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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Classic Sports Movies to Add to Your Collection



Baseball Edition


We love “best of” lists when it comes to building our movie collection. It's hard to find the right movies to place on our shelves when we consider the vast amount of films created all over the world. So, every now and then we will give you a list of our favorite films as a suggestion. Think of it as your cheat sheet to movie research. You might not agree with our picks, but you might be inspired to watch one you haven't seen yet and then add it to your home theater library. 

Field of Dreams (1989) – “If you build it, he will come.” So many famous quotes seem to come from sports movies and Field of Dreams spawned one of the most misquoted lines in history! In 1989, Kevin Costner starred in this film that combines magic, nostalgia, and baseball. Costner's character (Ray Kinsella) hears voices that inspire him to build a baseball diamond in his backyard. This diamond brings the ghosts of famous baseball players to play in front of the small town—one of those players being the ghost of Kinsella's father. This movie is said to be the movie to make even the most macho man cry, so keep that in mind, but it's also a great escapist film that makes you wish you could build a baseball diamond of your own.


Major League (1989) – Before Charlie Sheen was dating questionable women, tearing up Las Vegas and talking about tiger blood, he portrayed Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn in the Major League movie series. This flick is about the Cleveland Indians road to the playoffs. The team ends up with a new owner that wants the Indians to lose in order to move them out of Ohio. Once the players learn about their new owner's plot, they decide to start playing well on purpose, both to spite their owner and keep the team in Cleveland. If you enjoy the first Major League movie, make sure to check out the sequel that was released in 1994. Sheen returns in the sequel and the film keeps the same tone and humor of the first movie in the franchise.

A League Of Their Own (1992) – “There's no crying in baseball!” How many times have you heard that one? Directed by Penny Marshall (of Laverne & Shirley fame) this movie sheds light on the lives of female baseball players in the US during World War II. With the men off to war, women took over a lot of jobs once only done by men—including baseball. With an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna, it's hard not to enjoy this classic. Baseball intertwined with politics and societies a lot back in the day, and this movie shows one of those instances in a comedic, yet memorable way.

The Sandlot (1993) – “You're killing me, Smalls!” Maybe you've heard your friends say it before, and I'm sure you've seen a clip of a freckle-faced redhead boy in a catcher's mask yelling “Play ball!” at a game. Well, that clip and that quote are from The Sandlot. This classic is about the summer adventures of a group of boys and their neighborhood baseball games. Other classic lines, like “You play ball like a girl!” (also used at sports games) come from this comedic and nostalgic film. For those of you that keep thinking about the good ol' days and your childhood, The Sandlot is a must.

42  (2013) – Although this was a recent entry into the world of baseball movies, it should still have a spot in your movie collection. 42 is the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black Major League Baseball player, and the struggles he had to go through to earn the respect of racist fans, players, and managers. It is a touching story, sometimes hard to watch (only because of how awful he was treated) that ends up teaching the audience a very important lesson—that baseball fans can be of any color, and from any walk of life, as can its players.

Friday, August 15, 2014

5 Movie Endings We STILL can't figure out



SPOILER ALERT! The movies in this article ARE a  few years old, so we'll hold back on saying I told you so if you continue to read on. If you haven't seen these movies you should probably schedule some time and put them in your Netflix queue-- they’re well worth watching, even if we don’t fully grasp the ending.

Inception (2010)

Christopher Nolan's ensemble cast film left many moviegoers very angry, mostly because the ending left the movie’s biggest question unanswered. In our current culture of immediate satisfaction, the obscure ending just wasn't what the audience wanted to see. In Inception, a movie about the layers of our dreams and how our reality influences them, we are introduced to the concept of a token. This item lets characters know whether they are in a dream or not. If they can knock the item down, they are in the real world, but if the item does not fall over, they are still dreaming. Well, the movie ends with Leo DiCaprio’s token (a top) spinning and spinning. Just as you think it wobbles and is about to fall the movie ends, leaving you wondering if the final happy moment between DiCaprio’s character and his family is indeed a dream or reality.



The Shining (1980)

This Stanley Kubrick film, based on a novel by horror master Stephen King, gave us some key pop culture quotes and scenes. Who could forget Jack Nicholson’s crazed visage peering through the broken door and yelling, “Here’s Johnny!” ? But believe it or not, many people have not seen the movie in its entirety--they just know the quotes.  If you have seen the movie, the ending doesn't leave you hanging as much as Inception’s ending, but we are still left with a big question. We discover that Jack Nicholson's character has actually been in that hotel for a very, very long time, appearing in photos from the 1920’s. Does that mean his wife and child are also ghosts? Is Nicholson’s character reincarnated? Is any of it real at all? People still debate the movie’s ending and its creepy scenes today.



K-Pax (2001)

This movie isn't as well known as the others on our list, but the ending is just as mysterious. In K-Pax, Kevin Spacey plays a man that claims to be from another planet. His psychiatrist, Jeff Bridges, tries to convince him otherwise, but starts to doubt his own knowledge of medicine. Throughout the entire movie we are wondering if Spacey is indeed an alien from the planet K-Pax or just a mentally ill man.  The movie explores the concept of science, psychology, and insanity, but it also makes you wonder if people that are institutionalized are actually as crazy as we think. Was Spacey’s character indeed from another planet? We don’t know.

  

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)


This movie brought very little closure to fans of the Wachowski brothers famous trilogy. People had a difficult time fully understanding the concept of The Matrix the first time around, and Revolutions didn’t seem to add anything concrete to the situation. The characters Oracle and The Architect didn’t clarify much of anything--instead, they seemed to have confused fans even more. Finally, at the end, the audience is left wondering: Did Neo become part of the I Matrix? Was he actually killed in his final battle against Agent Smith? We have yet to find out.



2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

If you could even sit through this lengthy, somewhat strange Kubrick movie, the ending will have you wondering what in the world you actually watched. The movie has very little dialogue, and we go from apes and a monolith to astronauts in a space ship without much of a bridge. People are mostly familiar with Hal 9000-but if you've seen the image of the giant baby floating in space and wondered what in the world it had to do with the movie--join the club. We still don't know if that is the reincarnation of the main character or something else entirely. 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Star Wars Episode VII


Photo Credit - GeekyTyrant.com

In case you didn't already know, there's a new Star Wars movie in the works. The prequel trilogy wasn't as well received as George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, would hope. He created one of the most hated characters in Star Wars history, Jar Jar Binks, and simultaneously took away the magic and mystery of the concept of The Force by introducing midichlorians. If you don't know what those are, trust me, you're better off.

Now, JJ Abrams, of both Star Trek and LOST fame, is working on the yet to be titled Star Wars Episode VII . The film was supposed to be released next Christmas, while the other movies traditionally had May release dates, but on-set injuries and scheduling issues have delayed filming. There’s still a lot we don’t know about the next installment in the Star Wars franchise. Movie news sites are clamoring for information about the film, as breaking any legitimate news would be important for the site’s numbers and reputation. However, to keep you from being totally lost, we’re going to go ahead and get you up to date with the low down on Star Wars: Episode VII.




What We Know

Photo Credit - HollywoodReporter.com
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher will all return. That means you will once again see Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia on the big screen, albeit much older. Fan favorite sidekicks like R2-D2, C-3PO and Chewbacca will be back as well, with the original actors Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels, and Peter Mayhew, all donning the respective costumes. As for the setting, the movie will take place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi. The movie is currently being filmed in Abu Dhabi and Pinewood Studios in England. Harrison Ford was reluctant to agree to play Han Solo again, but he finally signed on only to injure his ankle. As of now, his scenes are being put on hold until he heals, which might delay the release of the film.

What We Don’t Know

There are important questions that have yet to be answered regarding Episode VII. For example, what is the story line? Big one, right? While we know the film is set 30 years after Episode VI (Return of the Jedi) and we know the key players in the original cast are coming back, will the movie focus on the characters or their offspring? The Star Wars Universe goes beyond the silver screen. The Expanded Universe (EU) is a series of video games, novels, and comic books that further explore that galaxy far, far away. In the EU, Han, Leia, and Luke all have their own families. These children grow up to become major players, Jedi and Sith, in the Star Wars world. Is that what Episode VII will focus on? We still don’t know, but we can’t wait to find out.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Independence Day Sale - Final Days to Save!

6% off your orderCelebrate Independence Day with a new Home Theater.  

Right now you can order the Octane edge in Premium Leather for up to 25% off.  Looking for a different model?  Receive up to $350 off your order, with free white glove delivery and more!   Check out our final days savings event and make this Independence day one to remember!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

World Cup Party 2014



It's almost time for the World Cup finals, and while your team may or may not have a chance at glory, you can still plan an awesome party to watch the game with all of your friends. First, make sure you have an official headcount of your guests. You wouldn't want to leave someone to sit on the floor with a living room full of awesome recliners and sofas. While you might spend most of your time on your feet cheering your chosen team, you definitely want a spot to relax during half-time, so make sure the living room is set up and ready to go. Once you have your room ready and you've got your headcount, it's time to cook and decorate—or order food. We won't judge you.


Custom Drinks

They don't have to be alcoholic, just keep colors in mind. Look for recipes for punch in different colors to match the flags of the final teams. If you don't mind serving alcoholic beverages, you can follow the same color idea but with an alcoholic recipe, or explore the culture of Brazil, the hosts of the 2014, by whipping up some caipirinhas. All you need is ice, some limes, white sugar, and some cachaça . There is no substitute for this Brazilian liquor, so you might have to do some online shopping. Of course, we're all hoping for the USA to make it to the finals, so don't forget to keep the Coca-Cola and Pepsi nearby.

Music

Who doesn't love sports anthems? Just remember, you want to keep the experience global. The World Cup, much like the Olympics, is a rare event that brings the entire world together, so why not explore some different music? Sure, you can go with samba, the genre of music most associated with Brazil, but you could look up some pop music popular in the final countries and add those tunes to your playlist. Don't forget the official song of the 2014 World Cup “We Are One (Ole, Ola)” featuring Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, and Claudia Leitte. Other songs you might have heard, especially during commercials, include “La La La (Brasil 2014)” by Shakira featuring Carlinhos Brown and “Balada” by Gustavo Lima.


Decorations

You might have to get a little creative when it comes to decorations. Your local party supply shop might only have decorations for kids' birthdays, but you can still incorporate smaller items like napkins  and plates with soccer motifs. Check out online bulk supply stores for other items to decorate your home like flags and whistles. If you're into collecting items, you could also display some of your favorite FIFA 2014 collectible items around your home. Coca-Cola released collectible mini-bottles of their famous soft drink displaying the flags of the various countries involved in the tournament. Panini has released collectible stickers, and stores like Wal-Mart are carrying World Cup merchandise, especially Team USA merchandise, which is more difficult to obtain than you might realize.


Food

Arguably the best part of any gathering is the food, right? If you whip up a batch of guacamole for your chips, place it in a rectangular dish, set up pretzels as goal posts, add a few precisely placed lines of sour cream and voila! You have a mini soccer field. There are cake pans available in the shape of soccer balls as well, and a quick Pinterest search will help you find other ways to incorporate the game into your party. However, don't forget this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures. Look up a recipe for “pan de queijo”, a Brazilian cheese bread that would be a great addition to any party. Or try to prep some appetizers from a variety of countries to keep things interesting. Either way, your guests are sure to have a good time and a full stomach.

May the best team win!

Monday, June 16, 2014

5 Ways To Score Big on Savings: Yes, We Are Soccer Crazy Too this Month!



Soccer World Cup fever has infected us with madness and we are ready to take our savings down to levels
that have never before existed.  This is your big chance to score!

In celebration of this dynamic event, TheaterSeatStore are offering a wide array of options to save on top brand home theater seating at never before seen discounts.  These include top brands like Octane, Palliser, Berkline, Southern Motion and many more.  All of these seats can be customized to suit your needs with features like power recline, leather color, lighting or a whole new range of exciting accessories.  Some of the top selling models eligible for this promotion are the Octane XL 700 Turbo, Palliser Bullet, Palliser Blade, Octane Edge, Berkline Reno and Home Meridian Regal.

The games are on and what better way to enjoy them than from the comfort of your brand new leather home theater seats - with 100's of models that ship now in 48 hours or less.  Order today and have your seats ready for the weekend where you can become the new favorite neighbor on your block - watching the games in style.

The sale includes a selection of different offers than can be seen here and will give buyers up to $350 in
discounts, or free in home premium delivery ($199 value) and 25% discounts on select seats.  There is a deal for every taste and we are stocked and ready to ship our seats to your home FAST with our industry leading free shipping.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Awesome Movie Locations You Can Actually Visit

How many times have you watched a movie and thought, “Wow, I wish I could go there!” While a lot of today’s movies are done in studios with green screens, many of the physical locations used by films of the past are still around. From the lush green landscapes of The Lord of the Rings to the futuristic setting of Gattaca, you can visit these locations and step into the movies. Maybe you can re-enact a favorite scene, or take some Instagram shots that will make your friends jealous. Either way, here are some famous movie locations you can visit and re-live some of your favorite cinematic moments.

1) Tongariro National Park -- New Zealand (The Lord of the Rings)

Whether you want to visit the cubby homes of Hobbiton or the vast fields of Rohan, New Zealand is mecca for Lord of the Rings fans. Companies like Twizel offer a variety of tours that will take you to spectacular filming locations and the little that remains of some of the sets used in the movie. The film is said to have been responsible for the revival of New Zealand’s tourism industry.



2) Ennis House - Los Angeles (Blade Runner)
Image Credit: Ennishouse.com

Many remember the futuristic landscape depicted in the Harrison Ford film, but the house that belonged to Deckard is one of the coolest architectural structures in science fiction films. You can visit this house in Los Angeles. The Ennis House is a creation of Frank Lloyd Wright and thus considered a landmark.

The home was built in 1924 for retailer Charles Ennis and is one of four of his Los Angeles homes that use the textile and perforated concrete design.  There were 27,000 of these blocks used to construct the home.

Ennis House was sold in 2011 to a local businessman who is planning a total restoration of the property.

3) Tikal National Park - Guatemala (Star Wars IV: A New Hope)

Do we really have to explain why visiting this location would be awesome? This location was used as the setting for Yavin 4 in Star Wars: A New Hope. Imagine the selfies you could take wearing storm trooper helmets. 

Tikal National Park is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site, so you can expect to have it around for a long time. This location is a must on your list.





4) Marin County Civic Center - San Rafael, California (Gattaca)

Sticking with our sci-fi theme, this Californian architectural wonder was used in two sci-fi classics: George Lucas’ THX 1138 and Gattaca, which starred a pre-Kill Bill Uma Thurman. The civic center was the last building to be commissioned by Frank Lloyd Wright.


5) New York City - New York (Ghostbusters...and more)


We could do an entire blog post about movies filmed in New York, but we decided to mention Ghostbusters. Despite the sad passing of Harold Ramis (Egon), Ghostbusters 3 is still going to be done. While we’re sure many NYC sites will be used, the most iconic location in the movie, the firehouse, is still there for all to see. Head to the Tribeca neighborhood to find the Hook & Ladder Station 8, which served as the Ghostbusters’ home base. 

There were recent rumors that the firehouse may be closed or sold due to budget related issues.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Movie Lingo - Sound Like a Pro on Your Next Movie Set!

If you’re a fan of movies you might be aware of the vast amount of vocabulary words that cater specifically to the world of production. If you don’t, well, that’s what we’re here for. Every profession has its own vocabulary; think about the medical world and even sports, but movie terms are in a league of their own. Here is a list of 10 movie terms that range from seemingly unrelated to completely bizarre.


Magic Hour

This one isn’t so bad, especially if you have also been exposed to photography or modeling. There are two “Magic Hours” in the day--the hour before sunrise and the hour right after sunset. At this time, the lighting is optimal for the film crew to shoot buildings and other cityscapes without drowning out surrounding details like car headlights.

Magazine

Think AK instead of Cosmo. On a movie camera, the magazine is a light-proof chamber that holds film. While most current movies are filmed digitally, there are still plenty of directors keeping it old school. These chambers can hold 400 or 1000 feet of film.


Pans

Nope, nothing to do with your kitchen. Pans are when a camera moves across a horizontal access. Do you have a smartphone? If so, this term should sound very familiar to you--think “panoramic”!


Sun Guns

At least this term makes you think of movie westerns. Sun guns are mounted lights the provide major illumination. They are usually positioned on the left and right sides of scene to light it up to avoid harsh shadows.


Apple Box

A lot of people are familiar with this term, but in case you aren’t, apple boxes are strong wooden boxes typically used to give an actor some height. There are also pancake boxes, but they are flatter (no, really).


Baby Legs

One of the more bizarre terms in movie lingo, baby legs refers to a small camera tripod.


Bed

You would think this term refers to a prop, but it actually refers to the music used in the background of a commercial. The bed serves as the narrator’s “soundtrack.”


Juicer

Nope, nothing to do with Jack LaLanne. A juicer is the set’s electrician.


Score

Often confused with a movie’s soundtrack, the score is original music composed for a movie or TV show. For example, the famous themes from “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” are part of the film’s score--not the soundtrack.


Trailer


Your friends might call these the “previews”, but those in the know understand these video snippets used to advertise upcoming movies and get the crowds excited are actually called trailers. Go ahead, correct them next time!