TTPM® REVEALS ITS 2018 SPRING ‘MOST WANTED’ LIST AND CELEBRATES THE TOY AND BABY INDUSTRY’S NEWEST PRODUCTS

Toys, Children’s Lifestyle Products, Baby Gear and More Honored
at Media-Only Showcase Event

NEW YORK, NY. – April 26, 2018 – Today, TTPM®, the leading review site for Toys, Tots, Pets, & more, unveiled their 2018 Spring “Most Wanted List.” During a press conference for hundreds of members of the media, analysts, social influencers and bloggers at the TTPM 2018 Spring Showcase, the TTPM editorial team revealed the toys they’ve predicted will be hits with consumers for the spring and summer season.

2018 Spring “Most Wanted List”

From, action figures and characters to creativity toys and outdoor fun, the TTPM editors selected 13 toys representing the most innovative, playful and on-trend. The list includes new products in established brands and innovative playthings, some making their first appearances at the Spring Showcase.

The TTPM 2018 Spring “Most Wanted List” products are:

Movie Toys

Role-play toys have become most popular with children as they want to become their heroes, not just play with them. For other kids and lifelong fans, contemporary collectibles are more popular than ever.

Avengers: Infinity War Hero Vision Iron Man A/R Experience (Hasbro)
The Incredibles 2 Jack-Jack Attacks (Jakks Pacific)
Jurassic World Super Colossal Tyrannosaurus Rex (Mattel)
Jurassic World Chomp ‘N Roar Mask Velociraptor Blue (Mattel)
Star Wars Han Solo Mighty Muggs (Hasbro)

Classic Play

Activity toys and collectibles are big sales drivers at this time of year, as toymakers deliver the novelty kids want at values parents appreciate.

Bob Ross The Art of Chill Game (Big G Creative)
L.O.L. Surprise! Confetti Pop, Series 3 (MGA Entertainment)
Nickelodeon Slime Super Slime Studio (Cra-Z-Art)
Hatchimals Colleggtibles Season 3 (Spin Master)
Twisty Petz Series 1 (Spin Master)

Outdoor Toys

Warm weather means outdoor fun! This season, kids and families can enjoy the sunshine together with sand, water and bubbles.

Fiesta Cruise Sand & Water Table with Umbrella (Step2)
Watermelon Smash (Yulu)
Glove-A-Bubbles (Zing)

TTPM 2018 Spring Showcase

All of the “Most Wanted List” winning products were on display at the TTPM 2018 Spring Showcase. The event gave media representatives the chance to photograph, film and play with the latest toys and baby gear, scout products for upcoming segments, meet new companies and make great connections with leading and new brands. Dozens of leading, influential, and cutting-edge toy brands, including Mattel, Spin Master, Just Play, Hasbro, LEGO Systems, Nickelodeon, Step2, and more brought their most in-demand products.

The event was also the debut of TTPM’s Baby Shop section and featured brands including Fisher Price, Britax, LÍLLÉbaby, Little Me and more. In addition, more than 100 children were in attendance at the event alongside their parents, to experience the event first-hand in celebration of “Take Your Child to Work Day.” They were able to get hands-on experience with the newest toys and find their favorites!

Summer is also the most important season for ride-on toys, and visitors had many to choose from. Pacific Cycle and Razor each showcased its newest entries, and Mattel introduced a new Jurassic World version of its popular Power Wheels vehicle.

Other popular exhibits included Super Impulse with the World’s Smallest Hot Wheels track and VTech’s Play Area that let preschoolers play with the company’s newest additions to its Go! Go! Smart Wheels product line. Children also had the opportunity to play laser tag at the ArmoGear and NSI International booths, swing on the oversized PlayMonster swing set, and play outdoor games like Zing’s bow and arrow archery set or Antsy Pants’ picnic table and Build and Play Kits.

For more information and to view details on the 2018 Most Wanted List, please visit: https://ttpm.com/mostwanted/

C2E2 2018-Daphne & Velma’s Sarah Gilman and Jennifer Tisdale interviews

The upcoming film Daphne and Velma will be released soon and it is a story on how these two characters from the Scooby-Doo universe met for the first time. I had the chance to interview Sarah Gilman (Velma) along with Suzi Yoonessi (Director), Jennifer Tisdale (Producer), and the writers of the film Kyle Mack and Caitlin Meares as we talked about the movie along with their favorite Scooby-Doo moments and much more.

Daphne and Velma will be released on May 22, 2018

 

 

 

New York International Auto Show 2018 recap.

This week was the media days of the New York International Auto Show and there was a lot of news that came out of the show. I covered it for two days and there were many new automobiles that were shown for the first time this week which will be available later this year to early 2019. First, i will discuss the World Car of the Year awards.

This is the first major award show of the NYIAS and here are the results.

World Urban Car of the Year: Volkswagen Polo

World Luxury Car of the Year: Audi A8

World Car Design of the Year: Range Rover Velar

World Green Car: Nissian LEAF

World Performance Car: BMW M5

World Car of the Year: Volvo XC60

Many car companies were also there showcasing what will come later this year to next year and i have taken photos of these cars that were also previewed at press conferences

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Playfair 2017 Photos

I had the chance to cover Playfair 2017 last weekend which took place at the Javits Center. There were many toy publishers and companies over there such as Spin Master, Lego, Leap Frog, Toys R’ Us, Hasbro and much more.

There were also many activities that children can do there over the weekend from face painting, making slime, trying out the Nerf products in the arena and etc.

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NYCC 2017-Best of Cosplay (Photos)

New York Comic Con took place last week at the Javits Center and it was a blast. Four days of many attendees going there to be themselves and geek out and make friends there. With all the guests and trailers and announcements or buying that one comic, the one major attraction at New York Comic Con is the cosplayers.

I have taken many photos and videos of the great cosplayers that were over there during the weekend. Check them out and the video version will go up this week on Alternativemindz’ YouTube channel.

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TOM OF FINLAND Acquired by Kino Lorber Ahead of Tribeca Film Festival Premiere.


KINO LORBER ACQUIRES TOM OF FINLAND, A BIOPIC ABOUT THE ACCLAIMED FINNISH EROTIC ARTIST AND GAY ICON, AHEAD OF ITS NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE AT THE 2017 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

New York, NY – April 14, 2017 – Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to TOM OF FINLAND, Dome Karukoski’s biopic about the life and work of Finnish artist and gay icon Touko Laaksonen, best known by his pseudonym Tom of Finland.

A trailblazing figure in post-World War II erotic art, Touko Laaksonen drew thousands of fantasy-filled, homoerotic images of intensely masculine (and muscular) men, often liberated from the moral codes of their times. Quickly spreading throughout the world, these images went on to play a significant role in the transnational gay liberation movement that continues to make strides to this day, also becoming iconic symbols for generations of LGBT people worldwide.

Dome Karukoski’s TOM OF FINLAND is set to have its North American premiere at the upcoming Tribeca Film festival, after a world premiere at the Goteborg Film Festival in February. It’s also in high demand among LGBTQ U.S. festivals. The film’s world premiere was followed by a release in its home territory, where TOM OF FINLAND has taken close to $1m at the local box office.

The deal was negotiated between head of worldwide sales Vanessa Saal for Protagonist Pictures and Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber.

‘Touko Laaksonen dared to draw and give life to his most daring and transgressive fantasies, and by doing so, inspired an entire generation of LGBT people to also live and desire freely,” said Richard Lorber. “Dome Karukoski’s film captures the man, as well as his milieu, in an incredibly cinematic and powerful way, so we’re very proud to be bringing TOM OF FINLAND to North American audiences this year.”

 

Vanessa Saal of Protagonist added; “We are so pleased the film has found such a good home for North America. Kino Lorber handpicks and nurtures each of its titles. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and we know they will spread TOM OF FINLAND love across America.”

Director Dome Karukoski is an acclaimed Finnish filmmaker with six features to his credit including The Grump (2014), Heart Of A Lion (2013) and Lapland Odyssey (2010).

The film was produced by Finnish production outfit Helsinki Film, with a screenplay by Aleksi Bardy. The cast includes Pekka Strang, Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Taisto Oksanen, Seumas Sargent, Jakob Oftebro and Niklas Hogner.

Aleksi Bardy, Miia Haavisto and Annika Sucksdorff of Helsinki Film produced the film. Gunnar Carlsson of Anagram Väst in Sweden, Miriam Nørgaard of Fridthjof Film in Denmark, and Ingvar Thordarson and Sophie Mahlo of Neutrinos Productions Germany were co-producers, in collaboration with Mike Downey and Sam Taylor of Film and Music Entertainment (F&ME) UK.

ABOUT KINO LORBER:

With a library of 1,600 titles, Kino Lorber Inc. has been a leader in independent art house distribution for over 30 years, releasing over 25 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Classics, and Alive Mind Cinema banners, with six Academy Award nominated films in the last eight years, including this year’s nominated documentary FIRE AT SEA, directed by Gianfranco Rosi.

In addition, the company brings over 250 titles each year to the home entertainment market through physical and digital media releases under its five house brands. It also now distributes a growing number of third party labels in all ancillary media and is a direct digital distributor to all major digital platforms including iTunes, Netflix, HULU, Filmstruck, Tribeca Shortlist, Amazon, Vimeo, VHX, Fandor, Mubi and Others.

Next from Kino Lorber are the theatrical releases for Bruno Dumont’s SLACK BAY, starring Juliette Binoche and set for an April 21 NY opening at Quad Cinema and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, and Vanessa Gould’s OBIT, opening April 26 at Film Forum and Lincoln Plaza Cinema.

ABOUT PROTAGONIST PICTURES:

Protagonist Pictures is an international finance, production and sales company which has a proven track record in outstanding films and commercial successes. Based in the UK, the company handles films from around the world, always maintaining a strong focus on filmmakers with exceptional vision and storytelling skills.

Protagonist’s current slate includes Francis Lee’s Sundance award-winner GOD’S OWN COUNTRY; Charlie McDowell’s Netflix title THE DISCOVERY which stars Robert Redford, Jason Segel and Rooney Mara; Berlin competition title THE DINNER, Oren Moverman’s adaptation of the Herman Koch novel, starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Rebecca Hall and Steve Coogan.

In distribution in 2017 are Ben Wheatley’s FREE FIRE, Eleanor Coppola’s PARIS CAN WAIT and Adam Smith’s feature debut TRESPASS AGAINST US. Titles in post-production include Clio Barnard’s DARK RIVER and Amma Asante’s WHERE HANDS TOUCH.

Star Trek Turns 50 today and Star Trek:Missions was here last weekend.

Today Marks the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek and what an long time it has been since it debuted. Last weekend was the Star Trek: Missions convention in New York City and we got the chance to cover it. There were many booths and products for display including the NASA section which i found very interesting once i seen it. The NASA section had displays on the future satellites and jets and spaceships that are currently being developed along with stardust and other things that were from mars. Call me weird on this, but i actually like science.


The main floor for Star Trek: Missions had the set from the very first season of Star Trek and i spoke to an guy over there about it and he told me that there is an whole museum dedicated to Star Trek as well (click this link for more info http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Startrek.aspx)

There was also an section for the upcoming Playstation 4 version of Star Trek Online where players from all over the world can play which also has cross-platform capability to the PC and XBOX ONE version.


There were a few panels that i wanted to go to but i was only able to go to two and they were Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Next Generation. The original cast from both of those seasons were there to talk about their roles in their respective shows along with promoting Star Trek: Discovery which will be coming in 2017. 


And Finally here are cosplay pictures i have taken 



Overall, this was an great event but i think the panel room situation could have been handled better but i would come back next year.

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New York International Auto Show 2016 photo Showcase

i had the privilage to cover this year’s NY Auto Show and so far it has been a blast. Today i share Photos that i have taken from the event and the car lines include Scion, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Hyundai and more. I will also detail each model under the pictures.

  The Ford Focus ST

   
 
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (New York Yankees Edition)
   
   
Mercedes-Benz C-class Sedan 

  
Lexus IS C

   
 
2017 KIA Fortes SX

   
 
2016 Ford GT Yellow 

   
   
2017 Fusion Platinum.

  
2017 Chevrolet ZL1 

   

  
2017 Chevrolet cruze hatchback

   
 
2016 Volkswagen GOLF

  
2017 Volkswagon GOLF Alltrack

   

 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL  
2016 Nissan Leaf SL

  
Trans AM Bandit edition #1

    

2016 Toyota pirus prime
Vintage Automobiles 

   
    
    
  
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Top 10 The Walking Dead Episodes

Season 5 of The Walking Dead has ended a few weeks ago and Season 6 is coming our way in October. Today, i will count down my favorite best episodes from The Walking Dead from Seasons 1-5.

10. What happened and what’s going on? (S5:E9)

  

Of all the episodes i have seen, this one caught me and the viewers off guard towards the ending. At the beginning of the episode, we are shown a grave being made for what we thought was for Beth along with flashbacks. During the episode, Tyreese, Noah, Rick, Glen and Michone went to the area where Noah used to live but to see that it has got overrun by Walkers. this also includes his family. Once Tyreese was alone with Noah, he was bitten and for most of the episode, we get to see hallucinations from his vision along with characters that were killed off. At the end of the episode, we get to find out that the grave from the beginning of the episode was actually for him since he is now dead. Talk about “the mind playing tricks on you”. This episode is a must see since the production and editing was so great that you would have not thought that he would die in the episode. Also to note, if you see any Walkers with an “W” carved into their heads along with the small wall with “Wolves not far” tagged onto it, save those for clues for the remainder of that season.

9. A (S4:E16)

  

The season 4 finale was a roller coaster for Rick, Michone, Carl and Daryl. First, the 3 of them encounter the claimers at the night as they were about to kill Rick and Rape Carl and Michone in retaliation for Rick killing one of them a few episodes prior. Daryl tries to reason with the claimers but then he gets assaulted. Rick, Michone and Daryl managed to get the upper hand along with Rick stabbing the last one of the claimers nearly 15 times for putting his hands on his son. later in the episode, they arrived at TERMINUS but to quickly find out that something is up when they noticed that their friend’s belongings are there. Gareth trapped Rick’s group after a gun battle and ordered them to go to an train cart labeled “A”. The good news is that Rick and his group reunited with the rest of the group but the bad news is that they are all captured and are being held in that one train cart.

8. Conquer (S5:E16)

  

The near 2 hour season 5 finale of The Walking Dead left with a bang and an cliffhanger. In the aftermath of the fight Pete and Rick had along with Rick being knocked out to his senses by Michone, Deanna and the rest of the residents of the Alexandria Safe Zone holds an meeting to decide whether if Rick gets kicked out from the Zone or he stays. Meanwhile, we get the first Appearance of the first members of The Wolves, Morgan saving Daryl and Aaron from a trap full of walkers, Nicholas attempting to kill Glen, and the last few minutes of the episode where Rick explains to Deanna and the residents that they need to be ready to survive. during this, Pete arrives with Michone’s sword and accidentally slashes Deanna’s husband. Deanna then told Rick to kill him and without hesitation and giving zero f***’s at all and in less than two seconds, he shoots his gun at Pete with one of the coldest looks i’ve ever seen Rick had. Morgan also meets Rick for the first time since season 3 in the final seconds of this episode as he saw Rick kill Pete. 

7. Clear (S3:E12)

  

In this episode, Michonne, Rick, and Carl are on a supply run. During this, they stop at an small town that has traps for Walkers from one side to the end of the other side of the block. The group manages to get away from the traps until Rick and Morgan reunited for the first time since season 1. Morgan has changed as they both caught up on how have they been since they last seen each other but not in the matter of a normal reunion. Morgan revealed that his son has been eaten by Walkers. Also, Carl and Michonne spends time together as Carl wanted to go back to his old school to get a framed photo of his family. During this, we get major character development between them two especially for Michonne since her backstory was kind of a mystery for a while. 

6. Pretty much dead already (S2:E7)

  

the first half of season two, the entire group is looking for Carol’s daughter, Sophia. After Rick told her to stay in an small area to kill off Walkers, she is no where to be seen when Rick returned. There were a few clues to where she was last at throughout the next few episodes until this episode. While the group takes out the Walkers inside of Hershel’s barn, there was one left and the final one was an zombified Sophia. everyone including myself was in stunned silence as we were all caught off guard for that reveal. Shane shoots her to put her down. Talk about a way to end an episode..

5. Days gone bye( S1:E1)

  

The first episode that started it all and showed us what we are getting too when we get that first shot of Rick putting down an Walker. Rick was shot during an arrest attempt and Shane took him to the hospital. He woke up a few months later after falling into an coma to find out that the hospital is empty and nearly destroyed. He also sees the Walkers for the first time and then escapes the hospital to see that the world he has known, has changed and roaming with Walkers. Rick eventually meets Morgan and his son for the first time as he gives him a brief up to date follow up on what is happening. Elsewhere, we get scenes of Shane, Lori (Rick’s wife), Carl, Dale and others as they try to survive as Rick goes out to look for his Wife and Daughter. What an way to start the series.

4. Them (S5:E10)

  

After the deaths of Tyreese and Beth, the group heads to Washington, DC. The group is very tired and are showing signs that they are fed up. especially the part where they have to get out of their cars and has no choice but to walk during an heatwave while Walkers are behind them but the group does not care to take them down. The group also finds an shed later in the day and has relief from the heat when it rains. Rick then gave his infamous “We are the walking dead” speech and then, a heard of Walkers comes to the shed and tries to break in. The entire group with all of their strength, prevents the Walkers from coming in. they did not come in due to a tree falling on them during the thunderstorm. This episode was a very powerful one and it told the story that they wont give up no matter what obstacle is in the way and to have hope that there is an place for the survivors.  

3. Too far gone (S4:E8)

  

For the entire 3rd season and half of the 4th, the group makes an abandoned prison their home. it was attacked by The Governor and his group two times but the third attack was the one that got them out for good. The governor and Rick has an discussion and also, Michonne and Hershel were being held hostage. The Governor wanted to take the prison or else he will force their way in. Rick refused the deal and then The Governor threatened Hershel with Michonne’s sword. Rick tried to plead with The Governor and would want to try to work everything out. That was, until the words “liar” came out of The Governor’s mouth. He then slashed and decapitated Hershel as the gun battle begins along with the tank. Rick and Governor then goes into a deadly fistfight until Michonne pierced her sword into The Governor. He is my favorite TWD villain but his death was needed after he killed Hershel. The group escapes separately into smaller groups as Walkers begin to overrun the place. 

2. No sanctuary (S5:E1) (WARNING:for mature readers only)

  

The season 5 premier i believe was the best and darkest opening in The Walking Dead. Rick, Glen, Bob, and Daryl are in deep trouble as they are tied from their hands and feet as they are taken to an slaughter house within TERMINUS. This is when the viewer realizes that the people within this place are cannibals. they are kneeled down along with 4 others as they and the viewer witness the butcher hits the other people in the back of their heads to knock them out with bats as the other butcher cuts their throats out with a large knife as the blood spills into the  stainless steel tub. Gareth does a bullet count and asks the butchers to give him the results until a rumble happens. Glen was about to be next to die until the rumble continues. As Gareth checks to see what is going on, Rick kills the two butchers with an wooden shiv he made while they were inside the train cart and freed the group. When they escaped the slaughterhouse, they rescue the rest of the group as Carol use an grenade launcher with an firecracker in the barrel to cause an explosion on an oil tank. Walkers begin to overrun the area, Rick and the rest fight their way to escape TERMINUS. at the end of the episode, Rick and Carol reunite along with Tyreese holding Judith (Rick’s daughter who separated with him in the last season while The Governor attacked the prison) as Rick runs to see and hold her. In the final few minutes of the episode, The group follows the railroad tracks until they happen upon a Terminus sign. Rick crosses out most of the text and modifies it to read, “No sanctuary.” Also in the post credits scene, Morgan appears alone as he is looking for Rick. 

1. Beside the dying fire (S2:E13)

  

In my opinion, the best episode of TWD that has aired. After Rick kills Shane and to find out that he has reanimated into an Walker, Carl puts Shane down. that was the episode that lead to this episode as when Rick and Carl return to Hershel’s house, a large herd of Walkers approach. Rick and Carl lure a number of them to the shed as Rick set them on fire. Also, Lori, Maggie, Glen, Carol, Hershel, Andrea, Daryl and T-dog defend the house from approaching Walkers but they were starting to outnumber them along with devouring a few more of their members who could not defend themselves. the group separates as the Walkers overrun the farm. Rick, Carl and Hershel was at the highway the group was at before to wait and see if others would show up. everyone except Andrea showed up. They later go to an area to camp for the night and this is when Rick revealed to the group that once someone dies, they reanimate into an walker (they all wanted to know why some Walkers they have seen were not bitten when they saw them). On the final few minutes of the show, we see Andrea running for her life until she tripped and fell, An Walker walked up to her until someone with an sword shows up and decapitated the walker. The person also has 2 Walkers chained up to her as this is the long awaited debut of Michone. This episode was full of character development along with moments in this episode that affected the group later on in future episodes. 

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