Avengers: Infinity War Review (NO Spoilers)

Great movie!  I was ready to be somewhat disappointed in Avengers: Infinity War but I was anything but.  All our kids (18+) all also loved the movie.  Starting where Thor: Ragnarok left off this movie is full of action beginning to end.  There are multiple story lines that are all handled equally well doing a good job of making sure those watching aren't overwhelmed.  There are definitely some surprises, the biggest of which is the star of the movie - Thanos.  This is a Thanos movie and as a character he is great.  It is rare when a villain sees the amount of screen time that Thanos gets.  He was handled really well and I think he is one of the best villains you'll ever see.  There are a ton of characters from across the Marvel Universe here but I never felt like it was too much.  Some didn't get the face time we are used to them getting but this movie is about the universe as a whole and the far reaching affects that Thanos' antics have on it.  I really enjoyed Infinity War and it deserves all the praise it is getting.  It would be tough if someone hasn't seen any of the other Marvel movies but I doubt those folks will be seeing this movie anytime soon.  For everyone else go see this movie!    

Skillet Concert

I was able to take in a Skillet concert in Carbondale, IL on the 26th.  Skillet is hard rock but the really turn it up a few notches live.  I was lucky enough to snag 4th row tickets for about $72 out the door.  That included a Q&A session with Skillet and their opening act, For King and Country, before the show.  First and foremost Skillet blew me away.  It seems as though Skillet’s music was made to be played live.  The band’s energy and great music made for one of the best concert experiences I’ve ever had.  While there was some cool things like the risers raising the band into the air or the drum set moving forward this was just a rock show.  Front man John Cooper has a ton of energy which keeps the crowd going throughout the concert.  Jen Ledger provides great accompanying vocals and drumming while Korey Cooper (John’s wife) provides bass.  Seth Morrison is lead guitar and is really good.

The 14 song set list had six songs from their current album Unleashed with past albums Rise, Awake, and Comatose all well represented.  The group has charted really well on the rock charts in sales and in airplay.  Anyone who is remotely familiar with the group will recognize the songs and the hits.  I can’t argue at all with their choice of songs and really didn’t have any I thought they omitted.  Bottom line is I thought Skillet was great and the concert experience as a whole was a blast.     

Short Skillet clip.  Sound is horrible thanks to my phone but it should give you a good perspective from where I sat.

For King and Country skews more pop than hard rock but put on an awesome show.  This video is a good showing of what they do throughout the entire concert.  I knew nothing of this group going in, sans a quick internet search, but left knowing these two brothers from Australia, and their 6-man band, really know how to entertain a crowd with really good music. 

Jen Ledger, the drummer from Skillet, played a three song set as the opening opening group.  She has started a side project, Ledger, and had released and EP the week prior to the concert.  She did a great job and her music was good. 

SET LIST (ALBUM):

Feel Invincible (Unleashed)

Whispers in the Dark (Comatose)

Sick of It (Rise)

Lions (Unleashed)

Back from the Dead (Unleashed)

Awake and Alive (Awake)

Not Gonna Die (Rise)

Hero (Awake)

The Resistance (Unleashed)

Comatose (Comatose)

Undefeated (Unleashed)

Monster (Awake)

Rebirthing (Comatose)

Random Wax: 2016 Contenders Football

I'm a bit more bullish on the 2016 Contenders Football than when I initially looked at these last year.  There were 22 cards in this pack.  This was a discounted pack found at my local Wal-Mart.  For only 22 cards I'd definitely think twice if this pack was at full price.  This pack had plenty of star power which always makes for a fun time.  I'll add Fitz to my personal collection and those Steelers cards are spoken for.  Fun pack even though there may not be anything overly special about it.  

BREAKDOWN

22 – Total Cards

6 – RC

1 - Touchdown Tandems

Random Wax: 2018 Topps Baseball

More of the 2018 Topps baseball via a fat pack.  Again these have a very sharp look to them letting the photos do the talking.  To me the Oakland A's uniforms are always great in photos and Khris Davis' card stood out to me.  The Legends in the Making inserts are my favorite and grabbing Carlos Correa makes it that much better.  That Michael Wacha photo really stood out as well.  Pictures with emotions and reactions will always be something I like and look forward to.  I'm sure I'll pick up more of these as the season goes on - a lot of baseball to go and more packs to bust.  

Breakdown:

36 – Total Cards

6 – RC

2 – Legends in the Making

1 – Combo Card

1 – Team Card

1 – Future Stars/Topps All-Star Rookie

1 – Jackie Robinson Day

1 – MLB Player’s Awards

1 –League Leade rs

1 – Kris Bryant Highlights

2017-2018 Contenders Basketball Blaster Box

I already picked up a pack of these in March and couldn't resist picking up a blaster box of 2017-2018 Contenders Basketball.  I pulled an auto in the Contenders Draft Picks brand last fall.  No auto this time but I did grab a Rookie Ticket Dual Swatch Markelle Fultz/Donovan Mitchell card.  Great card.  It looks pretty cool and Mitchell is a about as hot as any rookie out there right now.  I probably won't hang on to the card long as it'll probably end up on eBay or as trade bait but it is super nice pull.  

  Grabbing a Blazer is always a win as is personal favorite Kawhi Leonard on this Winning Ticket insert.  The Die Cut Kobe isn't bad.  I like the colors and the card looks cool even if die cuts aren't a favorite of mine.

A pretty decent pull.  I thought there were plenty of stars and the inserts were pluses for me. 

 I do wish there were more retired greats, maybe as base cards, but I'll always take the ones I do get and be very happy.  And how can you not like Grant Hill?

Overall a really fun box.  I'll always grab more of these when I can.  You don't get a ton of cards but I do like the base cards and inserts.  With a guarantee of  an auto or relic the price tag on these blasters is a bit more palatable.  

BREAKDOWN:

40 – Total Cards (2 Red Parallels)

2 – Winning Tickets

2 – Hall of Fame Contenders (1 – Retired Great)

1 – Superstar Die-Cuts

1 – Front Row Seat

1 – Playing the Numbers Game

1 – Rookie Ticket Dual Swatch

2016 Donruss Baseball Retail Lot of 24 Packs

I've had this lot of 24 retail packs of the 2016 Donruss baseball for some time now.  It has taken some time for this set to grow on me, mostly due to my initial feelings of not having the MLB license, but it has.  I picked up the packs as part of a Dave & Adam's purchase.  Being retail there is no guarantee of an auto but I was still game for the price of $14.95 for 208 cards.  While I didn't grab an auto I did get some numbered cards and just enjoyed busting a bunch of wax.  This Molina card is definitely one of my favorites.  I tend to think Topps does a better overall job on the photos for their cards but there are still some nice photos here though they are definitely lean onfielding pics.  

I love retired legends and Yaz is my all-time favorite Red Sox player so this was a fun pull.  Rickey is also an all-time favorite.  

I nabbed two numbered cards - a Test Proof Cyan #/49 and a career stat line #/463.  Really though that test proof card does nothing for me.  There were also a couple of pink border parallels.  They didn't look bad.  I was leery at first but seeing them in hand won me over.    

   

These Diamond Kings aren't the Kings of old but I've seen worse (see 2018 Donruss).  Would have liked a bit more color on these cards.  The Power Alley cards are pretty sweet and this was my first look at the USA Baseball cards which are nice.  

The retired greats are a bit draw for me.  The retro '82 design is fun.  Overall these are nice cards and finding a good deal was an easy way to grab a bunch of these cards.  I love opportunities like that even if my wallet isn't always on board.

BREAKDOWN:

208 – Total Cards (24 X 8)

24 – 1982 Set (6 – Retired Legends)

16 – Retired Legends

7 – Diamond Kings

5 – The Rookies

5 – Rated Rookies

4 – USA Baseball

3 – Studio

3 – The Prospects (1 – Test Proof Cyan #/49)

2 – Power Alley

2 – Masters of the Game

2 – Pink Border

1 – Career Stat Line (#/463)

2017-2018 NBA Stickers

I've been a fan of stickers since I was in Jr. High and collected them to fill up the booklets.  I would stop at the local Circle K on the way to school and spend my lunch money though I don't remember the NBA during that timeframe.  So maybe I'm making up for what I didn't have then.  Here's my look at the 2017-2018 Panini NBA stickers.

  I like the design.  Pretty simple.  Panini let the photos be the main focus and added only the essentials - team logo, name and position.  Good job.

My pull was ok.  Chris Paul and Kemba Walker were the highlights.  Two coaches in a pack is never something I hope for.  Nothing against Mike Malone and Kenny Atkinson but not the most exciting.  Still I won't complain.  These will always take me back to my childhood and the fun these brought me as I put them in the booklet or on my Trapper Keeper.