever Heard Of

I don't need 5, I only have one and it is my absolute favorite.
I have belonged to this fandom since I was 7 years old.
My sister started the craze followed by my Grandmother.
I have loved horses since I can remember. 
I could never have real horses so this fandom satisfied my craze...

Breyer Model Horses

My first Breyer was the Family Arabian Stallion that my sister bought with green stamps for my Christmas present. If you don't know what green stamps, google it ;) I named him (although at the time I had no idea they were boys/stallions or girls/mares) Holly. Although part of the fandom is creating cool longer fancy names for the horses in addition to their stable names.

Holly

S. Stonewall's Fancy

Then my Grandmother bought me for Christmas what became my favorite mold, the Proud Arabian Stallion, I named him Angel.

Angel

Grandma's Angel

In the Breyer world this a conga line

It is all but one of the Proud Arabian Stallion variations over the past 40 years.

In 5th grade my teacher saw a brochure for a magazine called Just About Horses and immediately thought of me. I asked my parents if I could subscribe and I don't remember if it was a problem or not but I do recall starting to receive the magazine. I subscribed to them until they stopped publishing just a few years ago.

I had my little stable in the room I shared with my sister and I am very lucky she shared the space with us.

There were photo shows and live shows and I did it all. I never went to Nationals but I had tons of fun with all the local shows. I was lucky that my family supported this crazy thing and I love them all the more for it.

The ribbons are from various photo and live shows that we placed in.

Then I learned about Breyerfest. A HUGE convention, show and sale in Lexington KY at the Kentucky Horse Park. My first trip was to help someone run their table during the show. It was sooo much fun and I even won one out of 25 raffle horses...with just one ticket!

I then returned for Breyerfest's 20th Anniversary with my husband 5 years ago and again we had so much fun. It was great to show my husband all about my fandom and how much I love my Breyers. He also learned that I am not allowed to say anything about his collection of comic books as I collect plastic model horses :)

Just one corner of my Breyers currently in our house.

My hubby built me my dream shelves to show off my horses.

Fandom? Obsession? yes, yes

I would have to say as much as I would love a real horse, I am so happy that I have my Breyer models that have always satisfied my craze. I am forever grateful to Green Stamps for offering Breyer model horses oh so many years ago and to my sister for starting a craze that makes me so happy and has lasted a lifetime.

I truly could go on and on about my horses, Breyer, Breyerfest, etc but I won't but if you want to know more, please let me know in the comments.

-Dangrdafne


cross posted on Dangrdafne Days of Delirium