Saturday, October 27, 2018

Batman Toy Biz 1989 Action Figure

This Batman toy figure came out the same year the 1989 movie Batman by Tim Burton was released.  While it is part of the movie toy line, it’s funny how even back then you didn’t get a large variety of figures and playsets for a movie.  The company that made the toy line was Toy Biz, who actually made other DC Comics figures as well.  My favorite of course was this version of Batman.  Besides TMNT’s this was probably one of my most played-with toys as a kid back in 1989/1990.  From what I’ve read online a few years ago, there are actually a couple variations of the head sculpt.
The cool features from this toy are the accessories such as the Batrope, speargun, and Batarang.  The retractable Batrope or Batman's utility belt as it’s most commonly known, in particular was what I liked the most and was something I constantly broke from overuse as a kid.  Thankfully I was able to find this mint condition toy a few years ago for cheap.  While it’s not the most popular toy to collect, it’s very special to me and it’s one of my most prized toys from my collection.
Batman (1989 film):
Toy Biz Wiki:
YouTube:

Monday, October 22, 2018

Red Dead Redemption 2: Predictions

Here are my predictions for Red Dead Redemption 2.  As we all know Arthur Morgan is the new protagonist and the story takes place 12 years prior to the first game, Red Dead Redemption.  I found that odd at first, so it made me question why Rockstar Games would do that.  This caused me to come up with several storylines for RDR2.  In my story; Dutch van der Linde is the leader of the gang and as such starts off as a man who cares about every member of his gang.  His member’s follow him because they feel he’s doing good despite their wicked ways; just like Robin Hood.  Unfortunately this lifestyle eventually catches up to them, and the Bureau of Investigation starts chasing after the gang threatening their outlaw ways.  Dutch then suggests the gang should do one last bank heist and retire.  The gang is reluctant at first for fear of their wanted levels, but eventually concedes.  Arthur however finds out that Dutch is planning on stealing all the bank money and leaving his gang behind.  By the time Arthur is privy to this information it is too late, because the gang is off to the bank heist.  Arthur then races to save his friends, but again he is too late because most of them have died or have been captured (John Marston).  Arthur then decides to go after Dutch.  This leads to a grand shootout between Arthur and Dutch.  In the end Dutch escapes Arthur, but Arthur is left with all the bank money.  The game then goes into the future a few years later (Spoiler alert for first RDR) and we see Arthur is at the grave sight of John and Abigail Marston.  He just read in the newspaper of their deaths and is here to help raise/guide Jack Marston.  Jack eventually avenges his father’s killer, but must now travel to New York City or Washington to kill more BOI agents; this leads to Red Dead Redemption 3.  Can you imagine travelling to New York City in the 1920’s?  Jazz, the Babe, Harlem, mob shootouts, prohibition and a zeppelin floating over the NYC skyline.
Red Dead Redemption 2:

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Top Favorite: Shawarma

My favorite shawarma is from Family Shawarma & Falafel.  I’ve been coming to them for years because they offer the most delicious shawarmas in town.  Their chicken and meat is nicely seasoned (not very strong) and very flavourful.  For me they’re the perfect meal for late night and weekends when you’re hungry and want to eat cheap; two shawarmas are currently $7.95.  Here’s how I like to prepare mine: chicken, hummus, tahini, lettuce, extra tomatoes, turnip, garlic sauce and hot sauce; all nicely wrapped in a pita and then grilled for a minute.  My mouth keeps watering every time I think about it.
Name: Family Shawarma & Falafel
Address: 2778 Victoria Park Ave, North York
Phone: (416) 496-8010