Play Hooky (2012)

 Play Hooky: This is one I didn't put much thought into prior to hitting play.  Group of kids play hooky to visit an abandoned psychiatric hospital.  It doesn't end well as it shouldn't in a horror movie.  It is pretty straightforward though I thought it took too much time building up the characters.  I think you get who these kids are pretty quickly.  This is one you can take or leave.  In retrospect there were better options out there but I've definitely watched worse horror movies. 

Random Wax: 1991-1992 SkyBox Basketball - 3 Packs

91-92 SkyBox:  We're a week away from the start of the 2024-2025 NBA season.  Clyde Drexler, drafted in 1983, is an NBA all-time great and forever linked to the 1984 NBA Draft that saw Portland draft Sam Bowie.  There are so many "what ifs?" from that draft could have changed his career and the Trail Blazers legacy.  Bill Simmons does a great job breaking down that draft and the "what ifs?" here in 15 minutes.  Really fun listen and crazy how different life could have been for so many players, teams and fans.  

This set is so much fun to look back at.  The design.  The players.  The memories.  Great pull in these three packs.

Nice 1990-1991 Finals card.  The first of the Bulls' six NBA championships.

Speaking of What if?  A knee injury changed the trajectory of Benard King's career.  He is in the Basketball Hall of Fame but he was so unstoppable prior to getting hurt.

The backs were as fun as the fronts with many photos taken away from the court.  Just Will Perdue living his best life.

Some of the different subsets.  I like all of these.  The "per 48 minutes" leaders always added a different take for league leaders.

Oh, how I like Jon Koncak.  And oh, how he was given one of the worst contracts in NBA history (six-years, $13 million in 1989).  Atlanta could have just let him go to the Pistons but they matched the contract offer.  

Some favorites from the era.  Great photos for Orlando and Kevin.  Sampson looks so out of place in that Kings jersey even though I like the Kings unis of that era.

Stay in School people.

And man could these three shoot!  They probably feel they would have been great in today's league.  And Stockton was no slouch.  Just saying.

BREAKDOWN:
45 – Total Cards
3 – Checklist
1 - Stats
1 – Finals
1 – Stay in School!
1 – All-Star Weekend
1 – Centennial Highlights

Topps Now Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Card #722

 Topps Now Card #722: When Shohei reached 50/50 for the season I was excited as anyone.  So much so I purchased five of the Topps Now cards commemorating the milestone.  Probably overly excited, but man is this guy special.  The bundle of five cards is my first foray into Topps Now cards.  The design is nice and I like the photo, especially seeing the coach in the background all excited. 

The backs are standard summaries of the milestone but it's still exciting.  Not only does he get to 50/50 but he does it with three home runs and 10 RBIs in the game.  Crazy.  When you order Topps Now cards you may receive parallel, numbered parallels or even autos.  This is my first look at these so I can't say that goes for every Topps Now card.  Here's hoping Los Angeles and Cleveland make it to the World Series.  In almost no world can I root for one of the New York teams.  
  

Random Wax: 2021 Donruss Football

2021 Donruss: Not a design I care for, but this Blue Parallel Peyton Manning looks good.  The blue border with the Colts' blue uni helps me like it more.  Good photo as well.  Peyton is of course a legend on and off the field and it doesn't feel like his last season was 2015. 

Lots of red going on here.  Nick Bosa is the only player amongst these three still playing.

Nico Collins is having a really good career.  Ojilari had some okay seasons.

More retired greats!  I love their inclusions in the set, and we get another sighting of The Sherriff.

That Chase Young is a Retro 1996.  It's not a bad looking card but I wasn't a huge fan back in the day.

The career for each of these final four players has taken some different turns in the last three years.  Some good, some not so good, some head shaking.  Fun cards and always fun when I get around posting a pack that has been sitting on the sidelines for so long.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
5 – Retired Greats
4 – Rated Rookie
4 – Photo Variations
4 – Blue Press Proof Parallel
1 – Retro 1991

 

Tragedy Girls (2017)

Tragedy Girls:  Tragedy Girls is a dark comedy about two girls who use serial killings to get social media stardom.  But there is a twist.  This one is fairly straightforward and there aren't a ton of surprises but it's the twist on the normal slasher horror movie, acting and dark humor that made it a fun watch.  These type movies can go either way, but it does a good job of keeping to the script and making it fun for the viewer.  The trailer lays it out for you pretty well, so you know what you are in for.

2024 Score-a-Treat Football (20 Packs)

2024 Score-a-Treat:  I enjoy holiday themed cards so these were a must when they hit the shelves about a month ago.  We'll kick it off with Justin Herbert.  He's not putting up monster numbers, but he's played well. LA will need more I think if they are to improve on their 2-2 record.

I like the base pumpkin design.  It's simple but with the color accents and simple placement of Halloween motif it works.  The card stock is thin, but I didn't find that a problem.  They use the same photo from the player's 2024 Score base card.

We see our first Bats parallels.  Again, simple but it works.  Maybe would have preferred the border be purple with green bats but I'm fine.  There are 49 Rising Stars inserts.

We have retired greats, so you know I'm happy.  And if Ray Lewis and LT don't scare you, I don't know what will.

The backs are fine with plenty of color.

There are 40 packs in a package with three cards per pack.  They are meant to be used as Halloween treats for the trick-or-treaters.  They are a fun option for us as well.  There are Trick or Treat parallels #/99 as well.  

Odd Broncos helmet to use for the Denver retired greats.  Just not expected.  These were really fun and a great way to start off the first Sunday of October.  You'll see more of this over time.

BREAKDOWN:
60 – Total Cards
30 – Bats Parallel
20 – RC (Rising Stars)
16 – Retired Greats

 

2008 Bench Warmer Limited

 2008 Limited: Been a while since I've done a Bench Warmer post so let's do this.  This card is my favorite from the pack and a good place to start...not sure there are any bad cards to start with.  You'll notice Shay Lyn is an All-Star.  Also, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  You can find more information at the National Breast Cancer website.  

My first time seeing these, but this is one of my favorite Bench Warmer designs.  The extra muted photo in the background and the colors make it work for me.  We even get Bench Warmer Rookie Cup cards.  Sometimes we get a sport'ish vibe like Martina Andrews' card.

The backs look good and as we've seen with some other Bench Warmer designs, we see the ladies' backsides showcased as well.

There were two International inserts.  Here we have the fronts and backs.  I wish there was more color in line with what the base cards do but not a real complaint.

These are a fun diversion.  Hope you enjoyed.

BREAKDOWN:

5 – Total Cards

2 - Rookie

2 – International

1 – All-Star