Movie Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been one of my favorite stories, ideas, whatever you want to call it, for as long as I can remember. When I was little, if I was at home sick, I would watch the first 2 original movies, in order, and that would get me through the day. Even when I had my surgeries, I still made my wife sit through them. We'll call it a happy place of mine.

Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical when I heard they were redoing them in this world of remakes and no originality that we live in now. I was like most of the other avid TMNT fans, and I was furious when it came out that they were going to alter the story of them being mutants and having them as aliens. I mean, they're called Teenage MUTANT Ninja Turtles. That's just something you can't really change. My favorite line of the movie has to be the nod to that whole situation. April O'Neil's camera guy looks at her and asks, "So, they're aliens?" and she looks at him and replies, "No, that's just stupid. They're turtles."

Leading up to us going to see the movie, I checked out the reviews and saw what people were saying. I kept reading comments about how certain parts were so over the top and just not believable. All of that had me confused to be honest. One mentioned that it was just completely impossible for an 18 wheeler to slide down a mountain like it does. Ok, so let me get this straight. An 18 wheeler sliding down a mountain is unbelievable. However, 4 human sized, English speaking, ninja fighting turtles makes sense? All of the reviews basically are against this movie because it's different than the originals. Yes, this is a completely different movie, but that doesn't make it a bad movie because it's not the original.

Heck, one review even dogged this movie because Leonardo was the leader, Donatello is the techy nerd, Raphael was the angry one, and Michelangelo was the goof ball. Umm, I'm pretty sure that's exactly how they're supposed to be. I mean, that is the basic description of the characters.

If I had to nit pick, I didn't really like Whoopi Goldberg in her role, I don't like Splinter's voice (I'm just used to the old raspy voice of the original, not a normal sounding voice), and I really don't like the changing of the voices of the turtles. I don't understand why you need 2 voices for Leonardo...?

I feel like it's the "cool" thing to do to not want to like this movie, but I've never worried about what was cool or not. I really enjoyed the movie, and think they did a really good job with it. Are there little details here and that that I would change if I could? Yeah, but I could say that about every movie we see. Ok, rant about all the other reviews over.

I really liked the movie, and Dawn even made the comment about how she really liked it too. Everyone that I over heard talking as we left really enjoyed it. All of the kids loved it, all of the people around our age (20s-30s) loved it, and even the older crowd said they loved it.

I've been asked if it's kid friendly. There were tons of kinds in the theater starting anywhere from 3-4 years old and up. I can't really think of a single time during the movie that I thought "I can't believe they have kids in here seeing and hearing this." I'm guessing the PG-13 rating is because of the "violence", but they're fighting crime so fights have to be expected, right?

If you like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I recommend you going to see the movie. Don't go see it all pissed off a the world because they're remaking another movie they shouldn't and you're just not going to like it no matter what. Go see it as a new movie based about a group of 4 butt kicking teenagers that we all have loved for so long.

First Ever Catering Event/Corporate Event At The Range

I work for an IT solutions provider (NWN, if you need anything, let me know), so we're always having some type of corporate event. I was having a casual conversation with one of our vendor reps and made the comment that we needed to have a gun range event. He used to do pyrotechnics for Hollywood, so he responded with "get the information together and I'll pay for it."

As I was speaking to our marketing director she asked what were we going to do for food? Word has gotten around through our corporation that I do BBQ, so she then asked "would this be something you could cook for?" We guesstimated around 30-40 people, so I said sure, I can do the BBQ and have Dawn do some baked beans and mac 'n' cheese. 

Dawn's super amazingly awesome top secret baked beans in the making.

I did 3 butts totaling around 30lbs pre-cook. Everything really kind of worked out perfectly. The pork, mac, and beans each filled 2 trays. We threw in some chips on the side in case someone may not like beans or mac (I would say who wouldn't like either of those, but one of the customers didn't eat BBQ ...?)

We even threw together a home-made sweet sauce to go with our hot sauce we had. 

I had nearly every customer, vendor rep, and coworker approach me at some point during the event to tell me thanks and how great the food was. Dawn doesn't believe me, but I told each and every one that my wife was the one that made the sides.

Ok, so now to good stuff. We set up the event so everyone could bring their own personal guns and fire a couple down range. Little did we know that some of our customers had some rather nice weapons.

There were a couple of AR's in the house ... 

But my absolute favorite was the SCAR. Back in my younger (non-married) days, I used to really be into Call of Duty. I had my clan that I would play with nearly every night, and not to brag but ... we were pretty daggum good. I had fairly good accuracy, so I didn't need a gun that had rapid fire. I needed a gun that had stopping power, and the SCAR definitely had that. Since then, I've wanted to shoot one for real to see what it really was like.

I was in my lane sending a couple rounds with my Glock and all of a sudden I hear a BOOM ... BOOM ... BOOM!!!!! Everyone in the entire range stops what they're doing to walk over to see what in the heck was making that sound. Once he finished, he turns around and I look at him like a 12 year old girl at a teeny bopper concert and say "Is that a SCAR?" He looks back with a grin like a 12 year old boy that just saw his first dirty magazine and said "Yeah, it just came in yesterday. That was the first time I've ever shot it." After we both giggled for a second he looks back and says, "You want to give it a turn?"

What followed was an absolute dream come true (if you couldn't tell from the cheesy smile in the picture below).

Call of Duty had some installments that were based in the World War II area. One of the guns that I used and owned fools in those games was the MP40. After putting a couple of mags through my Glock 19 (and a round or 2 with the SCAR, I walked over to the bay that the range had set up for us with some of their guns they have for rent. I went to the very last lane, look down, look up at the instructor and ask, "Is that a fully auto MP40?" He smirked a little and simply said, "Yeah, want to shoot it?"

I definitely didn't miss my chance at that.

As the event died down a little, the vendor that funded it also brought his personal custom FNS-40 with holographic sight. FNH also manufactures the SCAR, and has a huge plant in Columbia, SC. We had a little competition between myself, him, my boss, and a 2 others with the zombie splatter targets. I don't know if we really determined a winner, but you see that big missing piece in the side of the zombie's head? That's 5 consecutive rounds fired in a very tight cluster.

All in all, I'd say it was one of the best corporate events EVAR!!!!!

Loaded Landsharks

In honor of International Beer Day, I thought it'd be fitting to do a beer post.

A few years ago, Dawn and I went to Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach, SC. The waiter came by and asked what we'd like to drink so I ordered a Landshark. I'd never had a Landshark before, but they're made by the Margaritaville Brewing Co. so I thought I'd give it a shot. The waiter then asked "Do you want a regular Landshark or a Loaded Landshark?" I said, well I don't know, what's the difference.

Well, if you'll sit back for just a moment, I'll tell you what a Loaded Landshark is and I'll even show you how to make one.

First, you need a Landshark .. DUH! (you can actually do this with a Corona as well, but it's not as good). Then you need a lime flavored tequila (Margaritaville's is the best. Hornito's is pretty good too)

Once you have those 2 things, you need to remove the lids.

Take your tequila and pour it into the bottle stopping around the bottom of the head of the bottle. 

Cap the bottle with your hand a flip. Now, if you're feeling brave, you can flip it, turn it back over, and then take it to the face before it explodes. If you're too old for all that crap, flip it a time or two (keep a good seal with your hand or you'll spray the whole kitchen ... don't ask me how I know this), and then put it down on a counter with your hand still on it and allow everything time to settle down. This only takes a few seconds, but you need to let it settle or ... you'll spray everything in the kitchen.

Once everything has settled comes the most important part of ... you grab the bottle on the side, pull it towards your face, once you get the bottle to your mouth you tip the bottle up and enjoy.

Happy Friday everyone, have a great International Beer Day!

Movie Review: Hercules

FINALLY, HERCULES HAS COME BACK ... TO SAVE THE DAY!!!!!

The Rock (a.k.a Dwayne Johnson) is one of my all time favorite wrestlers. He can say a line or give a look that will scare even the strongest of men, or a little smirk and goofy comment to make the meanest man laugh. He takes the term entertainer very seriously, and does everything in his power to make sure you get your moneys worth.

In all honesty, I feel sorry for the guy that did the other Hercules movie recently. I mean seriously, how do you think he felt when he was beating his chest saying "yeah, I get to play Hercules because I'm a bad ass." Then one day he gets a call, "so, Hollywood is releasing another Hercules movie." He probably laughed at first until the voice on the other end said "Dwayne Johnson is playing Hercules." I can't confirm this, but I'm pretty sure he dropped the phone to the ground as his head hung in embarrassment.

This movie, to me, is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Legends are more times than not created by stretching the truth a little. Hercules basically says this guy was a beast, but that doesn't mean he was alone in all of his feats.

From the very beginning of the movie Hercules layeths the smacketh down on mythological creature candy asses. He spends his adult life as a mercenary fighter. Having his legend spread by word, along with a few well placed shades to bend the truth.

The story really gets interesting when this "jabroni" decides to not be so truthful to Hercules, and use Hercules and his men (and woman) for his own personal gain. It finally comes to a boiling point as Hercules goes face to face with the jabroni and in not so many words asks "who in the blue hell are you?" ... obviously ... IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE!!!!!

Hercules will always be the people's champion, and this movie hits you like the people's elbow off the ropes. If you haven't figured it out by now, I definitely recommend you checking this one out.

IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLLL ... ok, ok I'll stop.

Weekend Road Trip ... Review: Switzerland Cafe

I told Dawn months ago, that for my birthday, I wanted to take a road trip one day and try out a new BBQ spot. We started looking in SC, NC, and even GA for a spot to try out. 

SC raves about their "BBQ Trail", but it's a joke. It's nothing but a map with over 200 restaurants listed. You don't have to be anything special, just serve BBQ and they'll put your name on the "trail". As much as it pains me to say it, NC wins when it comes to the BBQ Trail. They have an actual trail that you can follow and it basically goes from one side of their state to the other, and only highlights 23 joints along the way.

We were down between Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby, NC and Switzerland Cafe in Little Switzerland, NC. I actually decided to go with Bridges Barbecue, but unfortunately they were closed for the holidays. 

Little Switzerland is this little town up in the mountains, and is absolutely gorgeous. We got up there around 1 and sat out on the deck to enjoy the sunny and 75 degree weather.

Switzerland Cafe is featured on the BBQ Trail, but doesn't have a huge selection of BBQ. They have a 3 page menu, but only have pulled pork. We both ordered the pulled pork sandwiches. I got the kettle chips and she got the potato salad.  

The pork had great flavor, the buns were incredible, and the kettle chips were amazing (Dawn said the potato salad was really good too). I definitely understand why they're on the BBQ Trail. It was a really good BBQ sandwich, and that was exactly what I was wanting. 

As we were leaving, we cut through the bar section to see the view on the other side and as I turned the corner I saw this ... 

I love any place that puts Gamecock stuff on their walls. However, any place in North Carolina that has South Carolina Gamecocks stuff on their walls is just awesome. 

Switzerland Cafe also has some mall little shops connected to it. They're not all that amazing, but the cement barrier to stop cars is. 

We decided to stop by Asheville on the drive home, and my lovely wonderful wife thought we should take the Blue Ridge Parkway back down. If you're not familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's a very famous stretch of road that curves up through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thousands of people travel to the area in the Fall to drive it and look at the changing colors of the leaves in the mountains. It's a beautiful ... long ... curvy ... long ... slow speed ... long ... barely 2 lanes ... long ... slow ... long ... annoying ... beautiful stretch of road.

The BBQ was good, the sides were good, the buns were good ...

4th of July Celebration

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. Partly because the nation's birthday is one day after my birthday (but about 200 years before), but also because I love Summer and being outside with the grill going and a cold beer in hand. The 4th of July in America is like Christmas in July. Everyone is wearing their red, white and blue ... some are even tacky, purposely or not ... everyone is being friendly to each other, and there's amazing food and get togethers everywhere you look.  

The 4th for us is usually fairly quiet since everyone gets together for my bday. We may go to a family members pool and spend some time there, but for the most part we just sit back and enjoy our own little family. 

We took the little man in the backyard and let him run around for a little while (that's his pool beside him, not just random trash laying around in our yard). 

See, he loves his pool ... and his rubber ducky.

For lunch, I told Dawn that we had to do hot dogs. I mean, it's the 4th of July for crying out loud. What's more American than hot dogs and beer?

 

For dinner, we busted out my new Nolan Ryan cookbook. 

Dawn picked out the "Potatoes Au Gratin" to go with my pick of "Grilled T-Bone with Bourbon-Peppercorn Sauce." 

For the potatoes we used red potatoes instead of Idaho potatoes as it called for. Threw the unsalted butter, milk, salt, pepper, "pinch" of nutmeg in a saucepan for about 5 minutes. Then layered them in these 2 fancy thingys she's got with the sauce and Swiss and Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs on top.

We cheated a little for the steak too. I wanted the big ginormous T-Bone at the store, but they had New York Strips on sale (I can't say no to a NY Strip). 

For the sauce, we mixed molasses, whole black peppercorns, Jack Daniel's, unsalted butter, and lemon juice. The recipe calls to just sprinkle salt and pepper on the steaks, so we did that instead of our usual rubs we use. We did vary a little and used the last bit of smoked salt we have (Ron, I'm still waiting on that next order). 

Being the 4th of July, we busted out the One Hope wine with the American flag on it. One Hope is a wine company out of California that donates portions of each bottle to different charities. Their Sweet Red wine go towards Support Our Troops (we also have their Darius Rucker signature line, which we used in our wedding, that's Cabernet Sauvignon and gives to support Autism Research and their Pinot for Paws which helps Fund Pet Adoptions).

I tried to get all fancy with my picture here, did it work?

The potatoes, steak, and wine were all delicious. The sauce on the steak was killer, but for some reason the steaks were a little tough. I've never cooked a tough steak, and obviously from the picture it wasn't over cooked, so I'm not sure what really happened here. It may have just been a bad cow.

We are definitely looking forward to trying more recipes from the great Nolan Ryan.

30th Bday/Review: Firebirds

Now, I know some people are all worried about turning 30, but for me, I really don't care. It's just another number, and as long as I feel ok and am healthy, I couldn't careless.

Dawn is known for giving the greatest presents (at least for me). I'm not horrible at present giving myself, but she always seems to find the one gift to put it over the top ... this year was no different. 

 She started it off by having me a surprise dinner with friends and family at Chuy's the night before. I'm pretty good at sniffing out surprises, but I had no clue. I knew it didn't make sense that her mom would want to take me to Chuy's for my birthday, but I didn't really worry over the details of it.

After suffering and waiting all day long, I finally got to open my gifts. I started with Rhett's present (yes, my dog got me a present), he got me a Gamecock leash so we can sport our favorite team when we go on walks. Then Dawn got me a new garnet and black state logo hat, a Nolan Ryan Beef & Barbecue cookbook (which has already been put to use ... don't worry, you'll see), Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye, and my big present for the big 3-0 was ... VIP tickets to see Eric Church in Greensboro, NC. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I'm a huge EC fan, so I all but jumped through the roof when I opened that one up.   

She let me pick where we went for dinner, so I chose to go to Firebirds. It's a new restaurant in Greenville that cooks only over an open flame. We've heard great things about it, but also heard that it could be a little pricey. 

As soon as we walked through the door, we were hit with that smell that you only get from cooking over a wood fire. Immediately, I was in heaven. 

Dawn went with the Beef Tenderloin and BBQ Shrimp with mashed potatoes. She ordered her beef medium, and it was probably half correct and half medium well. There wasn't really a whole lot of pink left. Even with that, she raved about the flavor of the tenderloin and the shrimp. That girl likes her some shrimp, so if she says it's good, it's a-ok. 

Surprise, surprise, I ordered the New York Strip with fries. Usually I only eat a fry or two (I prefer to enjoy the meat that I'm paying for than the sides), but these fries were amazing. These are definitely some of the best fries in Greenville. I don't know if that's saying much, but they are. 

The New York Strip was absolutely massive. I can't remember how big it was supposed to be, but it was one of the largest strips I've ever had. I ordered it medium rare, and it came out dead on. The flavor was great, the char was great, but if I had to ding it anywhere, it would have been the huge fat strip on the outside. I know they're supposed to have a line of fat, and I usually enjoy some out there, but this had close to 1/4 inch of fat on the outside and that I just can't do.

Lets just say, the steak was completely gone (minus the fat I cut off) and the fries were close to gone. I was absolutely miserable ... but it was worth it. 

Price wise, it wasn't Applebee's, but the food wasn't either. It was a little higher than the "norm", but I wouldn't say it was overpriced. I'm ok with paying $30 for a New York Strip that is this size and cooked to perfection.

I have to ding them a half pig for the fat on my steak and Dawn's tenderloins being a little over, but neither was enough to harm the dinner experience. We will be back, and I hope it's before my next birthday.