HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

From all of us at 20 Years Before 2000 to our readers, friends and family...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas 2018!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! Hope all your wishes came true. Enjoy these scenes from Christmas past!

Favorite gifts from Santa

Santa was really good to me as a kid. Most of the time I got what I asked for and loved it! Some of those gifts though, bring back more nostalgia than others. Not too say those other toys were complete bombs, but some just hold a really special place in my heart. Like I said Santa was good to me and even the year he kinda screwed me over (Read all about that here) he gave me one of my most favorite toys of all time. That toy was...

Real Ghostbusters Slimer (Kenner, 1984)

I loved this toy! I was a huge Ghostbusters fan, so anything Ghostbusters would have been a winner, but Slimer was super cool. I would always have him flying around sliming my brother's Ghostbusters team and eating anything and everything he could. Am I the only one who still remembers the smell of the plastic food Slimer came with? That smell alone is Christmas to me!

M.U.S.C.L.E. Thug Busters Set (Mattel, 1985)

This was a fun gift! This big box of M.U.S.C.L.E. characters was a combo gift for me and my brother. We tried to split them up equally. Usually my older brother would take advantage of this situation, but I feel like I made out pretty good. After this Christmas we always had a pocket full of these little, rubber pink guys to keep us entertained on any trip our Mom took us on!

Thundercats Cat's Lair (LJN, 1986)

1986 was another year of disappointment for me as you may have read already. This amazing play set didn't show up under the Christmas tree, but came a few weeks later. When it did though, the battle for Third Earth was on! The Cat's Lair was incredible and stands as one of my fave places to play of all-time!

Super Mario 2 & Adventure of Link (Nintendo, 1988)

This was a big one. We usually got our big console gifts at Christmas. Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Playstation, but the biggest joy came from getting these games in 1988. Every kid wanted these games in their collections, but the rumors of a chip shortage causing delays to The Adventure of Link led many kids to believe they would never see this game at Christmas. I was one of those kids. That year during mine and my brothers annual snooping we discovered these in my parent's closet. We couldn't wait til Christmas. When it came we were full of joy and elation!

Nolan Ryan Limited Edition Kit (Mennen, 1994)

This one is kind of an odd ball. Who really likes getting these bathroom sets at Christmas? I didn't really want it, but I used it and the smell of Skin Bracer takes me back to the holidays of the early 90's. Isn't it crazy how certain smells or certain songs can instantly take you back to the good ol days? I still have that Nolan Ryan ball in my sports collection to this day.

Comic Book Pick 12/19/18

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

CATWOMAN #6

Selina's forced into a seriously sinister Sopranos-style sit-down! While the cops continue to hunt her for a murder she didn't commit, Catwoman's forced to take a meeting with secretive crime boss Mrs. Creel. Here's the pitch: work for us or die! Selina counters with some blackmail of her own, but the offer fails to blow away Creel and her meta-crew. That leads to a breakneck chase that drives Catwoman right into the crosshairs of the local authorities.

(W) Joelle Jones (A) Joelle Jones (CA) Stanley Lau

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com

Throwback Jam of the Week: 12/17/18

It's that time of the week again here at 20 Years Before 2000...It's time for the THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK! These are the jams currently on my trusty Creative ZEN MP3 player and they encompass everything from Motown R&B classics to hip-hop and rap from the 90s! I would like to share them with you in the hopes that they can get you on your feet and bring back some sweet nostalgic memories! So throw on your Santa Hat, cut your hair in the fresh fade style and grab some Rice & Stuffing, macaroni & Cheese as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...

Artist: TLC

Song: Sleigh Ride
Album: A LaFace Family Christmas (Released 1993)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: N/A

Bonus Fun Fact: This song is a modern remake of the original song written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish in 1950!

A look at EVEN MORE ornaments!

Christmas is almost here! It is one of my favorite times of the year! I actually got all my shopping done recently for my kids and my family back home. I am so glad I have no last minute shopping to do...I think? One of the best parts of the season is going out with the kids and picking out a tree for our home. Then my wife puts up the lights! She is so specific about how the lights have to look, that I don't even ask if I can help anymore. After the lights are up then it's time for the best part... the ornaments! Each year we purchase a new ornament to put on the family tree. Here are some of my faves that we have amassed over the years.

Buzz Lightyear aka Small Fry (Hallmark, 2013)

The Grinch Steals Christmas (Hallmark, 2008)

Apprentice Mickey Sorcerer's Hat (Disney Parks, 2014)

Rainbow Brite (Hallmark, 2016)

TMNT Raphael (Carlton, 2016)

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite Christmas Tree Ornaments. Now, get your tree ready for Santa, enjoy the holidays and open some presents! Merry Christmas! BTW, here are some great Christmas commercials from the 80s for your viewing pleasure!

Check out some more awesome ornaments from 2017 & 2016!

Comic Book Pick 12/12/18

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #1

Balancing his normal life, school, parents, etc...and super-heroing has never been easy, but when the Rhino and a cadre of mysterious criminals start plaguing Brooklyn, things take a dark turn. And Miles doesn't even know the half of it yet. Eisner Award-winner Saladin Ahmed (BLACK BOLT) and Young Gun Javier Garr n (ANT-MAN & THE WASP) bring you the latest incarnation of the coolest character in the Marvel Universe!

(W) Saladin Ahmed (A) Javi Garron (CA) Brian Stelfreeze

SRP: $3.99

Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com

Throwback Jam of the Week: 12/10/18

It's that time of the week again here at 20 Years Before 2000...It's time for the THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK! These are the jams currently on my trusty Creative ZEN MP3 player and they encompass everything from Motown R&B classics to hip-hop and rap from the 90s! I would like to share them with you in the hopes that they can get you on your feet and bring back some sweet nostalgic memories! So throw on your Santa Hat, cut your hair in the fresh fade style and grab some Rice & Stuffing, macaroni & Cheese as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...

Artist: Kurtis Blow

Song: Christmas Rappin'
Album: The Best of Kurtis Blow (Released 1979)

Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: N/A
Bonus Fun Fact: This song was the first rap song released by a major record label and it took 8 years to become certified gold! The R&B group NEXT sampled this song in their 1998 hit "Too Close"!

My fave background characters in The Christmas Toy

Watching Jim Henson's Christmas Toy holiday special has been a yearly tradition in my family since the special aired on December 6th, 1986 on ABC! We recorded the puppet driven special onto a VHS tape that me and my brother would watch countless numbers of times. Over the years we lost that tape, but a few years ago I discovered the Christmas Toy on DVD and picked it up. Now my 3 kids can enjoy this amazing holiday tradition each year. 

The Christmas Toy has 3 main characters that are the center of the story. Rugby, Apple & Mew. But there are so many fantastic background characters in this movie that you can watch this every year and discover someone new in the playroom. Below are 5 of my favorite toys:

 Bleep The Robot

Bleep actually plays a fairly large roll in the film and has a few fun moments. I have always been a fan of the old school looking tin robots and Bleep fits the bill.

Defenders of the Castle

These colorful little soldiers never leave their post, but they will take a break from their duties to sing a rousing number called "Toys Love to Play"! I always thought these guys and their castle playset would have been so much fun to have.

 Dauntless Dragon

What kid wouldn't love a huge stuffed dragon like Mr. Dauntless here? Unlike some of the other toys in the play room he is huge and you can easily spot him in some of the scenes. He really is a very cool looking toy.

Ditz The Clown

Ditz has a very small part in The Christmas Toy, but it's a big one! He is the first toy we see get frozen after he is spotted out of place by one of the humans that live in the house. Thank goodness Christmas spirit can save the day. His name should tell you all you need to know about this toy's personality. 

The Rabbit in a Baseball Jersey

I don't know why, but I have always loved this little guy. He is truly a background character in this movie. He has no lines is mostly in the back of every shot he is in and he doesn't do anything that affects the overall story. He is just a cuddly looking bunny ready to smack a few home runs and that's pretty awesome to me!

The Christmas Toy is one of my favorite holiday movies and I hope one day it will be released in HD with it's original open and ending featuring Kermit The Frog! Until then I can always enjoy these clips on YouTube.

Comic Book Pick 12/5/18

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...

SHAZAM #1

The superstar team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Dale Eaglesham reunite to launch the first all-new SHAZAM! monthly title set in the DC Universe in almost 20 years! (What took you guys so long?!)

Teenager turned super-hero Billy Batson struggles to balance school and superheroics! (Guess which one is more fun?) But when Shazam unlocks a shocking secret deep within the Rock of Eternity, it challenges everything he knows about the worlds of magic and his family's future as its champions! Also, witness the bizarre team-up of Dr. Sivana and Mr. Mind as they set off to build a society all their own! Don't miss the start of an epic run in the making as "Shazam and the Seven Realms" begins!

(W) Geoff Johns (A/CA) Dale Eaglesham

SRP: $4.99

Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com

Throwback Jam of the Week: 12/3/18

It's that time of the week again here at 20 Years Before 2000...It's time for the THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK! These are the jams currently on my trusty Creative ZEN MP3 player and they encompass everything from Motown R&B classics to hip-hop and rap from the 90s! I would like to share them with you in the hopes that they can get you on your feet and bring back some sweet nostalgic memories! So throw on your Santa Hat, cut your hair in the fresh fade style and grab some Rice & Stuffing, macaroni & Cheese as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...

Artist: RUN DMC

Song: Christmas In Hollis

Album: A Very Special Christmas (Released 1987)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: 78
Bonus Fun Fact: This holiday classic was produced by Rick Rubin and was voted Rolling Stones "Best Video Of The Year" award in 1987, beating out Michael Jackson's BAD!