DVD Review - Shameless - The Complete Series

About the Series

Meet Frank Gallagher (series star William H. Macy): proud, working-class patriarch to a motley brood of six smart, spirited and independent kids who, without him, would be... better off. In Frank's booze-addled view, parenting just eats into his hard-earned bar-crawling time around Chicago -- so he leaves it to eldest daughter Fiona (series star Emmy Rossum) to hold down the fort. Bearing the de facto parent badge/burden, she's donned the proverbial apron and makes sure her younger siblings do their chores, keep a clean-ish home, and everyone (no matter how small) works to keep the house lights on, as well as food on the table. Brothers Lip (series star Jeremy Allen White), Ian (series star Cameron Monaghan) and Carl (series star Ethan Cutkosky) use their intellect to break every rule in the book to survive and make the bank, while younger sister Debbie (series star Emma Kenney) would sooner steal her share. Toddler Liam, the youngest, is just happy to be along for the ride. The Gallaghers are irreverent, endearing, resilient -- and they're absolutely, wildly and unapologetically SHAMELESS.


My Take on the Series

Having just finished Shameless - The Complete Series, I can confidently say this show is a rollercoaster of raw emotion, dark humor, and unpredictable chaos. From the very first episode, the Gallagher family pulls you into their world of dysfunction and resilience. William H. Macy’s portrayal of Frank is both frustrating and mesmerizing—his drunken rants and questionable parenting make him one of television’s most complex characters. Meanwhile, Emmy Rossum’s Fiona is the glue holding everything together, her performance filled with heartache and determination.

What makes Shameless stand out is its ability to balance humor with gut-wrenching drama. Each character grows in unexpected ways, making it impossible not to get attached. While the show loses some of its charm after Fiona’s departure, it remains compelling through its final season. If you enjoy unapologetic storytelling with flawed yet loveable characters, this collection is a must-have. Just be prepared for an emotional ride!

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TV Series Review - The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series

About the Series
Shawn Wayans (In Living Color, Scary Movie, White Chicks) and Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie, In Living Color, White Chicks, The Ladykillers) — real-life brothers and members of the prolific Wayans family —star in this hilarious and physical comedy series as Shawn and Marlon Williams, two very different brothers who live together in New York City while searching for success. As the series begins, Shawn wants to be promoted from delivery man to dispatcher to impress his girlfriend, Lisa (Lela Rochon – Waiting to Exhale, Any Given Sunday). Marlon works in the diner operated by his and Shawn’s father, Pops (John Witherspoon – Friday, The Tracy Morgan Show, Boomerang, The Boondocks). The two brothers often get into trouble with their moneymaking schemes — but it’s always entertaining to watch! The series also features numerous notable guest stars.

 
My Take on the Series

The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series is pure comedy gold! I grew up watching reruns, so having the entire collection to watch whenever I want is a dream. Shawn and Marlon’s chemistry is unbeatable, and their antics never fail to crack me up. Marlon’s over-the-top energy mixed with Shawn’s smooth, straight-man act makes for the perfect balance.

John Witherspoon as Pops is hilarious—his one-liners alone are worth watching! The only downside is the lack of bonus features, but the episodes themselves make up for it. If you love classic ‘90s sitcoms, this set is a must-have for your collection!

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Book Review - Your Year of Wonders: Embrace Change, Grow Faster, Win Bigger!

About the Book

A practical guide to radical transformation through disruptive change, Your Year of Wonders, will give you a glimpse of your future self as you embrace change and air on the side of action instead of the side of caution. You’ll journey from “change is hard” to “growth is happening,” which will open up new perspectives and allow agile optimism to guide you through the most challenging and difficult times. A change management book for the boldest of leaders, it’s also a personal journey that each of us can take to move through change in the spirit of growth to win big and conquer our biggest fears.


About the Author: 

Nick Tasler is an internationally acclaimed thought leader, organizational psychologist, and a #1 bestselling author. Nick has helped hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world transform seasons of change into periods of unprecedented growth at the world’s most respected organizations ranging from FedEx, Microsoft, and JP Morgan Chase to Walmart, Hershey’s, Yale University, and more. Learn more about Nick here.

My Take on the Book
This amazing book will make you reconsider what it means to embrace change, take chances, and achieve even more in your life. While the size of the book is small, what you will learn will really open your eyes. The author does a great job at taking real-life examples and putting them to work to help you re-examine your own life and choices to see what you might be able to to to either incrementally or largely change the trajectory of your life.

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Book Review - Hidden Talent: How to Employ Refugees, the Formerly Incarcerated & People With Disabilities

About the Book

Are you tired of looking for productive, loyal employees in an era of chronic talent shortages? Do you want to know how innovative businesses successfully recruit and retain refugees with limited English, the formerly incarcerated, and people with disabilities?

Hidden Talent shows how ten companies, from a global tech firm and a major hospital to a small painting company, effectively invest in this marginalized and routinely overlooked talent-and the practical lessons they have learned on that journey.

Loaded with practical steps and best practices, Hidden Talent shows how to:

• Identify specific opportunities for employing refugees, the formerly incarcerated or people with disabilities.
• Use 5 interviewing tips from a former inmate turned business owner.
• Onboard non-English speaking employees more effectively.
• Successfully employ different levels of talent on the autism spectrum.
• Train supervisors to engage more effectively with marginalized workers.
• Build productive partnerships to create new talent pipelines.

Hidden Talent is packed with useful lessons from businesses that are already profiting from these over looked sources of great employees. If it was easy, every organization would be accessing these labor pools. But it's not. This book shows how innovative leaders tackle the challenges of hiring employees they would have ignored in the past. Learn how investing in marginalized workers can change your company's performance, culture and, perhaps, your life.

My Take on the Book

"Hidden Talent" is a game-changer for any organization grappling with talent shortages. The book combines practical steps with real-world examples from companies that have successfully tapped into marginalized talent pools, such as refugees, the formerly incarcerated, and people with disabilities. What stood out most to me were the actionable tips, like better onboarding strategies for non-English speakers and training supervisors to engage effectively with diverse employees. The stories of businesses transforming their cultures and bottom lines by hiring from these overlooked groups are both inspiring and instructive. It's not just about filling roles; it's about building partnerships, fostering inclusion, and creating pathways for meaningful work. This isn't a surface-level guide; it's a deep dive into innovative hiring practices that any company can implement. If you're ready to rethink how your business accesses untapped talent, this book is an essential read.

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Game Review - Nintendo World Championship NES Edition Deluxe

About the Game

In Nintendo World Championship NES Edition Deluxe put your gaming skills to the test with over 150 thrilling challenges across 13 iconic NES™ games*! Whether you’re competing online against global players**, battling friends on the couch***, or chasing your personal bests, there’s always a new challenge waiting for you.

Feel like a Nintendo World Champion as you tackle challenges big and small. From blazing through the first level of Super Mario Bros.™ to mastering speedy moves in Kirby’s Adventure™, these tasks are designed to welcome newcomers and thrill veterans alike. Progress through multiple difficulty levels, honing your skills to conquer tougher obstacles.

Prepare with helpful video guides, then aim for a high letter ranking as you complete challenges. Beat your own ghost data, earn in-game coins to unlock even more content, and rise to the top of weekly rotating leaderboards.

Ready for the ultimate test? Take on Legend Challenges, like speeding through Super Mario Bros. using Warp Zones or conquering the first dungeon in The Legend of Zelda™. Choose your division—Silver for accessible fun, Gold for intense competition—and race against ghost data from global rivals.

Show off your gaming prowess with customizable profiles, unlockable badges, and unique Hype Tags. Are you ready to prove you’ve got what it takes?

My Take on the Book
The Nintendo World Championship NES Edition Deluxe is a nostalgic gem that packs 150 creative challenges from 13 classic NES games, blending fun and competition for all skill levels. From breezing through Mario levels to tackling Zelda dungeons, this game kept me hooked with its diverse tasks and ranking system. The collector's edition pins are a delightful bonus, adding a tangible piece of retro charm to the experience. While I initially wished for full versions of the included games, I appreciated how the challenges felt like a modern spin on a historic gaming competition. Playing online added an extra layer of excitement, though some leaderboard scores seemed suspiciously unbeatable. Overall, it's a great way to celebrate Nintendo’s legacy, and I’m now crossing my fingers for future SNES or N64 editions to keep this nostalgia train rolling!

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Game Review - Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

About the Game

• DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy – the first three games of the mainline DRAGON QUEST series. Featuring vibrant HD-2D graphics, new and modernized features, and a refined narrative, players are invited to set out on an epic fantasy adventure to save the world from a dark evil.
• A fully modernized remake of the original: Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, bringing players into the world of DRAGON QUEST III like never before, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements.
• Traditional DRAGON QUEST style battles: A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more.
• Immersive world: Deep exploration of a vast world map with an abundance of rich and captivating locations to discover, challenging players to overcome many unexpected encounters during the journey.
• Experience a timeless musical score: An immersive, authentic, and diverse musical composition that captures the timeless essence and magic of the DRAGON QUEST universe.  

My Take on the Book

The DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is everything I hoped it would be—a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern updates. From the gorgeous HD-2D art style to the streamlined gameplay features, it’s a joy to dive back into this classic RPG. The vibrant visuals breathe new life into the familiar world, and the music feels richer than ever, pulling me into the adventure.

The new features are a game-changer. Adjustable battle speed and the auto-battle setting make grinding a breeze, while the revamped UI and ability to save at churches simplify the journey. The additional side content and reworked mechanics, like equipping two accessories, add a fresh layer of depth.

Exploration feels rewarding, too, with hidden treasures and hints tucked away in unexpected places. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this remake is a must-play—it captures the heart of the original while making it even better.

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Game Review - Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics

About the Game

• Experience your Favorite MARVEL vs. CAPCOM classics All in One – Enjoy 7 of your favorite classic titles that helped shaped the MARVEL vs. CAPCOM universe both single player and online.
• Enjoy Enhanced Features Added to the Classic Collection – To enhance your playability experience, we incorporated the favorite added features from Capcom Fighting Collection including gallery mode, quick save, training mode for all fighting titles, and the high score challenge. Beginners and first timers into the franchise are also welcome to play through adjusted settings and execution of one-button specials!
• Play with Friends Worldwide through Online Compatibility – This collection also includes rollback net code for a smooth and enjoyable experience online. Play casually or competitively through casual, ranked, or custom matches using rules of your choosing!
• Preorder and receive a new 32 page Marvel vs. Capcom physical comic book.
• Comic is packed in with game.
• Size is Approx. 4”x5” (to fit into SW package)  

My Take on the Game

The Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection is a nostalgic gem that pulls together seven iconic titles, plus The Punisher beat-'em-up, into one solid package for the Nintendo Switch. The gameplay is smooth, with no noticeable lag or graphical hiccups, making it feel like you’re back at the arcade. What stood out to me was the range of accessibility—beginners can enjoy simplified controls, while veterans can crank up the challenge.

The bonus content, like the gallery and jukebox, adds a nice touch for fans wanting more than just the games. While the included comic is small and nothing groundbreaking, it’s a fun little collectible. I also loved the quick-save feature, which saved me during intense matches.

Whether you’re battling friends online or reliving childhood memories solo, this collection is a blast. It’s a must-have for Marvel or Capcom fans and anyone who loves retro fighting games!

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