YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT

Thank you Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for this complimentary movie.

The kids and wife were in bed for the night but I couldn't fall asleep. So decided to stay up and watch some TV. There really wasn't anything on television so decided to watch a new movie Universal Pictures sent me to check out called YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT. A spooky horror movie to watch late at night.

Starring Kevin Bacon (Footloose, Hollow Man) and Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Les Misérables) this movie was originally slated to appear in theaters last Spring. With the pandemic closing movie theaters though, Universal Pictures recently released the movie instead on digital and DVD. Written and directed by David Koepp (Stir of Echoes), this psychological thriller from Blumhouse Productions (which has emerged as the horror king of the 21st Century creating movies including Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Halloween, The Invisible Man, Ouija, and Ma) is based on a novel by German literary sensation, Daniel Kehlmann.



Theo Conroy (Kevin Bacon) is a wealthy banker married to a much younger woman who is trying to make a name for herself as an actress in Hollywood. Trying to stabilize a troubled marriage, Theo and Susanna (Amanda Seyfried) along with their six year old daughter head to the Welsh countryside for a relaxing family vacation. Things quickly begin to unravel on their arrival as they begin  to experience nightmares that cause their reality to blur into confusion and terror.

Then a mysterious spectral figure begins to intervene. Are they being haunted or is this all just taking place within Theo's mind? Is Theo having a mental breakdown or is the whole family in danger from a haunted house? Is this a spectral intervention or a nervous breakdown? Will the Conroy family ever be able to leave this vacation house or will it be their final resting place? You'll have to watch YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT to find out!

YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT is available online as a digital purchase available from moviesanywhere.com or you can get it on DVD from Best Buy. If you purchase YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT using ageekdaddy.com affiliate link this dad blogger will receive a small commission from Best Buy at no additional cost to you. Your support of this blog is appreciated!

THE OUTSIDER

Warner Bros Home Entertainment provided a complimentary Blu-ray of the HBO series THE OUTSIDERS to ageekdaddy.com

I have to admit that while I've enjoyed saving money since cutting our cable television subscription there are a bunch of shows I'm missing being able to see like HBO's THE OUTSIDER. Fortunately, I've been able to catch up on some of them on Blu-ray and DVD. The complete first season of the murder crime mystery series THE OUTSIDER that this defense attorney has been wanting to watch is now available to add to your home entertainment video library. You'd think I would want to leave work at the office, but yet this lawyer enjoys watching these type of crime shows on my time off.

Based upon Stephen King's bestselling novel of the same name, THE OUTSIDER is a new drama series that follows a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a local boy. When 11-year old Frankie Peterson's body is found mutilated in the Georgia woods, police detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) sets out to investigate -- with eyewitnesses and physical evidence pointing to Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), a popular high school teacher, Little League coach, doting husband and father. While the case appears ironclad, Ralph is baffled by the emergence of contradictory evidence that places his suspect in a neighboring city at the time of the murder. The mysterious set of circumstances surrounding this horrifying crime leads Ralph, a seasoned cop still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo) whose uncanny abilities he hopes will help explain the unexplainable.

In addition to all 10 episodes of season one, THE OUTSIDER: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON also includes 40 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus content including the all-new featurette EL CUCO THE BABY YAGO THE OUTSIDER. In this never-before-seen featurette you can dive deep into the real world origins and supernatural abilities of the being at the center of THE OUTSIDER with insights from the show's cast and crew. This is a Stephen King-based show so you had to know it wasn't going to be just a normal crime drama!

Available now at Best Buy. If you purchase through an affiliate link in this post ageekdaddy.com will receive a small commission at no additional expense to you. This dad blogger appreciates your support!

THE BIG BANG THEORY THE COMPLETE SERIES

Sponsored by Warner Bros Home Entertainment

I've got a Sheldon Cooper shirt on, a good brew to drink and a bucket of popcorn for snacking on. Time to binge watch The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series that is available now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. Who else is missing seeing The Big Bang Theory episodes since the show went off the air? Fortunately, with the complete series now available to add to home entertainment video libraries you can watch all your favorite episodes whenever you want and without any commercial interruptions.

From Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television, The Big Bang Theory stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch. The show aired on CBS for 12 seasons. So there is a lot to watch for fans like me who want to go back and see The Complete Series again. I have to admit this dad blogger is geeked to go back and watch all the episodes again. My now eleven year old twins are also looking forward to going back and watching some of the earlier seasons that aired before they started watching the show with me. It is not hard to calculate they weren't even born yet when The Big Bang Theory began!

The Complete Series of this blockbuster comedy follows the hilarious trajectory of best friends Leonard Hofstadter (Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Parsons): geniuses in the lab and challenged in the real world. Yet both somehow manage to entangle themselves in wedded bliss: Leonard with his street-smart neighbor, Penny (Cuoco), and Sheldon, after a long courtship, with Amy (Bialik), a successful neurobiologist. Across 12 universally beloved seasons, they and their friends—fellow scientist Howard (Helberg), his adorable microbiologist wife, Bernadette (Rauch), and astrophysicist bachelor Raj (Nayyar)—attempt to solve quotidian conundrums posed by academia, family crises and video games while solving world-changing problems in physics. Proving, ultimately, that what matters most in the universe is fun, friendship and a well-founded theory. Oh, and a Nobel Prize would be nice.



The only way to see The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series right now commercial free is to own it on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD. It is available on Digital via  iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Prime, and GooglePlay. You can also pick it up on Blu-ray and DVD from Best Buy. If you buy The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series from Best Buy using an affiliate link within this post, ageekdaddy.com will receive a small commission at no additional expense to you. This dad blogger always appreciates your support!

DJI GLOBAL MAVIC MINI

SPONSORED BY BEST BUY

With Halloween in the rear view mirror, it is full speed ahead to the holiday gift giving season. Time to start thinking about presents! Don't be that person who is stressed out and rushing to find the perfect gift for someone at the last minute. That is absolutely no fun when you could be having a festive good time instead. Get your shopping done now.

For the tech loving person on your holiday gift list, take a look at the DJI GLOBAL MAVIC MINI available from Best Buy.  Not only can you have fun flying this compact, lightweight quadcopter drone all over the place because of its super portability, but it can provide great travel mementos with the imagery from its super photography features.



Know someone who is spending too much time inside playing video games? Encourage them to go on some outdoor adventures using the MAVIC MINI. Instead of steering digital vehicles through virtual realities in video games, enjoy the excitement of navigating this drone through real life landscapes and obstacles. It provides a real-time, first-person view of flights from its camera straight to a phone or tablet via free iOS and Android apps which provides an exciting experience. Get off the couch and get outside for some high flying action with a MAVIC MINI.

Flying this quadcopter drone though is just half the fun as you can get great aerial shots from its cameras as well.  When traveling get some great pictures of where you are visiting with some views from off the ground with the camera drone. MAVIC MINI supports 12MP aerial photos and 2.7K Quad HD videos.  Its 3-axis motorized gimbal provides superior camera stability to ensure clear, ultra-smooth footage.

For those more interested in artistic endeavors than adventurous activities, the MAVIC MINI is a great fit too. It provides amateur as well as professional photographers with a cinematic edge.  Here are two great features that make this quadcopter drone stand out whether it is being used for work or play:

QuickShots -- Creating videos that look like they came from a Hollywood film set are as easy as tapping a button to start one of the MAVIC MINI QuickShot modes (Dronie, Circle, Helix, and Rocket). Quickshot modes put the drone on autopilot to execute an elaborate preset motion in the sky while recording. While in flight it automatically generates a short video that can be instantly shared with friends on social media.

CineSmooth Mode -- Set the motion of a MAVIC MINI so it is optimized for obtaining compositions that wow from its cameras while flying around. Slowing down its flight speed and movements provide an added layer of precision and stability. This especially comes in handy when flying in narrow spaces of locations with lots of obstacles to avoid.

Whether you are using a MAVIC MINI simply for the fun of flying it or to take advantage of its aerial photography and video capabilities as a camera drone, its overall functions are important to keep in mind as well. The MAVIC MINI has a number of important features to keep in mind. It excels when it comes to ease of use, durability and safety. Here are a few examples:

Ultralight Construction --With a weight under 8.82 oz., MAVIC MINI is almost as light as the average smartphone. Not only does that make it exceptionally portable but it also places MAVIC MINI in the low and safe weight class of drones.

Extended Flight Time -- The weight of a MAVIC MINI allows it to stay in the air longer than similar consumer FlyCam drones on the market. Get up to 30 minutes in the air with a fully-charged battery.

Safe Flight Technology -- MAVIC MINI can hover precisely both indoors and outdoors thanks to its downward-vision-sensing system and GPS.

Propeller Guards -- Provide for reduced risks of harm or damage to people or objects from accidental collisions with the MAVIC MINI.

DJI  Fly App -- gives users integrated access to SkyPixel, a social media platform for users to share their aerial photos and videos. Browse, share your own, and discover popular aerial photography spots.

This extremely portable camera drone is great for taking on the go. That makes it in this dad blogger's opinion well worth getting a DJI GLOBAL MAVIC MINI. Its small size doesn't diminish the quality of its flight and photography abilities so its transportability is a big perk. Not only is it a blast to play with but it has a lot of practical capabilities to make it very useful as well. Head over to Best Buy to check it out! Beat the holiday shopping rush and buy yours now.

CREATE A MINIATURE ARCADE ON YOUR BOOKSHELF

Purchases made through the links in this post provide ageekdaddy.com with a small commission

Being a kid in the heyday of video game arcades, I have fond memories of spending a lot of time, and quarters, during my youth playing at these places before home gaming consoles became so common place. I've been nostalgic about wanting to create an arcade with old school full-sized retro style video game cabinets in my basement for awhile now. My wife keeps vetoing that idea though due to the space it would take up in our house and expense of buying these video games.

Now thanks to New Wave Toys I've found a way to have my arcade! They've created authentic sixth scale replicas of classic video games that look, and play, just like they did in arcades but are only 12 inches high. Now you can create your own miniature arcade that fits conveniently on a shelf or table top in a bedroom, home office, man cave or game room in your home. New Wave Toys limited edition RepliCade Amusements are sure to get video game enthusiasts geeked!

Officially licensed by the original manufacturers of the video games that are being duplicated, these collectibles share all the features of the vintage, full-sized arcade game cabinets but are recreated much smaller. New Wave Toys Replicade Amusements miniaturized sixth scale arcade machines are fully playable using games' original control schemes. Replicade painstakingly reproduces the details of the original look of arcade games, including the wooden cabinet in perfect profile, control panel with reproduced PlayScale controls, illuminated marquee and cabinet accents, diecast metal coin doors, and professionally reproduced cabinet art. They even toss in some miniature quarters / game tokens to go along with the Replicade arcade cabinets.

Replicade Amusements aren't just meant to be decorations though. They are fully playable games using the same ROM programs that were the basis for the original arcade video games that are being duplicated. Each Replicade Amusement version also has custom-made controllers have been designed to recreate arcade-accurate functionality and provide an enjoyable gameplay experience.

REPLICADE CENTIPEDE

New Wave Toys started out their Replicade Amusements lineup with CENTIPEDE. One of the most successful games from video arcades Golden Age (1978 - 1985), CENTIPEDE was released by Atari in 1980. Players take on the role of a garden gnome armed with a magic wand that is defending a mushroom forest from the invasion of giant centipedes, spiders, fleas, and scorpions. Its trackball controller and iconic imagery have made this one of the Top 100 video games of all time.

Start off your miniature arcade with CENTIPEDE. Don't wait around to buy one though because they are almost sold out though you can still get one from Best Buy. Once they are gone it is game over in trying to get your hands on one.

This miniature replica of the arcade game shares all the features of the original CENTIPEDE cabinet including a miniaturized Trak-Ball, Fire and Player One and Two buttons. Officially licensed by Atari, REPLICADE CENTIPEDE runs the original arcade ROM and features custom-made, miniaturized controls with the goal of providing an authentic arcade gaming experience … just in a smaller twelve inch playscale package.

REPLICADE TEMPEST

Another classic video game created in sixth scale form from New Wave Toys is TEMPEST. Released from Atari in 1981, players must eliminate enemies from a three dimensional playing field. This game was really popular when released because Atari's Color-QuadraScan vector display was considered high-tech for its time. Technology has really advanced since then but this is still a very fun game to play!

REPLICADE TEMPEST plays just like the original arcade game with its Mini Rotary control with swappable spinner caps. This miniature arcade cabinet features a high-resolution screen optimized for the games unique vector graphics. Utilizing Atari's original arcade ROM provides an authentic arcade gaming experience.

Also officially licensed by Atari, REPLICADE TEMPEST is being released in a limited edition. Once they are sold out these will be hard to get. So if this game appeals to you grab one now! Available from Sideshow Collectibles.

REPLICADE STREET FIGHTER II

Also available through Sideshow Collectibles is a RepliCade edition of STREET FIGHTER II. The Street Fighter series of games from Capcom were the first competitive fighting games that let players battle against one another in matches at video arcades. STREETFIGHTER II released in 1991 is one of the highest grossing arcade video games of all time. Based upon its popularity, it has been distributed on a number of home video game consoles over the years, but now you can also play STREET FIGHTER II as it was originally intended through this miniature arcade version.

REPLICADE STREET FIGHTER II plays both the original Street Fighter II: Champion Edition and Super Street Fighter II Turbo arcade games. It is equipped with a miniaturized Fight Stick control panel which includes bat style joystick and microswitch action buttons. Plus because Street Fighter games are all about competing head to head against a friend, this RepliCade edition also comes along with an additional USB Mini Fight Stick for two-player action that can be stored within a compartment at the back of the video game cabinet.

Officially licensed by Capcom, REPLICADE STREET FIGHTER II features amplified stereo sound effects and music, dip switch settings that let you set your skill level, and non-volatile memory saves high scores. Illuminated marquee & cabinet accents make this a sharp looking collectible for displaying. The cabinet also features high-resolution cabinet art on quality 3M vinyl overlays reproducing the original arcade look.

All RepliCade Amusements contain a rechargeable battery and USB charging cord. Battery life is approximately 2 hours of continuous play. All are produced in limited edition runs to provide collectible value.  Other upcoming editions include Asteroids, Dragons Lair, and 1942.

MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL

A Geek Daddy received the featured products for FREE from Sony Pictures & Budsies. This post includes Best Buy affiliate links that provide a small commission from any sales generated.

My daughter accepted a secret mission from MIB headquarters this summer to draw an alien that BUDSIES could transform into a unique plush creation that she could snuggle with during a family movie night that we were invited to have when MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL became available to add to our home entertainment video library. MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL arrived this week on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital and so did our special BUDSIES alien that along with the movie is getting a lot of love at our house full of sci-fi geeks.

My kids had a lot of fun awhile back imagining up ideas for BUDSIES to transform into real life plush creations that we shared here on ageekdaddy.com. BUDSIES is a service that takes drawings that are submitted to it and turns the artwork into BUDSIES custom made stuffed animals and dolls that will be mailed to your doorstep.  So my daughter was excited to have another experience creating a BUDSIES alien for the home entertainment release of MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL.

Creating an alien to watch MIB INTERNATIONAL with was such a great match for this movie which takes us on a new adventure with the clandestine agency that protects the Earth by policing visitors from outer space. We've encountered adorable, crazy and dastardly aliens in previous Men In Black movies and this new addition to the Sony Pictures sci-fi film franchise takes us on a globetrotting adventure as MIB agents go into action to prevent mysterious alien technology from causing an apocalyptic disaster.

This new MIB movie introduces audiences to new Men in Black agents from around the world with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson joining together again following their Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame appearances to lead this film's cast ensemble. They are joined by Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible -- Fallout), Rafe Spall (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), international dance phenoms Les Twins (Laurent Bourgeois & Larry Bourgeois), Emma Thompson (Late Night) and Liam Neeson (Taken). MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL, directed by F. Gary Gray (The Fate of the Furious) is now available to add to your home entertainment video library via Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.



The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe, but in this new chapter of their story, they also must deal with a terrestrial threat. There is a mole in the Men in Black organization. Will MIB be able to save the day again?! You'll have to watch MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL to find out!

Want to dream up your own alien to watch MIB INTERNATIONAL with?  Head over to budsies.com! They specialize in making unique, custom stuffed animals and dolls based upon people's own creativity. BUDSIES turns artwork into loveable plush toys. They also make Petsies, replica's of family pets, and selfie dolls that look like actual individuals.

While enjoying MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL for a family movie night along with your Budsies alien, of course you have to spend some time viewing the bonus features included on home entertainment video releases. Make sure to check these out on the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital editions of MIB INTERNATIONAL:

Gag Reel -- Even top MIB agents forget their lines. Check out these bloopers!

New Recruits, Classic Suits -- A featurette introducing the newest agents of MIB.

Let's Do This! Inside the Action & Stunts! -- A behind the scenes look at how the fantastic action scenes and stunts featured in the movie are created.

Look Right Here: Gadgets, Weapons & Rides -- From the iconic Neuralyzer to a tricked out Jag, a look at the amazing arsenal of MIB gadgets, weapons and vehicles.

Frank & Pawny's Peanut Gallery -- Everyone's favorite pug and pawn join together to watch a few key scenes from MIB INTERNATIONAL and share their thoughts.

Les Twins Leave It on the Floor -- Dance sensations Les Twins show off their signature style and how that influenced their alien roles.

In Case You've Been Neuralyzed: Frank the Pug provides a recap of the Men in Black movie franchise.

The MIB Meet the NBA: This featurette shows the NBA stars who just may be aliens in disguise.

Pick up the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack of MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL from Best Buy for an out of this world family movie night. It is rated PG-13 for science fiction action, language and suggestive material. For more information about the movie go to meninblack.com 

BOSE NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES 700

Best Buy SPONSORED this product review. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of Best Buy gift card and/or the featured product at a reduced price or for free 

In one word how would I describe the Bose's new noise cancelling headphones? AMAZING! Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 does a fantastic job of highlighting the sounds you want to hear and blocking those you don't. The brand-new acoustic design of this model of wireless headphones allows them to achieve the best noise cancelling performance of any Bose headphone yet. They have provided some of the best beat, clarity and tone to music that I've ever heard through headphones. Combine that with noise cancelling technology which mutes outside sounds and you'll find yourself within an envelope of listening splendor when utilizing these headphones.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are great for being able to get into a zone so you can focus by removing distractions.  I work from home a lot and these are great for blocking out things that are making noise in the background like roadcrews doing construction on the street, someone's yard being mowed, dogs barking in the neighborhood or my own kids being loud around the house.  It is so nice to be able to block out these distractions while listening to some of my favorite tunes being bluetoothed from Spotify to these headphones.

It had been hard to take a phone call while working from home when my kids are around. They have a habit of starting to be loud at inopportune times. Doesn't make a good impression with clients to have their calls interrupted by screaming and shouting children in the background. Problem solved with Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

I can synchronize the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 to my phone. This provides crystal clear audio of a phone call I'm engaged in. Plus the headphones' adaptive four-microphone system isolates my voice from competing noises so that I can confidently take a call without worrying about distracting sounds that may be around me. I also like that there isn't a separate awkward microphone extruding out for me to talk into but rather you just talk normally as if you were speaking face to face with someone. The unnoticeable microphones set within the ear cups of the headphones make it seem as if you aren't even talking into them.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 aren't just great for professional needs though; they are also wonderful for a variety of personal uses too. Want to focus on watching a football game when nobody else in the family seems to want to let you. Put on some noise cancelling headphones.



Traveling on a plane. Commuting on a subway. Laying out at the beach. Want to drown out the world around you? Slip on these wireless noise cancelling headphones!

Being wireless makes these headphones very comfortable and convenient to wear while being out and about. So you can interact with the environment around you with just the tap of a button on an ear cup, you can reduce the level of the noise-cancelling to help you be aware of the environment around you or quickly turn it off to speak with someone. You can also with a easy sliding motion of your finger across the right ear cup increase or decrease the sound volume on them. This allows you to wear them anywhere you go and with simple motions control of what you do, and don't, hear.

The only negative I have to say about them is that the noise-cancelling feature only really works well when you are actually listening to something. If you just want to just put on the headphones to avoid hearing noise in proximity to you be prepared to be disappointed. But if you are listening to music, talking on a phone call, or hearing audio from a video Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are spectacular at blocking out all the other sounds around you. They really are AMAZING!

Here is why Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 stand out from the competition:

Listen comfortably for hours with a sophisticated design
A wireless, modernized, lightweight, stainless-steel headband with angled earcups provide a perfect comfortable fit for all-day listening.

Listen for hours
Get up to 20 hours of wireless battery life and time-based power information.

Easy voice control
Keep your phone in your pocket and your head up to the world with easy access voice control services for music, navigation, weather, and more will keep you connected with the world around you. Easily take calls and speak to your voice assistant Confidently take a call or speak to your voice assistant in any environment, with an unrivaled adaptive four-microphone system that isolates your voice from surrounding noise.

Pick the voice assistant that's right for you
For the first time, you can access your choice of virtual assistants. Just say “Alexa” — or press the dedicated VPA button for Google or your phone’s native assistant, like Siri.

Personalize your environment and Noise Cancelling
Choose from 11 levels of noise cancellation. Maximize it to eliminate distractions — or minimize the noise cancelling so you can hear everything around you. Or choose from nine other levels in between.

Immersive listening experience
A signature active EQ provides an immersive listening experience at any volume.

Intuitive controls
Simple earcup controls help you to stay connected without reaching for your phone.

I've really enjoyed using the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 that Best Buy sent this dad blogger to try out. I'm sure to be using them over and over again so they have absolutely earned ageekdaddy.com nod of approval. For more information or to pick up a pair for yourself head to your local Best Buy store or go to bestbuy.com.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gaming Headset for PS4

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for a gamer? You can't go wrong getting him or her a wireless STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSET from Turtle Beach at BEST BUY.  Did you know most movie and video game soundtracks are broadcast in surround sound but most of us don't have the expensive home theater equipment to properly listen? Combining these Turtle Beach wireless headsets with a PlayStation 4 entertainment system (PS4) allows people to immerse themselves in surround sound  experiencing games and movies the way they are meant to be heard in an affordable way.

I like to wind down after a long day playing a game of Call of Duty or Madden NFL on our family's PS4 after putting the kids to bed for the night.  The kids can hear me playing video games from their rooms and won't go to sleep unless I mute the sound or am wearing my Turtle Beach STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND  HEADSET.  This headset has really worked out great for me not only in being able to be stealthy about playing video games without waking my children up at night but by also providing a level of sound quality that is superior to what was otherwise being projected from the speakers on my television.

You'll find comparable fully loaded premium wireless surround sound gaming headsets for more than $200.00 so at $149.99 Turtle Beach's STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSETS are a good deal.  But it gets better! Until December 23, 2017 you can save an additional $30 off the purchase price on these wireless surround sound headsets that also include Active Noise Cancellation technology and a flip-up microphone for online chatting within multi-player games.

We don't have a home theater set up with surround sound ourselves. So, I've really been enjoying being able to use my Turtle Beach headset to experience watching movies and playing video games on my family's PS4 in surround sound. Turtle Beach's STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSETS have earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval because they are loaded with features that work incredibly well.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the headset:

7.1 CHANNEL SURROUND SOUND

The headset creates a soundstage around your head so that you hear sounds in front, behind and beside you.  You'll feel immersed within games, movies, and music as you are enveloped by sound.

ACTIVE NOISE-CANCELLATION

The other day my neighbor was making a racket outside that could loudly be heard inside our house.  The active noise-cancellation feature on the headset let me drown out that noise.  Eliminate unwanted background distractions to allow you to be completely immersed in games, music and movies through your PS4.

FLIP-UP MICROPHONE

I like to play video games online with family members and friends from across the country.  It is a nice way to have fun together when you can't be hanging out in the same place because everyone is spread out all over the country.  The microphone provides great clarity so no one will miss out on you mocking them and easily flip up when you want to mute a conversation.  Blue-tooth connectivity also allows you to pick up a phone call or stream music providing extra value for users of these headsets.

GLASSES FRIENDLY

My son particularly likes how this headset has been designed to be comfortable for people wearing glasses.  Turtle Beach's exclusive ProSpecs feature removes pressure on glasses while being worn.  Thumbs up to the designers for keeping this aspect in mind!

LONG BATTERY LIFE

When using the active noise-cancelling technology the headset's battery will last 10 hours before needing to be charged and can go longer than that if that feature isn't being utilized.  Powering up is easy though, just plug the headset into a PS4's USB port with the included cable for a quick recharge.

SUPERHUMAN HEARING

When playing video games you can enhance the volume on subtle sound effects to give you advance notice about an opponent.  From quiet footsteps to someone reloading their weapon, the Superhuman Hearing feature won't let you be caught off guard. I have to admit not being the best at video games so I'll take any advantage available!

COMFY TO WEAR

For all the technology these headsets provide they are very lightweight plus their leather-wrapped ear cushions feel very comfortable against your head.  Wearing STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSETS from Turtle Beach aren't distracting but rather enhance your entertainment.  Being cord free while wearing this headset is really nice too when it comes to comfort as well.

100% WIRELESS

The headset utilizes an included USB transmitter that provides a best-in-class wireless gaming experience for PS4 and PS4 Pro.  Add that to Bluetooth capabilities that allow for streaming music or making phone calls and you have great connectivity without being attached to any wires.

Whether picking up a Turtle Beach  STEALTH 700 PREMIUM SURROUND SOUND HEADSET for yourself or a holiday gift you won't want to miss out on the $30 off deal at Best Buy.  If buying one as a gift that 12/23/17 deadline is a good incentive to get your holiday shopping done sooner than later.  This combination of active noise-cancellation and surround sound from a reliable brand like Turtle Beach really make these headsets a best buy you won't be disappointed in and are sure to enjoy.  For more information or to buy a headset head over to BestBuy.com or a Best Buy store near you.

Unlocked Sony Xperia Premium and Ultra Phones Available at Best Buy

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

Don't you hate it when you buy a phone from a cellular service and then can't use it if you switch carriers because it is locked to a particular network?!  I know that really irks me!  So I was interested to find out that Sony's new Xperia Premium and Ultra models are now available unlocked from Best Buy.  Buy one of these mobile phones and you can utilize it with a variety of carriers including AT&T, Verizon and Cricket.  So if you decide to switch your service provider that doesn't necessarily mean you need to purchase a new phone when you have one of these Sony Xperia Premium and Ultra models available from Best Buy.

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra:

Xperia XA1 Ultra provides an extraordinary mobile viewing experience with its borderless 6” edge-to-edge Full HD display.  Plus it is equipped with two outstanding cameras.  The 23 megapixel main camera was previously only found on Sony’s flagship smartphones and its front-facing 16MP camera can be upgraded to include a 23mm wide-angle lens.  With 4GB of ram and a microSDXC expansion slot supporting up to 256GB of storage, the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra has plenty of space to store plenty of photos, videos and games.

The Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra is a Best Buy Exclusive that can be found either at retail stores or on bestbuy.com for $399.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium:

If you are looking for more bells and whistles on your smart phone, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium offers 4K high definition resolution on its display plus a Super Slow motion Camera. This 4K HDR Display is the first of its kind on a smart phone! Its 19 megapixel main camera comes with the world’s first Motion Eye camera system, featuring Predictive Capture to help you get just the right shot. The camera also has super slow motion video recording.   You'll be able to capture amazing details in slow motion as the camera can record 960 frames per second - 4x faster than most other smartphones with slowmotion video features.  The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of ram so it has the ability to do exceptional things ranging from allowing you to watch movies in 4K HDR to playing the latest PlayStation video games via PS4 Remote Play.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium can be purchased for $799 at Best Buy retail locations or online from bestbuy.com.

THE QUIET HOUR

American fans of the British made DOCTOR WHO television series will gladly testify that there are some great sci-fi stories being produced by studios outside of Hollywood.  THE QUIET HOUR is a great example of this.  Produced by the United Kingdom's Frenzy Films and shot at locations in Tipperary, Ireland this movie has received praise from audiences and critics at film festivals across the world.  After being shown on Sky Cinema, a premium cable channel similar to HBO that is available in the UK, THE QUIET HOUR is now available for science fiction fans in North America to view on all major video on demand (VOD) platforms and will be available on DVD beginning March 21, 2017 at retail outlets including Best Buy, Target and Walmart. 

In THE QUIET HOUR, humans are few and far between since Earth was invaded by unseen extraterrestrial machines that harvest the planet's natural resources and relentlessly kill its inhabitants. In a remote part of the countryside, where starved humans have become as dangerous as the alien machines hovering in the sky, a feisty 19 year old girl, Sarah Connolly, sets out on a desperate attempt to fight back a group of bandits and defend her parents' farm, their remaining livestock, and the solar panels that keep them safe from extraterrestrials. If she doesn't succeed, she will lose her only source of food and shelter; but if she resists, she and her helpless blind sibling will be killed. And if the mysterious intruder dressed like a soldier who claims he can help them turns out to be a liar, then the enemy may already be in the house.



THE QUIET HOUR stars Dakota Blue Richards (“The Golden Compass,” “Skins”), Karl Davies (“Game of Thrones,” “Happy Valley”), Brigitte Millar (“James Bond Spectre,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and British TV star Jack McMullen.  It is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Vision Films.

Best Buy has Minecraft games & toys you're looking for!

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

From talking to the other parents at my children's elementary school while we congregate during the daily drop-offs and pick-ups, it seems that Minecraft video games and toys are the hot items that the girls and boys have been asking Santa for this year.  Kids love this game because it allows them to create personalized virtual worlds that are only limited by a child's own creativity.  Players start off placed in a randomly generated land without any supplies and must collect materials from the world around them to craft tools and structures necessary to survive in a wilderness that has hungry monsters lurking around at night.  As additional resources are obtained more complex building blocks can be constructed allowing players to shape the world within their game creating almost anything they can imagine.  The great thing about Minecraft is that it isn't a mindless action adventure, but rather stimulates kids to think constructively and problem solve while they play it.

When it comes to Minecraft, Best Buy has the games and toys you are looking for.  Whether you are looking to pick up a video game for a first time player or want to pick up a fun collectible for a diehard fanatic, Best Buy has you covered with a variety of Minecraft products available at retail stores and on its website.  Here are a few of my kids favorite items that they have in stock:

Xbox One S Minecraft Favorites Bundle (500GB) features everything you need to build, survive, and explore! Get full game downloads of Minecraft for Xbox One and Windows 10, plus thirteen of the most popular content add-on packs, including Halo Mash-up and Festive Mash-up. Plus craft new Minecraft worlds together with friends on the advanced Xbox Live multiplayer network.

Mattel mini figures have authentic features and accessories modeling characters with in-game accuracy so that you can recreate your favorite video game scenes with these toys.

Minecraft mini figures collectors case provides a great way to organize and display Mattel mini figures.  Flip it over to discover a Minecraft world layout complete with a playtime portal that will entertain creative minds.  This lightweight case also includes six starter characters and can transport up to 32 figures.

Minecraft Flying Ghast Quadcopter lets you bring a favorite nether-dwelling creature to life. Fly the Ghast in all directions through the air just like in the video game using the included remote control. If you are like me and have a habit of crashing these types of toys don't worry because this Minecraft Flying Ghast also has an automatic landing feature to safely get the toy back on the ground.

Minecraft is family friendly fun that parents and kids can enjoy together.  Plus moms and dads can feel comfortable allowing their children play this game without parental supervision as well.  Don't miss out on the Minecraft fun! Check out all the Minecraft products you can get at Best Buy:  http://bby.me/e7cb

Speed up your home's wi-fi with some help from Linksys

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

A few years ago we set up a Wi-Fi router primarily so that our family could stream movies on Netflix from our personal computer located in the home office at the back of our house to the living room television  at the front of it.  How we use the Internet has changed between now and then though.  On any given evening you'll find my twins each on a tablet working on homework, my wife on her smart phone playing Candy Crush, and I'll be updating this blog from a laptop.  While our use of the Internet has evolved over the years we hadn't made any changes to how we were accessing it.  That original router meant primarily to watch an occasional movie was now being overwhelmed as apps, games, and videos were tapping into it from a variety of sources at the same time often bringing our connections to a standstill.

It was time for a change and thanks to Best Buy we've had the chance to switch our old wireless setup with a brand new WRT 3200 ACM Wi-Fi Router from Linksys.  I have to say the change is amazing! Without upgrading our cable internet connection bandwidth, we found that lag times and disconnections disappeared when using multiple wireless devices around the house.  Troubles with apps not performing, movies not downloading and our wi-fi in general crashing went away as soon as our family installed the Linksys WRT3200 ACM Wi-Fi Router. The reason it works so well is this new router is powered by Tri-Stream 160 technology, which doubles the bandwidth on all spatial streams making it the fastest dual-band router on the market.  What does that mean in plain English?  Instead of sending out a single signal to one device at a time as traditional routers do, the WRT 3200 ACM sends a variety of signals to multiple devices at the same time and at the speed. The WRT 3200 ACM Wi-Fi Router also allows users to gain access to restricted DFS channels at full bandwidth for the clearest Wi-Fi not available with most other routers.  The clearer your signals are the stronger the connection will be leading to faster speeds.

Talking about speed -- in addition to improving our mobile device's internet connectivity, the router was also really fast to set-up.  I have to admit really dreading taking the WRT 3200 ACM out of the box because adding hardware to my computer always turns out to be a pain; but thanks to its great installation software you essentially just needed to plug the router into an ethernet connection and follow some prompts go get the wi-fi up and running around the house.  It is very easy to do and can be done fairly quickly.  A real plus from my point of view.

So here are this router's specs:

• 1.8 GHz CPU for high-powered performance;
•  MU-MIMO technology for high-speed Wi-Fi to multiple devices at the same time, same speed;
•  Open-source ready with OpenWrt and DD-WRT® for complete flexibility and customization of functions;
•  Upgraded Smart Wi-Fi app to manage and monitor your home Wi-Fi from a mobile device, anytime, anywhere;
•  256MB Flash and 512MB of RAM Memory;
•  4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

If your family is like ours and often has multiple devices using a home Wi-Fi network at the same time, I'd encourage you to check out the Linksys WRT 3200 ACM Router.  It has really worked well for us. For more information or to purchase one please CLICK HERE.

Treat Yourself To Some Spooky Fun Tricks On Family & Friends This Halloween

** The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free **

Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of the year with its costume parties, haunted houses, ghost stories and trick or treating.  One of the funnest parts of the season though has to be pulling pranks on people to see if you can scare them.  BEST BUY's Geek Squad has come up with some great ideas on how you can use recent advances in technology to take your Halloween pranks to the next level.  With some help from BEST BUY, you can really treat yourself to some fun with awesome spooky tricks on your friends and family.

Our family walks past this mantle probably a hundred times per day with a mirror hanging over it and built-in cabinets underneath with a television and audio-video equipment and I figured they wouldn't be pay much attention if I tried to pull off the Best Buy Geek Squad's "Mirror Mirror" prank.  So I followed the directions in the video below by swapping out the mirror over our living room mantle with the flat screen television I have stashed in my basement workout area while my wife and kids were out doing some errands.  I grabbed an old Halloween monster mask and recorded myself jumping as if I would be coming out of the mirror yelling BOO!!!  Then I edited the video on my PC and burned it to a DVD.  I connected the DVD to the television which was hidden by a sheet of two-way mirror film and hoped my family wouldn't notice the extra cords dangling about.  Since we already has some A/V cords wrapped around some shelves and the mantle they really did blend in unless you were really paying attention.


When my wife and kids arrived home they went upstairs to put some things away and I grabbed the DVD and TV remote controls to get ready for my prank!  I hid by the stairway entrance to our living room and as I heard steps coming down I flipped on the video just as the person approached then jumped out with my camera to record the moment.  I snapped a picture just as my son began to howl out a cry of fright!  Ooops! thought it was going to be my wife walking into the room first and I felt bad about scaring my son.  He started laughing though once he realized it was a prank and started begging that we do it on my wife and daughter too.  I let him work the remote controls when we heard them walking down the stairs.  Oh the family fun you can have at Halloween!

While scaring friends and family at Halloween can be a real treat - even more fun is being able to show your "victims" how ridiculous they looked at the moment you've terrified them.  Taking a photo can be a nice present to preserve their memory of this Halloween prank or if you are more devilish  it can be a way to blackmail someone who wants to avoid having their embarrassing freaked out face show up all over social media.  BEST BUY has some great tips on how to really do a great job of recording your prank so there are images to share.


So are there any Halloween pranks you've wanted to do but haven't had the know how to pull them off.  BEST BUY can supply technology now that makes pranks that my have seemed beyond the realm of possibility in the past a reality now.  CLICK HERE for BEST BUY's full list of high-tech pranks you can do for a high-scare Halloween. BOO-HA-HA-HA!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!